Page 40 of A Wolf's Bargain

Cillian shook his head and waved Cathall over. “If Edwin’s men are as close as you say, there’s no time. My men know how to pitch a camp. Just tell them where to go, and they’ll settle themselves. Cathall and I will go with you. The sooner we know what’s happened, the sooner we can make a plan to beat the sorry bastards back.”

Lord Kilkenny nodded and gestured toward the main hall. “This way, then. My steward will see to your men.”

Cora fell in step beside him. He considered asking her to stay behind—his mate was more than capable of setting the men to rights. One look at her expression, however, was enough to dissuade him. Cathall glanced at him over her head as if to ask why she was joining them for a war plan.

In his mind, Cillian scoffed. Let Cathall try to tell Cora to stay behind. See how well it worked out for him. After their argument in the tent, Cillian would just as soon keep all his bits and pieces connected. There would be other battles to fight with his wife—he wasn’t foolish enough to make this one of them.

Once inside, Lord Kilkenny led them down the winding halls to his study. A map of Ossory and the surrounding lands lay on his desk, with several wooden figures scattered across it. He gestured to the map—and several missives piled next to it.

“The latest reports from the coast are grim. The English have burnt Waterford to the ground. They took no prisoners and leftnothing undisturbed. By the time my men reached them, they found nothing but smoldering ashes.”

Cora’s hand went to her mouth in surprise. “Nothing? Even those who couldn’t—what about the women and children? The elderly?”

Lord Kilkenny shook his head. “They left none alive. It was the same as the village—Baunmore. Edwin means to make an example of us, it seems.”

“Why?” Cora cried. “Why Ossory? What have we—our people—done to deserve this?”

Her father sighed and shook his head. “Edwin wants Ireland. His own lands aren’t enough to keep him happy, so he seeks to spread English influence and control here. He sent letters to the lords attempting to buy their surrender, but we refused. Now, he will try to take it by force. I’d thought we’d have more time to prepare, but it seems he plans to show the lords his power by razing Ossory to the ground.”

Cillian laid a hand on Cora’s shoulder. “This is war, lass. Don’t look for heroes and justice here. War turns men into savage beasts, and the worst of them won’t change their skin like me.”

She swallowed, struggling against whatever fire raged in her heart. He understood it well. He’d been barely out of boyhood when he’d first gone into battle and seen what men could do in the name of greed, king, and country.

She would learn.

Finally, Cora nodded, her mouth set in a grim line. “What will you do? How do we stop them?”

Her father pointed to the map. “Our best chance is to send your men to join our soldiers here. It’s the most likely path Edwin’s forces will take to reach us, and it’s defensible. The land is open, but there’s a forest nearby—here—that would allow for safe travel.”

Cillian looked up from the map. “And your men—they’ve been told to expect us?”

Lord Kilkenny nodded. “Yes. They’ve been... prepared for the forms their allies may take.”

“Good. We’ll leave at dawn, then. If the English are moving this quickly, we’ll need all the time we can get.”

“Agreed. I plan to send most of our company along with you. A few will stay here to guard the castle, but only as many as Éogan deems necessary.”

Cillian smirked. “Probably best to travel separately. Horses can be... uneasy around us at certain times.”

“Ah, yes, that would make sense, wouldn’t it? Very well. Our company will follow the main road south—here.” He pointed to one area on the map, then another. “Your men can take this road—through the woods—and meet us at the border beyond the town.”

The conversation went on for a while longer, but by the end, they had a solid plan of attack. Cora listened, her face pale and drawn as they discussed casualties and contingencies, but she remained quiet. When their meeting concluded, she kissed her father’s cheek and followed them out without a word. Once they reached the main hall, Cillian sent Cathall to share the plans with their men. For the rest of the day, they would rest and prepare; luchthonn andmadraíboth would need to know their role in the coming battle.

When they were finally alone, Cillian pulled Cora into his arms. “What troubles you,Mo ghrá?”

Her laugh was sharp and angry as she buried her face in his chest. “Everything. My people are dying for nothing but greed, and I must watch those I love most ride off to war to save them while I stay behind. It all troubles me.”

He kissed the top of her hair, then pulled away far enough to meet her eyes. “Be strong, wife. We’ll need you after the battle.Don’t forget that. Your father has a plan—a good one. We’ll be fine.”

Cora took his face in her hands and held his gaze. “You come back to me, Cillian Fane. I’d make a terrible widow, and we both know it.”

“Aye, love. I promise.”

He knew better than to make promises before war, but for her, he’d promise the world.

Chapter 18

Cora