Trinity Rising: Book Two of the Wild Hunt (Wild Hunt Trilogy 2) by Elspeth Cooper Page A

more distinct though no more detailed. A suggestion of eyes, mouth, teeth. Teia had no doubt that this was Maegern. She knew it as she knew of her own existence, as deeply and intimately as she knew she was a woman. Dread rose up inside her and soured her throat.
    It has been a long time .
    Maegern looked around Her at the ring of Speakers and frowned, and as one they fell to their knees. The chiefs behind them were already down, although Drwyn was making a brave effort to meet the goddess’s eye.
    ‘It has been too long, great one. More than a thousand years since we were taken from You,’ Ytha said.
    Maegern waved a gauntleted hand dismissively. I neither know nor care how you reckon the passing of time. I care only that you have woken me. Free me, and I will reward you .
    ‘Are You not free? I thought the summoning—’ Ytha faltered.
    The goddess laughed harshly, and the sound rolled around the horizon like thunder.
    This? You imagined this petty magic would be enough? Not yet, little women! Not yet! You have not a fraction of a fraction of the power of those who sealed me away, but you have done well, for all that. If you can do better, you shall have your reward .
    ‘What must we do? We would have You walk amongst us once more. We have need of Your aid.’
    To what end?
    Ytha straightened her spine, held her head up. On her knees she might be, but she would not grovel, not even before a goddess. ‘To return us to our home,’ she said. ‘To purge it of the usurpers who stole it from us.’
    Maegern sneered. I have no interest in your squabbling for land. If you cannot take what you want by force of arms, you are not worthy of my aid . She made to turn away.
    ‘Please, great one, do not abandon us the way the faithless abandoned You!’ Impassioned, Ytha spread her arms wide, and emotion throbbed through her words. ‘They turned their backs on the old ways. They gave up their freedom and swore themselves to servitude under the yoke of the same powers who exiled You.’ Snarling, the goddess swung to face her again. ‘The portents are favourable for Your return to us. If You ride with us, we can retake our ancient lands. Ride with us, and You will have Your revenge.’
    A silence spread over the circle as the goddess considered. It was the silence between do and do not, the weight of possibility teetering on a knife’s edge, ready to come crashing down and become reality.
    Maegern’s head tilted slowly to one side. Her posture shifted, a subtle rebalancing of weight and tension, like a serpent’s restless coiling as it poised to strike. Vengeance , She hissed.
    ‘Yes, great one.’ Ytha’s voice was pitched low and hungry. One of the Speakers behind her let out a low moan, quickly stifled.
    ‘Long have I waited.’ The goddess curled Her fingers around the shaft of Her spear, lingeringly, almost sensuously, as if taking a lover’s hand. ‘Long have I dreamed of it.’
    ‘Help us throw these usurpers back into the sea they sprang from, and it can be Yours.’
    The silence stretched ever thinner. Waiting.
    I have a test for you. Prove yourselves worthy and I will aid you .
    Something like a sigh raced around the Speakers and their chiefs. No one moved, no one spoke, but there was a palpable easing of tension, like a slow exhalation after a breath long held.
    ‘Name it,’ said Ytha, exultant, her eyes shining in the brazier’s glow. ‘We are Yours to command.’
    Find the key that was used to lock my prison. That which it closed, it may also open. Demonstrate your fealty and a bargain will be struck between us .
    ‘We will end Your exile, great one, but what do we seek? Where will we find it?’
    You will find it in the city of the seven towers, guarded by seven warriors. It has burned in my dreams all this time, but that is as much as I can feel of it. It has not moved since my prison was sealed . She motioned with Her spear towards the distant mountains, where the moons set. It lies yonder. I will