If she injured Saoirse then there would be one less hunter to bring in food at this critical juncture. That didn’t make Toiréasa hesitate. If she was better, than that would be her job.

Her feint was read. Saoirse followed up with her own, which didn’t fool Toiréasa for a second. They continued their exchange of feints and parries for thirty seconds before they were both satisfied.

“Be back by nightfall with as many kerit as you can carry,” Toiréasa proclaimed. “I will have brought more.”

There was something about Saoirse’s smirk, the hint of teeth there, that caused a new rush of energy inside Toiréasa not caused by their bout.

“I’d like to see you try.”

Toiréasa signaled for the beast to stay. The Gévaudan wasn’t happy about that, but left her to her own devices. As one, both women turned to prepare.