Holder of Lightning

She swung herself up on the horse, tucking the long cloca between her legs. She stared at the Pyre, then lifted her gaze away from Glenn Aill to the north and east where mountains lifted stony heads in the sunshine… You can determine the shape of this age…"… It doesn’t have to be this way…" I don’t think my path leads to Inishfeirm or Dun Kiil," she said.

Moister Cleurach followed the direction of her

gaze, and his mouth tightened under his beard.

"You can't be thinking of Thall Coill. Jenna, don't be stupid-"

He stopped as Jenna's head snapped around and she glared at him. "If you think that I'm at all concerned about the possibility of dying, you're mistaken, Moister."

He sniffed and frowned. "I didn't think that at all, First Holder. In fact, it doesn't surprise me at all that you'd choose a suicidal course So f your recent choices haven't proved to be particularly wise."

The words stung, her face reddening as if he'd slapped her across the cheek. "The difference between us is that I don't judge wisdom by ho little the action might cost me."

Aithne gave a short laugh, but Moister Cleurach’s eyebrows lowered like white thunderheads over the sea. "Jenna," he said, his placating tone at odds with his face, "at Inishfeirm, I can show you what the other Hold-ers of Lamh Shabhala have said about Thall Coill and the Scrudu. Why neither Tadhg or Severii O'Coulghan would attempt that, not after Tadhg witnessed Peria's death, and Tadhg was one of the most accomplished cloudmages."

"So you believe that because Tadhg was afraid of the Scrudu, I should be also. No doubt that's more of what you call wisdom."

"Tadhg watched the woman he loved die there," Moister Cleurach an-swered, all the softness gone from his voice. It was steel and bone. "You of all people should appreciate that. Don't push away those who are only trying to help you, Holder. You need us more than you can imagine."

"Don't try to impose your will where it doesn't belong. I am the First Holder, not you."

The two glared at each other. The Banrion rode up between them, so that their horses shifted and the eye contact was broken. "I think the Holder is fully aware of your feelings, Moister Cleurach," she said. "Jenna, I won't presume to tell you what course to follow. I only ask you to consider this: if you go to Thall Coill and fail, then you leave Inish Thuaidh open to the Ri Ard."

"If I don't, then probably Inish Thuaidh falls anyway. And right now, Banrion, I have to say that I find I don't really care. Inish Thuaidh was my great-mam’s home and I love this land, too, but ultimately the land will remain, no matter who is called RI in Dun Kiil. Will the lives of these people change?" She gestured at the field workers. "They’ll just switch one master for another, that’s all. No matter who rules, the crops will have to be planted, tended, and harvested, and the stock will have to be fed an watered. I know. I was once one of them and

I cared nothing for the Riocha in their keeps and estates. When you say Inish Thuaidh will fall, you mean yourself."

If Aithne felt the lash of Jenna’s words, she showed none of it. "Then perhaps you made a mistake not handing over Lamh Shabhala to y brother yesterday," she answered with a gentle reproof. "The Ri &r interest in Inish Thuaidh is mostly because you’re here, after all. If you’ve given him Lamh Shabhala, it might be that no army would come here at all."

Jenna’s hand had gone protectively to her breast, where the cloch was hidden under her leine.

"Jenna," the Banrion continued, "there are times we’re drawn into something all unwillingly. No matter what you do, the Ri Ard considers you now to be part of Inish Thuaidh. You’re their enemy; nothing you say or do will change that, not until you no longer hold Lamh Shabhala." Aithne stopped then, her gaze sliding to Jenna’s right hand and past to the white ashes of the pyre. "You had something I’ve never had, however short the time," she said.

"I envy you that, Jenna. What do you think he would tell you? Can you hear Ennis’ voice?"

"Aye," Jenna answered immediately. "I listened all night for it, asking him the same question. I heard the answer."

"This is nonsense," Moister Cleurach said. "Banrion, we have no time to waste here."

"Should I tie the First Holder to her horse and drag her back to Dun Kill?" Aithne answered. "Is that something you want to try, Moister?"

Moister Cleurach glowered but said nothing.

The Banrion gave Jenna a soft smile. The tore about her neck glinted with the movement. "Your Ennis spoke to you, truly?"

Jenna nodded. "I hear him here," she said, touching her breast.

"Surely you're not thinking of telling her to go," Moister Cleurach said. "That would be a tragedy for all of us, including Jenna."