Black Richard's Heart (The MacCulloughs #1) - Suzan Tisdale Page 0,56

for four small slivers of wood from Dagda’s club.”

Colyne and Raibeart were taken aback. “Slivers of wood?” Colyne asked. “That does not sound like much of a reward.

“Aye,” Raibeart agreed. “Slivers of wood when he could have asked for gold or strength or power?”

Aeschene smiled at the two young lads. “Well, one might think it a foolish thing to ask for, until ye hear the rest of the story.”

Both boys fell silent, eagerly awaiting to find out more.

“Dagda thought ’twas an odd request as well, but he peeled off the four slivers of wood and gave them to Raulf.” She fell silent.

“And?” ’Twas Rory who asked that particular question. He was leaning over the table with keen interest.

Aeschene smiled at him. “Well, Raulf took the slivers back to his home. ’Tis said he made some verra special things with them.”

“What things?” Raibeart asked.

“He took the longest sliver and wrapped it in the finest steel and made the most beautiful sword. ’Tis said ye will find an angry dragon wrapped around the hilt and an inscription on the blade. ’Tis written in letters used by the gods. The sword will no bend or break, it cannae be smelted or scratched. The other sliver, he broke in half and made gauntlets. Those are just as strong as the sword, ye ken.”

“And the other two?” Rory asked, hanging on every word.

“Ah, the final two pieces,” Aeschene said as if she’d forgotten. “He broke one of them in half and formed a cross,” she demonstrated by crossing her index fingers. “He covered that cross in steel and leather to make the finest shield man has ever laid eyes upon. And with the last? He took days to bend and form it in order to make a helm.”

“What did he do with them?” Lachlan asked with a good measure of skepticism.

“Well, as the story was told to me, Raulf wrapped these precious things into a bundle and went off to find Dagda. He wanted to give these things to the all father as a gift. On his way through the woods, he came across Aoibheall.”

Colyne and Raibeart gasped in horror and crossed themselves. “Did she appear as an auld hag? Did she have her harp?” Raibeart asked breathlessly. Legend had it that Aoibheall possessed a magic harp and anyone who heard it did not live long enough to tell the tale.

“Nay, she appeared as a beautiful young maiden!” Aeschene said. “As for her harp, me grandsire made no mention of it.”

“What did she do?” Raibeart asked.

“Well, Raulf did not ken who she was, for he had never seen her before. Bein’ the beauty she was, and as cunning as she was, she stopped him, deep in the woods, pretending to be an innocent maiden. Who be ye? She asked him, battin’ her eyelashes and lookin’ coy. Raulf, bein’ alone now for many years since his wife died, he was taken aback by her beauty. He gave her his name. And what are ye doin’ all alone in these woods, she asked him. He explained to her what had happened with Dagda’s daughter and how he had made a gift for the good god.

Well, as we all ken, Aoibheall be a mean spirited, selfish, auld hag. And cunning. She asked Raulf to show her the gifts. Being the kind man he was, and believin’ she was naught more than a sweet young lass, he laid his bundle on the forest floor and unwrapped it. Aoibheall was jealous of the gifts. So jealous and angry she was, she turned herself back into the auld hag. She took the sword and the helm and gauntlets and shield and with her great strength, she flung them far and wide! And they were never to be seen again.” Aeschene looked sad at the telling of it.

“Now, me grandsire told me that whosoever shall find the sword, the gauntlets, the helm and shield, shall be a man most powerful and strong. For these things can never be destroyed, at least not by men. He told me once, that a man named Kevyn found the sword long, long ago and used it to slay ten thousand demons in one night. But that, lads, would be a story for another night.”

Daniel and Rory each let out low whistles. “That was a fine story ye told, m’lady,” Daniel said with a smile.

“’Tis the truth it be one I have never heard before,” Rory admitted.

Colyne climbed onto his knees and leaned over across the table.