" So you're sure about this?"

Congal handed Máel his spear.

" What else can I do with that woman around? She knows I have heard it."

" We'll miss you."

" And I'll miss you, my brother."

He embraced Congal and held him until the warrior pushed him away.

" Go now, before they'll wake up and stop you."

" Tell the lady in waiting of Echaid's daughter I'll miss her too."

" And what about her mistress?"

" That I welcomed her in my father's kingdom and did what I promised her."

" Which is?"

" Don't you remember?"

" No."

" All the better."

Máel mounted his chariot and gestured to the driver to ride. Hooves thundered upon the dusty road and the wheels rattled loudly, but when the first people appeared in the hall's doorway, he was already nearing the rim of the forest.

Banished from his own country by the advances of his stepmother. It was his own fault. Had he not suggested to his father to find himself a wife? Why, of all women did he have to chose the daughter of Echaid? Why this cunning, lusty maiden instead of a more decent and quiet woman?

He would ride far, to the edge of the island and go across the sea like Cúchulainn and Naoise had done before. Scotland was a generous land for those who fled Ireland. He thought of Emer and Derdriu... It was men who made war and had their great honour prices, but wasn't it women that made or broke them? The sharpest sword and the swiftest spear were not enough to defend a warrior against the doom they brought. He thought of the queens and princesses of antiquity: Macha had cursed all men of Emain, Medb had betrayed her husband openly, Finnabair led many warriors to their death, Fand and Emer caused the Hound of Culann to turn mad and Derdriu had brought about the downfall of the Knights of the Red Branch. To underestimate the power of women was dangerous...

He rode on till they reached the place where Aengus had once built a bridge across the sea when he wanted to challenge Fionn. Nowadays naught remained but the pillars of whimstone. On the other side lay the Island of the Mighty...

--

Máel stayed with the king of Scotland and became renown across the sea as he was in Ireland. Yet one day a messenger arrived at the court and told him that the people of Leinster were angry with his father, for they blamed the old king for his banishment. They threatened to overthrow him unless their favourite prince would return.

It was therefore that Máel said goodbye to his new lord and set out to return to the Island of the Brave. He landed on the shore of Ulster and soon his path lead him to Dunseverick, where king Echaid ruled. The news of his arrival had already spread and he was invited to the king's hall.. His return was celebrated with food and drink and the atmosphere was friendly... until then Echaid mentioned his daughter.

" Have you slept with her?", he asked.

Máel spit the mead back into his vessel.

" My lord?"

" If you have slept with my daughter. That's why I gave her to you father, because I knew he had such a fine son."

Máel stared at him in disbelief...