"Rightfully wed?! Your head on my belt!"

Insulted beyond measure by the captive's words, I lunge at him in a fury - only to be leaped upon from two sides and restrained by Cinaedh Bear Slayer and the dark warrior Drust. Verica also jumps up and throws her arms out to ward off my intended attack.

This makes me roar. "This is the second time you've put yourself in the path of my sword! The third time, Verica, I will not be stopped. Take heed to preserve your precious life, Brude!"

The captive does not even flinch through all of this. He watches me through narrowed eyes, perhaps assessing my strength. His silent smugness infuriates me all the more.

From somewhere behind me, I hear the voice of Verica's druid. The hairs on the back of my neck bristle to hear it. "Already there have been Celyddon needlessly killed, including this boy's brother."

Cinaedh's fingers dig into my arm as I strain against his grip.

"He has no weapon," Drust adds sharply, "Would you cut down a defenseless man?"

Reluctantly I sheathe my sword.

Verica speaks to me in my own language. "You don't understand what he's saying," she explains in a tone that might be used to scold a naughty child. "I believe King Tarain desires nothing more than an alliance, although we are already bonded by the blood that flows in our veins. That is what was meant by 'wed'."

"You believe," I snarl, "but you are not certain of it! If - IF this king wants an alliance, I say we hold this one as hostage for assurance of the agreement."

Verica scowls thoughtfully. "The way of the Irish," she mutters.

"Release me!" the captive repeats.