Waves in the Wind by Wade McMahan Read Free Book Online Page B

interfere. Remain vigilant and take whatever action you deem necessary, for the school and shrine at Dún Ailinne may be attacked without warning. Say nothing of this to anyone and share this message only with Master Tóla. Destroy this scroll so no others may read it.
    The scroll in my hands trembled as the threat behind my father’s words washed over me. Not only might I be in peril, but also the Master and my fellow students. He also insisted I say nothing to anyone other than Master Tóla. Why? Was it he suspected the High King had his own ears planted among us? Yes. I nodded to myself, yes, of course.
    Master Tóla would be in his sanctuary. Since the onset of the darkness it was always there he spent his days. I hurried up Knockaulin with my heart on fire, rapped lightly on the door and entered upon hearing his quick summons.
    He sat alone, cross-legged on floor. His sagging posture and bleary eyes revealed he had been in meditation, and he gestured for me to approach. His eyes sharpened but he remained motionless as he recognized the anxious expression on my face. I bowed before him, and he gave a questioning nod.
    “Master Tóla,” I forced myself to remain calm as I began. “I sincerely beg your pardon for disturbing you, but I have received an urgent message from my father. He instructed that I share it with you.”
    The Master took the scroll from my hand, read through it, scanned it again and then looked up to me. “And so?”
    It was not the response I expected. “What should we… That is, what will you do?”
    “Do? Of course, I shall do nothing.”
    “But Master, you’ve read my father’s warning.” My finger shook a bit as I shivered within the disagreeable dampness of the room and pointed to the scroll. “We face danger. Surely some action is needed.”
    He merely shrugged. “Your father’s words are well intended, but I have come to know many Christian priests. We argue, yes, we disagree, yes, but the men I know do not sow violence among their followers. Believe me, there is no danger.”
    His conciliatory tone grated upon me as he ignored my father’s warning. Much was at risk and I dared reveal my true feelings. “Christians, all of them, are a scourge upon Eire and cannot be trusted.”
    “Who taught you such a thing?” His eyes glinted. “Of course. You heard this from your father, for I know his strong feelings on it. You are wrong as is your father.” He shook his head, somber reproach in his eyes, as he continued. “You must never condemn all based upon the actions of a few, or judge men solely upon their beliefs. Men may be guided by faith but you must look deeply into the heart and mind of every man, and measure him only upon what you find there.”
    “Of course, Master, I see the truth in it.” I was almost dancing in frustration. “However, I think of one man, the Christian bishop at the synod. He deliberately threw his threats into our faces.”
    “Bah! I know the man. He blusters and postures to further his argument, but would never countenance actual violence.” He re-rolled the scroll as he looked up at me. “Granted, we are a warlike people; kings, great and small, fight among themselves for land, wealth and power. Do not worry. Within the entire history of this land we’ve never once seen a war between religions.”
    The Master reached a hand upwards to me. “Give a man a hand, would you? I’ve sat here long enough and my old bones demand stretching.”
    I took his hand and heaved him to his feet. Upon becoming upright, the top of his head reached my chin and he glanced up.
    “I hadn’t actually noticed until now. You’ve grown tall in the ten years you’ve been here.”
    “Only eight,” I reminded him.
    “Oh yes, that’s right, I forget. That makes you twenty years, am I right?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    His hands gripped the edge of the table and he began a gentle knee-bending exercise. “Ah, that’s much better.”
    I stood rigidly, trying to remain calm