“No need to equivocate, your answers were impressive. Have you fought them?”
“Horsefolk? No, I’ve not so much as seen one in the flesh. Dead or alive.”
“Most people have not. Though, that is a shortcoming, given the state of things. Not your fault, but something we must seek to remedy. Preferably without you being killed.” Rianaire took a drink of her tea. “Eala, how do you feel?”
“Nervous. Confused. Excited.”
“Physically. Are you tired from sparring with Ainlag?”
“No. Not very, at least.”
“Good.” Rianaire stood. “You will fight Inney. Any weapon you’d like. She will use her fists and nothing else.”
Inney stood before the girl could protest and Eala looked up at her. Inney’s mask was smiling politely which seemed to make Eala uneasy. Rianaire was first out the back door into the yard. Teacup in hand, she drew in a deep breath of the cold Bais air. It was fresh and had just a hint of the sea to it. The rest joined her and Eala took her weapon up. This would prove an interesting test, Rianaire figured. It was easy enough to underestimate Inney. She seemed small and frail. Rianaire could not imagine Ainlag had taught the girl to go easy on someone who meant her harm, but teachers were not their students.
Ainlag asked both if they were ready and received her affirmations. She shouted to begin and for a second there was no movement. Eala watched with hawk-eyed intensity but Inney stood firm. The girl lowered the tip of her sword just slightly and charged at Inney, stopping short to thrust. Inney moved herself to the side casually, stepping away from the blade and back. Eala shifted her weight and pulled the sword to the side but caught nothing but air. Her opponent had taken another step back to avoid the blow and now stepped forward causing Eala to leap away, regaining her defensive posture. She held firm this time, watching Inney, unsure of how to approach. It seemed Inney would not wait to give her another chance and ran forward. It was disturbingly quick. Eala moved her blade to the front of her body to block. The half-Drow slid around to her side and her cloak rustled as a fist pushed out of it. Rianaire had expected to hear the sound of a strike on leather but instead a metal ding played in the yard. Eala had just managed to block. Inney was smiling as wide as Rianaire had ever seen. She pushed away as Eala righted herself for another attack. The blade swung low, Eala clearly hoping to use the reach to her advantage. Inney moved forward and let Eala’s arms catch her in the shoulder. She still held the sword but as Inney’s cloak moved she dropped the blade and brought her forearm up to stop a blow that would have struck her temple and knocked her unconscious. Eala twisted and managed to wrap Inney’s arm in her own. An attack came with Eala’s other arm in one fluid motion toward Inney’s head. Had Inney not been in a cloak, what came next would have seemed to be some form of magic. A slap against leather sounded from Eala’s midsection and she huffed out her air. The arm holding Inney still drooped and lost its power. She yanked free the trapped hand and in an instant was fully at Eala’s back. Two more quick slaps sounded and Eala lurched, groaning. She fell to her knees and coughed hard, snot pouring from her nose and drool from her mouth.
“Well,” Ainlag said, laughing. “If there were a way to train kidneys, she’d be begging to learn them after that.”
Inney crouched down in front of Eala and offered her hand. Eala took it and Inney helped her up. Rianaire came up, clapping softly.
“As much trouble as Inney’s ever been given. As least that I’ve seen. Inney?”
She nodded politely. “Very capable for her age. She will only get better.”
“A ringing endorsement.” Rianaire turned to Ainlag, Eala still wheezing and trying not to vomit behind her. “I do believe I will steal this one from you.”
Ainlag nodded and laughed. “I’ll have her wrapped and delivered then, shall I?”
“No, I think I shall take her with me.” Rianaire half turned back to Eala. “If you find it agreeable, that is?”
“Y—” She hacked again, spittle flying to the ground. She righted herself and wiped her face on her sleeve. “Yes. Very much so.”
“Good, then call me Rianaire from now on. We will be leaving in the afternoon on the morrow.”
Eala nodded, clutching at her side.
Rianaire returned her attention to Ainlag. She walked over to the old woman. “I have a proposal for you.”
“The answer’s no if it means leaving Síoscuain.”
“Then a fine thing it does not. I intend to send the army I raise here to be trained by you. Thousands, likely, in groups as large as you will allow.”
“Well, it’d make me look a right arse if I said no to doing what it is I do. And no point in playing coy about it. I’ll do what I can.”
“Good. My Binse of Coin should be in his seat now. He will supply you with whatever you need.”
Ainlag shook Rianaire’s hand to affirm the deal and they took their leave. Eala walked with them for a while and talked of what would be expected of her. Rianaire assured her that she would not be left to her own devices so soon and that things would be much more easily explained when they returned to Spéirbaile. They parted some blocks before the inn. Rianaire was quick to make for the bath when they returned. Inney joined her and Síocháin set about writing notices for the plans that had been made and delivered them to be sent where they were needed. The hours passed quietly and Rianaire found herself well-relaxed when dinner came around. The inn had only a small dining room
