Holder of Lightning

Inishfeirm lay only five miles off the coast of Inish Thuaidh, but they were making for the harbor of Maddygalla, twenty miles eastward around a cliff-walled headland-a full day’s journey. Jenna had to admit that the Uaigneas was far more comfortable than the small fishing boat in which she and Ennis had made the crossing from Talamh an Ghlas. The ship rode the waves easily with a gentle rocking motion, the sail billowing on the mast above them, spray curling from the bow as it cut the gray-green water. Jenna stood with Ennis at the starboard rail; the Banrion and Moister Cleurach were talking near the stern. Jenna watched the water, won-dering if she might see the shapes of the seals pacing the boat, but there was nothing but the occasional gull or cormorant diving for a fish.

Behind, Inishfeirm slowly receded, the White Keep glinted atop the summit as the sun moved in and out of clouds.

"What are you thinking?" Ennis asked. He was standing next to her, a careful arm’s length away. She leaned toward him, enjoying his closeness and attention, imagining that she could feel the warmth of his body against the chill sea breeze.

"I’m thinking that we’re walking into another snake’s nest like the Ri’s Keep in Lar Bhaile. I’m thinking that there are still too many things I don’t know. I’m wondering if I have a baby brother by now or if I’ll ever see my mam again. I’m wishing that I had the courage to say…" She stopped herself… to say to you all the things I want to say. She sighed, and gave him a wan smile. "I’m wondering about Thraisha’s words. Did you know about her, Ennis?"

"Aye, a bit. I knew the tales the Saimhoir told

about the mage-lights and Bradan an Chumhacht, and I knew from Garrentha that her milk-mother had eaten the salmon." His hand was near hers on the railing. It she moved, she could touch him. "I figured that she'd come looking for you."

The sun cloaked itself again though its light still danced on the waves well out from them. Jenna shivered. "Are there more? Other things like the cloch na thintri held by other creatures?"

"Probably. The books in the library talk of eagles and wolves having their own magic and they hint of dragons with the same. There may others."

She glanced up at his shadowed face. "When did you last see dragon?" He smiled back at her for a moment, the expression lightening his face, and she started to laugh with him. Jenna lifted her hand, put it on top of his He looked down at their intertwined fingers as he spoke. "Never. Moister Cleurach says he doubts they exist at all. But I hope he's wrong, Now that would be a sight. ."He suddenly dropped his hand away from the railing, his gaze moving past her shoulder. "Banrion," he said. "Moister. Good morning."

That earned Ennis a grunt from Moister Cleurach and a flick of the Banrion's eyes before her gaze went to Jenna. "We hardly need to make polite small talk here. Let me be blunt. You don't seem to like me, First Holder," Aithne said.

"Banrion-" Jenna began, but the woman raised her hand. "You don't need to either acknowledge that or try to smooth it over. I simply state the fact. The truth is, Holder Aoire, I don't much care if you like me or not. All that matters to me is that I understand where your loyalties lie, so that I know how we can work together. Your mam, I understand from Moister Cleurach, is the consort of Tiarna Mac Ard of Gabair and is carrying his child."

Her tone made it clear that she felt the word "consort" was closely related to "whore," and the quick shift of her gaze to Ennis indicated that she might feel that Jenna was little more than that herself. Jenna's eyes narrowed as if she'd been slapped, and it was difficult to keep her voice civil. "Aye, Banrion, that's true, if she hasn't already delivered the baby." The wind freshened slightly, and Jenna felt a drop of rain touch her cheek. But as to my loyalty…" Deliberately, she put her arm through Ennis', who nearly jumped before his

mouth spread into a grin. "This man helped me where no other would. And the Order and Moister Cleurach have taken me in and I owe them for their kindness. Past that, I am loyal only to Lamh Shabhala. My enemies are those who would try to take it from me." Jenna started to remove her arm from Ennis’s, but he brought his arm in to his body to hold her.

That’s well said," the Banrion answered. The wind tossed her light hair lifting the glossy strands from her shoulders as it turned around to blow from the northwest. A splatter of rain drummed over the wooden deck and Jenna glanced up to see the clouds gray and lowering over the oat, though well out in the channel she could still see sunshine, and the White Keep shone far behind. "You’ll find that most of the Riocha here share your attitude. Inish Thuaidh isn’t Tuath Gabair, where the Ri’s word is law. Ask Moister Cleurach how difficult it is to get the Comhairle agree on an action, even if the Ri wishes it."