Free The Silver Stag of Bunratty by Eithne Massey

Outlaw does,’ said Margaret, overhearing. ‘And though they say the hospitality of Kilmainham is second to none, it isn’t for pilgrims, but for the rich that it is provided. Prior Outlaw himself is a fine man, a clever man, who has the ear of the great and rich of the land, the ear of the king himself in England, it is said. And he’s a good friend of Dame Anna. There are some say they’re related.’
    Cliar nodded. ‘He has always been kind to me too,’ she said.
    ‘Well, Cliar, get into the kitchen now, I’ll need your help with the sugar swans,’ said Margaret. ‘And the rest of you go and change those wet clothes instead of getting under my feet.’ She turned to Maude and Matthieu. ‘Her ladyship will want you two to be dressed in your best when you meetPrior Outlaw. I’ll send Allison up to help you when she has finished in the kitchen.’

    When Tuan entered the Great Hall to take his place at the table, the first thing he did was look up to the top of the table where Sir Richard sat with his guest at his right hand. Outlaw was a broad-faced man, with large, piercing green eyes and a thick mane of greying red hair brushed back from his face. He had a scar on his right cheekbone. He was not at all like any monk Tuan had ever met. He did not even wear a monk’s robe, but a white tunic with a red cross blazing across its front. At his side hung a large sword. As Tuan came in, Maude and Matthieu were being introduced to him, and he was smiling at them kindly. Yes, thought Tuan, he may be a kind man. But I don’t think I would like to cross him.
    ‘One of the cleverest men in Ireland,’ Cliar whispered as she served Tuan his meat. ‘They say he’s as wily as a fox, that he can leave a room with everyone thinking they have got their own way, when they are all doing exactly what Prior Outlaw wants.’
    He does look a bit like a fox, thought Tuan. It seemed that his hearing was as good as a wild animal’s too, for Outlaw glanced down the table as if he had heard Cliar’swhisper. Then he leaned his head towards Sir Richard and said something to him.
    Sir Richard raised his voice. ‘It seems that Prior Roger would like to meet our Irish guest. Come to the top of the table, boy.’
    Tuan made his way up until he stood in front of Outlaw, and then he bowed.
    ‘You are one of the Mac Conmaras, is that not so?’ said Outlaw.
    ‘Yes, of the Conall Mac Conmara branch. I am the son of Sorley Mac Conmara and Sive O’Dea,’ said Tuan.
    ‘A brave man, your father,’ said Outlaw. ‘I had dealings with him more than once. We will talk more later, perhaps.’ He turned to Sir Richard. ‘I understand that this boy and your two wards saw the escape of the Silver Stag today? It seems the legend that he will never be caught is a true one.’
    Sir Richard grunted. ‘We almost had him today. It was pure mischance that he made his way to the river. But, in any case, the hunt was a shambles from beginning to end – sick heads and hounds that could not keep to the trail.’ He sighed. ‘No doubt there will be other days and other hunts. We will get him yet and his antlers will be hung on the walls of the castle, along with all the other game we havecaught.’
    ‘I have heard them say that fairy horns led the hunters astray too, and that all the misfortunes happened because the hunt was held on Mayday.’ This was Lady Johanna, her voice spiteful.
    Sir Richard turned his eyes upwards. ‘Oh, no doubt that will be the story the Irish will tell. Along with their tales of banshees and fairy queens at Knockainy. Outlaw, you have spent time at the Hospitaller house at Knockainy, haven’t you? Have you ever seen the fairy queen? What’s this her name is – Áine?’
    Outlaw smiled. ‘I have seen many strange things in my life, Sir Richard. But I take it you have no time for tales of such things? Your mind must be on more immediate troubles. How goes it in this part of the country?’
    Sir Richard sighed. ‘As always: