The winter wind blew crisp and clear on the top of the old keep's battlements, the highest point at Bunratty for the time being. When the new keep expansions were finished, they'd fly another twenty-one feet higher. Of course, none of this matched the architectural splendor of the Holy Land, or even that of Hispania. The books painted glorious pictures; beautiful rolling vistas that stretched as far as the eye could see and soaring towers that challenged the daring of eagles to fly so high.
He'd have to leave soon. The large boat coming up the river Shannon now, heading for Limerick, was one of those contracted to carry the mission. The last few days had seen a succession of such craft coming in, here to pick up the fresh levies heading south to the fighting. This one was flying Clan mặc Néill's flag, unless his eyes deceived him. Lorcan wondered if Aengus was aboard.
Winter had passed too slow and too fast. The spymaster's revelations had left him with more than one sleepless night. Failend's company made some of those passable; he spent others alone, sometimes with the aid of uisige to find sleep. While the mission was urgent, a winter boat was hardly an acceptable risk for the heir both ways, and for the future queen on the return trip. If there had been any arrests since the Advent assassin, Lorcan was unaware of them.
Heavy boots thudded on the walk way, alerting him to Finn's approach. The bodyguard stepped up beside Lorcan and cast a sidelong glance his way. "Scared or excited?"
Lorcan considered the answer to that. He leaned forward against the stone and frowned. "I'm not sure. Both. Neither. When they told me... well when they said I was coming here I was sad and scared, but excited too. Now… It will be the farthest I will have ever been from home. How about you, Finn?"
"Not my place, milord," Finn grumbled.
"Horse shit."
Finn snorted. "It'll be dangerous. I've never been down there, though with your Da I went to a lot of places. It's always dangerous when you leave what you know."
Finn looked pensive, sounded it too. Lorcan let him stew for as long as his patience would allow. "What concerns you?"
"Not a concern, so much," Finn sucked at his teeth, spat over the wall. "Be the first time I'll 'ave left the Isles is all. I don't like boats..."
Lorcan smirked. "You're so tough and full of gristle that I think you might sink, Finn."
"Oh, it's the smart arse is it?" The old man leered at Lorcan. "Perhaps his highness would like an hour in the practice yard before we leave?"
Lorcan winced. His ribs still hurt from the day before. Finn's leer spread into a jovial grin. He clapped Lorcan on the shoulder and turned the prince around toward the stairs. They descended into the keep to make ready their departure.
"I'll achieve my majority aboard ship," Lorcan mused.
"Hah. Afraid to miss out on a wild party?"
"Oh, I trust my armsman to see to my needs in that regard. It's not that, really. Or maybe it is. I don't know."
Finn chuckled. "Lad, my naming day happened on some gut strewn battlefield up the ass end of Ulster. A man doesn't miss much by not havin' a pretty girl to dandle on his knee on such a day. Besides, you've already got a fair lass, probably in your chambers already."
Lorcan grinned and blushed, and they continued. "You should feed her more," Finn grumped, "It has to be like cuddling a bag of antlers."
The blush heated. "You take that back!"
"She's pretty, boy. Just not what I'd pick. Don't get your briefs in a bunch." He held his hands open, gesturing his contrition. Lorcan shook his head. He huffed an exasperated laugh, and moved on.
