Merlin's Army: The Celtic Fey, #6

By Roz Marshall

Legends come to life...
After a daring rescue from high-tech computer game Feyland, Scottish teenager Corinne MacArthur looks forward to a quieter life and time to enjoy her magical grey horse and her friendship with Elphin Irving.

Music student Elphin thinks he's seen the last of the blue-faced hag who ensorcelled him in Feyland. But Cailleach, the legendary witch of winter, has other ideas. And greater ambitions. Ambitions which spread beyond the faery realm and into the real-world landscapes of Scotland.

However, she's reckoned without Corinne and Elphin, and their legendary friends...

 

:: Merlin's Army is the sixth book in the Celtic Fey series set in Anthea Sharp's Feyland universe (with her kind permission), and it concludes the story arc started in the first book, Unicorn Magic,

 

This is a clean Arthurian fantasy which is set in Scotland (and the faerie realm) and uses British English spelling and grammar. Start reading this spellbinding series today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eden Press
• Release date: Jun 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781386462712

Book preview

Chapter 1

Elphin Irving laid a hand on the rough surface of the nearest monolith, his thoughts churning with the mixed emotions the stone circle always aroused in him.

Atop a hill the locals called ‘Faerie Hill’—with good reason, as he’d discovered to his cost forty years ago—the stone circle was a place between, one of those special locations that could act as a portal between his native Scotland and the magical lands which hid on the edge of your vision, danced on the fringes of your dreams or glittered in the emotions evoked by a beautiful melody. Especially at this time of day, a time between, when the sun lay low on the horizon, painting a pink wash over the snow-covered Perthshire hills far in the distance.

Beside him, Corinne stood holding her horse, Ghost. Like Elphin, Ghost had once lived in the Faerie Realm, and he still had an enchanting air about him. He was noble and strong, with a silky white mane, dark eyes that seemed to look into your very soul, and a creamy smooth coat that almost glowed in the dark.

This was Midnight's favourite ride, Corinne said, slipping her hand into Elphin's. "My horse that died. Before I got Ghost. It was where I scattered his ashes; where I came to remember him. And where I saw you. Where I came to see you."

He nodded. I came here—there, he pointed at the granite blocks, which had been represented by a ring of rowan trees in the Realm, to see you too.

She gave a yelp. You told me you went there for the peace and quiet!

Elphin pulled her closer. I couldn't admit to you, back then, that I was in love with you. You thought I was a beast.

You were in love with me? Corinne’s voice was an octave higher.

From the first moment I saw you hiding behind that tree while I was singing. He kissed her forehead. It was that old cliché. Love at first sight.

I love you too, she whispered.

I know.

Her brow creased. Could you hear me, back at the Bright Court, when you were injured?

Nope.

Well, how do you know, then?

He shrugged. "It was the only way my curse would be broken. Someone had to fall in love with me. Me, not the minstrel. So when I transformed, I knew."

Her smile was delightful, and it made him want to kiss her again. But before they could embrace, the horse gave a startled whinny and dragged backwards on the reins, pulling them apart. Nostrils flaring, the animal stared fixedly at a gap in the trees.

Elphin’s chest turned to ice. Somehow, he knew what was there before he turned and saw it.

A white wolf.

With red eyes.

Cailleach's wolf.

His sense of dread increasing, Elphin watched it stride silently down the hill, heading towards the distant snow-capped mountains. How could it be here, in real life?

For him to return from the Realm, it had taken the breaking of his enchantment, the approval of the faerie king and the intervention of a friendly wizard. How could Cailleach’s wolf be here, casually walking around as if it was out for an afternoon stroll?

With a start, he noticed that Corinne’s bow—her weapon from the Feyland game—had appeared in her hands. With ornate silver scrollwork and a bronze-tipped arrow, it was a fearsome weapon, and he knew how skilled she was in its use. But the wolf had disappeared, leaving only a trail of disquiet in its wake.

Corinne pointed down the hill in the direction it had gone. Looks like things from the Realm are leaking into real life. Somehow the barrier has been breached.

He nodded. She must be right. How else could the wolf have appeared?

With a grimace, she added, So, the witch is probably here now. In her hand, the bow hummed with life, its string vibrating like a harp. I guess we're about to have a fight on our hands.

Elphin stared down the hill in the direction Corinne had pointed, his throat tight. Could the witch really be here? The thought raised hairs on the back of his neck. But—how could she do that? She’s from the Realm. How could she get here?

Does it matter? She’s here now. And we need to stop her. I’ll bet all this awful weather is her doing. Myrddin called her the Witch of Winter.

Elphin let out a long breath. She was right. Somehow, the boundary between worlds had been broken, and he was sure Cailleach was behind it. It certainly fits with her way of doing things. But how can we stop her? He looked down at his jeans and fleece jacket. It’s not like we’ve got any magic, here in the real world. Nor much in the way of weapons. He glanced at the bow and arrow in her hands.

Corinne twisted her lips. Mmmm. But to start with, we could find out where she’s holed up. And try to work out what she’s planning with all this snow and everything. She slung the maple-wood bow over her shoulder. Let’s follow the wolf.

Elphin caught her arm and nodded towards the horse. What about Ghost? We can’t take him after the wolf. He’ll give us away.

Corinne grimaced. Good point. She sighed. If only we had your invisibility cloak. She scratched the horse’s neck. What’ll we do about you, boy?

Elphin stared off into the distance. Something was nagging at him: the memory of Cailleach’s glee as she fled the Bright Court after his enchantment had been broken. Why would that make her happy? She should have been enraged.

Had he inadvertently done something, tripped some spell or invoked some magic that had somehow released the witch into this world? It certainly seemed that way. If it was his fault, he’d need to do something about it.

Actually, I know where she’ll be. That hill there. He pointed. With the snow on the top. It’s Schiehallion. Faerie Mountain. Just looking at the layer of white on the distant hills reminded him of the permafrost his life had been when he was bound to Cailleach. He jammed his hands into his armpits, suddenly feeling three degrees colder.

Faerie Mountain? Corinne’s brow furrowed. But I thought this was Faerie Hill? She pointed to the standing stones behind them. Chessaig. Faerie Hill.

Aye. Elphin raised a shoulder. What can I say? Us Scots see the wee folk at every turn.

She rolled her eyes at that. I thought Schiehallion was in Feyland, though? Isn’t that where the witch lived?

He shrugged. It’s one of those crossover places. It’s like a real-life place which has an echo in the Realm. But that’s where she’ll be. If she’s not there already, she’ll be there soon. You can bet on it.

Corinne chewed her lip. So… we could take Ghost back to the farm and then go and check out the mountain on our own? She swallowed. Although the ‘on our own’ bit doesn’t sound too enticing right now.

Elphin took her hand. We could scout it out. Carefully. Best to know what we’re dealing with. He jerked his chin at the path down the hill. Let’s go.

Chapter 2

Y ou need me. Phemie, Elphin’s older sister, planted her feet and crossed her arms. It’s a long walk up the mountain. And you need to get there first. Who’s going to take you? Elphin hasn’t learned to drive yet.

A look passed between the youngsters. They obviously hadn’t thought of that.

But we’ll need to wait till tomorrow. Phemie tucked a wisp of steel-grey hair behind her ear. It’ll be dark in a few hours. There’s no’ much daylight left.

Elphin held a palm up. You’re right. But that might be a good thing. It’ll be harder for her to spot us in the darkness.

And easier for you to fall and break your neck.

Her brother’s shoulders sank.

Phemie stepped over to the sink and filled the kettle. We can go in the morning. First thing, as soon as I’ve finished the morning chores round the farm.

Corinne looked from Phemie to Elphin. I could get mother to drop me up here early.

No need. Phemie shook her head. We can pick you up on the way. She dropped tea bags into a ceramic teapot and caught her brother’s attention. Now, I’ve got something else to tell you about. While you were out, I did some investigation into music schools. Unfortunately, the Conservatory you were at back in the day is closed now.

That’s a shame, said Corinne.

Phemie leaned against the counter while she waited for the kettle to boil. However, there’s a music school in the Highlands you might be interested in. You’d need to sit a couple of exams and pass their audition.

O—kay. Elphin spoke stiffly, as if the modern expression was unusual to him.

So I phoned the high school and got Elphin registered. As Fin Irving, my long-lost son, like we discussed. They say he should be able to cram and do the exams in one year. So he starts final year at the same time as you, Corinne. On Monday.

That will be… good. Elphin didn’t sound convinced.

Corinne held up a finger. Uh, I’m not final year. Not till next year.

"So I’ll be the new boy and Noddy no mates." Elphin sounded even less convinced.

The girl shrugged. But at least you know me. We can meet up in breaks. And afterwards.

Phemie pulled a packet of shortbread from the cupboard and placed some on a plate. It’ll be fine once you get used to it. And you’ll enjoy the music. The school’s got quite a good reputation since that new teacher started. So, once we’ve had a cup of tea, we’d better go into town and get school clothes and books organised. There’s still a couple of hours until the shops close.

Elphin’s shoulders slumped. I hate shopping. Could you not just get some stuff for me? He sounded exactly like a typical teenager, and she had to suppress a smile.

Fashions have changed so much since you were last at school, it’s a minefield. We need to see what’s available, and what you like. She turned to the girl. Would you be able to come too, and advise us? I know it matters what make of trainers you wear, but I’ve no idea what’s ‘in’ right now.

Corinne looked down at her plain