Roma Mater Read Online Free PDF

are a stripling,’ Niall said, though he smiled more kindly than he had done since his return. ‘Be patient. You’ll be winning fame aplenty in due course.’
    Breccan swallowed, stood his ground, and said stoutly, ‘Seven years it’s been since I took valour. You told me then that I should have to wait no longer than that.’ He appealed to the Queen. ‘Mother, did he not indeed?’
    She, who was in truth his stepmother but had always got along with him, smiled in her turn. ‘Niall, darling,’ she said, ‘I remember you promised he should – farewidely, those were your words – after seven years. And did not yourself do the same?’
    Niall’s countenance darkened. She made a mistake when she reminded him of his own stepmother and how Mongfind schemed his destruction for the sake of her sons by his father.
    Laidchenn maqq Barchedo spoke softly: ‘It is to the glory of the King when someone recalls his exploits. This is also true of deeds done together by brothers among whom there was faith.’
    For a heartbeat Niall’s mouth tightened. But he could not gainsay an ollam poet, who moreover was a guest and the former pupil of his foster-father. Nor did the man from Mumu intend anything but good. He merely called to mind that the sons of Mongfind had themselves never conspired against Niall but had become his trusty followers; and that he had no right to suspect his wife of urging Breccan into early battle, to get him out of the way of her sons.
    The King eased. ‘We shall see,’ he told the boy. ‘Do you begin by learning how to wait. You will do enough of that in war.’ Suddenly he grinned. ‘And likewise you will know chills, rains, mud, growling belly, weary feet, grumbling men, and baggage trains gone astray. Not to talk of dripping noses, runny guts, and never a woman for your bed!’
    Gladness went through listeners like a wave. For the first time since coming back to Ériu, himself seemed cheerful. Well, this was the eve of Brigit, and She a healing Goddess.
    Meanwhile guests had come crowding about. Men gave their weapons into the care of attendants, for it was gess to go armed into this house. The very eating-knives must be solely in the hands of the servers who would carve the joints. Their shields the men turned over to the steward.Aided by household staff, he bore them inside. There the royal senchaide directed where they should hang, in order of dignity, so that each owner would go straight to his place without scrambles or quarrels. It took a knowledge of lineages and histories through long generations. Dusk had deepened before all was ready and a horn blew invitation.
    Magnificent was the Feasting Hall on Temir. The earthwork that sheltered it was not round but seven hundred and fifty feet in length, ninety feet in width; and the building left scant room between. Although it had stood for more than two years, and would be torn down this year before a new one was raised for the next Harvest Fair, it did not much show wear. Peeled upright poles making the walls were still bright, ties and chinking still solid; winds had not disturbed the intricately woven patterns of the thatch.
    Within, the double rows of pillars upholding that high roof would be reused, as great as they were and as thickly carved with magical figures. Lamps hanging from the rafters and a fire in a pit at the middle gave light to see by, reflecting off gold and burnished bronze. Down the length of the nave, servers stood ready to carve the meat that kitchen help were bringing in from the cookhouse. Guests took benches along the aisles, before which were trestle tables bearing cups of mead. Foremost, at the centre of the east side, was Niall’s place, flanked by the men of greatest honour. Fifty guards stood in attendance, also disarmed but their shields and helmets asheen in unrestful shadows.
    The Queen and other women sat opposite. Unlike most homes, at Temir it was not usual for them to join the men at feast. Instead, they