Rurik agreed, and they walked past the outbuildings through the gates. When they were a short distance away from the tribesmen, Alarr said, ‘Tell me why you are trying to avoid confronting Feann. You know what he did to our father.’
His half-brother paused a moment. ‘I asked myself why Feann would travel so far to plot the murder of Sigurd. Only a man trying to provoke a war would do something like that. Or someone who desired his own vengeance.’
‘It doesn’t matter why. It only matters that he and his men started the battle. I intend to finish it.’ Alarr stopped when they reached the outskirts of the forest.
‘My mother was from Éireann, Alarr. It was no coincidence that Feann’s men travelled across the sea. There is a connection between Saorla and Feann. I believe that.’
‘Possibly.’ He conceded that there could have been a reason. ‘But Saorla came to Maerr of her own free will. She bore children to Sigurd.’
‘Was she truly willing?’ Rurik questioned. ‘Or was she forced?’
He didn’t know, but he understood his brother’s questions. ‘You want to know about her past.’
Rurik agreed. ‘And if you kill Feann, I may never have those answers.’
Alarr shrugged and offered, ‘I could take him captive. After he confesses the truth, then I’ll kill him.’ He ventured a slight smile which Rurik returned.
‘You and I both know that holding Feann prisoner won’t give us any information at all. He’s not a man who would admit anything to us. Especially when it concerns our father.’ But Rurik’s mood had lifted, none the less. ‘I want to know about Saorla’s past, if there is a connection. Danr will want to know also.’ He hesitated and added, ‘It would be better if I went alone, before you arrive, to learn what I can.’
The idea didn’t sit well with Alarr, sending his brother off without anyone to guard him. ‘No. We go together or not at all.’
But Rurik stared back at him. ‘As you will. But know that I intend to learn Feann’s reason for the killings first. And once I have my answers, he is yours for vengeance.’
He clasped his brother’s hand in agreement. ‘So be it.’ Though he doubted if there was any connection between Feann and Saorla, he supposed there was no harm in asking.
They spoke of plans and possible ways to infiltrate the castle. Yet all the while, Alarr felt the sting of guilt for what he’d said to Breanne. He knew it had been necessary, but the sight of her stricken expression haunted him still. He had hurt her feelings, and he wished he could shut off his own response to her.
As they walked back towards the settlement, he caught sight of four riders approaching. They were dressed in the manner of the Irish, each wearing a long saffron léine and leather armour. They slowed when they reached Rurik and Alarr, eyeing them for a moment, but the riders did not stop. When they reached the gates, their leader spoke to the guards, and Styr’s men allowed them to enter.
‘Who are they?’ Rurik asked.
Alarr’s own suspicions were on alert. ‘I don’t know. But I intend to find out.’
Breanne followed Caragh towards the gates, after the young woman had told her about the visitors. To her shock, she saw three of her foster father’s men. One of them she recognised as Darin MacPherson, captain of Feann’s guards. He dismounted, along with the others, and tied his horse near a drinking trough. The moment he saw her, Darin smiled and bowed to her. ‘My lady, I am glad to see that you are well.’
A blend of emotions washed over her, for the captain was behaving as if she had only been travelling instead of being brought out of slavery. She nodded to him and managed to greet him, ‘It is good to see you once more, Darin.’
‘I received word from the Hardrata tribe, a day ago, that you were here.’
He glanced around at the fortress, but Breanne felt numb inside. She wanted to ask, Why did no one search for me? But more than that, Why didn’t Feann come with you?
It dug into her heart that her foster father had not searched for her. Finally, she asked, ‘Where is the king?’
‘He is travelling,’ Darin said. ‘He left just before you did. He has not returned yet.’
That lifted her spirits somewhat with the hope that perhaps her foster father had tried to find her. But she corrected Darin. ‘I didn’t leave. I was taken into slavery.’
The captain barely reacted to her words. She might as well have told him that she had gone to visit kinsmen. But he said, ‘I am sorry to hear of it. We came at once to bring you home.’
Breanne knew she ought to be grateful, but instead, her thoughts grew guarded. She couldn’t let go of her annoyance.
Before she could answer, another voice intruded. ‘She is going nowhere with you.’ Alarr stood beside Rurik, his hand resting upon the blade at his waist.
The silent threat was unmistakable. And she could almost hear the unspoken words: She belongs to me.
Anger flared up within her at his possessive behaviour. He had refused her offer of marriage and had treated her like dirt. Instead, she shot him a defiant look.
You hold no claim on me.
After what he’d said to her, she would not obey him. Her father’s men had come for her, and she intended to accompany them home.
She suspected Alarr had heard every word Darin had said. Likely, he intended to alter his plans now that he knew Feann was not at Killcobar.
The captain moved his hand to his own weapon. ‘Who is this, my lady? Is he a threat to you?’
Before she could answer, Alarr took a step closer. He placed his hand on the back of her neck in an unmistakable claim. ‘I am the man who bought her in the slave market.’
Her face reddened at his words, and her anger rose hotter. His hand
