‘You would not advocate taking the women as slaves?’ asked Drada.
‘No. Use them by all means to satisfy the lusts of the warriors, but then kill them. Kill all the clans. Then the land is truly Aenir.’
That is fine as the object of the war. How would you go about invasion?’
‘I don’t know the terrain, and therefore could not supply answers to logistical problems,’ said Morgase.
‘Neither do I.’
‘And that is why you plan so carefully for your visit to their Games?’
‘You speak of logistical problems, Morgase. You have been involved in the planning of war?’
‘Are you surprised?’
He considered the question for a moment. ‘No, I am not.’
‘Good. We should be friends, Drada, for we have much in common.’
‘It would appear so, Lady.’
Tell me then, as a friend, what do you think of me.’
‘I think you are intelligent and beautiful.’
‘Don’t speak the obvious,’ she snapped. ‘Speak the truth.’
‘I do not know enough about you to form a stronger opinion. Before today I thought you were merely an attractive woman, bright enough, who had seduced my father. Now I must think again.’
‘Indeed you must. For I have plans of my own – great plans. And you can help me.’
‘How so?’
‘First the Aenir must take the Farlain. Then we will talk.’
‘Why is that so important? You have no dealings with the clans; they can mean nothing to you.’
‘But then, my dear Drada, you do not know all that I know. There is a prize within the Farlain beyond the understanding of lesser mortals: the gateway to empires beyond counting.’
‘How do you know this?’
‘It is enough that I know.’
‘What do you seek, Morgase?’
Her eyes glittered and she laughed, reaching out to stroke his bearded face. ‘I seek revenge, my handsome thinker. Simply that, for now.’
‘On whom?’
‘On a woman who murdered my father and ordered my mother raped. A woman who stole an empire that ought to have been mine -that would have been mine.’ Her reptilian eyes glittered as she spoke, and her tongue darted over her lips. Drada hid his distaste. ‘Will you be my friend, Drada? Will you aid me in my quest?”
‘I serve my father, Lady. But I will be your friend.’
‘I admire caution, Drada,’ she said, rising. Her fingers stroked the skin of his throat and he was amazed to find arousal once more stirring his blood. ‘I admire it – as long as it is accompanied by ambition. Are you ambitious?’
‘I am the son of Asbidag,’ he said softly.
As he watched her leave, the fear began. He had underestimated her. She was chilling, clever and utterly ruthless. Yet another viper in our basket, he thought.
Caswallon was gone for three days, returning just after dawn as Maeg administered to the infant, Donal. He stood silently in the doorway, listening to the gentle words she crooned as she cleaned and oiled him. Caswallon closed his eyes for a moment, his emotions rising and threatening to unman him. He cleared his throat. She turned, her hair falling across her face, then she swept it back and smiled.
He knelt beside her. The child reached for him, giggling. Caswallon lifted the boy and patted his back as his son’s small chubby arms tried to encircle his neck.
Caswallon returned Donal to his mother, who dressed him in a woollen undershirt and a light tunic, and they moved downstairs to the kitchen where Kareen was preparing breakfast. Leaving Donal with the girl, Caswallon took Maeg by the hand and they left the house to watch sunrise over Druin. Maeg said nothing as they walked, sensing the weight of sadness Caswallon carried.
They reached the crest of a hill and sat beneath a spreading oak. ‘I am so sorry, Maeg, my love,’ said Caswallon, taking her hand and kissing it.
Tor what? A man will give way to anger now and again.’
‘I know. But you are the one person in the world I’d never seek to hurt.’
‘Foolish man, do you think you can hurt me with a little broken crockery?”
“Why did you marry me?’ he asked suddenly.