Their progress was steady rather than spectacular. They had been on the march for two thirds of the day now. Yet Brandubh was happy, to a degree. Their plan had seemed to have bore fruit, yes they had lost some men, as expected, but as hoped the Druaidíi had not been able to take out all of those men connected allowing some to sound the alarm and give them their direction. They had then came upon a clearing of sorts, a respite from the thick walls of the forest’s trees and had set up camp. Brandubh had reports already of tracks and trails leading to and from the clearing, it appeared the Druaidíi too had made use of the expanse, all information that boded well for them.
It was now growing dark, even at the height of the sun’s ascent the forest was a dreary dim setting but at night their progress would be all but impossible. Tomorrow they could begin to trace the steps of the Druaidíi with the hounds to seek out one of their roadways but for tonight it would be enough to bring the brunt of their force into the forest’s interior and one step closer to sieging Dún na Rí.
Yet Brandubh was not at ease, there had been no major attack of yet it was true, but casualties had occurred, all along their advance had been hassled by repeated attacks to their flanks, in and out they came picking off any which grew reckless or ventured too far from the main, their bodies found with the curved disced blades of the Druaidíi decorating them.
With night falling their vision fell also, soon only the blare of torchlight would give them sight. This was not an ideal outcome in a forest where one wrong step could lead to an ankle twist, or worse, much worse. So Brandubh had agreed to make camp, dangerous as it was to be stationery they could not continue without light. All would be glad of the rest, though no man would sleep easy tonight.
By the time Brandubh reached the clearing men had already begun to set up camp and were busy chopping down the trees which marked its boundary to create even more space for their tents. To the centre of the makeshift camp stood the Minotauri surrounding as ever the figure of Maximo as he barked out orders. Brandubh made his way over to him, the General removed his ornate helm and greeted him warmly.
“As good a place as any, I have ordered the men to set a guard and patrol of the perimeters, but we must be wary. Now we are a static target, no doubt the Druaidíi will deem it an opportune moment to strike.”
Brandubh looked to the growing darkness as it engulfed all that lay outside the hastily assembled ring of tents, “So it would appear General. For what it’s worth I have instructed my men likewise though it is hardly necessary. Every step they take they grow ever more cautious and wary, and I along with them.”
The General nodded and motioned to Brandubh to follow him into his new more appropriately sized tent, though a great deal smaller it did not lack for comfort. Inside Earl Harfigh stood peering over a map laid out upon the table, he didn’t spare them a glance but continued to draw his finger over and back across its page.
Brandubh gave the map a subtle glance before pulling up a chair.
“Some wine? After such a trek we are surely due one.”
Harfrigh looked up in disgust, “We are sat deep in Druaidíi territory and you call for drink. Are you such a fool to wish to meet them with dulled senses?”
Brandubh waved a hand dismissively, “I would rather not meet them at all, Earl. However one drink can hardly hurt, my senses are not so easily dulled.”
He helped himself to a glass and gestured to Maximo. He looked at him puzzlingly.
“I think not, there will be time for such after.”
“After? After the Druaidíi or Aileann?”
“After the Druaidíi. Aileann is all but decided, bar some imprudent Earls.”
Brandubh took a loud sip of his drink, “Some yes. But you are right, Aileann is all but decided.”
A lone howl broke the night clear and loud, Brandubh paused for a moment but Harfrigh and Maximo continued speaking undisturbed. The hounds again no doubt.
Earl Harfrigh drew himself away from the table and stood tall, “Any Earls that do wish to continue in their folly will be made to see sense, I will make sure of that.”
“I am sure you will.” Brandubh said dryly.
Harfrigh cracked his knuckles, “In any case you will not have to wait long til we deal with the Druaidíi. At first light we’ll see about those tracks that were found, one must surely lead to a roadway. Once we have that then we’ll be halfway to victory.”
Maximo poured himself a cup of watered wine. Despite the fact that he was one third of the chief Milesian representation in Aileann, Brandubh enjoyed his company. He knew how to speak, how to present himself, and carried himself as only one familiar with the lives of royal courts can. He knew the situation for what it was, an elaborate game with all sides smiling with open hands whilst keeping their best cards up their sleeves. Unlike Tifar who tried to assume a ridiculous sense of superiority on all he met Maximo was surprisingly cordial when it came to matters of state. Also rather amusingly the General seemed rather blind or indifferent to Harfrigh, much to his ire.
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Maximo sat down and began idly examining his many rings, “Tell me of this Dún na Rí, there are many tales of it with no two seeming to agree on its size, strength or structure. How many years now have you two been amongst Aileann’s foremost decision makers? Surely in that time you must have wondered and thought on such a matter?”
Brandubh exhaled deeply, “the Druaidíi were rarely a concern in my position, they asked little of us and we even less of them. After 230 odd years one learns what to and what not to ask.”
Harfrigh stood arms crossed, a rigid expression on his face, “Breogan and his court were closer than any to the Druaidíi, they had little need nor want for intelligence on Dún na Rí. In Concani however we remember still the Druaidíi and their threat. I had people watching the forest, and I had every book and document on them and their homes brought to my court. They do secrecy well the Druaidíi, that I will not deny, but we know some about their vaults.”
Maximo stopped to look up at Harfrigh, “Such as?”
“Each one was built to last, all the histories agree that the Flood which drove them underground occurred over 3000 years ago, there they stayed for a 1000 years deep down in those great vaults. Somehow they had the technology to be able to produce everything they needed all whilst maintaining a life down there. Sure they started to come up making excursions here and there but water, food, light, they had everything they required down there. They say that the technology which built such wonders is lost, but with the right resources one could replicate it again, redesign it, such technology would be far beyond what we have now.”
Harfrigh had a hungry look on him, whatever technology it was he desired it. He did have a point, so long as one was prepared it was a fail safe option for any people should war come to their door. If the Druaidíi had been prepared they too would have been able to easily move themselves back underground until such a time as the threat had passed, fortunately they hadn’t, and showed no sign of wishing to go back under.
Brandubh gritted his teeth, “It is true that there has been many such tales and theories of this Druaidíi technology, and seeing as they seemed to have been able to survive living down there for such a long period it does suggest that the technology they possess, or rather did possess far succeeds our own. Yet the Druaidíi themselves do not seem to be fully understanding of their ancestors' technology even after all these years, it may be that their secrets are now lost to us. Our ancestors certainly seemed to have played their part in that, any vaults or cities they came across they ransacked and devastated,burning and trapping any unfortunate enough found still breathing. A great deal of knowledge and intelligence was lost to them and us, none more so than the massacre at that vault, the one the Druaidíi named Library, it was supposed to be their source for their return above ground. It didn’t prove much use once our people had finished with it, a smoking ruin of destruction, or so said Vinci Uí Néill.”
Harfigh spat down heavily into the fire, “Him? Bahh do not believe a word written in his heinous books, all lies, propaganda for Druaidíi. He was half a one himself you know, no doubt he sought to gain their favour, to ingratiate himself into their society. A mongrel belonging to neither people. His words can not be trusted.”
The General rubbed his jaw, he laid his cup down. He seemed on the verge of speaking but before he could give his reply his words were interrupted by the eruption of howls from outside the tent, the bloodhounds again. That they were needed could not be denied but Brandubh had already grown weary of their incessant barking.
However as he listened he heard it more clearly, that was no hound. This was different, not a single howl but a chorus of noise. Harfigh peered out the open door, “Have they discovered something?”
The sound of cries was his response, yet these were not cries of triumph or success but pain and agony. Maximo and Harfrigh jumped up and headed out, the Minotauri instantly pulled close around Maximo.
Brandubh made his way out trailing after them, waiting for him was Fathach, he was busy bellowing for order and calling for the source of the disturbance. Quickly however the lonely shrieks were joined with the sound of several others creating a crescendo of uproar. Confusion and panic reigned with nobody seemingly able to locate the source of the attack amidst the clamour but Brandubh made out the words Trees, fire. He could see now sharp bursts of light emitting from what seemed the darkness itself, spitting out flaming bolts from its cavernous mouth. The officers and men scrambled to organise themselves from their unseen assailants, “TO YOUR FEET, WATCH THE TREES, THE TREES”
Harfrigh started grabbing his men and pushing them into position, as for Maximo he was already busy issuing his own orders, his voice seemed to rise above the others though for he spoke with clarity and composure. Branudbh left his orders to Fathach, this was not his game, and he was not fool enough to pretend it was. Already the men were beginning to get in formation, unseen their attackers may be but they are not unexpected.
“SHIELDS, SHIELDS HIGH, ARCHERS, FIRE AT WILL”
The torches of the men began to illuminate the night sky and as they brightened the flaming attacks soon dampened. As swiftly as it had begun the assault was over. The forest stood silent, empty once more, and there was no sign of movement. To his right Harfrigh chuckled loudly, “They thought to catch us unprepared, more fool them, we will not cower so easily, Archers at the ready, let them come again.”
Brandubh moved forwards peering into the darkness, shield raised and sword aloft, tightly surrounded by his Guard.
Owwwwwwwwww. A lone wolf howl sounded out breaking the silence, it came from the southernmost end of the camp. Owwwwwwwww another howl sounded, to the East. Now to the West. A sudden flash of lightning burst into the night sky, a momentary pause and then came the crash of thunder. A great downpour spilled to the forest floor. The men’s torches sizzled. Druaidíi’s work.
The lightning flashed once more and for a moment it seemed the entire forest was flooded with light, Brandubh froze, along with the others around him. From the trees a thousand eyes stared back at them, the forest was alive. And its inhabitants along with it.