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Duncan looked up at the door, then scowled when still Malcolm had not returned with Anne. He shuffled the drawings of Ballinderry and the coastline of O’Connor land. The captains continued to talk in groups, offering, altering, and sometimes disposing of ideas and plans about how to protect the village from an attack by mercenaries on the road, or by water in the guise of a distrustful business deal.
He let the voices dull to a hum in the background as he rubbed his hands across his face. The news of Anne and her companions’ innocence in the raids was well received. He knew by morning most of those living at Ballinderry could let go of any grudges against the McClearys that were brought in several days ago. Apparently, Clan O’Connor was not fond of having criminals in their midst. Mos
