Finn's Choice Read Online Free PDF Page B

her bow and arrows are magically enhanced, she can be fought weapon-to-weapon. And, to be sure, the Goddess Danu gave us the Song. The
Scáthach
finds
that
not at all to her liking, for Danu is a much more powerful goddess, and we are Her children.”
    Finn thought for a moment. “It’s like the
Scáthach
is a goddess with a lowercase g.”
    Gideon grunted in surprise. “A novel way to explain it, but yes, you have the general idea.” He glanced out the front windows. “’Tis late. To bed with ye, boyo. We’ve a stout day ahead of us.”

Three
    While standing at the counter the next morning, Finn crunched his way through a bowl of Lucky Charms, one eye on the kitchen window and the storm clouds piling up over the foothills to the west. Tilting the cereal bowl, he gulped the last of the milk, then wiped his mouth clean on the sleeve of his old hoodie as he placed his dish in the sink. He noticed the sleeves were too short—his wrists stuck out of them.
    The growl of an engine echoed faintly. “Finn!” Gideon called him from the living room. “They’re here.”
    Finn joined him. Waiting by the front door, his master was dressed in his oldest jeans and an old flannel shirt with the elbows worn clean through. “Kel O’Shea?”
    â€œNot yet. Mac Roth with Lochlan.”
    â€œGood.” Thinking of his
other
best friend and fellow apprentice, Lochlan O’Neill, Finn grinned. “Safety in numbers, you know.” AsGideon’s expression, he explained. “Against Tara.”
    â€œYou two growing boys are fearful of a mere slip of a girl?”
    â€œShe’s got a bow. And she’s already threatened to shoot me in the butt once. Well, twice. Each buttock.”
    â€œWhen did she threaten you?”
    â€œAt the Festival. She thought we had put her master in danger. Like, on purpose.”
    â€œShould
I
be worried?”
    â€œI wouldn’t turn my back if I were you.”
    Gideon grunted. “Well, you best find a way to live side by side with young Tara. For my part, I am looking forward to having her and Knight O’Shea as neighbors.”
    That’s because you like Kel O’Shea
, Finn thought. He sighed.
    At the sound of heavy boots punishing the front steps, Gideon opened the door. A large man, a head taller than Gideon, and with a strength and way of moving that always reminded Finn of a bear, filled the doorway. His wild mane of red hair was the same shade as his beard. A boy about Finn’s age, and with the same growth-spurt awkward build as Finn, stood half-hidden behind him.
    â€œA chilly morning, Lir. Say, do we have time for a cuppa?” Mac Roth’s voice boomed. He glanced past the Knight’s shoulder, hope on his face. “For they’ve not yet arrived.”
    â€œ
Fáilte
, old friend.” Gideon stepped aside. “To be sure, the kettle is still warm.”
    As the Knights disappeared into the kitchen, Finn bumped fists with the other boy. “Hey, Lochlan.”
    â€œHey.” Lochlan O’Neill’s blond hair, the signature mark of the O’Neill clan, was a bright contrast with the gray day. The apprentice opened his mouth and demonstrated the other signature mark of the O’Neill clan. “Dude. You have the worst luck.”
    â€œYou mean because of Tara moving in next door? Don’t remind me.”
    Finn started to close the door behind Lochlan when a car horn beeped. He and Lochlan stepped outside in time to wave at Dr. Steel. In the back seat of her Volvo station wagon, he could see Savannah waving back. As the car rolled along, she powered down her window and pulled off her headphones.
    â€œFinn, I forgot to tell you last night,” she called. “We’ve got a half-day at school because of teacher meetings. We’ll come over and help after lunch.”
    â€œGreat!” Finn and Lochlan yelled back at the same time. For some