Aoife works quickly. We've only just arrived on the island, and she has already buried her nails into the flesh of the Sorority and one of its hopefuls. The strike against us makes for a long journey. Ailbhe is a devoted sister and never leaves Caoilainn's side, carrying her all the way to the dún. Lugh has bouts of weakness, when he goes ashen and his eyes turn glassy. I am there to catch him when he loses his footing and lend him my brat when he grows cold with fever.

The only improvement to the journey across the island is in the Cuillins, when our path crosses with that of Nuala Niall. An ábhar living in the wilds of the hills, she is pleased to see the return of She Who Strikes Fear and joins our company.

There is a heavy rain descending upon us when we pass through the gates of Scáthach's keep. Immediately, Lugh is put into solitude, visited only by the Banruis, the draoí-sisters assigned to monitor his fever. Caoilainn is kept in her hut, where both her sister and the Banruis wait upon her. "I'll go get Scáthach! She'll know what to do!" comes Ailbhe's cry as she flies out of her hut and nearly collides into my mistress.

I leave them to speak privately and go to seek out my new pupil, Nuala. Tonight there is to be a great feast in honour of the Brude's arrival, but I would like to prepare Nuala for what lies ahead, first. Not only will she need to overcome the trials of the Sisters, but she must also endure being a minority. The only women in these parts are teachers. All students are men, with Nuala being the only exception. She will have to endure the hardship that is part and parcel of being the only female of the lot.

I nearly forgot! Niamh of the Long Legs is also a pupil. A kindred spirit to my ábhar, perhaps. And then...perhaps not. Nuala is more independent and confident. Niamh is not as self-reliant. Though she is by no means shy and she is eager to take chances, she is eager to please and terrified of disappointing, while Nuala is very secure with her place in the world and seeks approval from no one. For my ábhar, this will be a challenging year. For Niamh, I fear this may very well be a living nightmare. She had asked me to be her Urra, and I accepted. I just hope she survives long enough for me to have that honour.

Cinaedh, another wonderful candidate for a Cleas education, is presently accompanying the long-legged Niamh to The Granary, a large, old building that now serves as a reception hall for dining and dancing. The two are cloaked and hooded, for protection against the elements, but they walk quite closely, even arm-in-arm from the looks of it. Might something be developing there?

I eventually give up looking for Nuala. I shall see her at the feast, for sure. In the meantime, I quickly tread the path up the hill to Màrrach Mór, to bathe and dress for the feast.