Gryffynhall (the Danu Cycle: Fiann Trilogy Book 1)

Chapter Eight

They stalked through the forest, the tracks getting stronger. The troll was far too intelligent for Eamon's liking. In normal circumstances, they would have caught up to it, killed it and been on their way to the next reported sighting days go. Eamon had the distinct impression that the damned thing had help, though he did not know who or what had cause to help a troll.

"It is getting closer," Conor said.

"Yes, I see that, Conor," Eamon muttered. He knew he had been more flippant lately, and he knew it was not the fault of his fiann. He sighed, "Any news from Kane?" Conor smiled. "What?" Conor's smile widened. "I am just interested. Do not give me that look, Conor!"

Nessa laughed. "What look, Eamon? They one that expresses the knowledge you are looking forward to another conquest?"

Tiernan, though usually stoic, chuckled gruffly. "You want to be careful who you go seducing, prince. One day you may get your own heart broken."

Eamon felt a twinge in his chest and vaguely remembered someone saying something similar to him about another girl many years ago. His thoughts were interrupted before he could recall who.

Nessa crowed with laughter. "That would require him to have a heart and not just be ruled by his-"

"Nessa!" Eamon snapped, a hint of warning in his tone, but he smiled at her. "Who says I want to know the news for seduction? We do not even know how old she is."

Eamon knew better than to even try to accuse them of being impertinent; he rarely played the part of a prince, especially with his fiann on the road. At court perhaps, when he had to be there...or when he was trying to seduce some sweet creature. Beyond that, however, he would much rather just be Eamon of the Gryffyn fiann. If only Father would let me...

"Seventeen," Tiernan answered, biting into his apple.

The whole fiann turned on him.

"How the hell do you know that?" Nessa asked, incredulous for all of them.

Tiernan shrugged and threw the core into the trees. "I pay attention. She was almost five when Neil and Emma - Danu rest them - died was she not? So...twelve human years later, she is seventeen."

"Prime for plucking!" Nessa laughed.

"Ness!" Eamon warned, shooting her a look.

Despite his words, he wondered what the O'Callaghan girl looked like now, would she look like her father, all dark hair and piercing green eyes? Or, her mother, the sweet part-human who had had no patience for Eamon's flirtations, her blonde hair hovering around her head and her blue eyes flashing in amusement? Their loss still weighed heavily on Eamon and he regretted not arriving at their house soon enough.

By the time he had arrived, there were seventeen bodies lying on the ground. As he had turned to look for Neil and Emma, he had thought he had seen a small child disappear. However, he had never been sure, let alone could he know if it was their daughter or not. As far as anyone knew, she had been safe with the human family the whole time.

"Kane said she has been enrolled, she will be there when we return," Conor whispered, pulling him from his reverie.

Eamon nodded, curtly. "We shall meet--"

There was a crash ahead and Eamon straightened, his hand moving towards the hilt of his sword, strapped to his back. He put his finger to his lips and urged the fiann to move forward slowly.

Ahead of them, the troll lay on the floor of the forest, thrashing, its hands clawing at its throat. The fiann circled it warily, making no sound. Still, the troll's eyes snapped up, a blinding fury through them, as it realised it was not alone. Eamon cursed the lack of bathing between these skirmishes.