“Aulus’s prison lies in the opposite direction,” Rhiannon replied. Hugging her arms about her, she looked toward the northern hills.
He stilled. “What do you mean?”
She paused as if gathering courage. “Your brother was given to my clan as a prize.”
“By Brennus.”
“Yes, but at the time I didn’t know who the prisoner’s betrayer might have been. Aulus died on the first night of the winter moon within a circle of stones set by the Old Ones.” She drew a breath. “He was slaughtered to gain the favor of Kernunnos, the Horned God.”
If her words had been physical blows, they could not have fallen on Lucius more brutally. “He was sacrificed? Like a calf or a pig?” He felt ill.
“Yes,” Rhiannon said. “A Druid master guides my clan. He proclaimed the blood of our enemy, offered to Kernunnos, would make our warriors invincible.”
“Go on.”
“Aulus died by Madog’s hand. It was … it was not a quick death. Your brother grasped at my skirt as he took his last breath. I felt his soul fly through mine as it left his body. I’ve felt his touch ever since. I believe that is why he vanishes when I’m near.”
Bile rose in his throat. “Then you are a witch.”
“If a witch is one who merges her soul with forces beyond the physical, then yes, I am one. I often feel the passing of souls, especially of those who die in pain. But I’ve felt no spirit touch me as strongly as your brother’s did.”
“I’ve not seen Aulus since the attack on the fort began. Even before, he lay still as though sleeping.”
“Madog called his spirit to the Druid circle before the attack to aid in your destruction.”
“The youth with whom you spoke in the headquarters yard. He is the one you saved from my sword, is he not?”
“Owein. My brother. I raised him after our mother died birthing him. Madog has taught him the old ways, but I fear Owein has stumbled onto powers too strong for his flesh to contain. He suffers greatly. Madog instructed Owein to bring you to the circle at dawn, that you might meet the same fate as your brother.”
“They will be sorely disappointed. I plan to be miles to the south by dawn.”
“No,” Rhiannon said, her tone suddenly intense. “You must go north. Aulus’s skull is mounted atop Madog’s staff. Until it is buried, your brother will be his slave.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“I want to go with you,” Marcus said.
“You’ll stay here with the ponies,” his father replied. “Jupiter knows I went to great trouble to steal the pair of them. I’ll not have them wandering off or being taken.” True enough, but Rhiannon knew Lucius was exaggerating the point as an excuse to keep his son away from the Druid circle.
“Tending the ponies is an important job,” she added, trying to keep the worry out of her voice. She must not have been successful, for Marcus blinked up at her, his dark eyes brimming with fear. “What if you don’t come back?”
Lucius dropped to one knee before his son and set his hands on the lad’s shoulders. “I’ll not lie to you, Marcus. There is a small chance I won’t come back. If that happens, take the ponies and make your way south. Once you reach Roman lands, our family name will be enough to earn you passage to Rome. Your mother’s uncle will welcome you.”
Marcus dropped his head and nodded, tears leaking from his closed eyes.
Rhiannon gave him a fierce hug. “Stay hidden and pray.”
She led the way down the steep path to the stones. They’d traveled quickly from the fort, fearful of pursuit. Surely Owein had discovered Lucius’s escape by now. Had he raised an alarm? Would he guess in which direction Lucius traveled? He had little reason to expect Lucius would seek the Druid circle.
Her foreboding increased as she neared the stones. By revealing the whole truth to Lucius, she’d betrayed her clan’s trust. The path she trod would end badly, no matter what came to pass within the circle. No peaceful outcome was possible—either Lucius or Madog would die. Her lover or her teacher. More blood to stain her hands.
The sky lightened, foretelling a clear dawn. Rhiannon followed a less-used trail to the stones, though she suspected such stealth would not count for much against Madog’s Druid powers. He would know they were coming well before they showed themselves.
“You must keep your wits about you when you face Madog.” She forced the words past her guilt.
“You told me he’s an old man.”
“His age is of little importance. Madog is a Druid master. He has power beyond imagining.”