Page 125 of Queen of the Shadow

“You will soon enough. Now, what of my offer?” Before Scáthach could reply, the goddess continued. “You would live on Hy-Brasil, of course. As Goddess of the Dead you have the power to create your own castle, though you may return and visit Dunscáith as often as you wish.” Béfionn laughed softly. “Goddesses rule themselves.”

Scáthach kept staring at her mother. “But I’m Queen of Shadow.”

“That is a title. You may gift it to anyone deserving.” Béfionn’s gaze flicked to the empty stairway and then back to her daughter. “You will still have your affinity for shadow. That will never change.”

“And my school?”

“If you choose your replacement wisely, Dunscáith will thrive for many more years, but you must understand this is a mortal school and nothing mortals create lasts forever except in ballads.” The goddess’s smile turned wry. “And those are seldom accurate.”

Scáthach scoffed. “Something all wise women know!”

“I told you the bard would be amusing,” said the goddess.

“Ha! He’s been as amusing as a festering thorn in my side,” said Scáthach.

Béfionn shrugged. “He will create ballads about your Cuchulainn that will be sung generation after generation.”

“He’s notmyCuchulainn,” said Scáthach.

“Cuchulainn, Sentanta—they’re basically the same and they’re both yours.”

“He’s going to marry someone else and live his short life without me,” said Scáthach.

Béfionn leaned forward and spoke directly into her daughter’s face. “Your father married someone else. He lived his long life mostly without me.He was always mine.”

Scáthach nodded slowly. “Yes. He was always yours. He still is, isn’t he?”

Béfionn leaned back. “Of course.”

“You said I have three decisions to make. You’ve only presented me with one,” said Scáthach.

“And if you say yes to the one, the other two will present themselves to you.”

“When do you need my decision?” she asked.

In response Béfionn asked her own question. “How long do you want redeemable spirits to suffer in the Winterlands? How long do you want those who are repentant to languish in the Autumnal Realm?How long will our warriors be without a guide to the Summerlands?”

Scáthach abruptly stood. “I have to make those two decisions.”

Béfionn’s smile was brilliant. “Yes, beloved daughter, you do. And I shall wait here and sip this excellent mead while you do.”

“So it’s today?”

“It is today.”

“Little Fry will not like it.” Scáthach’s voice hitched as she spoke her daughter’s nickname.

“She’ll miss you, but she’ll be very busy.” The goddess ruffled Leannan’s ears. “And you’ll visit her often, as will I.”

“Do you know everything?” Scáthach asked.

“No. But I do know you. Now go on.” She fluttered her fingers dismissively at her daughter. “The Underworld impatiently awaits the arrival of their new goddess.”

* * *

Scáthach had Tabiti assemble the Shadow Guard and the students in the inner ward of the castle. They made a half circle before her on the training field. When Uathach and Tabiti joined her, their furrowed brows were the only indication of their concern. In a low voice she told the two women, “I’m sorry I’m doing this without talking with you first, but there is no time. Respond honestly. I will honor whatever you decide.”

Tabiti and Uathach exchanged confused looks, but each woman nodded and took their familiar places on either side of the Queen of Shadow.