The Long Awaited Day (ch42)

Chapter 42 MacMurrough/Archid

Aoife and Lorcan left the very next morning well before the morning meal. She couldn’t see herself sitting with everyone again being disregarded. She did not even say goodbye to Strongbow. Her emotions were too fragile and she felt like she had made enough of a fool of herself. The cart was packed and she decided to go alone. She wanted to stop at her and Finn’s cottage before heading to her mother’s manor. She only hoped that he was there; she really needed to see him. 

When she arrived she was delighted to see Finn’s horse grazing outside. A sigh of relief escaped her, and she quickly stopped the horses.

A Clean Conscience (ch9)

 Chapter 9 Donnely/MacNamara

As Michan stared with an open mouth at Eamon’s body lying on the ground, he began to feel sick to his stomach. He glanced at Ryanne and saw the horrified look on her face. Looks of confusion occupied both of their eyes. 

“Hello Michan” The doctor said sadly as he walked towards him. “I didn’t know you knew Eamon. I’m sorry you walked in on this. Perhaps you should take Ryanne outside. Would you like me to send for your father Ryanne? I have just sent for the priest.” 

The doctor was being very kind and sympathetic, not realizing that a fight had ensued here last night with Michan causing Eamon to hit his head. Michan couldn’t answer the doctor for he couldn’t yet speak. Ryanne managed a few words. 

The Calm Before the Storm (ch5)

 

 

Chapter 5/ O’Brien

 

The tension was soaring high in Donnel’s life. He was not making any headway with the peace negotiations between his kingdom and a Norman Lord who was trying to seize Thomand out from under him. Donnel had been king for only a short while and within that time his kingdom had been chosen by many Norman barons for acquisition with King Henry’s consent. After he named himself Lord of Ireland, there was nothing anyone could do about the King sharing out land to all of his chief vassals. With little hope and withering self confidence, Donnel returned home to see his family. He knew that when he saw them it would cure his despondent frame of mind.

Aoife’s goodbye (ch42)

Chapter 42  de Clare/MacMurrough

Gilbert and Isabel’s first supper in the castle went surprisingly well. When everyone sat down you could feel the tension in the room. Strongbow was able to attend even though his leg was still painfully sore. With the help of a strong guard he was able to move about the castle quite well. After so much activity his leg was throbbing with pain, he simply ignored it and focused on Gilbert and Isabel.

A Grim Discovery (ch8)

 

Chapter 8 MacNamara/Donnely 

When Ryanne awoke the next morning her first sensation was the smell of a delicious food being prepared. She sat up slightly and with a rub of her eyes her vision became clearer. Her daughter Cieran was still sleeping so she peered over into the cooking area and saw Almaith anxiously preparing the morning meal.

Introduction of the O’Flattery family

 

Chapter 1  O’Flattery

Ennis O’Flattery was one of  two nobleman in Leinster, the other being Timothy De Burgh who had just inherited his land from his late father. Ennis owned the larger share of the lands.

Ennis was a widower. His wife had died a few years back and he was raising his two children who were in their teens. Coleman was 16, and Coblaith was 15.  He was hardly ever at home so the kids were primarily being raised by their nurse and the servants. The kids were quite privileged and educated having been taught by the monks from the abbey.