Ardgal paced back and forth his body as restless as his mind, the darkness was suffocating but he refused to sit rigid, the darkness brought with it the nightmares of old.
He laughed harshly to himself, the Gods were truly testing him in his latter years, with the Men on their doorstep and their future so murky Ardgal had thought it impossible for the situation to get any worse. But he was wrong, perhaps that is why. I was so focused on the events outside of our walls that I was blind to what was happening inside them. There is no more bitter enemy than an old friend.
Ardgal recalled his first meeting with Farda, then he had been a fierce, brawny youth, full of life and eager for battle. At the Battle of Rath Corria he had fought with a savagery that had garnered him great renown. Off the battlefield though, he had been as light hearted and agreeable as any young Druaid could be. As sons to their vault leaders they had become fast friends sharing in the pressures and weight of expectation and responsibility. It was true that the friendship had suffered for a time with the destruction of Tearmann and the assimilation but that was a long time past and any grievances or coldness had long since thawed. Or so I thought….how wrong I was.
Ardgal sighed heavily. It mattered little, once the hour of the wolf arrived and their way was clear they would be herded up to be thrown at the mercy of the men. Ardgal tried once more to contact Michaél but it was in vain. Likely he was still out cold from the blows he’d received trying to call out on their descent. Ardgal closed his eyes and breathed deeply, whatever happened Dagda must survive, for the sake of all Druaidíi.
The surprising sound of footsteps hurrying down the corridor startled Ardgal from his thoughts. It couldn’t have been much more than an hour since he’d been thrown inside the cell, there would be still too many eyes for Farda to risk bringing them out and causing an uproar. Whoever it was they were coming fast, Ardgal thought….perhaps there has been a change of plan. If so Ardgal intended to take full advantage. They were coming too fast for them to be alert to any danger so crouching beside the door Ardgal got ready to spring out, clamps or not he could still use his legs.
“Ardgal dammit where the hell are you?” The barely muffled shouts stunned Ardgal upright, more surprises.
Of all the voices he imagined hearing his was the last he’d of expected, the voice still sounded far off and would soon be lost into the cavernous depths of Dún na Rí. Gods only knew if it would chance by here again. Ardgal took one step back before slamming his heel into the door, once, twice, three times. For a moment there was silence...then the footsteps sounded again and grew louder with each step.
The door flung open, bursting through breathing heavily, the light from his torch illuminated the pained and frantic expression etched on his face.
His rescuer spun around, “Ah there you are, fuckin hell this place is like a bloody labyrinth, wasn’t sure if I’d ever find you. Starting to think I’d end up as one of those souls lost down here forever. Here,” he grabbed Ardgal by the wrists, “show me those clamps, believe you’ll be wanting them off eh?”
Ardgal waited patiently as he expertly threw off his restraints.
“Darragh O Chiall? I’m as glad as I am surprised to find you as my rescuer, have you been on the wine again? Or is this some further jape to play with my mind?”
Darragh smiled roughly, “I’m always on the wine, but this is no jape.”
He shook his head vigorously, “Look Ardgal, you above all else know my views and ideas, most of which admittedly fall in direct contrast to your own, but you have my word as a Druaid that I would never stoop so low as to be associated with the madness that has taken root inside Farda’s mind. With the blood of Druaidíi he would paint himself the saviour of us all even as he condemns us to a life of slavery and indignity.”
He looked at Ardgal sheepishly, “I will profess and beg forgiveness on some account however. Farda has spoken to me on many occasions as to my own pedigree and potential to act as commander of our forces. A position you know I have long desired, one which my grandfather held and held well. He sprouted ideas in my head, mostly nonsense easily dismissed as drink talk. But some... yes some stuck.”
Darragh cast his eyes to the ground, “I listened to his thoughts and claims and even enjoyed them but never did I think he would do such an act as this. To betray you and all you stand for. You must believe me, I would not have agreed to this recklessness, I did not know he had planned so.”
Ardgal rubbed life back into his hands as Darragh spun his torch around the room revealing the source of his pained expression, a bloody wound by his left shoulder.
“I know your worth Darragh, that you are here now is a testament to that, how can I punish you for listening and savouring Farda’s coy appraisals? It is a rare Druaid indeed which does not let his ego come in the way of sound judgement. Whatever ideas and thoughts you have, many of which I know against my own, you have never acted on them nor disobeyed my orders. Indeed you have always proven yourself ably and admirably. Farda will pay for this, him and those which followed him. You should though be careful to whom and where you spend your time Darragh but have no fear on my ruling. I know you for a strong and faithful Druaid, now and always.”
Darragh bowed his head gratefully before Ardgal straightened him. “And Your wound? I presume Farda and his helpers didn’t intend on allowing prisoners?”
Darragh spat, “Ah it’s nothing, just a scratch. Farda seemed to believe that I would be foremost of the Council to support him, when all of this occurred I said the right words and cursed your name just as expected.”
He stopped and looked Ardgal deep in the eyes, “I know what people think of me, a mindless brute who only lives for inflicting pain and punishment. But I knew if I reacted immediately I’d likely end up down here with you, so I waited and instead acted accordingly. Those not in on the plot were kept in the chambers under guard, that’s where he has Fiona, Connor and Maire imprisoned. What he planned to do with them once you were allegedly offered up I cannot say. Something devious and heinous no doubt. In any case they permitted me to retire to my own quarters on grounds of preparation. Of course Farda is no fool, he had a guard follow me just in case but a quick elbow to the head put him down, the guards down here were a bit trickier though, seeing as I couldn’t kill 'em. Betrayers or not they are still Druaidíi.”
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Ardgal nodded understandingly but didn’t interrupt.
“I had to get up close fore using wind Omen on them and tying them up. One managed to get off a lann ciorcail at me first though.” He shrugged his shoulder nonchalantly, “Oaths don’t seem to mean as much to some.”
Ardgal listened intently, “You have done me a great service, I feared Farda had considered all possibilities and persuaded enough to his thinking, it seems you are quite the disruptor, no matter who’s in charge.”
Darragh grinned wily as ever, “See it’s not just you.”
Ardgal turned back towards the gloomy passage, “Dagda and Michaél, they were led off first, I must gather them before I ascend. You should head back up lest your absence be noted, we need to give ourselves as much time as possible, head back out to the courtyard so as to not attract suspicion and pass a message to Aachfheall, Be ready, at dawn we ride.
Darragh nodded and headed back into the darkness. Pausing a moment Ardgal gathered his thoughts and retraced the steps to Dagda and Michaél who both lay further on inside the passage.
Michaél’s cell was first, the cracks he’d taken to the head had indeed rendered him unconscious but by the time Ardgal had dragged them to Dagda’s cell and readied himself he was already coming through. Groggily and shaken he wordlessly heaved himself to his feet long enough to help Ardgal break down the cell’s door.
“Nice change of plan.” Dagda grinned with an almost manic expression etched on his face once they had finally broken through, “I knew the Gods would allow us revenge on the fat fool and all those who support him, offering us up as some bloody sacrifice to win favour with the Milesians, the others would never have stood for it, come morning they’d of smashed his head in for such treachery.”
Dagda spoke frantically and was already starting to head out before he pulled up sharply, he looked at them confused, “How did ye get in here anyways?”
“Darragh saw the madness in Farda and made his way to me, that’s all you need to know for now, we can fill in the rest later. Right now we must act fast to remove Farda and all of those which back him so we can return our focus to the Milesians and Partholóns.”
Dagda nodded heartily, “Right, if Farda was careful no one will be aware or expecting our approach, if we move fast we can get them now while they sit waiting for the dead of night.”
Ardgal looked at them both, stopping on Michaél, he was breathing heavily and his face looked pale and strained, Ardgal considered him, will he be ready for what lies ahead?
Sensing his glare on him Michaél looked up, “Don’t ok. I’m fine, I’m not a hundred anymore but I’m not so old yet, it’ll take more than a few smacks to the head to keep me down.” He rubbed the back of his head, "Sore, though, that little pup Davain needs a good beating. And he’ll get it too once I grab a hold of him.”
Ardgal smiled, “I should know by now not to doubt you, and rest assured whoever of us gets Davain first will have him kept safe for your own retribution.”
Ardgal pulled Dagda in close, he was agitated and could not keep still, his own flame was burning strong enough to light up the whole passage by himself. His source is practically erupting in him.
Ardgal placed a firm hand on Dagda’s shoulder and steadied him in place.
“Look Darragh is above, he’ll make sure everything is in place for later, so that leaves us to focus on Farda and the Council Room.”
“WHAT?” Dagda asked incredulous, “Focus? What is there to focus on? Give me leave to go above and I’ll have an army of trusted Druaidíi ready to fetch Farda’s head. He began this madness, we’ll end it.”
“No.” Ardgal tried to keep his voice calm and controlled.
“Ard,” Michaél whispered, “we cannot suffer this betrayal. Now from our own.”
“No we cannot. Neither however can we cannot rush in without considering the ramifications of our actions. We are not Farda, we will not act as he has.”
“Rush in…” Dagda stared at him furiously, “what to serve out justice? We can and we should. Have you no rage? No fury? He betrayed us, you, me, everyone. I’ll have his head, vow or not.”
“DAGDA,” Ardgal pulled his son by the arm hauling him backwards.
“Do not lower yourself to his level, you are not him, nor will you ever be. Rise above it, think. Always think Dagda.”
He looked to Michaél, “I agree with both of you, Farda cannot be allowed escape punishment. He must suffer, and he will, yet see a moment. Farda represents Tearmann still and all which once hailed from its city recognise the fact, Druaidíi which yet make up a significant element in our population. If we go calling all our people to arm what do you propose they will do? We are at war with an army encamped outside our door. In the confusion of our attacks words would be shared for Farda will not meekly bow out. Rumours would spread and soon we would have complications and tensions ripe in our ranks, too much history flows through us. I will not have that happen without a need. Farda is a fool and traitor but he got one thing right, he knew to keep tonight’s events to as few people as possible.We will do the same. We will deal with Farda and his chief supporters ourselves, quietly and swiftly. When we are secure and ready and the moment right then we shall reveal his betrayal to one and all and dispel any doubts or talk of grudges and history. That is what we will do.”
He looked deep into Dagda’s eyes, still burning their vivid green engulfed in flame. Michaél rubbed his face, “Dammit he’s right Dagda, if word got out...Farda has clearly enough friends, not enough to pull off something like this but surely enough to cause trouble. Trouble we can ill afford. Not with the men so close at hand.”
Dagda said nothing but slowly nodded his head resignedly, he took a deep breath, “So what then we go, just us? There was more than three of Farda’s boys in there last I counted.”
Michaél gave a slight shrug, “We must think quickly, most will surely be abed by now, it won’t be long til they send someone down for us.”
Ardgal scratched his beard, “We could go now yes. However I say we wait. We’ll move to my cell. They’ll need to send at least three, probably more to bring us up, better to take them out separately and use their expected arrival to rush the council room.”
Dagda and Michaél both murmured in agreement. Ardgal moved forward and led them back to his cell. Once in position he extinguished his fire Omen and the world was plunged back into darkness.
They sat in waiting in clear silence.My son and my most trusted brother, with them alongside him the shadows held no fear. Ardgal closed his eyes to his own mind and breathed in purposefully. Farda had sought to use them as leverage with the men. Instead he may have given them something worth far more. A way out.