Beathas of Ailsa
Hauflin, sorceress who lives at Moon Meadow, first appeared in chapter 3 in Shadows in the Stone
The humid, evening air swirled softly around Beathas of Ailsa’s bare feet. The breeze caused the little tufts of hair growing on the tops of her toes to sway. She spread her toes further to dry them quicker. The swim in the pool below the waterfalls had refreshed her, removing sweat and dirt gathered from the strenuous workout with an apprentice earlier in the day. Now, with time to meditate and reflect alone, she felt her body relax and ease into a sleepy position on the porch.
Minor pricks caused by sharp rocks and sticks from travelling through the forest left a sting other hauflins did not suffer. Though she went shoeless frequently, she was incapable of growing the tough, thick souls as others, but she dismissed it for what it was: a shortcoming.
The breeze increased, yet the wind chime suspended from the support beam remained still, silent. Beathas glanced at it. The stones and bamboo had been carved meticulously and arranged prudently by her hand. The chimes had not sounded since the morning, when her apprentices from nearby communities and Maskil had arrived for lessons. They would not sound again until morning unless unexpected visitors arrived during the night.
Her apprentices knew nothing about the chimes’ secrets. Yet there was one Beathas suspected understood its workings, but the exceptional child had been taken and was lost to all who cherished her company.
Beathas’ small, hauflin fingers and thumb grasped the stone in her necklace. Why Isla had given the jewellery to her was a mystery, but Beathas believed it connected her with the prophecy.
She immediately closed her mind to the idea. Entertaining the thought placed her and the one she loved in grave danger.
Images of his face, reserved and questioning, graced her mind, and she smiled.
Castle Keepers Vignette: Almost five years has passed since Isla was kidnapped and Bronwyn left Maskil in search of her. In many ways, not much has happened; the inhabitants of the Land of Ath-o’Lea have continued their daily routine. But if you look deeper into the individual lives you’ll see much has changed in little ways.
The Castle Keeper vignettes provide a glimpse into the time between Shadows in the Stone and Scattered Stones. You’ll have already met many of the characters, but some you will meet in Scattered Stones.
These vignettes won’t be complete stories, only 300 words of a moment. I consider them exercises in writing and editing. I hope to write two a week and post them on Mondays and Thursdays as we lead up to the release of Scattered Stones, the second fantasy novel of the Castle Keepers series, on May 6, 2016.
The collection of vignettes will be organised on the Castle Keepers Vignettes page. On the first of each month, I will post the schedule of the characters I will write about that month.
Diane McGyver 