The Ground She Walks Upon by Meagan McKinney Read Free Book Online Page B

whether Trevallyan is a warlock. "
    "I'll do no such thing. You think I can put a spell on him, don't you?"
    Malachi stepped back from the dark flashing gaze, but his chest puffed with adolescent bravado. "I don't need your help, Ravenna. I can prove Trevallyan a warlock without your magic. " He spun around and faced the clan of young, dirty-faced boys. "Which one of you is brave enough to face Trevallyan in the castle?"
    "Malachi, what are you thinkin' of?" The thin boy stood, darting glances at Ravenna, who looked down upon them all, her hands on her slim hips.
    "I need a man with the courage to get a lock of Trevallyan's hair. "
    Feminine laughter rippled across the small lake. "What will you do with that once you get it?" Ravenna asked.
    "You need a man's hair to prove he is a warlock. Why else do you think I need it?" Malachi's sandy-colored brows nearly met from his frown.
    Ravenna laughed, the sound as clear as a silver bell.
    "How ridiculous! Who told you that? I've never heard such nonsense. "
    Malachi gave her a suspicious look. " 'Tis a fact as old as these fields of Lir: A warlock be known by his hair. Has Grania never told you?"
    "We don't speak of such things.... the cauldron keeps us busy as it is.... "
    At the boys' astonished expressions, Ravenna nearly doubled over in laughter.
    "Aye, it's a witch you are, Ravenna, " Malachi cursed, his cheeks red with embarrassment, "but what kind, we haven't discovered yet. "
    "I'm no witch, for if I was, I would know how to tell a warlock from a mortal man, and I cannot tell, and neither can you. "
    Malachi balled his hands into fists and jammed them to his sides. "I can prove Trevallyan's a warlock, and if there's a man here brave enough to get me a piece of his hair, I'll bloody well show you!"
    "Fair knights, " Ravenna said, circling the cowering young boys, "you've heard Malachi's dare. So is there one here brave enough to face Trevallyan and ask for a lock of his hair?"
    The boys stared at her, wide-eyed and silent.
    Ravenna looked at Malachi and raised one fine dark eyebrow in scorn. "Sir, your quest is noble, but your knights are weak. "
    "Why don't you go, Malachi MacCumhal?" chimed the tall, thin lad.
    "Why don't you, Sean O'Malley?" Malachi spit back.
    The two boys were nose to nose when Ravenna stepped between them. "You war for naught, brave knights, for Sir Malachi, with or without Trevallyan's hair, cannot prove the lord a warlock. "
    "I bloody curse you, Ravenna! I can do it! Produce the hair, and I will do it!"
    "All right. You prove it. I'll get some of Lord Trevallyan's hair. "
    All the boys held their breath as they stared at Ravenna.
    "Have you gone mad, girl?" Malachi squeaked.
    "I'm not mad, " Ravenna answered, her skirts swaying as she circled the lads again. " 'Tis a simple enough task, if you think about it. "
    "To cut the hair from a warlock?" Sean whispered.
    "Nay, I needn't cut the hair from his head. I'll get it from his comb, when I know the lord is away from the castle. Fiona McClew is a servant at the castle. She'll let me know if all is clear. "
    "You mean to enter the lord's bedchamber?" Malachi asked reverently.
    " 'Tis the only way to make you look a fool, Sir Knight. For when I return with the hair and you cannot work your magic, I will be vindicated. " Ravenna's eyes flashed.
    Malachi glared at her, his green-gray eyes never leaving her. "If you bring me the hair, I'll be provin' the master of Trevallyan is a warlock. " He leaned closer to her, butting his nose to her own. "Just bring me the hair. "
     
    "Ravenna, what are you up to, me girl?" Fiona McClew stood in the Trevallyan kitchen door, yards away from the bailey and the entrance to the castle.
    "I saw old Griffen O'Rooney ranting and raving over in the master's graveyard again. I thought Lord Trevallyan should know. Is he gone?" Ravenna stared down at her grimy bare feet. She hated lying. Grania always told her the elves would come and take away her tongue if she told too many.