"Where did my mother get off to?" Angus asked Alduin. Right after the ceremony, she'd disappeared. "Up the house, Angus. I think she's a bit emotional just this now. If she tells ya ta leave 'er be, mind what she says." Angus found her up in her room, sitting on her bed staring off into space. She held a talisman on a chain in her hand, the chain dangling from her fingers. Her head turned slightly as she heard him approach. "Ya a'right, Mother?" "Sit down, Angus." Brianna patted the bed beside her. When he did, she took his hand and put the talisman in it, closing his fingers over it. "It belonged ta yer father. I want ya ta have it." The words were hard for her to speak. "Not that it did 'im any good, but tis all I have left of 'im...except you." Angus opened his fingers and looked down at it. It was similar to the one Magnus wore but in the center of the pentacle was a wolf's head. "Are ya sure ya want ta give this to me?" "Aye. I always promised meself I would when an' if ya came back." She threw her arms around him and hugged him. "I'm so glad ya did, Angus. Will ya e'er fergive me fer what I did?" "There's nothin' ta forgive, Mother. Tell me about 'im. Will ya?" "I were just thinkin' about the last time I saw 'im, 'fore 'e went off an' got 'imself killed." Brianna inhaled sharply, trying not to break down. She needed to do this. "Yer father was a 'fian', a wolf-warrior...shape-shifter, berserker...whate'er ya want ta call it. He was fearless, 'e was. A little too fearless. I begged 'im not ta go. I had a bad feelin' about it. 'E took my arm an' looked down inta my eyes an' said, Don't ya worry yer pretty head, love. Ya just take care o' yerself an' ma son ya got there in yer belly, whilst I'm gone. Then 'e kissed me goodbye an left. 'E knew twas a son 'fore you were e'er born. I ne'er saw 'im again - dead or alive. They said the wizard thet killed 'im just blew 'im apart." She fell silent then. "Twas Duncan mac Bran killed 'im." Angus growled softly. "Where is this Duncan mac Bran." "Oh e's dead. Mog killed 'im. Duncan's the one killed Connor Madath-Alliuth - 'course 'e was able to because Mog told 'im how. Connor was once the King o' the Banshee...'til the concord did away wi' kings an' established Lairds an' Ladies o' the Folk. Ya ask Gwidion 'bout Connor. Gwidion knew Connor well." She shrugged. "So, now ya know Angus. Thet wolf blood runs in yer veins - on both sides. Ma father was a fian, too." They were interrupted but Alduin coming upstairs. "Brianna...Angus, we have guests. I think you should come down an' meet them an' hear what they have ta say." He smiled then. "Ma brother's back." "Well I know," Brianna said standing up. "Magnus 'as been back." "Noo, Bri. I mean the other one." "Ya 'ave another brother?" "Aye." He took her by the arm and started downstairs. "Keep yer mind open, milady. They offer to align wi' us against Mog." "I ne'er said...." "Ya know we've got ta do this, Brianna. We can't let 'im get any more powerful than 'e is." She looked up over her shoulder at Angus. "Ya mean ma son has ta go fight in a war? I just got 'im back, Alduin! NO!" "I might gently point out that accordin' ta what we did today, thet's his decision, not yers...respectfully, Lady Brianna." It was then Angus saw his first hurdle to get over...his own mother. ***** Alright, now you know what Dermit was, and what Angus potentially is. I did sort of give it away previously if you read between the lines. Who is it will teach him to channel the beast within and how to control it? Have a marvelous Monday and thank you for stopping by and your comments! Cheers my dears :) Rayvn