Free Defiance (The Priestess Trilogy) by Melissa Sasina Page B

not recognize anymore. Many faces who would soon be relying on her to serve as their High Priestess.
    One of which was a small child, a girl of perhaps five years of age, who left her mother’s side and ran, giggling, towards Shiovra . Stopping before the priestess, she grinned and held a single flower up to her. “For you!” the girl exclaimed excitedly.
    Smiling, Shiovra accepted the flower and gave the girl a gentle pat on the head. “I thank you.”
    Delighted, the girl squealed and ran back to her mother.
    A small laugh passed her lips as she watched the girl’s enthusiasm. Shiovra could only hope that she would not let the child, or the rest of her people down.
    Daire ’s voice interrupted her thoughts, “Come.” Ta king hold of her arm gently, h e led her i nto the Banqueting House, a place where feasts and celebrations were held, and where a weary traveler could rest and eat.
    Shiovra allowed him to guide her to an open table . Sitting down across from him, she looked around the hall, pleased to find that nothing had changed.
    Men and women crowded the long, low tables, laughing, talking, and drin king heartily. The hall, brightly lit from three large hearth fires, was filled with people. Th e thick posts hol d ing up the peeked thatch roof were carved carefully with interlocking patterns . Fo od cooked above the fire, filling the hall with a delicious and tempting aroma.
    “I thought that we could tarry here a bit before continuing on to the High fort ,” Daire told her with a grin . “Give you more time to think about what you want to say to Mahon.” He gestured to a woman and requested two fresh cups of water. The older woman nodded and hurried off.
    Shiovra nodded, her eyes trailing over the many faces .
    A lone, cloa k ed figure sitting o ff in a shadowed corner caught Shiovra ’s eyes. A man , whose f ace was hidden from the light of the hearth, sat on a bench with his elbows resting on his knees . He bore an honor marking of blue woad on his left wrist , but from their distance, the priestes s could not make it out.
    Shiovra eyes narrowed as she was almost sure t he man was watching her as well . Something about his unseen gaze left her feeling uneasy. “ Daire …” she began quietly, unwilling to turn her gaze away . “Who is that?”
    “Hmm?” He looked over, his face becoming hard. “Odhrán,” replied Daire in a cold voice. “ He is one of the Milidh clan. He arrived three moons ago…” His voice trailed off as t he older woman returned to set two clay cups of water down on the table. Nodding to her, Daire took a cup for himself and passed the other towards Shiovra .
    She took it without looking and brou ght the clay cup to her lips, her eyes remainin g trained on the cloaked man . “Why is he here?” she asked in a firm voice.
    Daire took a deep drink from his cup before setting his down hard on the table . “I don’t know,” he replied.
    Shiovra noticed the slight hesitation in his voice and frowned . “ Daire …”
    He exhaled. “He keeps mostly to himself. Since he arrived, he has been in council repeatedly with Mahon and Ainmire,” Daire admitted. “I would stay clear of him, if I were you. He is dangerous. ”
    Anger swelled within the priestess. “And Ainmire simply allows him to walk through the village freely?” demanded Shiovra in a heated whisper. “Ten years ago his people attacked this village and my mother was kille d! Many others lost their lives and were injured that night! ”
    Daire cringed and leaned across the table, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Peace, cousin,” he pleaded with her. “We should be on our way to the High fort . You can bring your qualms before Ainmire. Let’s not bother these good people during their meal, aye?”
    Shiovra sighed and nodde d. Standing up, she followed Daire towards the door. Pausing, she looked back only to where the Milidh man had been sitting only to find he was gone.
     
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    Mahon stood