Shadowmagic - Sons of Macha (30 page)

Eirnin pointed to the pool of honey. ‘Get in.'

‘In there?'

This time the whip cracked and I jumped in before it hit me. Jumping into a pool of honey is not like jumping into a pool of water. I hit the surface expecting to go through but it was almost as bone-jarring as if I had hit concrete. The entire surface wobbled as I bounced back up. Then I started to sink but at an angle. That meant my feet wouldn't be under me when my head went below water … I mean honey. I tried to move my legs but – I was in honey. I looked to Master Eirnin – he was nowhere to be seen. My panic increased proportionately with every inch I sank. I was seconds away from screaming when I thought
maybe this too is a test. Surely he won't let me drown?
I mastered my panic as the honey reached level with my chin. My face fully submerged and I was thinking
maybe I could panic now
when I felt rope hit my hands. Eirnin hoisted me out and I hung there until my feet were directly below me.

‘Why did you not call for me?'

‘I thought it was a test.'

‘Next time you are about to drown, feel free to call out.'

He slowly lowered me so I could stand, shoulder-deep in the honey.

‘Now what?'

‘Now you walk.'

And I did. For the rest of the day I did walking laps in a swimming pool filled with honey. What was it like? It was like walking in a pool of honey. It was hot, sticky and unbelievably slow going. As it got close to nightfall, the beekeeper had me walking sideways and then backwards. After rinsing in a nearby ice-cold spring, I was sent off to bed. I went back to my room and asked Aein to bring me some supper but I didn't eat it. My head hit the pillow and I went out like a used match.

The last place I wanted to go the next day was back to The Hive but a prince has to do what a king tells him to. Eirnin didn't even speak to me when I arrived. He just pointed to the pool and I slowly dropped into the honey so as to not lose my footing. This day began with mundane questions. He asked me to name all of my school teachers. Hesitation was met with the crack of a lash. Most of these didn't actually make contact but the memory of the pain from the ones that did made the sound as effective as the real thing. Let's just say, I hope nobody actually eats that honey. Dad showed up late in the morning wearing a smirk and drilled me on German, French and Greek verb conjugation. It was just like when I was a kid and I could see how much he was enjoying my torment.

Essa's dad showed up with lunch.

‘I imagine,' Gerard said, ‘you would like something that did not have honey on it.'

‘Amen to that, Mr Winemaker. What brings you to Duir?'

‘Oh I don't know, Conor, maybe the impending war.'

‘Oh yeah. You know, I had almost forgotten about that with all of this hiking in honey stuff.'

‘Then you are doing it right. I have been through Master Eirnin's tutelage. I know it feels pointless at the moment but what you are learning is to blend mind and body into one. You will be thankful when you step into the First Muirbhrúcht.'

‘That's what I thought I would be doing here. I thought Eirnin would be telling what it would be like to walk The Choosing but he hasn't said a thing. I saw Dad and Mom do it and it looked awfully difficult. So what's it like?'

Gerard leaned back in his chair and laughed. ‘Conor, my Choosing was long, long ago. You want to know what it was like? I'll tell you. It is like … walking in honey.'

‘Really?'

‘No, not really, but that is as close as you are going to get without actually entering the Hall of Choosing. Everyone says the First Muirbhrúcht is the hardest and in a way it is. You must be prepared for the shock of it. Like walking in honey, it will be like hitting a brick wall at first. You must slide into it. But unlike the pool here you will simultaneously be buffeted from all sides. Keeping your balance will require perfect concentration but your concentration will be tested by memories. Not actual memories – they will come during the Second Muirbhrúcht – but emotional memories. It is very disconcerting to have emotions without the underpinning memories. Many find it too much to bear. Fortunately you can quit after the First Muirbhrúcht and live.'

‘But not after that?'

‘That is correct. Once you enter the second archway only success allows you to survive.'

‘But the Second Muirbhrúcht is easier?'

‘That is what others say but I found it harder. Just remember: whatever the Chamber throws at you, you must keep walking, you must keep your balance and you must hold on to your rune.'

‘What about the Third Muirbhrúcht?'

‘Ah well,' the big man said. ‘The third one is different for everyone. It is not difficult. In fact, it is the opposite, it is quite a relief. You see, if you make it that far – you receive a gift.'

‘A gift?

‘Yes. Some receive an insight into their lives. A blacksmith may realise how better to forge steel, a dancer will leave The Choosing knowing a new step. Others get a glimpse of their future.'

‘What did you get?'

‘Oh my, I've never told anyone that.'

‘Sorry, I didn't mean to pry.'

‘No. I think I'd like to tell you, Conor.'

And he did. I felt honoured. When he was through I asked, ‘You didn't bring any beer with you, by any chance?'

‘There is far too much work ahead of you for beer drinking.' He stood to leave and then opened his arms to administer his famous rib-crushing hug. I stood and accepted it. As he lifted me off the ground he said, ‘I'll have a cold one waiting for you in your chamber tonight when this is done.'

‘Thanks, Gerard.'

As he walked away he stopped and said, ‘Essa is very mad at you.'

‘What did she say?'

‘Nothing. That's how I know. I would look out if I were you.'

The rest of the day was more of the same with Master Eirnin making me walk while quizzing me and trying to make my concentration slip. Focusing had always been a problem for me at school. Maybe they should fill swimming pools with honey and give the teachers whips. OK, that's a bad idea but at this time in my life – with that life being on the line – the technique worked. I really did think I was ready.

Eirnin didn't, but he had no choice but to graduate me. ‘Your father has told me that the Pooka hawk scouts have spotted Banshee troops marching towards Duir. You are needed at the castle.'

I got out of the pool and rinsed off. When I was clean and dressed I reported one last time to the Master Beekeeper.

‘I listened to what Gerard told you at lunch, young prince. I have little to add. Your task is to keep focused and your goal is to reach past the Third Muirbhrúcht with your rune still in your fist. That may sound simple but the Chamber makes even that simple task very difficult. I hope to see you again, Prince of Hazel and Oak.'

‘Won't you be at my Choosing?'

‘No, I have seen too many of my pupils fail. I can no longer watch Choosings.'

With that cheery statement ringing in my ears I limped back to the castle. My first stop was to see Graysea in the hope that she had enough time to unswell the bee stings on my foot and armpit. If I hadn't just walked in there myself, I would have sworn I was in a different place than Castle Duir. The Room of Healing was now a proper blinding white infirmary with fully stacked shelves of bandages, sheets and medicine bottles. Cots were lined up in rows like airplanes on an aircraft carrier. Graysea was taking an inventory of a pile of things on the far wall but dropped everything when she saw me limping.

‘Are you injured?'

‘No … well … yes. It's a bee sting.' I sat on a cot, took off my Brownie slipper and showed her my double-sized foot.

‘That is a bee sting?'

‘They were big bees. I also got stung under my arm.'

Graysea sat down behind me and pulled my shirt over my head. ‘You smell like honey.' She was reaching around to feel where the sting was when, of course, Essa walked in. Graysea didn't see her and started her healing fish transformation. I was hit with the pain of the stings for a second and then experienced that wonderful relief that only mermaid healing can provide. I had to close my eyes. When I opened them – Essa was gone.

‘Damn.'

‘Does something else hurt?'

‘Oh, no, Graysea, thank you, I feel much better now.'

She kissed me on the cheek. ‘I have so much to do. I imagine you do too.'

‘Yes. Sleep.'

She slapped me on the arm. ‘You're so silly.'

This time I managed to eat my supper before passing out.

I awoke to find Dad standing over me with a steaming cup of tea. I sat up in bed and groaned. Every muscle in my body was sore.

‘I'm going to go back to the Real World,' I said, ‘and open a gym with a honey pool. It's a hell of an all-body work-out.'

‘That's why I brought you willow tea. Normally I would have given you a couple of days to recover but we don't have that kind of time.'

‘How far away is Cialtie's army?'

‘They're not here yet but they are coming. It's nothing for you to worry about today. Today is the day of your Choosing.'

‘Dad, I know you're gung ho about me doing this but really with Cialtie on the march and me feeling like five miles of bad road, can't my Choosing wait?'

‘No. Cialtie on the march is the reason why we can't wait. If something happens to me, you have to be holding a Duir Rune or my brother has a “legitimate” claim to the Oak Throne.'

‘That's not the way Ona's prediction goes …'

Dad put up his hand to stop me. ‘You of all people should know that Ona's predictions are a curse and certainly are nothing to act upon. I loved that old woman but I often wish she had never been born. Her damn predictions are almost as much to blame for my brother as he is. We fight Cialtie not because of anything Ona has said. We stop him because he must be stopped. Get dressed, Prince of Hazel and Oak.'

I walked down the long staircase by myself. When I arrived at the Chamber of Runes, I had to momentarily shield my eyes from the supernova-like glow coming from the thousands of Leprechaun candles that covered almost every surface. When my pupils had finally contracted to a suitable diameter, I saw that almost everybody was there.