There is something about this girl, Aoife thinks to herself. She doesn't recognize her, which is not unusual as new servants are fairly common. But her demeanour –
"Brother O'Maille is concerned about what the existence of these treasures could mean for the Church of Ireland," Fintan interrupts her line of thinking. "My brother led us to the spear so that we could fell the evil Ailbe. After that, I have agreed that it should be placed in Brother O'Maille's wise care. This sword... I have no claim to it. But I fear that it could cause more harm than good. Have you discussed what to do with it with Thorun, Daire, and Sister Cobhlaith?"
Daire thoroughly enjoys himself.
Live, for tomorrow we may go to the otherworld! Hah!
"Thorun, Daire and Sister Cobhlaith are your comrades at arms and it could be argued that their claim to the blade is as fair as yours," Fintan continues. "I am surprised that you would turn from them so. You are free now, but that does not change the past the bind us all, does it?"
The conversation between Aoife and Fintan is interrupted by the sight of Thorun sprawled on the bed, unconscious. His skin is blue, his breathing is irregular, and it is plainly evident that his life is in peril.
Brother O'Maile and Sister Cobhlaith rush in and quickly tend to the giant of a man. But there is little that they can do but monitor him and pray.
"Poor man," the nun sighs. Then, she notices the servant girl spying upon the scene from outside the room, "Aoife?"
Found out, the girl looks looks around to be sure that there is no one else nearby, and steps inside the room. She shuts the door behind her.
"I didn't know where else to go," she explains. "Please. No one can know. They will kill me!"
Fintan looks entirely nonplussed.
"My lord," Sister Cobhlaith explains, "this is Aoife MacMurrough, daughter of Dermot MacMurrough.
Fintan is shocked. First, the sons of MacLochlain, and now, the daughter of the King of Leinster!
Aoife's words froze in her throat when she saw Thorun. She stepped in and knelt next to him. She was worried, obviously, yet when Sister Cobhlaith pointed out the servant she had seen before and who she really was, Aoife couldn't help but sigh annoyed.
"Why do they always find their way here?" She muttered as she stood. "I knew you weren't a servant or slave. You didn't act the part and it gave you away. If I noticed others have as well I'm sure." She muttered before going on, "Why are you here?" Aoife questioned her. "Why did you not know where else to go?"
"My father told me to find MacMurrough's son," she explains. "When I did, they told me about how you all came to their aid. Sister Cobhlaith and Thorun are the only friends that I have left!"
It's all too much for the poor girl, and she falters. Sister Cobhlaith reaches her just in time, and reassures her, "It's all right. You're all right. You're safe here."
But the nun knows that that may not be true. She looks at Fintan with pleading eyes. Fintan only sighs and shakes his head as if to say, what more woes can befall upon our poor kingdom!
"I'll keep an eye on Thorun," Brother O'Maille promises.
With that, Sister Cobhlaith accompanies her friend out, leaving Fintan and Aoife to resume their discussion.
"He'll not be serving me here long," Fintan continues where they left off. "There is the matter of Ailbe, which must be resolved – for all our sakes. And then, there are rumours that the English may very well land on our shores before winter..."
Aoife shook her head as Sister Cobhlaith lead the other Aoife away. "I'm starting to think I need to change my name." She muttered, mostly to herself.
"The matter of Ailbe is something we'll need to focus on, we've no where to start. As for the English, if they are on our shores before winter then they'll be stuck till spring. No one does war during the winter. It is too hard to move through and keep your men fed... However she didn't answer the question on why she is here. I suggest focusing upon that first. I have to leave soon Fintan. If I don't your mother will raise hell itself over it. I need to go find my cloak anyways." Aoife told him, almost simply.
"Ailbe stands by the O'Brian, so the Kingdom of Thomond is the best place to start... Last I heard, Kassidy O'Kennedy was headed south to Ormond. Perhaps he could be of some help?"
"In any case, we'll discuss the matter in the morning," he interrupts himself, looking at Thorun with concern. He shakes his head. Poor man.
"Just remember that while you may not be welcome in Largay, you remain a part of our lives," he continues, turning back to his oldest friend before taking his leave. "Don't cut us out, Aoife."
With that, he offers a loving, albeit sad, smile and leaves.
"Welcome back," he speaks softly with a patient smile. The priest stands and makes his way to the door. "Tell her that Thorun has awakened," he bids the trusted servant posted just outside the room.
No long later, a young woman enters. Strawberry blonde hair, bluish green eyes, fair skin… Of course, Thorun recognizes her immediately from his dreams. She waits until the servant shuts the door to throw herself into his arms.
By some miracle of destiny, Aoife MacMurrough is in Tuaim!
"It wouldn't do for you to be seen in my quarters," Dubhdara explains as she ushers him out.
He finds the king's guests fast asleep in the hall, and only a few tired-looking servants in the kitchen. Outside, the birds have begun to sing and the animals call out to be fed, but the villagers are still fast asleep – undoubtedly, they are healing their wounds after a night of drinking and merrymaking!
Is this home? he wonders.
When the sun rises, he sees Sister Cobhlaith exit the king's kitchen and head towards Belcoo...
As the sun rises, Aoife sees Sister Cobhlaith cross the river and climb the hill, carrying a basket.
"I brought some breakfast," she explains, opening the basket to reveal day-old bread, ale, nuts, and berries. She offers a brief prayer of thanks before breaking her fast, and takes a moment to enjoy the morning before speaking her mind.
”How are you, Aoife?” she asks plainly. It’s a simple question, but in these dark times the answer could not be more complex or elusive.
"I'll... try." Aoife muttered as she gave a smile to her brother as he left.
"Oh, well... thank you." Aoife said as she settled down to break fast with Sister Coblaith.
"That isn't an easy question to answer." She began, slowly she took a few nuts, eating them one at a time. "I've been banished by my brother, no real place to call home, and unsure of were to go from here." Aoife explained before she took a drink of ale. Taking a moment to settle and continued "Fintan thinks it is a bad idea that I have Claíomh Solais. I could tell that much. But it was the only way I was able to get us out of that place, to be useful. So I cannot part with it. Also I need it to get my cloak back... I haven't felt whole since it was taken."
Daire does not object to being ushered out of the Queen's chambers.
It's the way of these things., he thinks, with a silent chuckle.
He walks the streets in a mood that is more sweet than bitter, with no great aim in mind.
Then he sees Sister Cobhlaith and walks towards her.
"Good Sister! How do you fare this morning?"
"But now, you're back," she continues with a genuine smile. "And everything is going to be ok."
Her smile breaks, and her assurance rings false. Clearly, she knows that her trials have only just begun...
He finds the two women breaking their fast and having what seems to be a serious discussion.
"Join us?" Sister Cobhlaith invites him to share their fare. "Aoife and I were talking about the future. And about the past..."
The scars on the nun's face are a gruesome reminder of the ordeal that endured. The gloom of the Otherworld still looms over them like thick fog.
"What am I going to do?" she asks, finally breaking down. "Where am I going to go? By day's end, everyone in Largay will know that I am Dermot McMurrough's daughter, and then my father's enemies will come!"
"A stroll out in the morning air. What else?", replies Daire breezily. He seems in good cheer.
"The good Sister said that you two had been talking about the past and the future, and invited me to join in."
"It seems to me that our fates will be forever intertwined – bound by what we experienced in the Otherworld, of which we can speak to no one. Now that we have returned, I find myself wondering what comes next. I had plans, before... But they now seem so futile."
She shakes her head, unsure. "Does that make any sense?"
Daire is quiet, and remains so for some long moments after the Sister has ceased speaking.
Then he replies.
"Aye, it does indeed, good Sister. We have had dealings with gods and monsters. It is difficult to know what comes after such deeds."
He pauses.
"That said, we still can help Fintan. Not everyone is enamoured with him from rumours I picked up last night. No names, unfortunately. But we can safeguard his poisition and his continued breathing better than anyone else I can think of."
"You all can still help Fintan. I'm banished. Or have you forgotten?" Aoife said with a raised eyebrow. "Till that b*&%% dies I can never go home." She stated very bluntly. "I'd gladly put a end to her if it wasn't for the fact that she is Fintan's mother. Tis the only thing that guards her from me. But, this does disconnect me from Fintan politically. Which helps me greatly, as I am leaving today to get my cloak back. Also I'm thinking of visiting Boho, just to speak with Nial for a moment before heading on."
"We can protect Fintan by enhancing his standing. *We* can still do that even away from Largay."
"We should speak with Thorun, make sure of his thoughts on the matter."
"Yes...yes let's get sent away, and then we will vanish, and the others will simply think we were lost."
"As for the sword," she continues, bringing up the delicate topic once more, "Brother O'Maille believes that it should be placed in the hands of the church. He believes that it is dangerous and that it will create dissension wherever it goes."
"I agree. And, to be fair, the sword is our responsibility as surely as it is yours. This burden is not yours alone."
"But I understand that you are attached to it, so I can only offer this advice: make sure that it does not define you, Aoife. As you said, it has a mind of its own..."
"Speak to Thorun then," she proposes, "and I will meet you in the outskirts of Belcoo at the end of the day."
With a clear purpose, her anxiety fades. "I am happy that you're finally here." She smiles and his heart melts.
"The sword doesn't define me, it makes me useful." Aoife said. "For all my skill I still was useless to you all. Nothing I did ever seemed to work and lead to worse and worse outcomes. Or have you forgotten?" Aoife asked as she lifted her shirt to show the scar that should have claimed her life. "And frankly, from were I stand there are two different paths. God, and the church. These are not one and the same. So, knowing that present company and that of Brother O'Maille is excluded, f!!@ the church!" Aoife stated very bluntly as she put her shirt down. "They, all of it, have long since lost their way. From the lowest priest to the highest among you, lie. They lie to those who come to them for guidance, because they read a book that who knows how many times has been altered and changed since it was first written? They don't know the truth and instead of saying that, they came up with something to control their followers. I'm starting to understand why they call us sheep." She said. "Because they know, we'll believe anything they tell us. We have to. Because we can't read those books, and even if we could, no one save kings are wealthy enough to buy one!"
Aoife sighed as she shook her head and stood up. "I thank you for worrying about be Coblaith. I do. But this isn't something you would understand. You've never been a slave, you've never been cast out by the only thing you have left in this world. And to never be useful till now." She said. It was rather obvious now, that Sister Coblaith has found the nerve, the one which Aoife had been guarding by saying she was fine but they just kept pushing... "And no Daire I can't. Or haven't you been listening? My ties to my home have been cut! Anything I do will help nor harm anyone unless they're with me. When Fintan cast me out he turned me into an outcast. Which means that he as the King of Largay has washed his hands of me. I am no longer Aoife FitzStephen of Largay. I'm just Aoife FitzStephen. I've no home, no family, and very very few friends. Most of which I will rarely see because, they live at Largay!!!" She reminded him. "Have I left anything out?!" Aoife asked on the verge of tears. However if they were from rage or sorrow, who could know?
Daire pipes up.
"Aoife, think on this. What would happen if Fintan disregarded his mother and welcomed you into Largay without reservation? Would she simply stand by? I doubt it. I think that she would focus every last bit of effort into your ruination. In a way, Fintan has spared you from an illusion of a life in Largay, whether he realises it or not. Unless we have a plan to deal with the cunning and certain wrath of Dubhdara of Largay, it would be folly to remain. And I say 'we', because what she has wrought is petty spite against someone who never deserved it and has served Fintan literally beyond death. If you wish it, we can makes plots of our own, or win such renown in the living world that even her word cannot deny you any longer. I for one will find a way to back you."
"Did you ever think that Fintan might not *want* you to suffer all your life for him? In his ham-fisted way, of course. As for how she got the household against you, that I can guess at very easily. The woman is nothing short of enchanting and nearly as sharp as that sword. You do not see it because she shows nothing but spite to you. To others, look at the smiles that promise warmth and alliance, and you will have your answer."
He pauses.
"Why do I care? Why would I not care? Dudhdara is all of the things I have said and more but I do not believe that she cares for any beyond her own petty whims, with Fintan being the one possible exception. Those warm smiles? They last until someone becomes an inconvenience. She is no reliable ally either. You on the other hand have proven yourself again and again to care for the fate of others and not just to enrich yourself or for pettiness. Not to mention that we would have all died several times over if not for your stubborn courage and swift sword arm. So, to hell with shivering from her wrath. I shall do as I please!"
She crosses herself.
"But let's not turn our hatred against Dubhara. We have far more important things to do. Truth be told, the Kingdom of Largay matters very little in the grand scheme of things..."
Daire gives the Sister a wry smile.
"Aye, Good Sister, that is all true. We have much to do and Largay is indeed a small piece of the kingdoms of this isle. That said, I have no intention of forgetting Dubhdara's spite and callous ways, even as I remember her clan is a large reason why Fergus has Largay at all. Also, if we see a way to stop her petty vengeance against our friend Aoife, we should seize upon it!"
"Speaking of which, do either of you know where Thorun staggered off to last night?"
"No, I've a long trip ahead of me." Aoife said. "I need to find remaining heir of the O’Gallagher of Lifford as he has my f&%!ing cloak and he is going to give it back or I'm going to end that line forever! I'm done being at the bottom, and no one is taking what is mine ever again."
"I heard news from Brother O'Maille. Needless to say, she can't stay here. In fact, as it stands, I may suffer he wrath of the Kings of Cavan and Breifne for not taking her prisoner immediately," he begins abruptly, without artifice. Fintan is a man of few words. He speaks frankly to those he trusts, and very little to those he does not.
"Take her with you," he suggests. "You should leave by day's end."
He takes a moment to reflect, then reaches for the spear.
"None of this changes what must be done," he continues. "Can I count on you – along with Daire and Aoife, if she is so inclined – to hunt down the foul spirit Ailbe and put an end to her machinations?"
Thorun stays silent as Fintan finishes, letting the situation roll around in his mind. "I would still see Ailbe ended. But I must see Aoife safe. I will do both, if I can, but if the two are at odds with each other..." He trails off, his intent clear. He simply watches at Fintan takes the spear.
"The kingdom is counting on you," Fintan continues.
He returns to his Aoife, informing her of the situation. "It is your choice, my love. It will be dangerous to go with us. We can just flee if you wish, or you can stay with us, or I can hide you away and see this through." The last option seems to pain him, but he does spit it out.
Daire shakes his head and chuckles.
"Ah the head will be sore on him today! Aoife, I will be joining ye. Just to find my book, of course.", he finishes with a wink.
Dangerous words in the very realm of the latter!
Thorun returns to the others, Aoife in tow. He glances up at them briefly with a look that clearly says We'll talk later, once we have more privacy.
"And now Thorun and the other Aoife are here?! Did all of you just follow me?" Aoife asked as she crossed her arms. "I'm starting to wonder if something else is going on here." She muttered to herself. "What are you two doing here? Isn't that dangerous?"
"Later." Thorun says simply, glancing around to make sure they're not overheard.
"Aoife is coming with us." Thorun says finally, breaking his silence. "I will see this quest through, but being with her is all I care about. She is brave enough to join us in seeing this done. But no matter what happens, I will follow her." He stares, daring anybody to challenge him.
"I have no quarrel with the lovely Aoife McDermot but let us find a quiet place to speak," replies Daire, looking about himself.
The companions head up the hill from Belcoo and find a safe spot – not far from where, over a year ago, Sean Quinn killed his own father in a failed ambush.
"It feels strange to walk this area again." Aoife said with a sigh. "Like a lifetime ago..."
"So, what is on your mind, Thorun? We have much to talk about I would say."
"My only desire was to be at Aoife's side again, however that may come to pass. It seems I have defied fate itself to make it so, whatever damnable consequences that come with it. I will do what I can to fulfill this quest we all set out on, but my first loyalty will always be to her."