18
JEALOUSY'S SHADOW
“Amessenger is approaching!”
Finn hardly bothered taking his boots off the desk, even as the servant came rushing in with the news. While he couldn't pretend he wasn't curious, he still hadn't decided what news he would like most to hear. A messenger coming was met with indifferent ambivalence that Finn had been unable to shake since Seamus and Flora had left Glenkirk Castle.
“One of Seamus' men?”
“Aye.”
“Let him in, then. Give him refreshments in the Great Hall and see to his horse. I will be there shortly.”
The woman rushed away to do his bidding. Finn let his feet crash to the floor in a loud thud. His glass of whiskey that he had spent the past hour nursing was finally empty. The amber liquid created a dulling effect on the constant hum happening in his head. But with a messenger waiting in the Great Hall for him, to tell him whether Seamus was successful or not, he doubted that any amount of whiskey would be able to still his thoughts.
Having decided that he had already made the messenger wait long enough, Finn pushed through the door of the study he hadclaimed as his and sauntered down the hall. He was the image of confidence and nonchalance, not wanting to give anyone the impression that something might be wrong with him. He couldn't afford to show any weakness, not when everyone was comparing him to Seamus.
The Great Hall grew quiet as he entered. Finn took his time making his way to his seat at the front of the room, letting everyone there know that nothing would happen until he said so. The messenger waited for him, standing in front of the main table with his hands clasped behind him, trying to look tall and important. But Finn saw the way the man's leg shook and how often the messenger readjusted his stance. Whether it was nervousness or impatience, he couldn't tell.
“Well, ye certainly got here quick.”
“Aye, sir. We came as fast as we could.”
“We?”
“Aye, sir. A group of us made the journey. The others are seeing to the horses.”
“Get on with it then. It must be verra important if the journey demanded more than one of ye come so quick.”
The messenger beamed up at Finn even as he slunk into his chair. Clearing his throat, the messenger spoke loud enough for the room to hear, though it was already sitting in quiet anticipation.
“We have done it. The rebels have overtaken Murray Castle and defeated Campbell's army. We are free of him once more!”
He barely managed to get the last word out before he was silenced by the loud cheering of the room. Everyone seemed to lose their senses as they slapped each other on the backs and raised their mugs of ale. In a show of celebration, Finn reached for a glass of his own, though he drank for a different reason entirely. Using the mug to hide his scowl, Finn emptied the glass before slamming it down and demanding another.
“Beaten again,” he muttered.
“Aye, sir,” the messenger answered, “we beat him!”
But the messenger had misunderstood Finn's meaning. Irritated by the joyful celebrations, Finn snuck out of the Great Hall, opting to sulk his way back to the study instead.
“What are ye doing out here? Will ye nae be joining the rest of us at Murray Castle?”
Finn glanced over his shoulder to find Iona watching him with a puzzled expression, her arms filled with bandages and blankets. Her dark brown hair and matching eyes made him feel like she was looking right through him. She was so slight in stature that he shouldn't have been intimidated by her presence, but he was.
“Nay. I will wait a bit longer to go.”
“Ye are nae pleased at Seamus' victory.”
It wasn't a question, but Finn still scowled at her words nonetheless.
“Of course, I am pleased with Seamus' victory. It is a great victory over Campbell.”
“And yerself,” she finished for him.
He whipped around, ready to demand her meaning, but she answered before he could ask.
“That is nae what I believe, but I can see in yer face that it is what ye believe.”
