...I lead my hill-pony with one hand on his cheek-strap. My head is down and I am worried. I have heard the news and it is not good. Princess Verica has gone off with that Vatling, and I am certain I know exactly where they are heading. My hope is that they will be courteously received by my brother. I am also hoping that this woman will not be foolish enough to try to assume leadership of MY clan. I have never before taken the head of a woman but, there is always a first time for everything!

Meanwhile, I have a job to do here! My Brother-in-Arms has been challenged! I must ride with him to whatever fate awaits us. I join the slowly-gathering group and look around at the other faces. No-one, not even Dobhar himself, looks particularly pleased on this morning. I am too late to hear the Rian Flidais' parting words, but I gather they were not pleasing to his ears. At a gesture from the War Chief, I mount up and follow him and the others to the gate. Fenian, the forester, lags behind for a final word from the Rian, herself. My anxieties are such that my natural curiosity is not even aroused. I just want to get this over with. Then, I am going home. I have been too-long away from that place, and Lugos only knows what mischief Verica might be stirring up!