Aoife sighed a bit and looked over the two coffins before turned back to her friends. "... how would you two like to hear a story that actually happened... even though you may not believe it?"
"Always up for a story." Thorun says as he pokes around.
Taking a seat Aoife breaths in deeply before beginning her tale. "Weeks ago, Fintan, Braeden, Padriac, Brother Ó'Máille, and myself had set out to get tribute from the Quinn family. Just before we returned Brother Ó'Máille had a vision from God about this place. After the King left for war we left to find this place from his vision on word of Father Ó'Máille. What we found was... Queen Aoife as a banshee." Aoife explained as she looked over to the first coffin the looked at. "There was an old story about her, how she turned her husband's children into swans. So that he would love her more than them. For this she was cursed. So in her banshee form she begged us to help her. Free her from this curse. We agreed." She explained pausing for a bit to breath. "I honestly was at a loss for how to do this. Everyone involved died many years ago... but Padriac remembered this old druidic ritual I guess. We found a grove and Padriac made some mushroom tea... now here is the part you're not going to believe..." Aoife said as she laughed at herself a bit. "I wouldn't unless it had happened to me honestly..." She admitted before continuing. "We seemed to... enter the past. We went back to when that grove we found was a druid's grove... Amergin's grove. We old him what we could and he agreed to help us. He lead us to Queen Aoife. It turned out that, her husband had made a deal with an evil and was enchanting her... For reasons I don't know. We cured her of it, and helped her escape. But we where warned that this spirit may not give up so easily." At this point Aoife had stood and made her way back to the coffin with the picture of a man in a wolf cloak upon it. "We returned to the grove with Aoife and Amergin. During our short time there Braeden fell in love with the queen... he said he was going to stay behind and keep her safe..." Aoife told them, her voice threatening to crack. "I begged him to come back... he was my brother... and he belonged with us.... even with doing what was right I- well it matter not. Because five crossed over five must cross back. So Amergin took Braeden's place and after fair wells... I never saw my brother again." Aoife finished as she turned to the men, one hand upon the coffin. "Till now." The light from their gift from Amergin danced in Aoife's eyes giving off a shining gleam that showed a bit of redness and the beginning of tears.
"Well it certainly wouldn't have been easy to believe if I hadn't seen the miracles that Brother O'Maille can perform. I am sorry for your loss, but at least maybe you can think on the fact that he got to spend the rest of his life with a woman that he loved. Also when he died he was obviously loved and respected by others, to have been buried in such a difficult place, with such honour. It sounds like he had a good life and we all should be so lucky, although I am sure he will have missed both you and Lord Fintan. We will wait over here, take the time you need."
Thorun stares at Aoife for a moment, then shakes his head. Well I believe the part about the mushroom tea. But as Aoife tears up he realizes this is no mere tale.
"Aye..." Thorun grumbles in agreement with Ruadhan. "A good man with a good resting place." He gives Aoife her space.
"You can head back to Amergin." Aoife said as she turned her back on her friends. "I will catch up, don't have to wait for me." She told them as began to hum a song her mother had sung while looking after Fintan and Braeden.
Thorun takes a moment to look at Aoife, then grunts and begins making his way out.
"You think that girl's gonna be alright?" He inquires of his old friend.
Thorun and Ruadhan give Aoife a moment to pay her respects to her half-brother, and then the trio carefully makes their way down the short cliff and across the underground lake, swimming upstream until they reach the winding, treacherous tunnels that lead to the mouth of the cave.
Cold and tired, they find Amergin waiting for them by a fire...
Aoife found her way over to the fire to try and dry out her clothes as she set her armor and weapons down. "We found Aoife and Braeden's resting place." She softly told the old druid. "They left something for us." She told him as she gestured for the item to be handed over to Amergin.
Amergin looks at the bizarre object with keen interest. "I cannot be sure, but considering what you have told me of Braeden, and these runes," he conjectures, pointing to symbols that have been delicately and discreetly interwoven into the carved foliage, "I believe that this is a tool to discover the location of the Spear of Lugh."
"I think that the shard of the spear goes here," he continues, pointing to the oddly shaped spoon.
"This is extraordinary and powerful magic!" the old man marvels. "Undoubtedly, Braedan became a great druid..."
Amergin seems nostalgic, but only for a brief instant. Then he smiles.
"It locals the spear?" Aoife asked with a bit of shock. "Braedan always did think ahead." She said with a sad small laugh.
The young woman pauses for a moment before taking Amergin's hand. "I never did thank you for everything you did for us back then, and now." Aoife began as she tried to smile. "Looking back we stumbled like fools and because of you we saved Aoife and Braedan was able to keep her safe." She gently squeezed his hand before she let go.
"Fintan will be happy to have this. We should head back swiftly." Aoife told the others as she picked up her armor.
"Rest a bit. If we leave at dawn, we will arrive in Tuaim in time to help with the festivities," Amergin counsels. "It is a beautiful night."
With that, he begins to sing an ancient song in Old Irish. He continues the second verse in the modern tongue, which they understand. The song tells the story of the Milesians who came to the island after sailing for hundreds of years, and of their battle against the Tuatha De Danann. The song continues seemingly forever – a testament to the old man's prodigious memory – and lulls them to sleep.
"I will keep watch," he reassures them, interrupting his song only for a moment...
Thorun, Ruadhan, Aoife and Amergin return to Tuaim in the morning and find the villagers making preparations for Beltane. In the king’s hall, under the able guidance of the Queen Dubhdara and Brigit Quinn, they are already tabling a feast that will last late into the night. Outside, Fintan and some of the men are building the great pyre that will light the darkness just as it did a millennia ago. For the king’s son, the labour is a welcome distraction from the pains and worries that he has had to endure since his father left the kingdom in his care.
In the church, Brother O’Maille is assisted by a bunch of children who are happy and eager to contribute. Together, they are decorating the altar with countless candles that will be lit at nightfall and burn all night in honour of Saint-Patrick. Those who know Brother O’Maille well notice that he seems distracted and worried, and that he is dedicating himself to his work with more than usual fervour.
Freemen have come from all across Largay to celebrate Beltane. With so many marching the circuit, relatively few have gathered, but they are all making the best of it. After the bloody battles against Boho, the festivities are a welcome occasion to break with the past and look to a brighter future.
Two draw particular attention. Neither is a perfect stranger. The first is Daire McKiernan, a distant relative of the queen who years ago was tutored by King McGovern. Daire disappeared abruptly for no known reason. He was a troublemaker then, but that was a long time ago…
The second is a very capable nun who is assisting Brother O'Maille. Thorun recognizes her immediately as Cobhlaith, a cousin and good friend of his beloved.
Daire McKiernan stands in the midst of a group of his close family and old friends, and he is regaling them with tales from up north.
"...and the fat bóaire said: 'That's not my wife!'"
Daire has long brown hair, deftly tied back. His face looks younger than it might, despite a frosting of grey hairs near his temples. Perhaps it is due to an irrepressible smile and melodious voice. He is quick to laughter. Perhaps too quick for his own good, but it's working for him right now as howls of laughter and cheers emerge from the circle of Largay-folk.
The church looked fine to him earlier. But Daire is much more interested in the people.
And then he spies the group recently arrived.
Ah, there's Thorun, and Ruadhán too! And who's the young lady with them? Good God, I think that's young Aoife FitzStephen! She has filled out - and taken up arms!
He makes some more pleasantries with the circle he's with, snags a wineskin, and strolls over to the group, a wide grin plastered on his face.
"And look what the winds blew in! Thorun! Ruadhán! And look at you, Aoife, I barely knew you to see you!"
"I'd say... barely enough that I don't remember you..." Aoife said as she raised an eyebrow, a bit overly worried about how friendly this man was being. Though she took a moment to looked him over before snapping her fingers and pointed at him saying. "No wait! I do remember you, you left with that Fili years ago no? Uha Dar- Dalre! That was it." She said with a chuckle at herself for actually remembering, even if it wasn't all too well. "Haven't seen you since I was a child... thought you died to be honest..." She told him with a more surprised but matter of fact voice.
However as she scanned the and didn't see Padriac about and worry began to set in. "I don't see Padriac... maybe he's in the church..." Aoife said, though mainly talking to Thorun and Ruadhán. "We may need our horses still... Thorun, could you go see? I need to speak with Fintan and let him know we're back... and what we found." She explained before looking to Dalre and have an obviously difficult time figuring out what to say before ending up with. "Glad you're not dead Dalre. Welcome home." before she headed off to Fintan, as for once he was not in the main hall, nor did he have his mother around.
Aoife swiftly left her group and made her way to Fintan. "My Lord." She respectfully called to him. "We've returned... and there is much to tell." She said, though a bit more on the quiet side.
A young nun, dressed in a black habit and coifed with a brilliantly white linen wimple and a black veil, reaches for a candle held by the small child at her side.
"Thank you Mael, you're being ever so helpful"
As she turns, you can see sharp black eyebrows arched over deep sapphire eyes and a cheerful smile.
A surprised look crosses her face, but she manages to retain her composure. "Thorun?!"
She moves toward him, hands outstretched. "So good to see you in fine health. Aoife was concerned about your welfare."
"I was grateful to discover from Brother O'Maille that you had found a home here."
Sliding from his horse, Ruadhán, hooks his shield on his saddle and stuffs the darts through a strap, all the while his eyes scan the crowd, looking for someone specific, catching the greeting of the man approaching he looks confused before placing the face.
" By the blessed saint, I recognise you, aren't you the McKiernan boy? One of your Tyrone family owes me a cow, they told me she was in fine fettle and I never got a single calf out of that one. Fussy as you like, she was. Remind him for me would have." And then a smile cracks his face.
"For now though, you can make up for your family and give me some of that wine, my throat is parched. I will hear your story later if I may, but I really must check on something, well someone anyway. Aoife, I will check with Brother O'Maille and the other boys, they will know, but first a quick swig won't hurt." Looping his horse's reigns over a fence post and taking a long draw from the wineskin, Ruadhán hands it back, apologises and heads for the church.
Entering he makes the signof the cross befor disturbing things by calling out. "Brother O'Maille, Niall or Mael, has Conchobar returned with Padraic yet? his voice lowering he mutters. [/b] I will tan that boy's arse for being such an idiot."[/b] Barely noticing the nun assisting Brother O'Maille, he does briefly nod in greeting to her
Thorun Madsen is a mountain of a man, standing well over six feet tall and built like a stone wall. He has thick corded muscles, hair over most of his body, and a partially braided wild mane and beard; 'grizzly bear' comes to mind when looking at him. He has a blue tattoo over his right eye that depicts a large claw scar.
Thorun is leaning against the corner, arms crossed and embodying the essence of 'brodding'. If Thorun noticed the new people in the room, he isn't showing it.
Thorun?
It must be him. The tattoo is distinctive
She steps in front of Thorun.
Thorun? It's me, Cobhlaith
Thorun freezes, looking up. That voice...is it? He locks eyes with Cobhlaith, then looks down, then quickly back up at Aoife's name. "She's...worried about me?" He gets quieter, looking around before looking back down. "Good to see you well."
"Tis Daire, Aoife, but you have the right of it otherwise! And sure, who's to say that I didn't hop into a grave and out of it again?", he says with a wink.
Grinning at Ruadhán:
"I know the one! That cow surely ate the wrong weed since, she was in fine form according to my cousin. But sure, a swig and a swig!". He takes a quick draw himself before passing over the wineskin to Ruadhán.
After retrieving the wineskin, he continues on his walk about, taking another draw. He hands over the wineskin to a passing relative with a clap on the back, and walks into the church.
Fintan pauses his work and wipes his brow. "I'm glad that you're all back safe. Come. Brother O'Maille will want to hear what happened."
With that, Fintan leads Aoife to the small church, and there finds Brother O'Maille, along with Sister Cobhlaith who seems to already know the ever-sorrowful Thorun, and Ruadhan who has just arrived and inquired about Padraic and Conchobar.
Always curious to know what's going on, Daire is nearby and, being an old friend of the family of whom the queen speaks well, Fintan allows him to remain.
"Padraic has not yet returned," Brother O'Maille answers with a sigh. He seems about to say more but instead crosses himself.
"Leave us," Fintan commands, and the children scurry off obediently. He catches Nial and Mael on their way out. "Everything will be fine. Go see my mother. She'll have biscuits for you," he reassures the boys as they go.
Fintan takes a moment to study his friends, his allies, and the newcomers. Then, he makes a decision.
"This is Daire McKiernan, a kinsman. I’ve known him since I was a boy, my mother vouches for him and he has recently travelled North, so he may prove useful. This is Sister Cobhlaith, come from Kildare to tell the sad news of Father O'Maille's ailing health."
"We will pray for your father's quick recovery," Fintan takes a moment to comfort his old friend, Brother O'Maille.
"Sister Cobhlaith has come to Breifne to settle, and her family has long been allied to the MacLochlain. I am certain that she can be trusted, and she may provide some insight and good counsel. We can all speak freely. Indeed, Padraic has not returned. At the very least, this suggests that Conchobar is still alive. But that’s all we know.”
Seeing Daire’s confusion, Fintan explains: ”Those two boys, Nial and Mael, are the sons of Murtagh MacLochlain. They were put in our care – never mind how and why. Two nights ago, their eldest brothers, Conchobar, ran away, intent on reclaiming his birthright…”
”Aoife, I will expect you to go North to find the boy and bring him back,” Fintan continues. ”Ruadhan, I assume you will go as well? Thorun… You are a free man, so it’s up to you. Brother O’Maille –“
”– I am going to Kildare on the morrow,” the young priest interrupts Fintan. ”I am sorry. My father needs me.”
”Very well,” Fintan continues nonplussed. He turns to Daire: ”I understand that you have just returned, but you know the lay of the land and none here can speak for Largay. I have no right to ask this of you, but could you go North as well?”
"I'll bring him home." Aoife said with a nod to Fintan. "I am sorry to hear about your father Brother Ó'Máille. I hope he has a swift recovery" She said as she offered him a soft sad smile, the worry of the same loss that came to her would soon befall Ó'Máille.
However when she got a moment she moved closer to Fintan and muttered to him. "May we speak for a moment? You, Brother Ó'Máille, and I?
"We will. After," Fintan whispers to Aoife, reassuring her that he has not forgotten their last mission.
Sister Cobhlaith looks around at the sad countenances of the little group and makes the Sign of The Cross.
"Christ have mercy."
Ruadhán nods when addressed, "I will go, if I hadn't tried to give him some of his pride back, then he might not have started having stupid ideas that will get him killed! Some of those he believes to be friends are just as likely to kill him off and keep the power. I will ready my horse and gather some food"
As he goes to leave the church, he will purposely walk past Brother O'Maille. "Keep faith brother, him above either tests you or your father. He will be well again."
Daire looks around the room. Some faces he knows quite well. Fintan of course. Brother O'Maille, Padraic too. No Braedan, which seems strange, as he would seem a good candidate for this trip north.
Daire steadies himself Good wine! and speaks up.
"Aye, Fintan, I do know the lay of the land up north. While I may have landed myself in the odd spot of bother, I am loyal to my kin and Largay, wherever I rest my head. I will go and show them the way. Conchobar will need all the help he can get!"
He continues after a pause.
"Matters have changed much recently. Ua Cerbaill of Airghialla and Gelasius, the goodly Archbishop of Armagh, did not take kindly to Murtagh MacLochlain's handling of prisoners. So they broke their long alliance with him and helped bring him to ruin. The man on the seat in Connaught and his lot visited Tir Eoghain first, carving up the kingdom in twain. Half to Conchobar's kinsman, Nial MacLochlain, half to Aed O'Neil. We could stand to keep the wolf from our door, I am happy to help."
He turns to O'Maille, concern in his eyes.
"Tell your old lad not to depart this earth just yet. Tell him Daire told you so."
"Thank you," Brother O'Maille bows his head to Daire.
"A thought," he ponders. "The boys were put in our care by a person called The Green Man – the leader of the Hood, a group of escaped slaves near Armagh. He is a holy man. I felt it... And a mercenary, truth be told. Why were the sons of MacLochlain in his care? Someone trusted him – someone who wanted the boys alive and could afford to pay his price.”
"We need to know what happened," Fintan decides before stepping outside long enough to call out to Nial. The boy comes running soon after.
"Tell me," Fintan asks the boy, "what happened after your father's death? How did you end up with the Green Man?"
The clever boys tells the tale… ”Before he rode South, my father sent us to Culdaff. A monk from St-Baudan’s monastery came to find us one night. He told us that the tide was turning against our father, and her warned us that we were in danger. We believed him and he promised to help. He led us to the ruins of Grianán Ailigh – an old, ruined ring fort. There, we met Abiodun and his men. We were ambushed – probably by the O’Doherty given how near we were to Buncrana. I don’t know how they found us. In any case, Abiodun sacrificed many of his men to secure our escape. The monk died as well. Abiodun guided us to Armagh, and introduced us to the Green Man. You know the rest…”
”So who hired The Hood?” Brother O’Maille asks no one in particular.
"I am not sure that that really matters right now," Fintan intercedes. "I will expect you to leave at dawn, on the morrow." He looks at Thorun to make sure he's on board, then continues: "Daire, sister Cobhlaith, could you give us a moment?
Given no other choice, the two exit the church, leaving Thorun, Ruadhan, Aoife, Brother O'Maille, and Fintan inside.
"Tell me what happened in the caves," Fintan finally asks. "What did you find?"
"Some things never change. The sun shines as it ever did," he says before turning to them with bright eyes. "I am Amergin. I do believe that we have not met. Mind you, my memory may not be as prodigious as it was."
Daire tips his head to Fintan.
"But of course!"
And begins to walk for the door.
First cocking an ear towards the door, in case there are any stray snatches of words, Daire turns when addressed by the old, old man.
"A fine day it is, to be sure. I do not believe I have had the pleasure, 'tis true. Who are your kin here, so that we can see if mine and yours overlap.", he says with a smile.
"Welcome to Largay, Amergin. It sounds as if you've been here before?"
Sister Cobhlaith smiles warmly and looks around for Amergin's horse or cart.
How did such an Old One arrive here without any transportation? Surely he did not walk any distance?
"Aye, what she says is true, he knew we would find him one day, I still don't fully understand, but he did. I would say it seems fitting to be buried with his woman in such fine style and they can lie together forever, grieve for your brother, but remember he got to live a long life, now you just need to do the same. And it seems he left you, us a gift, which best guess is for that fragment we found."
The old man chuckles. "It's entirely possible that you and I share the same bloodline, but you would have to trace your ancestry quite far to find out!" he answers Daire before turning to Cobhlaith. "I arrived here only recently. It's a long story. Have you come for Beltane?"
Seeing Cobhlaith's querying look, he winks mischievously. He may be old, but he is clearly all there.
Fintan fishes for the shard around his neck. When they hand him the odd device and point to the arrow-like spoon, he understands to place the shard inside. It spins for only a moment before pointing North-East.
"It is pointing to the spear," Brother O'Maille guesses. He seems both excited and concerned.
"You must find it," Fintan speaks to no one in particular, staring intently at the compass.
"Fintan, we've spoken about this. This could completely change... Everything!" Brother O'Maille's warning breaks Fintan's revery.
"I know," the prince nods. "This is why you must go. This – whatever it is – must remain in the hands of the clergy."
"I can't," Brother O'Maille pleads. "I would never forgive myself if I wasn't there when my father passed... What about Sister Cobhlaith? She is blessed. I have felt it. I believe that she can be trusted."
Fintan thinks upon the suggestion, allowing his companions time to ponder and interject if they so wish...
"No, I came to give news of his father's illness to Brother O'Maille. And then I stayed to help celebrate Easter last week.
Now we're brightening up the church for Beltane although..."
She scowls at Daire and Amergin
"Don't you two go filling the children's heads with that heathen nonsense. They should be giving thanks to St Patrick for bringing the good news about Our Lord"
"If the holy Brother trusts her, then I am happy to. Her family's loyalty to the MacLochlain, doesn't prove her support for Conchobar, but it is a good start. This other chap, I trust less as he seems a bit of a scoundrel, but he could prove useful for all that."
Daire looks curiously at Amergin.
"So how far distant have you travelled then? I have many kin and some scattered wide. It would certainly help if you knew my name though, Daire McKiernan."
In reply to Sister Cobhlaith:
"Sure amn't I just out of a church, with plenty of thanks in my heart for the good Saint Patrick!"
Sister Cobhlaith smiles at the practiced look of earnestness on Daire's face.
"Aye, I'm sure you've plenty of stories to tell about ALL the saints in Ireland," she laughs.
"Summer is here and it's time to celebrate the return of light to all our lives."
”Find Conchobar first,” Fintan agrees. ”Keep an eye on Daire, but remember that among you, only he can rightfully speak for Largay.”
”You will need to convince her,” Fintan tells Brother O’Maille, handing him the compass along with the shard. Brother O’Maille simply nods. ”And as Daire will be travelling with you, he may as well know the whole story, for better or for worse,” Fintan continues. Then, the opens the door and invites his kinsmen and the nun, and Amergin as well, back into the church.
”Father O’Maille is ill?” Amergin exclaims with sincere concern. ”I must go to him.” Then and there, the old man seems ready to go. But he pauses and takes a moment to speak to the newcomers. ”When Saint-Patrick came to Ireland, centuries ago, he assuredly witnessed many extraordinary things. Surely, the magic of old did not scare him. Surely, he did not look away. How do you think that he succeeded in converting your ancestors to the light of God? I believe that Saint-Patrick was very wise and that he understood that to bring enlightenment to our people, he needed to understand our past. To embrace it. The celebration of Beltane, if anything, is a remarkable reminder that old and new can coexist, wouldn’t you say?”
The conversation is interrupted by Fintan who opens the doors and invites them all inside.
”A discussion for another time, perhaps,” Amergin says before heading into the church.
Fintan leads Daire, Sister Cobhlaith, and Amergin into the church. They find Ruadhan, Aoife, Thorun, and Brother O’Maille inside. Fintan looks to Brother O’Maille to speak first. Brother O’Maille shows the newcomers first the shard and then the compass – a golden plate of sorts, with an odd-shaped spoon in the middle.
”This is a shard of the Spear of Lugh. And this contraption was created and enchanted centuries ago by none other than Braedan McGovern – Fintan’s brother – to find the spear,” Brother O’Maille starts. He allows Daire and Cobhlaith a moment to ponder the gravity of his statement. He places the shard in the compass. The spoon spins and stops, pointing north-east. ”If what I say is true, and if the Spear of Lugh is found, it could very well completely transform our world as we know it.”
Amergin intervenes, for clarity: ”The Spear of Lug is an ancient relic, which dates back to pagan times. No battle was ever sustained against it, or against the man who held it.”
”This is a matter of grave importance to the church,” Brother O’Maille continues. Then, he hands Sister Cobhlaith the compass. ”I must go to my father. I cannot go north. So you must go in my stead. You must make sure that the spear doesn’t fall into the wrong hands, and you must protect the church.”
Brother O'Maille's voice echoes and then... Silence.