Everything had gone as expected, the Milesians had shown clearly that peace would only be permitted under their renewed terms and with the King and the Earls men already assembling their side too had been open to war. Why then do I feel such unease.

After arriving back to Morbhaile she had been secretly pleased with Tomas and his preparations. The men were armed and ready to march. Tomorrow they would set out to meet with the others at Ardfhearg and begin to march to Carthaga. Tomas had done well. Perhaps he would make a good Lord.

He certainly commands respect and she knew he continued to desire her, perhaps even more than before.

It would be the practical option. But not the one she wanted. In that regard the War was a welcome distraction, for a time at least there would be no clamour for the Lord at her side to be decided. From the balcony at the top of the Eastern Wing Tower Saoirse commanded a view of the entire city, since she could remember it had always been where she had felt most at ease and where she went to think, just as her father before her.

He didn't deserve such an end.

A loud obnoxious knock on the door stole her from her thoughts. She rolled her eyes, “Yes, Cara, you may enter.”

It was a surprise she had knocked at all.

“Cara”

“M’Lady. So you’re back then. Well, how did it go?”

“Exactly as everyone thought it would.”

“So not good then.” She sighed, “War it is then. At least our people are familiar enough with it. What is it now? Three yours, four?”

“Four years and a month to the day.”

The day I finally claimed back what was mine. A day none would easily forget.

“Well everything seems in order and all is in place for when we leave.”

Cara stopped and came up beside her by the balcony and gazed out into the city in all its nightlife. She gave a quick sideways glance.

“Now we must decide what to do with Aoife.”

“Aoife? What of her?”

“She wants to go too. I know what you think but she has shown some promise lately in training.”

Saoirse sighed. “In training yes. In training she shows a lot of promise. There she might even be a warrior. But we aren’t going to training, we are going to war. Tell me, do you think she is ready. Will she kill? Or will she hesitate and get herself killed?”

Cara crossed her arms defensively, “Well you can't leave her here anyways. She’ll go mad.”

Saoirse fixed her with a stare. “Let her. She’ll do as I say if she doesn’t want to get herself killed. What about that blacksmith boy Eoghan, isn’t she worried to leave him here?"

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"I imagine she would be, but he's coming with us. The father is too old for marching and battles, we need someone on hand for repairs and what not. We already have enough weaponry and armour here to last us years, we’ll need him more on the road with us."

Saoirse turned away from the balcony and sat down heavily in her chair.

"I suppose we'll have to bring her with us then won’t we. Probably easier that way anyhow."

Cara nodded and turned to face her leaning back casually against the balcony, she focused on her with a sly stare.

"What?"

"Nothing"

Cara smiled and began walking back out. "Oh yes sorry there was one other thing."

She paused waiting for Saoirse to probe, she didn't feel like playing along however. "What other thing? Spit it out and stop looking at me like an idiot."

"Oh fine seeing as you’ve dragged it out of me. There was a message for you. And for you only. It was from your handsome friend."

Saoirse pretended not to show her intrigue, "Which handsome friend would that be. Cathal?"

Cara straightened sharply. "No, and don"t get any ideas there you. No actually it's from the handsome friend. What was the name again...Dagan, no that's not it, Darga maybe."

"Dagda?"

"Dagda that's the one yes. He's a message for you."

"A message? How? There's no way he got into the keep without someone seeing him."

"He used that eagle of his, you know the one that's always hovering about him somewhere or another. Dropped it right into my hand. All very exciting I must say."

"And what pray tell did this message say?"

"It said… oh … something about… meeting up..Oh Gods what was it."

"Cara" Saoirse tried not to rise to the mischievous grin on her face. A difficult task.

Cara raised her hands defensively, "Oh very well then, the message merely said, Meet me in the stables.”

"That's it?"

"I told you it was short."

Saoirse turned to face the door. Unexpected. Though not unwelcome.

She got up to have a quick glance in the mirror. "I suppose it would do no harm to meet him. Perhaps he has news for us on the coming Wars."

Cara snorted, "Yes assuredly that must be the only reason he wants to meet."

Saoirse twirled the ring upon her finger avoiding Cara's gaze.

"Well? What are you waiting for?"

"If we are found together it would be a disaster, for him and me, we'd risk it all. It’s why I had to send him away before, to refuse him."

Cara came up to grab her by the shoulders. “Look at me, do you want to meet him?”

“Yes."

"Well then that's it. You think of others enough. Go, go now, if anyone asks I will say you are abed resting for the march ahead. No one will know cept me. Now go. Enjoy yourself. Gods know you deserve it.”

Saoirse laughed at her abruptness.

“As always you give the best advice”

Cara smiled immodestly, “I know.”

Saoirse grabbed her travel cloak and wrapped it tight about her.

“Goodnight M’Lady”, she smiled wickedly, “Sleep well.”

Saoirse gave her one last look and stepped out into the corridor quietly, the worries of war could wait for a time, she had a Druaid to see.