“With Baeth, you never know.”
“Is this the cousin who murdered the man Eva was to marry?” Finn asked without thinking.
Dallan looked at him in askance. “She told you about that, did she?” he mused. “She hardly ever speaks of it. But yes, Baeth has never been fond of our branch of the family. He seemed to think initiating a battle and murdering Eva’s betrothed would teach our Uncle Morda some sort of lesson. As far as I can tell, it only angered him further.”
The muscles in Finn’s jaw tightened. “If you must kill him, I will help you.”
“I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that, as much as I’d enjoy ridding the world of his evil. I fear our kin are so divided, retaliation would be swift for such a crime, and the last thing we need is yet another war.”
Finn’s opinion of Baeth was not high when they entered the feasting hall, yet somehow it managed to drop upon first sight of the man. The cavernous room lay empty except for Dallan’s infamous cousin, who stood in the center by the large hearth. Half a head shorter than Finn, he was still built like a man who trained hard. His thin black hair fell about his shoulders, unkempt and unbecoming. The paleness of his pocked skin gave him the appearance of a spirit, haunting the once joyous room.
“Cousin!” he called when he noticed Dallan. He narrowed his eyes at Finn. “Who’s this?”
Finn crossed his arms and glared at the bastard. Knowing he was within arm’s reach of the man who caused Eva so much pain tempted him sorely. Though he wasn’t about to dishonor Dallan’s wishes and kill the man, he shot him a look that could not be misinterpreted.
“You didn’t truly believe Brian’s princes would let us meet without a third party, did you?” Dallan remarked. “Finn has no stake in politics. He is not of noble birth, and will be impartial to our discussion.”
Impartial his arse. Finn would be siding with any who were against Baeth.
“He doesn’t look impartial,” Baeth replied skeptically, his eyes still trained on Finn.
“Why are you here, Baeth?” Dallan demanded impatiently.
“I heard you were joining Brian’s Fianna, his most loyal warriors. I couldn’t believe you’d betray your kin so grievously. I had to see it for myself.”
“Our kin swore allegiance to Brian after the battle for Dyflin was lost,” Dallan reminded him.
Baeth rolled his eyes. “You and I both know the oath was symbolic and nothing more. Sitric intends to uphold it about as much as I intend to join a monastery.”
Finn’s blood ran cold. If Sitric broke his oath, then—
“What about Eva?” Dallan’s voice held all the rage Finn now felt. “What of my sister? Sitric would let her die for his pride?”
Baeth snorted. “Brian won’t kill the girl,” he waved a hand. “At most he’ll have her whipped or enslaved.”
Finn fought to control his breathing, feeling his nostrils flare as he contemplated how he might kill Baeth without angering Dallan or starting a blood feud.
“Brian would kill any one person if he thought it would end a rebellion,” Dallan seethed. “He is a king first. He would do what was best for his kingdom.”
“Spoken like a traitor,” Baeth hissed.
“At least he doesn’t speak like a coward,” Finn spat, unable to keep out of the argument.
Baeth rounded on him. “Excuse me, boy? You dare insult me?”
“First,” Finn said quietly, “no matter my age I could kill you in three moves. If you care to test that boast, by all means, draw steel.
“Second, it is no insult to speak the truth. You didn’t come all this way and demand a private audience with Dallan simply to threaten his sister’s wellbeing. You must be afraid to tell him why you actually came or you would’ve done so already.”
Baeth’s ruddy, bearded face soured like old milk. “When the time is ripe, Iwillkill you, whelp. And I will smile as I do so.”
Dallan stepped between them. “Finn is right, and I’ve had enough of your foul speech. Tell me why you came or leave Cenn Cora.”
Baeth’s eyes never left Finn as he answered Dallan. “Sitric and I want you to turn on Brian in the upcoming battle.”
Battle? Finn knew the test of bravery, the final physical trial for a place in the Fianna, must include a losing battle. Did Dallan know what they would be called to do? Was that the battle of which Baeth spoke? Or was more afoot than he imagined?
Dallan relaxed his stance, folding his arms. “Turn against him how?”
