“Finn Ulfsson! Outside! Now!” Illadan let the doors slam hard as he strode back into the courtyard.
Perhaps it hadn’t been a rescue after all.
“We can talk about it later,” Finn promised Dallan as he stood to follow Illadan. When he passed through the threshold to the courtyard, he heard fifty men rush to stand beside the windows.
But Illadan was nearly across the courtyard already, heading for the family quarters. “Solar!” he shouted without looking behind him.
Moments later, Finn entered the small solar and Illadan slammed the door shut behind him.
Illadan rounded on him with terrifying intensity. “Are you aware that your sister has been beaten to the point of being unrecognizable?”
Finn hadn’t known what to expect, but certainly he hadn’t thought his sister would be the issue. Ignoring his confusion, he answered honestly. “Aye,” he spoke carefully. “It happened some weeks ago now.”
“And are you also aware that she is starving near to death in the woods surrounding Cenn Cora?”
Finn’s head spun. “What?” He couldn’t comprehend it. “She’s here?”
“You didn’t invite her, then?”
Without asking, Finn fell into the nearest chair in shock. “I must see her home,” he muttered, still having difficulty believing Ethlinn had been so foolish as that. “You’re certain it’s my sister? Ethlinn?”
“As of right now I am certain of very little,” Illadan replied tersely. “But I am certain it’s your sister.”
“Please,” Finn could hardly get the words out, “please let me feed her and take her home.”
“Is it safe for her to return?” Illadan asked. “Or will she be subjected to the same treatment?”
“Our home is safe,” Finn assured him. “She must stay away from thecrannóg.”
Illadan looked fit to murder the next man to cross him. “Who lives in thecrannóg?” Rage dripped from each of his words like a violent promise.
Finn watched Illadan uncomfortably. Why would he want to know? “My lord,” Finn began slowly, carefully, “I appreciate your concern for my sister, but I assure you…”
“Who?” he shouted impatiently.
Finn sat back in the chair. He had never seen Illadan in such a state. Likely his sister had done something to prick the prince’s temper.
“Ernin mac Shay,” Finn answered. “He’s a lesser king over the lands we call home.”
Illadan began pacing, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “What’s the nearest town?”
“Hiscrannógis on a small lake north of the village of Ath Dara.”
“Thank you.”
Illadan’s dismissive tone concerned Finn. He stood from the chair to block Illadan’s exit. “You never answered my question,” Finn reminded him. “May I have your leave to take my sister safely home?”
“No.” The prince reached around Finn for the doorknob. “Any who wish to join the Fianna may not leave this area during the trials. I will take her.”
“Am I not permitted to speak with her myself?” Finn couldn’t hide his exasperation at Illadan’s vague, irrational responses.
Finally, Illadan looked at him with some semblance of compassion. He put a heavy hand on Finn’s shoulder. “’Tis for the best you do not, I think. She came here to undermine you, to keep you from succeeding in the trials.”
Nowthatsounded like Ethlinn. Finn was no longer surprised at Illadan’s uncontrolled rage. Though he desperately wished to argue, he nodded his understanding instead.
He followed Illadan in silence back out to the courtyard where all the men had gathered to wait for the trials to resume.
“Broccan, Cormac,” Illadan called, “I need to speak with you. Men, take a break. Trials will resume in the morn.”
