Gwenhwyfar_ The White Spirit - Mercedes Lackey [54]
“Actually, he talked about you.” Gwen figured that would shut the little nuisance up, and it did. “He wants to talk to you. He thinks you might have some kind of magic that the Druids can use, and if they can, when you’re old enough, they’ll want you to come to them like Cataruna went to the Ladies.”
“I knew it!” Little Gwen squeaked with excitement and gloating.
Gynath rolled over and swatted at her, then rolled back without saying a word. Little Gwen squeaked again, this time with indignation.
“Well, magic or no magic, you had better be on your best behavior, because I am to be there too,” Gwen whispered crossly, “You may be sure that Father will ask me about this, and if you act badly, I will tell him.”
“I won’t—!” Little Gwen began indignantly. Gwen cut her off.
“And if you act like a pigkeeper’s brat, or try to lord it over me, the Merlin will take it ill. He holds good manners high, does the Merlin. He treats me like a full warrior, so you had best do the same.” Gwen pulled off her sandals and tunic and crawled into the bed. “And you had better let me get some sleep, too, or I’ll let the Merlin know that you are the reason his squire is clumsy in the morning.”
That threat was enough to still the questions—and the gloating—in the child’s throat. She laid herself back down, and Gwen curled herself into a ball.
Could Little Gwen have a magic that would be useful to someone besides herself? That glamorie, for instance? Well it might be useful enough if she tamed it and used it wisely. She could lead other children around easily enough; the High King might find it useful if a maid in his court could do the same with adult men.
If the little ferret could be tamed . . .
Thinking that, Gwen fell asleep.
She was up before dawn again and was attending to the Merlin’s wants before the old man was even awake. Now well acquainted with his habits, she brought fruit and bread and clear spring water instead of the small beer and meat that the king’s other guests would expect. She didn’t actually expect Little Gwen to turn up until the sun was high, but to her shock, as soon as the Merlin had broken his fast, she and Bronwyn turned up to wait on the Merlin’s pleasure. Gwen’s eyes nearly jumped out of her head with shock. Little Gwen had never been up this early on her own, ever!
After Bronwyn had been dismissed, the Merlin also sent away his manservant and sat Little Gwen down on a stool at his feet. Then he looked at Gwen.
And once again, she found herself held prisoner by his eyes. It happened even faster this time, and when the Merlin told her that she would hear and see nothing that went on, she nodded vaguely, though her mind battered itself against the fetters he placed around it like a wild thing in a trap.
Then he turned to Little Gwen. And try as she might, Gwen could only make out scraps of what passed between them.
Some things did manage to penetrate the fog that the Merlin had put around Gwen’s thoughts. The Merlin asked about the coming heir, and Little Gwen replied with such venom, such hatred, that even Gwen was a bit shocked. And then—
Then the Merlin turned back to her and looked deeply into her eyes. “You fight me, girl,” he said with a little admiration and some regret. “But this is not for the honest ears of one such as you. Sleep. And remember nothing.”
And that was all she knew—
She came to herself with a start. I must have been more tired than I thought! With a touch of alarm, she looked covertly about the tent, but the Merlin did not seem to have noticed her lapse. He was giving Little Gwen a small carved box and smiling with satisfaction. “So, use that as I told you, and your future will be clear,” he said.
“But the Druids will call for me?” Little Gwen pleaded, with something like urgency in her tone.
“I pledge you that someone will. You have Power, you will have more, and teachers seek such students out.