The Spiral Path No.1 of 2

By Catherine Yronwode

King Galbrain and his soldiers were on the run from an invasion and lead the K to the mtns. 1 man gets hit by an arrow, and Galbrain is urged to follow the druid, but is told to wait, since they believe the druid is trying to trick him. Druid ends up actually being helpful, since he lived in the are, and knew where they could hide comfortably, it nearly looking like NZ Hobbit-style. They see the thousands of Artûk's soldiers marching over the land, as K Galbrain's best man, Nuada prepares like he's going to die in battle soon, 25 and looking rough.

Meanwhile, Ruad sends the crow Caed with a message which could transform the earth. Nuada has to throw off some enemies, they attempting to trap him, since they thought the K had no more men. Nuada takes down most of them and is offered a place among them by the leader, but he declines, and the 2 fight to his poison sword in the back death. Caed watches from a tree, respectfully, and as the crow moves on, Artûk decides he wants it, so sicks his eage, Wildwing after him.

Caed flies far, and is still nearly caught by the eagle, when an arrow goes through his neck. A young lady hunter, Bethbara was trying to hit the crow, but notices the paper, and fetches her pop. Later, he shares with her of the message sent being part spell to unbind some magic. After, he performs the spell after a few days prep, something beginning to happen, and her pop sensing it was Artûk.

Bethbara tries to help him when he starts to change, and look skeletal, but is blocked by a thin figure. Caed changes human and kills Bethbara's pop, giving him a proper grave. Bethbara is in mourning but asks to join him, to which he agrees. Caed continues into the Perilous Forest alone, though where creatures warn him about the drowning woman, and not to drink the forgetful water, but he ignores this after a few days travel, he hearing a scream and seeing a lady surface.

Caed tries to save her, but then she uses her hair to capture him, dragging him below and depositing him in a cave for the woman's use later. Caed forgets everything and lives for her, whilst Bethbara begins searching for him. She stops at a pool of water, crying in despair for help from Caed. Her tears reach him and bring back his memory with her cries of his name, he straight up running off and managing to ride a helpful current back up to the pool, Bethbara relieved and the 2 glad to stick together.

Meanwhile, Cormac carries what seems to be a dusty skeleton into a tent, a captured woman being told to remain prone for the creature as it approaches her. The men outside shamefully listen to her screams. Next morning, Ruad still thinks of Caed, until he's approached by 2 enemies, Caed and Bethbara about to deal with the same in more numbers. Cormac's men see Ruad coming and have him informed as Ruad slices through them. Unfortunately, he's caught by surprise by Cormac and gets stabbed in the back, Caed falling as well, to Bethbara's protests for help from their enemies.

Great damn start, hopefully I can get the 2nd issue! Until then!