 The Hunt for the Nine Sacred Woods
Created by: * Glaisne Niall, 2007-10-18 05:03:13
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I set out from Dunadd and headed south for Ebrauc in the kingdom of Llogres. I arrived feeling very tired and decided to find a spot to rest and re-fuel. I found a wonderful pub, Ty Claddagh. I entered and found a seat. There was much rejoicing, drinking, and flirting. This was Beltaine, it was a pub, and love was in the air. There were many fine ladies of all sorts. I had a few quick drinks, but was hungry! I had to leave and find some food. The little money I had went for the spirits, so I decided to procure my own. Fishing, to me, is the easiest. I headed down the hill and found a river headed for the sea. After two hours of no fish I was ready to give up when I caught a salmon! It wasn't large, but three more soon followed. I had quite a feast! I gutted and washed them and spitted them over a fire. Soon afterwards, my belly full, I fell asleep under the stars dreaming of the hunt that would take place tomorrow, back in Ebrauc.
I awoke the next morning to the sound of a bard's music. His voice was in my head, singing of a journey that I would embark on and be successful none the less. By Fionn, what prophecy! I rushed into Ebrauc to await the start of the hunt. A small group had gathered and we enjoyed some light banter while waiting for the start. There was a great delay and I decided to pass the time in Ty Claddagh once again. The meade there was the sweetest I had tasted since I entered Alba. When I returned to the troupe, it seemed people had already started and others were just confused. I was a little confused myself! The hosts were scurrying around mumbling curses under their breath and shouting at the sky, but finally they came together and told us to get on with it.
What a hunt it was! My totem, birch, was found quickly. But the rest were quite a challenge! I traveled throughout Alba and crossed the Irish Sea to find a few woods. I returned to Alba at Cornwall and then crossed the channel into Gaul. Finding nothing, I moved through the mountain passes into Iberia and found a wood in the ancient lands of the Milesi. There was still one left! I heard tales of an Enchantress of a red moon and a dreadful bird that watched over her land. A Dark Sorcerer had been seen consorting with her. I sought her out in Gaul and entered her land. It was a frightening place, but I found the last wood, willow, within her confines and returned to Ebrauc unscaithed. I was not the first to return, but I claimed my reward of 1,500 srti..
I filled my flask at Ty Claddagh headed north for the lands above The Wall. I heard of fighting going on in the Lothians and decided it may be worth my while to lend a hand. I saw no signs of battle and was ready to turn west for Dunadd when I learned that it was the Scots at Dun Barre that were underseige by hordes of Saxons. Fellow Scots! I rushed to the castle but my path was cut off. I waited until nightfall and slew two Saxons to gain access to a boat. I braved the coastal tumult and acheived the quay. The porters their immediately recognised me as a Scot and helped me into the castle. "Who is in charge?" I was escorted through a castle thrown into disarray to a woman of wonderful features. She introduced herself as Beithe. What providence, O Beithe of Ostara. She explained that the Lord and his Lady were off to the north, to meet MacAlpin; he was fighting the Picts. "Och, I must be there! Surely my Cheif, Godfruich, is there as well." I turned to leave, but Beithe grabbed my arm. "Do not leave! You are the only warrior we have! I am a good leader, but not a warrior. If you fight for me, I will give you my hand in marriage." Wow! The gods are screaming at me today! Beithe was a fine woman. She was proud of her land, with hair that moved like water and beautiful skin that kept close to her wonderful curves. I agreed to her proposal and immediately began ordering conscript archers to the castel walls. We would have to play a little...dirty. In the beginning the Saxons through waves of men to the walls, but the walls were steep and across a moat. Any attempt by the Saxons was stopped by a barrage of boulders and hot oil. More than a few arrows were loosed. The saxons did not have a good selection of seige weapons, thank Lugh, but they did have more food than us and were getting more with forays into the surrounding lands. They stopped attacking and tried to wait us out. I forsaw this, and decided not to let them get away easy with it. Over the fight a few archers had become exceptional and I ordered them to the walls once again. "If anybody comes in range, fire at will." Everyday my archers took pot-shots at saxons and everyday saxons fell. At night we aimed at fires and drunks that wondered to close. After a while, with Dun Barre at the brink of starvation, the Saxon horde headed south for Lugdunum and The Wall. The Scots rejoiced and Beithe embraced me. "My husband!" "Not yet," I exclaimed, and picked her up and carried her through the castle until we found a wonderfully wide and padded pallate. I closed the door in order to shut out he yells of guffaws. I lit a fire and stood over the woman that was already undressed and laying across the bed. I too stripped my clothes and lowered my self onto Beithe. "Now we will be married!"
We stayed at Dun Barre until the Lord returned and we explained what happened. He was more than glad to part with Beithe as payment for my services and related also that MacAlpin was victorious, but Godfruich had been slain. He had named Niallghusa as Prince of Dal Riata and he was in charge of the Oirgialla in Dal Riata. Too bad, I thought, Godfruich was a good friend.
Beithe and I left Dun Barre and headed west, passing Dun Eidyn and then Loch Lomond until we reached Dunadd. We settled down at the Bothan na Oirghialla for a time, but this was no home for a marriage. I told Beithe that we would return to my ancester's Dun in Eire were we will be welcomed with no question. There we could make plans for a proper home...
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