“There it be! The mighty walls o’ Wexford.”
Scrambling to my knees, I saw an impressive stone wall near the height of two grown men, which appeared to run the length of the town. Ailish emerged from under the blanket, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as we stared at the large tower looming straight ahead. Nerves jigged in my stomach at what awaited beyond the gate. A few drops of rain wetted my cheeks. I brushed them away and drew up the hood of my cape.
Seamus exchanged friendly words with one of the guards, who waved us through without so much as a second glance. The cart’s wheels changed from a muted rumble to a loud clatter over the cobbled road. Though nowhere near the size of Bristol, the town was more crowded than I anticipated, and my eyes flew from person to person in search of familiar faces amongst the bustling crowds. No doubt, Henry, Nora and Deri were here somewhere, considering their head start from London. Cate and Tom could also have arrived by now, as could my three companions from the Sea Witch.
Oh, where are you?
“Anywhere special you want to go?” Seamus asked.
“Just to an inn,” I said, distracted by a glimpse of deep auburn hair. I opened my mouth to call out when the woman turned, and I caught sight of a heavily freckled face. Clamping my mouth shut, I moved on to the next person.
“There be a respectable place not far from the town center,” Seamus said. “I know the proprietor from when I come to trade me cloth.”
“That should do,” I said, my eyes still combing the many faces. Fisting my hands in frustration, I wanted to scream for everyone to please stop moving and to kindly remove any hats and hoods.
“Don’t worry,” Ailish whispered. “We’ll find your friends.”
A knot of boys ran past us. We followed the same route at a much slower pace as Seamus guided the horse past the various obstacles that crowded the narrow road. Since entering the town, stone and wood structures ran uninterrupted along either side, standing two and three stories high. Combined with the constant press of shoppers, laborers and animals, I began to feel somewhat claustrophobic.
Up ahead, the boys skirted around a corner onto another road. Two women came just as quickly in the opposite direction, colliding with the last boy. Righting himself, he slipped from sight as a slight breeze flapped the sides of my hood, carrying the scent of the sea. It also carried the first hint of angry shouts and the clash of steel.
Reining the horse, Seamus slowly edged forward to where the boys had turned. The sound of fighting grew louder, and I saw that a crowd had assembled partway down the road. Standing for a better view, I squinted at what appeared to be at least a half dozen men engaged in swordplay. Ailish stood next to me, lifting to her tiptoes.
“Here’s a piece o’ poor luck,” Seamus said. “The inn be on the far side o’ that commotion there. We best continue on past the sea and circle around the other way.” He flicked the reins, and the cart lurched forward.
“Wait!” Ailish cried, pointing excitedly.
Seamus pulled on the horse. “What’s got to you?”
“Do you see that man? The tall one there with the brown hair? He be fighting all the others.” She gave a squeal of delight. “Look at him, will you. I’ve never seen anything so grand.”
“Is it a beau you’re looking for?” Seamus chided her. “Don’t be wasting your time on that one. Six to one ain’t a fair fight, and he’ll be stuck through if’n the soldiers don’t break it up soon.”
A creeping dread filled me as I focused on the man. He was a good head taller than the others, and moved with a deadly grace that sent my stomach spiraling to the floorboards.
I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth.
“What’s wrong?” Ailish and Seamus asked at once.
“That man... It’s Henry.”
Chapter Thirteen
Returned From the Dead
Steel flashed through the air as one of the men took a wild lunge at Henry. I flinched, but Henry parried the blow with ease, throwing the man off balance and sending him tumbling into the thick knot of spectators.
A relieved breath tore from me, only to finish in a terrified cry when another attacker moved forward. Then the first man regained his balance and rejoined the fray, encouraged by cheers from the swelling crowd.
“And who be Henry?” Seamus asked, the casual words belying the tension in his voice.
Preoccupied with counting swords, I let Ailish fill in the necessary details. “Selah’s true love. He’s come to Wexford to help save her best friend.”
Seamus whistled under his breath just as two men attacked Henry at once. Again, he parried the blows. “Well, he’s a skilled fighter, that’s for certain, but no man can stand those odds for long. Can you see how many he’s up against?”