The men had set up an open air pavilion shakily assembled upon the broken ground separating their camps from the city’s walls. Underneath its canopy stood Brandubh along with his shadow, the ever faithful and ever present Fathach, and the Milesians representatives, General Maximo and his 2nd in command known as Captain Geara. A table along with 4 chairs on each side was set up in the middle dividing them. The General beckoned them forward, “Please, we have 4 seats prepared, unfortunately we were not expecting such a large guest,” he peered up at Aachfheall whose head brushed off the pavilion’s roof, “but if you give us a moment we can-”
“Forget it little General, time is short, let us speak on the matters at hand, not on chairs.” Aachfheall’s tone left no room for argument.
Ardgal nodded, “Your concern is touching but he is comfortable standing, as am I and my fellow Druaidíi.”
Maximo smiled humorlessly, “Very well then let us not delay, we the Empire are not without mercy or understanding as we have strove to remind you these past days. Indeed I admire you Druaidíi for your endeavour, pride and willingness to fight on despite knowing that come what may you will suffer defeat and death. The arrival of the Giants may have granted you a respite but I am afraid that is all they shall do. You may delay it but you can not prevent it. Your home lies in ruins, broken and damaged, your numbers dwindle still further and we grow ever stronger. Even as we speak 2000 fresh soldiers, Milesian and Partholón, march to us bringing with them the resources needed to build siege machines enough to raze the foundations of Dún na Rí itself to the ground. You see Milesia does not lose, will not lose, Battles may be lost but Wars will always be won. Fight on if you will, it will make no difference, kill me, kill Brandubh, kill all these men. We will be replaced, we will always be replaced.” He folded his arms across his chest and cleared his throat, “Let us be frank, you’ve never trusted us.”
“No, you are right we haven’t. Clearly General we were sorely mistaken to not have done so.”
The General paused but ignored Dagda and instead stared intensely, his gaze firmly fixed on Ardgal. The silence filled the air.
Maximo waved his finger in front of them, “And yet in spite of all that has been said and done we stand before you now as agents of the Milesian Empire and beseech you to reconsider our offer. Even though you have conspired and opposed us at every step we are willing to offer the terms as presented before any of this madness occurred. For your people and for the future of the Druaidíi do what is right. Do what is needed as a Leader. Lay down your arms and let us come together to build a brighter, better and more promising future. That is the way forward my friends. They only way.”
All remained silent once more, this time however it was ended sharply with the crunch and chewing as Dagda bit down eagerly on an apple taken from the breakfast table, all looked upon him with mild irritation and annoyance, all cept Aachfheall who chuckled loudly.
Dagda smiled with a full mouth, “Sorry, was in a bit of a rush this morning, barely got to grab anything. The amount of bodies you’ve left lying around for us to clean up….” he shook his head vigorously, “so many men dead, and for so little reward. Madness indeed General.”
Ardgal turned away from Dagda to fix his gaze back to the General, “You speak of Mercy and understanding, I have seen Milesia's idea of these with mine own two eyes. We want none of it. We held off your men when you first attacked and with our friends now arrived to support us we will hold you off again if need be. You and this man here…” Ardgal motioned towards Brandubh, “entered this forest with 13,000 men if I am not mistaken. Of that you have some 7000 men remaining by my count. You claim 2000 more men make their way as we speak but we will see how many reach you unharmed General. As you and your people know well the forest exacts its toll on all who enter and trespassers such as you must pay dearly for the right of entry. Belvoir’s dwellers will make sure of that. I would not be so sure of seeing your reinforcements anytime soon. Our vaults are deep, even with your numbers you cannot continue to act with such abandon. Leave now and as a symbol of our mercy and understanding we will allow you to leave the forest without coming to any further harm.”
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Dagda noticed the slight bristle from the General at Ardgal’s words, “You will allow me….” he tapped his fingers on the table.
“You are a stubborn people, you talk of our losses yet what of yours Lord Ardgal? Your defence has come at a rather high price has it not? And we both know that you can ill afford such losses. You have considerably less than a 1000 Druaidíi now at your disposal, I am afraid that 10 Giants and their pets will not be enough to stop us if that is the path you wish to take. But if that is your fate then so be it, let it not be said that you were not offered a way out.”
Michaél stirred himself, “A way into slavery you mean? Into manipulation and suffering. If we must die then die we shall, but we will not die fighting your Empire’s wars away from our homes, lands and ancestors.”
General sighed and turned to Brandubh who sat stony eyed beside him. The newly crowned Ruler of Aileann.
Brandubh gave a quick smile and smacked his lips, “We, the men of Aileann know all about independence and pride and the value of bravery. Not 15 years ago we stood with you shoulder to shoulder to drive back the men we now call allies. However living in the past only darkens the future, the Milesian Empire is the largest ever seen, it has been around for over a 1000 years and will be around for 1000s more. Do as we have and move forward.”
He leaned forward eagerly, “Move into a new age and a new way of life, together we can reap the benefits of all that comes with it. Give up this fruitless war that does no good for either side and together we can rule with the help of Milesia to make Aileann glorious once more.”
Ardgal and Michaél sat impassive both their gazes fixed on Brandubh, Aachfheall had his eyes directed to the men’s camp which he was seemingly busy scrutinising, hoping to see the damage he caused no doubt.
Dagda whistled softly, “You always were skilled with words Brandubh, it comes as no surprise to me that you got those other Earls and Earlesses to conspire even as you had King Breogan murdered in cold blood. Quite the feat that I must admit. Perhaps if a man such as he were to utter your words we might pay some mind to them. But from you, no I think not. The Milesians will allow you free reign for a time but as they have done and always do they will gradually strangle your identity until nothing is left but pages in a book. If that is your wish then so be it, do not however presume to lecture us.”
Ardgal turned to Dagda, he thought he saw a wry smile played on his lips but it vanished before he could say for sure. Ardgal stood up to his full height, “We have heard you words and found them not to our taste. Ready your men, perhaps if the Gods see fit we will meet on the battlements…. Or at the least you may see us as you watch on from back at your Camp.”
Dagda screwed up his face in appreciation, a good line.
With that Ardgal turned and headed back for home, Dagda fell in and followed suit with Michaél without looking back, last to come was Aachfheall who gave one final grunt at the men’s camp before ducking back underneath the pavilion. They made their way back carefully across the broken land and broken bodies, watchers on the wall signalled their approach and opened the door before them, Dagda called for his claíomh immediately once inside the mended Doors, it had been awhile since he had sharpened it last. The General and Brandubh would not have been pleased by the meeting, whatever they planned now Dagda would need his blade sharp, and he would not be found wanting.