This time she did not smile. ‘I rule in Seven Willows, but the Lord Fiallach is my most trusted counsellor. And let me warn you that it is not good sense to anger him.’
‘It is not my intention to anger anyone. Merely to offer good advice and instruction. Whether the advice is heeded or ignored is a matter for you – and your counsellors. However it turns out, I will make a report to my lord and return to my home.’
‘How long will you need?’ she asked.
‘Three or four days to make the initial report. After that … I do not know, my lady. It will depend on whether my advice is heeded.’
‘Four days it is then,’ she said. ‘Farrar will show you to your lodgings.’ She gestured at the ape-armed warrior who had met them. He rose from the table and led them out into the open, across the now empty market site, and on to a small, crudely built round house. The timbers had dried out and warped, leaving gaping holes, and the thatched roof was in disrepair. Two cot beds had been placed inside. Both were rickety and badly constructed. Connavar stepped inside and a rat scurried across his foot.
‘Enjoy your visit with us,’ said Farrar, with a sour grin.
‘Just being in your sunlit presence is enough for me,’ Parax told him. The man reddened.
‘Is your servant mocking me?’ he asked Connavar.
‘I suppose he must be,’ replied Conn, coldly. ‘Given the choice between your company and the vermin that already occupy this ruin, I’ll take the rats. Now get out of my sight.’
Farrar’s jaw dropped. ‘I’ll take no insults from—’
Conn grabbed the man by the front of his tunic and hauled him in close. ‘Understand this, you discourteous dog-turd. You have neither the wit, the strength nor the power to offend me. Now if you want to challenge me, do so. I will take no pleasure in killing you, but I will do it, if you force me.’
Releasing the frightened man he pushed him from the hut, then turned to Parax. ‘We will sleep in the open,’ he said, his voice cold and angry.
‘You do have a way with you, lad,’ said Parax, with a smile. ‘I’ve never known a man so adept at making friends. You should teach me some time.’ Conn’s anger evaporated, and he smiled. ‘Anyway,’ continued Parax, ‘we can make this place habitable.’ The blankets within the hut were lice ridden, and Conn left them where they were. He and Parax walked out into the settlement where Conn purchased new blankets, a broom, several wooden plates, a copper pan, a hank of bacon, a small sack of oats, and some salt. Returning to the hut, the two men dragged the two rotten beds out into the open, throwing the lice-infested blankets over them. Parax swept out the rotted straw that covered the floor, and prepared a fire.
Conn moved outside and stood before the pile of furniture. He saw Tae stroll from the Long Hall and cross the open ground. She looked at the pile.
‘I am sorry,’ she said. ‘This is awful. But my mother was angry that Father should send someone to crack the whip over us, and Fiallach has not forgotten that you shamed him.’
‘I hope you will not get into trouble for speaking to us,’ he said, stiffly.
‘It doesn’t matter. Would you like me to show you around the country tomorrow?’
‘I would like that very much.’
She smiled at him. ‘It would be nice if you were to tell me you accepted the Laird’s commission because you wanted to see me again.’
‘I can tell you that – because it is true. You have been in my mind ever since the Fire Night.’
‘I have thought of you too,’ she said, then turned away and ran back to the hall.
Parax emerged from the hut. ‘Sweet girl,’ he said. ‘She’ll make that Fiallach a fine wife.’
Conn felt his hackles rise, then saw Parax grinning at him. ‘You see too much,’ he said.
‘I’m not the only one.’ Parax inclined his head towards the hall, where Fiallach was standing in the doorway, staring at them. ‘You watch him carefully, boy,’ said Parax. ‘He’s a killer.’