to Arendig Fawr?” Bran asked.
“Worry not that you have exchanged one captor for another. You are as free as the birds in the trees and can leave at any time, with our helpful guidance of course,” she stressed. “We are indeed going to Arendig Fawr. Those of the Tuatha de Dannan who will not live beneath foreign rule are spread out over these mountains in conclaves to not give our foe the chance at a single death strike. It is in this way we assure our way of life. Arendig Fawr is the center of our people, for the moment at least.”
“And where did the other outworlder go?” Deirdre asked.
“Assuredly Aife has already made it to Arendig Fawr and McAllister is being treated as I speak to you.”
“So you know him?” Bran asked, clearly shocked.
“Never met him,” the Queen admitted. “But the Yn Saith are known to us.”
“Then why save us? If anything, we have endangered you all.”
The mien of the Morrigan darkened. “Innocents shall not suffer under Philip, no matter who they are. And the vaunted High King of Annwn has interest in you that goes beyond mere curiosity. If he wanted you dead, you would be. He captured you for a reason and it could not have boded well for his enemies. That means the fey living in these mountains. That means me.”
“I see,” Bran said, looking uncertainly at Deirdre. “I was told by John Lewis Hugo the king wanted to share his side of things and then let me go.”
“Wanted to talk to you while shackled to that Fomorian, no doubt,” the Morrigan scoffed. “Sent the Houndmaster and the Cailleach, two of his most powerful, after you? Aye, sounds like to me Philip had a lot to speak on.”
“How did you find us?” Bran asked.
“We have spies who watch those who leave Caer Llion,” the Morrigan answered. “Knew John Lewis Hugo leaving meant importance. But Arrow Jack also warned us. The merlin is quite resourceful. Even now he is helping to watch our back trail to ensure we are not being followed.”
“You understand him?”
“One must listen to hear,” the Morrigan said.
“Sounds familiar,” Bran said. “Merle said that to me once.”
“Myrddin Emrys,” the Morrigan sighed. “A wiser man you will not meet. You do well to listen. He has aided the Tuatha de Dannan over the ages. It is hard finding allies in this war but he has ever been one.”
Deirdre looked to the Queen but didn’t say anything. The redhead had spoken to the Morrigan at length about Mochdrev Reach joining the cause of the Tuatha de Dannan. It had caused a rift with her father but it was necessary. The Queen had offered protection for a time but there was more to discuss after saving the outworders. At least the Morrigan was open to adding allies, especially human ones, and that gave Deirdre hope.
“I overheard many of the men around Lord Gwawl say they don’t agree with Philip,” Bran offered. “They all hate the demon wolves. Perhaps you have more allies than you know?”
“Gwawl,” the Queen growled. “Always a snake, that one. He sides with power rather than honor, what is right. It is hard to see those we once called friends side with an enemy who wishes our destruction.”
“Mochdrev Reach is an ally of the Tuatha de Dannan,” Deirdre finally spoke up with a certainty that surprised even her.
“That remains to be seen, Lady Deirdre. Your sire has yet to make that clear,” the Morrigan said. She turned back to Bran. “The last true ally we had came from your world—the last Heliwr.”
“The last Heliwr?”
“The Unfettered Knight,” the Morrigan said. “The last being Charles Ardall.”
“My father,” Bran echoed. “You knew him? Knew I was his son?”
“Aye. Arrow Jack said as much,” the Queen said. “Charles Ardall visited these same mountains several times in the past.”
Deirdre had not heard anything about Bran’s parentage. The knowledge surprised her. It seemed the appearance of the knight and Bran could not therefore be happenstance. She didn’t know why they were in Annwn, but if the knight survived his wounds there was a chance they would consider joining the Seelie Court against Caer Llion.
And help sway Lord Gerallt to join Arendig Fawr.
“You favor your father a great deal,” the Morrigan said. “In many ways.”
“I didn’t know him well. He died when I was young.”
“He was strong and kind, a rare man who never made a mockery of the world, the kind who leaves it a better place than when he