“Why are men so foolish?” she countered.
‘No, I mean it. Why?’
She looked at him closely and then, seeing the sorrow in his green eyes, sensed the burden he was bearing. Reaching up, she stroked his beard and then curled her arm about his neck and pulled him down to kiss her.
‘No one can answer such a question. I didn’t like you when you approached me at the Games; I saw you as an arrogant Farlain raider. But after Maggrig sent you away I found myself thinking about you often. Then, when I awoke that day and found you in my room, I hated you. I wanted you slain. But as the days passed thoughts of you grew in my mind. And when you walked into the Long Hall on that winter’s night, your beard stiff with ice, I knew that I loved you. But now tell me why you risked your life to wed me.’
Gently he eased her from him, cupping her face in his hands. ‘Because before I saw you I had no life to lose,’ he said simply.
For a long time they sat beneath the tree, saying nothing, enjoying the warmth of the risen sun, until at last Maeg spoke. ‘Now tell me truly, Caswallon, what is troubling you?’
‘I cannot. I have given a promise. But I can say this: the old days are finished, and what we have here is perhaps the last golden summer of the Farlain. I know this, and the knowledge destroys me.’
“The Aenir?’ she asked.
‘And our own stupidity.’
‘No one lives for ever, Caswallon. A man, or a woman, may die at any time. That is why today is so important.’
‘I know.’
‘Yes, you do. But you’ve not lived it. Suppose you are right, and the Aenir destroy us next month, or next year. Suppose, further, that they kill us both …’
‘No! I’ll not even think of that!’
‘Think of it!’ she commanded, pulling away from him. “What difference all this heartache? For the Aenir are not here today. On this morning we have each other. We have Donal and Gaelen. We have peace, we have love. How often have you said that tomorrow’s problems can be dealt with tomorrow?’
‘But I could have changed it.’
‘And that is the real reason for your sorrow. You refused to be considered for Hunt Lord, and denied yourself a place on the Council. Now you suffer for it. But one man will not thwart a race like the Aenir. They are killers all. What do they seek? War and death. Conquest and bloodshed. They will pass, for they build nothing.’
‘I have made you angry,’ he said.
‘Yes, you have, for you have allowed fear to find a place in your heart. And there it has grown to fill you with defeat. And that is not what I expect from you, Caswallon of the Farlain.’
‘What do you expect?’ he asked, smiling.
‘I expect you to be a man always. You are angry because Cambil has allowed an Aenir company to attend the Games.’
‘Yes.’
‘Why?’
‘Because they will scout our lands and learn that which should have cost them blood.’
‘Then see they are escorted here. Surround them with Scouts.’
‘I cannot do that. The Council…’
‘A pox on the Council! You are one of the richest men in the three valleys. As such, you are a man of influence. There are others who agree with you: Leofas, for example. Find a hundred men to do your bidding. And one more thing. Kareen was walking on the east hills yesterday and she saw men running round the walls of Ateris. Others were practising with the bow and spear.’
‘So? The Aenir have Games of their own.’
“We’ve not seen such a practice before.’
“What are you suggesting?’
‘The Aenir are bringing twenty men. I think they will ask to be allowed to take part in the Games.’
‘For what purpose?’
To win.’
‘It would never be allowed.’
‘Cambil is Games Lord this year,’ she said.
‘It is unthinkable,’ he whispered. ‘But there could be many advantages. If they could prove themselves superior it would boost the morale of their warriors and, equally, diminish our own. And they would earn the right to travel the mountains.’