Page 44 of The Splendor of Fire
Iain smiled and crossed his arms. “Guid for ye.”
Calum gave a punctuated nod. “So instead Niall made you a chambermaid?”
M-A-L-V-I-N-A.
Iain sucked in breath through his pursed lips and winced. “Tha’ wooman’s meaner’n a wee yappy dug. Looks like wan too.”
I’ll say. She almost beat me to death with a hand mirror for not cleaning it proper.
Calum grimaced. “Your not going back there, Birdy. That’s for certain.”
I have to.
Both Calum and Iain spoke at once. “No, ye don’t.”
How else would you know about the Duart attack? Beithir’s brother and family are in danger. We need this kind of information to stop the Wolf. We need someone inside who can send word to you about when and where they are going.
Iain passed a hand over his boyish face. “She’s right.”
Calum looked unconvinced. “You’ve been gone all day, how will you explain where you’ve been without Niall hurting you or locking you away?”
I’m not sure. But don’t worry about me. I’m smart. I have a way in and out. If there is danger, I’ll flee here.
Iain threw his hands up in defeat. “Ye really want tae do this?”
I am doing it. Just help me. Sea, I need you to sail me back to Elgol. I’ll walk back from there. Right away, before I lose more time.
Iain shook his head and signed quickly, looking her square in the eye.I don’t like this. At all. Niall MacKinnon is an evil man. Do you really think you can outsmart him? And M-A-L-V-I-N-A is as evil as E-L-S-P-E-T-H. Except she doesn’t bother hiding it. If something happens to you I’ll never forgive myself. Go to Lochbuie. You’re too valuable to us.
When Iain spoke, his thick Isles brogue sometimes made her believe he was an uneducated, simple man. Yet he had picked up her language in only a few weeks. Signing gave her a window into his thoughts, more complex than she imagined. Surprised by the depth of feeling behind his words, she stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
I have to do this. God has made a way for me. For our islands. For our clan. For our team. For…Lion.
Calum made a loud scoff. “We can drop her off on the way to Mull with the information. Hector’s in Mishnish training Mowbray’s team this week.”
Birdy tugged on Calum’s tunic, heart pounding, and asked the question she’d been longing to know the answer to for two long months.How is Lion?
“Recovering. That’s what you caught us doing—packing. We’re the new supplier of food for Cràdh Prison. We learned which merchant was the supplier and Iain scuttled his ship. The merchant is having a good long think in Dublin right about now.”
Is he all right?
Calum gave a laddish grin. “Annoyed and unable to speak Irish, but safe enough. Hector bought this ship. Looks just like the auld merchant vessel except it’s equipped to handle twice the food and supplies. Iain taught me how to sail it with a small group of our guard, and now I’m the new merchant.”
Bubbles of frustration rippled to the surface of her mood as she waited for them to give her more information about Léo.But how is Lion?
Calum gave her a knowing look, and she blushed. “Up to his eyeballs in smoked salmon, barley, eggs, pork, and beef, and eatingaround the clock to try and get his weight up. Mowbray says that he has regained some of his fire too.”
Calum switched to signs and stopped talking.Organize. A-T-T-A-C-K.
Iain pushed him out of the way. “Le’ may do it.”
He’s ready to be chief. Something lit the fire the night your father died. He is getting strong, Birdy.
Her heart caught in her throat.I don’t want him to take any foolish risks.
Iain tugged on the end of one of her curls and made a half smile.Don’t worry.Beithir and Lion are the most highly skilled warriors of us all. They have a plan. We just need time for Lion to get stronger. Your information will help us know when the time is right to attack.
Moira realized her fingers were winding in Léo’s necklace, its heavy weight carrying his warmth and solidness. She would give him everything that was in her power to give.
