The cursed towers 243
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When they reached the shore of the little loch that stretched toward the eastern rim of the valley bowl,
she bade her brusquely to stand still while she blindfolded her. Although the Fairge protested, Isabeau
was adamant. It was betrayal enough taking Meghan's archenemy into her secret tree-house, without
revealing the hidden entrances as well. Blindfolding Maya was the only way Isabeau could salve her
troubled conscience, though still she hoped Meghan would never find out.
Isabeau led Maya to the base of the tallest tree in the forest, which grew on a rocky outcrop above the
loch. Its roots were protected by thorns, and Isabeau scratched her hands badly holding back the
branches for Maya to go through. The narrow passageway wound through the rock and the blindfolded
woman had to grope her way through with hands outstretched, though Isabeau had lit a witch's light so
she could see her way. They reached a little aperture and Isabeau felt for the concealed catch, lifted it
and swung open the hidden door. They stepped out into the kitchen.
It was a small, dark room cut into the rock with the great tree growing up one side, its roots writhing out
and providing many natural shelves and cupboards filled with bottles, jars and books. A fireplace was
built into the rock, a crack, much stained with soot, providing a natural chimney. Before the fireplace
were two high-backed chairs, with carved arms and headrests, and a rickety wooden table. The secret
door was hidden behind a rack of shelves, which Isabeau swung shut behind her and secured close
again. She led Maya to one of the chairs and then laid a fire and lit it with a snap of her fingers. Only then
did she allow the Fairge to remove her blindfold and look about her, which she did with great curiosity.
"Och, what a funny wee place!" she cried. "It looks as if we're inside a hollow tree. Where are we?"
"This is where I live," Isabeau said, crossing her fingers behind her back even though it was only a partial
lie.
"Then ye're a sloppy lass indeed," Maya said with amusement in her voice. Isabeau glared at her in
indignation and the Fairge wiped the arm of the chair with one finger. It was thick with dust. Isabeau
flushed and could think of nothing to say.
Maya grinned at her and kept on looking around. "So this is where the Arch-Sorceress hid for all those
years. I must admit we would never have thought o' looking inside a tree."
Isabeau crimsoned even further. She had hoped Maya would not guess that this was Meghan's home and
she could not think what had given it away so soon. Maya was looking up at a little crest above the
fireplace, which sported a leaping white stag, a crown in its antlers. The motto above read: Sapienter et
Audacter. Isabeau followed her gaze and consternation filled her. She had seen that crest and the motto,
Wisely and Boldly, every day of her life and had never thought to wonder about its significance. Yet it
was the proof that Meghan was no mere wood witch, but no less than a banprionnsa of the MacCuinn
clan.
Isabeau said nothing, just busied herself around the kitchen. She shook out some quilts and sheets and
hung them before the fire to dry, then searched through the jars and tins for food and medicines. She
found enough herbs and grains to make a thin porridge and some tea, telling herself with a frown that she
would have to go out foraging in the morning. It seemed she would never be free of this most mundane of
tasks.
She washed and anointed the nasty gash on Maya's head and checked her pulse, which was erratic still,
and her temperature, which was high. "I think ye will have to swim in the underground loch a few more
times before ye are fully recovered," she said, ladling out the porridge and sinking down into her chair
with a sigh. Indeed it had been a long day.
"That will be no hardship," Maya said. "I have had much trouble these last few years finding water salty
