What began as a small clearing has suddenly become much smaller with the arrival of both sides of this battle. By force of will, I press the fighters and the gawkers back from where my daughter/Rian lies. Fenian bursts into the clearing and shouts an order to get Flidais to safety. Tucking my staff into the crook of my arm, I scoop her up and begin backing up the trail by which we entered. Though she has never had any fat on her spare frame, she is now feather-light in my arms. Her eyes flutter open for a moment and she manages a wan smile.

"Igraine!" I call out through the chaos. "Guard me as I take my leave!" She and her hounds block the access to the game trail, denying entry to the two who try to follow. When they persist, a hound rips out the throat of one. As his companion tries to counter-attack, the second dog removes a sizable chunk of his posterior. Igraine finishes the job with her sword and then decides where in the battle, her services might be needed.

No time for further observations. I turn and speak a word to the local flora. The briers and brambles pull back to open a clear path, then close in solid behind me. When I am far enough that the battle din is naught but a muted roar, I pause to rest. I prop Flidais against the base of a tree and pull out my water bottle, giving her just a few sips from The Mother's Well. She smiles again and tries to speak. Her voice is little more than a dry croak. I hear the question, Free? "You are indeed free," I whisper, with a gentle hug.

As I reach to lift her once more, a great black boar appears on the path, nearly close enough to touch. He turns with a snort and charges into the brush. There is a shout and then a scream from very near, then all is still. I leave my daughter for a moment to see what this could be. The boar has a stout spear lodged in his shoulder. The Laigin warrior was less fortunate as he stands there holding his own entrails with both hands. I put a calming hand on the boar and pluck out the spear, which is not deeply bedded in the flesh. He gives a grunt and vanishes into the woods, perhaps to find a wallow to clean off the Laigin gore.

Returning to Flidais, I scoop her up again and hurry back to the clearing where the horses have been picketed. Untying my own mount, I lift her up onto his back and then climb up behind. Hugging her tightly to my chest, we take to the road and ride swiftly back to The Keep at Inver Colpa.