The Sword and the Song (38 page)

“From Prince Talfryn?”

Eoghan nodded. “According to his letter, it’s a family heirloom meant to give protection to the wearer. It seems that he owed Conor a boon for his assistance at Cwmmaen, and he wishes to extend that same promise to Conor’s son.”

Slowly Aine lifted the lid, then gasped. Nestled on a field of velvet lay a medallion of ivory, inset with gold and rubies. Yet there was something very familiar about it. Twin tendrils of fascination and horror spiraled through her as she lifted it from the case.

It may have been far fancier than the one they had destroyed, fit for a king and not for a priest, but there was no mistaking the nature of the medallion that Talfryn had sent to her son.

A rune charm.

1. Why do you think sorcery and the runic magic can’t coexist? How is the druid’s intrinsic fear of the runic magic both symbolic and practical in the book?
   
2. Somhairle believes that Meallachán gave him the shield rune in order to ensure his own survival. What other motivations might Meallachán have had? What do Somhairle’s assumptions reveal about himself?
   
3. Larkin asks Conor why he hasn’t played wards around the other fortresses in Seare. Conor says it’s because the risks are too great and he is needed elsewhere. Do you think a leader has a responsibility to help the individual wherever possible, even at the risk of his own life, or do the needs of the whole outweigh the safety of a few?
   
4. Conor allows certain fears to guide his actions, which makes him vulnerable to the sidhe’s influence at Ard Bealach. How do our own fears sometimes guide us into bad decisions? Contrast this with the fact that while in the tunnel, Conor cannot sense his own magic and must trust the abilities Comdiu has given him (see 2 Corinthians 5:7).
   
5. When Conor questions Somhairle, Larkin is willing to set aside his oath of obedience to his commander in favor of his own conscience, even if that means punishment. In what situations is disobedience or insubordination preferable to violating your personal beliefs? When do the consequences become less important than the need to stand up for what you believe is right?
   
6. At one point, Aine and Riordan discuss the possibility that their struggles may be in vain, that the odds are too great and the war against Niall impossible to win. How do you decide when to fight a losing battle and when to surrender?
   
7. It takes Aine thirteen years before she is ready to completely put aside her mourning and look to the future with hope of renewed life. Conor battled guilt for every life lost as a result of his actions, even those willingly sacrificed for him. What does the Bible teach about sacrifice? How have people sacrificed for you? What should our response be in the way we live our lives?
   

Abban (OB-bawn) – former commander of southern Faolanaigh forces; whereabouts unknown

Adversary, the – Arkiel, the leader of the fallen Companions (the sidhe)

Ailill (AYE-lill) – Fíréin brother; member of Conor’s contingents to Ard Bealach and eastern Seare

Aine Nic Tamhais (ON-yuh nik TAV-ish) – the “lady healer of Lisdara”; married to Conor Mac Nir

Ard Bealach (ard BE-lah) – fortress in mountains of Sliebhan

Ard Dhaimhin (ard DAV-in) – former High City of Seare; home of the Fíréin brotherhood

Aron (ah-RUN) – Aine’s birthplace, across the Amantine Sea

Balian (BAH-lee-an) – the faith of those who follow Balus; a follower of Balus

Balurnan – Timhaigh manor; former home of Lord Labhrás, Conor, and Morrigan

Balus (BAH-lus) – son of Comdiu; savior of mankind

Bánduran (BAHN-dur-ahn) – Faolanaigh fortress seized by Niall

Banndara (bahn-DAR-uh) – location of the druidic nemetons in Sliebhan

Bearrach (BEAR-uhk) – healer at Lisdara; Aine’s former instructor

Bersi (BER-si) – mercenary working for Niall; Morrigan’s former lover

Blair (blair) – Fíréin brother; member of Conor’s contingents to Ard Bealach and eastern Seare

Breann (BREE-ahn) – novice of the Fíréin brotherhood

Briallu (bree-AHL-lu) – sidhe who had masqueraded as Prince Talfryn’s daughter

Caemgen (CAM-gen) – healer of Ard Dhaimhin

Calhoun Mac Cuillinn (cal-HOON mok CUL-in) – former King of Faolán, assumed deceased; Aine’s half brother

Carraigmór (CAIR-ig-mor) – fortress of the High King and the Fíréin brotherhood

céad (ked) – a company of men; literally, one hundred

Ceannaire (KAN-na-ahr) – leader of the Fíréin brotherhood

Cill Rhí (kill ree) – Balian monastery

Cionnlath (KYUN-lath) – fortress seized by Niall

Cira/Ciraen (seer-AH) (seer-AY-ahn) – largest empire in history, now reduced to a small portion of the continent

Clanless – a group of Seareanns who claim no allegiance to clan, lord, or king

Comdiu (COM-dyoo) – God

Companions – the spirit warriors of Comdiu; angels

Conclave – the ruling body of the Fíréin brotherhood

Conor Mac Nir (CON-ner mok NEER) – Timhaigh warrior and musician; former Fíréin apprentice; married to Aine

Cwmmaen (coom-MINE) – a former Ciraen fortress in Gwydden; seat of Prince Talfryn

Daigh (dy) – senior member of the Fíréin brotherhood

Daimhin (DAV-in) – the first High King of Seare

Dal (dahl) – senior member of the Fíréin brotherhood

Diocail (dyuh-KEL) – master of Forrais’s house guard; now deceased

druid – priests of the pagan religion that predated Balian beliefs in Seare

Drumdubh (drum-DOOV) – fortress seized by Niall

Dún Eavan (doon EE-van) – crannog fortress; original seat of the king of Faolán

ensorcelled – possessed by sorcery; ensorcelled individuals are unable to exert their free will

Eoghan (OH-in) – Fíréin brother, believed to be the prophesied High King; Conor’s best friend

Etaoin (ee-TAO-in) – middle daughter of Lord Lahbrás; Conor’s foster sister; Morrigan’s younger sister

Faolán/Faolanaigh (FEY-lahn) (FEY-lahn-aye) – northeastern kingdom in Seare, formerly ruled by Clan Cuillinn/their language and people

Fechin (feh-KEEN) – senior member of the Fíréin brotherhood

Fergus Mac Nir (FAYR-gus mok NEER) – former king of Tigh; Conor’s uncle

Ferus (FAYR-us) – Fíréin brother; member of Conor’s contingent to Ard Bealach

Fincashiel (finn-CASH-el) – fortress in eastern Seare; destroyed by Niall

Fíréin (FEER-een) brotherhood – ancient brotherhood dedicated to the reinstatement of the High King

Forrais (FOR-rahs) – Aine’s birthplace in the Aronan Highlands

Galbraith Mac Nir (GOL-breth mok NEER) – king of Tigh; Conor’s stepfather, now deceased

Glas Na Baile (GLAHS na BAH-leh) – fortress in Faolán; destroyed by Niall

Glenmallaig (glen-MAL-ag) – seat of the king of Tigh; Conor’s birthplace

Gorm Lis (gorm LEES) – fortress in Faolán

Gradaigh (GRAH-duh) – senior member of the Fíréin brotherhood

Great Kingdom – the formerly united isle of Seare, under King Daimhin’s rule

Gwydden/Gwynn (GWIH-duhn) (gwin) – a country across the Amantine Sea/their people

Hall of Prophecies – magically concealed chamber in Carraigmór that contains the Fíréin brotherhood’s ancient writings

Hesperides/Hesperidian (hes-PAIR-uh-dees)/(hes-PAIR-id-ee-an) – country within the Ciraean empire/their language and people

High City – Ard Dhaimhin

Holy Canon – the Balian holy scriptures

Ibor (EE-bor) – Fíréin brother; member of Conor’s contingent to eastern Seare

Iomhar (EE-ver) – Fíréin brother; Aine’s principal bodyguard

Keallach (CAL-lah) – Fíréin brother; member of Conor’s contingent to eastern Seare

Keondric Mac Eirhinin (KEN-drick mok AYR-nin) – Faolanaigh battle captain; killed and identity stolen by the druid Niall

Labhrás Ó Maonagh (LAV-raws oh-MOY-nah) – Conor’s foster father; now deceased

Lachtna (lukh-NA) – Fíréin brother; member of Conor’s contingent to Ard Bealach

Larkin (LAR-kin) – Fíréin brother; member of Conor’s contingent to Ard Bealach

Liadan (LEE-uh-den) – youngest daughter of Lord Labhrás; Conor’s foster sister; Morrigan’s youngest sister

Liam Mac Cuillinn (LEE-um mok CUL-in) – Ceannaire, leader of the Fíréin brotherhood; Aine’s half brother; now deceased

Lisdara (lis-DAR-ah) – seat of the king of Faolán

Loch Ceo (lok kyo) – lake within Ard Dhaimhin

Loch Eirich (lok AYE-rick) – lake at which Dún Eavan is located

Lommán (lom-MAHN) – Fíréin brother; member of Conor’s contingent to eastern Seare

Lonn (lon) – town father of Glas Na Baile

Lorcan (LUR-cawn) – Aine’s previous bodyguard, presumed deceased

Macha (mah-HUH) – chief of Clan Tamhais; lady of Forrais

Meallachán (MOL-luck-on) – bard

Morrigan (MOHR-ree-gan) – eldest daughter of Lord Labhrás; Conor’s foster sister; suspected to be a spy in Niall’s service

Muiris (MYOOR-ees) – Fíréin brother; member of Conor’s contingent to eastern Seare

Murchadh (MOOR-hah) – senior healer of Ard Dhaimhin

Nuada (NOO-uh-duh) – Fíréin brother; assigned to command of Ard Bealach

Niall (NEE-ahl) – former Ceannaire of the Fíréin brotherhood; also known as Diarmuid; currently occupies the body/identity of Lord Keondric Mac Eirhinin

Oath-Binding Sword – the sword on which generations of Fíréin oaths were sworn; an object of runic power

Old Kingdom – the formerly united isle of Seare, under King Daimhin’s rule; see also “Great Kingdom”

Oscar (OS-car) – Clanless warrior under the command of Oenghus

Oenghus (EN-gus) – leader of a band of Clanless in the Sliebhanaigh mountains

Peadar (PAH-derh) – Fíréin brother; Aine’s night guard

Red Druids – druids who have accumulated power through blood magic and the sidhe, which is forbidden by the druidic order

Regent – one who rules in the stead of an underage, disabled, or absent king

Riocárd (rih-CARD) – captain of Glenmallaig’s guard; killed by Conor

Riordan Mac Nir (REER-uh-dawn mok NEER) – Conor’s father; senior member of the Fíréin brotherhood

Roark (roark) – a young boy; one of two survivors of the siege on Bánduran

Ruarc (ROO-ark) – Aine’s previous bodyguard, now deceased

Rune Throne – the original rune-carved throne of King Dhaimhin

Seanán (shuh-NAHN) – Fíréin brother; member of Conor’s contingent to Ard Bealach

Seanrós (SHAWN-ross) – old forest bordering Faolán

Seare/Seareann (SHAR-uh)(SHAR-uhn) – island housing the four kingdoms/its language and people

sidhe (shee) – the evil spirits of the underworld; demons

Siochain (SHE-oh-hahn) – Aine’s and Conor’s son

Siomar/Siomaigh (SHO-mar) (SHO-my) – Southeastern kingdom in Seare/their language and people

Shanna (SHA-nah) – first queen of Seare; wife of King Daimhin

Sliebhan/Sliebhanaigh (SLEEV-ahn) (SLEEV-ahn-eye) – Southwestern kingdom in Seare/their language and people

Sofarende (soeh-FUR-end-uh) – seafarers from the Northern Isles (Norin)

Somhairle (SO-mar-lee) – commander of Ard Bealach under Niall

Sorcha (SOAR-kah) – a refugee woman from Ard Dhaimhin’s village

spelled – under the influence of a spell, which is limited to a particular function; spelled people may otherwise exert free will

Tadhg (tyg) –captain of Balurnan’s house guard; now deceased

Talfryn (TAL-frin) – prince of Gwydden; lord of Cwmmaen

Tigh/Timhaigh (ty) (TIH-vy) – northwestern kingdom in Seare/their language and people

Tomey (TOH-mee) – Fíréin brother; member of Conor’s contingent to Ard Bealach

Uallas (WAL-luhs) – Aronan lord of Eilean Buidhe

The conclusion of this series is bittersweet.
While I’m happy to pass the final chapter of this story on to my readers, it’s hard to say good-bye to characters who have been with me for years. Thank you to all of you who have embraced Conor, Aine, and Eoghan in their journeys.

A special thank-you goes to all those who helped this series make its way into the world:

My original NavPress team, including Meg Wallin and Rebekah Guzman, who saw the potential of Conor’s story at the start.

My current NavPress team
 
—Don Pape, Caitlyn Carlson, Melissa Myers, Dave Zimmerman, Pat Reinheimer, and Stephanie Chalfant
 
—who have been utterly gracious to this writer and this series they inherited. I am a very small deal, but you make me feel like a very big one.

My Tyndale group
 
—Valerie Austin, Noel Birkey, Amie Carlson, Patty Caruso, Raquel Corbin, Caroline Hutchison, Annie Kim, Dean Renninger, Jeff Rustemeyer, Adam Sabados, Caleb Sjogren, Barry Smith, Sue Thompson, and Linda Vergara
 
—thank you for all your hard work in getting this book into the hands of readers.

My amazing editor, Reagen Reed, who labored over this book as lovingly as if it were her own work. You deserve more than a little credit for how this one turned out.

Cover designer par excellence, Kirk DouPonce
 
—you really outdid yourself on this one.

Steve Laube, who is always there with a reality check, a well-timed metaphor, and half a dozen stories when I need them. I’m grateful to have you on my side.

My soul sisters and partners in crime, Evangeline Denmark and Brandy Vallance, who kept me going even when the clocks ticked down and the caffeine ran out (perish the thought!).

Elizabeth Younts, who talked me through my characters, my story, and my doubts as I set out to rewrite this one yet again. Seriously, I wouldn’t have made it to The End without your encouragement.

Laurie Tomlinson, my ever-enthusiastic barometer of awesome. Thanks for letting me ruin the surprise over and over again.

Halee Matthews, my secret weapon. You give me a little bit of my sanity back. Thank you, thank you.

My family
 
—Rey, N., P., Dad, and Mom
 
—who now know what it’s like to live with a writer on deadline and have decided to keep me anyway. I love you guys.