Made of stone, the abbey stretched high above the landscape, flanked by a round tower. Arched windows, as tall as an ordinary man, encircled the structure, but he could not see any of the brethren at first. At the bottom of the hill, a silver strand of water wove through the countryside.
Morren held the edges of her cloak around her body, to guard against the cold. “You’re planning on leaving me here at the monastery, aren’t you?”
“You’re not strong enough to reach the cashel.” It was best to grant her the protection of the Church. In this way, he could ensure her safety. “I’ll find your sister and bring her back to you.”
“I want to believe you. But I don’t.”
“You think I’m the sort of man who would leave her there alone?” His temper flared, that she would think such a thing. “I’m the one who sent her for help. It’s my obligation to bring her back to you.”
“Jilleen is just a girl, a stranger to you.” She exhaled a breath, still not trusting him. “What if theLochlannachfound her?”
“Stop thinking like that. We don’t know why she didn’t return. But I promise you, I’ll find her.”
“You’re a bard, not a warrior.”
Trahern took a step forward, using his height in an unspoken warning. Morren met his gaze, and he rested his hand upon his sword. “Be assured, Morren, I know how to fight. And defend.” He’d spent years of his life practicing with his brothers. Though he might be older , he hadn’t lost any of his abilities. If anything, his instincts were sharper.
Morren’s blue eyes faltered, and she looked away. Good. He wasn’t used to women doubting him.
“If I had been there that night,” he vowed, “each and every one of theLochlannachfighters would be dead. They’d not have laid a hand upon you, or Ciara.”
Morren’s shoulders lowered. “Would that it were so.” She didn’t look at him, and he saw that words would not convince her. She picked up the long hem of his cloak and continued walking.
They continued on in silence until they reached the stone chapel. Trahern was about to enter when he sniffed the air. The acrid scent of smoke permeated the landscape.
Morren moved to the crest of the hill, and Trahern spied billowing smoke clouds rising in the distance. From his vantage point, he saw flames rising from the fallen cashel in the distance.
“They’re back.” Morren’s hands moved to cover her mouth, and her face went white.
Trahern half-pushed Morren towards the chapel. From within, he heard the plain chant of the monks echoing. “Stay here with the brethren. I’m going after them.”
“You have no horse,” she protested. “They’ll cut you down.”
“They won’t touch me.” Trahern checked his weapons and cast her one final look. “I’m going to find out why they’ve returned. And what it is they want.”
“Be careful,” she urged.
He caught her hand in his. “Wait for me, Morren. I’ll be back by sunset.”
Chapter Three
TheremainsofGlenOmrigh were ghostly with charred grasses surrounding the cashel. The wooden palisade wall was blackened and ruined in sections, while traces of smoke lingered in the air. Inside the circular ringfort, one of the huts was still burning, the thatch bright orange with flames. Smoke rose high into the air, the acrid scent smothering the cashel.
Trahern crouched low in the tall grasses, watching the silhouettes of two horsemen. Because of the hilly terrain, it had taken him nearly an hour to reach the fortress, and the afternoon sun had already begun to drift downward.
The invaders wore the clothing of theLochlannach, raiders by the look of it. Their long cloaks were fastened with large bronze brooches, and although the taller man wore no armor, Trahern sensed he would make a formidable opponent. His companion was shorter with darker blond hair. Even so, both would tower over most men. Trahern grasped the hilt of his sword, while he pondered whether or not he could defeat them alone. It would be dangerous.
Trahern watched the two men as they patrolled the remaining huts, inspecting the contents. Not a single other person did he see. Any Ó Reilly survivors had abandoned the cashel.
Trahern kept one hand on his sword hilt when the men rode closer. Their faces showed dissatisfaction, and he overheard them arguing in the Norse tongue.
They weren’t here to attack, it was clear. Nor to steal the clan’s valuables or supplies. Instead, the men’s expressions were grim, as though dissatisfied by what they saw.
Trahern moved in closer, keeping his body pressed to the ground. Dry grass tickled his face, the cold earth damp with frost. When he reached the outer wall, he crept toward a burned section to get a better look.
One of the riders was on a familiar mount. It was Barra, the destrier that he’d paid a damned fortune for. The black horse was nervous from the smoke, prancing his feet. If theLochlannachthief didn’t control Barra, he’d find himself on his backside.
Though Trahern wanted to attack the two men and regain his horse, logic forced him to hold back. He needed answers, and these men would lead him to them.
