Page 32 (1/2)

"How did that talk go then?" Morfyd called over her shoulder

"Shut Up"

Morfyd shook her head If love alwaysto do with it

Brastias tugged the hood of his cloak over his face Again he wondered how er they had before LorcanEven before his spies told hi had changed Lorcan’s troops were readying for battle at Garbhán Isle And he sensed that a strike would be co from Lorcan himself, but he wasn’t sure when or how

He wished he could see Annwyl Discuss it with her She knew her brother better than anyone else She’d know exactly how and when Lorcan’s forces would strike Instead, all he could do noait for more information to come their way and hope they’d have tiain he turned to see who entered Already he’d lost three hours waiting Waiting to see her

Danelin brought hier?"

"Until she gets here"

Brastias didn’tout in the open any more than Danelin He’d rather be back at the ca him But he had to knoyl fared It had been days since the witch called Morfyd came to see hi es from Annwyl But she never returned So, when he heard she was in the village visiting one of the woo to her himself He heard she always stopped at the pub for food or drink later in the evenings So he waited and worried Not about her or even about Annwyl But about the rebellion

He could tell the rebellion would soon coes emptied out All except this one Many of the rebellion’s families lived here Their wives and children He debated whether to give the order to move them all into the Citadel of Ó Donnchadha where they would hopefully be safest He knew the woly leave their ic of this move, he saw her How could he miss her? She stood taller than Annwyl and alrey cloak covered her witch’s robes She found a table in the back and ordered food After the bar wench left, Brastias walked over to her table

"Re blue eyes turned to look at him Her eyes were alet? You’re so co"

Brastias s?"

"Better Stronger every day"

"How er before she returns to us?"

The witch blinked "Not sure really"

"What do you mean you’re not sure?"

"What exactly do you think I ueness caused the hairs on his neck to rise He didn’t like this one bit "Is she safe?"

The witch hissed at the insult "Of course she is Safer than if she ith you"

Brastias glared at the witch "Really? And how is that possible when you are here and she is wherever you left her? Alone"

Perhaps it was the look in the witch’s blue eyes or the way she didn’t answer him, but it suddenly became clear

"She’s not alone, is she?" When the witch didn’t answer, he grabbed her hand She snatched it away as if he were on fire She stood quickly "Be well assured that she is safe And soon she will return to you You’ll be able to find et an actual e to her" She tossed a few copper coins on the table and stormed out