Dagda edged out to peer around the corner, still nothing. Rwua had delivered the message to Cara over an hour ago. Either she had been held up or perhaps it was something else. Perhaps she didn’t want to meet up. She had been quite strong in her convictions when last they’d spoke.

Dagda pulled his hood back and leaned against the door. It had not been easy getting in this far what with all the preparations and activity within the city. He had been extra cautious in his approach ensuring no one of importance witnessed his arrival or noted a Druaidíi presence in the area. His regular routine meant there had been no issue when he had asked Ardgal to return via his own route, he and Michaél would have expected no less. Tadhg and Cormac were similar though he suspected they had realised his true intention to pass by Morbhaile, thankfully they hadn’t mentioned it. Any indication that he was meeting a woman and one of Aileann’s Earls at that would not have been viewed kindly by Ardgal. For the time being it was best he did not know.

Dagda was woken from his thoughts by the sound of hurried footsteps approaching, he braced behind the door.

The footsteps hesitated briefly just outside the door before pushing it in. She walked in then tentatively, dressed in a plain dark travelling cloak with her hood covering her face, Dagda recognised her from the back alone. He had spent enough time looking at it. As she came further in he stepped out softly and embraced her causing her to jump slightly and he had to react quickly to cover her mouth. All that showed of her face were her two eyes, as vivid a blue as Dagda had ever seen, they were always the first sight he saw of her. She pushed him away, though not altogether forcefully and he took her hand in hers.

“Always with the surprises. You could have scared me.”

“Could have?” Dagda raised his brows with amusement.

“Yes, could of.” She smiled playfully, “Fortunately for you I am not like the others, some young, inexperienced Druaidíi is not likely to frighten me.”

“I’m young, yes, inexperienced? Perhaps in some areas yes, though I’d say there are some where I am more experienced than most.”

Dagda pulled her close, she looked up at him with unimpressed eyes, a faint smile on her lips.

“You could still do with a bit more I reckon.”

“Why do you think I’m here.”

She pushed him away again with a mock look of indignation on her face.

“That’s no way to talk to a lady, don’t they teach you anything at Dún na Rí.”

Dagda shrugged. “They do though not much on the etiquette towards seducing a Lady of Aileann I’ll admit.”

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“Is that what you call it.”

“Have you a better term?”

Dagda reached around to reveal the bottle of wine he had been hiding.

Seeing the bottle her eyes lit up appreciatively. “Debeauclair. So you do listen. And pray tell how did a Druaid manage to get his hands on such a luxury?”

“I have my ways.” Ardgal was unlikely to miss one bottle from his cellar, even if it was a Debeauclair. It has been sometime since we were last together, seeing you these past days however has revived certain feelings. I brought this to allay my fears that you might have forgotten me.”

Now it was her turn to pull him close.

“You are not one easily forgotten Dagda Ruaidh, I have not done so. Not yet in any case.”

Dagda smiled coyly, “Oh? You seemed to have forgotten me when I saw you last?”

“At the meeting you mean? I told you, a person of my position can not take risks so easily. One wrong look, one long stare and a rumour begins. Once it is a rumour it becomes a story and once it is a story it becomes a fact. Or so it would be to my enemies, of which I still have many. You should be careful too, you stare too much. You would be in trouble just as I if anyone were to uncover us.”

Dagda frowned, “So you did notice me looking then?”

She smiled sheepishly, “Maybe once or twice but there were too many eyes about, it was too dangerous. One of us at least should be careful.”

A flicker of annoyance creeped across Dagda’s face but he knew she was right. He too would suffer greatly if they were discovered. He turned his face sideways a moment and she quickly reached up to kiss him delicately on the cheek, he looked at her then deep into those brilliant blue eyes. Lightly pressing his hand to the back of her neck he brought her in close for a kiss. There never was a sweeter taste. After a long moment he quickly grabbed his hands around her waist and lifted her up to meet him, he kissed her again more passionately, forcefully and she responded in kind. Pressing her close they moved back as one until they reached the freshly laid bundle of hay, warm and welcoming. There was still yet much for them to discuss but it could wait for now. For a time at least. Neither felt much like talking right now.

After two days hard ride Dagda had managed to catch up with the others just as they arrived back to the outskirts of Belvoir Forest. Acting as a natural boundary, it concealed and protected the last and greatest of the Druaidíi settlements, Dún na Rí. As they approached its dense undergrowth Dagda was thankful that they could return home before setting off for War. Though it was to be his first, it was not likely to be a quick affair and only the Gods themselves knew how long he would be away. To the untrained eye the forest seemed to be almost impenetrable wall of green but to Druaidíi it was as familiar and comforting to them as a warm bed after a long days ride and they quickly made their way along the hidden paths deep into the heart of the forest to where lay Dún na Rí. As always their arrival had been seen and heralded well before they entered through the heavy oaken Gates and into the gathered crowd of happy but nervous faces.