Gryffynhall (the Danu Cycle: Fiann Trilogy Book 1)

Chapter Seven

She walked into the dining hall just before noon feeling refreshed and with a spring in her step. She'd taken a while to work out what to wear, not sure what elves - or Sidhe, or whatever they were - thought was appropriate. She settled on jeans, an a-line singlet and Doc Martins. Her hair, she left to dry naturally, hoping it would choose now as one of those times to dry nicely.

The dining hall, much like many of the other rooms at Gryffynhall, was coated in wood. The ceiling was tall and arched, with a branch chandelier hanging from it. Not that the candles were needed, sunshine streamed in the huge window, washing the room in brilliant, stark colours. At the other end to the window, there was a counter that looked a lot like the cafeteria counter at Niamh's school. Between the window and the counter, were nine tables, each with seating for six. It looked friendly and cosy... As long as you were one of them.

The hall was less packed than she expected. She counted eighteen people about her age and seven who looked a little bit older. They were scattered among the tables. The older ones all seemed to stick together, as did the younger. She saw Killian sitting at a table with two girls and a boy, but there was no sign of Lochlan. She frowned, not sure what to do now. She thought about texting him, but didn't want to seem desperate for friends. All the tables but two had groups sitting at them. One of the tables had no chairs and the other had one girl sitting there. Niamh picked up some lunch – a roll filled with salad – and sat at the other end of the table to the girl, hoping she wouldn't mind.

The girl looked up at her and smiled before going back to her book. She had dark red hair, a mess of curls that it seemed no amount of plaiting and hair ties could tame.

Niamh ate her roll and played on her phone a bit. No one spoke to her and she didn't speak to them. She sat, alone, until everyone else had left the room. She checked the time again, it was just after one. She had another hour until whatever orientation counted for. Kane hadn't told her where to go, only that it was with Bridget. She didn't know where she might find Bridget at this time of day, it seemed Kane's knowledge implant only covered the floor plan and some names – many more than she had seen faces.

So, she decided to wander around.

She went in the direction of the front door, deciding to try to find the garden she could see from her room.

Outside the front door, it looked like she could have been anywhere in the world. The building she had been in was a multi-levelled structure made of wood and stone. It looked like a manor house or a castle, like a combination of both in make and size. The big double doors, intricately carved, led out onto stone steps from which grass swept almost as far as the eye could see, interspersed with trees and bushes. It smelled clean and fresh, with a hint of roses and lavender. She could hear birds singing and the wind whistling through the trees. She felt peaceful and content, which would have struck her as strange if she wasn't feeling so calm.

It took her about fifteen minutes to make her way to the garden. It was a square cut into the grass. A stone path wound in a lazy 'X' through the centre and there were benches dotted between bushes and flowers. The whole garden was a burst of colour and scent. It filled Niamh's head, making her feel a bit woozy, but it was a pleasant, carefree woozy that made her feel sleepy.

She found a bench, veritably hidden behind a lavender bush and another one she didn't know the name of. She put her head on the back of the bench and closed her eyes. The warm sun beat down on her face and she smiled.

The next thing she knew, she heard someone yelling. Her head jerked forward and she realised she'd fallen asleep.

"O'Callaghan!"

She sat up and looked around, wondering who would know she was here and would want her.

"Niamh!"