Seven Wardens: Books 1-4

Chapter 5-1

CHAPTER 5

A kelpie, a mouse and a beithir walked into a bar. There was almost nobody in the pub, only a tired looking landlord leaning against a large cask of ale, and a few older customers playing chess in a corner. They ignored the three young women, probably mistaking them for tourists.

Macey headed straight to the pub owner. She'd seen him once before, but that was ages ago and she doubted he'd remember her.

"I'm looking for Nessie, have you seen her?"

He stared at her before breaking into roaring laughter. "Dearie, aren't ye a bit too old to believe in Nessie?"

Macey crossed her arms in front of her chest. "She's my aunt." She lowered her voice. "And I know she's a kelpie and comes here several times a week. So, tell me, do you know if she'll be here today?"

The man looked at her for a moment, then nodded.

"There's a pub quiz tonight that she usually comes to. It's still a few hours to go until then, though. Want some scran?"

"Scran?"

Macey could hear the disgust in Luch's voice but ignored it. It was almost unfortunate that she was in human form, that way people could actually hear her. Then again, she was certain the pub landlord wasn't human. There was no other way he'd have been so unconcerned with her mention of kelpies.

As always, Macey's mind started racing a mile a minute trying to work out what he was.

"Ignore her. Three of whatever's on offer," she said with a smile. "But I'm vegetarian."

"Just like your Aunt."

Macey smiled at him a little uneasily. Maybe this wasn't quite the best of ideas. But the ceasg hadn't been able to transport her to her men. Apparently, people were harder to find than places, and without even a general idea, there'd been nowhere to send the three women.

"Yes," she said weakly.

"I'll serve you in the backroom. There's someone in there who'll want to see you."

Dread filled her. Those weren't the kind of words she ever wanted to hear from anyone. Especially when they were effectively on the run from their captor.

"Don't look so worried, Malan sent them to you."

"How did he-"

"If you've forgotten his powers already, then we have bigger problems than if you'll go into the backroom now," the Landlord answered, chuckling away to himself.

Macey wouldn't admit to being happy. She didn't think she'd be happy if she was sat at a banquet table with all three of her men and a mountain of waffles with all the trimmings. After the adventure she'd been having, she deserved all the whipped cream, strawberries and chocolate sauce she could get her hands on.

"Who is Malan?" Amber whispered, but Macey just shook her head.

The conversation of exactly who, and what, the headless prophet was, would take far too long.

"Very well," Macey replied, ignoring the small squeak of protest from Luch. She had no say here either. Macey wasn't even sure why the mouse was still with them, or what her agenda was. While she wanted to believe she had decent motives, and she certainly did seem to be good friends with Amber, nothing was ever certain in this world.

For all Macey knew, Luch was just the Voice playing with them in a different form. Though something deep in her gut had her sure that wasn't the case. And if there was one thing she needed to trust more, it was her own instincts. Ignoring them seemed to constantly get her into trouble.

The landlord waved them towards a dim doorway to the side of the bar, and Macey sighed. She'd really been looking forward to having some downtime. And a pub quiz had sounded kind of perfect, even if she would struggle without someone who'd lived on earth longer than she had.

Pushing through the door, a dimly lit room was revealed. Almost like the kind she'd expect to find in a fantasy film. A heavy wooden table dominated the centre of the room, with uncomfortable looking chairs around the edge of it.

None of them were filled.

So much for someone wanting to see them.

"Welcome, kelpie, beithir, Luch," an ethereal voice said.

Macey looked around frantically, trying to work out where it had come from. Oddly, she found nothing.

"Hi?" she called out into the room.

A shriek sounded from Amber, and Macey turned on her heels to see what the matter was. To her surprise, a woman's form was floating in front of her. Only, she wasn't completely a woman. She was translucent, much like Malan had been. Though at least this person had a body. It was far less disconcerting than chatting with a floating head.

"Hello, Macey," the woman replied.

"How do you know my name?" she asked, already filled with a little trepidation.

"Malan sent me. But I knew it anyway. You are part of a prophecy after all." The woman's voice echoed around the room, with a breathy quality that made it all the more otherworldly.

"Ah, yes. How is Malan?" she asked, trying to be polite. While the situation might be unorthodox, she refused to forget her manners.

"Bodiless, as always." The spirit laughed, and Macey really didn't know how to take that. She wasn't used to dead people being so amusing.

"Do you have a name?" Macey walked further into a room and sat herself on one of the uncomfortable looking chairs. They had high backs at least, and she slumped into it, enjoying the rest for the first time since before being captured by the Voice.

It took Luch and Amber another moment, but they soon followed, taking seats either side of her, and leaving the other side for the spirit woman.

"Of course. How rude of me. I'm Fedelm."

"And you're human?" Amber asked, not taking her eyes off the woman.

"No, I'm dead."

"Sorry, were you a human?" Amber rephrased.

The beithir didn't seem in the least bit concerned that they were talking to a ghost. Macey made a note to ask her about that later. There must be something more to the acceptance than just an open mind.

"Of a kind. I believe there's some sìth blood in my family line. But I was born human. I'm more known for my predictions for Queen Medb."

"It's a long way from Ireland," Luch said, studying her nails with an amused glint in her eye.

"Isn't it a long way from where you truly live, little mouse?"

Luch looked up sharply. Macey had no idea what that was about, but let it lie for now. She didn't want to cause any tension between her and her new ally.

"The Staran and the Wardens are hardly just confined to Scotland. People the world over are at risk if they're destroyed. Ireland really isn't that far to come. Plus, they're not exactly my biggest fans over there."

"What did you do?" Macey asked, intrigued.

"Predicted blood and destruction. People always like to know the warnings, but when they don't listen, and you're right, they hate you for it."

"I'm sorry," Macey responded.

"That can't have been easy," Amber added, her tail twitching where she'd placed it over her lap. Macey had an odd urge to reach out and touch it, but only so she could see how it felt. She wondered if it'd be the same as Amber's scales in shifted form, or if it'd be softer, like skin.

"Crimson-red from blood they are; I behold them bathed in red, " Luch recited softly. "Did you really say that or is that just the legend?"

Fedelm laughed. "I can't even remember. It's a long time ago. And it's not why I'm here now. Malan knew you'd come here, but he didn't know when." She sighs. "He's never been good at predicting times. I've been waiting here for week, and-"

"Wait, I've been gone for weeks?" Macey interrupted, her voice shrill. "That can't be right, it's not been that long. Maybe two weeks at most, right?"

She looked questioningly at Amber, but the beithir only shrugged. "I could have been there for years and I wouldn't know. He twists your mind and memories until you can no longer tell apart present, past and future."

Fedelm nodded sagely. "Time passes differently in different places. I believe it's been two months since you were taken. It's been incredibly boring, there's nothing to do in this village. Your aunt and the pub quizzes are the only entertainment, and those are not even every evening. I'll be glad to get away from here." She huffed. "I wish Malan would have done this himself, but he doesn't blend in as nicely as I do."

Amber snickered and even Luch laughed loudly, much louder than a mouse should be able to.

Fedelm pointed down at her translucent body. "This is much better than being a floating head, right?"

Macey nodded quickly, hoping the woman would get to the point. Knowing she'd been away for so long, she was beginning to panic a little, and was hoping Fedelm would be able to distract her. Give them some good news, even.

"Anyway, Malan would like you to know that it's no longer safe to travel on the Staran without a wraith or ghost. Even the na fir ghorma no longer have access to them. If you'd try to travel on them, it would likely tear you apart. Which means you'll have to wait for your men to come to you. How do you feel about several weeks of pub quizzes?"

Macey stared at her in shock. "Wait, we're stuck here?"

"Yup," the prophet said simply. "Maybe use the time to figure out how to save the world? You better hurry up, the Staran are getting worse by the day. And I believe you still have your seventh Warden to find."

Anger bubbled up in Macey. Fedelm made it sound so easy, as if all Macey had to do was put in a bit more effort. By the waves, she'd been held prisoner for several weeks, of course she hadn't had the time to do anything about the situation. Besides, all she had to go on was a vague prophecy. This really seemed hopeless. How can you fix something without knowing what's wrong?

"We're working on it," Amber said diplomatically, a lot calmer than Macey felt. "I don't suppose you know where our men... ehm, friends are?"

"I do, actually. They're my next stop... I just have to decide how quickly to start looking for them."

Macey frowned. "What's stopping you?"

A silver sheen crept over Fedelm's cheeks. Was the ghost blushing?

"Well, I've always wanted to meet the famous Nessie, but so far, she's been ignoring me. If you could introduce me, I'm sure I could find your men a lot quicker."

"That's blackmail!"

The woman chuckled. "No, it's curiosity. Come on, it's only a few extra hours. I promise I'll bring your men to you straight after. Deal?"

Macey looked at Amber, who shrugged in bewilderment.

The kelpie sighed. "Let's hope my aunt arrives soon."