Memories of Cailin and Rónán’s discussion with Taog about various tactics to consider in seizing Tiran Castle last night came to mind. Though she’d listened to bards tell tales of battle, she wasn’t familiar with the various techniques in laying siege.
“’Tis amazing that a fire in the secret tunnel beneath a castle wall will cause the fortification to fail,” she said.
“’Tis a maneuver the Templars have used with great success. Once the wall collapses, in the ensuing mayhem, we storm the castle. With the benefit of surprise and my uncle’s troops severely depleted, even if by some chance reinforcements arrive, we have a chance to seize the stronghold.”
But he couldn’t be sure. Nor did she want to consider the risks, or how many more men could die. She noticed him shift in his saddle. “How doesyour leg fare?”
“’Tis better.”
That, she doubted. “’Twould have been best to have rested another day before starting the journey, but Rónán warned me that you wouldna be swayed.”
Cailin grunted. “I assure you, he has seen me in much worse condition.”
That he could make light of the seriousness of his wound amazed her. Most men would have been abed for a week or more. But then, Cailin wasn’t most. He favored his leg when he walked, little more.
Curious to know more about him, she guided her mount a bit closer. “Where did you and Rónán meet?”
“During a battle in the Holy Land, he saved my life. We have beenfriends since.”
A gust of wind swirled around them. “Rónán never mentioned that.”
“He wouldna. Though a fierce warrior, he is a proud and humble man.”
After speaking with Rónán, and given his actions since they’d met, that she believed. She smiled, thinking of his smooth, lyrical brogue. “How did an Irishman come to join the Brotherhood?”
“An orphan, he was taken in by a brutal man who beat him regularly and made him work from dawn ’til dusk. At the age of seven, barely surviving a severe thrashing and believing the next would kill him, he fled.” Cailin shoved through a stand of fir, then guided his mount down a steep incline, a tumble of loose snow rolling ahead of them. “With the man having sworn to kill him if he ever tried to bolt, Rónán kept in hiding for months. He never looked back or told anyone.”
Her heart went out to Rónán. “’Tis sad, knowing he never knew the love of a family.”
“He found a bond of brotherhood withthe Templars.”
Mayhap, but kinship with men trained to fight was not the same as having a mother and father or memories of family. “Do you think one day he will return to confrontthe scoundrel?”
He shrugged. “Even if Rónán returned, with the years passed, the cur who took him in isprobably dead.”
“How did Rónán live before he joined the Brotherhood?”
“For several years, by his wits, doing whatever he had to in order to survive; then he joined the galloglass. ’Twas while he was with them that he met several Knights Templar. Impressed by their discipline, code of honor, and fighting skills, Rónán departed with them and later swore his oath to the Brotherhood.”
“Incredible. After all he endured, he could easily have gone downa darker path.”
“He could have.”
“A fate you could have chosen as well.” That Cailin had not was a miracle, which made her heart fill with admiration and love for all hehad conquered.
He shrugged. “I did naught but survive.”
“Nay,” she said, her voice softening, “like Rónán you persevered, overcame what would have overwhelmed most.
Another gust of wind skimmed past. Flakes of wind-driven snow spiraled between them, then gently siftedto the ground.
Cailin’s eyes lifted to hers, hisgaze intense.
Warmth tingled up her skin, and his eyes darkened in response, and she believed the dreadful memories of the battle had faded. With one look he could do that: steal away her fears, the horrors of her day, and make her feel safe, wanted, desired.
How would a life with him be? Days filled with hard work, but friendship and laughter. Then there would be the nights. What would it feel like to be in his arms, to give herself tohim completely?
Despite the cold, warmth surged through her at thoughts of his touch, of his muscled body against hers, and of his mouth skimming over her skin. Elspet wished they weren’t on a journey driven by strife, that they could find a place where they could spend days together and more.
