Chapter 18 #3
He hefted the bag that held his clothes and gear over his shoulder and slung his shield across his back.
The morning sky was just beginning to blush as she greeted the ascending sun when Cuchulainn entered the tunnel that led down to the stables and the dock where several boats were moored.
He hoped Scáthach had given orders for one of the small sailing crafts to be outfitted for his journey.
If not, he would have to wait for the castle to begin stirring and Scáthach to appear.
He was afraid if he saw her again he would not be able to leave.
Their kiss stayed with him, as did the feel of her body pressed to his. At least he had that memory, the one that had burned away Aife’s touch, to cherish.
“Woof!”
As he came out of the tunnel, the big deerhound raced to him, barking softly and smiling her tongue-lolling doggy grin. He ruffled her ears. “There’s a good girl,” he cooed to her. “A fine, good girl. I’ll miss you, Leannan. Be sure you look after the queen, as I will not be here to do so.”
“You thought you’d sneak away without saying goodbye?” Tabiti said.
He looked up from the dog to see Tabiti and Uathach standing beside a small sailboat that had been loaded with supplies. He walked down the dock to them.
“I thought it would be easier if I just left,” he admitted.
“Easier for who, Cu?” Tabiti asked before she wrapped him in a tight hug. “Most of us appreciate closure.”
“Sorry,” he murmured as she squeezed him so hard his ribs ached.
When she released him, Uathach took Tabiti’s place, pulling him into a hug. When she stepped back, her eyes were suspiciously bright. “I’ll miss you,” she said. “And Mama. I’ll miss her, too.”
Cuchulainn shook his head. “What?”
Scáthach stepped from the shadows. “You cannot go without me.”
“But . . .” He shook his head again. “You can’t go.”
Tabiti snorted. “She’s Queen of Shadow. She can do whatever she wants to do.”
“Yes, and she has Tabiti and me to take care of Dunscáith while she’s gone.” Uathach smiled at her mother. “Though we’d appreciate it if she didn’t stay away too long.”
“I agree,” added Tabiti. “Please try to remember how much I loathe the winter here and get home before then. The bard will have sung all his ballads and will need new adventures to twist and exaggerate so that we’ll be entertained during those long, cold nights.”
His gaze went to the Queen of Shadow. “Are you really coming with me?”
“How else do you expect to find Hy-Brasil? It moves constantly and disappears quite often,” Scáthach said.
“I hadn’t decided what I would do about that,” he admitted. Then his face blazed with a grin. “Perhaps I thought to call on the mother of someone I know well. She is Goddess of the Underworld.”
“Good luck with that,” said Uathach. “Grandmother seems to be quite busy with my grandfather in Valhalla.”
“Which leaves only one way into the Underworld—unless you were planning on dying,” said Tabiti.
“I believe that would be counterproductive to retrieving the Gáe Bulg,” said Scáthach. “Would it not?”
Cuchulainn nodded. She was coming with him! He would not be alone. He would have more time with her. The joy that thought gave him flushed through his body, invigorating him. He realized she’d asked him a question, but he’d been standing there smiling like a dolt and hadn’t answered.
“No! I mean, yes. Yes, it would be counterproductive to die to retrieve the spear. I can’t believe—” His words broke off as he went to Scáthach, picked her up, and twirled her around. “Thank you!” he said after he put her down.
Tabiti covered a laugh with a cough. Uathach made no attempt to cover her giggles.
Scáthach cupped his cheek with her palm. “I’m glad I’m going with you. But you should know if you pick me up like that again, I will knock you on your ass.”
“Noted,” said Cuchulainn, still grinning.
“Good,” she said. “Then let’s go.” Scáthach bent to kiss Leannan on her muzzle. She held the dog’s face in her hands. “Be good while I’m gone. Take care of our Little Fry and do not worry Tabiti too much.” Then she turned to Tabiti. “I would ask that you guard my daughter and my castle.”
Tabiti bowed formally to her queen. “With my last breath.”
Scáthach stood before Uathach. “Remember that time passes differently in the Underworld. To me it may seem as if I’ve only been there for one week, but when we return to the land of the living, one month or even one year may have passed.”
Uathach nodded. “I will remember.”
Scáthach pulled her daughter into her arms. “I know you’ll teach the students well. I know you’ll care for Dunscáith as if it is yours, which it is while I am gone.”
“Yes, Mama.”
“But do not forget to care for yourself. Be kind to yourself. If you become overwhelmed, ask Tabiti for help, just as I ask her and you when I am overwhelmed.”
Tabiti snorted. “You’re never overwhelmed.”
“If that is true, it is only because you and Uathach are always at my side. So be there for each other and for our students.” She wiped a tear from her daughter’s cheek. “I love you, Little Fry. Always.”
“And I love you, Mama. Always.”
Scáthach and Cuchulainn stepped into the boat. Tabiti and Uathach untied it, and then they pointed the bow into the west. The wind caught the sail, and they skimmed over the water as Cuchulainn watched Dunscáith fade away from them.