Tom picked up the staff with the golden disc.

'Lots of words and not much else.'

He climbed into the chariot beside Griffin and brandished the staff above his head to the cheers of the charioteers.

***

They sped down the causeway into the village. Griffin held the reigns. Tom stood beside him. Warriors gathered in the market place to greet them. The queen appeared. He jumped down and ran towards her.

'Majesty.'

He held up the staff with the golden disk.

'This morning I paid a visit to the sanctuary of the Duideth. While there I came upon this unpleasant item. I thought it a shame that such a noble metal should be put to such ignoble use. So I seized it and I've brought it here. Perhaps it can be returned to the melting pot and fashioned into something of which the Holy Lady would approve.'

He held out the staff.

'I would be honoured if you would accept this token of my respect.'

The queen took the staff and handed it to one of her girls.

'Thank you, Sky Warrior. We shall find a good use for your noble gift.'

She moved closer and dropped her voice.

'There are matters we must discuss.'

Tom followed her into a room in the royal apartments. She dismissed her guard, sat down on a bench and set about removing her boots. A pained expression appeared on her wrinkled face as she struggled to undo the straps. Without thinking, Tom bent down to help her.

'Thank you, Sky Warrior.' She gave a deep sigh. 'My clan chieftains would have sat still, not daring to touch the royal foot.'

Tom undid the straps and eased off the boot.

'You are not like them. You do not see me as a queen. To you I am an old woman whose soul light hangs limply to her aching frame. I think you would show the same respect to all women of my age.'

The remark came as a surprise and Tom didn't know how to take it. Then his mind was diverted to other things. Easing off the second boot, he was confronted by a disturbing revelation.

'The young woman who accompanied you here ...'

'Yes ...' said Tom.

'She and my son have formed a relationship. Did you know she wears his talisman?'

'You mean the carving of a bear?'

'Fury sang her. I could hardly believe it. I thought his interests lay elsewhere. I sent him into the care of the Duideth. They wouldn't have told him anything about girls.'




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