So far, so good. Ardgal strained his eyes against the piercing morning sun and gazed down upon Dún na Rí, though still early no Druaidíi lay sleeping. Not when men lay on their doorstep, some had even entered last night, as to what goal he could not say, either they had greatly underestimated Belvoir or they merely wished to see the Druaidíi response. They had received one in any case, however they would need to receive many more, each one more powerful than the last before they would ever consider a retreat.

Aela stopped her circling of the Emerald Tower and swooped down smoothly to perch upon the battlements aside him. Ardgal scratched the back of her head gently. “Tired?” he asked.

She shook her head brusquely, Ardgal tilted his head smiling, even if she was she would never admit it. It was at times like this where the Faere’s truly showed their value of companionship. The decision to keep any information on them away from the men appeared ever more prudent. It was Aela and the other Faere's which had allowed them to keep track of the men’s movements and those in the air were able to do so without attracting the attention and suspicion of the men. Through them they had learned of the Men’s new plan for Belvoir, at first light they had set out, a complex array of connected men moving in a wide circle many lines deep. It was admittedly a rather effective strategy, well suited to their superior numbers. No matter how fast the Druaidíi were they would not be able to take them all in one attack, some would sound the alarm and once the Men had even an idea of where the Druaidíi had been they’d be able to track and trace them to the the roadways and paths leading to Dún na Rí. Ardgal had sent scouts out for himself to observe the Men as they made their approach and the army of hounds the men had reportedly brought with them was beyond anything he had ever seen before, some 500 of them were said to have accompanied them to the forest. They do not lack for preparation the Milesians.

They would find the roadways eventually, but would have to pay the price first, and suffer for it.

Ardgal gazed out into the forest, this would be another great challenge of his rule, another test of his leadership, it had been awhile since he had been so tested. Not since…. Ardgal shook his head, now was not the time.

“It’s been some hours now.”

Ardgal turned slowly to face his son, trying not to show his surprise, he had not heard him approach.

“Let us hope they do not move as stealthily as you. Though you are right I think, we will need to get into position soon.”

“Everything and everyone is ready, each knows their task.”

He moved up alongside him to look out onto the city below.

“Does that everyone include the little Queen?” Ardgal asked wryly.

Dagda sucked in a deep breath, “Not so little and yes it does, trying to tell her to remain at Dún na Rí scared me a great deal more than any Milesian.”

Ardgal laughed. “Which is why I sent you to speak with her. A futile task, she is not one easily denied.” He turned to look out into the green mass of the forest. “I fear we could not keep her out of it even if we wished, anyone who can fight, will fight in this war, there is little enough of us as it is. But at the least we can have her close, she will be with us for this first attack.”

“She trains well.”

“She fights well. She is a warrior, that much is plain to see. No wonder she admires you so.”

Dagda gave a sideways glance. “Admires? Is that what you call trying to take my head off with every attack.?”

Ardgal chuckled. “She seeks to impress, you are her guide, her benchmark, anything she does, she does to prove herself. Though you won’t hear her say it.”

Dagda pursed his lips, “I can understand that. I used to do the same with you.”

Ardgal placed his arm on his shoulder, he grinned. “Which was enjoyable, until you began to surpass me, then I had to contend with an old Druaid’s bruised pride, a prickly partner.”

Dagda laughed. “I have a way to go yet. As do you, you can start to slow down once you hit 300.”

Ardgal gave him a wry look and straightened himself. “I look forward to the day, now come, I believe it was time we were leaving, don’t want the Milesians to think us inattentive.”

“Gods forbid.”

They made their way down the long spiralling staircase and emerged out into the courtyard. The 200 Druaidíi chosen for the maneuver stood in formation awaiting Ardgal’s command. At its head was Michaél, Farda Yorvaigh and Maire. The 300 had been specially picked with stealth and speed in mind, they needed to inflict as much damage as possible, all whilst maintaining their air of illusion and mystique to the Men, an unseen attack to breed confusion and hesitancy in their ranks.

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Ardgal nodded to the others as he made his way to the front ordering the Gates to be opened as he did so. As one they began to file out into the forest. There were no words said or orders shouted, silence would be their escot now. As the last Druaidíi marched out they broke into their given parties and began to quickly spill into the dark cover offered up by the litany of trees.

Ardgal pushed straight ahead, the other 9 of his party following close behind. His was an assorted ensemble, beside him were the elders Brendane, Sorcha and Racheal, those of generation three Conor and Saire and generation four Dagda, Aishling and two other young Druaidíi Philv and Geira.

No one spoke as they moved swiftly, ever deeper into the forest gliding over their familiar terrain. Ardgal smiled despite himself, it had been a long time since he had moved through the forest in such a manner, too long. Days of his youth spent racing over the forest with those closest to him. A different time and a different Druaid.

After a time, there came from above the anticipated screech of Aela, they were getting close, Ardgal slowed his pace and waved to the others to follow suit, he signalled to the trees and they began their ascent into its veiled embrace. They made their way slower now, more cautious, one wrong step, one false move and the element of surprise would be lost to them.

It was not long before they came into sight of the Men. Ardgal watched as the first head of the Milesian line came into view, the soldier moved steadily, an anxious look upon his face. It took a moment but Ardgal soon spotted the gleam from the linked chain combining him to the others. Sure enough when he peered far into the distance he could make out the shape of a man creeping along behind him. The others swept past furtively making their way down the line gliding from tree to tree.

Ardgal stayed still, the soldier came on unknowingly, though he looked all around him he saw nothing. Ardgal waited, at the moment he passed underneath him he leapt, drawing his claíomh as he did so and bringing it wheeling in a wide circle. When he landed on the forest floor so too did the soldier’s head. The chain faltered and Ardgal saw through all that lay between them the eyes of the next in line as they opened wide to the attack.

As hoped and predicted upon seeing his fellow soldier struck down his comrade immediately reached for, and began to hurriedly blow into his horn. AAAAAAAa ooooooooooooo.

Impressively quick the other soldiers though unaware of what exactly had happened began to follow suit and the forest rang out with the clear, sharp sounds of the Men’s horns. Ardgal didn’t move, it was essential the men were able to sound the alarm. A minute passed, Time enough, by now it seemed as if each of the soldiers had sounded their horn, it would be passing deep and far, far beyond all the way to the Milesian and Partholóns slowly entering from the forest’s edge. Now Ardgal moved and came down the line, the others hidden began their attack and all around him he saw the Druaidíi emerge from their position to ensnare the ambushed men as they struggled to defend themselves. Dagda had marked the man closest to Ardgal and he watched as he blasted the scout in a barrage of ice shards, piercing through the Milesians armour as if it were a sheet of paper. Dagda did it all without effort, almost casual, he grows stronger still, he will surpass me, surpass us all. So long as he controls it.

Like all Déithe Dagda was blessed with an affinity with not one but all the Omens but even amongst those elite he showed a potential Ardgal had never seen or heard of before. Though he had tried to temper and manage him he knew Dagda was special.

But such power was a gift and a curse, depending on the wielder. At present there were six of the Déithe in Na Clann. Dagda and Ardgal amongst them. Dagda in particular thrived in its power and savoured its force but Ardgal knew what happened to those which forgot themselves and trivialised its strength. He had seen himself what happened to those who could not control the Omens within them. Already as, if not more powerful than anyone Ardgal had ever seen his force had great potential, however the greater the power and potential the greater the risk. His oft reckless abandon wielding it left him open to losing control and destroying not only himself but also those around him. Ardgal had already lost one of the two he loved most through such an act, he would not allow anything to cause him to lose the other.

Ardgal refocused himself as he lay beside the first Milesian soldier, now they must begin the second step of their plan for the Men. He ripped the horn from the scout’s icy grip and turned to face the others.

By now the front scouts of the first wave would be nullified, but they would need to move quickly if they were to reach and prepare, everything had to be in order. Ardgal whistled and the Great Elks came bounding towards him ready to bear their load. He urged the others not encumbered on and they pressed ahead continuing to blow intermittently into their acquired horns. Once the elks were made ready Ardgal, along with Dagda and the betrayer followed on close behind the rest. The sounds of their approach were broken intermittently by the noise of the Men’s horns as they continued to blast into the forest’s sky. From beyond came answering horns, but Ardgal did not stop to examine their location.

The lesson his own father had taught him rang out in his ears, a repeated mantra that had remained with him all these years. “The Aim is to confuse the enemy so that he cannot uncover your true intent or purpose, what is unseen is deadly.” Now it was time to show the Men the folly of their attack, to remind the Milesians of the power of the Druaidíi, now it was time to make them bleed.