Harp of Kings Read online

  About Harp of Kings

  BARD. WARRIOR. REBEL.

  Eighteen-year-old Liobhan is a powerful singer and an expert whistle player. Her brother has a voice to melt the hardest heart and is a rare talent on the harp. But Liobhan’s burning ambition is to join the elite warrior band on Swan Island. While she and her brother are competing for places in this band, they are asked to go undercover as travelling minstrels. For Swan Island trains both warriors and spies.

  Their mission is to find and retrieve a precious harp, an ancient symbol of kingship. If the harp is not played at the upcoming coronation, the heir will not be accepted and the kingdom will be thrown into turmoil. Faced with plotting courtiers, secretive druids, an insightful storyteller and boorish Crown Prince, Liobhan soon realises an Otherworld power may be meddling in the affairs of the realm. When ambition clashes with conscience, she must make a bold decision – and the consequences may break her heart.

  PRAISE FOR HARP OF KINGS

  ‘This breathtaking, often heartbreaking Celtic-flavored fantasy novel from Marillier (the Blackthorn & Grim series) couches a challenging quest in storytelling both earthy and unearthly . . . Most satisfying is [Marillier’s] ability to weave multiple strands of narrative into a brilliant tapestry. This lush fantasy is sure to win Marillier many new fans.’

  Publishers Weekly

  To my grandson Tycho

  Contents

  About Harp of Kings

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Contents

  Character list

  Chapter 1 – Liobhan

  Chapter 2 – Dau

  Chapter 3 – Brocc

  Chapter 4 – Liobhan

  Chapter 5 – Dau

  Chapter 6 – Brocc

  Chapter 7 – Liobhan

  Chapter 8 – Dau

  Chapter 9 – Brocc

  Chapter 10 – Liobhan

  Chapter 11 – Brocc

  Chapter 12 – Dau

  Chapter 13 – Liobhan

  Chapter 14 – Brocc

  Chapter 15 – Liobhan

  Chapter 16 – Dau

  Chapter 17 – Brocc

  Chapter 18 – Liobhan

  Chapter 19 – Brocc

  Chapter 20 – Dau

  Chapter 21 – Brocc

  Chapter 22 – Liobhan

  Chapter 23 – Dau

  Chapter 24 – Brocc

  Chapter 25 – Liobhan

  Chapter 26 – Dau

  Chapter 27 – Liobhan

  Chapter 28 – Dau

  Chapter 29 – Liobhan

  Chapter 30 – Brocc

  Chapter 31 – Dau

  Chapter 32 – Liobhan

  Chapter 33 – Dau

  Chapter 34 – Brocc

  Chapter 35 – Dau

  Chapter 36 – Liobhan

  Chapter 37 – Brocc

  Chapter 38 – Dau

  Chapter 39 – Liobhan

  Chapter 40 – Dau

  Chapter 41 – Liobhan

  Chapter 42 – Dau

  Chapter 43 – Liobhan

  Chapter 44 – Brocc

  Acknowledgements

  About Juliet Marillier

  Also by Juliet Marillier

  Copyright

  Character List

  Pronunciations are provided for the more difficult names. kh is a soft guttural sound, as in the Scottish loch.

  Swan Island

  Cionnaola

  (kin-EH-la) island elder

  Archu

  (ar-khoo) senior combat trainer; mission name: Uncle Art

  Brigid

  (breed) trainer for covert missions

  Haki

  (ha-kee) ex-Wolfskin; trainer in maritime combat

  Eabha

  (EH-va) trainer in lock-picking and concealment

  Illann

  (ull-an) island warrior, trained farrier; mission name: Eoan (ohn)

  Eimear

  (EE-mer) works on island in support role; plays whistle

  Trainees

  Liobhan

  (LEE-von) singer and whistle player; mission name: Ciara (KEE-ra)

  Brocc

  Liobhan’s brother; singer and harpist; mission name: Donal

  Dau

  (rhymes with now) chieftain’s third son; mission name: Nessan

  Hrothgar

  a Norseman

  Cianan

  (KEE-nan)

  Yann

  an Armorican

  On the journey

  Juniper

  storyteller and wise woman

  Storm

  her dog

  Oschu

  keeper of a ‘safe house’, married to Maen

  Maen

  keeper of a ‘safe house’, married to Oschu

  Court of Breifne (BREF-neh)

  Rodan

  (ROH-dan) aged eighteen, son of the late

  King Aengus

  Cathra

  (KO-hra) regent

  Brondus

  chief councillor

  Bress

  second councillor

  Niall

  (NEE-al) lawman

  Buach

  (BOO-akh) Rodan’s bodyguard

  Garbh

  (gorv) Rodan’s bodyguard

  Cruinn

  (krin) Rodan’s friend

  Coll

  Rodan’s friend

  Aislinn

  (ASH-lin) aged six

  Máire

  (MAH-reh) Aislinn’s nursemaid

  Mochta

  (MUKH-ta) court farrier

  Loman

  groom

  Finn

  groom

  Dana

  (DAH-na) washerwoman/seamstresss

  Banva

  washerwoman/seamstress; married to Osgar

  Grainne

  (GRAH-nyeh) washerwoman

  Maeve

  (mehv) washerwoman

  Osgar

  man-at-arms; married to Banva

  Bryn

  the stable dog

  The nemetons

  Marcán

  (MOR-khan) Chief
Druid

  Farannán

  (FAR-an-nahn) High Bard

  Olann

  a druid

  Odhar

  (ohr) lore-master

  Faelan

  (FEH-lan) novice druid

  Ross

  novice druid

  Sioda

  (SHEE-da) novice druid

  Flann

  novice druid

  Glendarragh

  Tassach

  (toss-akh) chieftain; kinsman of the late King Aengus

  Eithne

  (EH-nyeh) his wife

  Brion

  (bree-ohn) aged ten, their elder son

  Tadhg

  (like first syllable of tiger) aged eight, their second son

  Padraig

  Tassach’s adviser

  Fey Court of Breifne

  Eirne

  (EHR-nyeh) queen of the fey realm of Breifne

  Rowan

  her protector, a fox-like being

  Nightshade

  her sage, an owl-like being

  True

  a rock-like being

  Other characters mentioned by name

  Galen

  Liobhan and Brocc’s older brother; bodyguard and companion to Aolu

  Aolu

  (EH-loo) Crown Prince of Dalriada

  Blackthorn

  mother of Galen, Brocc and Liobhan; a wise woman

  Grim

  father of Galen, Brocc and Liobhan; a master thatcher

  Seanan

  Dau’s eldest brother

  Ruarc

  Dau’s second brother

  Snow

  Dau’s childhood dog

  Garalt

  Dau’s mentor

  Aengus

  (deceased) former king of Breifne

  Dáire

  (deceased) his wife

  Béibhinn

  (BEH-veen) queen of the Fair Folk in the tale of the Harp of Kings

  Íomhar

  (EE-var) name of Ciara’s fictitious father

  Cliodhna

  (KLEE-e-na) Aislinn’s toy, named after a queen of the Fair Folk

  1

  Liobhan

  A pox on Archu! Why must we fight in a wretched downpour? I hook my left leg around Brocc’s right and throw my full weight backwards, toppling us both to the ground. We roll, coating ourselves with mud. Shit! Who would want to do this for the rest of their life? I must be crazy.

  The wind gusts in, straight off the northern sea, driving the rain sideways. Brocc curses. There’s a little catch in his breath. I’ve almost got him.

  ‘Go for his nuts!’ someone shouts.

  ‘Grab her hair!’ yells someone else. Dau, I’m guessing. He likes to see me lose.

  There’s no need to look at Archu, even if I could turn my head. I know what he’s thinking: This isn’t some brawl behind the drinking hall, it’s training for the real thing. You’ve got advantages. Use them.

  Superior height, I tell myself as Brocc fights his way up onto one knee and, for a moment, loosens his hold on my right arm. Stronger will to win. Sheer bloody-mindedness. I claw up a handful of mud and throw it in his face. He swears, releases his hold, puts his hands up to his eyes. I twist onto my knees and deliver a well-calculated punch to his jaw. And he’s down.

  ‘Cease.’ Archu lifts his hand. ‘Bout goes to Liobhan.’

  It’s over, thank the gods of wind and weather. There’s a scattering of applause from our drenched comrades, who are required to observe all bouts, no matter what the weather. Archu believes there’s always something to learn, especially from watching people make mistakes. I hold out a hand to Brocc and haul him to his feet.

  ‘Should’ve seen that coming,’ he mumbles, swiping at his face with his mud-soaked sleeve.

  What can I say? We’ve been sparring together since we were children. He knows I’ll use dirty tricks to win if that’s what it takes. More often than not I do win against Brocc; he’s too honourable for his own good.

  ‘Untidy bout,’ says Archu. ‘Brocc, you had the advantage there briefly, but you let it go. Don’t let your thoughts drift off, especially in these conditions. Sharpen your eyes, sharpen your ears, feel what’s going on in every part of your body. Even as you counter her move, you should be anticipating her next. If she catches you unprepared, you’re gone. Make an error like that in a real situation and you might be dead. Which would be less than useful to whoever’s paying for your services. Here.’ He fishes a disreputable cloth from some hidden corner of his voluminous fur cloak – the garment is almost legendary – and passes it over. ‘Wipe that stuff off your face.’ He turns toward me. ‘Liobhan, quick thinking there. I hope you haven’t done your brother any damage. There are cleaner ways you could have ended that. Tell me some.’

  I’ve been running over the fight in my mind, since Archu always asks this. ‘If I’d been quicker after we both went down, I could have thrown my full weight across him. Or earlier on, when I did the lock-and-throw move, if I’d placed my feet wider I could have blocked him from doing that spring back up.’

  ‘The spring was well executed.’ Archu’s hard gaze goes to Brocc, and he gives a brief nod of approval. ‘You’re nimble, no doubt of that.’

  ‘He’s cut out to be a strolling player.’ Dau again, supercilious bastard. ‘A man of many talents: singing, harping, tumbling and tricks.’

  I clench my teeth over the withering retort this comment deserves. Self-restraint is part of the Swan Island code, and Archu is present – Archu, who will in time help decide which of us trainees become permanent members of the warrior band and which are despatched home with the weight of failure on our shoulders. As for Brocc, he says not a word.

  ‘You’d be surprised,’ Archu observes, ‘what talents a Swan Island warrior can use to strategic advantage. Some of them you might not think of as combat skills. Should any of you be fortunate enough to stay the course and find a long-term place on the island, you’ll find that the services we offer are diverse. It’s not all heading out festooned with shiny weapons and killing the other fellow before he kills you. Though you need to learn that as well. Anyone else have any observations?’

  They do, of course. Our group has been on the island for two turnings of the moon and the training’s been intense. We work every day and often nights as well. We need to be capable under all conditions. Archu is chief combat trainer on Swan Island, but others also teach us. There are experts in swordsmanship, archery, fighting with staves and with bare hands, as you’d expect at a school of warcraft. We learn the best way to scale rock faces, and what to do if someone gets stuck or falls, and how to fight off attackers when you’re halfway up a cliff and hanging on for dear life. We’re taught the care and maintenance of our equipment, from weapons to boots. Checks occur at irregular intervals, and if one of us is found wit
h an ill-cleaned knife or muddy footwear, we all pay the price. A mouse-like woman named Eabha teaches us how to open locked doors and to hide effectively right under folk’s noses. That is harder for a tall, sturdily built person than a slight one, as I have cause to know. The colour of my hair – a vivid red – doesn’t help.

  One skill we can’t learn on the island is mounted combat. Horses can’t be kept here – there’s not much level ground, and all of it’s taken up by the training facilities and living quarters. The remainder of the island – steep rises, sudden dips, sheer cliffs – is given over to sheep, seals and puffins. Swan Island has a fleet of small boats, some for fishing, some to transfer people and supplies between island and mainland, and some, as we’ve discovered, kept so we can practise fighting on a shifting deck without falling overboard. Our trainer for that is Haki, a giant Norseman.

  We never forget that we’re on trial here. Exercises to test us can happen at any time of the day or night. And all the time our tutors are watching us. Who is the best, the strongest, the most promising? No point in asking who wants it most. All of us do, or we wouldn’t be putting ourselves through this. Brocc and I prepared for months to win places in the training course, from which maybe two or three out of the twenty will be chosen to stay as permanent members of the Swan Island force. Nobody wants to be sent home.

  If I were doing the choosing, I’d pick Dau. He may be the least likeable of the trainees, but he excels in all the physical tasks, and he’s clever at solving puzzles and devising strategies. Brocc isn’t the strongest fighter in the group, but he has other skills that might prove to be assets to Swan Island. It seems to me our trainers recognise his unusual talents, though none of them says anything. My brother has a remarkable ability for keeping other people calm under testing conditions. And he has a way of using his senses that goes beyond the ordinary, not just when he’s playing music but all the time. As for me, I know I’m good enough. But although there are quite a few women working and living in the Swan Island community, and several female tutors, the elite fighting group has only two female members. That’s two out of a force of more than fifty. And in this group of trainees I’m the only woman. The odds are not in my favour. But I will prove myself. I didn’t come here to fail.