27
The next day dawned gray and dreary. Bryan heard the rain falling steadily on the canvas above his head. The wind had died down, but it seemed the storm would last the rest of the day at least.
Rolling out from under his blanket, he pulled the hood up on his cloak and stepped outside. There weren’t many men milling around. He walked to the nearest fire, hissing and smoking in its attempt to beat the rain. Tossing some wood on to keep it going, he made his way to the thickly branched tree to where the O’Connor prisoner had been moved.
Douglas was awake and watched through a bloodied and swollen face as McCleary approached.
“Seems the rain will delay yer return to Ballinderry,” Bryan said. He eyed Douglas and hoped the man’s bond with the brother of Seamus O’Connor was strong enough t
