McEwan, the big man, dropped Merlin, and he fell on his feet, struggling for balance. Strong hands steadied him. He spun to defend himself, but the man had disappeared like a ghost. A blur of yellow moved below him. Was the big man on his knees?
“Forgive me, bard, for layin’ me hands on ya.”
Was this a taunt? Merlin was about to explain that he wasn’t a bard when another voice spoke.
“I’m O’Sloan, an’ I lead this band. Forgive us for botherin’ ya. An’ lass, for the bard’s sake, we bid ya well. Now out o’ here, lads.”
They placed the harp in Merlin’s hands — case, wooden peg, and all — and the colorful forms of the men disappeared.
“Who were they?” Merlin asked, hoping the woman knew.
She stepped forward, and the smell of smoked fish filled the air. “The question is, who are you? Every time I see you, Merlin, you surprise me. First you teach my brother a lesson. Then you’re whipped for Garth —”
“Natalenya?” Had he really just faced those men in her presence?
“And last night, other than Brother Prontwon, you alone stood up to that horrible druid —”
“You saw it?”
She placed her hand on his tunic, over his heart. “And now these warriors bow to you as a bard.”
Merlin’s face turned red. “It’s your harp! If they’d asked me to play, they’d have beaten me with it and taken your fish.”
“Well they didn’t, thanks to Jesu.”
Merlin nodded, his heart grateful. “Who are they?”
“Warriors. I’ve never seen their like — wild hair, armbands, jewelry, and beautifully embroidered jerkins over their tunics. The sides of their sleeves went down to their knees. Have you ever seen …”
Her words trailed off, and Merlin felt her staring at him.
“You’re so brave.” She pushed away the curly black hair that partially hid his scars. “I saw you in chapel all those times, and I never knew you were so brave.”
His hands began to shake worse than before, so he put them behind his back. “What are Eirish warriors doing here? Are they from Lyhonesse?”
She took a deep breath. “I don’t know, but they all had swords, and the one that picked you up was like a monster. When I saw it was you, I planned to just give them the fish.”
“But your father …”
“If it meant keeping you from getting hurt, I’d have been glad to let my father’s guests starve. I don’t care if they are the High King’s men.”
Merlin almost jumped. “The High King’s men?”
“Shh,” Natalenya said, stepping closer. “I shouldn’t have said anything. There’s war on the eastern coast.”
Merlin nodded. He had learned the news from an iron merchant who had come to their shop two weeks ago. “What have you heard?”
“A host of wild men have landed along the coast, pillaging whole towns. Rumor has it that even Lundnisow may be in danger before the year’s out. High King Uther is coming through to raise troops from Gorlas.”
“Your father would’ve been furious if you’d given up the fish.” Her hair smelled like the heather that grew on the mountain near her home.
“I don’t care. You’ve had enough happen to you lately.”
“Why didn’t Megek help?”
“When they threatened him, he barred the door. He’s very old, so I don’t blame him. How’s your head?” She touched the bruise where Mórganthu had hit him. “You seem to be getting knocked about up there of late.”
“He hit me pretty hard, didn’t he? Actually, I don’t remember. Tas told me everything.” Merlin moved backward a step.
“Mother and I saw it. We prayed for you.”
“My tas is going to see the Stone at midday, and I have to keep an eye on him. But I want to sit on the dock and pray first. I like to listen to the birds.” His voice quavered a little. “Would you care to join me?”
She nodded, and he hoped it was a smile he’d seen on her face.
As they walked, colorful blurs waved in the sunshine to their right. He reached out and picked one — a wildflower, orange — then gave it to Natalenya. She put it in her hair, and he smelled its sweet fragrance as she guided him over a muddy spot and onto the first plank of the dock.
They sat at the end of the dock, where birds twittered and chirped among the tall sedge grasses that seemed to grow out of the morning fog. A few boats tied nearby bumped each other on the dark water.