Free Sacrifice by Philip Freeman Page A

father’s sword from the wall near my bed. I knew no one would bother us, but I wasn’t going to take any chances.
    The path to Riona’s farm lay through a forest of sweet-smelling aspen trees to the west. The heavy rain from the day before had stopped and the sky was warm and clear as we drew near to Riona’s farm. Her small flock was in the meadow next to her house.
    â€œYou’d better let me go first, Dari. Her dogs know me.”
    At that moment five large sheepdogs came rushing down the hill, barking at us. They stopped a few feet in front of us, snarling and teeth showing, with the hair on the back of their necks raised.
    â€œIt’s all right, boys. It’s me, Deirdre.”
    I held out my hand for them to smell. The largest one almost took it off.
    â€œI thought you said they knew you.”
    â€œMaybe they don’t recognize me in my robes.”
    â€œRory, stop! It’s all right, lads. They’re friends.”
    Riona was coming from the barn behind us, pushing a large handcart in front of her. The dogs all ran up to her, and she scratched them behind the ears, then came over to give us both a big hug.
    â€œLook at you, Deirdre, dressed up like the chief bard of Ireland. I’m so glad to see you two. How’s Aunt Aoife?”
    â€œFine. I left her with Kevin pulling weeds.”
    â€œWell, come in and have a cup of mead. I have to bring the sheep in soon, but I have a little while. I had two lambs taken by wolves last week, so I’ve been keeping them all in the pen by the house at night.”
    We went into her home, which was almost identical to my grandmother’s. Riona once said she had thought about knocking it down and building a proper little hermit’s hut, but it seemed silly to waste a good building that had been in her family for years.
    She poured us a cup and we sat down around her table.
    â€œSo, are you here to give me the same message the king’s men did yesterday?”
    â€œYes,” I said. “You know about the killings and that the murderer is planning more. This is serious business, Riona. You’re all alone out here. Please come back to the monastery where you’ll be safe, just until this is all over. If you don’t want to do that, then come and stay with me and my grandmother at her house.”
    She took a long drink of the mead.
    â€œDeirdre, I appreciate your concern, I really do, but I’m not leaving. I can’t take care of my sheep if I’m hiding in themonastery or even at Aunt Aoife’s house. The wolves will have them all for breakfast before the week is out.”
    â€œI’m sure we could find a local farmer to keep them for a little while,” Dari said.
    â€œMaybe, but they’re my sheep. I was there when each of them was born. I take care of them, watch them, shear them, and I’m the one who gently eases them from this life when the time comes. They know me. I can’t just drop them off at some stranger’s farm.”
    â€œCould you bring them to Grandmother’s house and watch them there?”
    â€œThat wouldn’t work. She isn’t set up for sheep. You don’t have the pens or anything else they need. Besides, they’re happy here.”
    â€œRiona,” I said, “there is a vicious, determined murderer roaming these woods who is hunting nuns and sacrificing them in horrible ways. I understand your love for your animals, but are they worth your life?”
    â€œI think you overestimate this druid killer, Deirdre. He got away with killing two women who lived without any protection, but I’ve got five dogs who would rip out someone’s throat at my command. I also know how to use a sword. My father was a warrior, just like yours.”
    She refilled our cups and took another drink.
    â€œAnd besides,” she continued, “I can’t give in to fear of the druids. I’ve lived with it my whole