Free Elphame's Choice by P.C. Cast

her mother.
    “Stop it!” Elphame told herself severely. Her mother was Epona’s Chosen; she was not. She was just feeling daunted by the enormity of the task before them, which was natural. She glanced at the fire-scarred, crumbling walls. “It’s not like you thought it was going to be easy,” she muttered, shaking herself mentally. She just needed to get started. Take things one step at a time. Stay in control.
    It was her castle. Her home.
    “Elphame!” Cuchulainn’s voice boomed back along the empty courtyard. “The women are here!”
    “This is where I begin,” Elphame whispered. She could not lead Partholon—in truth, she had no desire to—but she could make MacCallan Castle live again. She gave the strong central column a parting smile before hurrying to the entrance of the castle.
    The women were milling in a small group several feet from the gap in the castle walls. Unnoticed, Elphame watched them from the shadows. They looked young and scared. And they were so few! She quickly counted—just over a dozen. Nearly three times that many men and centaurs had volunteered. And all the women were humans. Not one centaur female had answered her call? Not even a young huntress in training? El allowed herself to feel the disappointment only briefly. She had a job to do and she would simply have to work with what was available to her. Maybe their smaller numbers would give her a chance to get to know them more personally. That would be a nice change.
    She didn’t allow herself the luxury of hoping that she might actually make a friend—she could hardly imagine such a thing. But maybe this little group of women could learn to interactwith her as if she were a clan chieftain, or even a high priestess, instead of treating her like an object to be worshipped—goddess, untouchable and beyond mortal emotions.
    When Elphame emerged from the ruin, the group curtsied nervously.
    Elphame cleared her throat and put on her best welcoming smile. “Good morning. I am pleased to see that so many of you are interested in restoring MacCallan Castle and making it your home. The men—” she gestured over their heads at the groups that were already forming and beginning to clear rubble from around the castle walls “—will take care of most of the heavy work, but that doesn’t mean that your jobs will be any less important. I will need cooks and women who are skilled with weaving and needlepoint.” Without realizing it, Elphame’s smile turned dreamy. “As MacCallan comes alive again I want to fill its walls with beautiful tapestries that will make even my mother jealous.”
    Responding to the goddess’s sweet expression, several of the women smiled tentatively back at her. Bolstered by their positive reaction, Elphame continued in a strong, sure voice.
    “And I will, of course, need women to help me with the daily care of the castle.” Elphame laughed and looked pointedly at the weeds and refuse that choked the entry to the castle. “Some days it will definitely need more care than others.”
    One of the women giggled, and then covered her mouth with her hand and blushed furiously.
    Elphame met her eyes. “Don’t ever be afraid to laugh here. I know it doesn’t look like it now, but the stones sing with happiness at our arrival. MacCallan will be a joyous home.”
    The girl took her hand from her mouth and smiled shyly at the goddess.
    “What is your name?” Elphame asked her.
    “Meara,” she said, her voice breaking nervously.
    “Meara,” Elphame repeated. “What job is it that you are most skilled at?”
    “I—I—” she stammered and then finally finished in a rush. “I am good at keeping things tidy.”
    “Then you have come to the right place. There is much tidying awaiting you.” Her gaze traveled over the rest of the small group. “Those of you who are good at cleaning, please give your names to Meara.” Elphame looked back at the girl she had singled out and saw her eyes widen with pride.