Equinox: Part VIII

"Why would a goddess want me?" Ian blinked. The idea seemed totally absurd. "And what's this about twenty... ". He stopped as he thought back to the fight. "Herrel!"

Arawn nodded grimly. "Aye, Herrel. He was not the one the Goddess had Chosen. You were. But your father made sure you did not go to the grove that night. He had plans for you, he could not chance you losing... or worse."

"My father manipulated the Choosing? But how?"

"He bribed my priest! He used some charcoal on his thumb to mark the underside of the bread, then made sure Herrel got that piece!"

The blue eyes of Arianrhod flashed with remembered rage. "He paid for his sacrilege later. As did your father! And as did Herrel!"

Arawn nodded. "Herrel paid... but unfairly. He was innocent. So, I took him to serve me as the Oak King. Much to Arianrhod's ire. He fought for me these many years since."

"And now?", Ian asked, dreading the answer. "Did I kill him?"

"No, Ian. But the Balance has been struck. He is free of my service. It will be hard for him. He's still the eighteen year old boy you knew."

"Who cares about the boy! What about Ian? He was destined to be mine that night, and he will be!" Arianrhod took a step towards Blackthorn.

"There is only one person I was ever destined for, and you are not she. You've kept me from my wife long enough. Now let me go!" Once more he turned to go, and once more the torque flared around his neck. But this time, he kept his feet and turned to stare defiantly at the enraged goddess.

Arawn too stepped forward. "Be careful, Lady. This one is already mine." He made a gesture and the silver boar's head brooch he'd gifted to Ian flared on Blackthorn's cloak. "He is under my protection, for the love I bore for his mother!"

"Then he will serve me another way! Iannonvethallion Blackthorn, I bind you to my Will. Three times you have denied me... three times will you repay me the slight! Three times will I call you to serve me, in all ways save the one you swear you will not." With that, she raised her hands, and the golden torque shimmered... then seemed to sink into Ian's flesh. "With this collar I bind you! And since you spurn me for a mortal wife, you shall NOT tell others of how you have shamed me! I lay a geas upon you! You may not speak, or write, or draw, or MindSpeak to anyone of what you have seen or done this night! Perhaps your wife may be as unwilling to forgive you as I! Now go!"

Ian nodded, his eyes still defiant even though the pain about his neck was ferocious. He turned, looked at Arawn, and said before he walked by him, "Send Herrel to me. I will help him." Then he set foot to stirrup, swung up on Horse's back, and looked up as the mists once more enveloped them. They thickened, then whirled about him in wild wind. When the wind stopped, the mists vanished, and he found himself on a hilltop overlooking Camelot. He urged Horse forward towards home. He hoped Skye would be able to forgive him. Even as the face of his beloved wife flashed across his mind, Arianrhod's voice filled his ears...
"Three times, Ian Blackthorn!"
"Three times!"