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

even more important, and certainly more perilous. If what you tell me is true, Alpin’s a major threat to our cause. The ties of kinship conferred by this marriage will give the fellow a status he could never have dreamed of. In addition, Ana’s personal charms are—let’s say, well above run-of-the-mill. There’s no doubt in my mind that this’ll win Alpin over. The girl’sliterally worth her weight in gold, Faolan. More, in fact, since she’s a slight thing. Expendable? Hardly. The job’s vital. That’s why Bridei gave it to you, no doubt.”
    Faolan took a deep breath. His personal feelings about the commission were irrelevant. He had expressed them to Bridei in private; to speak of them elsewhere would be disloyal. He’d agreed to it and he would do it. Perfectly.“He did, and he trusted me to judge what security was required. Ten men are sufficient. I anticipate being back at White Hill by Midsummer at the latest. The return trip, without the women, will be considerably quicker, of course.”
    “Of course.” Ged was still watching him closely, as if not quite convinced by any of it. “And you’ll be eager to get back. Tell me, does the young lady know what’splanned for the autumn?”
    “It’s safer for her not to know. Strategic reasons, Bridei told her, requiring us to move in haste. She does understand that Alpin could swing either way. Wisely, she asked very few questions.”
    “Hmm,” said Ged. “I find myself somewhat in sympathy with young Ana. She’s a good girl. She deserves better than this.”
    Faolan said nothing.
    “We can supply you, at least,” Gedsaid. “Dried meat, cheeses, whatever your pack animals can carry. You do know you won’t be able to ride all the way? Parts of the track will require your men to lead the horses, and the women will have to walk. If things had been different, you could have taken her the low way, along the lakes and over by Five Sisters. Still, you wouldn’t want to run into someone’s army coming in the other direction.A momentous season, this should be. Who’d have thought Bridei would make his move so soon, eh?”
    Faolan did not respond; there was nothing to say. Within two turnings of the moon, he would be at Briar Wood settling a new bride into a stranger’s home, and Bridei would be about to lead his forces down the Great Glen toward the confrontation of their lives. That Bridei had planned it thus, had intendedall along that Faolan should not be by his side at his moment of truth, only made the whole thing harder. Best concentrate on facts. He was a hired man and he would give value for the silver they paid him.
    The door creaked open; the guard looked in. “The young lady wants to speak to you, my lord.”
    Ana stood in the doorway. She had been wan and bedraggled when they rode in to Abertornie sometime before. Now she wore a clean, pressed tunic and skirt in soft blue, and her fair hair was dressed in a circlet of braids, shining in the lamplight. It hardly seemed worth the bother, Faolan thought, since they had to go on in the morning.
    Both men rose to their feet, Ged springing up, Faolan moving more slowly.
    “Please, don’t get up,” Ana said. “This won’t take long.”
    Ged settled her ina chair and poured ale, his eyes frankly admiring. Married man or no, he was known to delight in the company of comely women, especially quickwitted ones.
    “Thank you.” Ana sipped politely, set the goblet down, turned her gaze on Faolan. “It’s Darva,” she said. “She can’t go on.”
    This was simple truth. Faolan had seen the serving woman when they arrived; she had more or less fallen from her horseand been carried inside.
    “She’s just not up to this,” Ana went on. “Best if she rests here, then goes back to White Hill when it’s convenient.”
    “We can certainly accommodate her here at Abertornie,” Ged said. “But—”
    “I hope,” Faolan said to Ana, “that you’re not about to suggest we delay our departure