The King adjusted the crown atop his head. With every passing day it seemed to weigh ever more heavily on his head. A sign of age or an indication of my rule. Once Ardgal had been spotted Brandubh had been sent out immediately to welcome him and invite him for a private meeting. His visit was a refreshing change from the Milesians and all their fanfare, any meeting with their kind meant a litany of guests arriving. And a litany of potential spies along with them. Breogan restlessly moved out from his high seat at the foot of the council table to gaze out the window overlooking the Abhainn River located far below. A rich and fertile land it had been a wise decision by those first settlers to take the old Druaid city of Dú Abhainn. A broken ruins when they had found it after the destruction of the Great Flood they had spent years of tireless work and dedication rebuilding it to the city as it stood today. A powerful and central symbol of Partholón power his ancestors had long since ruled over its lands and Breogan knew that come what may he would rather make the ultimate sacrifice than watch it fall into the hands of another. To the right of the high seat the door connected to the Royal chambers burst open and in raced Conall, a blur of red hair he came charging straight for the King sword in hand. He stopped at the last moment and turned suddenly on his heels pulling the King into position until his body covered his own.

“CONALL”

Maire's voice ran out loud and clear as she came in hastily after him a frantic and flustered look on her face. Breogan couldn’t stop the smile breaking out across his face as Conall desperately tugged at his cloak trying in vain to hide from his mother's prying eyes.

“My Queen, pray tell what brings you to the Council room. Is something amiss?”

She fixed him with an unamused stare, “Yes, husband something is in fact amiss. Your son. Your heir refuses to do as he is told and insists instead on running about the castle like some hyped up monkey.”

Breogan scratched his beard in mock thought. “Not our Conall, everyone I meet tells me only of his kingliness. I refuse to believe he would act as such. Not without good reason of course.”

Conall's grip relaxed and he reluctantly revealed himself from behind his father.

“Well I did run about a bit. BUT it was only cause I want to talk with Na Druaidíi men too.”

He looked up imploringly whispering, “I don’t wanna try no more new clothes, I wanna play with Dagda.”

“Ah but it is Dagda's father I will meet, not him. His father Ardgal told him to wait. He will come after.”

Conall rubbed his job thoughtfully, “Really? And will he come to play then?”

“I’m sure he will. But until then you need to go with your mother and you need to do as she says. Agreed?”

He nodded his head resignedly, “Agreed.”

Breogan ruffled his hair and he bounded back over to his mother a perfectly innocent apologetic look on his face. She didn’t budge and gave him a quick clip about the ear as he passed.

“OWW. I said I’m going.”

“Then go. NOW Conall. Deirdra has been looking for you all morning.”

She waited until he had left before turning to walk towards the King. “They have not arrived?”

“Not yet. Soon.”

“Very well. That son of yours grows ever wilder.”

“Indeed. He gets that from your side.”

She opened her mouth in indignation and slapped him playfully across the chest, she looked at him teasingly. “I don’t know I seem to remember you being pretty wild in your youth.”

“And then I met you. “Which…” he quickly added seeing the look on her face, “which meant I had no need to be because I had found everything I"d ever needed or wanted.”

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She pursed her lips smiling, “Good save.”

She gave him a tender kiss and took his hands in hers. Despite the years and three sons she seemed to him just as pretty now as the day she had first been brought to court. An Aileann Rose.

A worried look came on her, “We will have war then.”

He squeezed her hand gently.

“Yes it may come to that. But you should not worry, we are stronger than the Milesians will ever know. Come what may we will be ok, all of us together, you me and Conall.”

The sound of the Great Doors opening shook them from their embrace. Breogan kissed her before giving one last squeeze of her hand. She gave a last loving look before elegantly making her exit. The King spread his arms wide in welcome before walking down to clasp hands with Ardgal.

Still as strong as ever. The years seemed to have little influence on him.

“Ardgal, it is good to see you in my halls once more, though the situation we find ourselves in is of an altogether more unpleasant nature.”

Ardgal smiled looking about the room. “It is good to be back, whatever the reason it is good to see both you and your city in good health.”

“I trust you and yours fare likewise?”

Ardgal shrugged nonchalantly, “As good as is to be expected, the days pass too quickly for me however.”

Breogan laughed, “For you and me both Ardgal. Come sit, you have rode direct from Dúnrath have you not? A fact I am most thankful for. We have much to discuss and it would not be possible to express it all through letter, your remarkable birds aside.”

“It was of little consequence to me, we were almost passing by on route to Belvoir in any case. And you are correct there is much we must decide upon. Brandubh informs me you have sent for the Earls.”

“Yes a strong message must be sent, this cannot be allowed go unpunished, the Milesians must pay and pay dearly for such an inciteful act.”

Ardgal placed his hands on the table in front of him, “In blood preferably. But I believe you have the right of it, if we are to make a move it must be as one. I have been in contact with my people also and they have already begun preparations, whatever we decide we will be ready.”

Brandubh placed a beaker of fresh Audair wine from the cellars on the table and poured them each a glass.

“It is my belief that the Milesians do not believe us willing or keen for any sort of conflict. They will think our desire instead to push and protest only to ultimately settle for some financial compensate.”

Ardgal looked intently at him, “Something we may yet exploit.”

“Precisely, why wait for them to strike. Which they will undoubtedly do at some point. This is just the beginning.”

Ardgal ran his hand through his hair, “So it would seem. Though I wonder if the other Earls will see it as such. There are those which claim that some of them are already in bed with the Milesians.”

King Breogan gritted his teeth, “I will not lie to you Ardgal it is for that very reason I have called them all here. I would look into their eyes and see them face to face. The Milesians are not below some underhand deceit or betrayal.”

Brandubh poured them each a fresh round. “That is why we are here now to ensure that it does not. I will have my people see to it that any scent of trickery or treachery is quickly sniffed out and brought to my attention. If there is any we will soon find them.”

Ardgal narrowed his eyes. “We must prepare for all eventualities, that is clear. The Milesians must not be allowed take Aileann, if they do all will suffer, Partholón and Druaidíi alike.”

Breogan nodded and Brandubh along with him. “The Earls shall be here within the week. For now we must bide our time and decide on what we are to do next. You’ll stay awhile Ardgal?”

Ardgal waved his cup in response, “Until the meeting at least.”

The King paused and looked to them both a faint smile on his lips. “So that is what we must do... in the coming days. But let us not forget….has it not been more than a year since you last graced my keep with your presence? We cannot spend every moment worrying, tonight we drink. I have not done so properly in some time and likely will not do again for some time more. Though drinking with a Druaidíi oft ends with me on the verge of Hell itself the day after, tonight we drink. Well Ardgal what say you? Will you join us?”

Ardgal laughed at his eager expression, “One cannot refuse a King though it pains me, I accept your offer.”

“Then it's a plan, come Brandubh get another beaker and we will enjoy tonight at least.”

Brandubh smiled, “I’ll get two just to be sure.”

Breogan clapped his hands in approval and lay down his crown. Tonight at least the worries can wait.