Read The Cursed Towers for Free Online

whales swim south so they can breed in the warmer waters, and so the Fairgean follow in their trail. When the tides turn in the autumn, the whales head north again, and so do the Fairgean. They do no' feel the cold as we do." Lachlan shuddered and cast her a look of suspicious dislike. "How do ye ken so much about the blaygird cold-blooded fish-people then, Isabeau?"
    Isabeau was not foolish enough to tell him that Maya the Ensorcellor had told her much about the Fairgean when they had first met on the shores of Clachan. Instead she said blandly, "I have been reading all the scrolls and books I can find on them, for Iseult says one must ken one's enemy to defeat them."
    "Very true," Isabeau's twin said and cast her husband a quelling look. "So when can we expect the Fairgean again, Isabeau?"
    "They'll come again in the spring," she answered, "The tides run highest at the spring equinox and that is when we'll have the most to fear. But as long as we keep away from the rivers and lochan they canna do too much damage. Most can only keep their land shape a few hours, I have read—"
    "What about the Ensorcellor?" Lachlan sneered. "Sixteen years she lived amongst us and none but I knew she was a Fairge!"
    "Did she no' tell ye she was born o' a human mother?" Meghan said. "Happen being half human made it easier for her."
    "What about her blaygird servant?" Lachlan pointed out. "She was a true Fairge and yet she also lived among us for sixteen years. Even with the seawater pool in Maya's quarters, she must have been able to retain her landshape for many hours."
    "That's true," Isabeau conceded anxiously. "Perhaps the books are wrong ..."
    "Or perhaps Sani the Sinister was unusual among her kind," Meghan said. "I have heard the Priestesses o' Jor have a cruel apprenticeship, and are taught to suffer all manner o' pain and deprivation. And we ken this plan o' theirs was years in the making, so happen she had a long time to learn to survive above water."
    "I wish I knew where the Ensorcellor has fled," Lachlan mused, pacing the floor in his usual restless way.
    "It troubles me that she is lurking somewhere out there, plotting against us and spinning her foul enchantments."
    "Do no' fear," Meghan said wearily. "She would have returned to her own kind; besides, did Isabeau no'
    say we have a few months before we need to worry about them? Let us plan how best to oust the Bright Soldiers, for it is they who concern us more nearly."
    "And this time let us lance the boil altogether," Lachlan said grimly. "Too long Tirsoilleir has been a shadow on our borders, with their bizarre rites and cruel practices. Why Aedan Whitelock ever allowed them to stay independent is beyond me. They should have signed the Pact o' Peace and joined with the rest o' Eileanan. Arran should have too!"
    Iain bowed a trifle stiffly. He was the son of Margrit NicFoghnan, the Banprionnsa of Arran, whose clan had always been the traditional enemy of the MacCuinns. Having no great love for his cold and disdainful mother, Iain had fled Arran with the pupils of his mother's Theurgia to warn the Righ of the Bright Soldiers' planned invasion.
    "The Thistle has always s-s-stood alone," he responded. "But perhaps the t-t-time has come when the M-M-MacFoghnan and MacCuinn clans c-c-can be friends and allies instead o' enemies." There was a gentle reproof in his voice, and Lachlan flushed a little and fidgeted his wings.
    "Indeed, Iain, and I'm sorry if I sounded surly. I am glad indeed to have ye and your wife here, and I see clearly what aid ye can give us in bringing peace to Eilea-nan. At least we know now how the Bright Soldiers are flooding into the land, and your knowledge o' the fen-lands will help us indeed in driving them back, no' to mention your witch skills. I did no' mean to sound as if I did no' appreciate your offers o' help and support, nor as if I did no' understand how difficult it must be to stand against your own mother."
    Both Isabeau and Iseult glanced at