Read Online The Legends by Robert E. Connolly - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Robert E. Connolly
Ads: Link
the queen took the news with relatively good spirits so for the moment he would live to see another day. Although the children were completely secure in Emain Macha, discovering that they were to be moved was a stroke of good fortune that brought a twisted smile to Maeve’s face.
Maeve called for her chief druid Lugain and explained what her spy had reported. “So, my learned friend,” she asked, “if you were Cathbad what day might be particularly fortunate for offering Cúchulainn’s whelps to Lugh of the Long Hand.”
The last thing that Lugain wanted to do was make a pronouncement that would prove to be incorrect so he answered, “It is very difficult to say without knowing everything about the children, including their exact birth date and time.”
The queen had grown accustomed to such waffling so she assured her advisor with a sneer, “I am not going to hold you to anything you might suggest so perhaps you could give me some idea, even without all that information you so desperately require.”
Although still suspicious and concerned for his own welfare, Lugain responded, “Well I would think that the date would be sooner rather than later. Perhaps someday around the first of May since Beltaine is generally considered a lucky day.”
“Now that wasn’t too difficult,” Maeve responded. “Sooner rather than later. And tell me; without further study might you be able to give me some idea as to where Cathbad is likely to offer this sacrifice to the gods.”
Lugain’s complexion turned dark red with rage at the queen’s goading but he knew better than to respond with any comment that might be deemed to be impertinent. He simply said, “I would assume somewhere near the banks of the Boyne but I am aware of at least a dozen possible places stretching for miles along that river. Then again Cathbad might know of some other place entirely so I wouldn’t be able to say with any certainty.”
Maeve closed her eyes and shook her head, “I wish I could figure out why I keep the likes of you around. I can’t remember the last time you said anything useful. Please get out of my sight before I become ill.”
Turning an even darker shade of red, Lugain said nothing but turned and departed. Did she not know of the mysterious and magical powers possessed by the druids… well most druids? Although Lugain was well trained in the druidic arts he knew that he did not possess the natural instincts that enabled the great druids like Cathbad to exercise amazing power, like controlling the elements. Lugain’s training gave him a moderate level of knowledge and practical skills but he wished he had been blessed with true power. There was nothing he would rather do than laugh in Maeve’s face and leave her with a curse that would destroy her world. Unfortunately that was only wishful thinking and he was forced to grovel before her to maintain his position in her court.
Assuming that she could rely on the sketchy information Lugain provided, Maeve decided that the fates might be arranging themselves to her advantage. As it happened, her champions under Fineen’s command were ideally located, encamped not far from the Boyne. Maeve doubted that Conchubar would send a large force to support those transporting the children because he had no reason to suspect that she was planning to intercept the twins. As a result, her champions should be able to grab the children after Cathbad’s entourage was out of range of Emain Macha’s support and before they reached their destination.
Since she didn’t want to leave Fineen and his men in the field longer than necessary, “sooner rather than later” was also encouraging. Hopefully Fineen could conclude his mission before his continuing presence so far from Connaught became too suspicious.
Finally, the idea that Lugh of the Long Hand would take Cúchulainn’s whelps into the lands of the Tuatha De Danann struck Maeve as preposterous. She never heard of such a thing happening
Maeve called for her chief druid Lugain and explained what her spy had reported. “So, my learned friend,” she asked, “if you were Cathbad what day might be particularly fortunate for offering Cúchulainn’s whelps to Lugh of the Long Hand.”
The last thing that Lugain wanted to do was make a pronouncement that would prove to be incorrect so he answered, “It is very difficult to say without knowing everything about the children, including their exact birth date and time.”
The queen had grown accustomed to such waffling so she assured her advisor with a sneer, “I am not going to hold you to anything you might suggest so perhaps you could give me some idea, even without all that information you so desperately require.”
Although still suspicious and concerned for his own welfare, Lugain responded, “Well I would think that the date would be sooner rather than later. Perhaps someday around the first of May since Beltaine is generally considered a lucky day.”
“Now that wasn’t too difficult,” Maeve responded. “Sooner rather than later. And tell me; without further study might you be able to give me some idea as to where Cathbad is likely to offer this sacrifice to the gods.”
Lugain’s complexion turned dark red with rage at the queen’s goading but he knew better than to respond with any comment that might be deemed to be impertinent. He simply said, “I would assume somewhere near the banks of the Boyne but I am aware of at least a dozen possible places stretching for miles along that river. Then again Cathbad might know of some other place entirely so I wouldn’t be able to say with any certainty.”
Maeve closed her eyes and shook her head, “I wish I could figure out why I keep the likes of you around. I can’t remember the last time you said anything useful. Please get out of my sight before I become ill.”
Turning an even darker shade of red, Lugain said nothing but turned and departed. Did she not know of the mysterious and magical powers possessed by the druids… well most druids? Although Lugain was well trained in the druidic arts he knew that he did not possess the natural instincts that enabled the great druids like Cathbad to exercise amazing power, like controlling the elements. Lugain’s training gave him a moderate level of knowledge and practical skills but he wished he had been blessed with true power. There was nothing he would rather do than laugh in Maeve’s face and leave her with a curse that would destroy her world. Unfortunately that was only wishful thinking and he was forced to grovel before her to maintain his position in her court.
Assuming that she could rely on the sketchy information Lugain provided, Maeve decided that the fates might be arranging themselves to her advantage. As it happened, her champions under Fineen’s command were ideally located, encamped not far from the Boyne. Maeve doubted that Conchubar would send a large force to support those transporting the children because he had no reason to suspect that she was planning to intercept the twins. As a result, her champions should be able to grab the children after Cathbad’s entourage was out of range of Emain Macha’s support and before they reached their destination.
Since she didn’t want to leave Fineen and his men in the field longer than necessary, “sooner rather than later” was also encouraging. Hopefully Fineen could conclude his mission before his continuing presence so far from Connaught became too suspicious.
Finally, the idea that Lugh of the Long Hand would take Cúchulainn’s whelps into the lands of the Tuatha De Danann struck Maeve as preposterous. She never heard of such a thing happening
Similar Books
