"Caoilfhionn!"
"Athair! Why are my things being packed?"
"You're going to the Ulster province?"
"What for?"
"King Eochaid mac Fiachnai. You are to be his bride."
High Princess Caoilfhionn nic Áed could not believe the words coming out of her father's mouth. She wanted to burn her ears at the sound. She was still just a child.
"Athair, why so early for me?"
"You have just had your first monthly course. You are a woman now."
"And according to my governess, I should go through quite a few more monthly courses before I bear a child. And athair remember, Eochaid mac Fiachnai killed his previous wife, as he did the one before her. You know he'll kill me."
"Not to risk his demise he won't."
"Can Morag come with me?"
"Seeing as how I am not able to separate you two, yes. Though, I am not sure how Eochaid will take to having a witch in his court."
"She doesn't dabble in the arts just because, athair."
"On the contrary. But I am sending you now because ever since Father Domhnall's death, you have become more unruly. Why is that?"
"The man used to beat me for reading the good book. He said unless I was a nun, I was not permitted to read the holy scriptures. You knew about the beatings, but did nothing to stop them, athair."
"Having you married now will save me from a farce later."
"He will want to bed me as soon as he sees me. And he will not be faithful. I would rather die now than marry him."
"You will go to Ulster, and that is the end of it!"
The journey from the Hill of Tara to Eamhain Mhacha took only two days. But along the way, Caoilfhionn's cousin Morag picked up as many plants as she needed. She was worried for the safety of her cousin. She would be married to a man old enough to be her father, and Morag wanted to make sure that he would be the one harm would come to.
"Princess Caoilfhionn, my beautiful bride. Welcome to Donegal. I have not seen you since you were a child."
"I am still a child, as you can see."
"And who is this with you?"
"This is my companion and cousin Morag. Our mothers were sisters."
"Our children will have a claim to the thrones of Ulster and the high kingship."
"It is unfortunate that I am here, because even though my brother and I are twins, I am the older one. The throne goes to who is better fit to rule."
"You have much knowledge for a girl your age. A girl nonetheless."
"May my cousin and I rest for the day?"
"Of course."
"And when will our wedding be?"
"A week from today."
Caoilfhionn and Morag made their way to Caolfhionn's new chambers, and the first thing Caoilfhionn did was let out a scream.
"Easy, Caoilfhionn. Keep your voice low. We will get out of this."
