Meeting the bannaichean

Amelia and Nell talk to Heather.

“Thank you, Maighstir Darkblade,” they heard two feminine voices before the two bannaichean came into view.

Heather’s eyes widened in shock as one of them was about six inches shorter than herself, had slightly pointed ears, long reddish-gold hair, and green eyes.  The other appeared to be slightly taller than herself, with a heart-shaped face, startling blue eyes, and dark black hair. 

Balgair was smiling from ear to ear as he saw both of his bannaichean.  “Amelia, Nell,” he greeted them, wishing he could hold them.  It had been so long since he’d seen them.

The one with the slightly pointed ears gave him a cheeky smile.  “We’ll talk to you in a minead, Maighstir.  Let us see her.” 

Balgair’s back set in what could be called Masculine anger, but the brown-haired woman waved him off.  “Calm down, ar fear-gràidh dìleas,[1]” She said in a sexy, sweet voice that he could feel in his loins.  “We want to talk to this woman you’ve brought into our family.” 

I can deal with that.  Balgair thought and then nodded.  “Very well.”  Turning to Heather, he beckoned her to his side.  “Come, mo tè àlainn, it’s time for you to meet Amelia and Nell.” 

Heather opened her mouth to reply, but no sound came out, and she realized that she was suddenly very scared.  They could say no, and I could get thrown out.  Please, Lady Ananke, be with me. 

“What's wrong with her, Balgair?”  The brown-haired woman inquired as she saw how pale Heather looked. 

“I don’t know, Nell,” the mercenary replied as he reached out to Heather, who threw herself into his arms.

“Please, don’t throw me away, maighstir.” She panted, “Please, don’t throw me away.” 

“Shh, mo tè àlainn, it’s okay.” He comforted her, gently caressing her back.  He glanced over her shoulder at Nell, who stared in shock at the sobbing Umhail.

It was Amelia who spoke next.  “Balgair, you big oaf, why does she think we’d throw her away?” Even though she was concerned, her tone was peaceful.

“I wish I knew,” Balgair replied, trying to figure that out for himself. 

“Think about it for a minute, Maighstir,” The redhead stated, “What do you know of her past?”

Of course, Balgair thought.  “It’s a long story that will take some time to tell.”  He glanced up at the quarter ciad-ghin.  “Can I wait until we are together?”

He could tell that Amelia wanted to help Heather.  “I suppose.” She whispered.  “Was she as broken as I was?” 

The mercenary had to think back to how Amelia had been when he had found and saved her from the slaver who had killed her family.  “Yes, she’s had a hard month, or so I was told.” 

Amelia cast a look at Nell and leaned over, whispering in her ear.  The raven-haired woman eyed Heather, then slowly nodded.  “Balgair, stop coddling her, and let us see her.”

Balgair blinked and looked over at Amelia, saw the enigmatic smile on her lips, and slowly released Heather. 

She looked at him with desperation in her eyes. “It’ll be okay.” He promised.

He could hear Amelia’s impatience, even through the crystal.  “Stop treating her like she’s glass, Maighstir.” 

One of his eyebrows arched slightly, and his ciad-bean-cheangail blushed slightly and looked down but still held her ground.  She knows what she’s doing.  She always has.  He raised his hands in mock surrender and stepped back. 

“Heather,” Amelia’s voice was stern.  “Look here, at us.”

The frightened umhail turned from Balgair and looked up at the two women in the crystal.  “Normally, we would speak several hours before taking a stranger into our house, but we’ve decided to get by with only one question.  Do you love our Maighstir?  Do you love Balgair?” 

Heather didn’t even have to think about it. “I do,” she said, lifting her head to look the two in the eyes.  “He saved me and bonded me when nobody else would.”  I hope they believe me.  Then inspiration struck.  “If I may, Lady Ananke said I belonged with you to act as a balance.” 

The redhead chuckled softly.  “Far be it for us to second guess the Lady of Chains.”  Gods, I wish we were there so I could touch her.  She leaned over and whispered in Nell’s ear.  The other woman glanced at Heather with a shit-eating grin, then nodded. 

When it seemed that both were in agreement, Amelia cleared her throat.  “Maighstir Balgair.”  When he looked up at her, she nodded toward Heather.  “Go, sgriubha, the umhail until she can’t think straight.  Impress upon her, who is the maighstir and who is the bean-cheangail.” 

The umhail in question blushed from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet and sank to her knees in relief.  She looked up to see a strange expression on Balgair’s face.  When he turned that look on her, she almost swooned.  She had never seen any man look at her as if he wanted to devour her, which excited her. 

Balgair cleared his throat.  “If you two would be so kind as to get Maighstir Rhyslin back for me on the way out.”

“Of course, Maighstir.” The redhead acquiesced, “What should we pack?”  She had already guessed what his next command was going to be. 

“Clothes, books, anything you can throw into a chest or two.”  He said, then continued. “I think we can have everything we need here.” 

“Yes, Maighstir, We’ll also get your stuff packed.”  I wish I could kiss him.  I’ve missed him so much.  “Is Maighstir Darkblade going to help us get to you?”

“If I can talk him into it, yes.” It bothered him that he couldn’t hug his bonds.  He missed them badly. 

Heather watched Balgair, noticing the tension in his frame.  The tension diminished when she reached out and gently touched his right leg. 

By the time Rhyslin returned to the crystal, Balgair was somewhat calmer. 

“I’ve found a copy of the contract, Captain, and I have a copy of your black swan contract,”  Rhyslin commented as he showed Balgair the two contracts.  “Do you want to break your contract with the swans and start your contract with Eola?”  The way he asked the question made Balgair suspicious. 

“Is there another way to do it?”  He asked hesitantly.

He could tell that he had asked the right question when Rhyslin grinned.  “You have six weeks left on your contract with the swans. I could consider it a temporary transfer until the first of next month when you’ll take over as Reve of Eola.”  He waited while Balgair worked it out.  “Yes, that means you will continue to get paid for the next six weeks, and it could be easier to recruit deputies if you had the military rosters to pull from.” 

“Thank you, Maighstir Darkblade,” Balgair said with genuine gratitude.  “That would work nicely.  I have a few people in mind, and they are ex-military.”  He paused and asked, “Can I request a skiff to bring my bonds and property?”  When the draoidh nodded, Balgair grinned.  “Thank you, sir.  How long would it take for them to arrive?”

“That depends upon what you want to do with your freehold.”  Rhyslin seemed to know how to handle it, and Balgair waited for him to continue.  “If you want to wait for it to sell, it could be weeks.  Or, if you’d like, I can buy it from you and resell it later.” 

Balgair nodded.  “If you could, sir, that would help.”  He was curious as to what Rhyslin would pay for his freehold. 

The draoidh leaned back and gave it some thought.  “I am prepared to offer you nineteen tring, nine platinum for it, sight unseen.”

Balgair was quiet, literally shocked.  Nineteen tring and nine platinum was almost six years pay for him.  He wanted to ask Amelia about it, considering she was his financial planner.  “Uh, Maighstir Darkblade, may I speak with Amelia for a moment?” 

When Rhyslin called the redhead back inside, Balgair told her what the draoidh offered for their freehold. She froze, and he watched her fingers brushing against each other as she calculated everything they had added to the grounds.  When she nodded, Balgair caught Rhyslin’s attention.

“Sir, nineteen tring and nine platinum will be acceptable.  You can give it to Amelia and Nell, and they can bring it with them.” 

The draoidh hummed as he thought it over.  “In that case, I can have your bonds and property to you within a week.”  He met the captain’s gaze.  “Do we have a deal?”

Balgair nodded.  “We have a deal. I accept it in Ananke’s name.” 

Rhyslin scratched his chin.  “In Ananke’s name,” and with that, the bargain was struck.

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[1] Our faithful lover

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