They walked for hours, stopping only for a short midday meal, before they continued inland.Her feet were aching, but Mairead made no complaint.
In the distance, she could see the ruined fortress as the sun descended lower in the sky.Was it possible that her brother could still be there?She hoped he was still alive and unhurt.But her greatest fear, one that turned her heart into ice, was the fear that Liam was already dead.It had been days with no sign of him.
She kept her hood up to hide her face as they walked closer.She’d braided her hair back, and at her side, she wore a blade.Nerves rippled within her, but Balor pressed his hand to the small of her back, and she relaxed slightly.He wasn’t going to allow anyone to harm her.They would find out what they could and make a decision afterwards.
‘Do you want to get horses from the village?’she asked him, nodding at the roundhouses in the distance.
‘We haven’t the silver for that.And besides, it would draw too much attention to us.’He nodded towards a small village nearby.‘We’ll ask them questions about whether they have seen any Normans in the area.’
‘And what will we tell them?’she asked.
‘That you are my wife, and we are travelling to meet your kinsmen at Banslieve.We’ll ask for a place to stay while I go and scout out the fortress.’
‘Don’t ask me to stay behind in the village,’ she insisted.‘Let me come with you to find Liam.’
But he shook his head.‘One of us should stay behind in case the other is captured.If I don’t return, go north for another half day and you’ll reach Connor MacEgan’s ringfort.’
It sounded as if he believed she would have to go to her uncle for help.‘Do you think the Normans are still a threat?Or possibly the king’s men?’
Balor gave a nod.‘I don’t want to risk both of us being captured.’Then he lowered his voice and added, ‘And we were followed by your father’s men.Be assured of it.’
Mairead took his hand in hers, feeling as if their time together was slipping away.But worse was the thought of losing him.Past and present seemed to merge together, and she prayed that Balor would be safe from fighting.‘Promise me you’ll be careful.’
Balor stopped walking briefly and stroked the side of her face without saying anything.His eyes burned into hers before he led her towards the village.
They were greeted by two boys who eyed them and then ran off, calling out to their parents.Mairead lowered her hood, feeling self-conscious for wearing trews and a tunic.
An older man came forward from one of the roundhouses.He was broad-chested, and his brown hair held streaks of grey.Possibly the chieftain, she guessed.
Balor looked uncomfortable, but before he could speak, Mairead greeted them.‘Good eventide to you.My husband and I are travelling north and wondered if we could share your fire and take shelter for the night?’
The man glanced at each of them, and Mairead added, ‘We won’t stay longer than that.We are travelling north to my family with the Ó Duinne tribe.’
Before the man could refuse, a plump woman pushed her way forward, a broad smile on her face.‘Of course.You’re both very welcome.’She patted the man on his shoulder and said, ‘My husband, Seamus, isn’t so very friendly to strangers.But we have a place where you can stay.Our son is away, and you can sleep in his home tonight.’
‘But—’ the man started to protest.
The woman sent him a pointed look and, without waiting for an answer, she led Mairead and Balor towards the roundhouse on the far end of the ringfort.The dwelling was made of stone with a thatched roof and a low door.She opened it, and despite the darkness, it was warm and dry.
‘Here, now.Will this suit you?’The woman stepped back and gestured for them to go inside.
‘It’s perfect.And it’s very kind of you to let us stay,’ Mairead said.She kept her words polite, though she wondered why they had offered such a place to strangers.
The woman smiled broadly.‘Will you be needing any food or drink?’
‘We have our own,’ Balor answered.Then he added, ‘But you have our thanks.’
‘Of course, of course,’ the plump woman said, as they followed her back outside.‘My name is Edena, and my husband, Seamus, is chieftain of our small clan.We’re cousins to the Ó Duinne family, so you’re like kin to us.’
Seamus didn’t look as if he agreed with his wife, but he didn’t argue.
‘The stream is just past those woods if you need water.And we’ve hot stones in the fire over there.’Edena pointed towards one of the hearths.‘You may want to bring some inside.It can get cold at night.’
Mairead repeated her thanks, and then they went back into the roundhouse.After she’d gone, she said, ‘I feel rather like I’ve been tossed around like a storm cloud.But she was friendly, I suppose.’
‘She recognized you,’ Balor said.‘She knows your father is the king, and she will send word to Patrick.’
Of course.Her heart sank at the thought.‘How long do you think we have until they arrive?’
