"The question is, risk the dangers of Fermanagh or risk the dangers of the wild. I vote the second."
"I have no love for those who follow Airghialla, plus I like the wilds, I vote we go that way too."
Cobhlaith's words remind Daire of the locations of those holy places.
I probably should have recalled those. Oh well!
Daire thinks for a short time, looking over the map. He then begins to point a dextrous, slender finger at locations, moving as he speaks of different people and places.
"Fermanagh is indeed beholden to Airghialla and thus tied to Breifne. Ye helped bring a peace to the kingdoms, and fair play to ye for that! But some in Boho will not forgive or forget bad blood with Largay-men. The O'Neil and MacLochlain despise each other, at least most. Aed O'Neil a cunning so-and-so. A man who helps bring down a high king is one to respect - preferably from a great distance. The same goes for the Bishop of Armagh. There are rumours though that Nial MacLochlain holds Aed in better regard than his own brother and plots with him. The O'Doherty of Buncrana support Nial, but might turn if they found Nial supporting the O'Neil they loathe!"
He takes a pause for breath.
"And so, we would be very wise indeed to avoid Fermanagh, and take our chances in the wilds."
"I would suggested taking the shortest route. But if there is no difference there, then I agree with the safest path." Aoife said with a shrug.
DAY 1
Despite their fatigue and the dark clouds in the distance, they leave Tuaim and cross the stream into Belcoo. They head north-east along the shore of Upper Lough MacNean and follow the river to Lattone Lough. They reach Lough Melvin when the rain begins in the mid-afternoon. They take a moment to get their bearings and veer north toward the River Erne.
They arrive unscathed at the river's edge as the sun is setting. It will rain all night and on the morrow, they will have to cross the river into the Kingdom of O'Neil and trudge through marshes and bogs...
"Rain.... why is it always rain." Aoife said with a sigh as they made their way. "Should we make camp?" She asked the others.
Daire is not enjoying the weather. But there is little to be done about it.
Better a bit soaked than roasted by Fermanagh men!
"Stop soon for the night?", he asks with a hint of hope in his voice.
Living off the land? It's for the birds!
Sister Cobhlaith looks around at the spot they have halted at.
"Looks good enough for me"she says "And I'm sure it will look better once we have some warm food and drink inside us."
"I wonder how many have camped here before us?"
Thorun shrugs. "Water is water. Won't hurt you long as ya keep yerself warm." Thorun smiles and looks around, trying to find a spot somewhat elevated or dry in order to keep the party from sleeping underwater, and also a position that looks somewhat hidden away and easy to defend in case something comes at them in the night.
"But even warmth might be somewhat difficult to find, I will scout up and down river and see if I can find a better place to cross for the morning." Clearly the weather has somewhat dampened Ruadhán's spirits, for he returns quickly cold, wet and hungry, having found no better route.
"I am getting to old for this!"
Cobhlaith ascertains that there are no signs of recent human activity and Thorun finds a perfect spot to spend the night. He even succeeds in lighting a warm fire despite the hard rain. What should have been a miserable night ends up being most restful and while the rain has not in the least subsided in the morning, they awaken refreshed and ready.
As Ruadhan did not find a crossing nearby, they head west, down the River Erne. Trudging through difficult terrain, which forces them to stray from the river bed, and blinded by the heavy rain, they lose their way and it is only after two hours going in the wrong direction that Thorun and Ruadhan both realize their mistake.
They set a new course and travel another three hours before Thorun realizes that they are truly lost. Frustrated and tired, they err for another hour and then, as if by miracle, the sun peeks through the clouds. They have lost six hours – almost a day – and it will take them until nightfall to reach the River Erne once again!
They arrive near the river as the sun is setting, and see a settlement in the distance...
When the sun came on the look on Aoife face turned from upset to worried. "We lost a whole day?!" She said annoyed it was obviously not pointed at anyone and more at their situation. "Does anyone have any idea where we are now?"
Daire stretches and yawns.
"Thorun, that was a fine fire and a fine rest. You're some man to have out in the country!"
********************************
Later, after rain and the lost time:
"I am not certain what that town is or who dwells there. Perhaps we need a closer look?"
Flustered by the weather, and his spotty knowledge of the area, Ruadhán is at a loss. "I don't know this area, it all looks the same in this rain. And it would appear that i'm not being much of a scout at the moment, so how about I go check it out?"
Sister Cobhlaith fingers her Paternoster beads and softly whispers a prayer.Our Father, who art in Heaven....
As she looks around, she thinks she recognizes the lake.
"Is that not Assaroe Lake? We must have gone far west of our planned route! I think we need to cross this river and then start out toward the northeast. We probably should have crossed this river before we did anything else this morning."
She looks at the map again and points to the lake.
"I think we are here. But, I also think we've strayed into the lands of the O'Neils, well, at least into the lands of the O'Flanagans."
Daire swears.
"God almighty! This is a sour turn of events and no mistake! We will have to get moving quick and quick, if we want to avoid being dragged into the local squabbles."
"Than let's just ride on and not stop."Aoife said with a sigh. "The faster we get through the less we'll have to worry."
"Mhmm, good eye Cobhlaith. Come on, we've lost enough time."
"The sun is setting! Are you suggesting we cross the river and travel through the night?"
"Yes." Aoife said. "What better way to travel through enemy lands than under the cover of night?" She asked. "Though we got lost when it was day... so this may be a poor idea..."
"Aye, by night! The river could be the death of us if we're not careful. Is there a good crossing here?"
"Surely there's some other way to cross?", Daire says, gawking around.
"Well we should be safe this side of the river for the night if we don't light a fire, but what to do tomorrow? I would say we either need to cross as soon as we can see and be pushing ourselves onwards as fast as we can go, or we push along the bank a ways tonight and try to find a crossing. Otherwise we had better have silver tongues."
"There should be something here, close to a village, what about over there?"
"I'm for a quiet night on this side of the river, a morning twilight start and be away from here before the sun actually rises. I'm used to awakening for Lauds, so I can take the last watch."
"Does Thorun's map have any markings that might indicate a ford or a bridge?"
From a distance, there doesn't seem to be a crossing near the settlement. The Erne is neither narrower or shallower, which suggests that the locals use boats... Looking at the map and considering the flow of the river, they suppose that there should be a crossing downriver, where the Erne seems not quite as wide.
"I suggest we move as quietly as possible further down the river and get away from the eyes and ears on the other side. Then we can find a safe place to sleep. I hardly think a campfire, bardic stories, and loud laughter are quite the right solution tonight. "
Sweet Jesus and St Patrick, watch over us, your foolish lost sheep, as we try to rest tonight.
They find a safe spot not far downriver, far from prying eyes. Wary of being found out, they avoid lighting a fire. The night is warm, and the clear sky promises a fair day tomorrow... They keep watch of course, but the night proves uneventful.
The sun rises on beautiful blue skies with perfect white clouds in the distance...
"Okay, we may have luck for now." Aoife said as she finished packing up. "I suggest we take the safest way over the river, then go from there. If the safest way is into enemy territory well, we'll deal with it. Thorun, Ruadhán, and I have done it before... We can do it again."
"We should make haste. Too many grudges lurk in these hills."
"I agree. Let's cross this river as soon as we possibly can and redirect our course toward Inishowen."
They approach the shore and prepare themselves to cross the Erne. Thorun and Aoife cannot but remember swimming across the Blackwater river north of Armagh. Brother O'Maille had been swept away and almost drowned...
Here, the Erne is about sixty feet wide. The water is calm but will surely carry them downstream if they do not swim against the current. The horses are nervous and, truth be told, so is Sister Cobhlaith...
Daire looks to Thorun and Ruadhan.
"So, do ye see a good way to cross?"
"The locals just don't, not ever cross the river." Aoife said as she crossed her arms. "If we can find where they cross at we should be fine. Also, weakest swimmer goes in the middle. We made a mistake crossing a river before and learned that. Not repeating it." Aoife told them bluntly though she said no more.
Sister Cobhlaith looks around apprehensively.
"I need to dismount??"
She looks at her clothing, and back at the river, then down again at her woolen gown.
This will be *ruined*.
Turning her back to the group, she removes her cloak, gown and veil, leaving her clothed in her under gown.
"Better to arrive on the other side in only one wet garment, rather than all of them."
She puts her dry clothing in her pack and makes sure it is securely fastened to her mount.
" I... I'm ready"she says with a determined look on her face. She betrays her anxiety with her tight grip on the cross around her neck, and the almost constant whisper of the 23rd Psalm. The Lord is my shepherd,....
Daire nods at Aoife's advice.
"Right so! Once we're ready to cross, I'll strip and pack my clothes away."
"Hold on, Sister can you actually swim? What about Thorun and I swim across and steal the O'Flanagan's boat, after all they must have one. Otherwise, I think Aoife's plan sounds good."
"Stealing the boat sounds a much better idea! A small sin to keep a sister of the cloth dry can't be so bad!"
"In hindsight, I think I prefer the term 'borrow without asking' but we would need to move quickly as soon as we land and not stop until we leave their lands. It isn't without a bit of risk though!"
Ruadhán's face starts with a big grin, turning serious at the mention of risk.
Sister Cobhlaith looks gratefully at Ruadhan.
"No,"she says in a small voice. "I would be glad for some assistance in not getting swept away."
"Daire!! We will not *steal* the boat. Just borrow it and put it back where we found it. "
"Isn't it still stealing even if you plan to return it?" Aoife asked with a raised eyebrow. "You know just ignore that question." She said with a shrug.
"Thorun, Ruadhán, go ahead and go see if you can find a boat. I can take the horses across myself." She told them.
"Take them across yourself? How will you do that?"
Cobhlaith looks with interest at the young woman beside her
"I don't mind getting wet on a fine May morning. If you can cross on your own, surely we don't need to wait for a boat, do we? Perhaps a rope tied to one of the horses would let me cross safely.
"I would *really* like to get out of this area without anyone seeing us. The sooner we can do that the better, don't you think?"
"I think ye two swimming to borrow the boat is our best bet for getting across swiftly. And sure we can leave it where we found it, no harm done!"
"And just how many horses can you take over in a river boat?" Aoife asked.
"That depends on the size of the boat! Daire replies, amused.