The Golden Swan by Nancy Springer Read Free Book Online

then.”
    We blundered off with the horses trailing after us. But I could not find the way. It was Trevyn’s grove, and I was not he. Also, my mind was in an uproar. Maeve and I were to help Frain, Alys had said, Maeve my mother who lived across the sea. Frain and I would voyage on that sea, just as Trevyn had said—
    I will go with him , I said aloud, and I banged right into a massive tree.
    â€œWhat is it?” Frain called sharply, startled. He had heard only a thump and a growl in the night. But Trevyn had heard me well enough.
    â€œLet us stop here,” he said in a tight voice.
    â€œAll right.” Frain sounded his gentle self again, and sheepish. “It is no use running away like a whipped child. My lord Trevyn, I am truly grateful to you for all you have done for me.”
    â€œOthers have helped me when I needed it.” Trevyn sat on the ground, and we did the same. “Well, Frain, I will have a ship prepared for you.”
    â€œWhat is the use?” Frain lay back on the soft loam. “I still don’t know where I am going.”
    â€œEast. To Tokar. To see Maeve. And may you fare better in that country than I did.”
    â€œWho is Maeve?”
    My mother , I said. She whom I remembered only as milk and warm fur—
    â€œDair’s mother. A sorceress. Could you sleep now? You should be quite exhausted.”
    I believe Trevyn must have put some small spell on him, for as if he needed only the suggestion Frain rolled to one side and fell into the slumberer’s rhythm of gentle breathing. Trevyn put a cloak over him and turned to me.
    â€œSo,” he whispered, “the pattern is plain to you.”
    I knew — I felt the bond. Even before the goddess spoke my name with his .
    â€œI know, I know it well enough. I had ordered myself not to interfere, but I can’t help telling you, Dair—I will miss you.”
    I found my way to him in the dark and touched his shoulder. It was hard, as if he held himself clenched against pain. He turned to me at the touch and embraced me fiercely.
    â€œI only hope he will learn to love you as I do,” he muttered, then hastily let go of me. “Sleep,” he told me.
    I lay down and pretended to sleep to please him. He sat with his head against a tall kerm-oak tree, drawing on the strength of the god, the grove. After a while he lay down as well, but I do not think he slept any more than I did. In the morning he silently found us our horses and led us back to the others, and then out of the Wyrdwood.

Chapter Five
    Once we were back in Nemeton, Trevyn set about finding a ship for the crossing to Tokar. Frain was startled by the news that I was coming with him.
    â€œTo see his mother?” he demanded.
    â€œI think there is more to it than that,” Trevyn told him.
    His honesty would not let him graciously accept me as his traveling companion, but there was no way he could graciously refuse, either—not when he was sailing on Trevyn’s ship and I was Trevyn’s son. I went to see him the next day, to try to come to an understanding with him.
    He was in his chamber, putting in order the piles of gifts and clothing people had given him. He was the castle favorite—he had such a gentle, honest way about him, he was the sort of youth that maidens smiled on without a second thought, that mothers trusted with their virgin daughters. He had a knack for making friends with everyone except me, it seemed. I knocked on his open door and he turned to see me standing there.
    â€œDair!” he exclaimed. “Come—in.…” He sounded none too sure of the welcome. I came in anyway, went to him and knelt, placing my clasped hands in his in the ritual gesture of fealty. It was the only way I could think of to show him that I had given my loyalty to him. His face went white, and he trembled.
    â€œDair,” he said between clenched teeth, “I am—I thank you, but—I am