After taking over the northern ringfort, Eivor, Flann, and Bárid took over the entire stronghold of Cashelore. Afterwards, the trio of warriors sat and drank towards their accomplishments.
Flann: Sláinte! (Cheers!) To a battle well fought, and blood well spilt!
Bárid:To Ireland!
Eivor:Skal!
Flann:Ah!
A cup bearer came from behind.
Moenach:Another cup, my king?
Flann stood up.
Flann:Where is our court poet? This deserves a song. Eivor, it is essential that you speak with her.
Flann:I greeted her arrival. She will build my glory throughout Ireland. Her song will be repeated in every village and hamlet. And you, Eivor, with your keen eye, can give details of my bravery, the bravery of all my soldiers, for her to craft a ballad.
Eivor:I'll give her your message, O brave king. Bárid, you deserve another drink.
Bárid:And you as well! Come back for another before the night is out.
Eivor left to find Ciara while overhearing Flann's soldiers talk.
Irish Soldier 2:Then he come at me, eyes blazin' like hellfire itself.
Irish Soldier 3:Sure, sure he did. I saw it happen.
Irish Soldier 2:I'd nothin' but a stick! Well, I held it crosswise and I hoped for the best.
Irish Soldier 3:I tried to help. I was too far, I was.
Irish Soldier 2:He swung and sent the stick to splinters. He grabs me collar, he's about to land the mortal blow!
Irish Soldier 3:O, I thought your tune was played.
Irish Soldier 2:I look him in the eye and he says, "Is it yourself, Ronan?" He knew me! It's me cousin, Conall!
Irish Soldier 3:It was marvelous to see! Ol' Connall. Always the good lad.
Eivor found Ciara, playing and singing a tune, atop the walls of the northern ringfort. Eivor spoke with Ciara.
Eivor:You sing with conviction.
Ciara:It is the mournful song of the Lia Fáil, the ancient stone you saw at the coronation.
Eivor:That stone, it seemed to ... It...
Ciara:The legend is that the stone will bring woe. But the song claims that if Ireland came to peril, the stone would rain a storm of wonders.
Eivor catching up with Ciara
Eivor:From where would the song draw this wisdom?
Ciara:I do not know, but my mother sang it. My mother's mother sang it as well, and her mother, and hers. Back to the very first women of the isle. The mere sound of the words connects me to my ancestors and this fertile soil.
Eivor:You are lucky, I've left my land far behind.
Ciara:You need not leave to feel the land change beneath you. That's why I'm stuck in this court like some sort of dancing goat.
Eivor:Surely you can leave any time you wish.
Ciara:I can, and I will. But not until Flann rules all Ireland.
Eivor:Is he such a great man as that?
Ciara:He understand that to be king is to be king of all. Though I'm pagan, he made me court poet. He respects the old ways.
Eivor:I admire your passion.
Ciara:Thank you for that. Not everyone is so appreciative.
Eivor:I appreciate you for all your qualities, Ciara.
Ciara:I've got more than a fine voice for singing, if that's what you're asking. Is that what you're asking?
Eivor:I'm asking if you'd like to take advantage of a Norse who finds herself alone with a bewitching Irish woman.
Ciara:Ara, don't you have a way with words, Eivor? And I'm not saying never...
Eivor:I understand.
Eivor:You seem to have set your course and steer it true.
Ciara:I come from the back country. We follow the old ways. Christians worry about the world to come. We live in the one we have.
Eivor:Take care you do not place all your hopes in a single person.
Ciara:Ach, he's not without flaws, that one. But he can unite the island and protect my people.
Eivor reminded herself.
Eivor:Ja, I all but forgot. Flann sent me to remind you to begin his ballad.
Ciara:He needn't worry. I know my purpose here.
Eivor:If it is as glorious as that song was lovely, Flann is certain to gain many followers.
Ciara:Good night, Eivor. I'll see you in the morning. Slán. (Be safe.)
Eivor:Good night, Ciara.
Night passed and Eivor woke up in a pile of hay on the ground.
Eivor:A beautiful morning... Ah! Bárid asked me to return to him last night. I should apologize.
