As instructed Dagda was awoken at first light by the gentle tapping of an eagle beak against his head. An unpleasant but necessary alarm. Dagda carefully slipped aside from Dearbhla, the cute freckle faced, brown eyed handmaiden of Breogan's court. She mumbled incoherently but quickly fell back without waking. With as much haste as his morning mind allowed Dagda got dressed, complete with full armour, and strapped his claoímh upon his back and four lann ciorcails to his waist. Finally he added his two knives to his inner calves and made his way gingerly out the door, trodding lightly to avoid any noise as he closed the door softly behind him.
Outside he quickly met with a weary looking Tadhg, this was far too early for his liking and alongside him was Cormac, who looked surprisingly fresh given he was likely up half the night reading some book or another.
“Brothers.” Dagda managed to mumble out the words nodding in greeting.
“Come,” said Cormac with an overly enthusiastic voice, “Ardgal and Michaél are about already by the outer keep, it would not do to keep them waiting.”
Dagda took in a yawning breath of the chilly morning air, the castle still lay sleeping and a cold dew blanket lay over the land covering all in its glistening embrace as he inhaled deeply.
“Of course us Druaidíi would have to be the first there,” Tadhg grumbled making no effort to hide his feelings at having to wake up so early.
“Oh it's no problem, allow us to ride out first and ensure the others receive a warm welcome.”
Dagda let out a throaty laugh at Tadhg's face as much as his words, “You know it is for our own sake than for the others, we know the land better than anyone but it is good to be prepared is it not?”
Cormac nodded in agreement, “And it safeguards against any Milesian ideas about ambushes or the like too, we do not want a repeat of what happened to our ancestors in that very location not five hundred years ago.”
Dagda rapped Tadhg on the back of the head and nimbly dived back away from his sluggish backhand, “You are getting old brother, perhaps you should wait behind and let us still able and willing to go ahead. Your feeble bones need rest.”
This time when Tadhg swung his boot at him there was no trace of sleepiness and Dagda winced as the kick landed.
That seemed to perk him up, “And if I do decide to stay behind then, who would come to protect you Dagda? No someone must make sure the Royal Prince and heir to the throne of Na Druaidíi is kept safe, even if it means my own life, then I will gladly give it.”
Now it was Dagda's turn to get annoyed, he hated when he was treated anyway different because of his family position, a fact Tadhg knew too well.
Cormac shook his head, no doubt annoyed by them both. “Anyways it is not only to scope the land and ensure its security that Ardgal pushes ahead so early. We are meeting the Giants on the road remember? It would not do to be lax.”
Dagda tore his eyes away from Tadhg back to Cormac, “Aye your right there, been awhile since any visited Belvoir, should be interesting enough meeting them alone, nevermind all the others.”
Finding the Keep deserted save for a few lonely guards they quickly made their way to the Outer Walls where Ardgal and Michaél were indeed waiting already seated upon their Great Elks. Since the emergence back to the outside world the Great Elks had been the chosen mount of the Druaidíi and as Dagda vaulted himself upon Sceolan’s broad back he was thankful of the fact. A journey that would take almost half a day's ride on horseback would be done in half the time on a Great Elk.
Once they were all mounted Ardgal stirred in his saddle and had one last look to the Keep, “Come let us ride, we have much to see and more to do.”
They rode hard and fast, the piercing early morning light guiding their way. The Eastern Road was smooth and well-travelled and they made good time. So much so that it was hardly more than a few hours before the Crossroad of Mearhall came into view. It was here where they would meet the Giants before heading to the Gathering.
As they rode up it was no difficulty spying the Giants already there. Their King had chosen two more of his tribe to accompany him it seemed, they appeared even from a distance, easily mistaken for great burly oaks, strong and proud. It had been some time since they had last met their kind but the Giants were not easily forgotten. All three stood somewhere between fourteen to sixteen foot tall, each arm and leg almost the size of a man. Donned in their heavy thick armor and armed each with their huge weapons, one a battleaxe,one a warhammer and one a maul, it was hard to picture a more fearsome or imposing foe. Thankfully it was many millennia since they were considered as such.
The history of the Giants and Druaidíi was as long as it was complicated. They had called Aileann their home for as long if not longer than the Druaidíi and many battles had been said to have occurred in the high days before the Great Flood. Seeing them now up close it was hard not to be grateful to call them allies. With their rough, harsh language and barbaric appearance the Giants were often wrongly portrayed by the unaware men as dim, slow-minded creatures quick to anger and violence. Yet any who have spent time in their company knew the truth to be far different. Though reluctant or hesitant to engage in speech, when they did one could easily recognise a level-headed and intelligent voice. Ardgal had had numerous interactions and encounters with the Giants in his time and held both them and their King in high regards. Time however had not been kind to their number no more than Na Druaidíi and though they were never a widespread people they now numbered but a single tribe of about 50, hidden safely away from the outside world in their mountainous fortress of Oileán Cloiche.
Pulling up to the Giants as they stood right across the Road, Dagda felt small even sat upon his Great Elk. After dismounting Ardgal and King Aachfheall exchanged bows of respect and the others did likewise. The giants yet spoke in the Old Tongue as they had done for as long as anyone could recall, though Dagda had little opportunity or experience with the Old Tongue he loved both hearing and speaking it whenever the chance arose, though it was a struggle listening closely Dagda was able to keep up with any conversation, even if he could not speak it fluently. The formalities done with Ardgal embraced the Giant King as best he could,
“King Aachfheall, how good it is to see you and your kin, even if it occurs in circumstances less than pleasant. I am pleased you agreed to join us in this gathering, the Old Alliance proved worthy before and can do so again"
"Indeed.” Aachfheall responded in a harsh guttural tone and though he made no effort to do so his voice boomed out as loud as any drum. Though difficult to follow he spoke in a slow, calculated manner which made it easier to comprehend.
“For many years now we have lived a peaceful isolated existence free from the worries of the outside world, our most troubling issues confined to the odd man of the Partholóns intruding on our land but I fear what conspires today will change all of that.”
“There is hope yet, we may still have a favourable outcome from today's events.”
Aachfheall stroked his vast beard thoughtfully
“Of course yes, there is always hope Ardgal son of Ruairah. Gatherings such as this however, in my experience seldom bode well for the future.”
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Tadhg moved in close beside Dagda, “That is a whole lot of experience,” he muttered quietly.
The Giant closest to them glanced sternly at him. Their huge ears were not just for show it seemed. Dagda suppressed a laugh at the embarrassed look on Tadhg's face. He was right though. Ardgal had once told of the Battle of Caisleán Thiar in 650 BTA and how Aachfheall had fought alongside Dagda’s grandfather, no wonder they refer to us as children.
"Tell me Ardgal, do you trust the new men, the ones that call themselves Milesians? We have already had war on their account before, it seems we must do so again. Though our dealings with them have been brief we know that they have not been kind to our people in the past."
“Nor ours Aachfheall, indeed the last of our people on the continent were driven out or killed decades ago and we have no contact today from overseas. It would seem the Milesians are rather averse to any species not their own. Unless we bow to their rule they will never accept us. We have seen already how they approach war but they will not make the same mistakes as before. They have not grown to become the most prominent Empire ever created by Men without pragmatism and realism. If they attack us now any victory they gain will have been at a price too high for it to be worthwhile. Though they have attained influence all over the Land through their trade and commerce the fact is they remain only in Carthaga. They do not have the armies to defeat and control ourselves and the Partholóns.”
Aachfheall remained expressionless as Ardgal spoke but now narrowed his eyes in focus, “They do not have the armies here yet you mean, it is said they have armies so large as to cover entire valleys back in their homeland.”
Ardgal puffed his cheeks, “Yes, and therein lies the problem with the Milesians, they will always be able to call on reinforcements and further support from their cities abroad. However, that would take time, time they wouldn’t have. If they were to lose their position so hard won in Aileann then they would need to mount an assault from the seas once more. This time we would be prepared and they would suffer losses great were they to attempt it. I don’t believe they are willing to have such a war. I know little of what occurs beyond Aileann’s shores but I do know this, it is the Eastern Border that most dominates Milesian affairs, not us. Of course I cannot be sure but I hold that they will push for some new agreements and deals but will restrain from Battle. Otherwise they would have done so already. They will not be prepared for signs of an attack from us.”
Ardgal paused to allow Aachfheall his say but he remained silent, lost in his thoughts, seeing this Ardgal continued, “We most of all must be cautious of our numbers, war would not be good for anyone but ours in particular. Yet you more than most know how these events transpire Aachfheall, nothing must be a surprise to us and we must be prepared for all outcomes, good or bad.”
Dagda saw his moment, “And if it does come to War King Aachfheall, are the Giants ready to go once more? Gods know it's a brave man that doesn’t lose himself with one of your kind charging at him.”
Dagda pretended not to notice Ardgal's eyes drilling themselves into his head or the look of exasperation on the face of Michaél. Thankfully Dagda had perceived the Giants correctly and they needn’t have worried, the thunderous laughter from Aachfheall confirmed the fact.
“Don’t fret little one.” At being called little one Dagda would normally have been irked, however if anyone was going to refer to him as little one then a sixteen foot Giant was as good as any.
“If war comes we will not shy away, though it has been some time I believe we still remember the key points. Charge, Smash, kill.”
Aachfheall motioned to his two companions Eadaoin and Mhorta who nodded eagerly in agreement. Both no doubt experts in the strategy.
Ardgal turned slowly away from Dagda and smiled to the Giants.
“Well said. And now we must be off, if we intend to reach Teorainn first we must continue on at a pace.”
“Yes, yes of course.” agreed Aachfheall, “You go on with your Elks and we will meet you later, it was good to have spoken and convened with you beforehand Ardgal. And we thank you for your information, today and before.”
“Likewise my friend.”
With the talking done they began to mount once more and make their way back onto the Eastern Road. Moving at a steady speed they soon put some distance between themselves and the Giants. After eventually slowing their pace Dagda moved alongside Tadhg and Cormac, lagging behind Ardgal and Michaél in front.
“Intriguing beasts Giants,” pondered Cormac, “You can almost sense their wisdom and intelligence. Suppose that's what happens after you"ve lived for several centuries.”
“Aye, Big bastards dem Giants,” agreed Tadhg only half listening to what was being said.
“Well yes but that wasn’ really what I was getting at...
“Must be a solid sixteen foot,” Tadhg whistled impressively. “That's a whole lot of power right there, I"m glad they’ll be on our side… though of course if it ever did come down to it,” he quickly added, a serious look to his face " I could take them.”
Dagda wrinkled his brows and exhaled. “Really? You reckon you could take down a Giant single handedly? Mmmhhh I dunno I"m not so sure Big man, Cormac?”
“Ooohhh yeah I dunno well I mean aren’t they just bigger stronger versions of you no?" Cormac clicked his fingers excitedly. “Ah yes dammit that's it. I knew the Giants reminded me of someone. The big forehead, the large nose, Gods even the protruding jaw.”
Tadhg lunged wildly at Cormac but he kicked his Elk ahead already waiting for the blow.
Dagda took his place “Actually Tadhg he's got a point...I mean..how well did you know your parents exactly?”
Tadhg smiled sarcastically, “You mean the parents that you’ve called Aunt and Uncle since you were a baby? Those parents? Yes I believe I do and fuck you too I’m nothing like those Giants, anyways if I wanted I could easily change my fighting style in an instant. Think I’m gonna show you everything in training. No chance.”
Dagda joined Cormac in laughter at Tadhg as he sat proud and upright atop his elk.
“So for the past twenty five years you’ve been having us on then? Well I’ve got to hand it to you Tadhg, you had me fooled, but it's not like you to lie so I’ll take your word for it so.”
Tadhg dropped his serious expression and added his laughter to theirs
“Well it’d be a good fight anyways.”
Their conversation was interrupted by Michaél signalling for them to join him and Ardgal who had pulled up just ahead of them upon the prow of Chairn Hill, overlooking Teorainn itself. It was now past midday and the sun was shining high up in the sky generously falling upon the lightly dewed land leaving a sparkling blanket in its glow.
“Looks like we're here first,” noted Michaél. "Been awhile since we"ve passed through here Ard.”
Ardgal pursed his lips, “It has indeed, though it has changed a great deal since our day.”
Dagda tied his Elk to the nearest tree and began to survey over the land. It seemed as good a place as any to host the mediation. The ruins of the old keep lay in the center of the valley with a clear line of sight on all sides. As was the tradition both sides would be permitted ten members as part of their representation. From the Druaidíi Dagda would be joining Ardgal and Michaél, for the Giants their King alone would attend and for the men King Breogan, Brandubh and his four most powerful Earls would be present. Any others must remain outside of the ancient boundaries that marked the old ruins. As they moved about the ruins the faint sound of distant hooves could be heard coming from the East. Dagda stood up on what remained of an old boundary wall and was the first to spy six riders approaching. The others looked to him expectantly, “Scouts by the looks of things, seems the Milesians had the same idea as us, yet they are too few and too modestly dressed to be their representatives.”
After drawing closer and seeing the Druaidíi already there waiting the riders opted against coming within range and instead made a swift circle of the area. Satisfied they returned once more to the cover of the outlying forest of Toomeva on the Eastern border.
Ardgal waited until they had retired before he spoke again,
“Well we may as well wait here for the others. Tadhg, Cormac make your way to the top of that hill and keep watch for anything unusual, you see or hear anything untoward and you signal down to us immediately.”
They nodded their understanding and mounted up back to the vantage point. Ardgal motioned for Dagda and Michaél to join him in what remained of the great hall. “Come, let us sit and rest a moment, we will need our energy or what is to come.”
“Whatever that may be,” added Michaél.