Page 47 of Bride of Mist
“We’ve only got the one affer,” the man said, “for ploughing the field.”
By this time, the woman had slipped her fingers around the reins, holding them knotted in her fist, as if she feared the horse would be taken from her.
Gellir pulled open the pouch of coin and began digging in it. “How much do you want for him?”
The woman blinked. “You wish to buy him?”
“Aye!” Brand said under his breath with a grin of approval.
“If the price is fair,” Gellir amended.
“Twenty shillings,” the man said.
His wife gave him a chiding cuff.“Thirtyshillings.”
Gellir frowned. It was a lot of coin. Almost all he’d brought. But he couldn’t help but believe fate had delivered the horse to him. He was sure the beast was a vital key to finding and punishing the culprit at Creagor—if Feiyan hadn’t already finished him. Besides, the destrier was probably worthfiftyshillings. And by his cousins’ breathless silence, they knew that as well.
“Done,” he said, counting out the coin. “And you’ll include the bridle?” They couldn’t afford a saddle. But that was fine. For what Gellir intended, the saddle would only be a hindrance.
“Of course,” the man gushed.
The woman too looked pleased. It was likely more money than they’d make in five years.
Gellir gave her the coin and led the horse out of the pen.
The cousins hadn’t gone ten paces before the chattering began.
“What shall we call him?” Brand asked. “I like Goliath. Do you like Goliath?”
“Where will we keep him?” Hew asked.
“The laird’s stables, of course,” Brand said.
“There’s more room at du Lac,” Hew argued.
“Who’s going to ride him home?” Brand wanted to know.
Hew answered, “We’ll take turns.”
Gellir stopped them with an upraised hand. “We’re not going home. Not all of us anyway.”
“What? Why?” Hew demanded.
“Adam’s sister is still missing,” he said. “And now that we have mac Darragh’s horse…”
“Ah, I see,” Hew realized. “If he’s holding Feiyan, we can trade the destrier for her.”
Brand scowled in disappointment. “We aren’t going to trade him for a lass, are we? We just bought him.”
Adam shoved Brand. “You lobcock! You’re talking about my sister!” Then he shoved Hew. “And you! Feiyan’s worth more than thirty shillings! Bloody arses!”
Gellir raise his hand again. “Cease!” After some residual jostling between the lads, he resumed. “Feiyan is still out there. ’Tis likely she’s tracking mac Darragh.” For Adam’s benefit, he added, “But she can take care of herself.”
He didn’t say whether he thought she’d assassinated the man. He wasn’t sure about that. Feiyan could be mysterious, unpredictable, and—he suspected—ruthless.
“Here’s what we’re going to do. Adam and I will look for his sister. We’ll take the charger. The horse knows the way home. He’ll take us straight to mac Darragh’s keep.”
“Wait.” Hew was noticeably unhappy about being left out. “Why should the two of you get to ride to the rescue while—”
