Gryffynhall (the Danu Cycle: Fiann Trilogy Book 1)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Kane's office had a feel of doom and gloom about it. The light which had streamed through the windows on Niamh's last visit was gone. Outside, all she could see were storm clouds.

"I imagine Niamh told you the reason for which you are gathered here this afternoon?" Kane asked, looking over the ten of them.

A man stood next to him, and Niamh recognised him from the night before. She'd seen him hanging around Prince Donagh, but she didn't know who he was. He looked like a knight in his armour, though it was made from the leathery material not metal. He had a helmet tucked under his arm and a huge double-handed sword strapped to his back.

"Aye, she did," Fergus spoke for them.

Kane nodded. "Good. You've taken your fiann into your confidences, Niamh. I'm pleased to see that." He gestured to the other man. "This is Pearse, he is the head of Prince Donagh's Troop."

"He's not the head of his own Troop?" Niamh whispered to Myrna.

Myrna shook her head. "Doesn't work like that for most royals," she whispered back.

"Good afternoon." Pearse stepped forward. "Since you know why you're here, I'll be brief. The prince and his brother have elected to accompany O'Callaghan to Elfhaven for her to receive her inheritance. With Dwendardien and other terrors on the roads, they have decided this is the safest option for her. As her fiann, you will come too, naturally. We leave this evening, so have everything you need packed. We will travel via four carriages." He looked directly at Niamh. "You will travel with myself and the prince, Prince Eamon and his second-in-command, and your three chosen companions. The rest of you will be divided between Prince Donagh's and Prince Eamon's fianna."

Niamh gulped, she'd forgotten about what she'd said to Prince Donagh about not going without Lochlan, Myrna and Killian. She hoped they wouldn't mind. She also hoped Myrna would know what to pack for this sort of occasion.

They stood around for a moment longer. Kane cleared his throat. "Go and pack, fit in some training if you can, and meet out the front of the building no later than six. You are dismissed."

"Sir Pearse, how long are we going for?" Molly asked from the back.

The Sidhe shrugged. "That is not up to me, but almost two months of travel both ways and perhaps a month in Elfhaven." Pearse looked to Kane who nodded. "If there are no more questions, be off with you all."

They all turned and left. Niamh could hear the others muttering. Some of them discussed what they would need to pack, some wondered again if they were using Niamh as bait, some – Fergus – wondered what they were going to do about dinner.

Myrna took her elbow. "Who are your three chosen companions?" she asked.

"It wasn't quite like that... After Eamon...well, after that incident, I told Donagh I wasn't going to be anywhere near him without you, Lochlan and Killian. I didn't know they'd take it quite to heart."

Myrna smiled. "That's all right. It will be interesting to see what the prince is like up close." She looked around before whispering, "There are rumours he's going to be given the crown, despite not being the eldest."

"Is that exciting?" Niamh asked, wondering how much she should try to learn about fae politics.

The other girl shrugged, her red curls bouncing. "Don't know. But, it might be good to be acquainted with the future king."

Niamh had to agree with that logic. "Have you got any ideas what to pack? Is there a list or something?"

Myrna giggled. "Come on then, I'll come help you pack and then you can come help me."