Patrick said nothing. It was like seeing his surroundings through a blurred haze. When the decision was announced, there were no cries of celebration. Patrick took a small measure of comfort in that. But his instincts warned him that the Ó Phelan chieftain was using Ruarc. He didn’t believe for a moment that the two tribes would unite.
AndCríost, the bloodshed. Soon enough, the invading forces would arrive. He feared what would happen when the Edwin de Godred learned of this. It would mean war and death to his people.
Ruarc was addressing the crowd now, but Patrick paid little heed to his words. He walked away from them, trying to think of what he could do.
One of the Normans stepped forward. “My lord, what is happening? None will tell us.”
Patrick forced his attention to the man. If Ruarc intended to wage war against the Normans, it would happen almost immediately. Though he could order the Normans to fight back, he couldn’t risk harming his own tribesmen. It was better to pull the men back to Ennisleigh and to find another way of protecting everyone.
“Take your wives and your children, along with all the men, to Ennisleigh. Do it now, and do not protest. I will explain there. Your lives are in danger.”
The soldier nodded and gathered the others. When he began leaving with the large group, Ruarc ordered them to stop. The soldiers continued walking, for they did not understand his words. Several of the islanders joined them, which infuriated Ruarc even more.
“What did you tell them?” he demanded, striding in front of Patrick. “I am the king now, not you.”
Patrick stared at his cousin. “You may wear the title. But you know not what it means to lead the people. You are bringing them to their deaths. What do you intend to do when the Baron of Thornwyck arrive?”
“With our united tribes, we will fight. There will be no more Norman invaders to bother our people.”
“You are a fool if you believe that,” Patrick said. “If you allow the Ó Phelans to join you, you open yourself to their invasion.”
“You are wrong. And now that I hold the kingship, I’ll not allow the Normans to set foot upon Laochre. It will be death to any man who does.” Ruarc set his jaw.
“I have given them sanctuary upon Ennisleigh,” Patrick said. “They will go there now.”
“You cannot.”
“I can. Ennisleigh belongs to my family. You have no claim upon the land.”
He took satisfaction in Ruarc’s fury. Then he turned his back on him in a deliberate insult. Isabel was speaking to some of the soldiers, and she moved to his side.
“We cannot find Trahern, Bevan, or Ewan. I don’t know what he’s done with your brothers.” She glanced behind her, as if Ruarc were listening.
Patrick stilled. If Ruarc had laid a hand on his brothers, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill him, new king or no.
He strode back and grabbed Ruarc’s tunic, snapping a punch directly into the man’s nose. Blood trickled down into Ruarc’s mouth. “What have you done to my brothers?”
Ruarc tried to return his own blow, but Patrick blocked him with his forearm. His rage gave him a greater strength. “Where are they?”
“They’re on Ennisleigh,” Ruarc gritted.
“They had better be unharmed, or you will answer for it.” Patrick released him, shoving him down.
Ruarc stumbled, but managed to right himself. “Stay out of Laochre,” he commanded. “You are not welcome here again.”
“I would not set foot upon this ringfort, so long as you are leader.”
It was as though he were walking through a haze of red, and Patrick could hardly see through his anger. He blamed himself, for he should have noticed Ruarc’s treachery earlier.
They rowed their boats across the channel, and Patrick noticed that Sosanna had joined them. Before they had gone too far, he cautioned, “Ruarc will send men after you.”
Sosanna only raised her chin and looked away. He didn’t know why the young woman would cast her lot with the Normans, particularly after what had happened to her. But then he caught Sir Anselm’s gaze. The Norman knight seemed intent on keeping Sosanna safe.
When they reached the shore, Patrick ordered all the vessels brought out of the tide’s reach, inside the cavern. With possession of all the boats, they could at least avoid more problems from the Ó Phelan tribe.
He strode up the pathway, searching for a sign of his brothers. Within moments he found them, stripped from the waist up and bound to trees in the orchard. Relieved to find them alive, he cut through the ropes and freed them.
Though Trahern and Bevan appeared unharmed, Ewan’s eyes were overbright as though he were fighting back tears. “We did nothing wrong,” he said, sniffing. “They took us here after you were at Laochre.”
