Niall’s expression remained stoic. “And three very long nights.”
Aldred had kept them awake each night with Sophie—they finally had a name for the green-eyed lass.
“Have ye found the hall not to yer liking?” Cull kept his eyes on the road ahead and turned only enough for his words to be heard from the back.
“Forgiveness, please. Yer hall suits us fine,” Niall spoke louder, shoving the sleeping Aldred away when the cart bounced over the rutted road and his drooling mouth wiped against Niall’s shoulder.
The colorful flags set up along the road leading down into a large valley, resplendent with even more color, signaled an end to the journey. Lachlann twisted at the waist to search the area as Cull led the cart from the well-traveled road to a field of sweet grass and rye and a roughly hewn lean-to. The smell of the ocean teased Lachlann’s nose, but the water remained hidden.
Once on their feet, Niall stretched and untied their mounts while Lachlann retrieved the satchel from his courser to wear across his chest. Reaching inside, he worked his hand to the bottom and rubbed the medallion from his youth. They’d worked hard to appear as simple travelers, wearing rough leggings that had seen better days and simple, knee-length tunics. As a pilgrim, such ornamentation would seem out of place.
The smell of roasting meats set his stomach to growling. He grabbed the end of the rein from Niall’s hand and snapped it at Aldred, who’d remained asleep. “Up with ye now.”
The Norseman jerked awake and Lachlann barked a laugh. Cull and Rhona were busy taking great care with the horses Brian the Red had given them the use of.
“Niall, did ye not say Aldred would see to our horses?Allthe horses?” Lachlann asked.
Aldred’s belly scratch halted abruptly, his jaw dropped open in protest.
“I believe I did.”
Aldred barely caught the reins Niall tossed to him. Any protest he would have made was silenced by Niall’s raised hands. “I’ve a good mind to leave ye here.”
“A fine idea.” Lachlann tipped his head in agreement. “And would he even notice? We’d no doubt find him sleeping under an elm.”
Aldred quirked a blond brow, but remained uncharacteristically quiet, even offering to take the reins from Cull, and headed toward a small lean-to with a single elm to shade it.
“There!” Cull had come alongside them and pointed to a youngster of mayhap five years. “And that woman there.” He pointed toward a couple. The man was quite a bit older than the woman, ancient in fact. His hands were possessively wrapped around her middle. She was quite lovely.
Lachlann could see nothing that distinguished these people as cave dwellers. “Seems a bit of an intimate grasp.”
The woman pulled back and grabbed the youngster’s hand, leading him away, but the older man’s eyes followed them.
Cull’s face tightened. “As I said, they are not Christians. I think they have strange family groups. Use care when approaching them.”
“So that is probably not the woman’s father?” Niall crossed his arms.
“Could be her husband.” Rhona snuggled closer to Cull’s side, no doubt glad she did not suffer with an ancient man for a mate.
Lachlann’s gaze remained on the old man, who wandered alone by a few booths, purchasing both food and drink. He eventually settled in an area set up for entertainment. A raised, center stage, surrounded by benches, served as the arena where jugglers, musicians, and exotic animals would no doubt be performing soon.
“He seems familiar, but I dinna remember his name. I can speak to them if ye like. The woman or the man.” Cull’s offer was a surprise.
A juggler with bright red clothing and a pointed hat had the man laughing, one of only a few in the audience since it was still early in the day.
“I appreciate yer kind offer, Cull, but no,” Niall said. “I’ll walk around a bit first.”
“I dinna see anyone else.” Cull continued to scan the area as he spoke, his gaze finally settling on Niall. “Sorry I am that I canna be of more help. Be wary around them. Think ye they’d mind themselves and stay out of trouble when they come to town, but there is some problem every time.”
“We will,” Niall said.
“Let us say our goodbyes now. There’ll be little chance of finding ye again in this crowd.” Rhona lowered her head and curtsied to Niall. “Pleased I’ve been to meet ye, fine pilgrim. May God go with ye.”
Niall bowed over her hand, then Lachlann, and the couple went off in the direction of the music.
“We’ll split up and meet back here at gloaming. Learn what ye can,” Niall said and disappeared into the crowd.
Lachlann made his way toward the cooking fires where he could get himself some sustenance.
