Page 18 of Queen of the Shadow

“Could be out of jealousy,” Geirr said gruffly. “Forgall Monach has never been known for his fighting skills.”

“Jealousy is rarely a wise reason to do anything,” said Scáthach. Then she smiled at Geirr and clapped his shoulder. “Safe journeys, my friend. I wish you and the Wolfskins well.”

“Thank you, Queen of Shadow. May you continue to prosper. Please know that Lethra will always be your home and we would welcome your return joyously.” Geirr bowed to her and then followed his men over the Bridge of Leaps.

* * *

Scáthach and Leannan joined Uathach on the practice field as she led the students through warm-up drills. Scáthach put Lethra from her mind and studied the students. Cuchulainn warmed up with the group, though his gaze kept flicking to Scáthach.

She wasted no time. There was no point in it. Her decision had been made.

“Sentanta, I will train you,” she said.

As the other students congratulated Cuchulainn, her daughter’s gaze snapped to her. Scáthach met her eyes steadily until Uathach looked away.

Scáthach gave the group a moment and then addressed them. “Your prowess yesterday assures me that today you will master the next steps of the vault feat.” She nodded to Uathach, who moved to stand beside her mother and took over the instructions.

“You mastered the two-step entrance to the vault. Today we expand that to four steps, which will carry you farther from the ground. As you vault higher and higher, remember that landing correctly is the ultimate test of your vault feat, especially as a bad landing can result in broken legs, or worse.” Uathach paused as the student warriors took in her words. Her gaze went to her mother and her lips tilted up. “As the Queen of Shadow is joining us again today, perhaps she will gift us with an example of a successfully landed vault before we go over the four-step approach you will be attempting.”

Scáthach’s brows raised, but she mirrored her daughter’s smile and dipped her head in acquiescence. First, she went through several warm-up drills, taking notice of the students who were savvy enough to join her in limbering their muscles. She was pleased to see Sentanta was one of them. After her body felt warm, she tested several of the vaulting poles, choosing the one that had the best balance. Holding the pole at her side, Scáthach jogged across the training field, careful to give herself plenty of room. Though she could wield a sword with either hand, her right was most dominant. Moving slowly and distinctly enough that the students could follow every step of the vault, she placed the pole next to her left side and reached up as high as she could on it with her left hand. She grasped the pole and brought it down by her left hip, grasping it higher up with her right hand.

Holding the pole in that staggered grip, she sprinted toward the vaulting pit. She planted the end of the pole in the X-marked spot and launched herself, stretching both legs up and above her head. Scáthach sailed up, up, up, and then arched high, turned in the air, and came back to the ground, landing cat-like on her feet in the sand pit.

The watching warriors cheered but quieted quickly as Scáthach and Uathach divided the group. This time Uathach took the students through stretching, warming, and strengthening drills while Scáthach demonstrated the four-step vault entrance and took the warriors through it one at a time.

When it was Cuchulainn’s turn, Scáthach asked, “Have you ever attempted the vault feat?”

“No. I’d never even heard of it until yesterday when I watched the drills as I went back and forth from the smithy to your door,” he said.

“Then you are familiar with the two-step technique they practiced?”

He paused before answering but finally nodded. “I believe I am.” His smile was surprisingly boyish. “I spent a lot of time yesterday going back and forth.”

“Good. I’ll walk your first attempt with you to be sure your hand position and technique are correct.” She motioned to the pile of vaulting poles. “Choose one according to balance.”

Cuchulainn went to the pile and chose his pole, and then, with Scáthach at his side, he succeeded in the two-step drill on his first attempt. The other students cheered.

“Ready to try the four-step drill?” Scáthach asked.

“I am,” Cuchulainn said. With no hesitation, he correctly completed the more-advanced drill. The students cheered for him again.

Cuchulainn was the only student who successfully completed the four-step drill on their first try, though every time his turn came, he attacked the drill with the same solemnity, never making it obvious how easy it was for him. Scáthach noted that. She also noted that as he waited for his turn, Cuchulainn cheered on the other students, clapping and shouting encouragement, and congratulating each warrior when she or he successfully completed the task.

It was approaching midday when every student had succeeded in the four-step vault. Scáthach and Uathach praised the group, and then the Queen of Shadow asked if there were any questions before they moved on to the underwater feat.

Cuchulainn stepped forward. “I have a question, but I do not wish to offend.”

“I have asked for questions. If you have one and it comes from a place of true curiosity and honesty, ask freely without worrying about offense,” Scáthach assured him.

He nodded and said, “We’ve trained for a vault feat. Next, we will train for an underwater feat. In all the time I’ve spent with Ulster warriors I’ve heard of neither, and I assume the two feats you’ve named are just two of many, correct?”

“Correct,” Scáthach said.

“Then my question is, why train in obscure and unusual feats? Why not focus on the sword or spear, bow or chariot? The normal feats that, once honed, will make us victorious on any battlefield?”

“An excellent question,” Scáthach said. “We do drill standard battle feats, but in battle, as in life, versatility often predicts or decides survival. So we will also train in unexpected feats to prepare you for unexpected circumstances. Sentanta, take your pole and show me your best vault.”

His brow furrowed. “Now?”