“I’ll be fine.” She flashed him her best smile, hoping to pacify his concerns as well. “I’ve been there many times. I know the way well.”
Conan didn’t argue, but the muscles worked along his sharp jaw. And it wasn’t as though Alannah was happy about it, either. Of course she’d prefer the pleasure of his company to four days of travelling alone. But Illadan was clearly in charge, and he’d just as clearly opposed the idea.
At least Emer wouldn’t be left unprotected. With her sister guarded by this band of giants, Alannah could at least travel with some peace of mind.
Chapter Sixteen
There was noway in hell he was actually letting her go to Cruachan Aí alone. There was also no way that Illadan was going to let Conan accompany her, so as they entered their cottage at The Hart’s Rest, Conan prepared for a battle.
Illadan beat him to the first punch.
“You cannot risk being seen in Cruachan Aí,” he whispered. “Anyone from your father’s household will recognize you, and even outside the city you would be at risk of discovery. Aside from all of that, you need to spend less time with her. Already she knows too much, too many details.”
“She cannot go alone,” Conan growled. “You understand as I do the dangers of travel for anyone, let alone a beautiful woman by herself.”
Illadan didn’t flinch. “Then help her find an alternative.”
“What of you?” Conan turned to Finn, Dallan, and Ardál. “What if it was one of you and not me?”
“They’re as familiar with Cahill’s court as you are,” Illadan argued. “Or have you forgotten that we just spent all winter drinking and playing at knucklebones with them in Dyflin? Every one of the Fianna is on a first-name-basis with half Cahill’s household guard.”
Damn. He was right, as usual. Conan strode the length of the small cottage, running a hand over his face and trying not to explode in frustration. Someone had to go with her. She must not have many options or she’d not have come to them, forthey’d only been in town a few days. But Illadan was correct—none of the Fianna should go anywhere near Cruachan Aí. If they were seen, it would jeopardize their mission.
Conan stopped his pacing, spinning to face Illadan. If they wereseen, it would jeopardize their mission. “What if I followed in secret?”
“What would be the purpose of that, precisely?” Illadan challenged, crossing his arms. “Would you not be following her to protect her in the case of trouble?”
“Of course,” Conan replied. “But she’d not know I was there.”
Illadan leveled him a pointed look. “Unless there was trouble.”
In which case Conan would have no choice but to make his presence known in order to help Alannah. Grumbling, Conan renewed his pacing once more. “Are you suggesting that I allow ill to befall her in order to remain hidden?”
“I’m suggesting that you find someone else entirely to accompany her, or convince her not to travel at all.”
With no better ideas at hand, Conan left the little cottage in search of Alannah. He didn’t like the idea of sending someone else with her, but perhaps she knew of someone capable of protecting her. He’d feel a good deal better doing it himself, but Illadan was right. If somethingdidgo wrong, he’d have no choice but to reveal himself and endanger their mission.
He found her in the hall, wiping down the tables before the evening meal. It was the calm before the storm, the quiet before the crows descended for the feast. Emer quietly tended a stew pot over the hearth, smiling at him before returning her attention to the pot. The rich scent of lamb mingled with the tang of fresh herbs and the aroma of freshly-baked bread. Conan’s mouth watered at the promise of the meal to come.
Alannah didn’t halt her work, though he knew she’d seen him enter the hall. Her dark braid fell over her shoulder as she scrubbed a table near the kitchen, her focus entirely on her task.
“Is there anyone else who might be able to accompany you to Cruachan Aí?” he asked, grabbing a towel from the small table in the kitchen and helping her clean.
“I could always ask Glasny,” she answered, keeping her voice low. “But he doesn’t have anyone else to mind the alehouse in his absence. I’m not sure he’d agree.”
“Is he capable with a sword?” Conan matched her tone.
Alannah paused long enough to shrug, her shoulders drawing his eyes to her chest. Even in the loose-fitted léine she wore, Conan easily spied the familiar swell of her breasts—something he’d thought of often since the night they’d arrived in Ath Luain. He may have gotten to spend the night with them, but he’d not even seen them in the blinding darkness of the room.
“I’ve never seen him fight, but he’s big enough. He was a friend of my father’s.”
Conan frowned. If he was old enough to be her father and she’d never seen the man fight, he doubted this Glasny would be an acceptable replacement for his company.
“You’re strangely quiet,” she observed, pinning him with a cornflower blue stare. “Conan the bard always has something to say.”
He couldn’t suppress a grin at her prodding. “I don’t like the idea of you traveling without someone who can protect you, and this Glasny fellow doesn’t sound promising in that regard.”
“Haven’t you been training me every day to protect myself?” She stopped wiping now, placing both hands down on the table and glaring at him.
