Chapter Twenty-Eight

Returning to Eva’s after spending time with Alina, Lamorna noticed that the priests had a visitor. From what she could see, the woman was tall and well built, of indeterminate age. Her black hair was streaked with grey and fashioned into a thick bun that rested against the nape of her neck. But instead of a cloak, she wore a short tunic over a longer one, which was almost the length of her skirt.

She seemed to be on friendly terms with Merrick. The old priest beckoned Lamorna over. Conscious of the woman’s gaze on her, Lamorna slowly approached them.

“This is Lamorna,” said Merrick to the woman.

“Hello, Lamorna. I am Danica.” Her broad face was smooth except for the lines around her eyes that deepened as she smiled. Thin lips did nothing to diminish her friendly appearance, and her dark eyes matched her brown-black hair. “And this must be your brother.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

A small laugh escaped her. “Call me Danica, child.”

“I will leave you to get acquainted,” said Merrick as he returned indoors.

“Come, let us walk.” She led the way to the secluded garden that backed onto the priests’ dwelling. “You have travelled far.” It was more a statement than a question.

Lamorna nodded, wondering who this woman could be. “I cannot remember how many days it has been, but the moon was full maybe three nights after we left before it went away and returned again.”

“That was over thirty days ago.”

“Oh!” Had it really been that many days and nights that she’d been travelling without Vanora?

Silence hung between them as they sat on the small bench at the far end of the garden, silence that was finally broken by Danica. “I lost my mother and father when I was young, younger than you are now; I had no one else. I was taken in by Vanora’s parents, and after she was born, we were raised as sisters.”

Lamorna’s eyes were as wide as the full moon. “You know Vanora?”

The woman smiled. “It has been about... five summers since I last saw her. She is well?”

“Yes, yes she is. Then you know? About me?”

Danica nodded.

Glancing around to make sure they were alone, she said, “Vanora told me the place I was to go to but–”

“I am sure you have realised this is not the place. Vanora meant for you to go to the village of her mother’s people, further down the river. I was to show you the way.”

“Are her parents there?”

Danica shook her head. “It has been five years now since they left us. That was the last time I saw Vanora.”

Lamorna wondered about their deaths but did not know how to ask.

“You seem to have settled here and it is as good and as safe a place as any. I will send word to Vanora that you and the baby are well. Though I have to admit I was expecting you sooner.”

Lamorna paused before answering. “I stayed longer at Mother Bryna’s.”

When no other explanation was forthcoming, Danica said, “Were you unwell?”

She shook her head.

“No matter. The main thing is–”

“It was the first time. I didn’t know what to do. She insisted I stay.”

The woman frowned before her features smoothed. “Ah. Your first time; blood flow?”

She nodded as Danica reached over and squeezed her hand.

They sat silently until Lamorna said, “How did you know I was here?”

“I was not aware of it. I share my time between this place and my home. My village has no priest; it is too small to warrant one. Father Merrick is a good friend.  It was chance or to call that chance by her true name, Steora, who sent me.”

Lamorna started, still not used to the idea that the White Lady could be mentioned in this place, albeit with caution, yet within earshot of a priest.

“Do not worry. Merrick is aware of her; he and I have the most thought-provoking discussions about her.” She laughed as Lamorna frowned and wrinkled her nose at the same time. “Hard to believe, I know, but true. I have an idea what it is like in your former home, Vanora has told me. But there are priests who are open-minded, who recognise the similarities between their religion and ours, and see that their faith has evolved, in a manner of speaking, from ancient beliefs. Now, tell me of your journey here.”

Slowly, reluctantly, Lamorna began from when she lost her mother then her father; she spoke of Mistress Wolf and of her travels after she and Vanora had parted company; how her journey had passed with little incident until she’d left Bryna. She fell silent as a look of sadness crossed her face.

After a pause, Danica said, “What happened?”

Haltingly, Lamorna told her of the sad couple she’d stumbled across in the forest. “I was so afraid yet it was so heart-breaking. I cannot believe I’d forgotten them until now.”

Shaking her head, Danica sighed. “Sometimes, there is such unbearable sadness in this world, and there is nothing that can be done. But you got away, with your brother.”

Lamorna nodded. “All was well after that. Until we arrived at Mother Genna’s. “She spoke of the danger Genna had faced because of her. “I worry about her still. Do you know what happened to her? Have you heard any news?”

“Only rumours, no details.”

Lamorna shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut against her tears. “I shouldn’t have–”

“You are not to blame. For any of this. My sisters and I, we know that the way we choose to live, in service to the goddess, is a dangerous life. But we are her daughters; we would rather die than renounce our mother-goddess.”

Wiping her nose, Lamorna remembered Vanora explaining to her that being a wise woman was a deep calling; she understood that now, having seen for herself how dangerous their way of life was.

“What happened after you left Genna?”

Her voice catching, blinking back tears, Lamorna spoke of the terrifying chase through the forest; of the strange howling that had scared the soldiers; of the wraiths and her mother... Her voice faded; unable to continue, she held her brother close against her face as if he could somehow ease the hollowness in her chest.

Danica leaned closer when she spoke again, for she spoke so softly of Mistress Wolf and how the other wolves had come and taken her body away. How, with a new companion, she’d decided to remain in the forest to prevent others getting hurt because of her. “Then Master Sewell found us.”

“Yes, the rest I know,” said Danica. “Merrick has already told me.” She put her arm around Lamorna. “It has been a difficult journey for you, and yet you are here. You did as you set out to do; you have brought, both, yourself and this little one also, to safety. And what blessings you have received from the goddess herself.”

Lamorna turned her teary face to the woman, a small frown creasing her brow.

“She may not have appeared to you directly, but she has answered your belief in her in other ways.”

“Mistress Wolf?”

Danica nodded. “The wolf is her sacred animal. She sent them, not only to nourish him, but to guide and protect you. And to send that which none I know has ever witnessed, only heard of – her phantom hounds and the Wild Horde.”

“What is that?”

“It is said that women who are taken by death before their time are called by the goddess to join her and become her nightriders, her Wild Horde. The goddess sends them to protect those who call on her for protection.”

After a pause, Lamorna said, “You think my mam, she’s a... nightrider?”

“It seems that way. Oh, do not be troubled, child.” Danica hugged Lamorna closer. “It is a great blessing for she has been chosen by the goddess herself. She is not wandering alone between worlds. It is not as that priest said, that she is unclean.”

Biting her lip, blinking rapidly, Lamorna nodded. “You said hounds but I didn’t see any dogs.”

“They are said to accompany the Wild Horde and are never seen, only heard; that is why they are called phantom hounds.”

Silence crept over them again as Lamorna tried to make sense of all that she’d learned. She absently rocked the baby as he started to grizzle. “You believe we should stay here?”

Danica nodded. “This area is fairly isolated; it is many miles to the nearest village or town of size.” She paused, looking away into the distance. “Also, it is not safe to travel at this time. I have heard there are soldiers not far from here.”

“Is it because of me? Are they looking for me?” Her voice rose.

“I believe so.”

“What if they come?” She was already getting to her feet, her movements jerky, abrupt. “What will happen?”

Danica stood and faced Lamorna, hands on the girl’s shoulders. “I will talk to Father Merrick and to Sewell.”

“But they do not know the whole story. What if they hand me to the soldiers to keep the village safe? What if they–?”

“Hush, now. You must have faith. Do you believe Merrick would do such a callous thing?”

“But what am I to them? To the people of this village? I have only been here seven days.”

“All I can say to you is that I will talk to them. You have come this far, Lamorna, do not lose faith now.”

She forced herself to nod even though fear, once again, held her heart captive.

Danica wasted no time in speaking with Merrick and Sewell. Lamorna did not see them for the rest of the day, as they remained deep in discussion, no doubt about her and her brother.

She herself remained in Eva’s home, not wanting to see anyone, not even Alina, terrified the villagers would demand she leave when they found out she was being hunted by soldiers.