Nona thought Ferchar might join them right away, but in fact, it was much later before the king appeared by the table, with Ulchabhán lurking behind.
“Ah, my lords, I trust ye are well fed?” He looked from one to another, his small eyes glittering under his heavy brows.
“Of course, and we thank ye, my lord king,” Conaire said.
“Good, good,” Ferchar said, settling himself down on the bench beside Conaire, across from Celyn and Albanwyr. Ulchabhán sat down beside him. Ferchar glanced at his counsellor. “But perhaps we shouldna have been so free with our welcome, do ye no think, Ulchabhán? ’Tis better perhaps for the Lord Celyn to take a tale of Dál Riata’s poverty rather than of our riches back to Bebbanburg, eh?”
Ulchabhán smiled thinly in response but did not reply.
Ferchar chortled
