Chapter 8: Going Underground

Bee drew her dagger and dropped into a crouch. The killer’s appearance changed back to the man she knew as Dornálaí, his hammer vanishing and his flowery ears returning. Holding up his palms, he said, “You are not in danger from me, Bee.”

“Who are ye?”

“I think you already know who I am.”

Remaining in her crouch, with the dagger angled up, Bee watched the ringfighter and thought she had recognized him during the change but could not place where from. Casting her mind back, she realized he’d been one of the Tuatha standing behind her in her dream. One of The Three. Because of his bearing, she was sure the one sitting on a rock was Credne, the Silversmith. The hammer he used to kill Finn put the ringfighter squarely in the realm of the blacksmith.

“Ye’re Goibniu, The Smith,” she said.

“See, I told you.”

“Why did ye kill Finn?” she asked, not changing her posture. Sure she could not beat him in a contest dagger to hammer, she started to draw earth power, trying to conceal it from the Tuatha.

“You won’t need that, Bee. Like I said, I mean you no harm.”

“Why did you kill Finn,” she repeated.

“Danu instructed him to prevent you from reaching Brenós at all costs. As he was unable to divert you from entering the tunnels, he would have cut our throats at the first opportunity, probably while we were sleeping. I have managed to watch him up to now, but I would have closed my eyes eventually. My only choice was kill or die.”

“Ye expect me to believe ye after that?” How did he even get here? Two nights ago, he was visiting my dreams, and now here he is.

“Let me just say, Bechuille, that if I meant you harm, I could have killed you the other night as you slept. Instead, I kept watch to make sure Finn did not decide to complete his mission by removing you. You know he met with Brenós in Bacca when he was meant to be tracking him?”

“Why?”

“Brenós was dallying. Finn warned him that you were arriving and urged him to leave.”

“How do ye know this?”

“As you have witnessed, I am good with disguise. I sat beside the two in the Boiled Cock—hidden in the shadows—and listened to their whispered conversation.”

“Why didn’t ye tell me straight away?”

“In truth, I was hoping to remain hidden. I thought about pushing Finn off a ledge when we were in the tunnels, and you were not looking, but I realized he would be watching for it. He let down his guard just now, and I used my opportunity.”

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And why not use earth power? she wondered before realizing Danu would be watching and would see it. But even that thought relied on his having been truthful about what he was saying. If Finn wasn’t working for Danu, why would she be watching? With that thought, Bee switched to another concern: “If he worked for Danu, why’d he tell me about Myrddin?”

“Come now. Besides a secret always being better shrouded in half-truths, he could not know what An Dagda might have said. Your Master might have revealed all before he sent you.”

“If he thought that, he didn’t know the Chief too well, so he didn’t.”

“I agree,” Dornálaí said, his tone one of frustration.

Bee nodded and resheathed her dagger. Although still unconvinced, she was beginning to see the logic in the Tautha’s argument. Perhaps the most pertinent of his points was that he could have killed her while she was sleeping. What would be the point of this elaborate game in the face of that knowledge?

None at all. But can I trust him?

Staring at Dornálaí, standing with his arms crossed, she wanted to believe. It would be far easier than not believing. However, there was one more aspect of the story she thought needed clarity. “How did you get here?”

“I have been here for many summers. Everything I told you about Ruirech and his father was true. I came through the gate at Slíabh Culinn and took up the role of ringfighter at Bairrfind’s suggestion. She thought it a good way to blend in. I am not sure my face agrees,” he concluded, running a hand over his scars. “I was spying on the King of Middle Kingdom when I punched Balor in the face. We—Bairrfind and I—thought King Sengann would join Myrddin in his struggles.”

“So, what now?”

“Now, we continue as planned and use the tunnels to try and stop your brother from reaching Myrddin.”

“But why is it necessary?” Bee suddenly realized.

“I am not sure I follow you.”

“Ye brothers came to me in a dream. Why does Danu not pass the information to Myrddin in the same way?”

“The necromancer is shut up in his tower, surrounded by warriors he raised from the dead and wards the Mother Goddess gave him. Danu did not want your Master to influence her pet sorcerer. She only discovered the information after she shrouded him in spells to keep him safe.”

“So, what’s the weapon?”

“Danu told Brenós where Liá Fáil is hidden.”

“The Stone of Destiny?” Bee couldn’t keep the incredulity out of her voice. She’d heard that An Dagda had filled the stone with his earth power but hadn’t believed the words between the roundhouses. She would never have believed her Chief could be so innocent.

But the Five Kingdoms were his dream, so that might explain it. Many a foolish path has been followed chasing dreams.

“How is that a weapon?”

“Myrddin has aligned with the Giant. If he gives Partholón access to the stone’s power, he will have the means to escape Tartarus, breaking the cycle. That would be a disaster for the Five Kingdoms.”

“Why will it threaten the Realm?”

Dornálaí turned away. Bee might have read the move as a sign of a coming lie, but she suspected it had more to do with worry. She sensed that The Smith was genuinely fearful of what might happen.

“He is playing Danu and An Dagda against each other to maneuver a conquest of the Realm.”

“How could ye possibly know that?” Bee scoffed.

“Let me just say I know and ask you to trust me.”

“For now, I’ll trust ye. One more thing I must ask: where is Liá Fáil?”

“Ah, now, I wish I knew. Unfortunately, the only one in the Five Kingdoms who knows is Brenós.”