“Aye.” Emer’s hands went to her hips, and Alannah knew she was in for it. “We’ve gone there with a group of twenty or more for the fair, or with family to trade. No matter how much you train with those bards, you’d still be a woman walking there on her own. There’s brigands and boars and wolves and—”
“I get it,” Alannah interrupted her. “No need to continue.”
“You can do anything, Alannah.” Emer walked over, taking her hands. “But you shouldn’t do this alone.”
“Speaking of ‘alone,’ I don’t know how I feel about you being here all by yourself for four days or more.” Alannah had been so concerned over the attack on the bridge, she hadn’t considered how her absence might impact her sister. “Oran will realize I’m not here, and—”
“And that’s why we’ll ask those nice gentlemen to keep an eye on things while you’re gone. They’re very sweet,” Emer smiled. “I’m sure they’ll help. In fact, Conan might be a good one to ask to travel with you.”
The thought of a several day journey alongside Conan set Alannah’s pulse racing. “You’re trying awfully hard to push me into him, you know that?”
Emer laughed, walking to the kitchen and pulling several onions out of storage. “Someone has to look out for you. Lord knows you won’t do it yourself.”
Alannah rolled her eyes, watching her sister set to chopping for the evening meal. “I’ll go speak with them, and I’ll plan to leave in the morn.”
“I’ll pack you something tasty.” Emer’s round face lit like a lantern.
Alannah headed out the front doors, stopping to plant a quick kiss on her kindhearted sister’s cheek. She didn’t know what she’d do without Emer. She knew that after their training in the morning, the men bathed and then were gone until dinner time. Sometimes they stayed in their cottage. Other times shehadn’t a clue where they were, and it honestly wasn’t any of her business.
She stopped by their cottage first, but there was no sign of the men so she headed down the path towards Ath Luain. She hadn’t walked for two minutes before she heard them chattering down the way.
Conan noticed her first, his slate grey eyes pinning her in place. A smoldering half-smile curved one side of his very tasty lips. She couldn’t stop herself from imagining what it would feel like to have them on her skin again.
“I was hoping to speak with you,” she called, ignoring the way her stomach fluttered when Conan hurried to walk beside her.
“I’m always hoping to speak with you,” he grinned.
Behind them, one of the men snorted, clearly suppressing a laugh.
“I need to travel to Cruachan Aí, and Emer thought it would be safer if I didn’t go alone.”
Conan’s dark brow creased. “Emer is correct,” he agreed. “Why do you need to go?”
“I don’t think anyone has told the king that the bridge was burned, and we need him to send men to look into it. If it wasn’t an accident, we need to find and stop whoever’s responsible.”
A flicker of something crossed his face, gone as soon as it came. “Perhaps he’s already looked into it and deemed it an accident.”
Alannah shook her head. “I asked Glasny today, and he said he’s not seen any of the king’s men come by. He also didn’t know of anyone going to tell him what happened, and Glasny knows most of the goings-on in Ath Luain.”
“I’m afraid we can’t go with you,” Illadan answered from behind them. “We have business in Ath Luain to see to.”
“I know,” she ventured slowly, “that Conan has no desire to be seen by the king. He could stay outside the rath, if that would help.”
Illadan’s face softened, but his resolve did not. “He must stay here, Alannah. Regardless of his past with the king.”
Conan frowned, biting his lower lip. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I wish I could help.”
Alannah felt as though someone had laid an iron cloak over her, smothering her kindled hopes. “You still can. While I’m gone, someone needs to make sure Oran stays away from Emer.”
“And Eoghan,” Conan added darkly. “Your sister seems to attract trouble.”
“Honey attracts all manner of creatures, even the less desirable.”
“True enough,” Conan chuckled. “We will keep her safe in your absence, but who will protect you?”
Alannah patted the sword her brothers had made for her. “I’ve got all the protection I need right here. I was simply trying to assuage my sister’s worries.”
“The road can be dangerous, even for those who are paid for their skill in combat.”
