Chapter 8 #3
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?”
“I leave 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.
“Not once after I had a vision of your severed head!” Uathach snapped. She drew a deep, calming breath before she finished by saying, “I would feel better if you took guards with you.”
“Tabiti, in the two months since Aife’s army ambushed us, have the sentries we stationed across our isle reported seeing her people?” Scáthach asked Tabiti, but she held her daughter’s gaze.
“No,” Tabiti said.
Scáthach nodded. Her voice was kind but firm. “Little Fry, I understand your vision was upsetting. It would have upset me, too. But I will not let unfounded fear keep me prisoner within the walls of my castle.”
“It’s not unfounded fear!” Uathach insisted stubbornly. “You died in my vision. Horribly. And now, the same morning I have the vision, you announce you’re leaving the castle on a long trek—”
“I will be back by nightfall,” Scáthach interrupted.
Uathach kept speaking as if her mother hadn’t. “Alone—”
“I said I’m taking Leannan,” Scáthach added.
Uathach frowned. “A dog is not a warrior.”
Tabiti snorted. “That dog is a warrior.”
“Mother, I would feel better if you would take a guard,” insisted Uathach.
“No.” Scáthach held up her hand to cut off her daughter. “I have decided.”
“Ahem.” Cuchulainn cleared his throat. The three women’s gazes snapped to him, and he held up his hands as if in surrender. “Forgive me for interrupting.”
“You aren’t interrupting,” Scáthach said. “I had just finished speaking with Uathach and Tabiti. What is it?”
“I would like to request my boon from you,” he said.
Scáthach nodded a little impatiently. She understood her daughter’s fear for her, though that made it no less annoying. “Yes, name it and if it is in my power I will grant it.”
“I would like to accompany you to the Aird of Sleat.”
Scáthach scowled. “Why?”
Cuchulainn’s brows lifted. “Must I explain my request?”
“Yes,” Scáthach said at the same moment Uathach said, “No.”
Cuchulainn unsuccessfully tried to hide his smile. “I have heard the Rubha Shlèite is near the Aird of Sleat. Is it so?”
Tabiti nodded. “Yes, the sandy beach is very near it. The road passes by it on the way to the Aird of Sleat.”
Cuchulainn shrugged. “Well, I would like to go there.” He shifted his weight from foot to foot and continued almost shyly. “I enjoy swimming.” Cuchulainn’s amber eyes shined as he grinned at Tabiti. “That’s something I didn’t realize until recently. I would like to swim there.”
“Huh,” said Tabiti, turning her gaze to Scáthach. “Rubha Shlèite is an excellent place to swim.”
“Indeed it is,” added Uathach, also turning her gaze from Cuchulainn to her mother.
Scáthach frowned. “Swimming. Are you quite sure that is the boon you wish?”
Cuchulainn met her gaze. “I am. Very sure.”
Scáthach blew out a long breath. “Your boon is granted.” She began walking briskly across the practice field toward the tunnel that led to the stables, pausing only to look over her shoulder. “Well, are you coming or not?”
“I am!” Cuchulainn jogged to her with Leannan trotting happily at his side.
From the parapet above them the bard called down to Scáthach. “Queen of Shadow! Might I please accompany—”
The bard didn’t even finish his question. Together Scáthach, Cuchulainn, Uathach, and Tabiti shouted, “No!”