“There are no problems I can think of. Is it adding the hawking on horseback, as I’ve given that considerate thought?”
“We can talk about that as well. I’ve had partnership papers drawn up.”
“Partnership? Is Boyle going into it with you?”
“I’ve got enough on my plate with the stables, thanks all the same,” Boyle said, and tried to find space to stretch out his legs.
“Well, who’d you partner with then? Ah, tell me it’s not that idjit O’Lowrey from Sligo. He knows his hawks sure enough, but on every other point he’s a git.”
“Not O’Lowrey, but another idjit altogether. I’m partnering with you, you git.”
“With me? But... Well, I run the place, don’t I? There’s no need for you to make me a partner.”
“I’m not having the papers for need but because it’s right and it’s time. I’d’ve done it straight off, but you were half inclined to building, as much as you’re for the hawks. And running the school might not have suited you, the paperwork of it, the staffing and all the rest of the business. But it does, otherwise you could’ve just done the hawk walks, and the training. But the whole of it’s for you, so well, that’s done.”
Connor said nothing until Fin stopped in front of his house. “I don’t need papers, Fin.”
“You don’t, no, nor do I with you. Nor does Boyle or me with him. But the lawyers and the tax man and all of them, they need them. So we’ll read them over, sign them, and be done with it. It’d be a favor to me, Connor.”
“Bollocks to that. It’s no favor to—”
“Would the pair of you let me out of this bloody lorry if you’re going to fight about it half the night as I’m stuck between you?”
Fin got out. “We’ll pour a couple more pints in him, and he’ll be signing the papers and forgetting he ever did.”
“There aren’t enough pints in all of Mayo for me to forget a bloody thing.”
The edge in Connor’s voice had Boyle shaking his head, leaving them to it. And had Fin laying his hands on Connor’s shoulders.
“Mo dearthair, do you think I do this out of some sense of obligation?”
“I don’t know why you’re doing it.”
“Ah, for feck’s sake, Connor. The school’s more yours than mine, and ever was. It wouldn’tbebut for you, as much as I wanted it. I’m a man of business, am I not?”
“I’ve heard tell.”
“And this is business. It’s also the hawks, which are as near and dear to me as you.” He lifted his arm, gloveless. In moments Merlin, his hawk, landed like a feather on his wrist.
“You care for him when I’m away.”
“Of course.”
Fin angled his head so the hawk rubbed against him. “He’s part of me, as Roibeard is part of you. I trust you to see to him, and Meara to see to him. When this is done, with Cabhan, I can’t stay here, not for a while in any case.”
“Fin—”
“I’ll have to go, for my own sanity. I’ll need to go, and I can’t say, not now, if I’ll come back. I need you to do this favor, Connor.”
Annoyed, Connor gave Fin a hard poke in the chest. “When this is over, you’ll stay. And Branna will be with you, as she once was.”
“Ending Cabhan won’t take away the mark.” Fin lifted his arm again, sent Merlin lifting off, spreading his wings in flight. “She can’t be mine, not truly, while I bear it. Until I can rid myself of it I can’t ask her to be mine. And I can’t live, Connor, I swear to you, knowing she’s hardly more than a stone’s throw away every night and never to be mine. Once I thought I could. Now I know I can’t.”
“I’ll sign your papers if it’s what you want. But I’m telling you now, looking eye to eye, when this is done—and it will be done—you’ll stay. Mark it, Finbar. Mark what I say. I’ll wager you a hundred on it, here and now.”
“Done. Now.” He slung an arm around Connor’s shoulders. “Let’s go have a pint and see if we can talk Boyle into making us something to eat as we didn’t get that far at the pub.”
“I’m for all of that.”
