Holder of Lightning

Jenna’s mouth hung open; a dozen unsaid replies filling her head. A gulf wider than the Westering Sea separated them, and Jenna could think of no way to bridge it. The infant Mac Ard was crying again, but Maeve’s face reflected only a stoic suffering. Jenna started to take a step toward her but Maeve’s eyes narrowed warningly and she stopped. Finally, Jenna ducked her heard and left the tent, going out into the wind again. Her gardai were waiting for her. They looked at her questioningly.

"We’re leaving," she told them.

Jenna sat in the boat as they rowed back to their ship, gazing backward at Inishduan. She saw Maeve come out of the tent, Doyle cradled in one arm. Smoke gushed white around the central pole as Maeve walked down to the beach without looking back. A few seconds later, the first flames appeared, leaping high into the air. Smoke rolled gray with the oils, the wind smearing it west and south toward Talamh an Ghlas.

They arrived at the ship. Hands reached down to help Jenna up onto the deck. Standing at the rail, she looked back to the island: to the boat that was

carrying Maeve and Jenna's half brother back to their own vessel; to the conflagration rising high into the sky.

"Are you ready, Banrion?" the captain asked. Jenna nodded. "Aye," she said. "Take me home."

Appendices

Characters (in order of appearance):

A young woman from the village of Ballintubber Jenna's mam

Jenna Aoire

Maeve Aoire (nee Oldspring)

Tara

Kesh

Old Stubborn Halden

Coelin Singer

Songmaster

Curragh

Mother-Creator

Aldwoman Pearce Tom Mullin

One Hand Bailey

Erin the Healer

Maghera

Ellia

Matron Kelly Niall Aoire Chamis Redface

Rafea

Sean

Eliath

Padraic Mac Ard

Conhal

Mael Armagh

Owner of a tavern in Ballintubber

Jenna's herding dog

The ancient ram in Jenna's flock

A resident of Ballintubber, danced with Maeve at Corn Festival

A musician in Ballintubber Coelin's mentor, dead three years

Goddess: creator of the world

The oldest person in Ballintubber and the Teller of Tales

Ballintubber resident Ballintubber resident

Ballintubber resident A character in song and legend, female Tara's daughter, enamored of Coelin Ballintubber resident, keeps cows Jenna's da (father)

A Ballintubber resident who teased Jenna as a child

Ballintubber resident, weaves cloth Matron Kelly's son, brain-damaged by fever Tara's youngest son

A tiarna (lord) who comes to Ballintubber Mac Ard's horse

An ancient king of Tuath Infochla who tried to conquer Inish Thuaidh;

SeveriiThe Inish chieftain who defeated Mael ArmaghO’CoulghanBucklesA resident of Ballintubber, an old manFiacra De DergaA tiarna from Tuath Connachta, a cousin of Mac ArdRB GabairThe king of Tuath GabairRB ConnachtaThe king of Tuath ConnachtaDaraghA resident of Ballintubber, killed by a falling tree in Doire CoillO’RheallaghWidowThe wife of DaraghO’RheallaghDenmarkSeancoim’s companion crow, and his eyesSeancoimThe old guardian of Doire CoillSeed-DaughterGoddess: the daughter of the Mother-Creator, who planted the fiRuaidhriBunus Muintir chieftain, died in the Battle of Lough DubhCrenel DahgnonDaoine king who fought Ruaidhri at the Battle of Lough DubhRiataBunus Muintir chieftain, the last of the Bunus cloudmagesDavaliBunus Muintir cloudmage who possessed Lamh Shabhala before RBataOengusBunus Muintir cloudmage who possessed Lamh Shabhala before DavalDeclan SheehanHead of Clan Sheehan, one of the roving Taisteal bandsEdanOne of the TaistealHildeOne of the TaistealBranOne of the TaistealEnnisInishlander who meets Jenna in the Taisteal encampmentO’DeoradhainAodhfin ORB of the small kingdom of Bhaile, Holder of the cloch after Eilis MacG;LiathainFillsA Holder of the Lamh Shabhala, killed in the Battle of Lough Lar by AcMacGairbhithLiathain