The Witches of Eileanan by Kate Forsyth Page A

yourself and others. Ken that the use o' the One Power is in itself dangerous, filled as it is with the glamour o' power. Swear to me that ye ken and will remember these things!"
"I swear," Isabeau said, and looked down at the moonstone glimmering on her right hand. As the Coven decreed, she then handed her guardian the ring she had made and smiled at her, surprised at the trace of tears in the usually sardonic black eyes.
Meghan smiled back and thanked her, then said, "By the Creed o' the Coven o' Witches, ye must swear to speak only what is true in your heart, for ye must have courage in your beliefs; ye must swear no' to use the Power to ensorcel others, remembering all people must choose their own path. Ye must use the One Power in wisdom and thoughtfulness, with a kind heart, a fierce and canny mind, and steadfast courage. Do ye swear these things?"
"I swear. May my heart be kind, my mind fierce, my spirit brave."
"Ken this, though, Isabeau, in times o' trouble and dissent, such as we ourselves are now living, choose how and when ye tell your truth. Too many witches have died or been banished or maimed for too candid a courage. Ye were always a chatterbox and a mischief-maker—well I remember the time ye almost had us pointed out as witches in Caeryla! Watch and listen, and be wary."
Seychella leaned forward and looked into Isabeau's eyes intently. "Isabeau, these times be difficult. The Coven o' Witches is broken, its members scattered or dead, much o' its knowledge lost. Ye are now an acknowledged witch, though merely an apprentice. Ye must learn as much as ye can. Ye show some power, though your will is unbridled. Ye must do what ye can to gather knowledge and skill, for the time will soon come when every witch in the land will be needed. Do ye understand?"
"Aye, Sorceress Seychella."
Jorge leaned forward to take Isabeau's hand in his frail birdlike claw. "Do no' fret, my dear, that ye were unable to see clearly. The veils will fall when it is time, and ye shall see and hear what is now hidden to ye. Keep faith, and may Eà's blessing be upon you."
"And on you," Isabeau answered and he squeezed her hand gently before leaning back to allow the silver-haired stranger to pass. She knelt by Isabeau's side, her eyes a vivid blue in her pale face, and embraced the newly admitted apprentice witch fiercely, much to Isabeau's surprise.
"Ye have done well, very well. I am prouder of ye than I can express. Ye fulfilled all o' the challenges, and it is a rare witch that can do that." For a moment she glanced at Meghan and murmured, "It is more than I was ever able to do." Then she hugged Isabeau again, and tangled her fingers in her unruly red-gold curls. "It is glad I am indeed to see you so strong and bonny. Welcome to the Coven, even in these dark and dangerous times, and keep yourself safe. I could no' bear . .. There has been enough death and pain. Be careful, Isabeau, and guard your spirit carefully."
"I will," Isabeau responded, a little surprised by the emotion in the witch's voice.
"Let us go back and celebrate!" Seychella said. "It has been a long time since we've given the Test! I do no' ken about Isabeau, but I am exhausted!"
"No' yet," Meghan said.
Isabeau looked up from contemplation of her gently glowing moonstone. She recognized that note in her guardian's voice. Something was wrong. Meghan stood by their fire, and said, "I would fain give Isabeau one more Trial."
"Be ye mad? It's pouring down!" Seychella said, and indeed the rain had begun, first as a splatter of great drops, but increasing in speed and ferocity as the wind whipped the surface of the loch into whitecaps. Meghan nodded, her face so grim Isabeau began to feel afraid. "A wee while ago the wards to the valley were breached. I could no' stop the Trials after waiting so long and working so hard to make sure Isabeau was given her chance. In all the twenty years I've lived here no one has ever breached the wards. This is no stray shepherd! The animals