“Punishment, aye. And ours. I will no’ come back if he is there.”
“Flanna, there may be more dangers coming. I would like ye with me.”
“Nay, not while he serves his punishment. Anyway, the hut is no’ the same wi’ Mam gone. I can scarce stand to set foot in the place.”
Mistress MacDragh stepped out from the hut behind the girls to listen.
“Please, Flanna—it would mean much to me for us to be together once more.”
Flanna said nothing. Lasair would not meet Liadan’s gaze.
Though she hated to do so before these others, Liadan asked, “Do ye still blame me for Mam’s death? Is that it?”
“Nay.” The denial was not convincing.
Quickly, Mistress MacDragh said, “Liadan, pray, do not worry. Flanna is very much welcome here and safe wi’ me.”
“Mistress”—Liadan faced her—“there may be further attacks ahead. If we are forced to flee—”
“I shall make certain she gets clear away.”
What could Liadan say? She nodded and went off, feeling more unsettled than before.
When she reached her own hut and set aside the water, she said to Maeve, “I am going past the training field.” Ardahl might be there. “Will ye come wi’ me?”
Maeve looked torn. “Should we take our packs?”
That made Liadan hesitate. She knew as well as anyone that anything could happen just a few steps from home.
“Aye.”
Dragging their packs, they went. Other women stood at the stone enclosure wall ahead of them, yet it was strangely quiet. The men were there, but they did not practice.
Instead, unless she was very much mistaken, they mustered for battle.
The sight terrified her so, she turned sick inside. Aye, she had expected this. But seeing the men with their weapons on their shoulders and the chariots rolling up in a line made it seem immediate and all too real.
She searched for Ardahl and found him on the far side of the field with the chief. As if he felt her gaze, he turned his head and their eyes met. Swiftly, he leaned in and spoke to Fearghal before jogging over to meet Liadan and his mam at the wall.
“Ye be mustering,” Liadan burst out.
“Aye. We leave this night. Fearghal wishes to cover the distance to the border in the dark. To be waiting there for Dacha, if—”
“If Chief Brihan goes down,” Mam said.
Ardahl looked at her. “Aye. Or if Brihan needs to fall back there, and we have to stand with him.”
Before either woman could reply, he reached for Liadan’s hands. “Come wi’ me.”
“What?”
“I ha’ Fearghal’s permission.” He leaped the wall, still holding her hand in his.
“Where?”
“To see Tamald. There is time—just—before we depart.”
Liadan searched his eyes, which appeared flinty and determined. She spared one glance for Maeve before allowing Ardahl to tow her away.
