A Templar's Gifts by Kat Black Page B

cried a flood of tears that had no beginning or end. And for a very long time she did not let go.
    As if by silent accord we spoke no more about what had happened to the bairn, and we took to the road with an emptiness I had never felt before. We walked side by side, leading the horse and holding each other’s hand.
    â€œTormod,” she said after a very long while, “I’m frightened for ye.” Her nervousness slid along a path inside me and I opened my hand to pull away, but she gripped it hard. “No, don’t.” Her eyes beseeched mine. “Tell me what is happening. This isn’t right,” she said quietly.
    How could I explain it? I walked along, breathing the early evening air and listening to the wind. “After ye sing, or whatever ‘tis ye do, d’ye feel like yer sick or tired?” I asked.
    She looked thoughtful for a moment. “Tired, surely,” she said. “Ye mean it has something to do with the power?”
    â€œAye. The power gives us the abilities that we have, but it also takes something away each time we use it. It’s like we’re used as well.”
    She nodded, as if what I said unlocked a question she had. “An’ this has something to do with the way ye are ill?”
    â€œAye. I think so. When I use the power, it drains me badly. I have more abilities than I ever had before. I feel the emotions of everyone around me, and I sometimes hear their thoughts.” She started and made to pull her hand from mine. “No, it’s all right. I canno’ hear yers, an’ it hasn’t happened for a bit, anyway. My brother Torquil had the same response.”
    Aine smiled and seemed to relax in that.
    â€œIt’s just that everything is so much stronger and so much more draining of late, that ‘tis hard to bear.” I shook my head in frustration. “Emotions seem to come at me instead o’ rolling off an’ away. They get tangled up with whatever I’m feeling an’ they grow in me. Everything spins out o’ control. I can’t seem to do anything about it. Things just go awry.”
    Aine was quiet, her eyes fixed on the road. My thoughts drifted back to the bairn and my heart dropped even lower than it had been.
    â€œYet, when we touch ye seem better,” she said.
    â€œAye. It’s the only thing keeping me stable. I’ve only known a few of the gifted. None did that for me.”
    She looked down on our twined fingers. “It’s a strange bit, no denying that. But as I told ye, I can usually calm folk with my hum. It must be a part o’ it, though its never been like this before. I wish that I could do something more. If maybe I’d known sooner, then …” Her voice was strangled and she didn’t continue.
    Filled with sadness I said, “Aye. I wish many things, but the wishing’s never done me any good. I have to warn ye. Sometimes I get pushed into a dark place that I canno’ get out o’.”
    â€œLike that day on the beach, when I found ye,” she said. “An’ after with William?”
    â€œAye,” I replied.
    â€œThat’s frightening. Maybe using the power toooften has done this to ye. Maybe neither of us should use it at all,” she suggested.
    â€œIt’s no’ that easy. I can’t stop myself. The visions come when they do. Can ye stop yerself?” I asked.
    â€œI can’t stop the readin’ of a place, but I can choose no’ to give comfort with the song. Though when someone is in need, I wouldn’t want to withhold giving them what relief I could.”
    We were quiet then, each lost to our own thoughts. The silence was welcoming. In it I felt no accusation, no press for what I could not give. It decided me. “I want to tell ye something, for ye have to know what danger yer in, should ye choose to stay with me.”
    She lifted her brow. “I’m no’ goin’