The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance Part 7

"With respect, my lord, I have little to my name and nothing I would choose to lose." Padraig kept his arm around Rosamunde, noting how the King's gaze flicked between the two of them.

"Should his devotion falter," Finvarra said to Rosamunde, "you are always welcome at my court."

"I thank you, my lord, and thank you also for your hospitality," Rosamunde said with a bow.

"You and your fellows will always find welcome at our home," Padraig added with a bow of his own.

Finvarra smiled, his gaze trailing to his wife, who remained upon her steed and at a distance. "It is no crime to covet a beauteous gem," he said softly, "but a rare triumph to possess one. I salute you, Padraig. May your love never be tarnished."

With that Finvarra turned and led the prancing horse back to the company. Padraig felt the chill of the night air on his wet skin as he stood with Rosamunde fast at his side, but he could not tear his gaze away from the departing company. He doubted he would ever see them again. They rode forth, pa.s.sing over the hills like a vision, leaving only the echo of their silvery laughter behind.

And Rosamunde.

"Thank you," she said, smiling up at him.

"You are welcome. I am glad to see you hale again." Padraig stared down at her, knowing his desire but afraid to speak of it too soon.

Rosamunde, as was typical of her, showed no such restraint. She twined her arms around his neck, sliding her fingers into his hair. "I am sorry, Padraig, that I erred so badly. I love you. I think I have always loved you, but I wish I had seen the truth of it sooner."

Padraig bent to touch his lips to hers, his heart swelling that his dream should be his own. "I know that I have always loved you," he murmured against her mouth.

Rosamunde laughed. "Then I shall have to spend the rest of our lives atoning for my error."

"I do not think it will be so onerous."

"Nor do I!"

Padraig laughed at the prospect, then he sobered. Rosamunde's eyes were the richest green, filled with a conviction that stole his breath away. "Marry me, Rosamunde. Marry me and seal our bond for all to see. I have little to offer you but myself."

"Your s.h.i.+p."

"Your s.h.i.+p, and the contents yours as well. I have only myself."

"And it is more than enough. I will wed you, Padraig Deane, and I will honour your love every day and night of my life."

It was everything he had ever wanted, and yet more.

Rosamunde's kiss sent a welcome heat through Padraig, a heat that her presence would never fail to kindle. Padraig knew that whatever he had suffered had been worthwhile, for he had gained his heart's desire.

When he lifted his head, her eyes were sparkling and her cheeks were flushed. She glanced about herself and s.h.i.+vered. "Tell me, though, that we can sail to warmer climes."

"I thought Sicily," Padraig said, smiling as pleasure lit her expression. "With the morning tide. All is prepared."

Rosamunde laughed. "A man of confidence, and one in pursuit of my own heart."

"I thought I possessed that prize already," he teased, loving the sound of her answering laughter.

"You do, you do." Then Rosamunde raised a hand to his cheek, as solemn as he had ever seen her. Her voice dropped to a fervent whisper. "Oh, Padraig, never doubt that I am yours." A tear glistened in her eye, a tear that he knew was rare for this bold woman. "I may have been late to see the truth, but I shall never forget it now."

"I shall never let you forget it," he retorted then winked. Rosamunde smiled and he swung her into his arms then strode from the lake. He had an idea of how they might warm themselves before the walk back to town.

One glance at his lady told him that their thoughts were as one. Yet again, they would challenge convention. Yet again they would follow their hearts. But from this day forth, they would do so together.

It was as close to heaven as Padraig Deane ever expected to be.

Padraig gained his lady's heart, She vowed they'd never be apart.

Rosamunde was a pirate queen With hair red gold and eyes of green.

Her lover true did hold her fast, Showed all the fey his love would last.

They ne'er forgot those of Faerie, And lived out their days most happily.

Oracle.

Margo Maguire.

One.

The Isle of Coruain 938 AD.

Ana Mac Lochlainn came awake suddenly, her heart pounding, her mouth dry. She felt confused by the sights and sounds of destruction that were so real, so horrifying.

She opened her eyes and had trouble discerning her surroundings. At length, her vision cleared, and she saw that she was still in the Oracle's cave, sitting comfortably on the Seer's divan where she'd lain no more than a quarter-hour before.

"What is it, la.s.s?" asked the maistreas, the prime Oracle, the Seer to whom Ana would soon make her Oracle's vows. She had felt ready to make the commitment to hold her virginity sacred, and keep a vigilant watch over her people, the magical Druzai for weeks, but the maistreas had said it was not yet time.

"The vision . . ." said Ana. "It was more vivid than any I've ever had."

The old Oracle nodded. "I've had inklings of it, myself. What did you see?"

"The people," she looked up at the old woman, "Our Druids, a king . . ." She shook her head in confusion. She was drawn to this king, to this human whose rugged features were more compelling than that of any Druzai she'd ever met. "They are under attack."

The old Oracle frowned. "By what? Could you see?"

Ana swallowed. "Not enough." But what she had seen was horrifying. Dark, malicious creatures little demon ollpheists near Lough Gur, creating discord and aggression among the clans of southern Ireland. The maistreas would never believe it, for the Druzai chieftain had banished those destructive beings from the Tuath lands ages ago. And yet there had clearly been ollpheists in Ana's vision.

And they were being directed by some stronger power.

"I must go." She started for the entrance of the Oracle's cave, but the maistreas reached for her arm, restraining her.

"'Tis too dangerous, my lady. There is much that a Druzai princess can do from the safety of our sh.o.r.es. Besides, you know very well 'tis forbidden for Druzai to intrude upon the Tuath."

"No. The vision . . . I am part of it." She touched a hand to her head. She did not know what would be required of her, but she'd never felt so strongly about any of her visions. The King Rohrke o Scannlain compelled her in a way that was entirely unfamiliar. Her heart clenched in her chest at the thought of his peril. "I must go."

The Oracle frowned fiercely. "'Tis against Druzai law. We removed ourselves from Tuath centuries ago, when-"

"Aye. I know our history. Druzai magic makes it far too tempting for one of us to try to enslave the Tuath, in spite of all the protections we've taught the Druids."

"They are merely wise men, my lady."

True, yet some were more than merely wise. Druzai had mingled with Tuath, giving some humans magical abilities.

Ana had to go to Ireland, to Ballygur near the sacred Lough Gur. She had to do what she could to find and destroy the creature that guided the vicious ollpheists.

And yet she knew that her cousins, the Druzai high chieftain and his brother, would object to her intervening in earthly affairs which made it imperative that she act quickly and quietly before Merrick and Brogan learned what she was up to. They would forbid her to leave their enchanted isle, perhaps thinking they could manage the disastrous happenings in Ireland themselves.

But Ana had seen the visions. She knew it was her destiny to go.

"But your vows, my lady," said the Oracle.

Ana pulled on her cloak and started for the entrance of the Oracle's cave. "My commitment will have to wait, Maistreas. There is trouble in the earthly lands."

Two.

Lough Gur, Ireland 322 AD.

Rohrke o Scannlain paced through the tall gra.s.s near Lough Gur where the standing stones would draw everyone in the kingdom on the morrow for the summer solstice festivities. It would be the perfect opportunity for Teague o Fionn's men to execute their attack.

The situation was grave. Rohrke did not know if he could risk offending aine, the sun G.o.ddess, by suspending her midsummer celebration. There was more than a fair chance that the Scannlain crops would fail, and the cattle would be barren in the coming season. And yet he could not allow the festival to go forward, not with Teague threatening their borders.

Rohrke needed a powerful ally. And he would have one as soon as he wed the daughter of King Maitias Mac Murchada.

He should never have hesitated with the marriage. Slaine Mac Murchada was a comely la.s.s in possession of a generous dowry, and Rohrke should have wed her the day Maitias made his offer.

And yet naught burned between them when their eyes met. No shock of awareness sizzled through Rohrke when he looked upon Slaine's lithe form. She would never be the woman of his heart. Not that such a thing was crucial in a royal marriage. But he'd hoped to wed a woman he could look upon as something other than a sister.

Rohrke's Druid, Sedric, had advised him to marry Slaine anyway. Her father's alliance was far too important to cast aside such an offer.

Rohrke scratched the back of his neck. His clan had ruled this fine corner of Ireland for centuries, and there was no better land to be found in all the country. 'Twas no wonder Teague wanted it. But he would never have it.

Teague o Fionn's aggression was entirely unforeseen. Only a year ago, Rohrke had allied with him against the King of Uisnech, together defeating him soundly. Rohrke did not know what had happened to ruin their friends.h.i.+p. This antagonism of Teague's felt very strange. He could think of no reason for it.

Rohrke felt the air cooling, and saw that aine had nearly made her journey across the sky, and would soon lie down to sleep in the west. In the meantime, a mist formed over the gra.s.s and tall shadows fell on the land, turning Rohrke towards home the village of Ballygur.

The wind arose suddenly, and he felt the chill of night skittering down the back of his neck. A moment later, a wizened old woman touched his sleeve, causing him to jump.

"What are you about, crone?" he barked.

"Lost my way," she croaked.

Rohrke jabbed his fingers through his hair. His agitation did no one any good. He needed to get back to the village and begin preparations for war. "Where are you going?" he asked the old woman.

"To Clynabroga."

She lost her footing, and when he took her arm to steady her, he felt an odd sensation rush through his hand and up his arm. He released her abruptly. No doubt 'twas merely due to his nerves over Teague. "Ach, woman. Clynabroga is a fair day's walk." He looked at her bent body. "Two, maybe three days for the likes o' you."

"Which direction?" she asked, as though he would allow an old woman to begin such a long walk at that hour. Alone.

"You'll come with me." He turned to glance north-east, in the direction of Clynabroga. "I'll find someone to take you there on the morrow."

But when he looked back to her, she was gone. He searched in every direction, but she'd disappeared in the mist. Rohrke muttered a small curse and took to the trail back to Ballygur. There was naught he could do about the woman now, but he hoped no one would find her corpse on the morrow. Not only would it bother his conscience for the rest of his life, it would be the worst omen possible. He needed only favourable portents as he embarked on war with Teague o Fionn.

"Ah! There you are," said Geileis Riaghan, approaching him on the footpath. She was a dark-haired, dark-eyed beauty who'd appeared with her servant, Peadar, in Ballygur a few weeks before. Rohrke wondered about her, but every time he started to ask questions about who she was and from whence she'd come, he lost track of his thoughts. But not this time. He was determined to keep his wits about him as they talked.

She took his arm and walked beside him. He felt potent and mighty when she stood alongside him, and he knew anything was possible. "Did you see an old woman walking this way?"

"Old woman?" Geileis laughed. "Who would be out at this time of night? Surely aine does not walk these hills at twilight."

Rohrke masked his surprise. The thought of aine had not come to him, but in times of old, the G.o.ddess had been known to show herself as an old woman at Lough Gur or Cnoc aine. He hoped the crone was not the deity he would have to bed in order to become Munster's legitimate high king.

"Teague's men are gathering beyond the lake," said Geileis, and Rohrke forgot about the old lady.

"How do you know?"

"Peadar saw them when he went out to hunt."

Then war was truly imminent. His men must commence sharpening their spears and arrows right away, and he needed to order everyone to stay inside Ballygur's walls. aine would just have to understand the unusual circ.u.mstances this year.

He considered the terrain near the lake as they walked, and thought about battle plans. He wondered what Teague's strategy would be. How many men on horseback would he muster? How many swords and spears? His anger grew with every step, and he hoped for nothing more than to spit Teague on his own spear. He was so preoccupied with his fury that he barely heard Geileis' low chatter beside him.

When they reached the walls of Ballygur, it was almost full dark, and Rohrke could smell the hearth fires that burned in every house. Sedric drew him away from Geileis, and the anger that had burned inside him during the walk home seemed to recede gradually, as did his hazy thoughts.

Something was very odd, but Rohrke could not quite place what it was. He narrowed his eyes as Geileis' henchman came, took her arm and strode away with her, glancing back at him with a vacant grin. He knew little of the woman and her servant but when they were together, he never had the wherewithal to question her.

She was beautiful, with hair and eyes as black as the bottom of a well. Her lashes were as dark as soot, and her skin s.h.i.+mmered like alabaster. But she did not stir him, which was just as well, for Slaine Mac Murchada was meant to be his wife.

"My lord, we must talk," said the Druid.

"Not now, Sedric," Rohrke walked towards his stone fortress. "There is much to be done."

"Aye, but we must try to understand what has happened and what Teague hopes to accomplish."