Chapter 21
Reunion with Gawen
1642 - Dunnedin, Vanders
Starrling was seldom seen over the next several days but when she was, she was accompanied by Gawen.
They spent almost every moment together catching up on old times, laughing over gossip and discussing Etain's growth. Starrling soaked up his affection and attention, allowing him to fawn over her which he seemed to feel was sufficient atonement for his past shortcomings.
Samhain arrived and they celebrated together, beginning at sundown the night before, to honor their ancestors. Starrling set out extra plates of food and performed the ritual for them in the privacy of her own cottage grounds. Gawen stayed with her to watch the dawning of the first day of Samhain, candles glowing to show their ancestors the way to the offerings. After sunrise, the couple retired to her cottage to celebrate life, death and the Otherworld in a more intimate fashion.
On Gawen's last day in Dunnedin he pleaded with Starrling to return to Glastonbury with him.
"Ye know I cannot do this, Gawen," she responded casually, "at least not until Calum has called upon me."
"But…I miss you… terribly," he whined.
"Certain am I that there be many a wench that will tend your needs," her words bit into him, the truth tearing them apart from their temporary union over the last few days.
She turned her back, taking secret pleasure in injuring him. Revenge was sweet.
"Do ye not wish t'see yer daughter," Gawen used the weapon he'd been saving. The shot hit its target and Starrling winced in pain. She whirled on him and glared, her jaw clenched in anger.
"Ye have used me long enough, Gawen Abelard. Ye know very well I cannot leave without Calum's beckon. As for our daughter, how long has it been since you saw her? Or have ye been too busy with yer wenches t'even notice she still exists?"
He fumed. She'd hit her mark even closer. He pulled a very large pouch from his belt and tossed it at her, barely missing her head. She reached down and picked it up out of the dirt.
"Calum sent you this," Gawen spit out the words, then turned on his heel. She watched his back retreat until he was well out of sight before she explored the contents of the pouch. Dozens and dozens of gold pieces, coins, enough to keep her for a long time. She sat heavily in a heap in the dirt, amazed at the amounts. Clutching it in her fists, she looked up into the bright blue sky, tears falling. Calum! I want to come home!
Chapter 22
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