FATE/CURADH BEAG

"Little Champion"

Chapter 9: Progress in Galway

The late afternoon sunshine soon gave way to the dimming early evening hours, painting the sky with a gorgeous gradient of pinks, oranges and purples. The blood-red sun started to set by the time Conall and Connla reached a particular estate situated in the small hamlet of Castlegar just northeast of Galway. It had been two days since they agreed on their plan to find a sponsor for her, but now that they were finally at this nobleman's secluded home, Connla was starting to feel a strong sense of trepidation.

"Uwah," she gasped nervously.

The front gate loomed over them, and the yard between the gate and manor was populated by several large hounds possessing the meanest glares in their beady black eyes. The darkening atmosphere didn't help to ease the young girl's anxiety. Connla hid behind Conall, who didn't appear perturbed by the sight of these vicious canines. One of the dogs noticed her and started barking wildly between throaty growls, as if the animal was commanding her to leave the premises. Once one started making noise, it didn't take much for the others to howl along.

"Whoa there!" Conall exclaimed. "Usually these guys are quite docile!"

"Maybe I should go somewhere else," Connla murmured. "I don't want to make them angry or anything."

"Relax. They'll warm up to you soon enough. They're just doing their job of keeping this place safe for their owner. Speaking of which…"

The front door swung open, and an elderly man shouted at the top of his lungs, "SILENCE!"

The dogs immediately ceased their pell-mell and scattered about the grounds. The man approached the two warriors, having to take his time since he needed to use a cane to get about. He opened the gate, then said, "I'm surprised to see you here, Conall. I thought you would be busy with your training right now."

"I know, but something's come up," Conall replied sheepishly. He put a hand behind his head and muttered, "Sorry if I being unreasonable here, but I met up with this kid who says she's from Scotland, and she doesn't have anywhere to stay. Think she could crash with you for a bit?"

"Hm?" the old man mumbled and stared at Connla. "Who is she, some kind of runaway?"

"Not at all. She's a pupil of Scathach's who just arrived here from the Land of Shadows."

The old man threw his head back and laughed. "Pah hah hah hah! Don't make fun of me, boy! How can a petite waif like her be a student to that demoness!?"

"I'm not joking! She proved herself to me in combat earlier!"

"Bollocks. How could she last against one of this country's finest warriors and earn his trust so easily?"

"Oh, believe me, I had my doubts when she first said who she was, but she wound up handing my hide back to me without batting an eyelash! I dare say, if there was a way for us to travel through time, she'd give young Setanta a run for his money! If you don't believe me, sic one of your boys on her! Just don't go crying to me if you wind up losing one of your pups like you did back then! Heh heh!"

"Ghh…"

"Um," Connla murmured hesitantly. "I'm kind of lagging behind in this conversation."

"Oops, my bad," Conall smirked. "This geezer is Culann, a smith who likes to coop himself up in his workshop 24/7. If you can't tell already, he likes dogs more than even people."

"Hmph!" the old man snorted. "At least dogs aren't capable of betrayal, unlike most people I know. I swear, this country is a total mess because of that conniving harlot Medb. If we hadn't lost the Cattle Raid, I'm sure we'd still be independent from Connacht!"

"Sorry, gramps, but the kid's a little out of touch with the goings-on of Ulster. I've agreed to let her be my training partner, but she kinda needs to get up to speed with what happened back then. I can't exactly bring her to my place since we're already short on space, so I thought she could stay here for a bit. Dad always says that whenever you actually do have guests, you'll flap your jaw like the world is about to end tomorrow or something. I figured you'd be perfect for getting her caught up with our history."

"What do you think this is, a public lodge? I'm not going to loan even an inch of space to someone I've never met before, child or not!"

"Quit being so stubborn, pops! Does this little squirt look like someone who would cause trouble for you?" Conall playfully asked as he kneeled behind the bewildered Connla and tugged her cheeks. "Besides, it's only going to be for about a week. Once the tournament's done, we'll get out of your hair before you know it."

Culann grunted again, then shifted his eyes down so that they met Connla's. After sizing her up for a bit, he then said, "Only on one condition."

"What would that be?" she asked.

"Show me your weapon."

Although perplexed, the girl brandished her spear and passed it to Culann. Conall smacked his forehead and muttered, "Ah, here we go…"

Connla glanced up at him and wondered, "Is something the matter?"

"The old man will recognize other people, but only if he spends time examining how well their weapons have been used. If I were you, I'd grab a pillow or something, 'cause he loves taking his sweet time. There was one time where he spent an entire week appraising a warrior's sword, only to turn him away."

"Oh, dear. If that's the case, maybe it would be better if I stayed at your place. I can always sleep in the barn, or even outside if needed."

"No way! A growing girl like you needs her proper sleep! I'll make sure you get a bed, even if it means you have to sleep on my back!"

"You don't really need to go that far."

Suddenly, Culann interrupted them by plainly stating, "Fine. I'll let you in."

"Whoa-!?" Conall yelped, appearing genuinely surprised. "That was quick!"

"Don't be a fool. I know quality when I see it, and this weapon has obviously seen more than seven years' worth of combat despite being only wielded by one person for its entire lifetime. If you say the girl is from the Land of Shadows, then I'm inclined to believe you. It's the only possible explanation for the peculiar way this spear has been handled. To be honest, it's piqued my curiosity more than I anticipated. I've got a lot of questions to ask the child, and she better be ready to answer them."

"Can we consider this a fair trade then?" Connla asked. "I satisfy your curiosity, in exchange for allowing me to stay here and explaining everything you know about Ulster."

"Sounds good to me."

Conall muttered, "Well, well… That worked out faster than I expected. I'll come pick you up tomorrow and we can spar some more in the fields, okay?"

Connla nodded, and the warrior took his leave to return to Galway. Culann allowed her inside, and he showed her to a spare room she could use. He was already making some stew for himself, so he split some of it with her as they conversed at the dinner table. She explained her situation regarding needing to meet with Fergus, and that she sought Culann's help as her sponsor for the tournament.

The blacksmith chortled heartily as he remarked, "Poh hoh hoh hoh! Imagine that! A pint-sized ankle biter like you giving those muscle-brained brutes the runaround in such a public forum! The thought alone makes me want to sign you up!"

"So you'll do it?" she asked eagerly.

"The nicks and notches in your weapon told me everything I needed to know. I'd be a fool not to support a warrior of such talent at this point."

"Thank you so much! Now I'm one huge step closer to meeting with the king!"

"Bah! That's just the easy part. You still gotta do the hard part yourself."

"I know. I'd disappoint Teacher if I didn't take it seriously. But still, I can't help but think about what Conall said about you being stubborn with recognizing others. What made you change your mind so quickly?"

Culann sighed and closed his eyes as he lost himself in deep thought. Soon, he said, "In my experience, there's only one person I know who has handled a spear the same way you do. It was a long time ago by now, but I remember watching young Setanta fight my hound while wielding his polearm in the same manner as you. It was uncanny and brutal, yet there seemed to be a kind of beauty to it as well."

"I heard Conall say that name before. Who exactly is this Setanta person?" Connla wondered.

"Just an upstart of a boy, who was born to King Conchobhar's sister Deichtine. Among all of the Red Branch's boy-troop, that lad was particularly energetic and unmatched in any sort of contest you threw at him. He was probably around your age when I accidentally locked him out of the manor after Conchobhar asked me to invite him, and he wound up slaying one of my dogs just to try and get inside."

"Wow… So you're saying I fight the same way that Setanta did?"

"No doubt about it. You don't seem to be as spirited and brash as he was, but your talent speaks volumes nonetheless. That's exactly why I've allowed you to stay here, so long as you answer this question," Culann said as he glared fiercely at her. "You wouldn't happen to be a relative of his, would you?"

"Of Setanta's?" she murmured, then frowned hard. "I really don't know. After my mother's death, my aunt Scathach essentially adopted and raised me in the Land of Shadows. Neither of them told me anything about my father."

"I see. So the possibility is there, but you simply don't know."

"I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help to you," Connla apologized. "As far as me fighting the same way as this Setanta fellow, maybe that's just a coincidence."

"Hmph," Culann grunted and sat back. "I don't believe in coincidences. Far as I know or care, everything has a reason."

"Then maybe Teacher taught me so that I would mimic him?"

"For what purpose?"

"Well…"

Both of them were at a loss for how to advance this conversation. Culann grew frustrated and grumbled, "Bah! All of this thinking and talking is making me tired! You've got a long week ahead of you, so make the most of my hospitality while you can!"

"Of course," she said, then prepared to head to her room. "I'll be out training with Conall for the day tomorrow. Will your dogs be agitated if I approach the gate again?"

"Not to worry. I'll train them to recognize your scent," he said as he borrowed one of her gloves. As he took off her right glove though, he noticed the ring on her thumb. Growing curious, he suddenly uttered, "Let me see that."

"Huh?" she mumbled and brought her hand closer to him.

"Hm… Hmmm… A Bloodstone ring, hm? Interesting."

"Mother said that my father left it for me."

Culann immediately became quiet when he heard that. He quickly faced away from her and muttered, "I see. Well, you get yourself to bed already."

She nodded, but appeared unsure as to why he was behaving so strangely. Once she left for her room, the elderly man finally exhaled a deep breath he had been holding in to help compose himself.

Unbelievable. The patterns on that ring are the same as Setanta's tattoos. Furthermore, Bloodstone rings are very expensive and can only be made with the blood of a true warrior. There's no way this is just a mere coincidence. That Connla girl has to have Setanta's blood in her. I just know it…

Chaldea

Cuchulainn Alter kept his eyes focused solely on the monitor displaying Connla's vision. He was so silent that it spooked Aibi. Of course, she understood why he seemed so intimidating in this moment – he was seeing the home of Culann, the man whose name became part of his famous moniker. He was probably experiencing pangs of nostalgia the likes of which no one could fathom.

However, Aibi was more worried about how dangerous the alternate Cuchulainn was and what it was going to mean for the Lostbelt's Connla. It was especially troubling that neither of them knew their relationship to the other, but that it was only a matter of time before the truth would be revealed. Most likely in an overly dramatic fashion as well, given the Heroic Spirit Connla's horrific luck stat.

Aibi stood off to the side with her head lowered and her expression glum. Nearby, Gilgamesh noticed her apprehension and frowned slightly. Unlike the other two, he was thoroughly enjoying this epic-length 'movie', always eager to see how this story's twists and turns would be resolved. Yet, he couldn't fully engross himself in the spectacle if he knew that Aibi was feeling uncomfortable. She was the whole reason he got involved in this mess to begin with, and it annoyed him that she would behave as timidly as her younger counterpart. He expected her to have a bit more confidence in herself given that she had lived a longer life than many other Connlas ever would have, and had displayed a sort of sassy side to him in their previous conversations. Right now though, she was showing that same sullen expression of dismay and self-reproach, and it irritated him so much that he had to say something.

"Aibi," Gilgamesh said, "cease your fretting at once. It is becoming an eyesore."

"Oh…" she glanced at him and rubbed her cheeks to 'wipe off' the expression. "My apologies. I just have a lot on my mind."

"Tell me something new. You always look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. Relax a little. There's nothing any of us can do to influence the outcome of that Lostbelt, so just enjoy the show."

"Easy for you to say. I'm literally watching a counterpart living in what is essentially hell on Earth. If it wasn't for that accursed Tree of Emptiness or whatever, that timeline would not be existing right now. Honestly… what in the world would that thing gain out of keeping such a doomed world alive on what is basically life support? It's that thing's fault that my counterpart is in such a perilous situation! I simply cannot understand it!"

"I told you to calm yourself," Gilgamesh told her tersely. "The fact that you are flailing about in such a panic demonstrates that you have no faith in her abilities."

"But-!"

Suddenly, Aibi felt Cuchulainn's hand touch her shoulder. They stared at each other for a moment, before he murmured in a deep voice, "Settle down."

"…"

"I know that all of this is upsetting to you, and that you wish you could do something. But we have to let things run their course. If we tried to interfere in any way, it might cause more stress for Geal. It's possible that all of this has already happened, and what we're witnessing is just a record. It means that no matter how frightening or dangerous this other world may be, we can rest easy knowing that it's already been resolved."

"… You think that's the case?"

"I don't know for sure. It's just what I choose to believe in, so that I can focus on looking after Geal. Record or not, such a vision must be putting her under plenty of duress, and I want to make sure she comes back to us with her sanity intact."

Aibi's nerves began to calm down as she listened to Cuchulainn's logic. She took a deep breath, then said, "You're right. I'm sorry for behaving so erratically. I really should be observing Geal's vitals, shouldn't I?"

"Exactly. If you're really sorry, then get back to your job."

"Of course."

With that, the chamber fell into silence once more. Now though, Gilgamesh noticed that Aibi looked more relaxed and professional than before, and he smirked lightly.

I suppose a father knows best, hm?

Galway, Connacht

After finishing her breakfast the following morning, Connla waited outside to meet up with Conall. Once they were ready, they headed for Galway about an hour's walk away. Their plan was to make sure she could enter the tournament before doing any sort of serious training. She brought a letter of recommendation that Culann prepared for her during the night, along with some money he gave her to cover the registration fees. From there, it would be all up to the officials to make the final decision.

As the pair passed through the gates of Ireland's capital city, Connla stared around at the numerous stone buildings, clean brick roads, and crowds of people ambling about. The townsfolk had embellished the local neighborhoods with various decorations and flowers. Several bards had set up themselves on various street corners and were either singing songs or telling tales for small donations. The bright colors and lively sounds were all brand new experiences to her, who was only used to living out in the quiet wilderness.

"Hey, stop staring so much, or people will think you're some kind of yokel," Conall chided.

"I'm sorry. This just seems a little overwhelming to me. I thought Galway would be like Belfast, but they couldn't be any more different."

"True, the towns built closer to the isle's coastlines are more like Belfast. Those that are more inland tend to fare a bit better. Since this is Ireland's capital city though, it'd make sense that everything would be bigger and louder than anywhere else."

She couldn't say much else as she gazed around at everything and everyone around her. He couldn't blame her for being so fascinated, but was worried that she would be pointed out as some kind of weirdo by the children. He guided her through the quieter streets until they reached the coliseum located next to the castle in the center of the city, which looked over the majestic River Corrib. Connla noted how the river was surprisingly plentiful with water compared to the other rivers and lakes she had seen during the journey through Ireland. That alone told her why Galway was so much different compared to Belfast and other near-abandoned farming hamlets she saw. It was as if all of Ireland's life and culture was concentrated in this one spot, and the rest was being left to rot. She couldn't help but think of the tragedy lurking behind such a beautiful sight, and she sighed despondently.

"Hey, look lively. We're almost there," Conall told her as they approached the coliseum's entrance.

"O-Oh, yes," Connla snapped to attention and followed him inside. They passed by a pair of stoic and burly-looking red-haired soldiers flanking the main entrance, and she couldn't resist gazing at them intently for a moment. As soon as the pair were out of earshot, she asked Conall, "Um, those men… They wouldn't happen to be some of the Queen's Champions, would they?"

"Those guys?" he raised an eyebrow. "No, they're the Red Branch Braves, Queen Medb's personal troops. They're mainly stationed in Galway, though there are some Braves who patrol the local areas. They're so fiercely loyal to Medb that it borders on inhuman. No one dares to mess with those guys, considering that one is enough to defeat 100 ordinary men."

"So what's the point of deciding on a Queen's Champion if she already has these Braves obeying her?"

"The Braves are simply responsible for protecting Galway. The Champions are Medb's representatives throughout all of Ireland, and can handle political matters in Scotland for her. Think of the Champions as politicians with immense physical prowess, while the Braves are dumb brutes who can only follow their queen's basic commands."

"Dumb brutes, huh?" she murmured curiously as she glanced back at the silent soldiers.

"What's wrong? You scared of them?"

"Not really. It's just that I sensed magical energy emanating from them."

"Magical energy?" he muttered. "You mean like Rune magic?"

"I'm not sure…"

Conall had no idea what Connla was talking about. He wanted to prod her for more answers, but realized it was their turn to approach the receptionist. He took care of his own registration first, which was easy enough. He even made small talk with the workers there once they recognized the name Conall Cernach as belonging to a notorious wandering swordsman. Once it came to Connla's application, that was when things quickly became complicated.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" the attendant asked in disbelief. "You said you wanted the girl to enter as well?"

"What, did I stutter? That's exactly what I said," Conall retorted.

"I'm sorry, but we don't allow applicants below 10 years old, and even then they have to be male to participate in the Boy-Troop division."

"I know that. It's just that she has a letter of recommendation from the blacksmith Culann. The rules state that you're not allowed to ignore a sponsor's endorsement, regardless of who the participant may be."

The clerk mumbled as he read through the letter to verify its authenticity, then said, "It certainly looks genuine. It's just that… well, it'd be difficult to allow such a young child to enter a tournament when the dangers are so blatantly obvious."

"Yeah, I get that. But I can personally vouch for her skill. If you don't believe me, why not allow for a short exhibition match so your superiors can see for themselves?"

The employees glanced at each other hesitantly. They certainly didn't want to disobey Culann's wishes, but they also didn't want to lose their jobs (if not their lives) over such a flagrant breach of the rules. Besides, if Connla were allowed to participate, what sort of precedent would that set? How would it impact the young children watching? How would their parents react? As far as they were concerned, it was a potential scandal just asking to unfold.

While everyone was mulling over what to do, that was when a man's booming voice declared, "Halt."

One of the Red Branch Braves stationed nearby as a guard approached them. Connla stared up at him, her head just barely reaching his waist. She was starting to get the sinking feeling that maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

"Sir!" the clerk jolted.

"I come with orders from the queen. While the child will not be allowed to participate in the primaries, she may demonstrate her capabilities in a private after-hours exhibition for Queen Medb."

Everyone was stunned to hear this. Conall blurted, "R-Really?"

"All is according to the queen's will."

"What the hell!? How does she know what's going on!? I don't see her anywhere!"

"Galway and Queen Medb are one and the same. Anything and everything that happens in these walls are privy to her knowledge."

"What a load of bullsh-!"

"No foul language is allowed within these halls, under penalty of imprisonment."

"Gh!"

As the two men argued, Connla contemplated the magical energy she sensed from the Brave and thought, Maybe these soldiers are connected to the queen somehow? Teacher did mention that Ireland's ruler is pretty powerful in her own right.

"Well then…" the clerk muttered, trying to break through this awkward conversation. "If that is what Queen Medb wishes, then we can arrange for a private nighttime exhibition match that Miss Connla can participate in."

"Will Lord Fergus be present?" she asked.

"Naturally. He's one of the main judges for the tournament. Of course you won't be competing for the Champion's title, but perhaps another opportunity may present itself if you perform really well."

She nodded exuberantly. She wasn't really interested in any of this Queen's Champion business anyway. In the end, she only cared about meeting Fergus, and this was her chance to prove to him that she was Scathach's pupil. What baffled her was why the queen would go out of her way to host a match when she had never seen Connla before. That question kept plaguing her mind as Conall finished their business in the coliseum. They left to have some lunch in town, then went out into the fields to practice some swordplay for the remainder of the day.

At the same time as Conall and Connla finished registering, Medb opened her eyes and beamed an unusual smile that bewildered Fergus. She had been resting in her chambers observing the comings and goings in Galway through her Braves' eyes, which always took a substantial amount of her energy. Fergus sat next to her on the bed and noticed how strangely pleased she looked as she woke up.

"Well now," he remarked. "This is not a sight I often see. What has gotten you in such a delighted mood, my queen?"

"He he he," she chuckled. "Oh, nothing much. I happened to spot the prolific swordsman Conall Cernach signing up for the tournament."

"Oh ho. So he's finally decided to show up this time. I'm aware of his fervent disdain for Connacht, and of how he ignored all the other times we held such contests. I wonder what made him change his mind."

"I don't know, and I don't really care. His presence isn't what has caught my attention."

"No? Then what else did you see?"

Medb proceeded to explain about the strange lavender-haired girl who had been recommended by Culann, known for refusing to sponsor any warriors for the tournament in past years. Fergus' expression shifted to one of curiosity as he heard about the special exhibition match set for this girl. He eventually asked, "So what prompted you to grant such a privilege to a child warrior you've never seen before?"

"It's true that this is my first time seeing her," Medb admitted. "However, Scathach told me that she's been taking care of only one pupil throughout the past 15 years – her own niece, Connla. When I heard that name, and the fact that the stubborn old goat Culann recommended her, I knew I had to step in. If I don't ascertain that Scathach's claims are true, I might drive myself crazy knowing I let a potential Champion slip from my grasp."

Fergus hummed to himself in contemplation. It didn't sit right with him that she would arrange such a thing behind his back, so he had to trust that she knew what she was doing. He knew how dangerous Celtic warriors tended to be, and with the prospect of being treated as nobility on the line, he knew many fighters would resort to extreme measures to win such a once-in-a-lifetime prize. He didn't want to recall how brutal and uncivilized the previous tournaments had been – poisoning meals, stealing participants' weapons, hostages being taken, allies betraying each other, outright murder, and general bloodshed all around. Despite the merriment that Galway enjoyed, there was no denying how horrific these contests wound up being in the end. It was less about who the strongest was, and more about who the most underhanded and savage bastard was.

This tournament was going to be different. Fergus absolutely refused to allow such mayhem to run rampant anymore, meaning this event would have much stricter rules than before. If anyone attempted to commit any sort of crimes like that, they would be outright banned from participating. He was glad that this unknown girl would have a private forum where she could demonstrate her skills without being exposed to such violence, but it also made him worry about who her potential opponent would be.

"Is something the matter, Fergus?" Medb asked her partner. "Does this go against the stringent rules you've been working so hard to enforce?"

"Not at all. I'm happy to see you're being so gracious towards a potential competitor. I guess I'm just concerned about ironing out the details for something so unconventional."

"If there's anything we Celts pride ourselves for, it's our ability to adapt. I'm sure you'll think of something fantastic, my love."

"You got it."

Three days later…

"HRAAAGH!"

Conall unleashed his mightiest war cry as he swung his sword hard against his opponent's weapon, knocking it clean out of his hands. The much larger brute reeled back in astonishment and grabbed his arm, feeling stunned from practically all of his muscles and blood vessels vibrating under the strain. He was so shocked by his diminutive opponent's surprising strength that he simply couldn't believe how it was possible. He fell to one knee and snarled, indicating to the excited crowd that he was defeated, and that Conall stood victorious once again.

This particular day saw the tournament's semifinals bracket of Ireland's best warriors fighting it out in the finest displays of swordsmanship they could demonstrate. Thanks to Fergus' influence, there were strict rules to not allow for wanton bloodshed and/or violence, which made the competition palatable for families with young children to observe in the stands. Various noblemen from across the Connacht, Munster and Leinster provinces took the best seats and entertained themselves by placing bets on the various fighters. Many had their sights set on Conall Cernach, who had gained quite the reputation for himself throughout the years as an unmatched swordsman who feared no one.

Not only was Conall an amazing fighter in his own right, he had trained with Connla over the last few days. Even during his time off the tournament, the pair would head straight for the plains and duel each other in some of the most intense matches he had ever faced. Compared to Connla's refined skills and cleverness, these other warriors seemed like total chumps to him. Whether it was with swords, spears or martial arts, no one could beat this stubborn man with the crooked neck, and he advanced to the finals bracket as practically everyone expected.

In the rafters, Connla watched as Conall disarmed his latest opponent. Unlike most people who just enjoyed the spectacle of it all, she observed all of the contestants with the keen eye of a seasoned fighter, using her knowledge and insights on how the men and boy warriors handled themselves to judge how likely their chances were. She could already tell that Conall would have an easy time with this fighter due to him obviously using his bulky musculature to intimidate others rather than genuinely train to be a warrior. Heck, if she were to partake in the nobles' betting games, she would be richer than she ever imagined.

Alas, Connla kept her thoughts to herself and watched the tournament in silence. The tournament's third day was wrapping up, and Conall advanced as one of the four final fighters. She left her seat, slipped through the back entrance, and hurried to the resting area to reunite with him.

As he rubbed his forehead dry of sweat, he spotted his friend approaching and said, "There you are."

"Congratulations," she said. "I was confident you would make it, but I had no idea how tough the competition would be."

"Meh. It was all right. Good enough for a workout, at least."

"I wouldn't get complacent if I were you. Tomorrow's where you're really going to have to do your best."

"Yeah, I know. I've got at least two more matches, and then the final duel with the previous tournament's winner. Considering that they could be happening back-to-back, it may be wiser for me to save my strength rather than train with you tonight."

"Good idea. I think you have all the skills necessary to make it through anyway. It's more important for you to rest."

"Then I'm gonna head back to my folks' place for the night. You should get back to Culann's before he starts worrying about you being out late. Wouldn't want him to lock you out accidentally now, would we?"

Connla waved her hand dismissively and replied, "I don't think he would do that. He told me about how he did it with Setanta a long time ago, and that he regrets it so much that he always double-checks before locking the gate."

Conall chuckled. "Let's hope you're right."

As they parted ways from the coliseum, the bulky warrior that Conall defeated watched them closely from around the corner. He was beginning to have an idea, and he smirked a partially toothless grin as he ducked out through the rear entrance in pursuit of the young girl. Connla made her way through Galway's main plaza before turning towards the gate that would take her closest to Culann's home.

Suddenly, a worn-out Gaelic football sailed in front of her and rolled before her feet. She picked it up, then heard a young male call out to her, "Hey!"

She noticed a group of boys a few years older than her playing some football in the dirt clearing just outside the gate. They were all staring at her, waiting for her to return the ball to them. She nodded and was about to throw it back to them. That was when her skin prickled, and she instantly became alert as she sensed malicious intent nearby.

"Wait! Stay right there!" Connla called out to the boy.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

She whirled around to face the gate, where she spotted the intimidating fighter from before approaching the crowd of children with a ferocious glare in his misshapen eyes. His body was covered in bruises everywhere thanks to his match with Conall, so Connla could tell that he was in a desperate state.

"You there, girlie!" he barked at her in a coarse voice before drawing his sword. This act alone frightened the boys, who gasped and stepped back uneasily. "You're the kid that that cheating bastard Cernach was chatting with!"

"And if I am?" she retorted coolly.

"Terribly sorry, but you're gonna have to come with me now."

"For what reason?"

"I'm gonna need insurance if I'm to become Medb's next Champion."

"Insurance? Isn't that just a nicer way of saying you're looking for a hostage?"

"Shut up. Just be quiet and do what I say, brat. Or do you want me to use one of those boys as an example of what happens when you go against me?"

Connla looked unimpressed as she said, "You better give up while you can. Even if you took me as your prisoner, Lord Fergus would never allow a scumbag of such low caliber to join Medb's forces."

"Cheeky little bitch, aren't you?" he snarled. "You should know that I'm the strongest man across all of Ireland and Scotland! Everyone who dares to challenge my strength lives to regret it - that is, if I let them live in the first place! I'm warning you; this sword has shed more blood than you will ever know… As far as I care, man, woman, and child all bleed the same!"

"You don't say. That's not exactly a ringing endorsement after seeing you being so thoroughly trounced in such a public forum."

"Shut your yap, you mouthy little snot! Come with me right now, or pay the price!"

As the brute attempted to get closer to her, she dropped the ball she had been holding and kicked it into the air a couple of times. Once it reached a sufficient height, she leapt high and whirled her leg about in a roundhouse kick, smashing her ankle against the ball so hard that it distorted the air around it. It shot straight for his face with such speed and force that he had absolutely no time to react.

"GWAH!?" he yelped as he lost his footing and collapsed backwards. The ball smacked against his nose and broke it with an unsettling cracking sound. He fell onto his back and passed out with a shocked look on his face. By now, one of Medb's Braves had spotted the commotion and summoned some guards to accompany him with arresting the brute while he was unconscious. Meanwhile, Connla retrieved the ball again and brought it back to the gobsmacked boys.

"Here you go," she handed it to the first lad. "I suggest you guys head back home before it gets too dark. Who knows what sort of characters like him are lurking about during such a massive event?"

"R-Right…" the boy mumbled. Usually he and his friends wouldn't appreciate being lectured by such a small girl, but the excitement of it all had caught them off guard.

"If you'll excuse me," she bowed and proceeded along the dirt road back to Culann's house.

High above the front gate's arch, an invisible figure squatted and watched the confrontation between Connla and the muscular thug unfold. He was using an artificial form of Royal Authority granted to him by Dagda's Cauldron to mask his presence the same way an Assassin-class Servant would. He had to maintain a low profile while lurking about in Galway, but it wasn't too difficult for him considering that everyone was more focused on the tournament and the festivities surrounding it. Unbeknownst to Conall and Connla, Cuchulainn had been tailing them during their entire stay in the area, wanting to get a feel for both what they were doing as well as how the Galway region had evolved during his 15-year absence. Just as he expected, it was far grander than he could have ever imagined, but it also made it rife with corruption and crime just like what he witnessed.

He snickered under his breath as he watched Connla dispatch the brute with the football. Using a child's sport to defeat such a childish man was simply too humorous for him not to laugh at. Despite that, he gained a little more insight into how Connla fought, even if it was just seeing how strong her legs actually were. He suspected that if her arms and torso were scrawny, then she had to have powerful legs to compensate, and his hunch was proven correct. Scathach was well known for using her legs to throw Gae Bolg, so it was not surprising for Connla to do something similar.

Not bad, kid. But that's just the preview. I'm going to enjoy seeing what you've got tomorrow evening.