"Ugh finally” Aishling exclaimed. Though almost all waiting anxiously on the return of the the others were happy to see them safe and well, she could not get rid of the anger and frustration she felt that she had not been allowed travel along with them.
Siobhan nudged her, “At least try Gods sake Aishling”
“What? I'm happy they’re back, same as everyone else.”
“Well tell your face that then,” replied Siobhan exasperated, “if the rumours are true we are now at war and soon will be off to join with the Partholóns and Giants against the Milesians. The Gathering will be nothing more than a footnote to the Battles that lie ahead.”
She sighed, Siobhan had the right of it, still they should have allowed me travel. “I know but really, Tadhg's size is completely disproportionate to his brain and Cormac is too hesitant and bookish, and Dagda...well he's too up his arse for his own good. We should have gone too.”
“You always let yourself get so worked up about the little things don’t you. Forget it okay. Now c’mon let's get the idiots to fill us in on what was said.”
Whilst Ardgal and Michaél headed straight for the inner courts calling on the Elders to join them, Dagda, Tadhg and Cormac made their way to Teach Tabhairne, quickly following them inside Siobhan and Aisling caught up with them just as the boys were sitting down with their drinks. Dagda puffed up as usual was just beginning what looked like some important discussion.
“There musta been a thousand of em there...Oh Ladies, I presume you want to hear all about it too then yes? Quick get yourselves a drink and grab a seat.”
Tadhg eagerly made space on the bench beside him for them to sit. Siobhan sat first, however as Aishling went to follow her Tadhg bumped into her slightly guiding her towards the opposite side before hurriedly sitting himself down beside Siobhan. It appeared accidental though rather convenient for him. She resigned herself to finding space opposite using her elbows to good effect to sit in beside Cormac. She quickly signaled to Seamus the barkeep to bring her two rounds of fíon. A huge pot-bellied Druaid Seamus was something of a legend in Dún na Rí. Two hundred and thirty years old, despite injuries from the Empire Wars leaving him with a bad limp he maintained his jolly, cheerful nature and his charm attracted patrons young and old to his bar whatever the time or weather. Arriving promptly with the drinks he immediately turned to Dagda, "Well young Dagga, is it true, has war come to us once again?”
“It has indeed.” replied Cormac before Dagda had a chance to speak. Annoyed he shot Cormac with a stern look before he began to speak himself, “Yes, Cormac speaks true Seamus, our joined forces will meet at Ardfhearg before beginning the march to the Milesians. we'll have to drink you dry tonight, might be awhile before we get the chance again."
Seamus laughed heartily, “So no different to any other night then eh. But you are right, war is a terrible thing and Gods knows it is one we can scarce afford at present.”
Spying a group stumbling in the door Seamus gathered himself up again, “Yet such is life, and it is not something we can ignore. The next rounds on me young ones.” He moved off leaving them to their drinks and the sound of Dagda's voice. He began speaking about all that had happened, Aishling heard his words but wasn’t listening, though the prospect of war was indeed frightening she couldn’t help feel excited. A chance to truly prove herself to everyone. After finishing his story Dagda began to speak in what he assumed was a serious and formal tone. To Aishling however it merely made him sound and look like a cheap replica of Ardgal.
“This will be our first war and we, the young members of the clann must bear the brunt of the Wars troubles, just like our parents did for theirs in the Wars before. They will be relying on us to be the sharp edge to Druaidíi's blade. And we must not disappoint.”
Reverting back to his usual galling self, complete with a stupid grin Dagda reassured them nudging Cormac as he did so, “Girls you look worried, Do not, for we shall be beside you every step of the way.”
He made an attempt to grab Aishling's hand in his but she pulled away before he got the chance. She returned his grin, “Oh but Dagda will your father allow his precious Prince come into harm's way? We would all be distraught to see our Lord Prince suffer any injury, however small. Perhaps you would best serve Na Druaidíi staying here with the old and sick.”
“Your worry on my behalf is touching Aishling my young protegee and dearest cousin,” he smiled at her sweetly, “however somebody has to make sure you don’t lose control of your powers and end up sending everyone around you flying, friend or foe we’d all be in trouble.”
“It was one time and I didn't lose control I just… overplayed it a little thats alI.”
How is he my blood family.
Sinead began to laugh, “Gods all you two do is fight, your both as bad as each other, you’d think practically growing up brother and sister you’d of worked something out by now.”
Dagda punched her playfully, “If I"m as bad as her then I really must apologise to you all, I can’t believe I could be that annoying.”
Aishling couldn’t stop herself smiling at the idiots grin and smiled back reluctantly. It was true, they were indeed brother and sister in all but name. When her father had died off fighting on the continent it had been his brother Ardgal who had assumed the role of father figure in her life and she would always be grateful for how he treated her and her mother. Especially considering her mother's condition. And though she’d never let him know Dagda too had always been there for her following on his father's lead. Annoying and brash as he was she knew he would always look out for her and he was someone she trusted without doubt. She took a deep drink from her glass and focused back to the table, “So do we know our plans then? What exactly are we doing once all the armies have been assembled?”
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Cormac took a swig of his drink and rubbed his stubble, “Who’ll get to lead the charge on Carthaga? In my mind it should be us, the Men do not lack courage but they do not hold the advantage we do over the Milesians, we should be sent in first to cause some havoc before they even reach the battlefield.”
“Perhaps.” Dagda stopped a moment on Cormac’s words. “Yet there is much that will need to be discussed and any plan we have must be one we all agree on.”
Aishling spun her cup twirling it around her fingers, “We should be careful too, the burden for this war must be shared equally, no Druaidíi should die without a worthy cause behind it.”
Dagda grimaced, “Indeed, even as it is we can ill afford to lose more of our people, Seamus had the right of it before.”
Tadhg as usual deep in his drinks came up just long enough to add in his thoughts, “Glory awaits us, youth is no impediment to bravery and strength, when this war comes we will be the ones to lead us to victory.”
Aishling looked at him sideways, “Youth is no impediment to bravery and strength? Haven’t heard that one before, where did you get that Tadhg?”
Tadhg shrugged absentmindedly, “I dunno it just came to me there now.”
He stretched his shoulders and looked intently about the room.
Aishling saw the raised brows of Dagda as he turned to Cormac similarly puzzled at his words. Aishling smiled knowing already what was coming.
Dagda raised his eyebrows at Tadhg, “Just came to you yeah? Sure you aren’t just saying that now to be all smart and everything no?”
“WHat, no shur what reason would I have for that anyhow?”
Dagda opened his mouth but closed it again quickly deciding against going further, Cormac however had no such qualms, “I dunno, might be you are trying to sound smart in front of Sinead.” Dagda covered his face with his hand, Aishling sighed, whatever about her and Dagda she had never seen friends that could fight so aggravatingly and so frequently as Cormac and Tadhg.
“What, you"re crazy I don’t like Sinead, not at alI.”
Sinead sighed dramatically “Oh.”
Tadhg realising what he had said, looked back flustered to Sinead, “I mean no, not.. not at all, I mean…” He scratched the back of his head looking to find the right words, “You"re really great obviously, like really. On the training ground you always…”
He faltered as the other two burst themselves laughing, clearly now on his edge he turned his anger and embarrassment onto Cormac, “What are you laughing at eh? Don"t you have some elder you need to be following around like a lost pup?”
Cormac didn't seem overly bothered, “I guess but following you around brings me even more enjoyment. You’re like a poet. A poet with huge arms and an even bigger heart.”
Sinead was struggling not to show how much she was enjoying her effect on Tadhg, “Oh shut up you two, Tadhg is the only mannerly one out of all of ye, yere just jealous because he isn't as immature as you idiots.”
She turned to Tadhg and gave him an alluring smile, “I like how you talk Tadhg.”
If Tadhg wasn"t embarrassed before he certainly was now, though it didn't stop a huge smile creeping across his face. Aishling shook her head jokingly at the pair of them and finished off the rest of her drink, she flicked her head towards the door to Sinead, it was time enough for them to leave, they were already nursing last night’s intake, they could leave off for now. In any case they’d found out as much as the boys knew for the moment.
“Well Gentlemen it's time we were off, as much as it pains us not to witness you getting hammered and falling over each other to say how much you love each other, and what greats friend you all are, we want to be somewhat fresh tomorrow. Enjoy”
The guys looked to each other sheepishly, Dagda cleared his throat, “We don't ever do that, only joking like, not in a serious way.” He looked at her dismissively, “You wouldn't get it.”
Cormac nodded fervently, “Yeah, yeah we don’t actually go around saying that it's just something we do messing like.”
Tadhg took a drink focusing on anything other than the table.
There was never a more soppy group than those guys when they got drinking.
They girls got up to leave smiling all the while, Dagda recovered enough to get the final word in, as he always did.
“Goodnight sisters, not sure how but we’ll try and have fun without you two, difficult as that may be, see you tomorrow little ones.”
Aishling didn't bother replying instead flinging her drink playfully at his head, he duly ducked underneath catching it as it passed, Sinead paused giving Tadhg one last sweet smile, “Night Tadhg.”
Thanking Seamus they made their way back out into the cool night air. Aishling breathed deeply and cut a mocking smile to Sinead batting her eyelids heavily, “Night Tadhg.”
Sinead scowled, Oh what now?”
“You. Why do you have to tease him like that, you know he likes you, you shouldn’t play with him like that”
Sinead gaped at her with a look of shock and contempt, “You’re not though. You are not lecturing me. Will you stop, don't you have ever bloody one of the guys after you and you onto me about teasing. Cheek of you.”
Aishling flicked her hair and looked at Sinead with mock intensity, “But I can’t help it. It's just who I am.”
She really tried to contain herself but failed badly and they both fell onto each other laughing as they did so. Sinead was the first to gather herself, “Look, all the girls love Dagda, Cormac is cute in that interesting mysterious way but I don’t know Tadhg just.. just makes me smile.”
She giggled to herself, “He always makes me smile, even when he doesn’t mean to.” She wiped the smile from her face looking thoughtful, “but I don’t want anything serious just yet, now is not the time”
“Well on that we can agree. Now c’mon let's go get some rest, tomorrow will be a busy day, let the boys drink themselves even more silly, we can make them pay for it on the road tomorrow.”
“Yeah you are right, it's time enough. Though I would like to know what they talk about with us not there.”