The Druid (The Dawning of Muirwood, #1)

by Jeff Wheeler

the woman were disobedient,

We believe there is a spiritual realm

Mirrowen.

It is a nexus between t...

full of spirit cr...

He reached into his shirt and withdrew his talisman, holding it out for them both to see.

“This allows me to see them as they really are. To commune with them, thought to thought.”

Not all spirit creatures are benevolent.

There is a duality in all things.

It is usually easy to avoid them because they tend to live in cav...

The rest of us prefer to roam abou...

“I have the fireblood,”

“There is a certain tree in Mirrowen that contains a variety of fruit, each of which bestows an ability.

One of those fruits is the Gift of Ambition, and ambition and fire are two ...

“I don’t know who my parents were,”

“Perhaps one of them was a druid, like you.”

“They dammed up the river and took over that beautiful valley. They built it up very quickly, and they’re not done.” He sighed. “I don’t know how my people can fight such magic.”

Sedgemoor.

There is a gorge through those rocks.

The mother tree is in that gorge.”

She turned back toward Muirwood, wishing that Mordaunt were with them.

He didn’t deserve to be imprisoned, not there or in a dungeon.

If there was any way she could help free ...

“Oh, yes. But I wouldn’t dare try to summon a Fear Liath.”

“One of the most powerful and dangerous spirit creatures. Solitary. They don’t come out in daylight because it is the only time they are vulnerable to weapons. Their magic can draw a fog about them, which makes them nigh invincible. They’re savage.

They feed on fear. Just seeing the shadow of one can transfix someone with terror.”

An idea began to form in Eilean’s mind. “Captain Hoel and his hunters are from Pry-Ree.” She looked toward the gorge and the craggy peaks. “And I know how to summon fog.”

At last, they reached the end of the gorge.

A towering oak tree, absolutely enormous, crested the top of those rocks, its massive roots wrapped around the edges. Some of the leaves had already shed, but there were clearly clumps of mistletoe hanging from the branches.

And she felt another Leering. Curious, she started toward it, but she immediately felt a throb of warning from the Medium. She should not go there.

I would speak with you, she thought. I was sent here to meet you.

You came not alone.

I have two companions with me. A druid named Stright, who is faithful to your ways, and a cherished companion named Celyn. I came at the behest of someone who told me about you.

You came not alone.

Was I supposed to leave them behind? They cannot see us from where they wait.

Your companions are already captured, child. They were waiting for you here. They watch you even now. You came not alone.

The hunters were already there.

I teach my hunters to think like their prey.

You knew it wouldn’t be easy. You must prevail! Only pethets quit. I Gifted you with diligence. Use it!

If they’d already captured Celyn and Stright, then she was her friends’ only hope of rescue.

Summon the fog.

apokaluptis,

There was something off in his answer. He wasn’t telling her the full truth.

“How did you know we were coming here?”

She saw a flicker of his thoughts as the truth rushed through his mind. And then the Medium confirmed what she’d seen.

“You have the Gift of...

And he could see the future, but the High Seer could not.

I once thought you’d be a hunter, because of a vision I saw.

What I’ve seen in your future, I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

Deliver us from this man, she thought to the Medium.