Page 46 of The Splendor of Fire
Léo wondered how much pride it cost Eoghan to admit it, or even if he meant it at all.
Gillie touched each of their hands. “God bless you both. I know you have more people tae see.”
Since beginning their work for Mowbray, Léo and Eoghan had identified the men on each floor who had been wrongly imprisoned. By the dark of the night, the guards allowed Léo and Eoghan to move among these men and tend to their needs. They gave away extra portions of food, read from the Psalter to those who neededencouragement, brought messages from families, and medicine for those who were sick. Here, Father Allen’s work continued.
By the time they finished benevolence visits on the floor, only two hours of night remained. They headed back out onto the parapet and to the south tower, to Mowbray’s quarters to write out the prisoner requests. Léo climbed the stairs, opened the door, and froze.
Standing just in front of Mowbray’s desk was Gordon MacMorran. The head of the daytime patrol of guards. A loyal Niall supporter.
Mowbray caught his eye and invited him in, his voice brittle. “It’s all right, MacKinnon. Come in.”
Behind him, Eoghan drew rigid like he was preparing for a fight.
Gordon rose and offered Léo his chair, and he moved toward it, muscles drawing tight with tension. Whatever happened in this room would advance or crush their plans.
When he sat, Gordon smoothed a hand over his long beard. “I’ve suspected what’s going on here for months. First you two being moved to the tower. Other prisoners being shifted about to better floors. Everyone on floors three and above have put on weight, but you two… you’re gaining muscle back. I’ve been stuck on guard duty here for two years and never seen a man grow stronger.”
Eoghan edged along the wall toward Mowbray, his eyes locked on Gordon.
“Another few months and you’ll be as strong as you were when you got here. Maybe stronger. And I asked myself…how?” Léo dared not look at Mowbray. “I think the answer is obvious. You’ve struck a deal to get special treatment for you and your friends.”
A bit of the tension eased away from the taught muscles in his shoulders. Gordon thought he had it, but he didn’t have all of it.
“Oui.No point in denying that.”
Gordon’s face smoothed in surprise. “No, there isn’t.”
Behind him, Eoghan released a breath.
“My next question is what is Mowbray getting out of all this?”
No one said anything and Léo wondered if he was supposed to fill in the gaps.
At long last, Gordon cracked his knuckles breaking the silence. “Ididnae realize you were able to interpret dreams and prophesy the future.”
What?
“Mowbray told me about how you were able to predict he’d be made keeper of Cràdh, and the things you’ve foretold about his future as Chieftain of Mishnish.”
What?
“Should I have a dream, would you do the same for me?”
It was true, Léo had experienced vivid dreams since he was a small child and been able to discern their meaning, but never had he considered to volunteer himself as a prophet. His eyes drifted to Mowbray who gave the barest raise of his left eyebrow.
Léo cleared his throat. “Isthere a dream?”
Gordon eased into a chair. “I’ve been summoned to Dun Ringill Castle to meet with the laird. I have a feeling that this could be a momentous occasion for me. No guard has been summoned back to Dun Ringill after being assigned to this abyss. Should a favorable prophecy come to pass, I’ll hold my tongue, and not disclose to your brother about your restored health and well-being. If you are unable to predict what this meeting is about, I’ll have to inform Chief MacKinnon all about this operation you have here.”
Léo’s stomach dropped, but he kept his face impassive.“Go on.”
“In my dream, I saw a field before me, and in that field three barley plants sprouted. In rapid time, each plant multiplied, ripening in seconds into a field ready for harvest. I took the barley and crushed them in my hand, creating grain for the laird’s bread. He ate and was satisfied.”
Meaning came into Léo’s heart. “Your position before you came into this prison was to watch over the fields of the laird and protect the granaries, correct?”
Gordon nodded. “Aye. How did you know?”
Léo stifled a grin. Gillie. He kept his expression blank. “The three plants represent the months until the planting season. In this time, God will raise you up into my brother’s favor and he will restore you to your position.”
