Free The Silver Stag of Bunratty by Eithne Massey Page B

does not walk in the light anymore, and uses her powers to harm and hurt rather than help.’
    There was a silence for a moment, as the children looked at Dame Anna expectantly. She sighed. ‘Alice Kyteler is a woman who has special powers, some might say powers like mine – or like yours, Cliar. She has the power to heal, and she knows about herbs and potions, how they can beused to cure and how they can be used to harm. But she has used those powers badly. I foresee dark times ahead for her, if she does not change her ways. Outlaw, I do not know why you give her succour. Her ways are not yours, as you well know. And her ways may well end in disaster for those who keep her company.’
    ‘That may be so, but she is still kin, and I have my loyalties. And I think, my Lady, that I am not one of the weak,’ said Outlaw. They smiled at one another. ‘But, look you, we need to speak of Sir Richard and what goes on here in the west rather than in the Pale.’
    ‘I am afraid of what will happen if Sir Richard goes to fight the Irish,’ said Dame Anna.
    Prior Roger glanced at Tuan and said quietly: ‘Are you sure it is good to be talking about such things in front of the Irish child? May he not want to see Sir Richard destroyed?’
    As Outlaw’s eyes met his, Tuan felt as if the Prior was trying to see into his very soul.
    But Dame Anna smiled and said, ‘Tuan, what say you?’
    Tuan took a breath. ‘I do not want to see Bunratty and its people hurt. I have no love for Sir Richard, but he has treated me justly, and while I am his guest I would not betray him.’
    ‘Well said, child,’ said Prior Roger. ‘Honestly andhonourably put.’ He smiled at Tuan.
    ‘Very well,’ he continued, ‘I came here to Sir Richard to try to get him to come with me to parley with the clans of the south. It seems to me that we have the chance to be peacemakers between those who contest the Lordship of the O’Briens. But Sir Richard will not listen. He is afraid of looking weak, and he thinks to parley rather than to fight is a sign of weakness. I too can fight, but I would rather have this kingdom at peace. God knows, we have seen enough battles these past few years.’
    Dame Anna nodded. ‘There, I am with you. But perhaps I can see things more clearly if I look to the future.’
    ‘Then perhaps you can warn him,’ said Prior Roger. ‘Maybe he will listen to you.’
    ‘That is unlikely,’ said Dame Anna. ‘But already I have seen terrible things if Sir Richard goes to war. I have seen red blood flowing and the white towers of Bunratty destroyed in red flames.’ She stood up and stared straight ahead as if she was in a trance. ‘Red and white and black shall be Bunratty. I saw weeping and cursing and ships on the Shannon fleeing away from this place. Tell Sir Richard this. Warn him, Outlaw.’
    The children stared, shocked.
    Outlaw sighed. ‘I will try, but his mood at the moment isimpossible. You must talk to him, Dame Anna, for he listens to no-one but the Lady Johanna at the moment, and she loves me not at all – she sees me as an upstart, because my family is not as noble as hers. She does not even like my name, though it is many generations since my family acquired it! I myself will go first to the south to see what is happening at Knockainy.’
    Tuan tried to block his ears. He didn’t want to hear Outlaw’s plan. He didn’t want to help Sir Richard. Yet, if Sir Richard was defeated, the lives of Tuan’s friends would be at risk. It had been so simple before he came to Bunratty: the foreigners – Norman and English – were the bad ones and the Irish the good ones. Now, it was different because of Maude and Matthieu and Cliar, and even people like Margaret, just ordinary people trying to get on with their lives. It was all very confusing.
    But now Prior Outlaw was talking to him directly.
    ‘Tuan, I will meet with your father and his clan. I have had dealings with them these past months, and we trust each other. If