Free Mortal Magick by Patty Taylor Page A

old. As always, he seemed eager to draw out his tale.
    “Aye, she reminded me of my first beloved . . .”
    “ Mo creach , Darby! Please, get on with it, man.”
    “Aye, sorry, lad. I forgot your beastie isn’t a very patient sort.” He rubbed a hairy hand over his mouth, the smile disappearing from his wrinkled face. “Now as I was sayin’, the brave wee lass stood up to her. ‘Tis why she got slapped for her sassin’ the she-devil the way she did. Mind ye, ‘tis just me own opinion, but I think there’s somethin’ verra extraordinary about yer friend, especially to cause the wretched witch to fret over her the way she did.”
    “Keara’s definitely not a normal woman to be reckoned with. Me own eyes have seen what she can do.” Duncan glanced down to check on her.
    “Aye, the grand story of how yer friend breathed life back into the young lad today has already spread through the forests like wildfire. Remember, news travels fast through the velvet moors and over the high seas. The wee girl has already made quite a name for herself. Aye, she has at that.”
    Duncan stood and paced in circles.
    With a big grin on his face, Darby ran his crooked fingers through his curly, carrot-orange hair. He withdrew a pipe from his coat pocket and stuck it in his mouth. “What are ye plannin’ to do with her now?”
    Duncan shrugged, running his talons through his own clump of scruffy hair. “She needs to get to safety. And the farther from me, the better.”
    “Aye. But I didna’ think it will be as easy as ye think, lad. Ye’ll have to come up with a plan so she doesn’t discover yer secret.” He slid off the rock and waddled over to Keara. Pushing the crooked glasses further over his nose, he bent over the top of her head and sniffed her face. “I’m afraid the sorceress is keeping the spirited lass alive just long enough to see the beastie come out in ye.”
    “I’ll send me nephew Colin to the nearest village on the morrow for fresh supplies. He can pick up a few clothes befittin’ for a woman. I canna have her walkin’ into town lookin’ the way she does. The people will certainly accuse her of bein’ a witch, for sure.” Duncan stopped pacing and rubbed his chin. He smiled, feeling confident with the plan. “I willna abandon her and the lad before I know both are safe. I must then resume my quest.”
    Darby nodded and scratched the front of his chest.
    “I’ll make sure Colin comes back with honey and brew.” Duncan smiled. “I shouldna have Colin go traipsin’ on his own after what happened today. He’s still in plenty of danger himself. Darby, do ye mind taggin’ along and keepin’ an eye on the lad?”
    Darby frowned, and the sparkle went out of his eyes. “Ye know I dinna like to be around humans. Not during the day.”
    “Ye dinna need to let anyone see ye, includin’ Colin. This will be a good test for the lad since he’s soon comin’ of age. It’d sure mean a lot to me. Besides, ye’ll be helpin’ Keara.”
    He waited, watching the wry expression on Darby’s face then grinned. It was worth a try. “Ye said yerself, she reminded ye of yer beloved . . .”
    “ Och , verra well. Aye, I did at that. And ye don’t need to be remindin’ me of what I said,” he snapped. “I’ll help ye, Duncan. But only ‘cause the lass has spunk and I took a likin’ to her. Ye’ll need to sneak one drop of the potion in her drink each night at dusk.”
    “I respect yer wisdom when it comes to yer healin’ gift with the herbs, but are ye sure this willna hurt her?” He frowned, concerned too much tonic might harm her.
    “Nay, ‘twill only make her sleep like a newborn babe. She’ll wake up and be none for the worse come morn. ‘Tis an herbal remedy even much older than meself.”
    “I’ll have Colin ready to head out by first light. Ye’ll be repaid for yer help. Ye’re a good friend, Darby.” He leaned over and laid his hand on the little man’s shoulder.
    “ Och . A bottle