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tired, Ana,” Tuala said quietly. “This is a great deal to take in.”
    Her friend’s kindness was, somehow, the last straw. Anaknew she was on the verge of bursting into tears or uttering some ill-considered protest. “I’m fine,” she said brightly. “This council—what is expected of me there?”
    “Your formal consent to the handfasting. Some council members may have questions for you, or you for them”
    “I see.” And she did see; she saw a future in which things happened regardless of her own choices; a future in which shewas completely powerless. Duty: so this was what it amounted to. She hoped Alpin of Briar Wood was a kind man. “Excuse me.” Holding her head high, she managed to leave the room with her dignity intact. She waited until she was in her chamber alone before she let the first tear fall.
     
     
    “I DON’T LIKE this,” the king of Fortriu said to his wife a little later, when Faolan had departed andthe two of them were alone. “I had always hoped not only to find the right strategic match for Ana, but also to select a man whom I knew would be kind to her. I hate this need for haste.”
    “She’s very upset,” said Tuala. “She was doing her best not to show it, she’s been well trained, but it was obvious she was on the verge of tears. If there is some way to make this easier for her, we shoulddo our best to find it.”
    “I know.” Bridei reached down to scratch Ban behind the ears; sighing, Ban laid his head on the king’s foot. Since the day the dog had mysteriously appeared by the scrying pool at Pitnochie, in the momentous winter of the election for kingship, he had scarcely left Bridei’s side. “It’s a great deal to expect from her, I’m well aware of that. But Ana is a grown woman now,and she’s made no secret of her wish for children of her own. At least this did not happen when she was fourteen, fifteen, as it could well have done had the right offer come at that time.”
    “All the same,” said Tuala, “any woman in her situation would be thinking, what if I reach Briar Wood and discover my betrothed is a monster: pox-ridden, or a drunkard, or a wife beater? It would be so muchbetter if Alpin could come here first, so we could find out what manner of man he is. Ana is our friend, Bridei.”
    He opened his eyes a little. His wife sat, slight and upright, in the chair opposite his. Her dark hair, which was escaping its neat braids, curled in becoming wisps around her face. Her eyes were like Derelei’s, wide, light, and clear. “I know,” Bridei said. “Were I only that, herfriend, I would advise her to refuse our request. I’d caution her against making a long and perilous journey to place herself in the hands of a chieftain of Alpin’s reputation. But I am the king. My decisions must weigh what is best for Fortriu.”
    “Bridei, you know I don’t blame you for this choice,” Tuala said softly. “I understand, as you do, that it’s necessary for the greater good. Ana knowsthat, too. But she’s shocked and afraid, as anyone would be in the circumstances. Is it really essential that she leave before we receive Alpin’s answer?”
    “According to Faolan, yes. I’ve consulted Broichan, and he is in agreement. We’ve been preparing for this final assault against the Gaels for years. Everything is falling into place. To the extent that it’s possible, we’ve taken steps to coverevery eventuality. Or so we thought. It seems Alpin is the unpredictable factor, the element that could tip the balance one way or the other. Until now, we had not realized just how much influence he could wield. Nor did we know how seriously he was considering an alliance with Gabhran. Ana is our solution, Tuala, and though it hurts me to say it, we need to deploy her now. Each day that passeswhile we keep her at White Hill is one too many.”
    “It’s dangerous, isn’t it? This journey?”
    “Faolan will make sure she is safe. He’ll assess Alpin and the overall risk;