David Gemmell – Rigante 4 – Stormrider

‘He’s not here,’ said Chara.

‘Maev Ring then.’

‘She’s not here either.’

‘Let’s go home,’ prompted Eain again. ‘We’re not welcome.’

‘Aye, you’re right,’ muttered Draig.

A small red-headed boy appeared in the doorway. Eain glanced at him. He was pulling on a white cap, with ear protectors. Once it was in place he ran across the snow to stand between Chara and Senlic.

‘You’d be Feargol, the boy who killed the bear,’ said Draig.

‘It killed my daddy,’ said Feargol.

‘Go inside now,’ Chara told the child. ‘This is no place for you at the moment. These two men are leaving.’

They only just came,’ said Feargol. Chara didn’t answer, but she moved the pistol to her side.

Draig stared hard at Senlic Carpenter. ‘It was once said you had the Sight, Carpenter. I see that’s no longer true.’ He glanced around at the farm buildings. ‘Not many men here. I hope they’re not gone long.’

Chara once more raised the pistol. Draig looked at her. Eain tugged at his brother’s sleeve. There was no doubting her willingness to shoot. ‘I also hope,’ said Draig, ‘that you are as good with that pistol as you claim. Chances are you’ll need to be.’

‘You should ask them if they want to rest,’ said Feargol. ‘You should give them something warm to drink.’

‘Be quiet, boy!’ snapped Senlic. ‘Highland hospitality does not extend to rogues and thieves.’

‘Would you like a biscuit?’ asked Feargol, stepping forward, and pulling a crumbling oatcake from the pocket of his coat. He ran to the gate and pushed his hand through the gap in the slats. Draig dropped to one knee and took the offering. Then, with a sigh, he rose.

‘Don’t say anything!’ urged Eain. ‘We’re not going to get involved!’

‘The boy is in danger,’ said Draig. ‘That’s why we came. That’s why we walked twenty miles.’

‘Eighteen miles,’ said Eain.

‘Whatever!’ snapped Draig, casting a murderous glance at his brother. He looked back at Senlic. ‘If you had the Sight you’d know I was telling you the truth.’

Senlic stepped forward and met Draig’s gaze. ‘I don’t have it any more, Cochland. But the boy does.’ He looked down at Feargol. ‘You think these are bad men?’ he asked.

‘I think we should give them something hot to drink,’ said Feargol. ‘My daddy always did when people came to us from the cold.’

Chara Ring walked to the gate. ‘Are you armed?’ she asked.

‘Aye,’ said Draig, opening his long bearskin coat and showing her the butts of the two pistols in his belt. Eain saw the concern on her face.

‘Walk ahead of me to the house,’ she told Draig. ‘I’ll not have it said I turned away any man in this weather – not even a Cochland.’

Eain wanted to tell her what to do with her damned hospitality, but the cold was really beginning to get to him now and he longed to sit down in the warmth. He followed Draig into the house, and shivered with pleasure as the heat from the fire touched his skin.

Draig sat down at the table and munched on the oatcake the boy had given him. Chara whispered something to Senlic, who went and stood by the far wall, his pistol now in his hand. Feargol clambered up on the bench seat alongside Draig and stared at him. ‘Who is the man with the little beard, shaped like an arrow?’ the boy asked.

‘I see the boy does have the Sight,’ Draig said to Senlic.

‘He is coming here,’ said Feargol.

‘I know,’ Draig told him. ‘He’s not close now, though, is he?’ he added, suddenly nervous.

‘I don’t think so.’

Chara gave Draig a mug of warm tisane, then poured another for Eain. As Eain took it from her their hands touched. He felt himself blushing and looked away without thanking her.

‘Now what is this danger you spoke of?’ asked Chara.

‘Maybe the boy should go upstairs,’ said Draig.

‘He is fine where he is.’

‘I wouldn’t want to frighten him.’

‘Just say what you have to say,’ Chara told him.

‘Very well. A man – a Varlish man – came to me and asked me if I wanted to earn ten pounds. He said that his lord wanted two people dead.’

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