“What have you decided, Brother?” Naois asked, confident.
“We cannot do this thing.”
Naois could only shake her head in disappointment. “And those babies that died? What of them? What of the stunted crops and the stillborn lambs? What of the fever that has taken so many from us, our own sister among them? Druid, your village is in need, and it is up to you to ensure we have a Root Mother. She must take on her proper duties!”
Donal stared off into the rain and did not speak for a long time. When he did, she could sense his misgivings. “We must conduct the ritual in secret. And you will be sure to give her something to calm her, but not too much.”
Naois gave him a quick nod. “How will the clan accept her without witnessing the ceremony?”
He gave her a grim look, and for the first time,
