Gryffynhall (the Danu Cycle: Fiann Trilogy Book 1)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

It was ten to six when Niamh and her pack arrived out the front of Gryffynhall. Four magnificent carriages were lined up on the road at the bottom of the stairs. Each one at least twice as long and twice as high as Niamh had expected, based on what she'd seen in movies, and looked like a caravan and a wooden carriage had had a baby that was bigger than both of them. Standing in front of each one were two gigantic stags, their antlers longer than Niamh's arm. They stood serenely, their noses puffing out little clouds of steam as they breathed.

There was hectic activity as people dashed about getting things packed, called orders from one end of the carriages to the other. The bridles on the stags were being checked, luggage was being loaded. With three full fianna travelling, there would be thirty of them on the road, and Niamh assumed that meant a lot of luggage and a lot of space needed – especially with two princes.

Niamh wasn't sure what to do or where to go, so she stood, feeling rather stupid, at the bottom of the stairs and hoped someone would direct her.

"O'Callaghan!" she heard a voice yell, she turned around and saw Pearse hanging out of the third carriage and waving to her.

She hurried over, careful not to get in anyone's way.

"We are in this one. You can keep your things with you, there is space in your bunk. There is a package waiting for you as well. Bell tells me its food provisions. Like we can't feed you," he scoffed. "Come on in, then."

He held his hand to her and pulled her up the steps. She was glad of the help, otherwise she may well have tumbled back out from shock.

The outside may have looked like a giant carriage-caravan baby, but the inside was all glamour and comfort. There were windows dotted all along the walls, letting in what little gloomy light there was. Not that the light from outside was needed with the chandelier and all the lamps. There was a huge fireplace in the centre of the room, blocking her view to the other end. On this side, there were couches and coffee tables strewn about. Here and there, was a potted plant and a statue, there was a chess set and a drinks trolley, which held decanters filled with colourful liquids.

Towards the front was a spiral staircase. Pearse directed her up it. At the top there was a long, thin corridor, brightly lit. She saw four doors coming off each side, at intervals.

"These are the bunks, you'll find each one has a small bathroom attached. Don't think too hard about where the water goes," Pearse said, winking and starting to walk down the hall. Niamh hurried to catch up. "His Highness and I are in the first two, then Prince Eamon and Conor, O'Neill and Dunne are in the next two, and you and Bell will be in the end two." He pointed them out as they went by each door.

When they got to the end, he opened the door to the left and let Niamh go in first. Niamh was not convinced 'bunk' was the right terminology for the rooms if they were all the same size – and she expected the princes' would be larger, if anything. She thought back to how large the carriage had looked from the outside and wondered briefly if the Sidhe had invented whatever Timelord technology was based on.

"Maybe it's the other way around," Niamh said softly, to herself.

"What?" Pearse asked.

"Nothing, talking to myself."

"Right then, I'll leave you to get yourself settled. Dinner will be in an hour. Do you have anything nice to wear?"

"What do you mean nice?"

"Nice, as in smart and elegant."

"So...training gear is out?" she asked.

He nodded. "You'll be dining with royalty, O'Callaghan, you'll need to look the part," he replied. When Niamh stared at him blankly, he rolled his eyes and sighed. "Get Bell to help you with something to wear. She'll know. When you're sorted, feel free to relax downstairs, or stay in your room until dinner."