The Pillars Of The World

out his hand. No. He couldn’t be. “He’s afraid of the Fae.”
    “Shows he has brains. Is he afraid of horses, too? He’ll smell them on me.”
    “Not afraid, exactly. Neall’s gelding likes to sneak up on him and snort on his tail.”
    Ahern chuckled. “That one. His sire was a dark horse.”
    “A dark horse?”
    For the first time she could remember, Ahern looked disconcerted.
    “A dark horse is a breed unto itself. They have brains and courage . . . and they can be fiercely loyal.”
    “Are those the special horses you breed? The ones you don’t sell?”
    Ahern nodded slowly. “Special horses for a special kind of person. When the right person comes along, the horse goes with her.”
    Merle crept forward enough to sniff Ahern’s hand. Apparently he liked what he smelled. When he started to jump up, Ahern swiftly put his hand on the pup’s head and pushed him to the ground. The pup cringed.
    “Take care, little one,” he said as he rubbed Merle’s belly. “There’s no sense in bashing your brains out before you’re old enough to use them.”
    Ahern stood up. Merle rolled over, shook himself, and bumbled off to explore the meadow.
    “He’ll be a good animal when he grows into himself.”
    “He’s already a good animal,” Ari said defensively.
    Ahern smiled in approval. “Will you accept a going-away gift?”
    “You don’t have to give us anything. Neall said you already offered the loan of a wagon.”
    “Not a gift for both of you. Just you.”
    “I—” What was she supposed to say to that? How was she supposed to interpret the look in his eyes?
    “A horse,” Ahern said. “I know you didn’t want one before, and, considering some things that happened last year, I think I understand why.”
    “I don’t know. I—”
    “Neall was a small boy when he came to live here. He doesn’t remember how far away the nearest village is from your land. You’ll need a horse of your own, and I want to be sure you’ve got a good animal under you.”
    “I’m not sure.”
    “Ari.” Catching her chin between his thumb and forefinger, he raised her head until she looked at him. “
    Let me do this for you. For my own sake.”
    She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging hard. “I’ll miss you.”
    He patted her back awkwardly before stepping away.
    “Ahern, do you think I’m doing the right thing?”
    “Do you have doubts about the boy?”
    Ari shook her head. “No. Not about Neall.”
    “Then go with him and don’t look back.” He paused. “Your grandmother was hoping you’d go with him one day. She told me that.”
    Ari wiped her eyes before the tears could spill over. She sniffed, dabbed her nose with her sleeve. “You know the hill Gran favored?”
    “I know it.”
    “Sometimes, when the ground is still soft after a rain, I’ve noticed there are hoofprints on the hill. I think that’s where your gray horse goes when he goes wandering.”
    Ahern stared at the land for a long time. Then, in a voice she could barely hear, “I know he does.”
    * * *
     
    Merle dove under the bench, knocking over a basket of yarn. “You must regret having him a dozen times a day,” Dianna said, walking over to the bench where Ari sat.
    She wasn’t surprised by the coolness in Ari’s eyes, but she was surprised to feel stung by it.
    “I don’t regret having him.” Ari righted the basket and continued her task.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Sorting the yarn. I can’t take all of it with me, so I want to be sure I take what I need for the weavings I have in mind.”
    “Take it?” Alarm made Dianna’s heart race. “Where are you going?”
    “I’m leaving Brightwood.”
    “You can’t!”
    “I’m not chattel, Dianna. I’m not bound to the land.”
    “But you can’t leave.” Dianna paced to the well, then back to the bench. “It’s because of that . . . that Neall , isn’t it?”
    “Yes. We’re getting married.”
    “That’s no reason for you to leave. Let the lout live here with you if you’re so determined to have him.”
    Ari shot to her feet. “He’s not a lout, and what I do is none of your business.”
    “Oh, but it is my business,” Dianna said sharply. “You don’t understand.” She took a deep breath, choked down her temper. “Ari, Tir Alainn is disappearing, piece by piece. We believe it’s because the witches are leaving the Old Places. In some way, your magic anchors the road through the Veil.”
    “Well, I’m sorry, Dianna, but you’ll