Fire Bringer by David Clement-Davies Page B

a pity. I had hoped to bring you the news myself.’
    ‘If I had an antler, Sgorr, I would poke out that patch of pondweed you call an eye.’
    ‘Yes. It’s understandable you’re upset,’ said Sgorr softly.
    ‘Perhaps you should be thinking of more pleasant things. Well then, I’ve a surprise. Drail wants to see you.’
    ‘Drail,’ snorted Eloin. ’I’d rather die than stand with that lame horn.’
    Sgorr was mightily pleased, for in his twisted mind he had thought it impossible that Eloin should not be drawn to the Lord of Herds.
    ‘Well,’ he said, ‘it may only be for a time. There are others who would protect you, and I am young.’
    Eloin stared back at Sgorr in disbelief.
    ‘You, Sgorr?’ she said. ‘You? I’d rather Drail than you in ten thousand years. You’ll have to find some other doe to bathe your eye and lick you between the ears.’
    The insult was aimed well and Sgorr winced.
    ‘Very well, Eloin. Drail shall have you. But now,’ he continued, his voice dropping, ‘perhaps you’ll introduce me to your new fawn. I bet he’s a bold one, if his mother’s anything to go by.’
    Bhreac cast a terrified glance at Blindweed.
    ‘What do you want with a fawn, Sgorr?’ said Eloin. The three deer were trying to move together to shield the fawn behind them.
    ‘Can’t a stag show an innocent interest in a new life?’
    ‘No doubt Drail also has an interest in Brechin’s buck.’
    ‘So, Eloin, it’s a buck. How gratifying. Ah, my dear, but you’re wrong. Drail has no interest whatsoever in Brechin’s fawn. Now stand aside.’
    Sgorr bared his teeth and the Draila around him advanced.
    ‘Very well,’ said Eloin coldly, ‘you shall meet Brechin’s fawn. There. . .’
    As Eloin stepped aside Sgorr stopped in his tracks. He was bitterly disappointed.
    ‘Stillborn,’ snorted Sgorr with disgust. On the grass by Eloin’s feet was a dead calf, lying limp on the ground. ’A great pity. But we must not let it spoil Drail’s triumph. He is waiting for you.’
    ‘I’ve told you, Sgorr,’ whispered Eloin between her teeth,
    ‘I would rather die than run with Drail.’
    ‘Come now. There’s no need for histrionics. The Draila will escort you in honour to the Home Oak.’
    Sgorr cast a glance at the Draila who immediately moved closer. Bhreac suddenly stepped between them.
    ‘Don’t you lay an antler on her,’ cried the old hind.’What do you want with her anyway? It’s not the season.’
    ‘Much has changed in the herd,’ said Sgorr, smiling. ‘But as for hurting her, they wouldn’t dream of it. Shall we go?’
    ‘Never,’ cried Eloin. ’And if you refuse to fight me, Sgorr, remember, there are plenty of poisonous plants in the forest. But before I die, Sgorr, I will tell Drail that I have done it because of you. That you wanted me and I couldn’t bear to live.’
    Sgorr hesitated. Then he smiled cruelly.
    ‘Very well, Eloin. We may not be able to force you. But perhaps there are others who you care about.’
    ‘What are you doing? Get off, you brutes,’ shouted Bhreac, as two Draila started prodding the old deer with their antlers. Blindweed tried to come to her aid but two others were on him, forcing him back.
    ‘So you see, Eloin,’ continued Sgorr coldly, ‘you have a choice.’
    ‘Don’t listen, Eloin,’ cried Bhreac, bucking at one of the Draila. ’I’m old. I don’t care what they do to me.’ Eloin still hesitated and Sgorr spoke again.
    ‘Most touching. But there are others still who can suffer if you refuse. You there,’ said Sgorr turning to the Draila, ‘fetch me that hind over there, and her calf.’
    Sgorr had spotted the hind called Bracken and the new-born fawn with the snowy back, standing silently at the edge of the forest.
    ‘All right, Sgorr,’ said Eloin. ’All right. Leave them alone. They’ve done you no harm.’
    Sgorr looked closely at the beautiful hind.
    ‘And no poison?’
    ‘And no poison.’
    ‘Very well, then.’
    ‘But,