Morgan snorted. She hadn't meant to be involved in this conversation, but the thought of Glines not being able to lighten any and all purses within a five-league radius of himself at any moment and leave those bearing the lightened purses feeling as if they'd had a wonderful time at cards was almost more than she could bear.
"Glines," she said, "you could be drooling into your cups and still manage to pay for your ale. But go if you will and be quick about it. I, for one, grow weary of listening to the three of you complain." She looked at Miach. "What do you think?"
"I think we should continue on our road," Miach said quietly. "I do not like the feeling here?"
"You worry overmuch," Adhémar said. "Let us be about a bit of a lark. Penrhyn is a fine place and I've a mind for a little visit as well."
"Absolutely not," Miach said curtly.
Adhémar drew himself up and glared at his brother. "Who are you to tell me what to do?" he demanded.
"I am apparently the only one who is thinking clearly," Miach said patiently. "You shouldn't go to Penrhyn, brother, and you know why not."
"Trouble last time?" Camid asked. "Give us the tale, Adhémar, and we'll see if it matches any of my exploits."
"It won't," Miach said firmly. "Let the lads go, Adhémar. You remain behind with us."
Morgan watched Adhémar consider that. She could almost see his thoughts flitting across his face. They ended with something that she couldn't call anything but calculation.
"I suppose," he said, drawing his words out to an excessive length. "Who knows that Morgan might need protection while you take time to recover from that cut in your arm that still seems to pain you."
Morgan would have reminded him that she most definitely did not need any protection he could provide, but he looked at her and winked.
She recoiled as if she'd been struck. She looked swiftly at Miach. "Let him go. I'll protect you."
"Nay, I will remain," Adhémar said, smoothing the front of his tunic down over his chest. "Lads, you go on. Have your amusements then meet us a day's ride down this left-hand road. We'll dawdle. Besides," he added, "I was recently in Penrhyn and took care of my business there."
Morgan caught the smirk Adhémar threw Miach's way, but didn't bother to pursue what it might mean. She had enough to think on already. She would have much preferred to have seen Adhémar go off with the lads, but luck was apparently not with her today.
"We'll be off, then," Paien said promptly. "You take care, we'll return in three days time with supplies, and then we'll continue on our way." He paused. "We might have to have a wee skirmish or two, but that won't add overmuch to the time that we'll be away."
"Are you taking Fletcher?" Morgan asked.
"He's a lad ready for an adventure," Paien said, grabbing the boy by the back of the neck and shaking him. "Aren't you?"
Fletcher only gulped.
Morgan understood. Sure he was not up to any of Paien or Camid's adventures. She looked at Glines. He nodded slightly in response and she relaxed. Whatever mischief they combined, at least Glines would make sure that Harding's son came out of it with his head atop his shoulders.
Besides, what harm could come to any of them in three days? They certainly deserved a bit of their own amusement after having traipsed after her for so long. And as for her, she found the thought of a brief rest to be not unwelcome.
In truth, the farther north she went, the less haste she wanted to employ.
Perhaps if she'd been to Tor Neroche before, she would have ceased to fear the unknown. If she'd had any idea what to say when she met the king, she might have been less troubled. It she'd been confident that he would even see him to be spoken to, she would have ceased to fret.
Unfortunately, she knew none of the three and she was left to her own imaginings.
And those were not pleasant.
The lads soon rode off on their very expensive horses while Morgan watched them go, hoping it didn't turn out to be a foolish idea. She supposed, however, that she was no judge anymore. She could scarce tell daytime from nighttime; all was darkness and evil about her. When Miach suggested they find a more secure location to set up camp and wait, she could do nothing more than nod dumbly. It was pleasant, in a way that made her feel not at all herself, to allow someone else to make plans for her. She followed where Miach led and stopped when he suggested she do so. She dismounted and leaned against her horse's mane. He didn't seem to mind and she was very grateful for the chance to stop moving.
"Shall we train?" Adhémar asked enthusiastically. "I vow I'm in need of a bit of light exercise."
Morgan realized he was speaking to her only because he was bellowing his words into her ear. "Then seek it from your brother, not me," She said crossly.
"But I needheavyexercise," he amended. "Such as only a swordsman of your skill might provide."
Morgan sighed. She suspected that he would not give in, so she did with a weary nod.
