Blade of Fortriu (48 page)
Authors: Juliet Marillier
“We won’t discuss that.” Alpin spoke without emphasis. His eyes were cold. “I’ll
expect you to keep your mouth shut from now on where matters of warfare, strategy, or alliance are concerned. These are men’s business and best confined to men’s gatherings. You know what to expect if you disobey me.”
expect you to keep your mouth shut from now on where matters of warfare, strategy, or alliance are concerned. These are men’s business and best confined to men’s gatherings. You know what to expect if you disobey me.”
“It seems your wife will be silent most of the time, her conversation limited to the anticipation of roast beef for supper or a discussion of the weather.”
“As long as you oblige
me in bed, I’ve no problem with that.” Alpin went to the door, summoned his guard, made a hurried, quiet request. He closed the door again and stood with his back to it, watching her. There was a smell in the room like meat charring. Ana felt sick.
me in bed, I’ve no problem with that.” Alpin went to the door, summoned his guard, made a hurried, quiet request. He closed the door again and stood with his back to it, watching her. There was a smell in the room like meat charring. Ana felt sick.
“When Faolan sees this mark on my face,” she said, “he will know that you hit me. What kind of news is that to take back to White Hill?”
Alpin’s
brows rose. “They don’t discipline their women in Fortriu?”
brows rose. “They don’t discipline their women in Fortriu?”
“I would swear Bridei has never raised a hand against his wife; such a thought would not enter his mind.”
“Uh-huh. A little odd herself, isn’t she, from what I’ve heard? One of the forest folk. That could be a weak spot in a man’s armor.”
“Tuala is of another kind,” Ana said quietly. “She’s one of my dearest friends.”
“Got a penchant
for the exotic, have you? I can’t conceive of anyone wanting my brother as a lover; such a notion is perverse. His condition has been a source of deep shame to our family since Drustan was a child, long before he decided to turn his hand to murder. And you expect the household to discuss it openly. You’re a fool.”
for the exotic, have you? I can’t conceive of anyone wanting my brother as a lover; such a notion is perverse. His condition has been a source of deep shame to our family since Drustan was a child, long before he decided to turn his hand to murder. And you expect the household to discuss it openly. You’re a fool.”
Ana said nothing. From now on, she thought dully, there would be many silences.
If they were required to prevent another sacrifice, she would hold her tongue, and weep on the inside.
If they were required to prevent another sacrifice, she would hold her tongue, and weep on the inside.
FAOLAN CAME IN with a tall guard at his back and a thickset one beside him. There were red marks around his wrists as if he had been bound. Above one eye was a crust of blood, and a purple bruise marked his jaw. Beneath these signs of blows, his face was white. The shutters were down
as they had so often been at White Hill, his features wearing the bland, indifferent look of a man who desires not to attract attention. He said not a word.
as they had so often been at White Hill, his features wearing the bland, indifferent look of a man who desires not to attract attention. He said not a word.
“Faolan,” Ana managed. “You are well?” The courteous question hung in the silence between them, and behind it all the things she could not say; the things she would never say.
“Yes, my lady.” The voice level, toneless. The eyes now looking
anywhere but at her face, where no doubt a florid bruise was spreading to match the fierce aching in her cheek and jaw. Then, as if he could not help himself, “You’ve been hurt.”
anywhere but at her face, where no doubt a florid bruise was spreading to match the fierce aching in her cheek and jaw. Then, as if he could not help himself, “You’ve been hurt.”
There was a small metallic sound as Alpin shifted a knife on the tabletop.
“A clumsy accident,” Ana said, looking at the floor. “My maid opened a chest just as I leaned over. These things will happen.” His wrists were
livid; there were marks on his legs, too, revealed above the worn shoes they had given him to wear. She found she was staring and made herself look away. “My lord tells me you’re leaving for White Hill the day after tomorrow. So soon.” Her voice was shaking; she must try to be strong, for if they had hurt him they could do so again. They could hurt him, and they could hurt Drustan. She must govern
every word, every look, every gesture.
livid; there were marks on his legs, too, revealed above the worn shoes they had given him to wear. She found she was staring and made herself look away. “My lord tells me you’re leaving for White Hill the day after tomorrow. So soon.” Her voice was shaking; she must try to be strong, for if they had hurt him they could do so again. They could hurt him, and they could hurt Drustan. She must govern
every word, every look, every gesture.
“There’s no need for further delay,” Faolan said. “I understand the treaty is to be signed tonight; the handfasting occurs tomorrow. After that I’ll be straight off, since I’m no longer required here.”
“You must do as you think best, of course,” she said tightly. “What would I know of such matters?” They were all watching and listening, Alpin, the men-at-arms,
that fellow Dregard who was always at Alpin’s right hand, the druid, who had entered the chamber with a quill and ink pot. She longed for a few moments alone with Faolan, even though she could not tell him the truth, not with Drustan’s safety in the balance. If the others were not here, she could at least clasp his hand, wish him well, and thank him for his courage and friendship. She could
tell him he had done a good job. “Safe journey, Faolan,” she said quietly. “I don’t suppose there will be time for us to talk tomorrow. Please give my warmest good wishes to Bridei. And to Tuala.” Tears were close; she swallowed them. “And hug Derelei for me. I miss him.”
that fellow Dregard who was always at Alpin’s right hand, the druid, who had entered the chamber with a quill and ink pot. She longed for a few moments alone with Faolan, even though she could not tell him the truth, not with Drustan’s safety in the balance. If the others were not here, she could at least clasp his hand, wish him well, and thank him for his courage and friendship. She could
tell him he had done a good job. “Safe journey, Faolan,” she said quietly. “I don’t suppose there will be time for us to talk tomorrow. Please give my warmest good wishes to Bridei. And to Tuala.” Tears were close; she swallowed them. “And hug Derelei for me. I miss him.”
“Yes, my lady.” Still the stubborn refusal to meet her eyes. Was he acting a part, not to bring down Alpin’s wrath?
“Well,
now,” Alpin said, “we’re all here, so let’s get down to business. I will ask you to be seated—not you, bard, you can stand where you are—and perhaps Berguist will do us the courtesy of reading the terms of the treaty, just so we’re all sure of what we’re agreeing to.” He directed a patronizing smile toward Ana; she stiffened her spine and gave a polite nod in return. She seated herself and waited.
By her hand, on the table, a brown feather stirred in the draft.
now,” Alpin said, “we’re all here, so let’s get down to business. I will ask you to be seated—not you, bard, you can stand where you are—and perhaps Berguist will do us the courtesy of reading the terms of the treaty, just so we’re all sure of what we’re agreeing to.” He directed a patronizing smile toward Ana; she stiffened her spine and gave a polite nod in return. She seated herself and waited.
By her hand, on the table, a brown feather stirred in the draft.
The druid, Berguist, set out the terms of the treaty clearly and simply. For him, at least, there was no reason to be anything but calm. It had all been rendered into Latin and set down on the parchment, which he offered to Ana to read over just in case he had made any errors. She scanned it, but such was the desolation in her mind
that the thing could have been a stock list or a Christian prayer, so little of it did she take in.
that the thing could have been a stock list or a Christian prayer, so little of it did she take in.
“My future wife is something of a scholar,” Alpin was saying. “Clever as well as beautiful; every man should be fortunate enough to find such a paragon, eh? Finished, my dear?”
“It seems everything is here, my lord,” she said. “Even the reference to Dreaming Glen that Faolan and I requested.
You’ve been thorough.”
You’ve been thorough.”
Alpin’s eyes narrowed. “Sign, then,” he said.
She took the quill and, in the place the druid indicated, wrote her name: “
Ana daughter of Nechtan, Princess of the Light Isles.”
And beneath it, “
for Bridei son of Maelchon, King of Fortriu.”
Alpin, impatient, seized the pen from her fingers before the ink was dry and placed his mark beside hers. The druid took the parchment
back to record Alpin’s full name above the cross he had made, and to append his own details as witness. It was done.
Ana daughter of Nechtan, Princess of the Light Isles.”
And beneath it, “
for Bridei son of Maelchon, King of Fortriu.”
Alpin, impatient, seized the pen from her fingers before the ink was dry and placed his mark beside hers. The druid took the parchment
back to record Alpin’s full name above the cross he had made, and to append his own details as witness. It was done.
“Ah,” Alpin said expansively as the druid sprinkled sand from a little bag onto the document to hasten the drying of the ink. “A most satisfactory ending to a particularly trying day. And won’t King Bridei be pleased? This could make all the difference to his future plans.”
“A
great achievement, my lord,” said Dregard.
great achievement, my lord,” said Dregard.
“Will you provide Faolan with a guide as far as the borders of your territory, or maybe farther?” Ana asked Alpin. “I imagine Breaking Ford may still be impassable. And there are your warlike neighbors—”
“That need not concern you,” Alpin snapped, his mood abruptly altered. “It is—”
“Men’s business, I know.” Careful, careful; watch every step. “I simply
wish to remind you how important it is that the news does reach Bridei. Bear in mind that, although we’ve been here two turnings of the moon, word has not yet been sent advising him that our escort was lost. And that his emissary was drowned,” she added hastily, unsure if that earlier lie counted for anything after what had come about today, but anxious to help Faolan get home safely. His demeanor
troubled her. He did not seem himself tonight.
wish to remind you how important it is that the news does reach Bridei. Bear in mind that, although we’ve been here two turnings of the moon, word has not yet been sent advising him that our escort was lost. And that his emissary was drowned,” she added hastily, unsure if that earlier lie counted for anything after what had come about today, but anxious to help Faolan get home safely. His demeanor
troubled her. He did not seem himself tonight.
“We’ll see your pet Gael safely off the premises, don’t worry,” Alpin said. “We’ve reason enough to want him gone. Of course, it may not be for long.”
The atmosphere changed subtly; there was a chill in the room.
“What do you mean, my lord?” Ana asked.
Alpin seemed to be savoring in advance what was to come; he had that air again, the gathered
tension of a wildcat about to pounce. “I could tell you,” he said. “But I think we’ll get the bard to do that himself. You’ve been solicitous of his welfare from the first. You may as well know from his own lips what a two-faced piece of scum you brought inside my walls. His account of himself will make a change from those sickly love songs he likes to entertain us with. Go on, bard! Tell her!”
tension of a wildcat about to pounce. “I could tell you,” he said. “But I think we’ll get the bard to do that himself. You’ve been solicitous of his welfare from the first. You may as well know from his own lips what a two-faced piece of scum you brought inside my walls. His account of himself will make a change from those sickly love songs he likes to entertain us with. Go on, bard! Tell her!”
“Faolan?” she asked. “What is this? What is he saying?”
“My lord—” Faolan turned to Alpin, protesting.
“Tell her!” Alpin barked.
Faolan cleared his throat.
“Come on!”
“I …” Faolan appeared to be unable to go on. He stared at the floor. The chamber fell silent; it was clear nobody was going to help him. A look passed between Alpin and his men-at-arms: a look that said quite plainly,
If that’s
what it takes, hit him.
If that’s
what it takes, hit him.
“Faolan,” Ana said, “please tell me, whatever it is. What does Lord Alpin mean, two-faced?” She had seen Faolan without defenses before, after the ford, but never quite like this. “Tell me,” she said again, fighting the growing fear.
He looked up then, and the eyes that met hers were as of old: cool, detached, as if nothing much mattered to him. She heard him take two
deep breaths before he spoke.
deep breaths before he spoke.
“Lord Alpin received information,” Faolan said. Another careful breath. “A man saw me at the court of Dunadd last spring. What he saw led him to believe I’m in the pay of both Bridei of Fortriu and Gabhran of Dalriada.”
Ana sat mute, waiting for more. A lie; this had to be one of Alpin’s tricks.
“The deduction was that I work for Bridei only to the extent it suits
me,” Faolan said levelly. “Being of Gaelic origins myself, I must, of course, owe some allegiance to Dalriada: to my own kind. Nonetheless, Lord Alpin is generously allowing me to return to White Hill with an account of our journey and its successful conclusion.” He glanced at Alpin. “Is this what you wished me to tell, my lord?”
me,” Faolan said levelly. “Being of Gaelic origins myself, I must, of course, owe some allegiance to Dalriada: to my own kind. Nonetheless, Lord Alpin is generously allowing me to return to White Hill with an account of our journey and its successful conclusion.” He glanced at Alpin. “Is this what you wished me to tell, my lord?”
“It isn’t true.” Ana was shaking with anger. “This must be a mistake!”
Faolan, who had been Bridei’s right-hand man, his trusted bodyguard and sounding board these five years—Faolan, a Dalriadan spy? It was nonsense. She knew he had been at Dunadd; where else could he have gathered the information that had brought her to Briar Wood? But Faolan in the pay of Gabhran—that was impossible, and it offended her to hear it. “I cannot believe it, my lord,” she said to
Alpin, who had an amused smirk on his face. “Just because Faolan is of Gaelic origins, there is no need to leap to conclusions—”
Faolan, who had been Bridei’s right-hand man, his trusted bodyguard and sounding board these five years—Faolan, a Dalriadan spy? It was nonsense. She knew he had been at Dunadd; where else could he have gathered the information that had brought her to Briar Wood? But Faolan in the pay of Gabhran—that was impossible, and it offended her to hear it. “I cannot believe it, my lord,” she said to
Alpin, who had an amused smirk on his face. “Just because Faolan is of Gaelic origins, there is no need to leap to conclusions—”
“It’s true, Ana.” Faolan’s tone was flat.
“What?” she whispered.
“What I said is true. I’ve been working for Gabhran since before I came to the court of Fortriu. I carry information both ways.” He looked her straight in the eye. She could have sworn he was telling
the truth. “It pays well.”
the truth. “It pays well.”
Ana struggled to find her voice. “It can’t be—Bridei—Bridei trusted you—I don’t understand …” In her mind were the things Faolan had said, at White Hill and on the terrible journey; his strength, his reluctant kindness, his capable handling of crisis after crisis. The way he spoke to Bridei and watched so tirelessly over both him and Tuala; his wretchedness at the ford,
believing he had failed in his mission. This must be an act, part of some strategic plan on Faolan’s part, requiring him to lie thus for Alpin’s ears. Or … “Faolan,” she made herself ask, for all Alpin’s intimidating stare, “have you been beaten into saying this? Has this false confession been wrung from you by force?”
believing he had failed in his mission. This must be an act, part of some strategic plan on Faolan’s part, requiring him to lie thus for Alpin’s ears. Or … “Faolan,” she made herself ask, for all Alpin’s intimidating stare, “have you been beaten into saying this? Has this false confession been wrung from you by force?”
“Would I indulge in such treatment of a guest in my home?” asked Alpin lightly.
“After all those ballads? The information was freely given after the Gael knew he was cornered.”
“After all those ballads? The information was freely given after the Gael knew he was cornered.”
Ana’s jaw still ached from his blow; she could still see his fist squeezing, squeezing the last scrap of life from the tiny captive. “I don’t believe you,” she said, her heart hammering with fear.
“No?” Alpin did not seem perturbed. “Then it’s just as well we have a witness. Berguist, please confirm
for the lady that this fellow’s account of himself is accurate.”
for the lady that this fellow’s account of himself is accurate.”
The druid was looking most uncomfortable. He had, after all, come to Briar Wood only to do a little scribing and call down the gods’ blessing on a marriage. “My lady,” he said quietly, “I regret to inform you that the Gael confessed to this quite readily once the informant’s tale was out in the open. Faolan here was not under duress.
Although one cannot condone his past actions, it is to his credit that, at the end, he chose to tell the truth.”
Although one cannot condone his past actions, it is to his credit that, at the end, he chose to tell the truth.”
“That will be all,” Alpin said crisply, and Faolan inclined his head without so much as a glance at Ana then, flanked by the men-at-arms, turned and left the room. “What a shame,” Alpin went on, reaching for the mead jug. “Such a fine harpist, too. Once the word gets around, I imagine
he’ll find it difficult to secure any kind of patronage.”
he’ll find it difficult to secure any kind of patronage.”
“Excuse me.” Ana was not sure if her legs would carry her as far as the door. “I will retire now. Tomorrow is a busy day.”
Alpin rose courteously to his feet. “Good night, my dear. You need your beauty sleep, of course. Will you require assistance undressing?” He curled his hand around the back of her neck and kissed her on the cheek,
a lingering pressure of the lips. Ana recoiled; every part of her seemed to freeze.
a lingering pressure of the lips. Ana recoiled; every part of her seemed to freeze.
“Not a personal offer, much as I’d like that.” His tone had lost its affable quality. “But as your maid is indisposed, another servant, perhaps?”
“No, thank you.” Chin up … back straight … It had never been more difficult to remember who she was. She wanted to scream, to run, to hide, to be anywhere but here.
“I wish you all good night. May the Shining One give you fair dreams.”
“I wish you all good night. May the Shining One give you fair dreams.”
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