“How in all hells are they here?” Dagda exclaimed.

Ardgal had insisted on making rounds to ensure no Druaidíi had grown complacent and that the men would find no easy target to launch a surprise attack. Dagda likewise insisted on accompanying him, he had questions, plenty of them.

“I don’t understand, surely if the Giants were coming with their Daedan we should have been told, we could have had a far greater counter attack ready had we known? What did you gain by its secrecy?”

Ardgal kept his brisk pace. “I gained nothing by its secrecy but I risked much with its reveal.”

Ardgal was interrupted by the screams of a Druad being carried away past them. Where his right ear ought be lay a gaping hole, blood came pouring through still, so much so that it covered his face in its bloody design. From his stomach also three bolts jutted out. He would do well to look upon the sunrise.

Ardgal pushed on towards the Southern Wall, “When news of King Breogan’s death reached us I feared the worst and had Laim ride out carrying a message to the Giants at Oileán Cloiche. He was tailed however and when last we received word he had been grievously injured, so much so that he feared for his life. He vowed to deliver my message but I had no way of knowing if he even reached the Giants let alone how they had responded. If I had informed our people and I was proved wrong? Would that have not dampened any flickers of hope further?”

“It would have, yes, greatly so. With such Knowledge I see now the wisdom in your decision.” And would have earlier if you had entrusted me with the information.

As Ardgal stopped to examine the extent of the damage done to the Eastern Watchtower Dagda took a moment to look out over the battlements into the forest beyond. It lay now in a sullen silence, what few fires the men had lit divulged little and gave no indication to their camp or mood.

Both sides had suffered today. The arrival of the Giants will have hurt them, and in more ways than one. However, whatever the men had lost the Druaidíi had lost many also, another onslaught such as today’s would be hard pressed for them to repel, Giants or no Giants.

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Ardgal finished his inspection and came up to lean alongside him.

“The men seem quiet, perhaps the Gods have smiled us on this night. It has certainly been a while.” Ardgal smiled grimly as he said the words.

Dagda nodded in agreement, “The arrival of the Giants and their Daeden is a blessing at any rate, we will have much use for them. They will be staunch guardians of the Great Door, even if the men were to break through none would be thankful for the opportunity to face off against such brutal force. It will allow us also to place most of our people on the walls. There we can hold off the men. But it will take its toll.” Dagda clenched his fists, “We need to have a goal, something from which we can hold onto or work towards. Surviving and surviving again, that is no plan but a ready path to annihilation.”

Ardgal was looking out over the Men’s camp but Dagda could tell he was looking far past them and even the forest itself. He sighed wearily, “Surviving yes, it seems that since my father bestowed the title upon me that is all we have done. Survive. I fear we grow too slow for this impatient world.” Ardgal chuckled, “All about us great thorns and weeds ready to prick and pull us down. We fight a war, we end a war and then just as we begin to rise again we are dragged back in once more. Perhaps I should have urged caution, encouraged a more secretive and hidden way of life.”

Now it was Dagda’s turn to chuckle, “Come now, I am young but even I know that could not be. Urge caution and secrecy to a Druaidí and they will name you a coward and a fraud. For better or worse it is what we are.”

Ardgal ignited a small ball of flame, illuminating his features against the night sky. He looked older than Dagda remembered, but then when you see a person every day you do not really look at them. You seem them but do not truly look. Looking now Dagda saw the weathered lines, the wearied face, the burden of rule. Yet there was a fierceness there still, an iron will that would not easily bend. Dagda smiled despite everything.

Ardgal snapped his fingers and the dark shrouded him once more, “These days it seems far more for worse than better. But we should not fear, the Giants have come to us for a reason, and for once the Men must take caution. That alone gives cause for hope.”

Ardgal moved off, “I have a thirst, let us get what drink and food we can and retire for now, there will be no sweet sleep tonight but we must rest and think awhile.” He placed a supportive hand on Dagda’s shoulder and headed off into the night to complete their rounds. Dagda picked himself up and followed Ardgal out into the darkness.