‘Maybe so,’ the old man agreed. ‘But they haven’t been attacked in ten years. So they must be doing something right. Can we ride down? The wind is too chilly up here and my ears are freezing.’
Conn grinned at him and heeled his pony down the trail. ‘You’re getting old,’ he called back.
”Getting old? I was old when you were born, whippersnapper! Now I’m ancient, and should be treated with more respect.’
The sun was high and hot as they reached the valley floor and Parax removed his pale green cloak, rolled it and hooked it to the wooden cross-pieces of his saddle. As they rode on they passed farmers gathering their crops. Several children stopped their work to stare at the riders. Conn waved to them, but they didn’t wave back.
At the open gates of the town there were no guards and the two men rode into Seven Willows, heading for the main hall, no more than a hundred paces from the eastern gate.
‘Usually the ruler’s home is closer to the centre of a settlement,’ said Conn.
‘Aye, but this place has grown over the years,’ said Parax. ‘See there, the remains of the old stockade wall by yon stream? As the settlement grew they tore down the old western wall and extended the stockade.’
Conn grinned at him. ‘You don’t miss much, do you?’
They dismounted in a paddock alongside the hall, unsaddled their ponies, and turned them loose.
A young warrior strode out to greet them. He was not tall, but his shoulders were wide, his heavily muscled arms a little too long for his body. ‘You’ll be Connavar,’ he said. ‘The Lord Fiallach is expecting you.’
‘You mean, surely, the Lady Llysona?’
‘Whatever,’ replied the man, tersely. ‘Follow me.’
‘Friendly welcome,’ whispered Parax. Conn shrugged and moved after the warrior. The hall was well lit, the shutters of the high upper windows opened wide, sunlight streaming through. The Lady Llysona was sitting at the head of a horseshoe-shaped table. To her right sat the giant warrior Fiallach. The beautiful Tae was at her left. Some twenty nobleman filled the other seats.
‘Welcome, Connavar,’ said the Lady Llysona. Dressed in a gown of green satin she was a handsome woman. Her red and silver hair was braided with golden wire, and she wore a thick golden torque around her slender throat. In her early forties now, she had once been a great beauty, and was still breathtaking. Connavar bowed.
‘Thank you, Lady. It is good to be here. I bring greetings from the Long Laird, and his hopes that you are well. He has asked me to offer my advice in the matter of defence against raids from the sea.’
‘We don’t need your advice,’ said Fiallach.
Conn ignored him. ‘My lady, I am recently returned from a war across the water, where I saw many towns under siege. Seven Willows is poorly placed to resist an attack. But I will make a better report to you once I have scouted the surrounding countryside.’
‘It is kind of you to take the time to come to us,’ said Llysona. ‘But the Lord Fiallach is a noted warrior, and he is responsible for the defence of Seven Willows. I have the utmost confidence in him. Therefore you may return to Old Oaks.’
Connavar bowed again. ‘I am sure that confidence is well placed, Lady. However, the Long Laird, my lord and master and the lord and owner of this land, has ordered me to oversee the situation. Do you wish me to return to him with the news that his orders are no longer to be obeyed in Seven Willows?’
She gave a thin smile. ‘No man should be encouraged to disobey the orders of his betters. What I am saying is that the Laird need have no worries concerning our well-being. Perhaps you should convey that to him.’
‘I will pass on your words, my lady. As soon as I have completed my mission.’
‘Are you deaf, or merely stupid,’ stormed Fiallach. ‘You are not wanted here. Do you understand that?’
Conn’s eyes never left the face of the Lady Llysona, and when he spoke again his voice was calm and even. ‘Back in Three Streams, my lady, a barking dog is never allowed at table. It disturbs the guests. However, if you tell me the Lord Fiallach now rules in Seven Willows I will address all comments to him.’