He trusted no one with her. Ever vigilant, she had no doubt that Trahern would never let anything happen to her. Today, he’d let down his guard, showing her traces of the man she’d once known. The afternoon they’d spent together, though tiring, was one she’d remember. It had felt good to be useful, to bring back an offering that would help her people.
And somehow, when she was around Trahern, she managed to find a part of herself she’d lost. He made her forget the darkness. But how long would he stay?
“Your sister is with Katla,” Gunnar was saying, as Trahern returned to them. “They’re preparing for the meal tonight.”
Morren still didn’t understand why her sister had abandoned the fields to work among strangers, but at least she hadn’t been alone. “I’ll join her and help. I understand we’re not returning to the longphort tonight?”
“No,” Gunnar said. “It will be crowded, but Dagmar wants us to spend the night here and continue working in the morning.”
“Why not travel to the abbey?” she suggested. “It’s not a far ride, and they have more space.”
Gunnar’s smile grew strained. “We’re not friends with the brethren. The abbot believes we should be granting more of our land to the Church.” With a grimace, he added, “It isn’t enough that they’ve claimed a large portion of the Ó Reilly lands.”
Morren wondered if there had been animosity between her people and the abbot. It would explain why they were reluctant to stay at St. Michael’s, though their chief had never spoken of any disagreements between them.
Could the abbot have had anything to do with the attack? She found it difficult to believe that a man of the church would do such a thing. Brother Chrysoganus had made her feel welcome at the abbey.
But if her people were dead, the Church could lay claim to the land. So could theLochlannach, for that matter.
Trahern seemed to share her thoughts, and he addressed Gunnar. “Haven’t you done the same, claiming Ó Reilly land in exchange for your labor?”
“Some of our men are married to Ó Reilly women. It’s not the same at all. The land will be shared between us.”
“Will it?” Trahern’s tone grew cold. “Or will you take what rightfully belonged to them?”
He didn’t wait for a reply but strode off toward a group of ruined huts. Morren didn’t follow at first, but turned to Gunnar. “He’s restless,” she apologized.
“Frustrated, I suspect.” Gunnar sent her a teasing smile, and Morren suddenly caught his innuendo.
“No. That isn’t it.” She glanced back at him, before confiding, “His betrothed wife was killed by the raiders. He’s angry about it.”
The smile faded from Gunnar’s face. “I didn’t know.”
Morren rubbed her arms, suddenly feeling the cold. “I need to speak with him.” Trahern’s anger went deeper than an argument over land. And she wanted to know why.
Gunnar murmured a farewell, adding, “You could do much to console him, Morren. A woman with your beauty would make any man forget his sorrow.” With a nod, he turned away.
She eyed Trahern, standing alone by the palisade wall like an outsider. The wind whipped across the cashel, cold and biting. A low fog had descended over the land, encircling the walls so she could hardly see the abbey on the hillside. Light flakes of snow swirled in the air, and when she reached his side, Morren adjusted the cloak over his shoulders to shield him from the wind.
Trahern muttered his thanks beneath his breath. A melancholy mood had settled over him. She studied his gray eyes, and asked, “What is it?”
He shook his head. “I shouldn’t stay here through the winter, as I’d planned. Rebuilding this cashel, living amongst theLochlannach. . . it feels like I’m forgetting my purpose.”
She could see that the bitterness was eroding his heart, taking away the man he’d been. “And what is your purpose? Vengeance?”
He gave a nod. “I’m losing time. I need to find them.”
His restlessness was rigid in his posture. Morren didn’t know what to say, but she understood his frustration. “I want you to find them, too.”
She moved to his side, and her fingers inadvertently touched his. She expected him to pull away, but he didn’t. “But I fear, even if you do find the men who attacked that night, it won’t bring you the peace you’re seeking.”
“Vengeance is all I need.”
“I don’t believe that.”
His hand curled over hers, and a pained expression came over his face. “Don’t try to save me, Morren. It’s already too late.”
Chapter Nine
