“Do not rush. Enjoy the respite and finish the sweet treats and your hot brews, there is time yet to return to your chores,” she said to the servants who looked ready to rush off. “I am going to talk with Verena. It is time to plan a celebration.”
Smiles spread and cheers rang out as Flora hurried to the kitchen.
Flora took her time speaking to Verena and going over a plan for the celebration, though a date was left to be set. They were almost finished when Walsh showed up at the kitchen door.
“I offered to fetch Philip’s food since he has difficulty getting around in the snow,” Walsh said.
Verena looked to Flora for permission.
“Give him the basket,” Flora said, having learned that Torin made sure the elderly in the clan were sent food if needed. “I will walk with you to Philip’s to see how he fares.”
Walsh shrugged. “Your choice, my lady, but you will be disappointed if you think I steal the old man’s food.”
“You are a mercenary. I cannot be sure what you would do.”
“And yet you will walk with me to the cottage? Is that not foolish?” Walsh asked with a chuckle.
Flora chuckled herself. “What would be foolish is if you would attempt to harm me with so many of my husband’s warriors and clan members about. Unless you have a notion to meet death today.”
“You have a quick mind.”
“I try,” Flora said. “Now let’s not keep Philip waiting.”
Sufficient snow had fallen to entice children to play, snowballs flying, and screeches of delight filled the air as Flora walked alongside Walsh through the village.
“You have questions for me,” Walsh said.
“Of course I do,” Flora said. “I am trying to make sense of your true reason for showing up here, but it eludes me.”
“You do not believe my tale?”
“I believe parts of it may be true, but I am still holding out judgment until I can find out more. So why don’t you help me,” Flora suggested.
“There is not much more to add to what I already told you, my lady,” Walsh said.
“I am afraid I do not believe you,” Flora said quite matter-of-factly. “One glance tells me you are a seasoned mercenary which means you trust few and lies are common for you. Not that I blame you. Your tasks cannot be all that easy with betrayal, lies, and secrets being a part of them. But I also believe that each man has a line they will not cross, for once they do they owe their soul to the devil, and most everyone fears the devil.”
“You have to believe in him to fear him,” Walsh said.
“You do not believe in him?”
“There is a devil in all of us,” he said with a laugh. “It is whether we rule him or he rules us.”
“An interesting thought,” Flora said, thinking on something similar her da had once remarked on. “My da would agree with you. He told me that evil and good reside together. You choose which one you want to be. Which one did you choose, Walsh?”
He grinned. “I found that it depends on the moment.”
“I understand now,” Flora said, nodding.
“Understand what?”
“You have not known love. Love makes all the difference.”
Walsh grunted. “Love is the devil’s toy. He dangles it in front of you, lets you play with it, then snatches it away and leaves you in pain.”
“You have loved and lost,” Flora said with surprise.
“And I will not be fooled by the devil’s hand again,” Walsh snapped.