Being in the presence of Scathach is nearly overpowering by itself. The thought of seducing and subduing her to my will is even more gut-wrenching. Ever since I was a young lad and heard tales of the Shadowy One at my grandfather's knee, I lusted after her. From the first woman I ever had to the most recent lover, all of them were She and only She. I made love to her a thousand times and a hundred different ways in my dreams and fantasies. I knew there would be a time when we would finally meet, face to face, hip to hip, mouth to mouth, and I was sure I, Sualdam, could satisfy her like no other. Now, confronted with this challenge, I shrink and falter like a bashful child.

Desperately, I turn my attention to her sons. Perhaps that would be easier. Each of them bears a different but equally striking resemblance to their mother. I could pretend.

No. She would surely know the truth of it. The fakery would dishonor her. She might even just kill me outright for that.

While I consider all this, her sons run off into the woods and leave their magnificent chariot unattended. The horses toss their long silken manes and stamp their feathered feet when I come near. I feel Scathach watching me. I will tame the horses first, then their mistress, I think to myself. With a few secret whispers and a gentle stroke here and there, I calm them and win their confidence.

They don't shy or skitter when I let loose with a sword-shattering cry and somersault into the chariot. They rear up then break into a roaring gallop. Scathach jumps down off the wall where she was sitting and observing. She yells what sounds like encouragement or maybe an insult but the wind in my ears muffles her words. She might even think I'm stealing her chariot! Bad luck.

When I'm a good distance away, I turn the chariot around and throw down the reins to let the horses go as fast they want. There is a jolt as we pick up speed, flying over the rocky field at a bone rattling, death defying dash. It is then that I jump up onto the tongue of the chariot. With my arms stretched high, I leap into a cartwheel along the madly bouncing plank. I tumble back and forth between the chariot and the galloping steeds three times. Then I throw myself into the air, flip twice, and land with a foot on each of the horses backs. As the chariot swings in circles around Scathach, I stand on one foot, then another, fly up, spin and come down in a handstand, and follow that with a double back flip into the chariot again. When we pass by the tree where the weapons are laid out, I snatch up two swords, without stopping. Around we go again, and I perform the same tumbling feats from chariot to horseback and back again while juggling the swords in front and behind my back. The chariot comes to a halt at my command in front of the Shadowy One.

A halt but only for a second. Scathach jumps into the chariot with me and the horses lunge into a fresh gallop. The heat of her body so close to mine, the lashing of her wind whipped hair across my face, and the scent of her sweat all combine in a whirl of sensuous madness. We wrestle for control of the reins. She jams her elbow into my ribs, throws her hip hard against me and almost bumps me out of the chariot, laughing crazily all the while. With one swift twist of my wrist, I wrap the reins around one hand and pull back. My other arm crushes her tightly to me and I smother those laughing lips with a searing hot kiss that daringly probes the depths of her sweet juicy mouth. The chariot slowly comes to a stop.

Scathach's eyes shine like two summer suns as she asks me, "With what weapon do you plan to subdue me, chariot-warrior?"

I guide her hand down until she touches it. "It is a feat you should know well, Lady. It is called the feat of the little dart!"

My aim is sure and steady. Quickly I hit the mark. The chariot rocks, the horses graze and the challenge is met at last.