CHAPTER XXII.
THE STORM OF MEN COMES TO REST.
"Very well, Turlough. Tell Captain Peyton that I will give him an answerto his message to-night, then bid my kinsman Shaun entertain him in thehall, with the other officers. Send some food up here, and I may comedown later."
"And, mistress--you will tell me if--"
"Surely. Now go."
Brian tried to open his eyes, but could not. He tried to move, but couldnot; and realized at length that he was lying on a bed, and that abandage was on his head and others on his limbs.
Suddenly a hand fell on his cheek, and a thrill shot through him; hisbeard had been shaved away, for he could feel the softness of the handagainst his chin. He felt the hand passed over his mouth--and he kissedit.
There was a startled gasp, then the soft hand returned to his cheek.
"Brian! Are you awake at last?"
"I seem to be," he said, though his voice sounded more like a whisper."Is that you, Nuala? Where are we?"
"Yes, it is I," came her voice softly, and something warm splashed onhis cheek. "Oh, Brian! I so feared that--that you were dead!"
The hand moved away, and he moved uneasily, to feel pain through hisbody.
"Nay, put back your hand!" he said. He tried to smile. "There, that'sbetter. Where are we, Nuala? On your ship?"
"No, Brian--at Gorumna. But I forgot. Turlough said you must not talk--"
"Oh, curse Turlough," he cried in irritation. "Gorumna? What hashappened? Where is the Dark Master?"
"Lie still or I must leave you!" she cried sharply, and he obeyed. "TheDark Master's head is over the gate, Brian. It is two days since thefight."
"Take that bandage from my eyes, Nuala," he said. After a minute herhands went to his head, and as he felt the bandage removed, lightdazzled him, and he shut his eyes with a groan. Then he opened themagain, and gradually he made out the figure of Nuala leaning over him,while a cresset shed light from above.
"Tell me what has happened," said Brian quietly, as he tried again tomove and failed. "Why am I helpless here?"
"Because you are wounded," she replied softly. "Please lie quiet, Brian!I will tell you all that has chanced."
"Where is Cathbarr! Did we win?"
"Yes, we won; but--but Cathbarr--he must have flung away his ax beforethe ship exploded, for we found it sticking in your boat, and--"
Her voice broke, and a pang of bitterness shot through Brian as heremembered it all now. He groaned.
"And I left him there to die! Oh, coward that I am--coward, and false tomy friend--"
A great sob shook his body, but Nuala's hands fell on his face, andthere was fear in her voice when she answered him.
"No, Brian--don't say that! If any one's fault, it was Shaun's for notcoming sooner to your aid. Cathbarr died as he would have wished, andindeed as he always thought he would die. But now listen, Brian, for Ihave news."
So, leaning over him, she swiftly told him of what had passed. TheO'Donnells had been defeated and slain to the last man; one of theirships was sunk, and the other three captured, and her men held Bertragh.As she and Shaun O'Malley lay refitting and gathering their wounded thatsame afternoon, a Parliament ship had come in from the south, bearing ananswer to the appeal she had sent to Blake at the Cove of Cork.
He had not only sent her powder and supplies, but had sent her a blankcommission from Cromwell, which would be filled in upon her definiteallegiance to the Commonwealth. The commission guaranteed her possessionof Gorumna and Bertragh and the lands she claimed, and promised thatwhen the royalists were driven from Galway the grant would be confirmedby Parliament.
"I am to answer Captain Peyton to-night, Brian," she finished, her eyesdancing. "And Shaun is going to remain and hold Bertragh for me--"
"What's that?" cried Brian. "Hold Bertragh? Am I then wounded so sorethat I cannot draw sword again?"
"No," and her laugh rippled out. "Turlough says that you will be as wellas ever in a month, Brian. But since you withdrew your fealty to me, Ihad to find another servant!"
"I had forgotten that," answered Brian moodily. He stared up at herface, and as he met her eyes saw the color flow up to her temples.
"You have slain the Dark Master as you promised, Brian," she saidquietly. "And have you forgotten also that you meant to claim a rewardfrom me for that deed?"
Brian laughed, and his face softened as happiness laid hold upon hisheart.
"I have not forgotten that, Nuala; but now I am not going to ask thatreward in the same way I had intended."
"How do you mean, Brian?" she asked gravely, though her eyes widened atrifle as if in quick fear.
"This, dear lady," he smiled. "When you answer Captain Peyton, let thecommission be made out in the name of Nuala O'Neill--and take my fealtyfor what is left to me of life, Nuala."
He looked up steadily, knowing that all things hung on that instant.
"Well, to tell the truth, Brian," and for a moment she seemed tohesitate, so that Brian felt a sudden shock, "I--I delayed answering himin--in that hope!"
And her face came down to his.