Post by Loegaire mac Niell on May 20, 2016 13:58:46 GMT
Niall, finally recovering from his injuries, rode North with Loegaire, Fiachre and Ailill, as well as his stalwart druid Malgarb. This was their homeland. The Ulaid had occupied the Royal fort at Emain Macha for centuries. Though Tara was the ceremonial seat of the High-King. Na Emain was much larger, boasting a hill fort, fortified crannogs built upon the natural loch and one made by man. There was a deep trench around the wooden walls, which could be flooded should the Crannogs fail to halt attackers. It boasted stables, roundhouses and a number of craftsmen, smiths and armouries. The walls were decorated with stakes, bare at this time, though usually presenting the severed heads of fallen enemies to all those who entered. Standing stones were placed around both the exterior and the interior and the floors of the roundhouse was made of intricately crafted stone, thus allowing the Tuatha de Denann a vessel through which they could observe their mortal kin. The most important of these stones stood ten foot tall either side of the fort, and predated the settlement itself. It is from these the site received it's name 'the Twins of Macha.' It truly was a site to behold.
As they arrived, they were welcomed by Eogan mac Niell, who had used Na Emain as a staging ground to advance his own power within the Kingdom, forging out the nearby lands of Tir Eogan. Niall had not been to Emain Macha since he was a young man, and he had never visited since he had become High-King as most of his enemies sought refuge further south. However, this would be the perfect place to prepare for the wars to come. The Cruthin, the painted ones, lived to the North. Their presence as an independent Over-Kingdom was becoming a hindrance to Niall's own Kingship. There was another reason that relocating to Na Emain was a good strategic decision. Loegaire had regaled Niall about the events of the raid at Alt Clut, although the results had been pleasing, the events had been perplexing. It is true that the Ceithern would outnumber the retinue of the distant King, but if he had put up a fight then he could have saved his subjects from capture. Perhaps he was simply a coward, or maybe he was weak or selfish and cared little for his people. Or he might be planning some greater vengeance after finding time to raise a real army, Emain Macha was only three days march from the sea, perfectly placed should the Briton King approach.
Speaking before a gathered crowd at Na Emain, Niall called upon men to approach the provincial Kings with a request to raise the levies. 100 Aurei worth of cattle, that most valuable resource, would be distributed among them as a pre-payment. The Ceithern in Niall's retinue would also be afforded 100 Aurei of weapons, jewelry and livestock to keep for themselves or send to their families. Malgarb the druid, following his good work prior to the Battle of the Boyne, was asked to divine the strength of the Painted Ones. Eogan was sent to the Laighin, they would not be asked to commit their forces at this juncture, but it was best to be prepared and have a presence in their lands.
As they arrived, they were welcomed by Eogan mac Niell, who had used Na Emain as a staging ground to advance his own power within the Kingdom, forging out the nearby lands of Tir Eogan. Niall had not been to Emain Macha since he was a young man, and he had never visited since he had become High-King as most of his enemies sought refuge further south. However, this would be the perfect place to prepare for the wars to come. The Cruthin, the painted ones, lived to the North. Their presence as an independent Over-Kingdom was becoming a hindrance to Niall's own Kingship. There was another reason that relocating to Na Emain was a good strategic decision. Loegaire had regaled Niall about the events of the raid at Alt Clut, although the results had been pleasing, the events had been perplexing. It is true that the Ceithern would outnumber the retinue of the distant King, but if he had put up a fight then he could have saved his subjects from capture. Perhaps he was simply a coward, or maybe he was weak or selfish and cared little for his people. Or he might be planning some greater vengeance after finding time to raise a real army, Emain Macha was only three days march from the sea, perfectly placed should the Briton King approach.
Speaking before a gathered crowd at Na Emain, Niall called upon men to approach the provincial Kings with a request to raise the levies. 100 Aurei worth of cattle, that most valuable resource, would be distributed among them as a pre-payment. The Ceithern in Niall's retinue would also be afforded 100 Aurei of weapons, jewelry and livestock to keep for themselves or send to their families. Malgarb the druid, following his good work prior to the Battle of the Boyne, was asked to divine the strength of the Painted Ones. Eogan was sent to the Laighin, they would not be asked to commit their forces at this juncture, but it was best to be prepared and have a presence in their lands.
