The Realm of the Sun

The Sanctuary

          The castle halls echoed with the sounds of marching as Tara prepared for war. Eirainna had watched as Maeve tirelessly gave orders from dawn till dusk. The queen's stone face was more rigid than ever before as she supervised the convergence of her massive army. For weeks, young men from the entire realm of Connaught and other distant lands had arrived at Tara to join forces with the royal knights. Eirainna had been watching the influx from her window in terror; hundreds by the day journeyed to Tara in the violent winds and the torrential rain to join the cause she secretly, but so ardently opposed. When not rearing her legion, the queen and her knights would disappear behind drawing room doors crafting strategies and plans for attack, the details of which were always kept from Eirainna. Her fear of the unknown was only surpassed by her excitement to see Connor again.

          She had gathered her things and tied them in a small satchel a week early, securely hiding it in the trunk at the foot of her bed. When her hands shook with fear from the daunting assemblage stories below, it calmed her to open the trunk and see the reminder of the journey ahead. Now, the day had arrived at last and she had so often rehearsed the departure in her head, she felt confident in her ability to fool anyone who questioned her destination. After changing into her simple riding dress and securing a velvet cloak in her arm in anticipation of a cool nightfall, she stood at the center of her bedchamber floor and took a deep breath.

          On her way down the corridor, Eirainna approached one such drawing room where a secret meeting was doubtless being held. Outside the door, a familiar extravagant train of maroon and gold stood beside Diarmiad and Sir Niall. Maeve's curls looked black in the shadows, all tied and braided tightly at the base of her neck. Sir Niall smiled upon seeing Eirainna and it was his particular fond expression that caused Maeve to turn her head.

          "Running off to your charity?" Her eyes were catlike and cold. Eirainna nodded.

          "If only you cared about Tara's needs as much as you do Eanach Dún's," Maeve sighed, without moving her eyes from Eirainna's, "You do know the ladies have all been helping a great deal with moving the soldiers into the battery and caring for them?"

          Eirainna met her sister's eyes with equal sharpness and said, "I daresay you will all do fine without me, as you already have done."

          Maeve's smile was almost indiscernible, but Eirainna perceived that the queen did not expect such a response.

          "How long are you to be away, Milady?" Sir Niall asked in earnest, looking between the queen and the princess.

          "I shall return in three days time," Eirainna replied, now donning a confident smile that left no room for suspicion. Her happiness in leaving overcame her anxiety.

          "Who will care for Furbaide?" Diarmiad snickered, asking for the first time about his young nephew. On any other day, she would not have found this amusing. But on this day when she would see her lover again, Diarmiad's lingering sneer made it difficult for her not to laugh.

          "Éile and Una and the other maids will take care of him," she replied, and then added, fighting a smile, "Of course you are welcome to help as well, Diarmiad; I don't believe anyone will object to you offering your services." He looked away as if someone had called his name from a great distance. Sir Niall could barely conceal his smile.

          "Well, I must be going," said Eirainna, with another glance to Maeve, "I shall see you all very soon."

          "Have a safe journey, your highness," Sir Niall said meaningfully.