Fergus was surprised to find himself in his own bed when he regained consciousness. He did not understand how he came to be there. As he shook his head to clear it, memories of the ambush came flooding back. He sat up too quickly and had to fight the urge to vomit as dizziness swamped him.

He was still dressed, so pulled on his boots and tentatively tried again to get to his feet. After an initial queasiness he found he could stand. He belted his sword to his waist and walked straight to the feast hall, which would be in session.

“Is it true?” he demanded as he reached the dais.

Kathvar and Mac Nessa seemed deep in consultation. The druid looked up from where he had been leaning over the king’s shoulder.

“We are in session, Fergus. What is the meaning of this intrusion?”

“I was talking to the king.”

“When court is in session, soldier, I am the king.”

“Enough, Kathvar,” Mac Nessa said. “What is it you want to know, Fergus?”

“I want to know if what Monaghan told me is true.”

“What did he tell you?”

“That you ordered the death of Naoise.”

“Eogan is a known liar and a braggart. Are you really asking me if what the man says is true?”

Fergus looked the king in the eyes as he spoke. He could see many things there, but truth was not one of them. Despite the king’s looking him in the eye, Fergus could see the slight downward bent of his mouth and the mocking tilt of his head. To those in the feast hall the words would have sounded genuine. However, unlike Fergus, they could not see the detail of his face.

“I thought so,” the warrior said, before turning and striding from the feast hall.

Conall joined Fergus on the ramparts a short time later. The sun was just setting behind the tops of the forest trees. They stood for several minutes in companionable silence. Fergus was glad Conall did not remind him of his warning. It showed true friendship that he let the mistake go unnoted.

“Tell me, Conall, why did he send me?”

“He needed the farce to at least appear to have legitimacy. With you, he was able to stand in front of the elite of his kingdom and say that he had sent one of his best warriors.”

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“But it is obvious to anyone who thinks about it, that he sent Monaghan to ambush me.”

“He can deny it, Fergus. It is his word against that of a man who lies as easily as he eats a bowl of oats. It is the same ruse he used during the overthrow of Eterscel. The only witness to either event was that druid.”

Fergus nodded. He had gone against the advice of his captain and had caused the death of a close friend. He wished he had had the sense to listen to Conall. No one knew the king of Ulster as well as the captain of the Red Branch warriors.

“What will you do?” Conall asked.

“I cannot stay here, Conall. Not only did the king make a fool of me, he killed a man I loved as a brother. And for what? A woman who would not touch him with my lance.”

“She is dead, Fergus, you know that?” Fergus shook his head. He had gone straight to the feast hall and had spoken to no one. “She slit her wrists in Monaghan’s roundhouse rather than succumb to his demands. Mac Nessa had her husband killed and then gave her to her husband’s killer. He is not only deluded, he is vindictive.”

“What I do not understand is why he demanded first night. It is a tradition that has long since been abandoned.”

“He does not believe in the sanctity of womanhood, Fergus. For Mac Nessa any woman is fair game and if they refuse him, he will see them suffer. Where will you go?”

“I think that Medb and Ailill will welcome me. I do not think there is any love lost between Ulster and Connacht.”

“You are right. Connacht would welcome a warrior of your standing, Fergus. They will need good men in the upcoming war.”

“You think there will be a war?”

“There is only likely to be one solution to the current situation. When neither party is willing to bend over far enough, something will break. It is a force of nature. Something has caused Medb to take against Mac Nessa. I do not know what it is, but I know the queen of Connacht will not rest until she has crushed the king of Ulster, or she is dead. War is now the only way that might be achieved.”

“With The Hound backing him, she is more likely to die.”

Conall nodded his agreement. He was beginning to think he had lost his young friend to the camp of his deluded king. He supposed that in some ways it had always been inevitable. As soon as Mac Nessa decided Setanta was his new favorite, the boy would find the temptation of renown and riches too strong to resist.

“I wish you well, Fergus. I know you have put up with The Deceiver’s depravity for a lot longer than was necessary because of your support of me.”

Fergus shrugged. “You would have done the same for me Conall.”

“I know, but even so, I thank you. When will you leave?”

“Now, before Mac Nessa changes his mind and orders his cutthroats to give me a new smile.”

Fergus was riding through the settlement gates when he heard a call. He looked over his shoulder to see the son of Mac Nessa running towards him.

What does he want? he wondered. “Longas, I have very little time. What do you want?”

“I am coming with you, Fergus.”

“To spy on me for your father?”

“No. I was in the feast hall when he made the proclamation, and I heard him order the death of Naoise. I have supported him in the past because I believed him to be honorable. I can see now that he is not.”

Fergus looked at the son of the king. He was not sure he could trust him. However, Longas was a good warrior and if Conall’s predictions proved correct, each side would have need of good warriors. “Come, then, but stay close to me, Longas. The first time I suspect duplicity I will slit you from ear to ear.”

“I would expect nothing less, Fergus.”