Kingdom of Dragons

by Anna St George

  “Many women are very beautiful. Consider Moira O’Neill. In my good opinion she is indeed a very pretty young lady who is capable of stirring the hearts of men as you say and inspiring men to write love songs. You say this Ava Desmond is such a beauty. We shall see about that,” said Daniel firmly and the old man laughed heartily and rode ahead of him and Daniel thought him very peculiar.

  They headed north towards the hills following a tree lined road that had been used for hundreds of years. Tall majestic oaks and ash mingled with birches and a few hollies and the branches twined around each other from one side of the road to the other like arms embracing. Sun filtered down through the crowning tops of the trees and splashed off leaves, ferns, and creeping plants shining rays of light on the path before them. Through gaps in the trees his eyes beheld pastures of emerald green that were plush and velvety. There had not passed another soul on this road which they travelled on but Daniel could tell from fresh hoof marks that it was used often and had been used recently. He believed he was in pursuit of Ava Desmond.

  The hills were ancient and full of legends. It was in these very hills that St Patrick had travelled as he preached to the old chieftains and drove out the druids and it was amongst these hills on the hill of Tara itself where ancient kings of old held their seats of power. Daniel was well aware of these legends as he rode along and listening to soft singing of birds and branches rippling in the soft breeze and it was as if the voices of the past were echoing in his ears of the glorious wonder of God and his creation.

  It was into these hills they rode for some time before sight nor sound of any human became apparent. “You know we’re near the hill of Tara,” said Rory.

  “Yes, I know,” replied Daniel. “Seats of the ancient kings of Ireland.”

  “Legend says that the ancient Celts believed the hill of Tara held the entrance to the other world. There were 142 kings that ruled from Tara. The greatest and fiercest kings in all of Ireland. King Laeghaire ruled from the hill of Tara and he had powerful wizards who could work strong magic. It is believed that the ghost of a Druid wizard haunts these hills,” he stated very proudly and smiled. For what did this young Englishman know anyway? He was barely eighteen.

  “It is also said, that St Patrick defeated the Druids on the hill of Tara when he confronted the ancient religions of Ireland,” said Daniel with firm conviction. “In fact it was this powerful King Laeghaire who pursued St Patrick with his so called wizards. They blasphemed the name of God and threatened Patrick and he called out to heaven and to the Lord his God and a miracle took place. God defeated Patrick’s enemies there on the hill of Tara and I believe it was on that hill that King Laeghaire got down on his knees and confessed his belief in the only one who could truly save him; the God of Heaven and Earth!” There was a moment of what seemed like perpetual silence and the man Rory didn’t say much after that as his horse led the way through the hills. Daniel knew far more about the history of Ireland than he did.

  They reached the tops of the hills that afternoon and Daniel paused and looked from the east to the west and from the north to the south. The view of rolling green hills and sea in the distance was spectacular.

  “Just look at that. We’re nearly there,” said Rory.

  “Where?” asked Sir Thomas. He was skeptical of this man leading them anywhere.

  “Why we’re nearly in Murphy’s land. Just down below the hills there,” he pointed into the distance. “You can see smoke rising from the village below.”

  “Murphy’s land,” Sir Thomas whispered to Daniel. “It sounds like some fictitious place he goes to when he’s drunk.” He and Daniel both laughed. “Are there little green leprechauns there?” he yelled out to Rory.

  “Sssh,” said Daniel with a grin. “He’ll hear you.”

  “That was the intention Master Daniel. In other words what good is one’s intention if it’s not perceived?”

  “You know, that’s a nice polished knight you brought with you from England. I like his chain mail. It shines so brilliantly just like his mouth. Is he always so abrupt?”

  “”Well,” said Daniel.

  “I’m sure if you want a leprechaun Sir Thomas we can arrange one for you,” Rory replied.

  “No thank you sir. I’ve had breakfast,” replied the abrupt knight.

  Daniel laughed for the first time that day and the carried on following Rory down the hillside and through the gaps in the trees Daniel could see a cottage below and there was smoke filtering out of the chimney in a long smooth trail like a piece of ribbon. He paused momentarily and watched and he wondered if that was Murphy’s place. But suddenly something happened. And Daniel heard a swift whizzing sound and his senses caught him and reminded him. It sounded like the movement of an arrow through the air. “Sir Thomas, watch it!” he yelled.

  Sir Thomas moved and his horse slightly jumped and as he did an arrow pierced his arm. “Bloody hell!” he yelled as the arrow met his flesh.

  “Quickly, move!” said Rory. “That cottage below.”

  The horses raced down the hillside and dodging arrows as they moved along and when they reached the cottage it appeared to be vacant. The hopped off the horses and suddenly an older man appeared. He was about O’Neill’s age. “Quickly, get inside,” the man urged. The three of them went inside without hesitation and the man introduced himself as Ryan and his wife Edith and their daughter Brona. “Let me see to that wound Sir Knight,” she said to him. And he sat on a wooden chair by a table and rolled up his sleeve and Mrs Ryan inspected the arrow wound. “It’s only grazed, thank goodness.” Then she continued to dab some ointment on the wound and cover it with a bandage.

  “Who are those men?” asked Daniel.

  “Men?” said Rory. “Who said they were men?”

  “Do you think it was a woman shooting arrows at us?” asked Daniel. He wasn’t convinced of that.

  “I believe it was the arrows of Ava Desmond. She doesn’t want you to find her.”

  “I don’t believe that,” said Daniel.

  “She’s a very capable woman,” said Rory.

  Ryan sighed. “She’s capable but she’s not stupid and she’s certainly not capable enough to stand up against the likes of this young man here or his knight.”

  “How far are we from Murphy’s land?” asked Daniel.

  “Not far,” said Ryan. “But I wouldn’t venture there. And how do you ya know Ava Desmond is there? I thought she was in the house of her cousin, Angus O’Neill.”

  “Well I was informed earlier that she had taken for the hills to her cousin’s place, a man called Murphy,” said Daniel.

  “She wouldn’t go there,” said Ryan. “Her father and Murphy didn’t get along. To go there would be like dishonouring her father. Something she would never do. She loved her father to bits.”

  “Absolutely,” said Ryan’s wife.

  “Really,” said Daniel. “Did you not see her pass through here earlier?”

  “No, but there was a woman on horseback but it wasn’t Ava.”

  And Daniel was in deep thought about it all and for some reason it all seemed like a farce. Nothing made sense. Was this some wild goose chase they were on? He had his doubts. And When Ryan offered them beds for the night and a price that was ridiculous Daniel declined. But as they were about to leave the rain set in. It came down in heavy droves like a waterfall and Daniel had second thoughts. “Perhaps a bed for the night would be good.”

  Daniel was put in a room with his companion Sir Thomas and they each had a large wood framed bed with a thick feather mattress and Daniel sunk down into it with ease. He was tired after so much travel however the tumultuous weather prevented his sleep and he tossed and turned all that night. The wind howled like a wolf and trees rattled against the window but by the time morning sun crept in through the windows of the small cottage, Daniel was sleeping soundly and he woke to the smell of bacon cooking. He pulled himself up and Tom had already risen. By the time he was dressed and outside, Tom and Ro
ry had the horses saddled and ready to go.

  “Ready for another day of it lad?” asked Rory.

  “I am,” he replied with confidence.

  “Are you sure you’re not too tired. We could always go back. I mean you might never find Ava. You could always go back and tell your father you couldn’t find her. It’s as simple as that,” said Rory but Sir Thomas sighed in offense at his gesture.

  “No, that is NOT an option,” said Daniel firmly. “My father sent me here to escort Ava back to fulfill an agreement he made with her father and I’m not leaving without her.”

  “Please yourself lad but I think you’re wasting your time,” said Rory.

  They hopped on the horses and headed back onto the road after they said goodbye to the farmer and his family. And it was halfway down the road that Daniel kept replaying Rory’s words in his mind; I think you’re wasting your time lad, you might never find her. Why had he said that?

  And no sooner had these thoughts entered Daniel’s mind that they reached a tavern at the bottom of the hills. It was called Connla’s Tavern. “Why don’t we stop here for a while and take a rest,” said Rory.

  “Yeah alright,” Daniel agreed as he slid off his horse. They went inside the thatched roof cottage that was empty except for one customer, plus the proprietor who was of course Connla.

  “Welcome lads! What can I get for you on this lovely day?”

  “A round of drinks,” said Rory.

  “By the way, have you seen a young woman pass through here?” asked Daniel. “A very attractive woman with long red hair and she was wearing a cape.”

  “Well now,” said Connla scratching his chin. “Does sound familiar but with all the visitors we get I’m not sure.”

  Daniel thought that was a very peculiar response as there was no one there and the tavern itself was sitting on the side of remote hill in the middle of nowhere. He looked around cautiously but there was not a soul in sight. “Yeah, it’s really busy,” said Daniel sarcastically.

  “You all make yourselves at home and I’ll get the drinks.”

  They all sat down at a table and within minutes Connla brought the drinks over. “So where are we?” asked Daniel turning to their guide, Rory.

  “Are we anywhere near Murphy’s place?” asked Tom.

  “Not far now,” said Rory.

  “I wonder where that girl is?” asked Daniel and his eyes drifted off towards the small window and outside and in the distance he could see a horse moving and suddenly he saw her. It was the silhouette of a woman on horseback and her red hair was flowing in the wind. “Look! That’s her!” shouted Daniel.

  The three men were out of their seats and heading outside in the bat of an eyelid and the horses were urged on so quickly they were kicking up dust and debris and within seconds they were galloping down the trail again. Daniel had his eyes on the red flowing hair and he was certain this was Ava. “There’s no way she’ll escape us now! It’s only a matter of time!”

  They pursued the horse over the countryside, over stone walls and through bush, they pursued the young woman. Daniel noted she was a very experienced rider as she seemed glued to the saddle never once wavering over the choppy terrain through which they galloped. However, none of them calculated the muddy patch on the trail from the heavy rain the previous evening and her horse slid on the patch and stumbled and Ava went flying over the horses head and down into the mud. Daniel quickly dismounted his horse and was standing at her side.

  Now here he was face to face with her but he couldn’t see her face very well concealed under a green cloak. “Ava! Ava Desmond!” Daniel shouted. He had quite enough of her tricks. Suddenly Thud! She pushed him and he was knocked to the ground but Daniel was quick and he pulled her down and struggled on the ground with her and they rolled back and forth fighting for the position of power. But suddenly he found he had her pinned to the ground. She was breathing heavily; a lovely beauty with long thick reddish gold tresses and stormy blue eyes but he still didn’t think she was as lovely as Moira. And when she stood up he noticed she had a nice figure with a large bust that was bubbling over the top of her dress and her face and lips were painted and to Daniel she seemed more like a barmaid, the kind of girl that Gilbert would like. She didn’t seem anything like the only beloved daughter of a well-respected war Lord.. “Ava Desmond, I presume. The name is Daniel. Daniel Godwyn, third son of the Earl of Northumbria.”

  He stood to his feet and put his hand out to help her but she pulled herself up without his help. “You’re just a child. How old are you? Twelve,” she snickered.”

  “I’m not twelve!” he said with annoyance. “I’m nearly eighteen.

  “You’re seventeen,” she said smartly. “That figures! Boys are always sent to do a man’s job.”

  “I am not a boy!” he said bitterly.

  “Of course, sir,” she mocked as her eyes perused his form which in truth he had a desirable form but she would not admit that to him. “You’ve come a long way young Daniel and pursued me over these hills. What is it you want?’

  “Indeed mi’lady I have travelled far in search of you at the command of my father, Lord Eustace Godwyn, the twelfth Earl of Northumbria, second cousin to your late father, Lord Desmond through their mothers. I have endured great tribulations mi’lady in pursuit of you.”

  “Really?” she mused with delight. “Great tribulations. What sort of tribulations?” She was totally enthralled at the idea for many men had already endured great tribulations in pursuit of her.

  “Firstly, Madam, the crossing of the Irish Sea though not far in distance was not an easy one as the weather fought against us the whole way. I arrived on solid ground and within minutes my companion and I were taken captive by the O’Neill.”

  “Ahh, the O’Neill,” she mused. “Yes there would be tribulation. I’m sure. Did he torture you?”

  “He threw me into a pit of hungry wolfhounds.”

  “And you survived!” she exclaimed with amazement.

  “Yes mi’lady. As you see. My faith in God kept me safe.”

  “Not even a scratch on your soft delicate, English skin,” she spoke nearly in a whisper as she ran her hand across his cheek and he flicked his head away. Had it been his brother Gilbert he would have been bowing to her every whim and Daniel could now see why his father sent him instead.

  “My father sends his condolence in your time of grief and is aware that you must be in deep pain over your recent loss, however he is concerned for your current position.”

  “My position?” she questioned. “Why is he concerned?”

  “Well, mi’lady. Surely you are aware of the agreement made between my father, Lord Godwyn and your father, Lord Desmond that would join our two houses. This is an agreement that was made almost twenty years ago and my father is a man of his word and he has sent me here to escort you back to Northumbria to wed my brother, Sir Gilbert of Berwyck.”

  There was a deadening silence as Ava pondered his words and Daniel waited patiently for her response. “Gilbert? He is your second eldest brother, is he not?”

  “Yes, mi’lady.”

  She sighed with exasperation. “So you tell me that not only must I marry but it must be to the second son? Am I not to marry the son who will inherit his father’s seat as Lord of Northumbria?” Her blue eyes were stormy like a raging sea.

  “But my brother Gilbert is a very honourable man and he will inherit an estate of his own. He has been knighted some years now and has competed in many tournaments. He has a good reputation I assure you,” said Daniel standing firmly and resolute with his dark silk hair swept back and his eyes a fierce blue. He wasn’t about to give in as young as he was. “Why don’t you come and meet him and judge him for yourself. If you don’t like him you could always come back.”

  “Could I?” she questioned in disbelief.

  “Of course.”

  “Wouldn’t your father hold me to it?”

  “No, certainly not.”

  Sh
e sighed deeply. “Very well. I will come with you back to the O’Neil and if he commands me to go I will. If not I will stay.”

  “What about your father? He made this arrangement for you. Will you go against his wishes?”

  Ava turned away with annoyance and she got on her horse and Daniel used a rope to connect her horse to his so she couldn’t run off. And it was the following day when they arrived back at the O’Neill stronghold and the gates pulled back as they rode in and several gathered around and watched with interest. “I found her,” said Daniel as he got off his horse.

  O’Rourke smiled. “That’s good lad. Real good.” And he glanced at Ava and she smiled sweetly.

  “I need to see O’Neill straight away but first I’ll freshen up. Take Ava inside and don’t let her out of your sight for a second.”

  “Of course not lad.”

  Daniel turned and went inside and had he seen the smirk on O’Rourke’s face he might have guessed he was a participant in a silly game and he went inside without a clue. He washed and changed into fresh clothes and when he came downstairs that night with Tom he looked more like the son of an Earl. He stood near the door of the great hall and perused the scene and he saw Ava Desmond sitting on a young man’s lap and laughing and drinking and he shook his head and smirked. “I’m glad I’m not marrying her. Gilbert can have her.”

  “They will suit each other well, Master Daniel.”

  “What’s that young man?” asked an old woman that Daniel had never seen before. She was seated near the doorway and she seemed rather well situated Daniel noticed from her appearance. He could tell from her tone of voice and dress that she was of higher rank in the area. She stood to her feet and she was a good strong height for a woman.