Weatherwitch: Book Three of The Crowthistle Chronicles Read online

  Weatherwitch

  Also by Cecilia Dart-Thornton

  THE BITTERBYNDE TRILOGY

  Book 1: The Ill-Made Mute

  Book 2: The Lady of the Sorrows

  Book 3: The Battle of Evernight

  THE CROWTHISTLE CHRONICLES

  Book 1: The Iron Tree

  Book 2: The Well of Tears

  Book 3: Weatherwitch

  Book 4: Fallowblade (2007)

  Weatherwitch

  BOOK THREE

  OF THE

  CROWTHISTLE

  CHRONICLES

  Cecilia

  Dart-Thornton

  A TOM DOHERTY ASSOCIATES BOOK

  New York

  This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this novel are either fictitious or are used fictitiously.

  WEATHERWITCH: BOOK THREE OF THE CROWTHISTLE CHRONICLES

  Copyright © 2006 by Cecilia Dart-Thornton

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.

  This book is printed on acid-free paper.

  Map and Crowthistle logo by Elizabeth Alger

  A Tor Book

  Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC

  175 Fifth Avenue

  New York, NY 10010

  www.tor.com

  Tor® is a registered trademark of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Dart-Thornton, Cecilia.

  Weatherwitch / Cecilia Dart-Thornton.—1st ed.

  p. cm.—(The Crowthistle Chronicles book three)

  “A Tom Doherty Associates Book.”

  ISBN 131-978-0-765-31207-5

  ISBN 101-0-765-31207-7 (acid-free paper)

  1. Quests (Expeditions)—Fiction. I. Title.

  PR9619.3.D253W43 2006

  823'.92—dc22

  2006006866

  First U.S. Edition: November 2006

  Printed in the United States of America

  0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  Dedicated to Courtney,

  for being loving, spontaneous, keen, funny, talented,

  and all things amazing

  CONTENTS

  Glossary

  Some Significant Characters

  Map: The Four Kingdoms of Tir

  The Story So Far

  Prologue

  1 Comrades and Foes

  2 Mai Day Eve

  3 Conversations

  4 Philosophies

  5 Strategies

  6 Household Strife

  7 Princes

  8 Urisks

  9 The Invitation

  10 Plots and Schemes

  11 Treachery

  12 Upon a Ferny Hill

  GLOSSARY

  Álainna Machnamh:

  (AWE-lanna Mac-NAV)

  a stór:

  darling (a STOR)

  Ádh:

  luck, fortune (AWE)

  Aonarán:

  loner, recluse (AY-an-ar-AWN)

  áthair:

  father (AH-hir)

  brí:

  the power possessed by weathermasters, enabling them to predict and control the dynamics of pressure systems and temperature, winds and other meteorological phenomena

  Cailleach Bheur:

  (pronounced cal’yach vare or cail’yach vyure) The Winter Hag

  carlin:

  wise woman

  Cinniúint:

  destiny, fate, chance (kin-YOO-int)

  Cuiva:

  (pronounced KWEE-va) in the Irish language this name is spelled ‘Caoimhe’

  Earnán:

  (AlR-nawn)

  eldritch:

  supernatural

  Eoin:

  (OWE-in)

  Fedlamid:

  (FEH-limy)

  Fionnbar:

  (FIN-bar or FYUN-bar)

  Fionnuala:

  (Fin-NOO-la)

  A gariníon:

  granddaughter (a gar-in-EE-an)

  A garmhac.

  grandson (a gar-VOC)

  Gearóid:

  (GA-roid)

  Genan of Áth Midbine:

  (AWE mid-BINNA)

  gramarye:

  magic

  gramercie:

  an expression of thanks

  Lannóir:

  (lann-OR) Goldenblade; the golden sword, the only one of its kind, slayer of goblins and heirloom of the House of Stormbringer

  Liadán:

  (LEE-dawn)

  Luchóg:

  (la-HOGE)

  Mairead:

  (maw-RAID)

  Maolmórdha:

  (mwale-MORGA)

  máthair:

  mother (MAW-hir)

  Mí-Ádh:

  Bad luck, misfortune (mee-AWE)

  Míchinniúint:

  doom, ill-fate (mee-kin-YOO-int)

  A muirnín:

  darling (mwirr-NEEN)

  Ó Maoldúin:

  (oh mwale-DOON)

  Páid:

  (PAWD)

  Risteárd Mac Brádaigh:

  (reesh-TARD Mac BRAW-dig)

  Saibh:

  (SAY-EVE)

  A seanmáthair:

  grandmother (SHAN-waw-hir)

  seelie:

  benevolent to humankind

  To sain:

  is to bless, or call for protection from unseelie forces

  Uabhar:

  (oo-a-var)

  Uile:

  is pronounced “ille,” with the “e” as in “best”

  unseelie:

  malevolent to humankind

  SOME SIGNIFICANT CHARACTERS

  THE KINGDOM OF ASHQALÊTH (Capital city: Jhallavad)

  Chohrab Shechem: King of Ashqalêth.

  Duke Rahim: King Chohrab’s brother-in-law, brother of Parvaneh.

  Parvaneh Shechem: Queen of Ashqalêth.

  Pouri: the youngest of King Chohrab’s six daughters.

  Shahzadeh: King Chohrab’s eldest daughter, the Princess Royal of Ashqalêth.

  THE KINGDOM OF GRÏMNØRSLAND (Capital city: Trøndelheim)

  Gunnlaug Torkilsalven: youngest son of Thørgild.

  Halfrida Torkilsalven: Queen of Grïmnørsland.

  Halvdan Torkilsalven: second son of Thorgild.

  Hrosskel Torkilsalven: eldest son of Thorgild, and Crown Prince of Grïmnørsland.

  Solveig Torkilsalven: third child and only daughter of Thorgild.

  Thorgild Torkilsalven: King of Grïmnørsland.

  THE DISTRICT OF HIGH DARIONETH (Principal seat: Rowan Green)

  Aglaval Maelstronnar (Stormbringer): Storm Lord in days of yore.

  Albiona: Dristan Maelstronnar’s wife.

  Aleyn Cilsundror (Sky-Cleaver): bard of Rowan Green.

  Alfardene Maelstronnar (Stormbringer): the swordsmith who fashioned Fallowblade.

  Arran Maelstronnar (Stormbringer): eldest son of Avalloc.

  Asrthiel Heronswood Maelstronnar: only daughter of Jewel and Arran.

  Avalloc Maelstronnar (Stormbringer): the current Storm Lord and member of Council of Ellenhall.

  Avolundar Maelstronnar (Stormbringer): the warrior mage who wielded Fallowblade during the goblin wars.

  Baldulf Ymberbaillé (Rainbearer): “second-in-command” to Avalloc and member of Council of Ellenhall.

  Bliant Ymberbaillé (Rainbearer): son of Baldulf.

  Blostma: Herebeorht Miller’s wife.

  Branor: a spy for King Uabhar.

  Cacamwri Dommalleo (Thunder-Hammer): weathermage and member of Council of Ellenhall.

  Calogrenant L
umenspar (Light-Spear): the Ambassador for High Darioneth in Cathair Rua.

  Cavalon: son of Dristan and Albiona Maelstronnar.

  Corisande: daughter of Dristan and Albiona Maelstronnar.

  Desmond Brooks: swordmaster at High Darioneth.

  Dristan Maelstronnar (Stormbringer): youngest son of Avalloc.

  Elfgifu Miller: a daughter of the miller.

  Engres Aventaur (Flute Wind): weathermaster.

  Ettare Sibilaurë (Whistles-For-The-Wind): a weathermage and member of Council of Ellenhall.

  Faramond: The eldest son of Herebeorht and Blostma Miller.

  Galiene Maelstronnar (Stormbringer): a daughter of Avalloc and member of Council of Ellenhall.

  Gauvain Cilsundror (Sky-Cleaver): a weathermaster.

  Gvenour Nithulambar (Walks-In-Mist): weathermage and member of Council of Ellenhall.

  Herebeorht Miller: Osweald’s eldest son.

  Hilde Miller: a younger daughter of the miller.

  Jewel Heronswood Jaravhor: wife of Arran and mother of Asrathiel.

  Lidoine Galenrithar (Gale-Rider): carlin at Rowan Green.

  Lysanor Maelstronnar (Stormbringer): a daughter of Avalloc and member of Council of Ellenhall.

  Mildthrythe Miller: the mill-wife.

  Nyneve Longiníme (Long Cloud): a weathermage and member of Council of Ellenhall.

  Osweald Miller: the gentleman miller.

  Tristian Solorien (Rising Sun): a weathermage and member of Council of Ellenhall.

  THE KINGDOM OF NARNGALIS (Capital city: King’s Winterbourne.)

  Giles: Asrthiel’s butler at The Laurels in Lime Grove.

  Hallingbury: The Lord Chamberlain.

  Lecelina: eldest daughter of King Warwick, the Princess Royal of Narngalis.

  Linnet: Asrthiel’s maid at The Laurels.

  Mrs. Draycott Parslow: Asrthiel’s landlady, the owner of The Laurels in Lime Grove.

  Saranna: youngest daughter of King Warwick.

  Sir Gilead Torrington: King Warwick’s lieutenant-general.

  Sir Torold Tetbury: The Lord Privy Seal.

  Walter Wyverstone: second son of King Warwick.

  Warwick Wyverstone: king of Narngalis.

  William Wyverstone: eldest son of King Warwick, and Crown Prince of Narngalis.

  Winona: second daughter of King Warwick.

  THE KINGDOM OF SLIEVMORDHU (Capital city: Cathair Rua)

  Adiuvo Constanto Clementer: a druid who renounced the Sanctorum.

  Almus Agnellus, “Declan of the Wildwoods”: a druid who renounced the Sanctorum.

  Conall ‘Two Swords’ Gearnach: Commander-in-Chief of the Knights of the Brand.

  Cormac Ó Maoldúin: third son of Uabhar.

  Fedlamid macDall: Queen Saibh’s most trusted servant.

  Fergus Ó Maoldúin: fourth son of Uabhar.

  Fionnbar Aonarán: an enemy of Arran Maelstronnar.

  Fionnuala Aonarán: Fionnbar’s sister.

  Gearóid: a younger brother of Uabhar.

  Grak: a Marauder.

  Kieran Ó Maoldúin: eldest son of Uabhar, and Crown Prince of Slievmordhu.

  Krorb: a Marauder captain.

  Lord Genan of Áth Midbine: a courtier.

  Luchóg, a minstrel at Uabhar’s court.

  Mairead: a child who served at the Red Lodge.

  Maolmórdha Ó Maoldúin: a king of Slievmordhu, the father of Uabhar.

  Páid: a brother of Uabhar, next in line after Gearóid.

  Primoris Asper Virosus: The Druid Imperius.

  Risteárd Mac Brádaigh: High Commander of the Slievmordhuan armed forces.

  Ronin Ó Maoldúin: second son of Uabhar.

  Ruurt: a Marauder captain.

  Saibh: Queen of Slievmordhu, wife to Uabhar.

  Scroop: a Marauder.

  The Spawn Mother: a progenitrix of the Marauders.

  Tertius Acerbus: a druid.

  Uabhar Ó Maoldúin: King of Slievmordhu.

  Urlámhaí Ó Maoldúin: Urlámhaí the Gracious, an ancient king.

  THE STORY SO FAR

  Weatherwitch is the third book in the Crowthistle Chronicles.

  Book 1: The Iron Tree, told of Jarred, a young man who possessed an amulet that apparently made him invulnerable. He and his comrades visited a town built among the intricate waterways of the Great Marsh of Slievmordhu, where Jarred fell in love with a marsh-daughter named Lilith.

  Slievmordhu is a kingdom situated in the southwest of Tir, a continent throughout which grows a disliked but beautiful common weed called “crowthistle.” Eldritch wights dwell in the marsh but seldom harm the marsh-folk, who understand them and their ways. An urisk, a seelie wight like a dwarfish man with the legs of a goat, often loitered near Lilith’s cottage.

  Jarred and Lilith discovered that the long-gone Sorcerer of Strang had cursed Lilith’s bloodline; if she married, eventually she would fall prey to madness. When they learned, however, that marriage to Jarred—a descendant of the sorcerer, and therefore immune to most forms of harm, even without the amulet—might be a way of thwarting the curse, they were wed. Their joy was complete. They named their only daughter “Jewel,” in honor of the extraordinary white jewel of Strang that had come into Jarred’s possession.

  The King of Slievmordhu was seeking to entrap the sorcerer’s descendant in order to make him open the sealed Dome of Strang and reveal its arcane treasures. Brother and sister Fionnbar and Fionnuala Aonarán helped Jarred to escape from the king’s men, on the proviso that Jarred would later leave his family and go with the Aonaráns to unlock the secrets of the Dome.

  Shortly thereafter the madness caught up with Lilith despite all, and in trying fruitlessly to save her life, Jarred lost his own. Their orphaned child Jewel—who had inherited virtual invulnerability from her father—escaped from the marsh, eluding the royal cavalry.

  Book 2: The Well of Tears, told how Jewel was raised at High Darioneth, the home of the Weathermasters of Rowan Green. Ellenhall was the name of the great building in which the weathermasters held their councils. The weathermasters’ leader was the Storm Lord, Avalloc Maelstronnar-Stormbringer, whose eldest son was Arran. Over the mantelpiece at the Stormbringer house hung the famous sword, Fallowblade, long ago forged to defeat unseelie goblin hordes.

  High Darioneth was teeming with brownies and other eldritch wights; Jewel met an urisk and realized that it was the same one that used to belong to her mother’s household at the Marsh. The urisk had followed her; yet it was most uncouth and unresponsive when she tried to draw it into conversation, and never appeared for long.

  At the age of seventeen Jewel decided to journey to Strang and see if she could unlock the secrets of the sorcerer’s mysterious Dome. Without her knowledge, Arran followed her, as her protector. He caught up with her inside the Dome. Together, Arran and Jewel lit upon a book that told of certain Wells, each of which held a few drops of the Water of Eternal Life.

  After a long journey they found the Well of Rain, but at the last moment Fionnbar Aonarán appeared, seized the Water of Life, and drank it. His accomplice Cathal Weaponmonger ascended the Tower and destroyed the dry Well, but fell to his death. Enraged by the loss of Weaponmonger, with whom she was in love, Fionnuala blamed Arran and tried unsuccessfully to shoot him with her crossbow.

  Later, just as Arran found the Well of Dew, Fionnuala and her henchmen attacked him. They were about to slay him and make off with the Water of Life. In his extremity Arran had no option but to swallow the Draught himself. When he finally returned home he and Jewel, who had fallen in love, were wed.

  Jewel and Arran had a baby daughter. They named her Astriel, and the impet Fridayweed informed them she had inherited immortality from her father. Arran and Fridayweed went to seek the last well, the Well of Tears. After many difficulties they discovered it, but alas! ancient upheavals had destroyed it. The well was empty and dry.

  Visualizing a future in which he lived eternally without Jewel at his side, Arran was gripped by rage.
He swore vengeance on Fionnbar and Fionnbar’s half-sister Fionnuala. After embarking on a hunting trip he trapped Fionnbar in a cave in the far northeastern mountains of Slievmordhu, telling his prisoner that he must dwell there forever, immortal, suffering loneliness and exile.