The cursed towers 236
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Down into that red rose I would fall."
Niall nodded in Dide's direction. "He be an auld friend o' yours?"
"Aye, an auld friend and a guid one," Lilanthe replied, turning to look in Mall's direction. "It was Dide
who convinced me to join the rebels. He and his grandmother have been kind indeed to me. They risked
their own lives for me and Brun."
The little cluricaun sitting on the opposite side of the fire swiveled his ears at the mention of his name but
did not speak or join them, too busy emptying a flask of whiskey he had found somewhere.
"A good friend indeed," Niall answered and sighed.
Lilanthe said rather hesitantly, "What do ye do now, Niall? I mean, now we've won the war?"
"We may have won the battle but ye canna say we've won the war, while the Righ lies under the shadow
o' a curse and our enemies still plot against us!" he answered rather sharply. "Her Highness has sworn to
ride for Arran as soon as we can gather together our forces. She says the Thistle must be behind the
curse and she shall no' rest until it is broken and Arran has signed the Pact o' Peace with the rest o'
Eileanan." He paused for a moment then said more gently, "But once my Righ needs me no longer, well
then, all I wish for is a wee cottage in the woods, with my own garden for herbs and vegetables, and
happen some beehives for Ursa and . . ."
He stopped and Lilanthe said rather wistfully, "What?"
He said nothing for a long while, then said gruffly, "And someone dear to me to love me and live with me
till I'm auld and gray."
"It sounds wonderful," she said softly. He turned to look at her, his eyes shining in the dancing firelight.
He hesitated then leant forward as if to say something, but just then Dide came to stand beside them,
smiling at Lilanthe and singing:
"Och, my love's bonny, bonny, bonny,
My love's bonny and fair to see."
The soldiers all cheered and laughed, some clapping, and Dide bowed to Lilanthe with a flourish and
moved away, singing still. Her cheeks felt hot and she curled her toes, digging them into the earth. She
could not help giving a little, embarrassed smile and risked a quick glance at Niall. He was watching her
but immediately glanced away, calling for more ale and leaning back against Ursa's great bulk. The bear
moaned and nudged him with her snout.
The singing went on until the camp cooks were ready to serve up the hard bread and stew that was the
usual soldiers' fare. Niall said no more to Lilanthe and she was conscious of a constraint in their usual
ease. He sat and spoke instead to the other soldiers and after a while Lilanthe rose and walked away, her
earlier contentment vanished. It was a balmy night, the sky dazzled with stars. She wandered along the
river, wondering where Dide had gone and what he had meant, if he had meant anything at all.
