Page 48 of Connal

“Forgive me the blow, Sister,” Dearg said as she trudged past Fiacail and climbed down the ladder into the hold.

The enchantress hadn’t struck her, Fiacail realized. The little Cait Sith had.

“Set sail for Ornyst,” she called out, and leaned over the railing to empty her belly into the roiling waves.

Once they returned to the stronghold Connal reluctantly allowed Valerie to retreat to the guest chamber while he bathed and changed. When he emerged from his rooms intent on speaking to her again, Fletcher intercepted him in the passage to report on storm damage to the curtain wall, the gardens and several barns which would require repair. He only half-listened until the seneschal mentioned Nyall being struck by lightning.

“Why the fack was he out of doors?” Connal demanded as he strode toward the garrison hall.

“Some lads remained at their posts to watch for you, my lord,” Fletcher said, and caught his arm. “The captain’s no’ in his chamber. He’s yet drilling the men in the lists.”

“After being struck and burned by lightning?” He turned around and ran to the gallery above the lists, where he saw his captain standing and watching the sparring matches. As the seneschal joined him he muttered, “He seems himself. Did Duncan see to his burns?”

“The captain claimed they’re mild, and refused to permit the healer treat them.” He nodded toward Nyall’s back. “He’s well enough. So do you seem, my lord. Did you take refuge in the village last night?”

“In the hills.” He thought of all that had occurred between him and Valerie in the shelter, and the unpleasant confrontation of the morning. “Mistress Bakers doesnae wish wed me. She reckons the druids on the mainland may aid her return to her time. Make plain to all the men and vassals that no one may take her off the island. ’Tis my order.”

“So you scheme to…force her wed you?” Fletcher asked, and held up his hands when Connal glowered at him. “I only wish you think on such. The lady leaving, ’twould mend the rift with the Finfolk. Merrick shouldnae object, as ’twill salvage his pride.”

“I’m no’ handing her over to the facking druids.” The thought of abandoning Valerie on the mainland made a knot in his gut. “I shall walk with Merrick again, and settle the matter. Send word that we shall meet in twoday.”

He went down to the great hall, where he hoped to see Valerie enjoying the morning meal with Duncan and Shaw. Instead the healer and his senior chieftain stood speaking to one of the shore patrollers, who stood holding a bundle of rags. Connal went over to them, and as he drew closer he saw the rags were part of a shredded tunic wrapped around something.

“Fair morning, my lord.” The patroller looked nervously at Shaw before he said, “We found something near the north end of the bay. ’Twas wedged between some rocks.” He lifted part of the tunic to reveal a man’s callused hand.

Connal took the severed remains from him, and held it close to his chest so he could examine it without startling the maids serving the meal. It had been torn off just below the wrist, and had lodged in the end a long, triangular-shaped tooth gleaming against the torn flesh.

The tooth he recognized at once. “A white-mouth attacked someone?”

“’Twould seem so, yet we’ve no’ found the rest of the body, my lord,” the patroller admitted.

“Send another patrol to the bay shore. I want the length of it searched for the remains,” Connal told Shaw, who nodded and trotted off. He then regarded Duncan. “’Tis the hand of a sailor.”

“Aye, ’twas my thinking.” The healer sighed. “Merrick’s men likely attacked another fisher that strayed into their waters. They vowed no’ drown the crews any more, but mayhap the white-mouth attacked before they rescued the poor lad.”

Connal handed him the gruesome bundle. “Preserve the hand, and that tooth as well. I may need the thing as proof if ’twas done by purpose.”

“Merrick cannae send sharks after the drowning,” Duncan chided. “He only parlays with the white-mouths to keep them away from his settlement. In truth, we’re no’ sure he accomplishes such. Do the creatures speak a sea language like the whales and dolphins?”

“I cannae tell you, but if anyone speaks shark, ’tis Merrick.” Connal surveyed the hall to assure he hadn’t missed Valerie. “Has Mistress Baker come to break her fast?”

“Fletcher took a tray to her chamber earlier.” The healer’s dark blue eyes gleamed with amusement. “You’ve taken an uncommon interest in the lady of late. Shall I soon call her sister?”

“She refused me again, and wishes go to the mainland to ask aid of the druids––which I shallnae permit her do.” He saw Duncan’s mouth curve. “What? ’Tis my right as laird to decide who leaves the island, and who stays.”

“Aye, my lord.” Still smirking, the healer sat down with a group of sentinels to eat.

Connal knew he should do the same, but he had no desire for food. He left the hall and trod the passages as he thought on what he would say to Merrick once they walked. He could claim he’d hand-fasted with Valerie, and spent their wedding night in the hills, but the Finfolk king would then take offense at being denied the ceremony. The lady too could easily contradict his claim.

He stopped, finding himself in front of the guest chamber. Doubtless after the passionate night they’d shared she’d be slumbering, or perhaps bathing. He should go to the labyrinth for the walk, Connal thought even as he reached for the door latch.

Inside cool air from the open window greeted him, and a few candles flickered as he walked over to the bed where Valerie now slept. She’d bathed, he could tell from the change in her scent, and now wore only a thin linen shift. As he sat down beside her he grew disgruntled that she would hurry to wash away all traces of him. At the same time the desire that had all but burned him alive last night returned, hotter and stronger than before.

“Are we going to argue again?” she murmured without opening her eyes.

“No. Aye.” He lay down beside her, tugging her over to face him. Her lips appeared still swollen from the many kisses he’d bestowed on her, and made him wish to do naught else for the remainder of the day. “Stay on the island. I shall send word to the druids asking for help as I promised. Here we may protect you,” he added when she finally looked at him. “On the mainland you’ll dwell alone among strangers. At least you ken me and my clan.”

“So you haven’t even tried to find a solution yet.” Valerie rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. “If I stay here, I’ll never return to where I belong. At least if I meet with the druids there’s some hope.”