Blade of Fortriu by Juliet Marillier Read Free Book Online Page A

white-faced behind a tall man-at-arms on a broadbacked pony. Darva’s eyes were shadowed with purple; she looked barely conscious.
    “We must rest a little,” Ana said firmly. “We’re cold and tired. We need to stretch ourselves and have somethingto eat and drink. It needn’t be long. I understand we must reach our destination while it’s still light. We’re doing our best, but not all of us are warriors.”
    Faolan looked at her, looked at Darva, who was swaying in the saddle, then back at Ana. “You prefer to camp here?” he asked, surprising her. “To add a day to the journey? Surely you’re eager to have this over as quickly as possible.”
    Ana blinked in surprise. It was a long way to Briar Wood: a journey of more than a full turning of the moon, he had said. “Are you offering me a choice?” Ana asked, raising her brows.
    “If we go on today, we’ll be ahead of time.”
    “And you, I’m sure, are anxious to be relieved of this particular duty.”
    Faolan’s expression did not change. “Your musical repertory could begin to pall if repeatedtoo often,” he said.
    To her profound annoyance Ana felt herself Hush scarlet.
    “Don’t let it trouble you,” Faolan said. “Who am I to judge? Now what’s it to be? Camp or go on?”
    “Go on,” said Ana grimly. “As long as we rest first. The prospect of civilized company makes Abertornie look better by the moment.”
     
     
    “I’D GET YOU extra men if I could,” said Ged of Abertornie in apologetic tones,reaching to refill Faolan’s cup from a jug of good ale. “Never know what you’ll come up against in those parts. Clan against clan, friend against friend, brother against brother. Sometimes they seem to fight for no better reason than because they can. Think what Bridei could do with some of that manpower behind him. But Umbrig’s the only one to show any real interest in cooperating. The othersare like a pack of wildcats. Or would be, if such creatures moved in packs. Up there in the north it’s every man for himself; a land of solitary hunters, each with his own little domain to protect. Only in Alpin’s case, it’s more of a big domain. Big and well manned. That’s a meager escort, Faolan. The girl’s vulnerable.”
    Faolan studied his goblet, saying nothing. The two of them were seatedin an antechamber off the hall of Ged’s house at Abertornie, after supper. The door was secured, with a guard on the other side.
    “As I said,” Ged went on, “I’d have helped you if the timing had been different. I’ve men here who know the territory quite well, though none that have traveled all the way across to Alpin’s holdings. Reliable mountain guides. You need one of those. But I can’t do itnow. Headed south within days. Those few not coming with me, I need back here to keep watch on the house, the women and children.” He sighed expansively and took a mouthful of ale. Ged was a man of robust build, and was dressed tonight in a tunic and trousers woven in a startling pattern of squares and lines, vividly dyed in scarlet, green, and blue. His men, who had been in evidence in the yardsof Abertornie, busy with preparations for an expedition of warlike nature, had all been clad in garments of similar brilliance. If his mountain guides wore the same kind of uniform, Faolan thought, at least they’d be visible at a distance. The only place where it would provide good camouflage would be a riotous flower garden.
    “It was my choice to travel with this number,” he said. “They’re allhandpicked. She’ll be quite safe.”
    “Don’t underestimate the importance of what you’re conveying, lad,” Ged said, regarding him thoughtfully.
    “When it comes to it,” said Faolan, unable to keep a certain tightness from his voice, “she’s just a woman. We’re all expendable.”
    “Nonsense. Taking that young lady from White Hill to Briar Wood is just like escorting a cargo of gold pieces or a chestof precious jewels. In fact it’s