The MacRoths watched the wholesale slaughter before them, every warrior itching to take part, but not daring to disobey their chiefs and breithiúna. Taking first blood without cause would mean an unnecessary feud. Besides which, the Cumhaill seemed to have come out on top despite being outnumbered.

Still and all...

Restless as a dog in heat, Conall hopped out of the chariot and headed for the front to get a better lay of the land. As he was rounding the first line of horses, a fool-headed young Morna came charging at him from behind a nearby bush, flailing his sword in the air above his head and bringing it down for the kill. Conall jumped back in the nick of time and brought Con crashing down upon the lad's head, cracking it open like a walnut.

The nearby horses spooked at the sudden activity and smell of blood and gore, not to mention the confusion of cattle and herdsmen running to and fro on the bloodied road to Inver Colpa. The riders were seasoned fighters, however, well used to controlling their mounts on the battlefield.

The glow of battle on him, Conall started running toward the sea of fighting clan colours, almost colliding with a small party of distraught Cumhaill carrying one of their wounded nobles to safety. Judging by the number of colours she wore, the fiery spark in the lead was a brithem.

"Make way man! Ceannfine Eoghain Cumhaill is in serious need of our Dunn Seannachaidh healer's attention," the Cumhaill woman commanded.

"Och! Follow me then. Better to have your good man riding in a chariot for safety and comfort than flopping about on the back of a horse."

Conall led them quickly through the parting horses to Holly's chariot and spread his fur cloak on the floor. The Cumhaill gently lowered their ceannfine onto the fur bed and the brithem took her place by his side. Someone handed her a spare cloak to help staunch the blood flowing from the terrible gash down the length of his back, while Holly dug through her supplies for the healing elixer she had thought to bring along. Spare horses were brought for the other Cumhaill and the party was on its way, a barrier of MacRoths between them and their enemies.

Conall and a small contingent of MacRoth cavalry decided to escort the chariot in case of an ambush along the way.