Page 96 of Queen of the Shadow

“No, that would be a lie,” said Scáthach. “What he’s saying is that I do not know why you are here and not in Valhalla, though I do have a guess. Drest, you and your warriors know that we only attacked and killed you in response toyouractions, correct?”

“That’s right,” said Cuchulainn. “The Shadow Guard didn’t harass you, even after you trespassed on Skye and caused the death of two of Scáthach’s students.”

“And injured my daughter,” added Scáthach.

The army had stopped pressing forward. Many of the warriors followed the example of the Wolfskins and lowered their swords, listening instead of attacking.

“Tell us, Drest, why did you come to Skye, ambush Scáthach, put a price on her head, and wrongfully take Dùn Dòbhrain?” asked Cuchulainn.

“To make Aife queen!” he shouted as he lunged at Cuchulainn, who easily stepped aside.

“But why when you knew Lethra would not accept her as queen?” asked Cuchulainn.

Drest’s blows slowed. “She should have been queen.” The dead warrior’s face contorted in pain as he spoke the words and he stumbled back, pressing a hand to his forehead.

“You don’t believe that lie,” said Cuchulainn.

“Though you used to, which is why you could speak it at all,” added Scáthach. “Drest, you and the Wolfskins swore an oath to follow my father, did you not?”

Silence hung over the army; their focus was entirely on the conversation taking place between their leader, the Queen of Shadow, and the Hero of Ulster.

Breathing hard, Drest lowered his sword. “Yes. I gave your father my oath and then I gave it to Aife.”

“Did you trust my father’s judgment?” Scáthach asked.

Drest blinked his pale-colored eyes several times. “Yes. Of course I trusted the Jarl. I served him for many years.”

“No pain and you were able to speak the words. You’re telling the truth,” said Cuchulainn.

Drest scowled at Cuchulainn, who shrugged and grinned.

“Then why did you go against his express wishes and support Aife for the crown?” Scáthach’s voice was kind and conversational. She’d lowered her sword and was leaning against her shield, which she propped on the ground at her side.

“Aife should have—” Pain cut off his words and he bowed his head in misery as his gaze went to the ground.

“The truth, Drest,” said Scáthach.

When he lifted his face to Scáthach, tears tracked down his pale cheeks. “I loved her. I thought she would grow to be a good leader, would listen to me if I helped her get the crown.” Drest shook his head. “It was her mother. She caused Aife to be—argh!” He exclaimed as pain sliced through him, severing his words.

“Aife is a monster.” Cuchulainn spoke the words in a tight, low voice that did not carry to the army. “Becoming a monster was her choice and no one’s fault but her own.”

Drest turned his tear-stained face to Cuchulainn. “You don’t know her.”

Cuchulainn’s laughter was mocking. “Oh, no? She had her men ambush me. She drugged me. She raped me. All to sire a son with divine blood because of her never-ending envy of Scáthach. Did you love her while she was molesting me? Is that why you guarded the door and made sure she wouldn’t be interrupted?”

Drest shook his head back and forth, back and forth. “No! No, she commanded I bring you to her chamber and stand guard so she could interrogate you. She said you knew a secret entrance into Dunscáith. When she had that information, we could take the castle. I did not know she...” Drest shook his head again. He looked sick and spit on the ground. “I would not have stood there guarding the door had I known what she was truly doing within.”

“Just so you and your army know,” Scáthach said loudly. “There is no way totakeDunscáith. It was hewn from rock by my mother, the goddess Béfionn, and gifted tome. The castle is sentient. It can only be gifted to anotherby me—not takenfrom me. Aife knew this as well, as did my father. She lied to you, to the Wolfskins foolish enough to follow you, and to this army.”

Drest met her gaze and Scáthach saw misery and pain in his blue eyes. “The truth...” He sighed and ran a hand across his face before he continued. “The truth is Aife was incapable of love, and I was incapable of accepting that truth.” Drest dropped his sword and shield and went to his knees before Scáthach. “Forgive me. I was wrong.”

“What else?” asked Scáthach.

Drest drew in such a deep breath that his shoulders heaved. He stood and turned to face the army. “I led you to your deaths even though I knew many of you had begun to question Aife’s leadership. That you are here is my fault, my responsibility, and I should pay the penance for it.”

The Wolfskins were the first of the army to kneel. They did not look at Drest. It was as if he’d ceased to exist. They looked to Scáthach instead. One Wolfskin spoke up. “Forgive us for following Drest’s lead instead of honoring the wishes of our Jarl. We are most sorry, mighty queen.”

Like water rippling from a pebble thrown into a still pond, the rest of the army knelt and turned their pale faces to Scáthach. Drest joined them. All was silent when Cuchulainn spoke.