Chapter 16 #3
“Always, we are warriors,” Sigurd murmured. “But we have youth and strength doing the riding for us thus far. Still, we do know how to repel a horde at our gates.”
“Indeed, we do,” Eamon agreed. “And Aidan had the men create a tower of wood, reaching high up into the heavens. From there, he has such a vantage point from which to study the sea, the night and the horizon. Thankfully, we have a moon these nights.”
“And Aidan believes they will come soon, as you know. Perhaps they aren’t aware that people watch for them so determinedly,” Sigurd said. “I admit, I thought he might make use of the highest rock upon the shoreline. He created something far better.”
“Aye, that he did!” Eamon said proudly.
“And you’re certain you are ready here, that it’s safe for Deidre and I and warriors to leave you during the attack?” Kylin asked.
“Aye, have faith in us,” Sigurd said.
Eamon just smiled. “We will have protection. When they attack great walls of ancient stone, they will not.”
Kylin smiled, wiped his fingers as Deidre had done, and said, “Then I am going onward to take my rest. I must admit, if the attack doesn’t come for a day or two, I will appreciate it. But—”
“But it could be tonight,” Eamon said.
“And we will be ready. Were it this minute, sire, we would be ready,” Kylin assured him.
“Go, then,” his father said.
He nodded to the two men and left the banqueting hall. He headed up the stairs and paused, certain that he stood outside Deidre’s door. It was almost as if he could sense her presence.
He gritted his teeth and quickly walked on by.
He found his way to the rooms that had been afforded his family.
Maeve and Maureen were in the outer area of the living quarters that had been provided his family. A nice space that included a sitting room with chairs for talking, working, reading . . . apart from the inner rooms with pallets for sleeping.
His sisters greeted him, anxious but happy to be where they were.
“Nothing can withstand an enemy like Eamon’s walls!” Maureen told him.
“The last attack was so sudden and swift, so many of the villagers were taken unaware. And yet . . . they were fought off so well. Now, though, it is good to be here,” Maeve said gravely.
“We will not be surprised again. Though, in truth, and we all take this upon ourselves, we shouldn’t have been surprised before,” Kylin said. He looked at Maeve. “So, dear sister, I rode with someone who was compelled to tell me that you were charming.”
She flushed immediately, running her fingers awkwardly through her hair.
“Oh? You had time to discuss me, while riding with your betrothed?”
He groaned softly. “I’m curious—”
“She admires you greatly, you know!” Maureen said.
“She who?” Kylin asked.
Maeve and Maureen burst into laughter.
“She—your betrothed!” Maeve said.
“You are aware that—” Kylin began.
“Oh, it’s pretense so that others know that together we created a united house,” Maeve interrupted.
“But we were able to speak with her briefly when she came up to head to her chambers. And, well . . .” she glanced at her sister, grinning, and then at Kylin “. . . we can tell things about one another. She likes you.”
“Well, of course, we are friends,” Kylin said.
“Friends!” Maureen said, laughing again.
“Perhaps you could be more. You see, there’s a message we can see in her eyes when she speaks about you,” Maeve told him. “And you don’t see it? You don’t realize that she does admire you greatly?”
He groaned softly. “We have been on serious missions. And our fathers suggested the so-called betrothal thinking it may make another man betray himself as the traitor we are expecting.”
“Oh, dearest brother,” Maureen said. “You are a great and amazing warrior. But a fool as well!”
He groaned more loudly. “Enough about me. All right. Maeve, what about you and Eion of Connaught?” he asked pointedly.
“Eion asked about me?” Maeve demanded.
“He did.”
Maeve smiled. “Then I hope to see him soon. Oh, Maureen.” She turned to her sister, and they smiled and embraced, laughing.
“I told you he cared for you,” Maureen said.
“I thought so, but . . . oh! This makes me very happy. Maybe, just maybe, when there is peace among us all again . . .” Maeve said wistfully.
“Sometimes, things in the world work out,” Maureen told Kylin.
“So, you do care for him,” Kylin said.
“I do,” Maeve said. “We can talk together so well. He respects our father. He thinks that all women should learn to defend themselves, just as Eamon believes. He was young when he lost his father, when he became rí. But he turned to those like Eamon and our father and continued to learn from their wisdom. I hope . . .” Her voice suddenly trailed.
“Aye?” Kylin said very softly.
“I hope that all live long enough to see where things might go,” she whispered.
“We will prevail,” Kyle said determinedly. “And, my dear sister, I suggested that Eion talk to you, and then both of you talk to our father.”
“Oh, thank you, Kylin, thank you!” Maeve said.
He grinned at her. “Well, I must admit, if I hadn’t liked the man . . . but, I do. He seems an able and decent man. But enough of the future. We must get through the present first. And for now, I will rest because we do not know what the night will hold.”
“Aidan thinks the attack will come tonight,” Maureen murmured.
He frowned suddenly and then arched a brow. Maybe his senses were improving, or his knowledge of people and human emotion was growing. He smiled and asked, “And you spend time talking with Aidan, do you?” he asked her.
She waved a hand in his direction. “Go to sleep, brother dearest! Your betrothed is far wiser in many ways. She is already resting.”
“Ah, so we may see something more. A real betrothal and an important one. The joining of Rí Eamon’s son and the daughter of his most loyal supporter!”
“There is nothing really there. We have simply known each other forever, which, of course, you know—”
He laughed. “You accuse me of not seeing in Deidre what you may not be seeing yourself in Aidan?”
Maureen let out a sigh. “I know that Colleen, the lovely and very sweet healer, cares for him, too.”
“She does. And I do not pretend to know how Aidan might feel. I do know that you would never want to hurt another woman. But Aidan’s heart will go where it will go, and like Deidre, he is free to make choices, and if he loves you, he will choose you.
That will not be you hurting anyone. We have many fine warriors—perhaps Colleen will fall in love with another. ”
“Again,” Maeve said dryly, “if we all survive!”
“We will! Now. I really must . . .” Kylin began.
“Go rest and dream of the beautiful Deidre, the fall of her hair, the brilliance in her eyes,” Maeve teased.
He groaned loudly and left them laughing, knowing that at the least, he needed to lie down, to try to rest, except . . .
He didn’t want to dream.
His sister could have no idea of his dreams.
Beyond a doubt, not tonight. Not here. Not here in Deidre’s home, with his family and her father so close by. No, he could not dream.
But he did need to rest. He knew it was necessary.
And, at some point, he slept. His sleep was not interrupted by dreams of battle, nor of love.
But he was awakened rudely.
His father stood over him.
“Now! Now, son, you must rise! Aidan was right—the alarm has been sounded. He can see the ships on the far horizon, just appearing in the moonlight. It is time for us to bring all within the wall, and for you to ride on out of it!”