I smiled but felt the definite stirrings of nervousness.

“What the heck am I supposed to do?” I began powdering my face as Alanna tugged at my hair.

“Near the bank of the river—”

“Named Geal, right?”

“Yes, it means bright. The western branch of the river that joins at the Temple of the Muse is called…” She paused.

“Cal-something?”

“Calman, meaning dove. Together they make the Bright Dove River, which you would understand if you could see how they look as they join. The rapids look like glistening, swooping birds.”

“Cool—go ahead. Sorry I interrupted.”

“You will ride Epona—” my face broke into a pleased grin “—to the sacred Tor, or hill, next to the river. There, while still astride the mare, you will bless the people as the sun blesses the river.”

“Is there something in particular I am expected to say? Some ritual blessing I have to perform?” I was hoping Alanna would give me the lines.

“No, Rhiannon always authored her own prayers of blessing.” She looked worried. “You did well on your wedding day, I assumed you would not have a problem evoking another prayer.”

“No!” She gave me a shocked look. “I mean, yes, I can come up with a blessing.”

She smiled her relief.

Good thing one of us knew what she was doing. And I didn’t mean me.

“Honey, how long does this have to last?”

“Oh, not long—the morning blessing is a brief service Epana’s Chosen performs once each fortnight designed to remind the people of Epona’s love for them as they begin their day. It is on the first night of a full moon that you must perform the ritual dance and sacrifice.”

Oh, goodie. I’ll look forward to it.

“So, should I not mention anything about the Fomorian problem this morning? I assumed that was part of the reason I was going to speak to the people.”

“Rhea, I think it should be mentioned that we are arming ourselves, and you should ask for Epona’s protection specifically against their evil, but, well…” She drifted off, looking very uncomfortable.

“What? Really, Alanna, I don’t just want your advice, I need it. Please tell me, as my friend, the truth. Always.” I was sitting there, butt naked with my makeup only partially applied. I mean, how much more honest could I get?

Her expression showed she had come to a decision, and she met my eyes in the mirror. “I do not think you should discuss any aspects of the war with the people. Take this opportunity to announce ClanFintan as your appointed Chieftain of Warriors. He is wise in the ways of battle and men.” She looked a little sheepishly at me. “I may be mistaken, but I do not believe you have been trained to lead men into battle.”

What was her first clue?

“Nor do I believe you to be as, well, experienced in the ways of men as was Rhiannon.”

I like to think I’ve attracted my share of men, but one hundred guards is just plain gluttonous.

“Uh, no. And, thanks for the advice. I agree.” She looked relieved. “Jeesh, stop worrying about stepping on my feet.”

She looked confused.

“I mean, you don’t have to worry about hurting my ego. I depend on you—just be honest with me.”

“That I can do.”

“Good.”

“And I was wondering—what does ‘jeesh’ mean?”

“It’s something I say to keep me from cussing.”

“Oh. It does not seem to work very well,” she said very matter-of-factly.

“No shit,” I said through my opened lips as I applied the finishing strokes of lipstick. “I think I’m ready for these ceremonial robes.”

“Put this on while I get your garment.” She handed me the coronet, and its beauty, again, took me by surprise.

“I hope there are matching earrings for this thing.”

“Yes,” she spoke over her shoulder as she opened one of the many wardrobes that lined the far side of the room. “Look in that box nearest you. There should be earrings and an armlet that match.”

I was happily pawing through the jewels when she returned.

“Here.” She handed me another silky thong. This time it looked like it was made of liquid gold. I was beginning to believe Rhiannon had a panty-line phobia.

“Now, stand and hold your arms away from your sides, this usually takes some complicated wrapping.”

I faced her and did as I was told. The waterfall of what looked like liquid gold that she was maneuvering so carefully around my body intrigued me. I stood very still while she wrapped and wrapped and wrap—

“Hey! Where’s the top to this thing?”

She was finished. She hadn’t used any pins—I had no clue how the material was staying on my body. The skirt portion was long, but it had several slits in it (even more than Rhiannon’s clothes usually had), so that I could imagine it would fall beautifully around Epi when I was seated astride her. That was okay. It was the top that was causing me stress. It crossed and wrapped intricately around my torso, leaving both of my breasts totally bared.

“Rhea—” she looked dangerously close to laughter as she noticed my horrified expression “—there is no ‘top’ to it. This is the ceremonial attire the Beloved of Epona wears during the morning blessing ritual.”

“I thought you said it was a robe!” I looked down at my two very naked thirty-five-year-old breasts.

“Oh, of course. I wouldn’t forget your robe.” She hurried back to the wardrobe. And returned with another piece of liquid gold, which glistened with swirl after swirl of crystal beads, forming an intricate, delicate design.

“Let me guess—more skulls.”

“Yes!” She looked pleased at my demonstrated ability to learn as she pinned the cloak neatly around my neck. It flowed down my back, glittering like stars on a clear Oklahoma night. But it didn’t cover one damn bit of my breasts.

“You look beautiful—as always.”

“Oh, hold on here! Are you telling me that I am supposed to go out in public, in front of all those people, with my boobs flopping around in front of God, or, uh, Goddess and everyone?” (Not to mention ClanFintan—although he’s already seen them. Still…) I crossed my arms, already imagining the cool morning breeze and the staring eyes.

Alanna looked puzzled by my reaction. “In your old world were there no priestesses who wore ceremonial dress?”

An image of my Presbyterian pastor, Ted Foote, flashed through my mind. He’s a friendly guy, and I like him (he’s even let me teach adult Sunday school—which was pretty darn brave of him), but I couldn’t imagine him baring his breast to the congregation on Sunday morning. Not even on Easter Sunday.

“Yes, but they don’t bare parts of their bodies.”

She looked aghast at our barbarism.

“Rhea, the baring of a priestess’s body symbolizes the honesty and intimacy of her relationship with her goddess. If you cover yourself, the people will believe Epona has deserted you, or worse, that you are blaspheming your goddess.”

“It doesn’t seem to me that Rhiannon was very damn honest,” I grumbled, trying to force my arms down to my sides.

“She was honest. She never pretended to be anything except spoiled and self-indulgent.”

“But—” My arms found their way reluctantly to my sides.

“But the people loved her because she was Epona’s Chosen. As are you.”

“Okay. I’ll try to ignore the fact that my boobs are flapping in the breeze for everyone to gawk at.” A thought hit me. “But I don’t want to talk to the teacher while I’m dressed like this. Can you send word to her to meet us in my chambers after the ceremony—after I’ve had a chance to change my clothes?”

“Yes.” Alanna nodded and blushed a bright pink.

“Hey, is there some problem with—”

Alanna interrupted. “No! There is no problem!” She cleared her throat and began hustling me toward the door. “Rhea, we cannot be late.”

17

“Oh, bloody, buggering hell.” Using Brit cusswords might help me to maintain a certain level of dignity. At least in theory. I squared my shoulders, which caused my breasts to jut out even more prominently than usual.

Again, I’m not what you could describe as a small-breasted gal. And I’ve always been pleased that I’m not. To be totally honest, I admit that I’ve felt smug as my flat-chested girlfriends lamented over not filling out their bikini tops and scrambled to the local plastic surgeon for their augmentations. As I reluctantly followed Alanna out of the privacy of the bathing room, I found myself, for the first time in my adult life, wishing I hadn’t been quite so blessed by the Tit Fairy (she’s the more popular cousin of the Tooth Fairy).

Exiting the room, Alanna stepped aside so I could take my place as leader. She shot me an encouraging smile. I couldn’t even glance at the two guards, but I felt their eyes on me. Or, more precisely, I felt them staring at my bare boobs!