The fire was burning low by the time Aed heard them. Tadhg was fast asleep, his snores loud enough to alert the entire valley to their presence. Usually Aed would have chastised him but here he wanted to be noticed. He could’t sleep, whatever happened he wouldn’t be surprised by them. Still he was glad when he finally did notice the sound of animals surrounding their camp retreat and quieten. They were stealthy, but one of them had stepped on some branch or twig confirming to Aed they were approaching.

“About time ye showed up.” Aed spoke out into the night. “I thought maybe we would have to wait until tomorrow to meet. I’m happy though. We have a lot to talk about.”

Aed waited patiently, he knew they’d be making some complex signals deciding what to do. He picked up another log and hurled it on the fire. Embers sparked out in all directions, one must have hit Tadhg as he woke with a jolt.

“Aed?” He smacked at his lips and looked around him. “Now?”

“Now.” Aed said.

Tadhg yawned and struggled to get himself upright. Any onlookers would have been comforted by the sight, perhaps why they decided to come out at that moment.

“You are Aed. Of the Tuatha De Danann.” The man was shrouded by a dark cloak and hood. It was hard to make out his features he was so well hidden.

“I am.” Aed said.

“And this fellow here, he is your friend?” The shrouded man didn’t take his eyes off Aed.

‘He is yes. A good friend of mine.” Aed replied.

“Then you will both come with me. Brandubh will decide what to do with you. He wishes to speak with you.”

“That is the reason I’m here. If not I would have killed you and your four friends as you tried to sneak up on me.”

The man raised his head at that. Aed saw a young man with clear blue eyes staring out at him.

He nodded and then waved his comrades out. They still had their longbows notched when they emerged but blue eyes shook his head at them and they relaxed.

“You will come with us to our home. It is hidden for obvious reasons. We need you to be blindfolded then to ensure you can’t betray us.” He turned to Tadhg, “Or give out some important information when tortured.”

Tadhg fixed the man with an unimpressed stare.

“It would take a lot of torture to make me talk. I don’t bend easily.”

Aed cringed a little at Tadhg’s words, “You may blindfold him, I won’t have anyone guiding me. No blindfold. Just take us to Brandubh, I’m tired of talking.”

“Hey.” Tadhg looked at Aed, “I don’t want anyone guiding me either.”

Blue eyes took out two rags from his belt, “I’m afraid I must insist-”

Aed sighed and before the man could finish he rushed him, grabbing him by the neck and slamming him into a tree behind. The sound of his breath being punched out of him brought a smile from Aed. All of the young man’s confidence was immediately shaken, just like the tree he’d rammed into.

“I said no blindfold. It was not a request. Now are you going to take us to your home? Or do I have to torture you. There’s five of you. The odds of all of you not breaking are slim enough I think. Maybe you have more confidence?”

The young man raised his hands out either side of him. “No blindfolds then.”

Aed smiled as he dropped him, “Thanks.”

He grabbed one of the rags and flung it to Tadhg, “One of us should do it. Make a good impression.”

“Okay but why does that have to be me?” Tadhg asked as he bent down to pick it up.

“Because these are men, we’re going to see a man and you are a man. I’m a God remember. I don’t have to follow your rules. You do.”

“This whole being friend to a God isn’t as much fun as you said it would be.” Tahdg grumbled but did put the blindfold on as he was complaining. One of the guards came up beside him and began leading him by the arm.

Aed waved the blue eyed man ahead of him and began to follow. Their journey to the hideout took all of an hour. Aed wasn’t sure that he would be able to recall any of the route even without the blindfold. The single torch which lighted their way offered little to what surrounded them and it seemed to Aed that they had doubled back and went in many circles before they finally came into view of a cave well hidden in the rocks. About halfway up a steep incline it was only accessible through a well worn path cut into the side of the mountain.

“Impressive.” Aed voiced his thoughts aloud as they finally came to the cave’s entrance. Deep inside it the glow of torchlight could be seen.

“It needs to be.” The blue eyed man replied. “The Milesians hunt us everywhere we go. Only here are we safe and even then not always. But it has kept us alive and well, for a long time now.”

“Well that’s good to hear.” Aed said.

“A moment please.” The blue eyed man turned and headed down into the cave before Aed could protest.

Tadhg came up beside him rubbing at his eyes, “Well that was horrible. It was like walking in the dark.”

“You were walking in the dark Tadhg.”

“Oh yeah.” Tadhg laughed, “Well it was like walking in the dark blindfolded then.”

Blue eyes did not take long, he soon came back up from the cave, he’d found six more of his friends down there.

“Brandubh will see you now. These men here will show you the way.’

They were led deep down into the cave until it eventually opened up into a wide cavern. Aed looked around admiring the set up. It was well lit down here, the huge space illuminated by a host of torches. About a 100 men were standing around the room, tables full of weapons and pieces of armor were everywhere. The men didn’t pay too much attention to the visitors. Brandubh must entertain newcomers quite regularly.

Ignoring them Aed was led towards the back of the room, away from everyone else. The floor was raised at this end. There Aed saw a tall and thin man, he wore a huge bear pelt across his shoulder and he also wore a simple crown. Bronze maybe, and not decorated in the slightest. He was sat down on the raised part of the room and seated on what might have been a throne. Though not a very impressive one. He stood up at Aed’s arrival.

“Aed of the Tuatha de Danann. Welcome. It is indeed a surprise to see you here. But a welcome one.”

Aed rested his hands on his swordbelt and nodded graciously.

“I am happy to be here. I’ve heard a lot about you Freedom Fighters.”

“Insurgents.” Brandubh said, in a way that said he was use to correcting people on it.

“Oh yes, Insurgents sorry. Well whatever the name is I like what you do. It is good to see that not everyone bows down to the Milesians.”

“That is the Cruthin way.” Tadhg stepped out behind Aed and raised a fist for emphasis.

Brandubh gave Tadhg a curious look before taking a step towards Aed, “Indeed. Of course, we are just following old traditions. We don’t now, nor will we ever recognise a Milesian ruler. Which is why we are glad to see you. The Tuatha De Danann are our only hope of getting them out of here. With all of you on our side we can win. It’ll take proper planning of course, we must be careful about how we attack and who does what. But we can do it. I know we can. A guerilla war would be best. Even with all of you on our side we must be aware of their numbers.”

Aed frowned, “Ah well you should be careful now. See it is true, you you will have me on your side. That is a certainty. That’s locked in. So don’t worry about that. Now, as for that all of you thing you mentioned. I can’t speak for the rest of them. I don’t know what they will do. But I repeat, you do have me.”

Brandubh looked at him wide-eyed. He placed his hand on his head and turned back to his throne. Some of the men behind Aed muttered amongst themselves. Brandbuh sat donw on his throne and stayed there unmoving for a long time. He pressed both hands together and placed them under his chin.

“Wait, so let me understand this. You have been acting by yourself. This is all you. The attack on the bridge wasn’t done with Lord Dagda’s approval. Lady Morrigan’s? Cecht? Lugh? None of them are involved? It’s just you.”

“Yes, it’s just me. Look why exactly did you think the others were involved?” Aed asked, he didn’t like how Brandubh was looking at him now.

Brandubh shrugged. “I mean, well I just assumed. We all did. I thought you were some kind of ambassador or something. A messenger maybe. That you were sent out by Lord Dagda and the others as an envoy to us. And the bridge was your way of letting us know you were serious.”

“A messenger?” Aed struggled to get the words out through gritted teeth. “You thought I was a bloody messenger.”

Brandubh raised his hands in mediation, “Now hold on a minute. We never had any knowledge about you Aed. We knew you were born but that’s it. You didn’t have a chance to even meet our people what with the war and all. The other Tuatha, they are the Gods of our people. We worshipped them for thousands of years. Still do. Though they don’t bother much with us lately. Still we know them. We never had cause to worship you, never had the chance to get to know you even.” He bit his lip, “I mean what are you the God of even?”

“Youth. I am the God of Youth. A pretty important God actually. Without me there is no future.”

“God of Youth. I see, well that does make sense,” Brandubh spoke almost to himself.

Aed sighed, “Look, then think of this as making up for lost time. You’ll worship me once you see what I can do. Believe me the towerbridge was just the beginning.”

Brandubh scratched at the back of his neck. He looked around Aed back to his men.

“Right yes well the thing is Aed. If it’s just yourself then it might be a bit problematic. You know the Milesians are already pretty angry what you did back at the village and at the bridge. If we shelter you then they’ll find out about it. And then they’ll send everything against us. A Tuatha being harbored? It would be a death sentence for us. We get by now because they don’t want to put too many resources into finding us. If word gets out that your here however. Then we’re properly done for.”

Brandubh sighed and shook his head, “Were all the Tuatha to gather here then that’d be fine. No problem. Even an entire Milesian army wouldn’t trouble me then. But just you. I’m not sure about risking our whole enterprise on that.”

Aed tried to not react. To not show the anger he felt. He breathed deeply, Brandubh is not my enemy. He is just trying to survive. Just trying to survive.

“You know I could kill all of you here in an instant.” Aed blurted the words out. They felt childish but he wanted them to know for sure.

“Oh absolutely, I’m sure you could,” agreed Brandubh hurriedly, “Which is why we really are sorry to disappoint you. We just don’t have room for one Tuatha here at the moment. We can’t risk it. I really am sorry about this now. It’s just not what we were expecting. It’s very dangerous you know.”

Aed wasn’t sure how to react. He certainly felt aggrieved but Brandubh was being rather casual about the whole situation and he didn’t want to be the one to lose his cool.

“Fine then, we’re leaving. I’m going to my home. To LORD Dagda.”

“AAH ok look Aed we meant no offence, please tell Lord Dagda that him and all the Gods are welcome here. You would be too, very welcome. It’s just with the search out for you right now it’s a little tricky. That’s all it is.”

“A little tricky,” Aed repeated, “Well I hope it won’t be too tricky when I return with all of my family. They’ll be interested to hear how you rejected me I’m sure.”

“Now Aed, come on. This is no rejection. It’s just caution that’s all. Besides there’s nothing for you to do here. You’d be bored.”

“You’ll be bored when I put my fist through your head.” Aed took a step towards Brandubh. Behind him he heard the sound of numerous blades being drawn.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Aed please.” Brandubh waved at his men to stand down. “I really am sorry to disappoint you. But I’m sure you could join us in the future. When all of this has died down like. Then it would be great to have you with us.”

Aed put his hands out from his body and laughed, “Brandubh tell your lads to put their weapons away. I’ll kill every single one of them if they keep pawing at them. I mean it.”

Brandubh pointed a finger at his men, “Put them away, Aed’s a guest here.”

His face took on a pained expression.

“Look Aed we really are sorry about all this. But please tell Lord Dagda that we still remember him and the others. I’d really appreciate you telling him that.”

“Unbelievable.” Aed turned and grabbed Tadhg, “Come on let’s go. These people are a waste of time.”

“Sorry again about all this Aed.” Aed ignored Brandubh as he called after him. “Do you want a guide or anything, it’s easy enough to get lost on the way back.”

Aed didn’t bother looking back, he just wanted to get out of the place. The whole thing had been a big disaster.

“Aed, maybe we should get a guide or someone to-”

“We’re fine.” Aed interrupted Tadhg’s whisperings before he could say anything more to anger him. He didn’t need any help that came from Brandubh.

It was morning by the time they made their way down from the rocky outcrop. Brandubh had not lied about it being easy to get lost. Aed was furious. At himself, at Brandubh, at the other Tuatha, the Milesians, even Tadhg. But especially himself. Getting lost had been the end to a terrible night. But it was over now at least.

“Well that only took an extra six or seven hours. Much better us figuring it out ourselves with any help like the one Brandubh offered.” Tadhg patted Aed on the back, a little harder than friendly.

“Well we’re out now. I got us out. And we didn’t need Brandubh’s help to do it either. I’m glad we aren’t joining up with them now honestly. They aren’t half as impressive as I’d thought they’d be.” Aed sat down on the bare ground, struggling to hide his tiredness.

“So what now?” Tadhg sat down beside him.

“Now? Well, I think I should go home for a while. See what’s what. Killing those soldiers might not have been the best thing to do after all.”

“And loudly giving your name too. That really puts you in a bad spot.”

Aed clenched his jaw, “Yes that too. But the others will know what to do. I’ll talk to father when I get back home. He’ll sort it out.”

Tadhg suddenly looked up at Aed, “Wait, what am I going to do? I can’t go home. Everyone saw me with you. I’m in almost as much trouble as you.”

Aed began to tap his forehead lightly and squinted as the sun’s light crept through the shade.

“Yeahhhh. Ahm, I suppose I could give you some gold. You could stay in some tavern until everything dies down and we can meet again. Probably your best bet.”

“Probably. They’ll be out looking for me no doubt. But I should be able to find an appropriate disguise. Damn it anyways.” He beat the ground in frustration.

“It seems we’re the two most wanted people in Aileann right now. Me and you. Tadhg and Aed.”

Aed turned his head slowly, “Aed and Tadhg. And so long as you keep your head down I think you’ll be fine. I was the one who did everything really.”

Tadhg puffed out his cheeks, “I wish that were true Aed. Really I do. But what about that Milesian soldier I done in at the bridge. I stuck my blade right into the bastard’s stomach. No, it will be dangerous but you don’t worry about me.”

He offered Aed a comforting pat on the shoulder, “I can look after myself. You just focus on you my friend. Any Milesian that comes looking for me will find themselves short a limb or two after I finish with them.”

Aed strongly considered whacking Tadhg at the side of the head, he’d seen enough of Tadhg’s prowess to know what would happen if a Milesian caught him, but he lacked the motivation.

Instead he just patted Tadhg’s hand on his shoulder. “You're a good friend Tadhg.”

They stayed there for a long time, both had dozed off with the sun’s heat proving a nice blanket as they lay. Aed awoke first, surprised at how low the sun had gotten. He’d slept a long time, too long.

He thought about waking Tadhg, but settled for putting a bag of gold into his shirt pocket. Saying goodbye was always awkward and they’d be seeing each other soon in any case.

Aed’s feet felt very heavy as he opened the door to his home. He’d only been gone for three days but it was the most he’d ever stayed outside and he felt it. He was glad to be back in a way. It would be nice to have routine again. Even it that routine was monotonous enough to make him want to kill himself at times. Routine offered comfort, it had no need for pondering or wondering about better things.

Aed was so caught up in his thoughts that Dagda had almost crashed into him before he cried out. His father looked angry, very angry. He hand’t seemed to notice Aed either as they came.

“Father. I’m back.”

“Aed?” Dagda stopped and looked at Aed with concern and surprise.

“What are you doing? Why did you come back? We were about to go out looking for you. Well, I was.” He rushed his words.

“I mean I had to come back. It’s home.” Aed said.

Aed looked behind Dagda into the main chamber, there he saw the other Tuatha all gathered.

He looked at Dagda again. He was armored and had his own weapon, a large axe strapped to his back. It was the first time Aed had ever seen his father ready for battle and it shocked him.

“Wait, what the hell is goin on. Who are you going to fight?”

Dagda sighed, behind him the others had noticed Aed’s arrival and were pointing him out.

“You should not have came back Aed. But you have. So we might as well head inside.”

Dagda put his arm around Aed and led him inside, he brought him right up to the central table where the others were patiently waiting.

“Well this saves time.” Lugh announced.

Aed scratched his head, “Look first off I’m sorry about all the drama I caused. Things got a bit wild out there. I should have handled things differently.”

“You should not have been out there at all Aed. You’ve put us all at risk with your actions. Careless.” Mother spoke with her usual abruptness.

“Again, I put my hands up, I should have been more careful.” Aed kept his head down, I need to get a bit of sympathy going here.

“You killed 8 Milesian soldiers and one village blacksmith Aed. And you did it with a lot of noise apparently. The Milesian sent envoys to us yesterday. They had a lot to say.” Cecht had his arms folded and looked none too happy to see Aed.

“They wanted your head Aed.” Dagda broke in, “And if we didn’t give you up then there would be war. That they would bring the whole country down on us. 100 years of peace gone just like that.”

Aed opened his mouth wide. “What? Damn, a war over 8 soldiers. And a blacksmith. So that’s it then. There will be war.” Aed was surprised to find himself excited by the prospect, so they will fight.

Dagda gripped Aed’s arm tightly, he opened his mouth to speak but didn’t. He looked to his wife instead.

Lady Morrigan scowled at him before looking at Aed. “There would be a war. Not will. If we give you up then the Milesians will reconsider. It was a big decision. So we had to have a vote. This is something which effects the whole family, all of us. So a vote was the only logical thing to do.” Mom looked at Aed with expectance, “You can understand that yes?”

“Well, yes right.” Aed put his hands on the table to steady himself, “A vote. Makes sense. And?”

“You lost out Aed. We have to give you up.” Lugh said. He grimaced at the words at least.

“It was close?” Aed asked.

“Very.” Replied Dagda with enthusiasm.

“Well that’s something then,” Aed smiled sadly. “Tell me. Who was the deciding vote.”

“Oh there wasn’t one.” Cecht said.

“What?” Aed looked up at that. “I thought it was very close.”

“Well yes but not that close. You were outvoted by three.”

“THREE? Who?” Aed glanced at the Tuatha around him trying to see in their faces any clue to their own vote.

Dadgda patted Aed on the back, “It was a secret vote. We can’t be giving out names like that. It wouldn’t be fair.”

Aed shook his head, “So that’s it. The Milesians come calling and you give me up just like that. Some Gods you are.”

That stung them, a few head dropped at his words.

Dagda took a step back, “Ah now Aed, come on do you really think we would do that. Of course not. We didn’t give in that easy. The Milesians were made to work for what they wanted, in fact I think you will be surprised with what we got.”

“You will,” agreed Cecht, “We did some good work on that point.

“What then?” Aed asked.

“Well we pushed back like we said, so now they won't kill you.” Mom said with a warm smile.

“We were very adamant on that,” Cecht interjected. “We fought very hard for that.”

“So you’ll just be put in prison for 800 years. A hundred years for every soldier killed. The blacksmith they’ll let off, we did some nice negotiating there too actually.” Lugh pointed a finger at Aed, as if to make sure he knew how lucky he was.

“800 hundred?” Aed crossed his arms behind his head. “That is pretty long. What if I disagree? Resist like.”

“Then there will be war. We’ll kill many Milesians of course but they’ll eventually overrun us, destroy our home and every last trace of us. It is the only logical conclusion. We’ll be forgotten naturally because the Milesians will clamp down on any mention of us and soon people will think we were just myths, legend and superstitions.” Lady Morrigan didn’t leave much room for argument, Aed had to give it to his mother.

“Right, yeah no that is pretty bad to be fair. Dying out and all. But 800 years. I mean that is pretty crazy no? What if I escaped?”

“A lot of questions here Aed.” Lugh said.

If you do try to escape it won’t go well for you or us Aed,” Dagda did sound sorry about the fact.

“But it’s not all bad. Look you do 100 years in a human prison right, you know until this is all over and the families all long dead and gone. Then you’ll be moved. Officially to some other prison but really just another Island. Then you’ll be pretty much free from that point on. The 800 years thing is just to sound good you know. Stop people from wanting to wipe us out immediately. You’ll be out and about again in no time. It’s all for show.”

Aed nodded slowly, they will be glad to be rid of me.

“Very well. I think I can manage it. I’m more resourceful than you know.”

Mom clapped at that, “What did I say. I told them you would understand, you know we must always pick the group over the individual. It is the only way we can survive in this world now. The only way.”

“When do I have to go?” Aed met the gaze of all of his brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, Mom and Dad. My Family.

“Well now really. We thought we’d have to go find you so got the Milesians to give us two days to do just that. They have a squad waiting for you about an hour walk from here. Myself and Cecht will go along with you. Make sure you get there alright.”

Make sure I don’t run you mean.

“Right so,” Aed drummed the table in front of him, “Well it’s been a pretty shitty 100 years down here so might as well have another shitty 100 years up there.”

“Have you nothing to pack or anything no?” Lugh asked.

“Nope. Let’s go. I want to see what will be waiting for me.”

With that Aed bounded back down steps and began to make his way into the corridor leading back outside. He didn’t have anything he wanted to say to the others and he certainly didn’t want to hear anything they had to say about him. He was finished being a Tuatha. He was just Aed from now on. No more family weighing him down.

Aed let them lead the way to the waiting Milesians, Dagda and Cecht gave up on conversation quite early on seeing Aed was not in the mood for such banality. There was precious little to say anyhow. The Milesian camp was easily found. They stopped just short of its perimeter waiting for the men to come out to meet them. Aed was both surprised and happy to find there were over a 100 men waiting to escort him to his prison. There were even four of the machines they called Ballistae with them. Aed marvelled at the creations as they spun to focus in on him. The huge bolts aimed directly at him. Even for him they were fearsome looking things. One or two might actually be enough to bring him down, were they to get a direct hit at least.

Dagda and Cecht both had the decency to shuffle around awkwardly as the Milesians arrived and placed heavy steel bonds on Aed.

Dagda stepped forward towards him, “Look Aed I just want to say-”

Aed waited until that moment to tug at his captors and fling the two men now holding him forward, without a word he began marching towards the Milesian camp. They had no choice but to follow. Dagda and Cecht were left behind, whatever they had to say Aed still had no interest in it.

The Milesian general assigned to bring in Aed was waiting for him. He nodded solemnly at Aed.

“My thanks Aed of the Tuatha. We had expected some difficulty with bringing you in. Believe me we really do appreciate your co-operation. Despite what you did to those men at the bridge we will not disrespect a bound man.” He raised a hand, “God I mean. I know you and your people were such beings to the Cruthin before us. We have our own Gods but I will give you respect all the same. And I hope you will do the same to me.”

Aed looked at the man more closely now. The man was tall and broad shouldered. He had a hard look to him but also one that suggested fun with the right people and perhaps drink. Aed liked how he spoke, honest and to the point. He maintained eye contact with Aed too. That he really liked. Most didn’t.

“You’ll have no trouble from me General.”

He meant it too. He didn’t utter a word nor protest as they brought him in. Not even when they came to the city and passed through the streets. Aed simply ignored the debris thrown at him, old bits of food, dirt, stones, all he took without a complaint. The General eventually intervened getting his men to form a tighter perimeter around Aed’s jail carriage. That stopped the worst of it.

He was led to the tower of Gaillimh. A dark, grim place with an infamous reputation. It had been a place of torture and pain even when the city had been under Tuatha control. It’s walls had seen more blood than any battlefield. He was led down, deep down. Aed counted six flights of stairs before he grew bored. But he was deep underground by the time they finished walking him. He laughed as he realised he’d gone from one underground prison to another. Just this one would never let him out.

He was shoved unceremoniously into his cell, a small, cramped, and cold room cut into the earth. The smell of blood, urine and shit mixed together to create an unholy stench. Aed smiled as they chained him to the wall, the manacles were tight, very tight. And made out of steel so strong that even he would not be able to break it. A month wearing them would be exhausting. He was glad he wouldn’t have to be the one stuck with them. He sat down there, waiting, listening.

Aed searched his mind and again brought up the most interesting section of a book he’d read from Cecht’s library. Illusion was not just restricted to protection, there were other ways it could be put to use. He heard the sound of an approaching jail guard. There were four of them in total overseeing the deep cells. Guards were stationed outside each door as well but they never entered. Only the four jailers.

Aed was excited to see them all. He wondered which one would fit him best. The jailer bringing him his meal turned the key in the door. Candidate number one.