A man sporting a long, scraggly beard and a scar down the entire side of his face lifted a brow toward Tighearnán. “You were here yesterday. I didna expect to see you for anothermonth or more.”
“Had not the reason been dire, I wouldna have returned,” Tighearnán said.
Wary eyes narrowed on Rónán, before shifting to Lathir. “Ye bring strangers.”
The others around the table scanned them with shrewd eyes.
“Their ship was attacked by the English,” Tighearnán said. “They were fortunate enough to reach shore before their vessel was smashed against the rocks.”
“Bloody scoundrels,” a fierce-looking man near the end spat. “And the English?”
“Dinna know we are alive,” Lathir said.
Thick eyebrows pressed together from a man several paces away. “And whobe you, lass?”
“Lady Lathir McConaghy,” Tighearnán said. “The Sassenach abducted her father, Lord Sionn.”
The man’s eyes widened in surprise. “Lord of the realm ofTír Sèitheach?”
“Aye,” she said, “and this is my guard, Sir Rónán.”
“Guard?” Tighearnán scoffed. “Sir Rónán served with the galloglass.”
Impressed grunts erupted from the crew, along with respectin their eyes.
Rónán remained silent beneaththeir scrutiny.
Another man near the center of the group wiped his mouth with his arm and nodded at her. “Are the galloglass searching for your father?”
“Nay,” Tighearnán said. “As of now, we are.”
Rumbles of surprise passed through the crew.
Bran gestured to Lathir, Rónán, and Tighearnán, and bellowed an order for their drinks over his shoulder. “Sit. We have much to discuss.”
Though the group appeared an unsavory lot, Lathir quickly discovered they were intelligent, knowledgeable, and loyal. In addition, they knew the surrounding sea and currents of Ireland and beyond. No doubt cultured by their dealing inillicit goods.
She shifted in her chair, the incredibility of the situation not lost on her. Who would have believed that one day she would seek aid from pirates? If it saved her father, she’d seek help from whoever necessary.
“God’s teeth,” a man she’d learned was called Senach growled, a stocky, hard-edged man who bluntly said what was on his mind. A trait she’d quickly discovered was common among the entire crew. “The earl is the man that braggart who was passing through yesterday was talking about, then?”
Tighearnánnodded. “Aye.”
Senach’s face settled into a hard expression. “Sir Feradach O’Dowd is a crafty rogue who knows what he is about. There will be naught simple about freeing the earl.”
The crew rumbled their agreement.
Still outraged the treacherous cur who’d abused him in his youth had earned the title of master-at-arms for the earl of Ardgar, Rónán shoved his own mug on the table. Nor did stewing over the fact help them save Lord Sionn.
“Feradach deserves to pay,” Rónán said. “Which is why we must sail to Wynshire Castle.”
“Aye,” Lathir agreed. “Once home, I will raise a force to find and rescue my father.”
Rónán glanced toward her. Despite the dark emotion seething within him, he couldn’t help but be impressed by her daring, appreciating her strength to face a challenge head-on. Any man would be proud to have her at his side.
Rónán glanced at the crew. “Your captain said you can be convinced to help us.”
Senach’s eyes lit up. “For the right price, we can set sail in but hours.” He chuckled, and the men surrounding the table laughed, but Rónán caught the serious undertone.
