Gideon's Spear by Darby Karchut Page B

The woods beyond were full of birds singing their mates home for the evening. Finn hoisted himself up, kicking his heels against the stones. Gideon took a stance next to him, resting an elbow on the bronze sheeting as he gazed back at the house. For a few minutes, they stayed in silence.
    â€œYou got to admit it, Gideon, that was pretty funny.” Finn chuckled. “ Big Mac . I wonder what Mac Roth is going to do—”
    A crow soared past their heads. It croaked once, circled above the house, then returned, landing with a clap of midnight wings on the wall next to them. Bobbing and bowing, it cawed a second time, then pointed its beak upward as three more joined it.
    The hair on Finn’s arms stood at attention. Swallowing through a suddenly dry mouth, he slid off the wall and landed in a crouch, one hand going for his weapon. Next to him, Gideon stared into the forest, his blade already drawn.
    Half a dozen more birds dive-bombed the wall and shoved into place. With needled beaks, they poked and stabbed at each other like miniature Tuatha De Danaan turned to the dark side. The cawing grew louder.
    Gideon motioned to Finn. “Fetch me a dagger and Mac Roth.”
    Finn sprinted across the yard. Flinging the door open, he threw himself inside. “Amandán,” he yelled as he bolted past. Mac Roth was already out the door, with Lochlan on his heels, by the time he reached the living room. Snatching Gideon’s dagger from the rack, he paused, then grabbed a hatchet. Tearing back through the now-empty kitchen, he raced across the yard toward the trio clustered around the gate in the corner.
    â€œGood lad,” Mac Roth said as Finn handed him the hatchet. “I was about to send Lochlan for this.” He hefted it in one hand; the other held a hunting knife.
    â€œHow many?” Finn panted as Gideon took the dagger from him.
    â€œEnough to make the evening interesting, if the crows are any indication.” Even as he spoke, the flock rose into the air and soared off, their forms black against the indigo sky. They headed west.
    â€œAwesome. Maybe I can nail one and earn my torc,” Lochlan said, testing a thumb gingerly on the edge of his knife. “And get my dad off my case about it.”
    Jealousy nipped at Finn. “Yeah, right. Like you’re going hunting your first day as an apprentice.”
    Gideon looked at Mac Roth, a question in his eyes. The Knight shrugged.
    â€œWell, I must admit, Lochlan has been well-trained; he gave quite a demonstration this morning during his ceremony.” Mac Roth tucked the handle of the hatchet into his belt as he studied his apprentice. “I think we should allow him to come along. After all, we’ve three warriors to look after him,” he added, pointing his knife at Finn’s torc with a trace of a wink.
    Pride swelled Finn’s heart at Mac Roth’s words. “Seems like I’ll be babysitting another O’Neill,” he joked.
    Lochlan snorted. “I just hope you do a better job with me than you did with Asher.” Color drained from his face as soon as the words tumbled from his mouth. “Oh, crap. Look, Finn, I didn’t mean it that way…” His voice trailed off.
    Remorse twisted Finn’s guts. But it’s true , he thought. It was my fault Asher got killed. I wasn’t fast enough. Or maybe I really did wish him dead . “No worries,” he said to Lochlan through stiff lips. He stooped down, pretending to tighten his shoelaces. Schooling his face, he straightened and nodded to his master. “Okay, all set.”
    Hesitating for a moment, Gideon started to speak, then stopped. “Right,” he said instead. He pulled the gate open and stepped out onto the trail running parallel to the wall. The others joined him.
    He led the way along the path as it turned and plunged into the ravine and up the other side. Setting a brisk pace, he headed westward into the woods,