Mage of Clouds (The Cloudmages #2) (85 page)

“You sound so certain of all this. I’m not.”

The smile returned. “But I notice you’ve stopped protesting.”

Meriel made no answer. She glanced over again at Owaine. He was staring in her direction and grinning widely. Edana tilted her head quizzically at Meriel. “If you say no,” Edana said, “I will understand.”

“And you would become Ard?”

“No.” Edana spoke the word like a curse. “To convince the others to stand with me, I had to insist to them that I had no ambition to be Ard, and I can’t tell them differently now. They’re already in there, waiting. If you say no, our alliance is broken and someone else will be Ard. I don’t know who that would be, but I’m certain they won’t be as kindly disposed to Inish Thuaidh as you are.”

“That’s blackmail.”

A shrug. “Call it a final inducement. Come,” Edana said. “It’s time for the Óenach. Come inside with me and we’ll begin this together.”

Edana lifted her arm in invitation. Meriel stared at her for a breath, then at Owaine. Finally, reluctantly, she put her scarred left hand through the circle of flesh.

Together, they left the warm sunshine and entered the hall.

Tuath Airgialla: Mal Mac Baoill, Rí Airgialla

Tuath Connachta: Harkin O Seachnasaigh, Rí Connachta

Tuath Dún Laoghaire: Nevan O Liathain,* Rí Laoghaire

Tuath Éoganacht: Kerwin Taafe, Rí Éoganacht

Tuath Gabair: Torin Mallaghan, Rí Gabair

Tuath Infochla: Brasil Mas Sithig, Rí Infochla

Tuath Locha Léin: Siobaigh O Treasigh, Banrion Locha Léin

Inish Thuaidh: Jenna MacEagan, Banrion Thuiadh

 

* also Rí Ard (High King) of all Tuatha