Keu is a dead weight leaning on my back as we ride on one horse all the way from Tara to Inver Colpa. We are riding as fast as we can, ahead of the swarm of people who will be returning home from Lugh's games.

I glance sideways at Baine. She is sweating in the sunshine, glistening with the heat, her dark hair hanging in damp strands down her neck. She swivels her head to squint at me. Still she looks beautiful.

"Is this a burden worth carrying?" I voice aloud, jerking my head towards Keu. I don't care if he hears me. He must know by now that his sword arm has been rendered useless. Maybe he's even faking his stupor so that he can ride for as long as he can and delay being cast away from us like the cumbersome baggage that he is.

"That would be up to Nion to decide," pretty Baine answers, tossing her head to throw back her wavy locks.

"You're the healer," I return pointedly. "What good is he to us now?"

Baine just shrugs. She avoids looking at Keu and stares blankly ahead. "No good at all with that dead arm," she says coldly. "Pity, he was good with that sword. Sweet pity."

We've been riding all day. Now we top a steep rise. The road to Inver Colpa, shadowed in shade, stretches out in the valley below. It looks cool and inviting, running right alongside the River Boann.

Nion reins in his horse and swivels slowly around, surveying the lay of the land. We've all discarded most of bits and pieces of finery we wore as disguises when we were in Cill Dara. Nion still has golden armbands above each of his elbows and silver hoops hanging from his ears. Sean has happily gone back to his old leather rags which look even shabbier now that we've seen him dressed like a prince. A pendant of blackest jet was the only trinket I kept, the color of a night raven and so it must be mine. I smile recalling how Baine gleefully stripped off the jewels she wore, taking great pleasure in scornfully scattering them around the bilberry grove at Tara. She still looks like a queen, though, a bandit queen in the plain forest green leine of a healer gone mad.

"There, behind that line of trees between the road and the river," Nion announces. He rubs his hands together and grins. "We'll rest and see if any generous travelers pass by who might aid us along the way!"

Grateful for respite, we slip down into the cool green of the woods. Keu comes alive, restored by the lushness of the riverside glade. I help him slide off the horse. He winces horribly and curses his swathed arm.

Nion stares thoughtfully at Keu, rubbing his beard. Sean wanders off with his bow, on the hunt for our supper while Baine saunters down to the banks to fill our empty waterskins. I sit down under a tree, take out the whetstone and freshen the edge on my axe. All is quiet here - for now.