The training hall was lined with weapons and armor. Swords hung next to spears and shields; hundreds of stones rested in baskets next to slings of varying size and material. The floor at one end of the hall was covered in reed that had been woven into mats. Here, too, were punching bags and a large variety of equipment that rivaled most warrior hoards.

At the opposite end of the hall was the Goddess Scathach's own throne set on a raised platform. It was decorated by three skulls representing her first kills. Nuala smiled to herself as she strode over to a wall, ignoring the small group of men and women sparring at the other end of the hall.

She knelt before the throne and saluted the bare-bladed sword resting across the arms of the seat, the symbolic presence of the Goddess. "Mighty Scathach, hear my words," she said out loud, beginning her customary prayer of thanks.

"I’m listening," a voice said, and Nuala looked up, eyes widening in surprise.

Scathach was lounging on the throne, leisurely stroking her sword with one hand.

Nuala gasped.

"Yes?" The Goddess asked, looking self-satisfied and beautiful at the same time.

All rational thought fled Nuala’s mind. All she could do was stare. The Goddess was here? This was Scathach!

"Nuala, Nuala, Nuala," the goddess said, shaking her head. "I thought you’d been trained better than that."

The fiery glow between Scathach's fingers barely registered before the Goddess flung the fireball at her. Nuala rolled out of the way milliseconds before it exploded on the stone floor where she’d been kneeling. She came up standing in a defensive fighting stance, feeling adrenaline shooting through her veins. Three steps away was the nearest weapon, and she prepared to lunge for it.

Instead of following with another attack, the Goddess clapped her hands together slowly in mock applause. "That’s more like it," Scathach said. "I like it when you’re angry."

Nuala let herself relax slightly. This was a test.

Scathach leaned back in the throne again. "I distinctly heard you ask me to listen to you."

Nuala nodded, deciding to kneel again. "Yes, your Wonderment. I wish to become a better warrior. I was asking for your blessings and help in this matter. It seemed … appropriate."

"Do you need my help?" She Who Strikes Fear asked curiously.

"Of course not," Nuala answered quickly. She didn’t want Scathach to think she was weak. "But I have been taught to always ask for your assistance before going into battle."

"Lesson one: Call me Scath." The voice boomed louder than thunder.

Nuala stood up. "Yes, Scath." She was getting over her astonishment enough to register that The Goddess was granting her a special privilege. "Yes, Scath!."

The goddess grinned. "That’s more like it." She stood up, sword in hand, and hopped off the platform, landing beside Nuala. She walked to the wall, grabbed another sword and tossed it. Nuala caught it, glancing around to see if anyone on the other end of the hall had noticed what was happening.

They were all frozen in place as if time was standing still, and Nuala knew then that whatever the outcome of this encounter with Scathach, there would be no witnesses to it. The Goddess waggled her fingers in their direction. "I didn’t want us interrupted," she said, beginning to circle, her blade out and ready.