Page 58 of Queen of the Shadow

“There was no chance of that,” said Cuchulainn.

She nodded. “Good.”

They mounted, and with Cuchulainn riding at the Queen of Shadow’s side, the army raced to the dusky road and began their trek around Loch Duich to Dùn Dòbhrain and Aife.

Chapter 13

Sentanta thought it would be a simple thing. Reconnoiter with two strong, experienced warriors—and then the real battle would begin.

He had been so very wrong.

* * *

“We need to know how many warriors Aife has and what kind of defenses she’s added to Dùn Dòbhrain.” Tabiti addressed Scáthach and Uathach from inside the hastily erected shelter tucked within the heavily forested hills on the mainland overlooking the fort. They’d arrived at dawn and set lookouts with orders to be sure none of Aife’s men would alert her that Scáthach’s army was near.

“Which is why Uathach and I are going to parlay with Aife under the flag of truce,” said Scáthach.

“What? Parlay? Truce?” Tabiti sputtered. “I thought we were here to be rid of Aife and her army.”

“We are,” Uathach said as she watched her mother’s sly smile bloom across her exquisite face. “The parlay is a distraction.”

“Indeed,” said Scáthach.

Tabiti huffed out an exasperated breath. “And you couldn’t have just said so?”

Scáthach grinned at her friend and continued. “Aife has been collecting information about me. We all know what the people here, and those on Skye, would tell her.”

Uathach nodded. “That the Queen of Shadow is not a warmonger. She trains for protection, to uphold honor, to practice excellence. She does not instigate trouble.”

“Yes, and when there is trouble, her daughter can always be found at her side.” Tabiti’s smile mirrored Scáthach’s.

“So it makes sense that I would not automatically attack, but would parlay with my daughter by my side,” said Scáthach. “Unless I educate her, which I will not, Aife has no way of knowing that I am aware of the price she has put on my head.”

“She’ll think you’ve just had word she’s here,” said Tabiti. “That you’ll want to negotiate a truce with her.”

“And I will speak of peace and a truce at the entrance to Dùn Dòbhrain with my daughter at my side, while you and two warriors of your choosing use the underwater feat to approach the waterside rear of the fort and observe how many warriors are secreted within those walls and what defenses she’s added around them.”

“I can do that!” Tabiti said fiercely.

“You’ll need to get a local fisherman to hide you in his boat until you and the two warriors are close enough to the islet to swim there, concealed underwater,” said Scáthach.

Tabiti nodded quickly. “Easily done. No local will support those who murdered Lord Kintail and his sons.”

“Do not forget how clear the loch is,” added Uathach as she glanced up at the cloudless sky. “If Aife has set sentries to watch the loch—and she would be a fool not to—you will be spotted, even swimming underwater.”

“Gather algae and water debris from near the shore,” said Scáthach. “Not so much that it will draw attention. Only just enough to shield your bodies.”

“It will be done,” said Tabiti. “When do you parlay?”

“As soon as you choose your warriors and head out on the water,” said Scáthach. “When you do so, Uathach and I will make our way in full view to the fort’s bridge.”

“Then I’ll alert the two warriors and gather the reeds and weapons that will carry well underwater immediately. We will be ready to head to the loch to find a fisherman and boat soon,” said Tabiti.

“Good. Let’s move quickly. I’m eager to be done with Aife and return to Dunscáith,” said Scáthach.

As Tabiti turned to head from the shelter, Uathach asked, “Who will you choose to accompany you?”

“The two strongest swimmers—Amage and Cuchulainn.”