“A grand place. I like it very much.”
“It has fallen, as I ha’ fallen. As my son and grandson ha’ fallen. Just like me, it may rise again.” Was that approval Adair saw in Rohracht’s eyes? “Some new blood, that is wha’ is called for.”
“I am grateful, Chief Rohracht, for your hospitality and the refuge ye have offered me.”
Rohracht waved a hand. “’Tis no’ refuge when ’tis family. My granddaughter belongs here. So, now, do ye.”
True liking flooded Adair’s heart. He could grow fond indeed of this generous-natured man. Bradana’s eyes brimmed with tears, and Adair had to swallow back his emotions when he expressed his thanks.
“I am in your debt, Chief Rohracht.”
“Come, sit beside me while we eat, and tell me o’ yourself.”
Adair did, sitting at Rohracht’s right hand with Bradana beside him, and Morag on Rohracht’s other side, helping him to eat. Not that the old man did much more than pick at his food.
Indeed, from somewhere the cooks had provided a feast of sorts. The plentiful food, as well as Rohracht’s presence, lifted the mood of the hall considerably.
“I hear,” the old man said to Adair, “ye be the man who took down Earrach MacGillean in a fair fight.”
“Aye, so,” Adair admitted.
“’Twas well done, lad, and I am impressed. ’Twas he who took the life o’ my grandson, Eobhan.”
“So Bradana did tell me, master.”
“Lad, d’ye believe in circles?”
“I beg pardon, chief?”
“I speak o’ life’s wheel, upon which we travel round and round until events circle us back again.”
Adair thought about that. “Aye, master, I suppose I do.”
“As do I. It seems the wheel has made a good turn for me—for us—before I have to leave this world.”
Adair eyed him uncertainly.
“My granddaughter has returned and brought me a braw warrior.”
“And possibly a load of trouble. ’Tis because I slew Earrach that his father wants my head. If he tracks me here—”
“Then we will ha’ a battle. ’Twill be worth it.”
Adair did not say what he wished. How it might be safest for all if he and Bradana were not here when Mican arrived. That his own circle had begun and might well end in Erin.
There would be time for that discussion later, and he would not ruin this happy moment for the world.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
After that, Bradana’sgrandsire left his chamber often, always borne in the arms of his two braw clansmen and always smiling. Sometimes he stayed in the great hall but a short while. Other times he sat long while Bradana played the harp for him and all the company. The very spirit of the settlement altered from despairing to brightly enthusiastic. Folk went about their tasks with lighter steps, paused to exchange words, and smiled. Began to carry hope in their hearts.
That Rohracht liked and approved of Adair, Bradana could have no doubt. The two of them sat and talked together long, even laughed together from time to time.
It did her enormous good to see the both of them laugh.
Not that she could fool herself. Her grandsire was very ill, no doubt dying. But new life had been breathed into him, however long it might last.
The late summer days rolled past, and here in the small settlement, cupped in the stones at the edge of the sea as if held in Alba’s protective hand, she began to forget there was a world beyond this one. A place of danger, pain, and strife.
