Page 37 of Queen of the Shadow

Cuchulainn arrived first. He jumped from his horse before he’d come to a halt and jogged to the pile of vaulting poles left in the shadow of the stone sentinel where, just months before, he had built a fire and contemplated how to conquer the Bridge of Leaps.

From somewhere on the parapet, Scáthach clearly heard the bard shout, “Mighty Cuchulainn wins again!”

As she scowled, Uathach grinned at her and whispered, “Be nice. Remember, he’s not a bad man.”

“Just a weak, foolish one,” Tabiti muttered.

Then they said no more as everyone’s attention was on Cuchulainn and the vault feat he attempted.

He chose his pole and Scáthach nodded, recognizing that he’d chosen the same pole he’d already vaulted with successfully during their many drills. He backed past the stone markers, placed his hands purposefully, and bent to sprint. Just before he began his run at the bridge, Cuchulainn glanced up and met Scáthach’s gaze. His face was alight with joy and his smile was a fierce bearing of teeth.

Scáthach’s blazing grin mirrored his joy. She leaned forward over the platform and shouted, “You can do it, Sentanta!”

As Unnr’s horse raced up the raised wooden road to the castle behind him, Cuchulainn ran at the bridge. He placed the spiked end of the pole just before the stone began and with a great shout, he vaulted high over the arched bridge. His landing wasn’t as graceful as it typically was during drills. He lost his balance and with an audibleooffell back on his ass, though he sprang to his feet as the guard waved the finish flag to declare him the winner. Cuchulainn shot his fist in the air with a victory shout that was echoed by everyone who watched.

* * *

The students gathered in the training field after the race. Scáthach did not make them wait. With Uathach and Tabiti at her side she addressed them.

“I have been training warriors for more than two decades and this is the first time thatevery studentsuccessfully performed the three feats and finished the race.” Her students’ faces seemed to glow as she continued. “I am so proud of you.”

“As am I,” said Uathach.

“And I,” added Tabiti.

“Which means all of you will move on to the second phase of your training!” Scáthach announced. The students cheered and Leannan barked and leaped around them. The Queen of Shadow raised her hand and they quieted. “Cuchulainn, you are the winner of today’s contest, which means you may ask a boon of me.” The students cheered even louder and clapped Cuchulainn on the back. Scáthach smiled, appreciating how the Hero of Ulster had not just been accepted by the other students, but was truly liked by them.

One of the students shouted, “Cu, use the boon to ask for a break from drills!”

Cuchulainn and the group laughed. When they’d quieted, Scáthach continued. “He need not waste his boon. In response to your excellence today, I am declaring a seven-day break from training.”

Into the stunned silence Tabiti said, “But do not get used to that. And know that on the eighth day we begin drilling feats even more difficult than the three you have all mastered.”

The students broke into a cacophony of clapping and cheering and whooping as Leannan barked while Scáthach, Uathach, and Tabiti laughed. The students began to wander off shortly after. Scáthach went to the water barrel and used the dipper to take a long drink.

“And what will you do with seven days of rest?” Uathach asked as she and Tabiti joined her mother at the barrel.

“The Queen of Shadow doesn’t rest,” said Tabiti with mock seriousness before she waggled her brows at Scáthach. “Shall we hunt some red deer?”

“Indeed we shall.” Scáthach tossed water on her heated face and grinned. “But first I’m going to make my favorite summer trade.”

“Honey heather mead!” Tabiti and Uathach shouted the three words together.

Scáthach laughed and the joy-filled sound echoed off the carved walls of Dunscáith, causing the students left on the practice field and the guard above on the parapet to glance fondly at her and smile.

“Yes! I’ve chosen three fat cows that I will tie to the back of a cart to trade with Lileas. And when I return with the cart it will be filled with barrels of honey heather mead,” said Scáthach.

“Excellent!” Tabiti clapped her hands together. “When do we leave?”

“Ileave as soon as I hitch up the cart and tie the cows to it,” said Scáthach.

“You go alone?” Tabiti asked.

“No. Leannan will go with me.”

Uathach shook her head, her smile sliding from her face. “No, Mother. I do not believe it’s wise for you to go alone.”

“Uathach, how many times have I taken the cart south to the Aird of Sleat where Lileas brews her special mead?” Scáthach asked.