Chapter 65: Chapter Six

ADA

King Toren had agreed to meet with us closer to our camp in an effort not to alert the town. Barra had been hesitant to agree but sent men out to track the king as he traveled here from Oranmore.

One of the scouts returned this morning to assure us that no army had followed. We arrived to find King Toren, Silas, and their new commander already seated.

There were three empty chairs across from them. Barra looked at our group, telling Sayer and Cayden to be seated, and gave instructions to the other men.

They dispersed, setting up a perimeter around us.

I was unsure where to go when Cayden leaned in to whisper in my ear, “Stand by my chair. They will try their best to get in your head, especially since they know your weaknesses.

“Do not let them get to you. I know how strong you are.”

I felt my stomach turn as we walked under the open tent. King Toren gave me a half-smile as I approached.

I focused on him and the commander, knowing Silas would do his best to take advantage of my vulnerabilities. I followed Cayden’s instructions and placed my hand on the back of his chair.

Not only did it show my loyalty, but it gave me something to hold on to for support.

“You do not greet me, daughter?” King Toren asked me in Gaelic. I did not know if I should answer, so I stood silent. Silas could not help but instigate things.

“You look positively heathen. Apparently, this is the price you must pay for opening your legs to a pagan.”

I kept my gaze unchanged and did my best to ignore the comment, something that would be more difficult for Cayden. It was unlike him not to react to someone insulting me.

Toren once again addressed me, but this time in English so the three other men would not understand.

“Are we still not tied together in blood? You stand here with these pagans, against your own people? These men who killed the people in Kilcoran and now Oranmore?”

“I stand here with my husband. The man you told me was killed, for your own purposes,” I answered him in Gaelic.

Both Barra and Sayer looked at me, surprised that I understood what he had said, while Cayden faced forward.

“And how is my grandson? In good health, I hope.”

“Ah yes, my nephew. He is at such a ~fragile~ state now. It would be shame for anything to happen to him.”

King Toren looked at him sharply. He had gone too far, even for Silas. I did my best to hold my composure. When it came to threatening my child, I did not think I could manage much more.

The words he had used were just the same as Weylin’s the night before. Had Silas and Weylin formed a secret alliance, maybe even with Toren?

It was too much of a coincidence, especially hearing Weylin speak about my kidnapping last night. I felt myself beginning to panic. Was our son safe, or was someone sent to kill him while we were here?

Was Weylin going to kill him? Egil must have thought the same thing, because he approached Chief Barra and Sayer to whisper something to them.

Barra gestured for him to leave. As he walked by me, he nodded his head, as if reading my worries.

“Are we here to discuss the terms of an agreement, or continue to harass ~my~ daughter-in-law?”

“Of course, Lord Barra. What do you propose? How can a war be prevented between our people?”

“It is simple really. By handing over your son.”

King Toren and Silas were bewildered by this request, and Toren proceeded with caution.

“Now, that seems a bit unreasonable. Would you hand over one of your sons here to prevent an attack?”

“One of my sons is missing. I used to have three living boys. A few years ago, he was traveling along the countryside with my daughter. They were attacked by a group of your men.

“Two of them raped my daughter, while forcing my son to watch. Once they were done, they murdered him in front of her. Something we are set on exacting retribution for.”

“I don’t understand what that has to do with us here and now.”

“You may not know, but one of the men was your former commander…and the other sits to your left.”

A horrified Toren looked over at his son. Silas’s face was completely red; I could not tell if it was due to embarrassment or anger. But our family had the advantage in this situation.

Toren sat back for a moment, thinking things over. He kept looking at me, which began to make me nervous.

“I would like to talk to Lord Barra. Alone,” he finally said. Barra agreed and dismissed the three of us. Sayer squeezed my arm, walking off toward Gosta and a few of the men standing near him.

I wanted to hold onto Cayden’s hand as we walked toward the horses, but I knew better.

This was the first time I had witnessed him controlling all his emotions, to hold his hand would only make him look weak. A few seconds later, we stood in private between the horses.

He looked around to make sure our opponents could not see and drew me into his chest.

“Whatever went on with Egil and Weylin last night, I wish to know the whole truth.”

I nodded my head yes and just kept telling myself not to cry. If I let myself go now, I would surely never be able to put myself back together. I had to stay strong.

“I am proud of you. You did well there and did not show them fear.”

Barra came up to us along with Sayer a little while later. By their expressions, Toren’s proposition must have been a grim one. Barra said that we would discuss it back at the camp.

Each side would send a messenger here tonight with their answer. Cayden was about to help me mount the horse when Barra said there was one last request.

Toren wished to speak with me one on one. I looked over to him in the distance and Toren graciously bowed.

“Absolutely not,” Cayden said to Barra. “It’s a trap.”

“I do not think so, son. After speaking with him, I realized Ada is far too precious to him.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“We will discuss it later. You may accompany her, if you wish. I do not think he would argue with you.”

“It’s fine,” I said. “I will go.”

Cayden shook his head. “Not alone, remember your promise to me. We stay together.”

I walked up to Toren. The wind was beginning to really pick up, and the soldiers were working as fast as they could to take down the tent. I felt a bit of sadness standing in front of him.

Under different circumstances, he could have been a great father to me. I awkwardly looked around, taking notice of how closely Cayden stood near me with his hand on his sword.

“I wanted to speak with you alone, but I’m glad to see my son-in-law is protective of my only daughter.”

“He is a good man,” I replied.

“If you have chosen to be with him, then I am sure of it.”

He just stared at me for a moment and picked up my chin with his hand. Cayden inched closer, ready to pounce on him at any second. He seemed so reluctant about the whole interaction, and rightfully so.

“You look so much like your mother. She would be very proud of you.” He kissed the side of my head. “Whatever transpires between our two families, I hope that you remember the fond times between us.

“We did have some, did we not? There were happy times in Oranmore?”

“Yes.”

“That is all I wished to say. I bid you safe travels on your ride home.”