‘I’ll tell him. I’ll wait behind with the women and the bairns,’ he snapped, trying to control his anger. His heart began to pound painfully. Vorna laid a slender hand on his chest, and he felt calmer.
‘You have power again,’ he whispered.
‘Aye. Not enough to heal you, though. You remember your own geasa?’
‘Of course. It was always a grand nonsense. I think the witch must have been drunk. Be not the king’s shield. It had no meaning then; it has none now.’
‘There is always meaning, Ru. A witch sees a vision – a picture, if you will. Then she puts it into words. You have held to the word king, but it could mean ruler, thane or laird. Connavar rules the Rigante. Tell me, does Meria know your geasa
‘No. She knows Conn’s. But since Varaconn’s death she has avoided all talk of prophecies. They frighten her.’
Vorna sighed. ‘Find a way to tell her, Ru, if you can. But whatever you choose, when you ride to Old Oaks, think of Meria and your sons. They love you. To lose you would break their hearts. My little Banouin worships you. Think on these things. Think on them hard. Do not let pride rob you of your last years. There are too few good men in the world, Ruathain. Stay with us a while longer.’
He had been touched by her words. ‘I will not fight in that battle, Vorna. I’ll tell Conn.’
But he had not. Conn had enough on his mind without worrying about his stepfather’s health. Instead he had leapt at the chance to organize the rearguard, and to send reinforcements to the battlefield.
He heard the door open. Meria ran in. ‘What is wrong, lass?’ he asked her, taking her in his arms and hugging her close.
She told him of the hound, and the broken geasa.
‘You say the dog fastened to his wrist guard?’ he queried.
‘Yes.’
‘Did it pierce his skin?’
‘No.’
‘Then it was no bite. The geasa still stands.’
She pulled away from him. ‘You told Varaconn that it was his horse that killed the raven. You told him he had not broken his geasa. But he died. Oh Ru, my son mustn’t die too. I couldn’t bear it.’ He turned away from her.
‘I’ll speak to him,’ he said.
‘Speak? What do you mean speak? You have to keep him alive, Ru. Once you promised me you would bring my husband back to me. He died. This time must be different. You are the greatest warrior of the Rigante. All men know this. You must protect him, Ru. You must stand beside him. You will do this for me?’
He looked into her frightened eyes. ‘I was young when I made my first promise to you. I believed then that I was invincible, and that I could protect all those I loved. I am older now, and wiser.’
‘No!’ she shouted. ‘You can do this! No-one is mightier than you. You can bring my son back to me. Oh please, Ru, if you love me, then promise me you will be his shield?’
The words struck him with terrible force. His belly tightened, his breath catching in his throat. He looked into her terrified eyes, and longed to tell her what she had just asked of him. ‘I do love you, lass,’ he said. ‘More than life. Much more than life.’ He took a deep breath, then he smiled. ‘I promise,’ he said. The desperation faded from her. She sagged against him. ‘You are my rock,’ she told him. He stroked her back, and kissed her hair. ‘You must go to Conn,’ she said. ‘You must lift his spirits as you have lifted mine. I know all will be well now. I know it.’
‘Aye, all will be well,’ he said, softly. Then he dressed and walked through the hall to Conn’s apartments. His son was sitting at a curved table, nursing a cup of uisge. Conn glanced up.
‘She told you.’ It was not a question.
‘You think she wouldn’t,’ said Ruathain, with a grin. He sat down, took the uisge from Conn and drank deeply. ‘That is good,’ he said, relishing the taste. ‘How are you feeling?’