For the next two weeks Aed gave all the appearance of subservience, dutifully going about his tasks and not requesting to go outside even once. Appraising glances were returned with a resolved stare. I’ll show them patience. Yet determined as he was it was hard to stop from being restless and frustrated. Aed did not normally go more than three days without some venture outside. Like a faithful dog released from his home for a quick walk at night.
After two weeks he decided it was time. Burying his torment deep down inside of him he put on all the airs of casualness as he wandered towards Dagda. His father was sat staring down at an ogham board, the pieces lined up artfully. He didn’t look up at Aed’s arrival.
“You want to go out?”
“Ahhh…well yes. Yes I do,” Aed stammered. He had expected to ease into the request. “I want to visit Tadhg. He’ll probably be lonely being there by himself.”
“Ah yes your human friend. You spend a fair bit of time talking to him. What would you even talk about?”
There was no emotion in his voice but Aed knew prying when he heard it.
“I don’t know, anything really. Aileann, news, girls. Nothing important.”
Dagda nodded but said nothing for a long while. Aed stood waiting. Does he suspect?
“You’ve been quiet last few days. You’ve been thinking?”
“I have,” Aed admitted, “is that bad?”
“No. No thinking is never bad.” Dagda smiled sadly, “But it can be dangerous. Especially if there are emotions like revenge and anger involved.”
“I am not a child. I can control myself. I know what I’m doing. I just want to go out for a walk. Is that too much to ask?”
“No, it is not.” Dagda finally turned to face him. “You hate being here. So do I. But just because you hate something doesn’t mean your not doing the right thing.” Dagda laughed, a bitter laugh, “Though I’ll admit it seems most of the time doing the right thing means doing the thing you hate.”
He placed a hand on his shoulder, Aed had not heard his father speak so openly before. Not to him anyways.
“Aed, you are a miracle. No one predicted your birth. A new God, a new Tuatha de Danann long after, way long after I, your Mom, and everyone else thought possible. A miracle child born in the middle of a War. You were born during it but did not see it. Did not see what happened to us. Sometimes I wish you had. You’d understand me more. The humans are weak, alone they are nothing. They are an ant to a lion, a piece of dirt on the ground. We allowed the first men shelter here on our island and they worshipped us for it, praised us, offered thanks, gifts whatever they had to please us. And we encouraged it, all of us. Bestowed favors on those which prayed more devoutly to ourselves than the other Tuatha. We grew greedy Aed.”
He fixed his gaze on a far off place, Aed followed it but saw only wall.
“We grew weak. We were careless. When the Milesians came we were already failing. By the time we realised it was not our shelter or blessing they seeked, but our power and land, it was already too late. We were too few and they too many. Almost two thirds of our people fell in that war Aed. The Milesians lost more, much more. But for every 1000 of them we slayed 2000 more of them were ready. They were endless, they never stopped coming. We had to push for peace.” Dagda’s face grimaced, “I had to.”
“I know. I know you did. To save us. But now? You really think that just waiting is the answer? Is waiting ever the answer? Every year that passes gives the Milesians more time to grow, develop. Their weapons, their cities, their armies, how much have they advanced in the 100 years we’ve been trapped here, in this bunker. But it isn’t too late. There are still those with the old blood, the first humans here, the ones who recognised us as Gods, true Gods. Not enough to trouble the Milesians without us, but with our help, they could achieve plenty.”
“Oh yes,” Dagda raised his eyes and looked at Aed sceptically, “The Freedom fighters.”
“The Insurgents actually.”
“What? Insurgents? I thought they were Freedom fighters?”
“Well yes they are but that was their old name. They’ve changed it to the Insurgents now. Sounds better.”
“Does it?” Dagda’s face wrinkled.
Aed shrugged, “Maybe. Besides there might not be a lot of them but there is enough. We could use them I’m telling you.”
“Trust me Aed, they may sing songs about freedom and rebellion but they are nothing more than bandits by now. They barely hold the little scrap of land they do have. Believe me I know. Do not trust them, they only want to use you.”
“Oh yes of course, why else would they talk to me?” Aed stood up abruptly, “You say you know them. How? I suppose that would be because of the three times you’ve left the bunker in the past two years.”
“I don’t need to go outside myself to know what’s happening Aed, if you weren’t so restless then maybe you’d learn more about us and why we have to stay here.”
A silence fell over them once more. Finally Aed had enough.
“May I leave?”
“You may. Go and have fun with your friend. But remember who your family is. Don’t let them make a fool out of you.”
Dagda got up from the table and started to move away.
“I am a God. How could a human make a fool of me.” Aed shook his head anger building inside him. Of course I must be a fool. Only me. I’m always the problem.
“You never lecture the rest of them. It’s always me.”
Dagda turned slowly and tilted his head Aed. “What? It’s not always you. You just think it is. But there’s more going on then you understand Aed.”
“WELL THEN TELL ME.”
Aed pushed the chair in front of him hard, it smashed into the table knocking all of the Ogham pieces from the board. He took a deep breath.
“You, everyone. Always telling me I don’t understand. But how can I? How am I supposed to understand when you all act like I’m a kid. How long will I have to wait? A few hundred years? A thousand? Two thousand?”
Aed crossed his arms, “You all laugh about my impatience, how I’m not cautious enough. How ignorant I am. But do you try and help me? No. And I don’t think you want to. I think you like me being like this. Unaware.”
“That is ridiculous. You are starting to sound arrogant Aed. Not everything is about you.”
“NOTHING IS ABOUT ME. It never is. I’m hardly a part of this family.”
He raised a hand before Dagda could reply. “Forget it. What’s the point.”
Dagda looked at him with pursed lips.
“You need a break Aed. We will talk later. When you have calmed down. When you are ready.”
“Later.” Aed whispered nodding his head slowly. He bowed and turned on his heel to head out.
His mind was made up, he’d been hesitant before. But now, now he knew. He knew what he had to do.
Night had settled by the time Aed made his way to the village. He moved carefully all the same, making sure no one saw him as he approached the small thatched house at its end. The rain was pouring down which made his task easier. Aed made his way there quickly, he felt behind once again, making sure his weapon was still lying across his back. He felt better knowing it was with him. So long as he had it with him then he had nothing to fear..
Inside Tadhg was busy skinning the carcass of a boar, blood covered his hands and arms up to his elbows on both sides. He turned instantly upon hearing the door opening and raised his knife threateningly.
“Aed? Feck sake. I thought you were one of the Milesian officers. Why did you rush in like that?”
“You remember what you said? About Brandubh.”
Tadhg lowered the knife down onto the table and began to clean his hands. “Yes I remember.”
“You said Brandubh still follows the old ways. Still respects the Tuatha right? You always said it would be easy for me to join them. Whenever I wanted.”
“Well yes but-”
“I’m ready now.”
“Now? Are you sure I mean-”
“I’m sure. I’m going there now. Tonight. ”
Tadhg nodded slowly, “Alright then. And what about the others? The Tuatha, your family, what will they think?”
Aed waved a hand dismissively, “Don’t worry about that. Forget about them, let’s just worry on ourselves. You ready?”
“Huh?
“Tonight Tadhg, we should go tonight.”
“Oh,” He looked around the room and began to scratch at his beard.
“It’s a bit sudden. I mean we should join, of course I want that but, well. Give us a few minutes to pack will ya.”
“Yeah no problem, I actually have something to be doing before we go anyways. Hey, where does that blacksmith live again?”
Tadhg’s eyes narrowed, “Shane?” he coughed lightly, “Look I know you had a bit of a run in with him before but he’s not the worst.”
Aed shook his head and shrugged, “I never said he was. Where does he live?”
Tadhg looked at him intently. His eyes wandered to the empty bottle in Aed’s hand.
“Where Tadhg? Which house?”
“Look Aed let’s just go. Forget about-”
“Do I have to go to every house looking for him, is that it?” Aed drew his dagger and sighed.
“Last time. Where?”
Tadhg bit his lip but rambled over to the window. “Third one on the left. His forge is opposite but he should be home by the fire at this time. Look Aed, don’t be trying to-”
“Pack. I’ll be back soon.”
Aed didn’t wait for anymore questions or warnings but headed straight back out into the night.
He didn’t bother being careful now. Something had changed when he had found out where the blacksmith lived. It hadn’t made him pause, it made him want to hurry.
Dogs barked at him now as he marched directly towards Shane’s home. One of them, a black sheepdog with a white spot on his forehead barked louder than the others. Shane’s dog.
They kept away though. Dogs could be smart sometimes.
He knocked loudly on the door with the bottle still in his hand. Looking for a place to put it he ended up flinging it away to smash against a nearby fence. He had thought to be subtle about confronting the man but not anymore. A visual is needed.
Aed smiled as Shane opened the door to him. He was happy, had the wife or children answered then he’d of had to think of something witty to say.
“Hellooooo.”
The rough beaten face of Shane twisted in surprise at the greeting. Aed didn’t allow him reply instead grabbing the man and heaving him into the air behind him. The big man landed with an audible thud and howled out in pain.
Aed walked purposefully towards him. Shane got shakily onto his knees.
“Fairy?”
Aed stopped suddenly. He felt like punching himself. He’d completely forgotten about the illusion. He had learned a lot on illusion during the past two weeks. Every free minute had been spent examining and learning about illusions. He’d covered every last book in the bunker on the topic. He had spent a long time trying to understand Cecht’s in particular and was delighted when he’d figured out how to break it. Now he balled up his fists in fury at himself. How could I have forgotten the illusion?
He grabbed his dagger and lazily sliced it across his hand. The blood poured fast and heavy. Aed felt no change but saw from Shane’s face that the illusion was most definitely gone.
Instead of a fairy now the blacksmith was looking at a 7ft man, or what he thought was a man.
They need reminding about Gods.
“It’s Shane right?”
On the ground Shane could only manage an intake of breath as he stared wide-eyed up at him.
“OI ANVIL MAN. DO YOU SPEAK? SPEAK? YOU?”
Aed struggled to hide his smirk at his words. He’d waited to say them every since their first meeting and had to bite his lip now to stop from laughing.
“What….what are you?” Shane said.
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“ I am Aed of the Tuatha De Danann. You ignored that the last time we met. Remember?”
A crowd had gathered around them now. It was quite similar to the last time they had surrounded him.
“What’s this?” Aed gestured all around him, “Ahhh yes it is a lot more difficult to look imposing when I don’t look like a fairy right? Bit bigger now hmmm? Bit scarier?”
Aed waved his hands in front of him in what he thought was a decent impression of a ghost. “Wooooooo.”
He stepped towards Shane and grabbed him roughly by the head, he resisted, beating back at him with strong hands. Working hands. But Aed felt nothing. He laughed happily.
The faces of the people around him were a mixture of fear and worry. Scared of what they saw before them. None looked annoyed or irritated. He liked it. So this is what it feels like. I am a God.
“You people, you seem to have forgotten your history. That is a dangerous thing.” Aed addressed the crowd now.
“Please, stop this.”
Aed didn’t look down at Shane. He felt the strands of the man’s hair tightly woved around his fist. He kept a foot on the man’s legs preventing him from getting up. He savored the tension on the blacksmith’s neck. It was painful for him. Very painful.
“I just want to say that from now on you people-”
“AHHHHH” Aed roared in pain and fury as the dogs’s teeth bit into his leg. He saw a white spot on a forehead and immediately lashed out kicking the animal and launching him up into the sky.
“Shit.”
All around him people were screaming. He got it, kicking animals was bad, still seemed an overreaction for one that had just bitten him.
They are screaming loud. Real loud.
When Aed looked down he realised why.
“Awwwhh NOOOO. Come on.”
Aed held in his hand the severed head of Shane, there was no tension now he noticed. The sudden attack by the dog had made him pull back. Pull back violently in fact. Sometimes Aed wished he wasn’t so strong. Tearing off a man’s head should be more difficult, even for me.
A man came charging at Aed, still a little rattled by the head-tearing Aed reacted without thinking slapping the man with his friend’s head. The fellow went down in a ball clutching his face, his own blood mixing with Shane’s.
The screams were penetrating and very loud. Aed grimaced and gently placed the head back on top of the body as best he could. He patted it down but the head rolled out to the side, slowly almost in slow motion.
Aed pointed down at the blacksmith, “Look that, that was an accident. That dog. You need to get your dog. Seriously.”
He began to back away, this was a bit more than he’d hoped for tonight. Another two people came at him. One man and a woman.
The man arrived first and he lashed out with an old pitchfork.
Aed batted it away lightly, “I’m being serious now. Sorry.”
The man looked at him confused and paused looking from side to side clearly unsure of what to do next. The woman interrupted them. She jumped onto Aed’s back and began stabbing him with a knife, but a kitchen knife. The jabbing didn’t break skin but was almost more annoying because of that.
“GET OFF ME WOMAN.”
Aed dumped the lady down onto the ground in front of him. She lay there sobbing, still clutching her bread knife. The man with the pitchfork decided he better try again. There was no conviction in his jab however and Aed easily wrenched it from him.
“I said sorry. It was an accident okay. These things happen.”
He handed the fork back to the man, he had to take his hands to get him to grasp it properly. The old fellow stood still as a statue, mouth agape at Aed.
Tadhg crept up and gently steered the man away from Aed.
“Let’s go.’ He hissed the words back at him, “We have to leave now Aed.”
He started off towards the forest without waiting or looking behind for Aed to follow him.
The wailing and crying was still loud, the villagers had all gathered around Shane’s body and head now. One woman, the knife lady, was now cradling the head in her arms like a baby.
Aed shook his head, “Fuckin dog.”
He turned and rushed to catch up with Tadhg now far ahead. He knew he needed to say sorry properly. But now was not the time. Later. I’ll apologise later.
They kept at a steady pace well into the night. Aed felt Tadhg’s nervous energy, but couldn’t understand it. He didn’t think the villagers would follow them so far. He really is scared.
Tadhg was silent and avoided Aed’s gaze or attempts to engage in conversation.
It was hours before Aed finally had enough. He wasn’t tired, but he was bored, and he longed to get out of the rain..
He grabbed Tadhg roughly by the shoulder and spun him around.
“Tadhg. You need to relax. We’re safe. No one will mess with us. Trust me. We’ve surely walked far enough by now.”
Tadhg closed his eyes and pressed a hand onto his nose, “You think I’m running from the villagers?”
“You aren’t? What then? Is it the Milesians? They’ll be ages getting there.”
Tadhg shook his head. “You’re unbelievable. Milesians. You think I’m running from Milesians. I’M RUNNING FROM WHAT YOU DID AED. You killed a man. You ripped his whole head off. His whole head.”
“The dog bit me Tadhg. Have you ever been bitten by a dog? No? Then shut up. You don’t know what it’s like.” Aed scratched at his leg, “Painful too. Really itchy now.”
Tadhg pushed him away and lowered himself down to rest by a tree. He stared up at the branches and slapped his face lightly.
Aed bent down beside him. “Look Tadhg. Whether you like it or not the blacksmith is dead. He’s gone now. But we aren’t. We need to find Brandubh if we want to get a new life. We kind of have to now too. They won’t forget my face.”
“You could just do the illusion again. Or what about changing into-”
“NO. No illusion. I’m not doing that again. I’m done being someone else. A drop of blood and the magic goes away. I’ll cut myself to pieces before I let someone change how I look again.”
Tadhg brought both hands under his jaw and looked up at Aed.
“Oh we are so screwed.”
“No we’re not. We just need to find Brandubh and we’ll decide what to do next after that. So where is he exactly?”
“I don’t know. Not exactly. Here’s somewhere around the Galtee mountains. I tried to tell you that before you went mad back there. Before I could you had started killing people.”
“I killed one person. One. And it’s fine don’t worry about it. I have a plan. A good way to get Brandubh’s attention. Show him we’re serious. Might actually work out better this way.”
“Yeah, you sure?” Tadhg didn’t hide the excitement in his voice very well.
“Sure I’m sure.” Aed said.
Aed offered him a hand and hoisted him back to his feet. This will be a hilarious story in a while. He waggled a finger at Tadhg, “People will love it.”
Tadhg smiled thinly, “It will be a good one.”
Nodding Aed started off again, he felt good despite the night’s problematic start. He was relieved and happy to find that he didn’t have any desire to return home. He felt like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulder. Tadhg needed him. He liked that too. He had to show the way and he had to make decisions. It was fun.
The bridge was busy, a line of carts trailed back down the stone road for almost a quarter of a mile. Perfect. With so many witnesses nobody would have any doubt about who was responsible. The day was fine and had a lazy quality to it, it was hot but had a cool breeze to stop people from growing tired and irritated. Aed tapped Tadhg on the shoulder and they inched back down from the hillside they’d use to observe.
“Look, leave the talking and the rest to me ok. You just follow on behind and clean up whatever is left.”
Tadhg breathed deeply and clutched at the small sword he’d brought along with him. Aed tried to not focus on the blade, he had wanted to give Tadhg something with a bit more style. As befitted a consort to a God. He’d offered him his dagger, but it was not created for a human hand. When Tadhg held it he had to use both of his. The result was comical, Tadhg almost stumbling from the weight of it. That idea was quickly abandoned.
“Ready.” Aed said.
“I think so.” Tahdg replied.
Aed waited.
“Yes I’m ready.”
With that Aed began to head down the hill, he wished then that they’d approached from another angle. It was difficult to look cool coming down a hill and he didn’t want to use his hands for support like Tadhg was. But the uneven surface made it difficult, constantly jerking his body up and down. Still he didn’t look down but kept his head up and eyes up focused on the bridge and the guards surrounding it. He didn’t care if they saw him coming, in fact, he wanted them to.
A misstep almost caused him to fall, he had to swing his arms backwards to steady himself.
Tadhg’s laughter rang in his ears.
“I know you’d fall before me.” Tadhg said.
“I didn’t fall. I just slipped a little.” Aed was almost at the bottom now and their appearance over the hill had given the bored crowd something to wonder on.
He drew his sword from his back with an extravagant movement, twirling the blade as he did so. It was one he’d practised many times before and he nailed it. It drew some impressed gasps from his audience. Aed made sure to hide his smile.
He was almost on the road now, but the hill was surprisingly steep at the bottom. A little unbalanced by his sword Aed skidded just a little. It would have been fine, a barely noticeable stumble. However, the previous days rain had made it cunnngly slippery. The slight unbalance was enough and Aed was helpless as he fell backwards heavily on the slope. He landed hard on his bottom and slid slowly down to the foot of the hill.
He sighed deeply as the wet soaked through his pants. He heaved himself to his feet using his sword to right himself. He slapped Tadhg’s hand away. His help would have been more welcome had his face not been ready to burst with laughter.
Along the lines of carts the people made no effort to hide theirs. Not knowing what else to do laughed along with them and bowed.
“It’s wet.” Aed said loudly, though he wasn’t sure why but it was the first thing that came to mind. Some looked at him confused at that.
Aed wiped himself down and began to make his way to the bridge, at first people were still laughing but stopped once they realised he was skipping them.
“Hey shittyarse, where you going?”
Aed waited til he was parallel to the man before whipping his sword around and pressing the point to the fellow’s neck. A trickle of blood etched its way onto his skin. The smile and color went immediately from the man. It also stopped the protests from others around him.
Aed snarled at him before withdrawing and walking once more towards the bridge. The guards were waiting for him now, alerted by the clamor and shouting caused by him.
“Are you mad? Put away that sword before we cut you down son.” The man had all the airs of a captain and stuck his chest out far enough to remove doubt. He was in charge.
There were six guards in front of Aed altogether. He spied two more looking down at him from up above in the towerhouse.
“I am not your son. I am Aed, son of Dagda. Of the Tuatha De Danann.”
The Captain raised one brow and looked left and right of him.
“The Tuatha De Danann. As in the Old Gods? That’s quite a claim lad. What was it you were drinking then?”
The guards beside him laughed. Too perfectly. It seemed a rehearsed one that had been used for the Captain many times before.
“You’re Milesians?” Aed asked.
“We are. Look what is the point in this? Do you want us to kill you is that it?”
“I want you to try.” Aed replied.
The Captain shrugged, but Aed could tell he was a little shaken from the look on his face. He didn’t see any bluster in Aed’s appearance, and that worried him. He nodded towards one of the three crossbowmen alongside him.
“No blade is allowed here save ours. That is the law. Do you mean to break it? Surrender up your weapon or we will shoot you.’
Aed stared stony eyed.
The crossbowmen looked to his Captain who whistled through his teeth.
“So be it then. We did warn you.” The captain said.
He waved a hand nonchalantly towards Aed. Obediently the crossbowman drew back and quickly fired. The man aimed well, he was good with his weapon. The bolt caught Aed right in the chest. He was happy about that. Had it of gone towards his face he would have been forced to dodge. Not for fear of life. He just hated getting hit in the face.
The bolt slammed into his chest. Aed waited a moment for dramatic effect. He felt no pain but wanted everyone to see and know what happened. He turned to face the crowd arms outstretched pointing at the bolt. Grabbing the shaft he pulled it out slowly and theatrically before flinging it onto the ground beside him. A shower of blood rushed out with the steel. The crowd and soldiers stood in stunned silence. Before anyone could utter a word the blood relented, stopped and the wound, before a gaping hole, now closed completely. All of it happened within the space of a few seconds.
“I am a God. I did tell you that.”
Aed didn’t wait any longer, charging at the men with an unnatural speed they panicked, two bolts went flying way past him. Way past him. He took the Captain first. Slashing him across his neck as the man reached for his own weapon. Aed plunged his sword into the soldier to his left and used the backstroke to cut across the man on the right’s face. He lunged into them then. He was in amongst them before most had even reached their swords. The crossbowmen had no hope, once Aed had cut down the spearmen he sliced them as they fled. Up in the tower the two guards looked on with horror. Aed grabbed two of the spears now lying on the ground. Two bolts whistled by him, one quite close. Before they could shoot again however he had flung the spears, one after the other. One of the two was smashed into the face and the other had it slam into his chest as he leaned over the edge. Both were dead instantly Aed knew.
I really am fast.
Aed glanced around pleased at his work. He stretched and looked back to the crowd of carts behind him. They were all frozen in place. They looked at him with awe and horror. Aed wasn’t sure how to feel about that. Every eye was on him and Aed suddenly felt very self conscious.
He coughed lightly.
“The Milesians are dead.”
He nodded slowly, “There will be no bridge toll today. My… friends.”
There was a middle aged man propped up against the first cart in line. He didn’t blink as he stared at Aed. Unsure of what to say or do next Aed was grateful then when an old man strolled past the cart and started walking towards the bridge. He gave Aed a brief nod and continued on his way. This seemed to wake the others and slowly, cautiously they began moving again. One by one in an extremely orderly manner.
Aed stood aside watching them as they past, circling around the dead soldiers.
A groan reached his ears and Aed saw the man he had lashed across the face start to sway on the ground near him. Aed started to move and finish him off.
“Leave him Aed. He’s mine.”
Aed had been so wrapped up in everything that he’d forgotten about Tadhg. He wasn’t sure where he’d been but he strode forward now from behind the carts.
He held his sword out in front of him.
He paused a moment when he stood over the barely alive guard.
“DIE MILESIAN.”
Tahdg screeched the words as he brought his sword down into the man’s stomach.
The Milesian, before groaning lightly now howled out in pain. Tadhg stumbled back surprised by the outburst. Aed puffed out his cheeks before he walked over quickly and shoved his sword into the man’s heart, putting him and everybody else out of there misery.
“He was a tough one.” Tahdg said softly. “But it’s done now.” He stared intently down at the men.
Aed looked at him side-eyed. “Yes it is. Did you see much of it?”
“All of it. Looked great Aed. Nice work.”
“Thank you.” Aed scratched at his chin.
“Certainly should have made an impact. Though that bolt thing, not too sure about that.”
“No?” Aed asked
“Ah no I mean it was very cool. But might it have been better if you weren’t hit at all. That you were too fast even for a crossbow bolt at such close range. That would be really cool.”
Aed scratched at his beard, “Do you think so?”
“I mean both are good.”
“Right well maybe next time I’ll try that.”
“Can’t wait.” Tadhg said, “Anyways what now?”
“Now we go to the Galtee mountains. Then we wait for Brandubh to come find us. He must have scouts all around his perimeter. Milesians would have grabbed him by now if he didn’t.”
With that Aed sheathed his sword and headed for the line steadily passing over the bridge. As soon as they were on it Aed heard a group of people behind him rush to the bodies of the fallen soldiers. They had learned a lesson today. Never mess with a God.