Page 27 of Queen of the Shadow

Scáthach nodded. “Aife.”

“Yes. The ships have disappeared, though we have no way of knowing if they simply wait out of view,” said Tabiti.

Scáthach crossed her arms over her chest. “Or if they’ve sailed to the far side of the island from where our riders have not yet returned.”

“True,” said Tabiti.

“As you commanded, our swiftest messenger left at dawn for Lethra to report the ambush to Geirr and to alert him that Aife’s army is on the move,” said Uathach as she joined them.

Scáthach studied her daughter. Above her left elbow her arm was swathed in bandages. Her face was pale, though she moved with her usual fluid grace. “Are you well, Uathach?”

“I am,” said Uathach. “And Muirenn will heal. Her leg will have to be in a splint for the next several weeks, but neither her head wound nor the arrow wound are serious.”

“Your recommendation?” Scáthach asked.

“That she remain here to heal and then continue her training.”

“Then she shall remain at Dunscáith until she heals and can complete her training,” said Scáthach. “What of Cynwrig’s pyre?”

Uathach motioned to a warrior who waited at the edge of the inner ward and Enniaum, Cynwrig’s tribesman, hurried to join them.

“Ah, Enniaum, I was just asking Uathach about Cynwrig’s pyre. As you are his countryman, that decision falls to you,” said Scáthach.

He bowed to the Queen of Shadow. “I ask that I be allowed to return my cousin to the mainland and our tribe, Brigantes, where our families will provide the funeral rites and honor him with a warrior’s entombment so that he will rest easily in the Summerlands.”

“You have my permission and my blessing. Ask our healer to wrap the body tightly with herbs,” said Scáthach. “And should you wish it, you may return here to complete your training after you have cared for your cousin.”

“I do wish to return, my queen,” said Enniaum.

“Then we shall look forward to you rejoining your class. May your journey be swift and easy.” Scáthach clasped the young warrior’s hand. He bowed again and hurried across the inner ward toward the infirmary.

“We will immediately increase and expand the sentries,” continued Scáthach. “I will not be surprised again by Aife.” She turned to Tabiti’s countrywoman and lover. “Amage, oversee the building of signal fire mounds across the ridges that overlook the sea. Divide up the guard to take sentry shifts. If any longboat is sighted we will know of it.”

Amage bowed sharply. “Yes, Queen of Shadow.”

“I want Aife found.” The sharpness of Scáthach’s voice matched her grim expression. “Comb the island. Study the seas. If she hides from me, it will not be on Skye.”

Her warriors nodded and then, except for Tabiti and Uathach, they bowed and dispersed.

“Do we remain within the castle walls to train until Aife has been spotted?” asked Tabiti.

“No. I will not cower inside Dunscáith.” She glanced up at the sky where low-hanging clouds teased rain. “Returning to the Fairy Pools today would be futile. Drilling the underwater feat in a rainstorm is miserable. Today we practice the chariot feat on the road between Dunscáith and Tarsgabhaig. The road is so well-traveled that even should it rain it will not quickly turn to mud.”

“And there is that stretch of it that goes past the sheltered beach. Remember how after the broken leg and shattered ankle of the last batch of students you decided to train the first step of the feat in the water?” said Tabiti.

Scáthach nodded. “Good of you to remind me. Yes, that stretch of beach will be perfect to drill the first step.”

“I’ll have the chariots and their teams readied,” said Uathach.

“Little Fry.” Scáthach grasped Uathach’s wrist to keep her from heading to the stables. “Perhaps you should remain within the castle today and rest.” Her gaze flicked to the thick bandage around her daughter’s biceps. “Breaking that wound open will only increase your chance of it festering.”

Uathach took her mother’s hand. “I know I am only the granddaughter and not the daughter of a goddess, but I do heal rather quickly.” She smiled at Scáthach’s frown and relented, squeezing her mother’s hand. “I will drive a chariot instead of performing the feat, though you know this is my favorite of the feats.”

“I beat you last time,” said Tabiti, giving her a cheeky smile.

“Ha! Only because my horse slipped,” Uathach countered.

“No feats for you today, Uathach,” Scáthach commanded, though her frown had turned up into a reluctant smile.