Hooked on Windmaster, Leave or Die, #mfrwauthor #mfrwhooks

The post, You Can't Go Home, was greeted with so many requests to know what happened that Lord Dal and Lady Ellspeth gave me permission to answer at least part of the question by sharing the leave-taking. Returning home always seems to involve strong emotions, sometimes good sometimes not. You may have heard the saying that you can't go home. But there is a caveat. Sometimes it is worth the try.

To set the scene, Dal and Ellspeth arrive at his family clanhold to discover that his brother, Padraig, now rules the clan and that Padraig is in possession of the jewel Dal needs to save the future of magic. But that is not the end of Dal's troubles. Padraig announces Dal is under the sentence of death.

Against Padraig's wishes, Dal and Ellspeth are offered the hospitality of the clan by Dal's mother and a place to rest--at least temporarily. Between the arrival and this scene, Dal and Ellspeth rescue a young girl who had been kidnapped by the same group who wants Dal dead.

Excerpt from Windmaster:

Padraig stepped through the doorway, his hands held out from his sides. He cast an icy glance around the room that hardened at the sight of the sheathed weapons. “An armed troop of twenty men has been sighted only four hours fast march away. The scouts say although a cleric rides at their head, a mercenary actually commands them.”

At Padraig’s glare, Dal kept his face expressionless, even though the effort was a challenge as the crimson flush rose up Padraig’s neck. “The mercenary was overheard offering a reward if you were captured alive. Dal, he said he had a score to settle with you,” Padraig yelled. “He has a scar running the length of his cheek—a traitor’s brand.” Padraig put the full power of clan chief into his order. “Call your mounts.”

Despite himself Dal could not resist taunting his brother. “What of the sentence? Am I and the King’s envoy to be killed and handed over?”

“Kinsman, if you stay, the entire clan will be slaughtered. You must leave!”

Dal’s determination not to make things easy for his brother faded in the show of Padraig’s strong emotion. “I will not endanger the clan by staying.” Dal bit back a smile at the other’s obvious relief. He didn’t interfere when Padraig stepped to the door and dragged in the fur-covered bundle that had been left alongside the yurt’s wall.

“Warm clothes for the trail,” Padraig explained, “and pilgrim outfits to ease your travels. Captain Ellspeth, please accept these gifts from our clan in appreciation of Jenna’s safe return.”
 
...

Minutes later, saddles and packs in place, Dal knew he could no longer put off his final goodbye to his mother.

Her age showing, Eilidh leaned heavily on Padraig’s arm. Ellspeth stepped over and placed the double kiss of goodbye on the older woman’s cheek. “What will you do now? I would not want my presence here to cause retribution.”

Eilidh smiled. “Don’t worry. We will suffer no harm due to you or Dal. Before the Oracle’s men get here, Padraig and I will take the clan to the high-mountain hold. It may be cold, but there will be food enough. And once the snow closes the pass, we’ll be safe until spring.” Eilidh placed a blue-veined hand on Ellspeth’s arm. “Go with my blessing.” At the dismissal, Ellspeth went over to Kaleigh and accepted Dal’s hand up to the saddle.

Even as he turned to his mother, Dal saw the pain of separation in her face. And he knew she could see it in his. Despite her age, Eilidh’s stride was strong as she stepped forward. Her hands felt warm as she pulled his head down to place a kiss on his cheek. Dal could see the tears shimmering in her eyes as she returned to Padraig’s side.

“My son, go with my blessing and that of your clan. Bear your name with pride and honor.”

“Thank you, mother, for using the formal leave taking,” Dal whispered, then chose to use the traditional response to submerge the emotions his mother’s words generated. The sense of a magic blessing added to his turmoil. She’s not a mage. Yet her benison felt just like Semelen’s. Fighting to maintain control, he suppressed the questions he knew he could not answer and leaped onto Taer’s back.

“Brother.” Dal froze at Padraig’s voice. My brother wouldn’t dare contradict Eilidh and stop me from leaving? Would he? At the pleading in his brother’s tone, Dal turned back to see Padraig offer a small pouch. “Please, Dal, accept this gift as redress for past wrongs. Use it wisely.”

Dal leaned from and grasped the small velvet pouch offered by Padraig. Latent power pulsed in Dal’s hand. He knew without looking what the gift was—the amber charm. Hiding his surprise, he slipped the pouch into a vest pocket and offered his hand. “I accept this offering. Let the past be past, and no discord come between us.” Dal answered Padraig’s genuine smile with one of his own. “Safe journey, kinsman to you and all who walk in your shadow.” Then dropping the formality he added, “You’d better get a move on, Padraig. You know you always were a slow packer, and an even slower walker.”
~ * ~

Windmaster – choose between the sea, magic... or love.

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