Galloglass Book V by Seamus O'Griffin

Author:Seamus O'Griffin [Seamus O'Griffin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: na
Publisher: Seamus O'Griffin
Published: 2019-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

14.

July 1297

Argyll / Islay

Before leaving Islay, Sorcha and I took a day to visit one of her favorite spots on the island. “We need to ride today,” she told me that morning. “The weather will be fine.”

I knew enough by then not to doubt her, and sure enough, the day was incredible, bright, sunny, with wispy, rolling white clouds and not a hint of rain. We left Finnlaggan and rode southeast to An Obha, a rocky peninsula whose highest point is Beinn Mhór. On this day the view was spectacular. To the south, the coast of Ulster could be seen, while to the east you could see Kintyre. From the top of Beinn Mhór even Jura, Colonsay, and Mull were visible. The ride and the climb were not difficult, though we had to cross several burns and a bog or two in the process.

We sat there for a time, atop our horses and said nothing, simply enjoying each other’s company. Eventually Sorcha smiled and said, “You’ll be leaving soon.” It was not a question.

“Aye. Going to take the fleet and destroy those galleys the MacDougal are building.”

“There is great danger there,” she said, looking out to sea.

“Where we must go is deep in the heart of MacDougal territory. If we are seen on our approach, things could get difficult,” I replied.

“The old ones were said to be able to change the weather when it suited them.”

I laughed, a bit nervous at the suggestion. “Aye, we have all heard the tales of Druids calling up a storm.”

“It’s fog you’ll be needing, not a storm,” she replied. “And you’ll get it. I have already seen it, but Raganvald must prepare for it, or you will lose your galleys.”

“You could have told me that at home,” I said.

“Then there would have been no excuse for a ride,” she smiled. “Besides, I’ll be showing before long and tongues will wag about me riding about.”

“I have a question for you,” I said. “With another child on the way, do we build another home here, or do we wait until we return to Érie?”

She paused for a moment, patting her horse and staring across the water to Ulster. “Build it here. It will be some time before we go back.”

I nodded not wanting to know what she had seen. I thought about her gift, and it struck me that it was both a blessing and a curse. “Here it is, then. When I return, we’ll discuss where you want me to build.”

She leaned over and placed her hand atop mine. “Wherever you choose will be fine. I’m thinking it will be close to Finlaggan.”

I smiled. “Aye, probably so. No sense in being far from Alasdair and his questions.”

“More importantly, we don’t want Angus Og thinking we are plotting something,” she said.

“If he only knew how much I don’t want to be Lord of the Isles,” I said. “And besides that, the only thing I have ‘plotted’ is my brothers’ survival should something happen to Alasdair.”

“Patience. Give him nothing to be suspicious about.

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