When he reached the entrance leading to the Great Chamber, he saw the Lady Taryn descending the stairs. She was dressed in a green silk gown, with jewelled rings upon her hands and a silver torque at her throat. A veil covered her hair and shielded most of her scars from view.
When she saw him, she stopped at the foot of the stairs and waited. Killian knew she expected him to approach, but he stopped where he was and watched her. Her eyes were a frosty blue as she regarded him.
One of the wolfhounds moved forward and began sniffing at her skirts. Taryn paled and moved backwards up the stairs, trying to get away.
He was convinced that her scars had been the result of an animal attack. With a whistle, he called back the wolfhounds and ordered them to go.
‘The dogs won’t harm you,’ he said, standing at the foot of the stairs.
She nodded but appeared unconvinced. ‘I wanted to speak to you before I meet with the chieftain.’ Keeping her eye on the retreating wolfhounds, she remained in place and asked, ‘What have you decided? Am I to travel with Lady Carice, or should I seek help elsewhere?’
He ought to let her go, for this wasn’t his fight. There were other ways to help his sister escape, even if Taryn did reveal the truth to the High King’s men.
‘You are waging a battle you cannot win,’ he told her. The moment she set foot within the High King’s holdings, she risked her own safety. If she freed her father and was caught, King Rory would hold her responsible. If she didn’t, she would watch him die. And no matter whom she hired to do her bidding, she would face the consequences from the High King.
‘He is my father,’ she said quietly. ‘If your sister were imprisoned, you would do the same for her.’
Her blue eyes stared into his with finality. She did understand the risks, then. But it didn’t seem that she cared.
‘Go with my sister,’ he said at last. ‘And we will talk later about your father.’ He would make no promises beyond that.
In her expression, he saw the relief. ‘Thank you. If you have need of my guard, Pól, he is loyal to me and can be trusted.’
Her offer was a welcome one, for he needed to ensure that the MacEgans were aware of the change in plans. He had intended to travel to Laochre on his own to seek help, though he hadn’t wanted to leave Carice behind at the hands of these soldiers. Now there was an alternative.
If her guard alerted the MacEgans, Killian could keep a close watch over Carice. ‘We will send your man to Laochre this morning,’ he said. ‘I will see to it that he has a horse. But when you dine with Brian, you must convince him to let me accompany you,’ he said. The chieftain didn’t want him anywhere near Carice, and it would be difficult to gain his permission. ‘And you cannot let the King’s men know who you are.’
‘Leave that to me,’ she agreed. ‘Give Pól your message, and I will handle Brian Faoilin and the others.’ There was such confidence in her voice, he could almost believe her.
She paused. ‘And if you decide to help my father, know that I will grant anything you desire. His life is worth whatever price I must pay.’
The urge to accept her challenge was tempting. But he could not let the desire for land cloud his judgement.
‘If I did try to free him, what makes you believe I will succeed?’ he prompted. ‘Both of us could die in the attempt.’ He wanted her to fully understand how difficult this task was.
‘I have seen you fight.’ She raised her chin and added, ‘And you are not a man who gives up. The only question is whether you are willing to risk your life for the reward I am offering.’
* * *
After Taryn’s guard departed with detailed instructions about who to speak with at Laochre Castle, Killian slipped inside the donjon, heading for the spiral stairs. He wanted to see Carice this morn, to determine if she was well enough for the journey.
He crossed through the back of the Great Chamber and saw Taryn breaking her fast with the chieftain. Her eyes narrowed upon him, and she gave him a nod before she bent to Brian and spoke again. It was clear that she was talking about him, for her gaze passed over him once more. The distaste on Brian’s face was evident, but he motioned for Seorse to come forward.
Killian didn’t doubt that they were going to throw him out again, so he began walking up the staircase. But before he could reach the upper floor leading to his sister’s chamber, Seorse called out to him, ‘Killian, wait.’
Though he suspected he wouldn’t like hearing this, he paused until his friend reached the top of the stairs. Seorse tossed over a scrap of bread and said, ‘He wants to speak to you.’
There was no question that ‘he’ meant the chieftain. Killian wondered whether Taryn had succeeded in convincing Brian to allow him to come along with them. He tore off a piece of bread and ate it. ‘What does he want?’
Seorse shrugged. ‘I can’t be saying. But whatever the reason, you’d best go now.’
With reluctance, Killian returned down the stairway, finishing the remainder of the bread. No one paid him any heed as he approached the dais, feeling uneasy about the audience. Had Lady Taryn reached an agreement with the chieftain?
He crossed past the rows of tables, well aware of all the eyes upon him. Several of the men glared at him, particularly those with bruises and swollen jaws from the fight last night. The High King’s men were not among them, and he guessed they were preparing for the journey.
When Killian stood before Brian, the chieftain turned back to Taryn. ‘You are certain he is the fuidir you want to accompany you?’
‘I am. I have seen that he is a strong fighter, one who would serve well for my needs. I have need of a protector.’
They spoke of Killian as if he weren’t there, as if he were a slave to be bought and sold. A hardness tightened in Killian’s chest when Brian faced him at last. ‘You will join us on this journey to Tara, to guard the Lady Taryn and obey her bidding. I have agreed to her request, and you will follow the wagons on foot.’
Not once did the man ask if Killian was willing—the assumption of obedience was unquestionable. But there was a knowing look in Brian’s eyes, making Killian wonder why the man had agreed to this. Perhaps the chieftain was waiting for Killian to lose his temper, to lash out and refuse the command. And the moment he did, it would give the chieftain a strong reason to throw him out.
Instead, Killian bowed and walked away. Let Brian wonder why he’d obeyed.
He passed his friend Seorse, who followed him down the stairs and outside. ‘What did the chieftain want with you?’
‘I am to guard the Lady Taryn and do whatever she commands.’ He kept his tone even, though he didn’t like the insinuation that he was to obey her bidding.
Seorse only smirked. ‘I wouldn’t mind letting a lady order me around. She might want you to help her bathe or—’
‘No.’ Killian cut the man off and took a step forward. ‘She is helping me to guard Carice while she travels to Tara.’
‘Is she?’ Seorse teased. ‘Or does she want you to guard her at night? In her tent, perhaps?’
He swung his fist at Seorse, but the man ducked out of the way. ‘Peace, Killian. I’ll take you to the armoury, where you can get weapons.’ He motioned for him to follow him. ‘If you’re obeying the chieftain’s commands, there is no reason why you shouldn’t have every means of guarding the Lady.’
He ignored the dig, realising that this was a benefit