Epona's Rescue

    "Skye, Cullodena, and Brodie, you are hereby exiled for attempted murder. Elspeth, Kyla, Calum, remove them from the village, now." Chief Angus declared as the two women and the man were herded toward the village walls. Fergus, Skye's former betrothed watched her leave with a sad expression.

   "You couldn't wait for Father to step down and for us to be wed before you took over, could you?" He murmured as she passed him. Skye looked into his cold blue eyes that had once been filled with warmth and saw a flash of sorrow and disappointment before becoming expressionless once more. She hung her head in shame, heartbroken tears falling down her face as Kyla shoved her toward the entrance of the village.

   Oh, Fergus. I'm so sorry. One day you'll understand why I did this. I just hope you'll forgive me when that day comes, Skye thought as the rest of the village's elite force barred them from the village, forcing them to leave. The warriors watched as Skye, Cullodena, and Brodie disappeared from view. Once they were certain that they were gone, Elspeth, Kyla, and Calum returned to the village's interior to meet with MacKinnon for training.

   "We have two trainees joining us for our elite training today. Let's show them what we can do when we're not holding back. Calum, Elspeth, you'll spar against each other. Take Mary with you. Kyla, let's show Fergus our best blade work." MacKinnon explained the situation before splitting the group up into their usual training partners. Sixteen-year-old Mary followed Calum and Elspeth, eager to learn more advanced blade work, while her brother, Fergus, watched with calculating and observant eyes as MacKinnon and Kyla drew their swords and took the en garde position, ready to begin their bout. Blades flashed as they faced off against each other, both evenly matched. Neither one was able to overpower the other as they parried and attacked.

   Across the clearing, a very similar bout was taking place between Calum and Elspeth. Mary was watching with wide eyes as the evenly matched couple dodged and weaved. Eventually, Elspeth overpowered Calum and Kyla disarmed MacKinnon. Fergus and Mary were awestruck at the skill and power of the quartet. Once they had retrieved and sheathed their swords, Calum and MacKinnon helped Fergus find his elite sword while Elspeth and Kyla did the same for Mary.

   After a couple of days of intensive training, the siblings were able to spar with and beat almost every warrior in the village. Calum, MacKinnon, Elspeth, and Kyla, however, remained undefeated and easily overpowered Mary and Fergus. They were about to do some more training when one of the Clan's messengers came running up to Kyla with an urgent message from the chief and chieftess.

   "Hey, Calum, MacKinnon, Elspeth! Chief Angus and Chieftess Elizabeth require our services. We are to go to their hut immediately." Kyla called after the three other elite warriors. Fergus and Mary nodded at Calum, MacKinnon, and Elspeth, acknowledging their departure before continuing to the clearing for a practice bout. The elite force of the McKay Clan, the clan of fire, hastened to their beloved chieftain's hut to learn what he would have them do.

   "Chief Angus, Chieftess Elizabeth? You wanted to see us?" Elspeth inquired as they entered the hut. A rug of the McKay blues and greens graced the floor, two oak thrones sat atop it, while a golden harp sat silently in the corner. The chief and chieftess were in deep conversation, concerned looks on their faces when the elites had entered, kneeling before them. Their conversation came to an abrupt halt when they heard Elspeth's question.

   "Indeed, Elspeth. Word has reached us from the distant Gunn Clan that Epona has been captured. Though they are our sworn enemies, the horse goddess must be rescued. You four are to rescue our goddess." Chief Angus informed them. The four warriors nodded, bowed, and left to prepare their supplies and fetch their kelpies. Once all was done, they found the chief addressing the people as they mounted up and said farewell to their loved ones before riding out of the village, the sound of the customary blessing following them out: "May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back. may the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may the gods hold you in the palms of their hands."