Page 37 of The Splendor of Fire
Niall held his nose, the stench of body odor and despair still thick in the air though Léo had not lived in the cell in more than a month.
Still spinning from the sudden shift from joy to despair, Léo felt aggravated by his brother’s mere presence. “Why are you here?”
“I’ve had word that Father Allen has been paying you moreattention than his allowed weekly visits. I wanted to see for myself if you were persuading him to bend the rules for your own benefit. I must admit, you look starved. And yet I find Father Allen and his daughter just outside your door on a Thursday, not the usual day of your visit. Come in here, Father.” Niall crossed his arms and motioned his personal guard into the cramped cell.
Father Allen took hesitant steps into the room, worry creasing his face as he looked at the guard.
“You too, Moira.”
Moira drew her shoulders back and entered, looking more brave than Léo felt.
Niall circled Moira like a vulture. “I thought the church gave your father strict instruction to visit only once a week?”
Father Allen’s lips tightened together. “Aye.”
“Yet your boat is seen here every day for the past two months. Why? Perhaps Mowbray can explain.”
Mowbray’s expression remained impassive. “He’s helping manage the prisoners below, the ones who are on the brink of insanity. It’s difficult to make the prospect of work at Cràdh appealing. With Father Allen’s help the conditions have improved. The guards work harder.”
Seeming disappointed that he’d lost another opportunity to torment someone, Niall took a few steps back, continuing to eye Moira lecherously. “I suppose that I will allow. Thank you for explaining.”
Niall’s eyes traveled over the battered straw mat, the stagnant rushes, the ticks on the wall marking time, and finally over Léo’s own withered frame. “I take my leave. Good work, Mowbray. I knew you would be the perfect choice as keeper here.”
Relief began to unwind from Léo’s shoulders, but at the last moment before leaving, Niall turned, then snapped his fingers beside his head. “One more thing. Take her.”
Guards stepped forward and seized Moira by each arm. Soundless screams more terrifying than anything Léo had ever heard in battle issued from her mouth.
Instinct kicked in. Rushing forward, Léo drove his shoulder into the gut of the guard and scrambled for his sword. For seconds, they grappled, but strength was rapidly departing from him as quick as it hadcome. Horror filled his chest. He couldn’t protect her. Stars burst over his vision as a blow collided with his face, and then another, and then another. He hit the ground.
Niall cackled. “No use trying to be noble. You’re as weak as a kitten.”
Moira’s legs kicked out and a guard struck her across the face, a splatter of blood racing up the wall behind her. Tears rushed from her eyes as she swayed, her arms trying to reach for her father.
Léo was desperate, helpless to avenge her as he struggled beneath the guard on the floor. “Leave her! I’ll give you anything you ask. My entire treasury, my home, my life. Please, leave her.”
Niall laughed, stroking Moira’s pale cheek. “You wouldn’t survive the journey, brother. Besides, I’m positive Moira will give me anything I ask. Her obedience will be a safeguard to protect her father from certain death. As memory serves me, the Allens owe me a leman.” Saliva flooded Léo’s mouth and nausea heaved his stomach.
From nowhere, and with the strength of a much younger man, Father Allen leapt onto Niall, punching him hard across the face. A tooth skittered across the floor as Niall’s head whipped backward.
Léo knew what was coming before it happened. “NO!”
There was a brief flash of firelight on metal.
“NO!” Léo’s scream filled the room and set off a chorus of agitated screams down the prison corridor. In seconds, the fight was over. Sword drawn, hand on the old man’s shoulder, Niall’s blade ran through Father Allen’s gut.
A horrible rasp leapt from Moira’s throat as she clawed toward him. Niall withdrew his sword and pushed Father Allen over.
Léo squirmed beneath the guard, trying to shift him off. “NO!”
Moira’s mouth screamed soundless words.No. Father. No. Tears gushed over her cheeks and she gasped for breath. The guard released another violent blow to her face and she wobbled before collapsing beside her father, unconscious.
Please God, give me Your strength.Léo pushed against the ground with all his might and shifted the guard on his back. The guard’s knee collided with the back of his head and stars again filled his vision. From his horizontal position on the floor he registeredMoira being lifted and carried out the door. The guard moved off his back.
Niall crouched and cocked his head, looking in Leo’s eye. “See you in hell, brother.”
When the door shut, Léo shook the stars from his vision and belly crawled across the floor. Father Allen blinked tears away from his eyes, his hands clutching at his abdomen. Léo lifted his hands and examined the wound. He wouldn’t survive.
Rolling to his side, he gathered the priest into his arms, finding only strength enough to hold the man and give him comfort.
