Chapter Fourteen #4
‘Do your men know the bounty on your head?’ She cupped her hands about her mouth and repeated the words in Gaelic.
Turgeis gave a cruel smile. ‘You have dispensed with hospitality. Good.’
‘Hospitality is only given to those who come in peace.’ She inclined her head. ‘You’ve never come in peace, Turgeis. Not at Agthir. Not in Islay. And most definitely not today.’
He yawned. ‘I have had enough of womanish wittering. Let me speak man to man with your husband.’
The men behind him laughed as if this was a good joke.
Svanna went cold. Had Rand ridden out into a trap?
Were they now holding him? Or, worse, was he lying dead in some ditch?
It did not bear thinking about, particularly as she knew how much he was starting to mean to her.
What if he never knew that she loved him?
Why hadn’t she taken a risk and said something?
All she could hope was that, somehow, he was on his way back, realised the situation and sought reinforcements from the King.
They could hold out until then. And when it was all over, she’d try to explain a little.
‘Rhiannon despises you.’
The warrior started and all amusement fled from his face. ‘What do you know about Rhiannon and me?’
‘That you care for her, or think you do.’ Svanna ticked the points off.
‘You met at her father’s court. You probably thought she’d marry you, but her father rejected your suit.
She confided in you the plan to marry her off to an old man and begged you to save her.
Maybe she let slip that the dowager Queen of Agthir and her daughter were visiting him.
And the dowager Queen was working hard to get him proclaimed the high king of Islay. ’
Turgeis’s eyes widened with surprise. ‘How did you know he rejected my suit?’
Svanna forced her face to stay smooth. Her words had hit a raw place. In his way, perhaps he did care for Rhiannon, but she doubted that they’d ever be happy. Turgeis possessed far too cruel a nature.
‘I know many things, Turgeis,’ she said, trying to keep her voice level. ‘You came to Islay to rescue her, because you thought she’d gone meekly with the man Máel Sechnaill sent to negotiate the marriage like you suggested. You bided your time in the far harbour, waiting for her arrival.’
Turgeis made a turning gesture with his hand. ‘Go on. I seem to recall your fascination with stories, Ingebord.’
‘We thought you were waiting for the gathering, but that was merely a bonus distraction while you sought your true prize—Rhiannon, the woman you desired.’ She waited and allowed the words to sink in.
‘But she never got on that ship. She never wanted to marry you. When she met a real man, one who cared deeply for her, she eloped with him, even though she knew the scheme you’d concocted. ’
Turgeis’s face contorted, becoming red, and Svanna could see a vein in his forehead pulsing. ‘You lie! Lord Randolfr never allowed her to board.’
‘Rhiannon tricked you. She only wanted a way out of a political marriage. When she encountered someone more to her taste, she abandoned you.’
‘No one ever abandons me!’ Turgeis shouted, his voice becoming ever shriller.
‘Why didn’t she travel to Islay? Why has she fled?’
‘I’ll tear this fort down stone by bloody stone to find her where she hides.’
‘Rhiannon is no longer here, Turgeis.’ Svanna raised her hands. ‘I swear upon Var. She and her new husband departed. Your eldest brother tried and failed. He now lies dead in a clearing.’
‘Details fail to matter. And you lie about my brother.’ Turgeis smiled. ‘All in all, you have saved me a lot of bother. You and I have unfinished business, business from years ago, to settle.’
‘Any business between us finished years ago,’ she shouted back, giving in to her anger. ‘You repulse me.’
‘Pity there is the little hostage to consider. Perhaps you will change your mind.’
Ice crept down her back. Hostage? What hostage? He hadn’t been expecting her. Who? That person must be Birdie. Turgeis knew the location of the secret passageways. She silently prayed that the man she’d sent had secured Birdie first.
‘Let me see this hostage of yours, Turgeis. I know you of old—all whispered threats but no actual substance.’ She clapped her hands together. ‘Produce this hostage.’
‘All in good time, my lady Ingebord. I dare say the hostage might learn a thing or three about pleasing men. Awfully young, but we can play our little game your way.’
Cold sweat prickled her back. He intended to harm Birdie and punish Rand as well as spiriting Rhiannon away. Rand would never forgive her if she allowed that to happen. She’d never forgive herself. ‘You call this a game?’
Turgeis yawned. ‘Merely the taster before the actual meal.’
Svanna put out a hand to steady herself. She had to wait and give the guard time. ‘You’re insane.’
‘My lady, what you wanted done has been done,’ one of Rand’s warriors whispered in her ear, plucking at her sleeve. ‘I was told to tell you this. The nurse isn’t happy, but she complied finally. Both in the hall. Come away now and leave it to the warriors. Don’t put yourself in danger.’
‘Rand must have time to return,’ she said in an undertone while Turgeis was still ranting. ‘This one loves the sound of his voice, but he has brought too small an army for a prolonged siege.’
The warrior smiled. ‘You are quite right about that.’
‘Shall we give him a small taste?’
‘At your command, my lady.’
She nodded and turned back to Turgeis. ‘You’ll come to regret this, as your father came to regret what he did. Why do you want someone who blatantly does not want you?’
‘You know nothing.’ Turgeis raised his sword. ‘Time’s up, Ingebord. Surrender or death?’
Svanna spotted a small movement on the horizon. Help? Or something worse? She glanced upwards and made a decision. ‘What else can I choose but life?’
Turgeis smiled, the sort of smile which said she was a fool. ‘Then open the gates and we shall conclude our business.’
Svanna raised her right arm and stood poised on her tiptoes. ‘Never. We shall fight and win.’
When she dropped her hand, the archers unleashed their first volley of arrows.