Read And Blue Skies From Pain for Free Online Page A

leg?”
    Father Dominic muttered something very un-priest-like.
    “Liam!” It was Father Murray. “Put down that rifle!”
    “Be happy to.” Liam poked the barrel of the Kalashnikov at Father Dominic. “However, I wasn’t the one who drew first.”
    One of the other priest-assassins muttered, “As if a blade warrants an automatic weapon.”
    “Poisoned blade. Therefore, I beg to differ,” Liam said and then paused. “Then again, when assessing the danger I should’ve factored in who was wielding the bloody thing.” He shouldered the rifle.
    The insult took several heartbeats to register on Father Dominic’s face. He growled and charged, raising the dirk. Liam stepped out of the priest’s path at the last instant. Father Dominic shot past before stumbling to a halt. He prepared for another charge.
    “Bernard!” An older man who Liam assumed was Bishop Avery pushed his way through the protective circle of priests.
    Father Dominic’s face contorted with rage. “This… creature maimed Father Christopher.”
    “You ambushed me,” Liam said, feeling his anger rise. “I could’ve killed you, and I didn’t.”
    “Everyone, please,” Father Murray said. “This is no way to begin. I thought we agreed to a peaceful meeting?”
    Bran stood at the ready, bronze-tipped spear in hand. “It is they who have not kept to their word. Your holy man brought yon army.”
    Bishop Avery gaped. “Too many times we’ve been met with treachery—”
    “Not at the hands of the Fianna,” Uncle Sceolán said, edging his way past angry priests to take his place at Bran’s side.
    Father Murray sighed. “Look, we’ll get nowhere like this. There must be something we can agree upon. Anything?”
    “Is there?” Bran asked.
    “Ireland will be lost if we refuse to cooperate with one another,” Father Murray said. “Can we at least agree to that?”
    “We are the Fianna,” Uncle Sceolán said, “and we’ll not be defeated.”
    “Then why are you here?” Father Murray asked.
    Uncle Sceolán looked to Bran, opened his mouth and then shut it.
    Bran straightened. “We are here because there is need. We cannot fight two wars at once.”
    Uncle Sceolán harrumphed.
    The ghost of a smile brushed Bran’s lips, and his eyes glittered with what might have been a red reflection. “Well, not with ease.”
    “And Your Grace?” Father Murray asked.
    Bishop Avery sighed. “The situation could be better.”
    “There. We agree on something. So, please, everyone. Stay calm,” Father Murray said. “We’re here to talk.”
    “Put away the blade, Bernard. Now,” Bishop Avery said. “Come here.”
    “Yes, Bernard,” Liam said. “Do as you’re told.”
    “Liam, quit it,” Father Murray said.
    Father Dominic leaned close enough for Liam to smell the whiskey on his breath and whispered, “I’ll sort you out later, demon. Best watch yourself.” He sheathed the dagger and went to the Bishop.
    “Liam, the gun,” Father Murray said, holding out a hand. He looked angry, and Liam couldn’t help being a wee bit glad.
    Bran said, “Best do as he says, son.”
    “Are you?” Liam asked his father.
    Bran glanced at Bishop Avery and then put his spear on the ground. “We are here to negotiate a truce, not start another war. If your Father Murray feels the Bishop is here in earnest, I’ll not refuse.”
    Not seeing another choice, Liam handed the rifle to Father Murray.
    “All right, then,” Father Murray said once he’d placed the rifle under the table out of easy reach. “Let’s begin.” He picked up the papers and distributed copies to both Bishop Avery and Bran. “The Roman Catholic Church agrees to a temporary cease-fire between Herself and the Fey for the duration of one week within the confines of the Diocese of Raphoe, Derry, Down and Connor, Armagh, Dromore, Clogher, Kilmore, Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, and Meath.”
    Bran frowned at the paper in his hand. “What is this? The truce was to include all of Ireland