Ardgal eased himself back in the saddle, they had made good time and would soon come in sight of Gorias. Just ahead of him were Tadhg and Cormac with Michaél taking the lead out in front. Dagda as he so often did was making his own way there. Ardgal knew he enjoyed his time alone and would happily spend days out in the forest without any interaction save for Rwua. He had not always been as such. But then death changes a person, none more so than the death of a mother. For a long time Ardgal had worried about such habits, now though he knew better. Though he sought solitude at times Dagda did not shy from his duties as Prince and was more than capable of socialising when he had to, mixing with all crowds, all peoples. He will make a good Leader one day.

The sound of an approaching baggage train brought Ardgal away from his thoughts. No doubt heading for the market at Chairnsfell. As they passed Ardgal saw all the regular reactions he had come to expect as a Druaid. Some quite friendly, respectfully offering their brief greetings as they passed, others stared openly unused to seeing them up so close and more still quickly shuffled past without a glance hurriedly moving until they were safely away as if they were in some danger or trouble just by being in their presence. Ardgal smiled at them all friendly or otherwise, he had learned not to worry about such things, people were people each one with their own agenda and bias, some aware but most oblivious. It was better to not focus on it if one could help it.

Ardgall spurred on his Elk bypassed Tadhg and Cormac both locked in animated discussion about how to best approach a lady at court. They were both wrong.

He left them at it and moved up alongside Michaél. He gave a brief acknowledgement before he continued to glance up the road and to the side, ever watchful. He missed nothing. Ardgal offered him his wineskin and he took it eagerly, taking his fill before passing it back.

“We will arrive soon. What is it now a year, two since we last entered inside Gorias's walls.”

Ardgal rubbed his jaw, “It is a year and two months, almost to the day in fact. Though then we did not come with such pressing news.”

“Indeed. I wonder then what sort of welcome awaits us. Much has changed since last we stood together against the Milesians. It may be that they are not so overly eager to engage in war this time around. Milesians bring gold, gold brings loyalty.” He spat heavily onto the ground beside him, “Of a type at least.”

“For some it brings gold, not all. Only those closest to Carthaga or favorably situated by the Coast truly benefit, the rest must watch their countrymen get rich on the back of a foreign power. The Milesians may have friends but with King Breogan in power not enough.”

“They will side with us then?”

“For now yes. I believe so. When Oius returned she bore a message bearing the King's personal seal, he is to call a gathering of the Earls to decide upon the matter. Whatever resentments or old grudges they may hold such a brazen attack by the Milesians from within Aileann's borders cannot be allowed to go unchecked. They will see that too, even if we must needs show them the way.”

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Michaél snatched at a fly as it buzzed alongside his head, snapping it inside his fist. “A lot has happened since last we went to war. Then Milesia was just another would-be conqueror, a threat to us all that needed to be destroyed. Now however we are facing an altogether different prospect, they have been smart, the trade routes they’ve built and commerce they have created allows their influence spread far further than their borders. We should have never agreed to allow them keep Carthaga. They should have been forced back to the sea and back to their lands on the continent, Gods knows they have enough of them.”

Ardgal sighed, “If only it were so, then we could finally focus on our other problems. However you know as well as I do that could never have happened. We were the victors yes but had we not forced terms when we did then they would have dug in, stayed in their fortresses and allowed us to throw ourselves to their blades, all the while giving them time to call in their reinforcements. There were little other options left to us.”

“So we just do the same again then? To buy ourselves more time?”

“No. When last we met on the battlefield it was by their own designs. This time we dictate the Battles, we control where and when they take place and we get them before they ever get an opportunity to properly prepare for our attacks. Then we stand a chance of ridding them from Aileann for good.”

Michaél stretched his jaw, “ We'll need everyone then.”

“Yes, yes I’ve already sent word to them also, but they are not known for their fast response, it may be that they will need further time to assemble. But I will keep them informed of our moves and intentions. They will be there when we need them, I am sure of it.”

In the distance Ardgal spotted the first signs of Gorias, the tower of Ashfall chief amongst them.

“Good we shall arrive before midday it would seem.”

“Indeed it would and time enough, I could do with a drink or two after yesterday's events.”

Ardgal laughed loudly, “Yesterday has nothing to do with you wanting a drink, though you are right it would not go amiss now. Unfortunately I will be expected at Court the moment we arrive, I’ll need to meet with Breogan and Brandubh as soon as we enter the city.”

Michaél gave him a sideways glance peering at him expectantly. Ardgal shook his head, “No it's fine I’ll go alone, whatever they have to say I can tell you after I'm sure.”

Michaél smiled and clapped him across the back a little too gratefully, “Ah but this is exactly why you’re the Leader. Me and the boys will head out into the city to gauge the people and their mood.”

Ardgal looked at him with raised brows, “Gauge their mood, when the hell have you ever gauged anyone's mood. No, I have a better idea, while I'm at the court you can take the boys out for training, just because were on the road shouldn’t change anything.”

Ardgal grinned as Michaél's face changed, “And that's exactly why you’re the Master at Arms.” He slapped him equally hard across the back, glancing up at the sky he clicked his teeth, “Oh and it looks like rain too so I’d get yourself a fresh cloak if I were you.”

Ardgal pushed his mount on ahead and left Michaél to his slightly less than gracious shouts of displeasure smiling all the while.

The walls of Gorias loomed ahead of him, tall and imposing, into the heart of the men, and into the beginning of a new war, Ardgal once again resolved himself to hide his fears, whatever happened he needed to be strong for the sake of all Druaidíi, Leader he was and a Leader he must be. No matter the foe.