Chapter 13 #3
“Ah, well, our lasses are expected to be the weaker sex, lad. Very few men would respect the young lady and her abilities the way that you do. We would celebrate any union—especially since unions are customarily to afford great alliances—but this is an exceptional occasion, young Kylin. Truly, right and fitting. You have respect and friendship. You both have your youth.” He laughed suddenly.
“I have a daughter, you know, Kathleen. She is very happily wed to a young clansman across the water. There was talk of her and James of Munster once and when she came to me, begging that it not be true, she cried, telling me she’d have to sleep every night with a man who smelled of his age.
I love Kathleen, and I have sent a message to her young husband—he will bring men to fight with us against any attack.
It was no great alliance, for they met when we were working on a trading situation.
One that has gone well these last years.
Of course, Angus doesn’t have my years, but, well, knowing the personalities of both Deidre and Angus, such a union would have been true disaster.
” He shrugged. “Eamon is a lucky man. He has a fine son, accepted by all, to follow him. He has your father’s friendship and loyalty, and you and Aidan will continue to live and fight together with complete respect for one another.
I believe that my daughter and son-in-law will follow me—it is what I have written, what I have asked.
I pray that they accept my Kathleen’s young husband, Gordon. ”
“Know that, we will respect your will,” Kylin told him. “I do so swear it, Cillian.”
The older man smiled. “I know that you will. And, of course, I hope that he makes it to these shores before this assault is upon us. Ah, look! Bread, dried meat, cheese . . . a fine repast after a long ride!” Cillian said.
He sat up and accepted a bowl from Deidre who handed one to Kylin as well.
“Ah, wonderful,” Cillian said. “My warriors pack well. Food and containers. No spoons, but fingers will do the job.”
Kylin laughed softly and looked at Deidre. She motioned toward the sky.
Darkness was coming.
It was nearing the time when they needed to start out.
“Join us! Come down upon my blanket, lass,” Cillian said.
“I shall just grab a bowl,” Deidre said, then joined them to eat. “This is, sire, an exceptional spot,” she told Cillian. “I’m sorry that we’ve rather ruined it for you as a place of complete peace.”
“I was a fool, like Declan, to assume that there may ever be complete peace,” Cillian said. “I might have come here and been vulnerable. A victim of the banshee with fiery eyes. In proximity to the hills as it is . . . Well, it is good to be here with others.”
“I am glad that you feel that way, Cillian,” Deidre said. “The fiery eyes have me curious,” she added. “I believe the men were attacked as they slept and that their attackers carried torches, and that’s what the man who lived long enough to speak saw as he awakened.”
“Quite possibly,” Cillian said. “We shall look to happier moments. I assume you’ll be wed at the church in the village?” he asked.
Deidre looked at Kylin. For a minute he feared that she would panic and tell the truth. But she didn’t.
She smiled sweetly. “The church, aye, of course! We’ll have a great feast. We have a wonderful local priest, and it will be . . . well, we hope a wonderful occasion for everyone who attends.”
“I will be there,” Cillian promised.
Darkness was almost upon them.
Kylin rose and looked over at Eion who was eating with his man, Magnus, and Cillian’s warriors.
“We must go,” Kylin said.
“Don’t worry about the horses!” Alaric said dryly.
Kylin grinned. “Darragh is a wonderful animal and I do rely on him. However, Darragh will warn you if anyone is about, and remember—”
“Nothing will befall Cillian, trust me!” Alaric promised.
Kylin knew that Alaric meant his words: he would die for Cillian.
“Then, Eion? Magnus?”
“Aye, time to move,” Eion said.
Cillian rose, pointing the way to Kylin. He looked at Deidre and she nodded; she was ready. Eion and Magnus joined them, and they started through.
Cillian hadn’t lied. It was hard going, crawling over sprawling roots and downed branches, moving as quietly as they could.
They reached the edge of the forest and Kylin saw a sparse row of trees that led to the first of the foothills. Without speaking, he turned back, indicating that they follow the tree line to the hills.
There was a small moon out, affording them enough light to see a few feet before them, and one another.
They followed the tree line carefully, then moved swiftly, one by one, to find positions behind the first hill.
The ground was, as described, rough. Great tors rode in narrow spurts within the hills, and despite the darkness, he could see gaps in the ground.
He was certain they led to natural tunnels beneath the earth.
Places where men might hide.
Eion motioned to him; there was a crack in the next hill. He and Magnus would explore the opening.
Kylin nodded in reply.
Deidre touched his shoulder and he turned to look at her. She was pointing to a second crevice, one that was by a gaping hole in the earth.
There could be passages within the hill.
Or below it.
He nodded to her as well. They would carefully explore.
He started to move forward. She was behind him. As they moved, a man emerged from the crevice. He turned and saw them and smiled, drawing a massive knife.
We have to reach him, stop him, before he can cry out an alarm!
But that was all right; the man hadn’t seen Deidre and as he charged at Kylin, she moved from behind him, slashing him so quickly that he went down without a sound other than the thump of his body on the earth.
She turned back to him, waving a quick warning.
There was a man behind him as well—he didn’t have to turn to understand her.
And when he did turn, he was more than prepared.
While the brute raised his sword high, Kylin was ready, slicing him cleanly through the middle before he could strike.
He swirled around, searching for other men. But there didn’t appear to be any others, except—
There was one coming around where Deidre now stood, near the crevice, near the great dark hole in the earth. He rushed forward, knowing that she hadn’t seen the enemy. She spun about, though, ready to take him on.
But she was suddenly gone.
Had she escaped into the earth?
This fellow looked at him in a rage.
No choice. Kylin stepped forward; he’d have to face battle before he’d ever have a chance to find Deidre.
She was hiding, just hiding, ready to spring out!
The enemy’s sword was about to crash down upon him. He ducked and whirled, displaying the expert training he’d received in Eamon’s castle and Declan’s court.
Again, he had time to parry, and the man went down.
But there was still no sign of Deidre. He didn’t dare call out her name. He would have to seek her in silence and pray that she was safe. Nay . . . he must have faith!
Have the faith in her Cillian spoke about and the faith that her own father gave her.
Faith in her abilities, and they were great!
She had been chosen. By ancient gods or the angels, he knew not which. They would be with her; they would protect and guide her.
Still, he had to find her.
In the darkness of the night.
And in silence.