Bound In Blue: Book One Of The Sword Of Elements (8 page)

“You can’t be serious.”

“Daley is ‘The Mighty Thor’!” Miko fell back on the bed as she exploded into a fit of giggles.

“He’s not Thor,” Tynan said and then frowned and shook his bangs out of his eyes. “Except, in a way, he kind of is.”

I shook my head. “What?”

“Daley is descended from the Greylander who came here and used his power over the weather to make himself the god of thunder. The people in the North called him Thor, but he had names in other places—Summanus, Tlaloc, Thunderbird—it was all the same guy. The old gods did that all the time. To the Celts he was Taranis.”

Miko snorted. “And because Taliesin is like a billion years old and still thinks Britain is the center of the universe, we all use the Celtic names even though half of those are the Roman versions that got written down. But don’t try telling Tal that. Practically all of the earth magicians alive follow him, so it’s become a ‘thing’.” She air quoted.

Tynan shrugged. “It would be too confusing to use all the different names. Most of the old gods are gone anyway.”

“They died?” I asked. “Isn’t immortality the definition of a god?”

“They lost their powers. None of them were probably truly immortal, except maybe Cernunnos, but thousands of years can feel like it. Without their powers, most died sooner rather than later. A few still hold on. Becoming a god is tricky. When people worship you, it enhances and increases your power. But when the people who worshipped you stop or die off . . .”

“The power dies too?” I jumped to the logical conclusion.

“And not just the new power, but the amount you were born with too. It all gets mixed up together. That’s what happened to Viviane, I mean, your mom.”

I thought of how quickly the sickness came on and how her organs shut down one by one. “No one’s been worshipping her for a long time. Why did it happen now?”

He shrugged and brushed his hair back. “Viviane was once incredibly powerful, but to you she seemed like an ordinary person. The Lady of the Lake was never seen again after Arthur was defeated. She’d probably been dying for years and it finally caught up with her.”

I felt sick as Tynan plowed on. “I don’t know if Taranis is dead or not, but Daley’s the first person in three thousand years to inherit the same abilities. Daley’s parents adopted him, so no one knows which one of his ancestors Taranis hooked up with. He’s a Protector too.”

Miko grabbed the blanket at the end of the bed and wrapped it around her shoulders, striking a pose. “Well I’m going to keep calling him Thor. I bought him a cape last Christmas but he never wears it. Maybe I should get him a helmet this year.”

Tynan tossed a pillow at her head which she ducked. “Maybe you should stop teasing him about it.” It made me think of Peter.

“So Daley’s like Peter?” I asked.

“Sort of. He’s your bonded Protector. You don’t know what that means yet, but he’d die to protect you.”

“I’d do the same for him. He’s my best friend.”

Tynan shook his head. “It’s not the same. You can
choose
to do it, but Peter
has
to do it. He’ll protect you even if it means letting someone else he loves get hurt. Daley’s different. Taranis wasn’t just the god of thunder. There are ancient references to his powers that no one understands. His symbol was a chariot wheel with eight spokes.”

My breath caught. The little charm tucked under my sleeve also had eight spokes. I pushed the bracelet a little farther up my wrist. For some reason, I didn’t want anyone to see it.

“The wheel is a symbol of fate. Dad thinks part of Daley’s inheritance is the responsibility to be a judge over the gods, to decide their fate. I don’t know what that means, but we all get pretty big guilt trips from him whenever one of us screws up.” Tynan laughed but there was an edge to it.

Miko was watching him. “Daley’s a bully sometimes, but even I know he loves you, Ty.” She paused and bit her lip. “More than anyone else alive on earth.”

Tynan looked up and Miko shrugged and gave him a funny smile.

I think I’m missing something.

She glanced at me. “Daley’s completely full of it sometimes, but he’s as hard on himself as he is on everyone else. Taliesin plans for him to fill the void when Arthur is defeated once and for all. ”

“Don’t ever say that. There’s only one Earth King.” Tynan’s voice was harsh.

Miko frowned. “Maybe. And maybe not. I do know Daley doesn’t want to be the judge of the gods.”

I didn’t understand. “But you said the gods are all dead or powerless now.”

Miko slipped off the bed and readjusted her ponytails in the mirror over the dresser. “That’s the old gods. There are still gods on earth. Gods who can speak to harps, command armies, take power from a Cŵn Annwn . . .”

Tynan’s eyes were sad. “We’re the gods Dad believes Daley is destined to judge.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“Us?”

“Yup.” Miko pulled out some eyeliner from her bag and began thickening and winging the black lines around her eyes. “But what happens when the gods go to war and judging one magic user means betraying another, or protecting a human means ignoring one of his own kind? Rowan started a bet that
Lord Thor’s
mind won’t be able to handle it and he’ll go berserk and kill us all.” She smirked. “I may have let that slip one day when Daley was being particularly annoying.”

Tynan brushed my hand with his. I tried not to pull away. “Daley’s always searching through old books and checking out ancient sites where Taranis was worshipped to see if he can find out anything about what he’s supposed to do with his power.”

Miko threw her eyeliner down on the dresser. “And maybe Daley should decide for himself. Just because some moldy old book or a scratching on a pillar in a field tells him something, it doesn’t mean he has to do it.”

Tynan looked down so his hair fell over his cheeks and I couldn’t see his eyes. “Fate is fate. You can’t escape it. Maybe it’s better to know who you’re supposed to be, even if you don’t like it.”

I thought about that for a moment. “I don’t believe in fate,” I decided.

Miko bounced back on the bed. “Me neither. I say, if all Daley wants to do with his power is roast hotdogs with it, then why not?”

All this talk about Daley conjured images in my mind—powerful images that stirred something inside me more deeply than Tynan’s quick kiss had.

The front door slammed. There were voices and then one rose above them all.

“You can produce the girl now or my men will go and search for her, and they don’t play so nice with things like Italian leather furniture and fancy ceramic doodads. Or doors. You’ll lose your security deposit for sure, Taliesin.” This was said in an English accent so broad it was almost comical and followed by a booming laugh I could somehow feel as well as hear.

That’s my cue.

“Sorry guys. You should try to remember to get rid of any cell phones the next time you kidnap someone.” I grabbed my purse and walked out the door.

“Ah, this must be Miss Lynne.” The man at the bottom of the stairs was an impressive sight. Tall and broad shouldered, he wore a dark green suit accented by the triangle of a handkerchief in a brighter green in the breast pocket. His beard was full and bushy, and the tawny red hair spilling onto his shoulders was as masculine as the mane of a lion. The man stood in the center of a tableau that included Peter, Lacey, and two other bearded men on one side, and Rowan, Daley, and Taliesin on the other.

“Mr. Goodfellow?” I asked as I came down the stairs. Miko and Tynan had caught up, but I ignored Tynan’s hand brushing my arm as if to stop me.

Up close, I could see that the man’s eyes were also bright green, and it was a sprig of holly in his pocket. Drops of moisture like dew clung to his hair and beard, but the day was dry and sunny.

“Of course, my dear, I came as soon as I received your message. Viviane told me you might be in touch.” His face became serious. “The world is darker with her passing.”

“Thank you.”

Pulling out a card from the inside pocket of his jacket, Goodfellow offered it to Taliesin but the bard waved it away with a tight smile. “Do not mock me, Silvanus. I know who you are, though I have only had dealings with your cousins.”

“Yes, you and your kind make quite free use of my kin. But call me Robin Goodfellow, Bard. The name Silvanus died with the Romans.”

“And I thought the Lord of the Forest no longer ventured onto the Paths to visit the human world.”

Goodfellow shrugged. “True. You and your earth magicians have bound my kin to ferry your asses to and fro ‘round the world, but I’ve eluded being pulled into this little
jihad
you and Morgan are working your way up to. That doesn’t mean I’ve given up all care for what happens in the wider world outside the Greenwood.”

Daley and Rowan had been watching the exchange with confused looks on their faces, but Rowan seemed to suddenly understand something and stepped forward. “Lord Forest,” he said, bowing from the waist.

“It's just a Path guide, Rowan . . . ,” Daley said and then his eyes widened. “Are you saying this is
the
Green Man?”

“The Green Man, Silvanus, Jack in the Green, the Green Knight, Robin Goodfellow, even Robin Hood—they are all his names,” Rowan replied reverently. “He is the Lord of the Forest and the Keeper of the Paths.” One glance at Peter and I could see he was almost overcome by the thought he was standing in the same room as Robin Hood. I wasn’t so enthusiastic.

Couldn’t Mom have a nice, normal, human friend I could rely on instead of another addition to the freak show?

Robin Goodfellow scratched at his beard, but he looked pleased. “It’s nice to be recognized. As for my younger kin, you may call them ‘guides’ if you wish.” He glared at Daley. “But remember they serve at my discretion and allowance.”

“Take care, Lord Forest.” Taliesin’s voice was quiet, but I could hear the warning in it. Goodfellow seemed to shrink a little.

I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks Taliesin’s one scary dude.

The so-called Green Man gestured towards me. “Viviane asked me to come if ever Miss Lynne needed me. Miss Lynne called, so she’s leaving with me, end of argument.”

Daley was unimpressed. “Do you think you can take her if we don’t want you to?” Either my colors were coming back or there were actual sparks of static electricity dancing in Daley’s hair. Goodfellow flinched.

Wood doesn’t like fire.

Taliesin put his hand on Daley’s shoulder. “Easy, son. There is no need for us to be at odds. Miss Lynne has formed the impression she is being held here against her will and I apologize for that unfortunate misunderstanding. I am merely concerned for both her safety and the safety of others until she has greater knowledge and control concerning her abilities.”

I’d had enough. “I’ve been around for nearly eighteen years and haven’t managed to kill anyone yet, you know.”

“For nearly eighteen years you were hidden in the dark of the moon,” Taliesin replied. He meant Mom and whatever she’d done to me with that misty blue.

Taliesin crossed the floor to stand in front of me. He wasn’t tall and we were almost eye to eye. “If you are no enemy to us, then I am no enemy to you. I will help you understand who and what you are and you will be free to choose your own path and destiny as long as it does not threaten mine.”

“I want to go home,” I insisted stubbornly.

“Will you at least return so we may investigate this ability of yours? Will you give us a chance to prove that we, at least, mean no harm?”

I gave in. “I could come with Peter after school on Monday.”

Peter cleared his throat. “Sorry Rhi, but I’m staying for a few days.”

“What? Why?”

“There are other Protectors here. They’re out on patrol right now, but I’ll meet them when they get back. This might be my one chance to learn about what I am.” His eyes pleaded with me to understand.

I knew if I insisted, I could probably get Peter to come home with me, but would that be abusing the bond between us? Would I be yanking on his Protector chain or the friend one?

“What are you going to tell your mom and dad?”

“Early morning practices, crashing with one of the guys—it’ll be easy.”

I nodded and the relief on his face confirmed my suspicion that I could have made it difficult for him to go against me.

“I’ll cover for you with your parents, but what about school?”

Lacey had been uncharacteristically quiet till now. “I’ve got it,” she said. “If I take in a note to the office saying Peter has mono or something, they’ll never question the signature.” She was right. The staff loved Lacey and would just be happy the most popular boy and the most popular girl were back together. Peter thanked her, but for once, Lacey didn’t respond to his attention.

Maybe it bums her out to know people only love her because she has lorelei blood in her veins.

Goodfellow clapped his hands together. “Then it’s settled. I will escort Miss Lynne to her car. If she wants to come back of her own free will later then that’s her business.”

“Will you return then?” Taliesin asked.

I tried not to hesitate. “I’ll come on Monday after school.”

Taliesin nodded once to me and once to Goodfellow before turning and walking away. His footsteps made no sound.

“The bard preserves his skills I see,” The Green Man commented. “Many a time he once padded through my forests, as silent as the wind.” He glared at Daley and his electrified hair. “Now he contents himself with using my kin like pack mules to deliver himself through the Paths of the world.”

Rowan cleared his throat. “Lord Forest, you know that’s not strictly true. They are not your Paths to control.”

Goodfellow grunted and lifted one shaggy eyebrow. “Are they not? Without me and mine, you’d be lost if you tried to walk them. The Paths are the ghosts of the forests of the world, and only those of my kind are truly welcomed by them. Remember that, Druid, the next time you order yourself up a Guide.”

“Yes, my lord,” Rowan murmured, bowing from the waist.

I gasped and turned to Rowan in panic. “Wait! Get Taliesin back! He left that indigo inside me.”

“It’s OK, kiddo. I’m the one who’s been maintaining it. A binding dissipates quickly. To slow it down, I channeled it into the wood frame of the house. I’ll remove it now.”

Goodfellow chuckled. “You can take the druid out of the forest, but it seems you can’t take the forest completely out of the druid.”

Rowan made a complicated gesture with his right hand. Indigo cleared from my vision like a fog lifting, but a confusing mash-up of colors replaced it and blinded me for a moment. When I looked at Goodfellow, I thought I saw colors surrounding him: emerald, moss, and sage.

He motioned to the door and we all followed him outside. His men walked away into the trees on the one side of the property, but before I could ask where they were going, I had to jump out of the way as Lacey got in her car and sped off in a squeal of tires.

Peter pulled me aside. “Are you going to be OK?”

I forced myself to smile. “Of course I will. Go on. Go play with your new friends.” He ruffled my hair before walking back to the house. The door was still open and I could see Miko sitting on the stairs playing with her hair. Daley stood on the porch looking, well, thunderous was the best way to put it. Tynan joined him and gave a small wave, but I turned away without responding. I would have to sort out how I felt about what happened when I didn’t feel like I was going to hurl.

Following Goodfellow to my car, I nearly ran straight into his broad back when he stopped abruptly. He sniffed the air and then I smelled it too: the briny odor of seaweed. In all the drama, I’d forgotten about what Peter and I had discovered.

“Take care, Miss Lynne.” Goodfellow shook his head and sniffed again. “Something may be hunting you.” After that horrifying statement, he smiled and plucked the holly out of his pocket. The red berries gleamed against the greenish tint of his skin. “Place this over your door. Holly is a symbol of life, but its sign was a spear; it will keep most unwanted things from entering. Once upon a time, maidens would put it under their pillows in the hopes of dreaming of the man they would marry, but the holly may also bring dreams of another kind and it’s wise to pay attention.”

I took it, careful to not catch my fingers on the prickly tips of the leaves. “Thank you for helping me out.”

He raised a shaggy eyebrow. “I’ve watched Gwion Bach since he was a child.
Taliesin
he calls himself now. He has power and even one such as myself should be careful not to anger him, but still, he’s a pompous ass, isn’t he?”

I nearly choked on my own spit as I laughed, even though a pounding whirl of colors was the price and I had to lean against the car to steady myself.

Goodfellow handed me another one of his cards with an address scribbled on the back. “Come and see me tomorrow around noon. I have something for you from Viviane.”  When I looked at him in surprise, he shook his head and didn’t elaborate. In an old-fashioned gesture, he held my hand to help me into my car and then closed the door behind me. Then he walked into the trees and disappeared from sight. I tried to see where he went, but the forest had swallowed him whole.

I placed the card and the holly on the passenger seat and gunned it out of the driveway without waiting to see if anyone was still watching from the house. If I thought too hard about colors and magic and things hunting me, I would never have the courage to go home, but I’d made too much of a fuss about leaving to just turn around and admit I was afraid to go.

As I drove, my returning colors grew bolder. I’d always been able to see them and still see the world normally, but they were more tangible now, as if they hung in the air in front of me. My head hurt. Somehow I made it home and got to the bathroom before I vomited violently. Falling onto my bed, I collapsed into sleep, but color followed me even there.