Andrew Offutt: The Sword of the Gael

Their dark reverie was interrupted by an apologetic page, who advised the Ard-righ that Bas the Druid wished to speak with him.

“I am occupied with guests,” Erca said.

“I know of your guests, and their identity,” a new voice said, and all looked up as the robed man entered on feet that made no sound. “It is apology I make, to all, and beg the High-king to hear me in the presence of these others. What I have to tell you is of interest to all here-and particularly to Cormac mac Art.” And the Druid astonished them still further, by bowing his head to the man he named.

Erca sighed. “Bas, Bas,” he said, shaking his head. “I have allowed you much freedom of movement because of my wife, and endured much from the priests who think it worse than unseemly that I am brother-in-law to a Druid.” Nor was his voice wholly pleasant.

“With your leave, lord High-king,” Cormac mac Art said, “I congratulate you upon it!”

Cethern turned away; Ceann and Samaire smiled openly-as did the slim man who was brother to the High-king’s lady, and him born to far more than priesthood in a dying faith.

Erca sighed. “Speak, Bas.”

“I shall be swift, my lord. It is simply this: it was a Leinsterman called out that Crom demanded Cormac mac Art’s trial by the twin fires of Behltain. It was a Leinsterman, too, sought his death by means both sorcerous and earthly. Both were Druids, and we stood disgraced. But the High Lord Crom has given us back our respect, for he showed all the right. At the same time, he punished one not worthy of his priesthood. Cormac mac Art was absolved and cleared in the eyes of all men when he passed the tests imposed on him and proved himself worthy even of the old Fianna. And he was absolved in the eyes of… others, when it was clear that Crom and Behl favored him even over a Druid!”

“I think I like what you are saying, Bas, but you have promised to be brief and have spoken at length.”

“Apology, my lord-I was born to a father who held royal ambition for me. My message to you and to Cormac mac Art is that in our eyes the gods have shown clearly their favour, and none of us would dare presume to try him the more. There will be no trial by the fire of Behltain for Cormac mac Art, favoured of the gods themselves.”

Bas the Druid left the room on soundless feet.

Samaire gazed at Cormac, and her face seemed afraid to smile, though it wanted to.

Into the silence the High-king of Eirrin said, “Cormac mac Art, you have been cleared and absolved of all charges by the Feis Mor, by virtue of your enduring the physical trials imposed on you, and now by the Druids themselves. Eirrin born and Eirrin returned, you are a free man of Eirrin… and with honour.”

Still Cormac was unable to speak-neither, indeed, was either Ceann or Samaire, who looked at him with tears brimming on the green pools of her eyes.

And the High-king said, “Welcome home, Cormac mac Art.”