“I’m going down to the river to wash,” she told her sister. “Want to keep me company?” Alannah did want Emer’s company, of course. She loved her sister dearly. But she also didn’t like the idea of leaving her here alone right after Oran’s most recent attack. He’d been far more violent of late.
Concerningly so.
Emer’s smile faltered for but a moment before returning, brighter than ever. “Of course! Let me grab some bedding to clean.”
“You’re going to swim, too, right?” They always swam together. Emer loved the water as much as Alannah, and it was far more fun to go with one another.
Emer hesitated. “I’ve already done so.”
Alannah narrowed her eyes. Emer never refused to swim. “Are you alright?”
“Of course, of course,” her sister hurried, pulling a basket of linens from the floor and hoisting it onto her hip. “I just need to get these cleaned.”
Something wasn’t right, but Alannah couldn’t decide what it might be. Perhaps Emer was more tired than usual after Oran came by twice in the past two days. When they got to the river, no doubt she’d change her mind and join in the fun.
Alannah carried a second basket of linens, leading the way down the path and into Ath Luain. It was nearing midday, and the sun was out for the first time in days, blazing above and beckoning everyone outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. Including the bards, it would seem.
Alannah and Emer found the men scattered about town. Dallan and Finn wandered near the market square, perusingthe myriad wares. Conan and Ardál stepped onto the bridge, heading to the eastern shore. When they reached the grassy river bank, they found Illadan sitting on the bridge fishing. He was too far out to call out to, probably near halfway across the wide causeway. Alannah wasn’t even certain whether he saw them, for he made no motion to indicate that he had.
Moving to their usual swimming spot, protected enough to keep them out of easy sight of the entire village, Alannah stripped down and laid out her clothes, wading into the brisk water. No one else was around, which surprised her given the warm, sunny day. It was perfect for a swim.
Smiling and turning her face up to the sun, she danced her fingers over the water, rippling it around her. The river had warmed considerably in just the past two days.
“You should get in,” she called to Emer. “It feels wonderful.”
On the shore, Emer sat dunking a bed sheet. “I should get these washed.”
“I’ll help you.” Alannah swam over, running her hands across her arms and body to get the sweat and grime off. Grabbing the next sheet, she got to work.
Between the two of them, the washing was done in no time. Emer stayed oddly quiet as they worked, raising Alannah’s suspicions even more. Folding the last sheet and plopping it into the basket to carry home and hang out, Alannah turned back to her sister. “Alright, the wash is done. Now you can get in and enjoy yourself,” she declared.
“I don’t know if I feel like swimming today.”
“You always feel like swimming,” Alannah countered, her brow creasing. “You love swimming.”
Emer shrugged, moving her legs out from under her as though she intended to leave already.
Alannah’s hand shot out, resting on her sister’s knee. “Emer, what’s going on? You’re not swimming. You’re hardly speaking. What’s wrong?”
A heavy sigh escaped Emer’s rosy lips. “I will swim, but only if you swear not to overreact.”
Alannah froze, a shiver of foreboding running down her spine. “Overreact towhat?”
“Promise,” Emer pressed.
Alannah didn’t like the desperation in her sister’s voice. “I promise.”
Emer took off her dress, laying it on dry grass. When her arm slipped out of her chemise, Alannah marched straight out of the water, taking her sister’s hand and pulling her arm closer.
It was covered in bruises.
Fingerprint-shaped bruises.
Oran. It had to have happened the day the bards came, when Alannah thought she’d arrived just in time to get him out before he hurt Emer. Apparently, she hadn’t quite made it.
Her head buzzed as ice crystallized in her veins. “I’m going to kill him.”
“No!” Emer squealed, pulling her chemise back on. “See, this is exactly what I was worried about. You’re going to getyourselfkilled. I’m just fine.”
