Free The Silver Stag of Bunratty by Eithne Massey Page A

war and trouble. I have just today got news that the Mac Conmaras have been seen on the borders of our lands, rustling cattle. I will ride out tomorrow to see what the truth of it is. ’Tis true I have no time for fairy tales – women’s fancies – with such things going on. Outlaw, tell me, what is the news from Dublin and the north?’
    ‘Not good: war and famine. Lord, I would wish for a few years’ peace where crops could grow and herds grazesafely. Do you think we will see it in our lifetime?’
    De Clare laughed. ‘Perhaps in your quiet part of the country near Dublin. But not here. These are the swordlands that can only be held by the sword. And, in truth, I would not live my life any other way. Time enough to rest when we are dead.’
    Cliar jumped, nearly spilling the jug she was pouring from. In the moment’s silence that followed what Sir Richard had said, she was nearly sure she heard Brian Rua, the ghost who had been killed in Bunratty, whisper in her ear: ‘Which may be sooner than you think.’

CHAPTER 10
M IDNIGHT M EETING
    t was deep night in Bunratty. Tuan was woken from sleep by Cliar shaking his shoulder. The moon shone through the window, a half-moon as bright as day.
    ‘Come with me,’ she said. ‘Dame Anna and Prior Outlaw want to see us. Maude and Matthieu are already on the way to the tower.’
    ‘What is it about? Why do they want to see us?’
    Cliar shook her head. ‘I don’t know. I only know we all have to go there. Perhaps she wants to ask us about the stag.’
    They made their way across the bailey and up the narrow staircase to the tower. The door swung open before them and they saw that the tower room was ablaze with light, moonlight and firelight mingling. Dame Anna and Outlaw were seated at the long table, and Maude and Matthieu werethere with them. Matthieu was leaning his head on his folded arms, looking as sleepy as Tuan felt, but Maude’s face was lit up with excitement.
    ‘Welcome, children,’ said Dame Anna. ‘Welcome – and well done all of you. You saved the stag today and Tradree is in your debt. It seems that between the four of you, you can do great things. And great things may well be asked of you. For terrible times are coming upon us if Sir Richard does not listen to the advice of those who can see a little way into the future.’
    ‘But first,’ she turned to Maude and Matthieu, ‘I know you have been wanting to ask Prior Roger something.’
    Maude nodded and said, her words tripping over each other in her impatience: ‘Prior Roger, have the Hospitallers heard any word from the east? Any word of my father who was fighting with them?’
    Prior Roger shook his head. ‘I am sorry that I cannot bring you any better news, little one. There is word that the battles in the east have not been going well, with many of our soldiers captured. But there has been no word of Sir Bertram. Have patience; there are brothers coming from Italy to Kilmainham soon, with letters for us from further east. Perhaps they will have more news.’
    Maude nodded, swallowing the lump that seemed to havelodged in her throat. She would not cry. She could not show Matthieu that she too was frightened, that she too sometimes doubted if their father was still alive. He had to be, she thought, he had to come and save them from a life lived in this place, depending on the kindness of people who had no kindness in them.
    Now, to her relief, Tuan changed the subject, asking Prior Roger, ‘Excuse me, Prior, how do you and Dame Anna know one another?’
    Outlaw laughed. ‘I have known Dame Anna a long time, ever since I was a child at Knockainy, our house to the south of here. She could even be called my nurse. And I am related by marriage to her, distantly, through the Outlaws of Kilkenny. Your cousin, Dame Alice Kyteler, sends her greetings, Dame Anna.’
    Dame Anna snorted. ‘I will have no truck with my cousin Alice since she took to using her skills in the service of dark ways. She