Hero's Song by Edith Pattou

cried out, "Fearthainne!"
    And in that moment a drenching, powerful rain began to fall.
    Collun and his companions looked at each other in wonder as great drops of water washed over their blackened faces and clothing. Huge billows of steam rose around them.
    It was not long before the flames were completely extinguished and all they could hear was the hissing of damp, smoldering wood and the sound of the raindrops.
    Collun's eyes were still on the old man, who had dropped his arms heavily to his sides. For a moment his body sagged. He looked ancient and ill.
    But then his shoulders slowly straightened, and he stood erect again. His eyes looked directly into Collun's.
    The kesil.
    This figure in the green cloak was the wild man of the forest who had come into Collun's garden and told him he must leave Aonarach. Except that now his beard was smooth and untangled, and his cloak was clean and made of thick, rich cloth.
    With an abrupt gesture the old man beckoned to Collun.
    "He wants us to follow him," Collun said in a weak voice. The kesil had turned and was walking away from them with long, purposeful strides. Limping, Collun followed.
    Brie, Talisen, and Silien exchanged glances, then fell into step behind Collun. Fara trotted along beside Brie.
    They gingerly made their way through the twisted and blackened skeletons of burnt trees, their feet squelching through the soggy layers of ash and charred wood. Puffs of smoke wafted about their ankles.
    They came again to the thorn tree that had been struck by lightning. All that remained was a jagged black stump. But not thirty paces beyond the stump the forest was miraculously intact, and were it not for the smell of smoke, they would not have known there had been a fire at all.
    The kesil continued to walk. Collun focused all his remaining strength on keeping the green figure in sight. As before, the trees began to thin out. And it was not long before they were out of the Forest of Eld altogether.
    Dawn was just breaking, and Collun could feel a faint warmth on his face from the autumn sun.
    The old man had stopped at the edge of a large meadow and was waiting for them to catch up.
    "Well met, Collun," said the kesil. He crossed to the
dazed boy, put his two hands on Collun's shoulders, and peered down at him. He said nothing for a moment, holding his eyes steady on Collun's. Collun could not read the old man's expression, but it had welcome in it, as well as concern.
    The kesil spoke. "I see you took my advice and stayed clear of the high road." The corners of his mouth twitched slightly. "Only I might not have strayed into the deepest reaches of the Forest of Eld, were I you."
    "A morg and some Scathians were pursuing us. Then there was a boar ... and we lost the path. And the fire..."
    "It does not matter. I found you yet. And perhaps some good will come of it."
    "That's about as likely as a cuckoo song in January." Talisen stepped forward. "You are the kesil, aren't you? I must say, sir, you are not as I remember you."
    The old man smiled and then spoke again to Collun. "You have chosen companions for your journey." He gazed around, lingering longest on the Ellyl and the faol. Then he gave a small nod as though satisfied.
    Collun managed a faint smile. "In truth, they chose me."
    The old man smiled back. "Even better."
    "Who are you?" Talisen interrupted.
    The kesil turned his blue eyes on Talisen. "I have had many names. Of late I am called Sen Crannach, but I answer to Crann."
    "Crann?" Collun exclaimed. This was the name Emer had spoken. He opened his mouth to say something, but he was overcome by a wave of dizziness. He swayed.
    Crann stepped forward, putting out a hand to steady
the boy. A trail of blood flowed down Collun's calf. The wound had reopened during the fire. The old man kneeled down and ran his long fingers over the silvery stitches in Collun's leg. "Ellyl stitchery..." he murmured to himself. He glanced up at Silien. "You do good work, though I can see you