Free BENDING THE BOYNE: A novel of ancient Ireland by J.S. Dunn Page B

on only the most serious occasions. Boann’s stomach fluttered. A large group congregated at the oak, but she did not see her father among them. Her father had already gone to his carving, alone, and until she saw him arrive, she feared that he had been attacked. Slainge indicated where they should stand together, Oghma beside Boann.
    More Starwatchers arrived from the village. Airmid and the other young women fairly ran the cursus before seating themselves where they could see the council. Tadhg seated himself apart with companions, off to one side. He looked ashen in the face. He crossed his arms over his broad chest, waiting. Boann felt another flutter, to see Cian sitting there with Tadhg. Cian had not attended the elders since the violence against Sheela. She swayed slightly to see two Invaders watching her, one on either side of him.
    She couldn’t think why the elders wanted to single her out. She wanted to sit down, not have all eyes on her. Oghma let his shoulder touch hers briefly and she knew he understood. Tears sprang to her eyes; she willed them back and brushed his rough hand, next to hers.
    The Dagda arrived, carrying the red stone macehead. Would this council make peace with the Invaders? Did the Invaders seek to punish her for the man losing his red hand?
    The elders came straight to the point, Slainge speaking for the panel.
    “Beloved daughter, welcome. You know there have been serious problems for our people during the past moons. We maintain our ways without disrespect to the intruders, but we cannot say the same of their ways upon this island. Hear us, but note, we do not require anything from you in consequence of what we shall explain to you, Boann. You may refuse this latest request from the strangers among us.” A murmur arose among the Starwatchers and Slainge waited for it to cease. He went on in a voice that carried far.
    “The Invaders tell us that soon they shall hold a ceremony to honor their new champion to whom they give the title of ard ri . This man has no wife, they say, and there is no woman among them whom he wishes to marry. Yet they say he must have a wife for their ard ri ceremony. He has chosen from among our women. He wishes to take you as his wife.”
    Boann could not assimilate what the elders were telling her. She felt Oghma take her arm as if to lead her away before he heard any more of this.
    “They claim this man met you in the Invader camp when they asked for a healer for the one called Connor. And this new champion relays to us that he recently saved your life in our meadow by the watering stream. Do you recall this?”
    She could think of nothing but those predatory golden eyes. The bloody knife blade above her under the sun. Her mind reeling, she tried to plant her feet.
    “Do you know the man of whom we speak?” Slainge asked.
    She must answer. It seemed she had endangered all her people though she couldn’t think what she had done to arouse that Invader’s interest. She made her nod without much enthusiasm but could feel herself reddening from her neck up to her hairline. Cian would see it; she wished the earth would swallow her.
    “You may address this matter while you stand before us, or you may counsel with your father and we would hear later what is your decision.” The elders did not inquire further.
    She could feel Airmid and Tadhg watching her, and Cian. She could not think.
    Oghma remained beside her and touched her arm again, his lips set firm. He waited for her to speak, she knew, ever mindful of what was proper to do, when to speak and when to be silent. She must consider carefully before she would reply. Words could not be taken back.
    In the long pause that followed, Boann heard their childrens’ clear, high voices responding to questions put to them from the star teacher, coming from the smaller old mound of Dowth. She could see Dowth’s top across the brilliant green grass scattered with tiny white flowers below the pristine sky. Sheela’s