Page 134 of Come the Morning

Waryk smiled ruefully. “Aye.”

“Daro, Waryk, for the love of God, I know what is happening—”

“Aye!” Phagin snapped. “Fine time for discovery, lass, when I’ve ridden to my death to reach these madmen with the truth! I will tell it. It’s Hallsteader, out for vengeance with that fool son of Renfrew. Mellyora is at the fortress; she escaped Ulric Hallsteader, the Viking who dressed in your clothing, Daro, hoping you and Waryk would tear one another apart and weaken your forces when you finally realized the truth and came against him.”

“It’s all my fault,” Anne groaned softly. “He wrote that he wished to visit me. He was my father’s cousin.”

“There is no one at fault!” Phagin said sternly. “But for the love of God, will you muscle-bound whelps listen to an old man? Fault be damned. Now is what matters. Don’t you two understand? If the fortress isn’t under siege now, it will be as soon as Hallsteader and Renfrew can reach it!”

Daro and Waryk stared at one another. “Anne, get back to the hall!” Daro commanded.

“But—”

“Do as I say!” he added fiercely.

Huge tears touched her eyes. Waryk touched her cheek. “You’re not at fault, Anne, get to safety, or else we shall have to worry about you as well!”

He turned, leaping upon Mercury, while Daro strode quickly for his own horse. Waryk started to ride back to his troops.

“Waryk!” Phagin cried.

He paused, impatient.

Phagin came to him. “Pray God you will reach the fortress before he pulls another of his tricks. He has his ways … his father and Renfrew are men who find the weakness in others and preyupon them. The walls of Blue Isle are impregnable. The people within are not.”

“Phagin, I need all speed. Catch up with us if you will. I will be wary. Now, you must let me go—”

“One other matter.”

“Aye?”

“I believe Mellyora to be expecting your child. Bear that in mind.”

His child …

As if he didn’t feel enough terror in his heart. “Aye, Phagin,” he said simply. He spun Mercury around, racing his horse to reach his troops. “We ride for the fortress!” he cried.

CHAPTER23

Eleanora was quite impressed. The village was charming, protected by a new wood wall, occupied by an intelligent and clever group of people.

She was greeted by the man Waryk had said she should find. She was welcomed politely, taken to a cottage, and given wine. The MacKinny had obviously been very ill; he was still weak. But he saw to it immediately that she was taken care of, and with such courtesy! She was quickly assured that Mellyora was all right, and had already ridden across low tide for the fortress. He was arranging for a boat for Eleanora since the water was growing deeper. It was very cold, and only those who lived here were accustomed to riding across the sea.

“But Daro and my brother and Waryk will go to battle!” she said, distressed.

Ewan shook his head. “Nay, lady. Phagin, our priest, has gone to warn them. Whatever troops may be coming here to assault the fortress, Phagin will make it through. If you’ve warmed yourself, lady, we should make the journey to the castle. No one can touch you there.”

He bowed to her, helping her to her feet. He had beautiful hazel eyes she thought, gold in places, forest green in others. Hewas grave, he had a quick smile. His hands were handsome, his fingers were long.

“Thank you,” she said. And she smiled. “I should be helping you. You were so seriously injured.”

“I am much better.”

“Mellyora MacAdin is such a fine nurse?”

“Phagin, the priest, served in the Crusades. He saw the way the Muslim doctors healed injuries with poultices rather than amputations. He taught her all that he learned, and she took it a step farther, since her mother knew herbs, and the healing properties of seawater and grasses and such.”

“I should love to learn,” she said, as they stepped out of the cottage.