"Sir, you have me at a disadvantage when you know my name when I have no idea who you and your men are. I recognise these 2 as having been here when I staggered in earlier, so I am ok with them, but bringing armed men, I must doubt your intentions.
Although it is none of your business, I am merely here at the end of a night drinking with friends. I haven't joined anyone yet, although you can bet if this turns ugly, I will join these four.
And now as for the rest, what is this talk of slaves? I have never owned any barring a nanny for my little ones, after .... well just after! and I treated her like part of the family as she deserved to be. I frown on the system, but having been born the son of a poor semi-formal, I know many who have it better in name only, what is your solution for them?"
"If we need outside help to fix us every time then we will lose all we are." Aoife told him. "Take some of their help now and again, sure but only when we must have it. If we cannot solve our problems on our own than we will forever be viewed as children who have to have someone to watch over them. Is that what you want?" She asked as she leaned foreword. "For everyone to look at us and go, Oh don't worry they're children they won't put up much of a fight." shaking her head Aoife settled back. "I want a free Ireland. Not an Ireland freed by invaders."
Ó Máille forces his attention, once again, to the current conversation.
"Wait, who told you we were travelling Armagh? Why would you have reason to kill us? None of us are of noble blood, much less slave owners. If you must know, our current task is purely political and not related to slavery in any way. Our people were betrayed by a neighboring king. We seek resolution is all."
"There are very few in Armagh that I do not know," the man answers Ruadhan simply. As he does, his wooden mask catches the moonlight, and Ruadhan recognizes the mysterious Green Man – the leader of The Hood. Known for freeing slaves, The Hood are considered heroes by many. To others who have suffered from their banditry, they are outlaws that should be hunted and killed.
The Green Man takes a moment before deciding to share what he knows.
"The Hood has no reason to want you dead. But someone who knew you were coming offered a substantial sum to get rid of you. A neighbouring king? The King of Boho? Purely political... Who did you come to Armagh to see?"
"Wait hold on, where you told to kill all of us? Or just one of us?" Aoife asked as she raised an eyebrow. "Also Why would it matter who we came to see? If we answered poorly would it change anything? Would it mean you'd kill us now?" Aoife calmly asked one question after the other with a small smirk on her face.
"We were asked to make you all... disappear," the Green Man answers. There is in his tone something that suggests sadness and regret. "In any case, while I have shared with you what I know of our predicament, I do not expect you to tell me why you came here. It is your business."
"My business is that not killing you will come at a price," he explains. "The coins that were promised would have purchased clothes, weapons, and most importantly food. We have families to feed, and no crops to harvest, for obvious reasons."
"I certainly do not expect you to pay what was promised," he continues, "but I will ask something of you, in exchange for your four lives: you will take the children of MachLochlain under your wing, and take them with you to Tuaim where they will be safe."
Aoife stood and made her way over the Green Man, digging into a small pouch. She left her other hand up to let the others know she meant no harm. When she got to him she held out a closed fist. When he held out his own she dropped a fist full of coins into it. Gold danced and gleam with what little light was given by the fire. "My mother saved some coin up, my guess is to buy her and my freedom, but I am unsure. I've kept it hidden since her passing. Take this, it likely isn't near what you where offered to get rid of us but it should help buy you food and clothes for them. Do not spend it on weapons. You've more important things to buy." She closed his hand around the twenty gold coins before she returned to her place. "When can we expect them?" Aoife asked.
"So the Green man himself. A bandit with a story. I can't say I agree with the way you do things, but I can see that you look after your own. You say your plans very openly, however. I am still an Ó'Brolacháin, with no obligation to this group and with no price on my head. My Re Tuaithe stayed out of MachLochlain's plans, so that we could make plans and alliances as soon as MachLochlain died. What makes you think I wouldn't take them straight to my Re Tuaithe?"
"Thank you," he says, accepting the coins.
Then, he turns to Ruadhan: "whether you like it or not, you are now bound to these people. They must chose between fighting The Hood, and saving the children of MacLochlain – the children of the High King who was forever the enemy of Breifne and Connaught. And therefore so must you chose... Your King chose not to fight at Leitr-Luinn, undoubtedly wisely. And now he schemes to ensure the power of the O'Neil in the North. But were you not once loyal to MacLochlain?"
This man knows well the politics of these lands. He is no mere commoner...
Thorun shrugs. "Slavery keeps a lot of places moving. If you don't want to be a slave fight your way out. If you're too weak to stand up for yourself, probably wouldn't make much change in the world anyways."
There's a lot of politics going on, which doesn't mean a whole lot to Thorun. Half of it is bullshit, and the other half is just excused to get people in power.
Thorun snorts a laugh as the man threatens them. Idiot wasted a perfectly good ambush and now pretends like he has a dagger to our throats. He has no intent at all of fighting. Thorun picks at his fingernails with a dagger. Despite his appearance, he wasn't much for bravado. There's killing men and there's not killing men. Talking about it just makes you look like a fool.
"Well, it seems you can read men well. I may not like working with a bandit, and I may be honour bound to my King. However, although it may have saved us, I do not agree with his honour less actions in overturning the MachLochlains. I will help the sons of Murtagh, but I will be bringing my own children out too, for they will not be safe. I cannot ask it of such new found comrades, but I will probably need help."
"Then it is agreed?" the Green Man asks, clearly pleased. "Will you all vow before God to accompany the children of MacLochlain to Tuaim, guard the secret of their identities, and keep them safe?"
As he speaks, he stands, and puts his hand to the cross around his neck. Then, he prays: "Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes; laudate eum, omnes populi; quoniam confirmata est super nos misericordia eius et veritas Domini manet in aeternum."
"I don't know if you want me swearing to God. We're not on the most friendly of terms. But I can promise this: I will never harm a child, nor shall I allow harm to come to them so long as I can stop it." Aoife promised with a nod. "How many children did her have and when will you send them to us?"
Thorun arcs a brow at the man, then grunts and shrugs. "Aye. Long as the rest are on board."
Ó Máille's eyes widen as he realizes the extent of the Green Man's power. If the Lord has seen fit to bestow him with miraculous abilities, how can a man of God not agree?
"Yes." The young priest declares with a stern face. "What are your intentions? We still have our own political agenda that has lead us to travel this far. We can't just turn back now."
Kass has been taking it all in amazed at the man's connection to God. As potent if not more potent than Brother Ó Máille.
"Aye, I will aid these wayward children".
Kass frowns and turns to Aoife, "Does it make sense that after we accomplish what we have been bid to do that you join with the Green Man? There is much good that you can do with this band..."
Aoife turned and looked at Kassidy, a rather hurt look upon her face. "Do you really believe I'd help them murder people? I may have my demons but I am no murder!" She told him as she crossed her arms. "Besides, I will not abandoned Fintan. I may despise his b@!*! of a mother but I can deal with her myself now." Aoife stated, "Even further more I now have wards to look after and knowing that b@#@! if she gets even one sniff of who these children are she'll use them. I shall ensure that she cannot hurt, use, or kill these children." Aoife's voice was blunt and right to the point.
Thorun snorts a laugh as Aoife claims she's not a murderer, but whatever he's thinking he keeps it to himself. Every one of us is a murderer, we all just think it's justified for our cause.
”You would be welcome,” the Green Man speaks, choosing to ignore Aoife’s repeated accusations in light of her dedication to the cause of protecting to the children. ”You would all be.”
Trusting in Ruadhan’s good faith, the Green Man continues: ”We will deliver the three boys to you at the crossing of the river Blackwater. When you have concluded your affairs in Armagh, we will meet you there. Until then, fare thee well.”
With that, the Green Man and his men disappear into the night.
The heroes get some rest, if at all possible. Again, in these times of trouble, right and wrong seem to be shades of shadow and light rather that two sides of a coin. Who is this Green Man, who would steal and even kill to free and care for slaves, while taking under his wing the children of MacLochlain? And considering what price the King of Boho was willing to pay to be rid of them and not give them the fragment of the Spear of Lugh, what can they expect of these upcoming negotiations? They may convince the King of Fermanagh to intervene and to judge in their favour, but will the King of Boho comply?
The sun rises on a bright, sunny Spring day in Armagh.
Kass shakes his head at Aoife's outburst, "I did not mean help them murder people. I meant help them find the conscience they so badly need".
---
---
Kass wakes early and prays to God for Guidance in the coming events of the day. He then takes a piss so wicked, the Devil might not allow it in hell!
"If they are not going to listen to me now they won't listen tomorrow nor the day after
The Green Man has chosen his path of blood. Nothing I can say will change that." Aoife stated as she returned to her post for watch.
The followed morning Aoife was up earlier than normal, she had made everyone breakfast and packed up what they didn't need that morning while the rest ate. She spoke little to none, and only if spoken to.
"Aye, I will make up the honour for the Ó'Brolacháins by seeing those boys safe. The lord above can bear witness to that. Now I just need to find a way out of my current responsibilities."
As the bandits melt away, Ruadhán instinctively follows to the door. Scanning the view to ensure that no one has remained behind. Returning inside Ruadhán speaks to the others. "I suppose i had better introduce myself to the two of you I don't know. I am Ruadhán Ó'Brolacháin, here with my Ri Tuaithe to negotiate peace with the Airghialla. I know Thorun from when he was merely a boy fighting in a man's battle. He accounted well for himself I might add, until I had to stop him doing a stupid thing like dying! I don't know what business you all came here on, or why the hood are trying to kill you or recruit you, only that we have set ourselves a hard promise to keep. Unless you have any questions for me, I will get some more sleep, whilst I try to puzzle out how to get myself off duty and my children out of a soon to be hostile place."
Waking with the sun, Ruadhán chivvies himself into actions and heads back to his quarters to collect his things and to speak to his king.
"Well met. I'm Aoife, that is Brother Ó'Máille, and I am assuming you already know Kassidy." She said with a nod. Then she looked to Thorun and raised an eyebrow. "I know everyone had to be a child at some point but... I'm having a hard time picturing you as he says." Aoife grinned playfully.
Thorun chuckles. "My mum always gave me shit for being the worst child to birth in the history of our clan. Miracle she survived, she says."
In the morning, Ruadhan leaves the warriors of Largay to tend to his affairs, promising to rejoin with them either in the hall of the King of Fermanagh, or in last night's tavern – if Thorun and Kassidy can remember the way.
"My cousin! You are always welcome in my hall! How can I help you?"
"Ah my lord cousin, well if you have a cure for a hangover, that would start me off, for I bumped into an old friend last night and I couldn't let the young whelp upstage us more 'experienced' men. It would seem the hangovers get worse as I get older. But enough moaning, I come to you with a different matter that I learnt in passing last night, and to ask permission to try something. The people I met were attacked by members of The Hood on their way here and this is following conflict with the Fermanagh. It is likely they won't leave a contract unfinished, so I wondered if I could tag along with the group when they leave, with the aim of damaging or destroying The Hood or even just gathering information against them. I figured this might help us in three different ways. Firstly, combating a major bandit threat in the area would enhance your dealings with the bishop. Secondly, it would give us a one over against the Airghialla, which although we seek peace talks, we would want to weaken them all the same. Thirdly, it might serve to strengthen any friendship with their masters if they are also unhappy with the Fermanagh. I figure if a group goes, then we are too obvious and will be ignored by The Hood and if it goes wrong then we are in trouble. If I go alone, you can easily distance yourself from me if I screw up. What do you think? In fact cousin, now that I think a little more on it, it might provide you more protection if you distance yourself from me now. You could always welcome me back as part of the plan if it works."
"I didn't know you to be so interested in politics," the king teases his kinsmen while considering his words carefully. "Defeating the Hood would certainly help in our negotiations with Airghialla and the people of Armagh... Who are these people? What is the nature of their conflict with Fermanagh?"
Ó Máille will accompany Kassidy to assist in his diplomatic endeavors.
"Well to be honest cousin, I'm not, I just can't take sitting around doing nothing. It leaves me too much time to think about Aine. I have to admit I didn't pay too much attention to that bit, we were well into our cups by then. The one I know is from Dublin, but via Tuaim I think. The conflict I only heard combat stories about, not the power struggle behind it."
Aoife accompanies the brother and Kass, as she had promised to keep them both safe.
"With so many pilgrims in Armagh, and so many Ulstermen come to attend the negotiations between the O'Neil and the Kingdom of Aighialla, the King of Fermanagh is far too busy today," a nameless, if pleasant, young herald explains. "Perhaps try again tomorrow?
"Does the fact we're dealing with one of his allies who has allowed his men to perform an act that could lead to even more war while he's fighting this one?" Aoife asked as she crossed her arms.
"I will take you to him now," he agrees. "The King is eating and hates to be disturbed, but this is the only time that he can hear you today."
"How shall I introduce you?" he asks.
"Wait here" he bids them before entering the pavilion. He returns quickly. "Come," he urges them, "the King will see you now."
They follow the young man into the richly decorated pavilion. An elderly man sits alone at the head of a large table. He is well-dressed and groomed, and eats with care so as to not soil the books and maps that are strewn all across the table. He barely interrupts his reading to look up for a moment, scrutinize them with keen eyes, and greet them.
"Sit," King Mulroney commands, still reading. They sit at four chairs that have been conveniently placed across the table, and they wait. The king barely raises his hand, and a nervous-looking slave girl quietly enters and serves cool water in silver cups. Each cup is worth a fortune! When the poor girl accidentally pours water on the table and a priceless book, her mistake is met by no more than a sigh.
"I am so sorry my lord!" she breaks the silence. Her apology is sincere, but there is a hint of fear in her tone. "I am so sorry!" she apologizes again, in vain attempting to right her wrong by wiping the book with her apron, which only causes the ink to smudge rather than run.
"Leave it! he shouts, his command carrying the weight of a man who has long been accustomed to authority. The slave girl drops the book.
"You were given a second chance," Mulroney explains calmly, "but you have proven yourself unable to handle even the simplest tasks."
Having heard the commotion, the young man rushes back in.
"Take her to the market. Fetch a good price. She's pretty enough."
The slave girl cries and begs, to no avail. The king is deaf to her pleas. The young man leads her out, and only then does the King of Fermanagh address his guests.
"My apologies. The boy tells me that there is a matter of some urgency, which you wish to discuss with me. Something about one of my subjects." It is a statement – not a question – and he continues before any of them can say a word. "I know the O'Kennedy by reputation, but that is all that I know about the four of you, and I like to know who I am speaking to..."
His statement lingers, inviting an answer...
He looks to Kassidy, wide-eyed, as a bead of sweat trickles down the side of his face.
"Its new king?" Mulroney asks, surprised. "Coffey McGovern is dead?"
"The brother miss spoke." Aoife began as crossed her arms. "King McGovern is away at war while his son and heir rules in his place. Till he returns." Aoife clearified.
"The brother misspoke," he continues, "and a welsh woman who serves Largay corrects him. Interesting. Why would a welsh warrior serve an Irish king?"
He turns to Thorun: "and why would a Dane be fighting for Breifne?"
"Though a question if I may? Have you ever met King McGovern?"
As the scene with the slave girl unfolds, Thorun shrugs. Seems like it's not a good idea to eat and drink over books, I'd call that one your fault old man. But he knows well enough that would probably just piss him off so he keeps his trap shut.
When he is introduced he simply nods and grunts, acknowledging that he's being addressed. But as the king asks him that question he raises his brows a moment and opens his lips, then pauses and shrugs. "For a woman. What else do men fight for?"
Aoife's answer, albeit entirely truthful, is evasive; but it doesn't catch the king's attention. Mulroney allows himself half a smile when the Dane explains why he is so far from home, and then he answers Aoife's question: "McGovern is a loyal subject. Of course I have met him. He is a fine warrior, and I have had the honour of having him at my side on many fields of battle. Is this what this is about? About the old blood feud between Boho and Largay?"
Again, he doesn't wait for an answer. "Of course it is. Boho and Largay have continued to fight despite the alliance made between Airghialla and Breifne. And now you come to me."
Again, his statement invites an answer...
"Largay, yes that is the one, I can't believe I forgot it. Ah well, right, so end of summer at the coronation. Did you want to distance me from your service in the short term? I could pick a fight with someone, Airghialla preferably, but equally an opportunity to take Ciaran down a peg would be good. Alternatively, you could give me a few coins to get roaring drunk a few times and then discard me for drunkenness. Either way I had better move my stuff for now.
Kassidy aptly refers to the laws of the land to explain the rightfulness of their claim, and further expounds the severity of the situation, specifying that peace between Breifne and Airghialla could be in jeopardy.
King Mulroney considers Kassidy's words, and makes a decision: "I will send my most trusted Fili to Boho to hear the king's defence. I believe that both Largay and Boho are to blame for this mess, but it remains that if what you say is true, and if you can provide proof, your claim is justified."
"My man will meet you here tomorrow at dawn," he states with finality. Clearly, they are dismissed.
"You have my leave," he finishes, winking.
Turning with to the others Aoife spoke lowly "Will luck we can be out of here by mid-morning." She said.