Chapter 4 #3
“Because we were the ones who first met the leaders of the attack we recently repulsed at our shoreline. Because Aidan O’Connor is Eamon’s son and heir and, as you said, notably one of our best warriors and heir apparent of the land.”
“With danger about, he sent just two—including his daughter?” Eion asked, frowning.
“His daughter, Rí Eion, is one of his best warriors as well. And it is easiest to slip through the countryside as two. We will return immediately, now that the warning is given,” Kylin said.
Deidre stood silent, watching the others, willing herself not to smile. She was stunned that Kylin had answered so ably while keeping his temper under control.
“As my love for your father is great, Deidre,” Declan said, “I’ll not allow you to leave until the morning sun begins to rise again, whether you journeyed in darkness before or nay.
In that time, we’ll meet again. The afternoon already grows late.
I’ll not have you traveling the forests all in darkness if there is danger in the air. ”
“As you wish, sire.”
“My lords, if you will await my presence with discussion among yourselves, I will see these emissaries to their rooms myself,” Declan said.
As if he were being no more than a caring family figure, Declan took them each by an arm, escorting them from the council chamber.
In the hall, he asked, “Who is the traitor?”
“We don’t know,” Deidre told him quickly.
“The man with whom my father spoke knew only that the jarl was behind the attack, but that he had found an ally among us,” Kylin told him.
“This was a small council—regarding trade relations,” Declan said. “Many of the island’s rulers were not here. I pray that it is no one I hold close.”
“Sire, we feel much the same, of course,” Kylin said, “But I swear upon the lives I hold dear, upon my heart and in the name of the great Patrick, we are telling you nothing but the truth. I know that some will never accept my father. Or me. But as Eamon has trusted me to travel here with his only daughter—”
“I am not doubting you,” Declan said.
“There are things we did not tell you, sire, in the group,” Deidre said, glancing at Kylin.
He nodded her way. “When we were under attack, I was met with a greater force and nearly killed. But—” she hesitated and said simply, “I found a sword and with that sword I was able to defeat the enemy upon me. That night, though nowhere near one another, Kylin and I shared a dream. About a cauldron. We didn’t know that we were both heading out into the forests near here to search for it.
Men—possibly from our island, possibly invaders of our island—came upon us, seeking to kill me and wrest the sword from me.
Kylin’s great horse, Darragh, dispatched the first and .
. . the other fell, too. We found the cauldron. ”
“And the spear,” Kylin added.
Declan was frowning. “You are referring to the objects of legend? The spear, the cauldron, the sword—and the stone?”
“We don’t really understand what is happening, how much magic and the real world go together, sire.
We only know that Deidre survived because of the sword, and there have been incidents that suggest that the objects found have been gifts from the angels or the Tuatha Dé Danann.
Perhaps they are one and the same, called differently by different people through different times.
But with the warning received and the dreams and events .
. . we truly believe that the isle is in danger, and that you, sire—”
“Would then be in danger as well,” Declan said.
“I am the ard-rí, there are those out there who will always covet my position and strive to make it their own. Ard-rí does not mean ‘all-powerful,’ I fear. Well, perhaps you two are my gifts from the gods. While I always take care, I will know to be ever more vigilant now.”
“That was not the only attack,” Kylin said. “As we neared the forest surrounding your outer farms and lands, we were set upon by another two men.”
“And you bested them,” Declan said.
“Aye. And one thing we forgot to tell you. Perhaps it was the second two who came upon us, seeking to stop us or wrest what we have found away, but the bodies of the first . . . we should not have left them, but in our hurry and confusion we did. When we traveled the same area—the bodies had disappeared.”
“Pray God that it was the two who came upon you after!” Declan said. “And yet . . . it would seem then that there are spies, or those who have perhaps thought you might have found objects of great power, who are about. I thank you, and your fathers, that you have come with this warning.”
“You believe, then, that the threat is real?” Kylin asked.
“Very real, I fear. Our land is rich. Our sheep and cattle are fat and happy. Our monasteries always with the riches that others covet. There have always been swift attacks upon the vulnerable shore, yet this sounds as if it is something much greater. Something any ruler such as I must fear. Not fear that paralyzes the health and prosperity of his people, but that is vigilant. Knowing what you have brought to me, I can prepare. The call will go out—I will ask for warriors from each of the kingdoms. I will warn that leaders must remain in each as we know not where the attack will begin.”
“Thank you, sire! Care for yourself, please, above all,” Deidre told him.
He smiled. “Indeed, as you two must care for yourselves, which, from what I’ve heard, you manage well. And so!” He had stopped in the great hallway that they traveled. He frowned for a moment. “You two have not wed, been promised to one another in marriage?” he asked.
“No, sire,” Kylin assured him quickly.
“My father has chosen not to arrange a marriage for me,” Deidre added. “As you know, because of my mother’s fate—”
“Aye, beautiful lass, pure of soul, so sadly taken from us,” Declan said.
“Easy to understand that such a man would prefer to teach a daughter defense and therefore . . . aye, make her own choices in life. Then my plan is fitting! Kylin, there is a room for you to find rest there—down the hall—and for you, my lass, this door leads to a room that is always fit for the most honored guest.”
“Thank you!” Deidre told him.
“Aye, thank you,” Kylin echoed. He hesitated just a minute and realized that their conversation had finished. He nodded and headed down the hall.
Declan looked at Deidre. He smiled. “Your father is a friend I value highly, love dearly. I have made it a priority to know others who rule on this land, and there are those I know better than others. But you must take care that you don’t look upon others with half-closed eyes.”
“Sire?”
“I know that Angus was in discussion with your father for your hand. Because your father opted not to agree to such a union, informing Angus as you told me today that he has allowed you to make your own choices, you must not immediately suspect the man of being a traitor.”
“Oh, no, sire, of course not,” she assured him. “Though he did argue—”
“His land has often been visited by invaders. If he could set up excellent trading situations, such attacks might diminish.”
“But he must take the warning seriously,” Deidre said.
Declan bowed his head in acknowledgment of her words.
“When we return, I will have my father and brother immediately choose men to send here, that you may raise the large force that we believe may be so very needed!” she promised.
“As always, Eamon O’Connor will be at my side, and I at his,” Declan said. “Rest, but food is being served in the great hall as well. You must come and have something—”
“Oh, sire, I will not argue that! We did rest on the way here, but we haven’t eaten since we left.”
“Ah, then, we must catch young Kylin before he sleeps,” Declan said, heading down the hall to tap on the door through which Kylin had disappeared.
The ard-rí explained that there was food in the great hall and Kylin smiled, looking over his head at Deidre.
“Food!” he said.
Declan laughed. “How very rude of me not to realize your hunger after such a mission. Come along. I will return to the council room to bring the others but you both know where the great hall is to be found—run, if you wish. You must be all but starved.”
They didn’t need to be asked twice. Kylin looked at Deidre; they were both grinning. He grabbed her hand, and they hurried back along the hall to the great stone steps that would return them below where they would find the great hall to the rear of the entry.
He held her hand, she realized.
And she didn’t mind at all. It did, in fact, feel good.