The King of Sleep Read Online Free Page B

there.”
    â€œIf that is so,” Brocan stated confidently, “then it stayed well clear of me while I wandered around its home. There’s enough room in those chambers to house all the Fir-Bolg folk who were forced to leave their homes in Dun Burren. And there is fresh air further down as well.”
    â€œSo there must be hidden passages which help ventilatethe lower chambers,” Fineen enthused. “That’s a good sign.”
    â€œDid you send for my son?” Brocan asked.
    â€œI sent his twin brother,” the healer stated, referring to his student, Sárán.
    Brocan grunted gruffly in reply then looked to the sky. It wasn’t his intention to appear abrupt or sullen but this was his way when faced with difficult dilemmas. “They’ll be back before sunset. We’d better go to the hall and await them. I want young Lom to hear your news. The more experience my son gets in these matters, the better equipped he’ll be for kingship in later life.”
    â€œDoes he wish to be king?” Fineen asked.
    â€œMy grandfather was elected king,” Brocan snorted. “And my father also. It’s in Lom’s blood to rule. He’ll be a good king to our people one day if I teach him well.”
    â€œBut surely you will rule for many seasons yet,” the healer remarked with surprise.
    â€œPerhaps.”
    â€œI hope so,” Fineen said with warmth. After a pause he added, “You know I’ve just returned from Dun Gur where I’ve spent time with Máel Máedóc, counselor to King Eber Finn.”
    â€œWere you commissioned to carry any message from the king?”
    â€œNo,” Fineen replied. “But I can tell you what I saw.”
    Brocan grabbed the healer’s sleeve, urging him to continue.
    â€œEber Finn is amassing an arsenal of weapons. He’s building war-carts and has a store of new swords fresh from the forge.”
    â€œWho is he intending to fight?” the king pressed.
    Fineen shrugged. “He’s been telling his folk that the Danaans are still a threat.”
    Brocan touched the healer on the shoulder and bit his bottom lip. “But we both know that’s not very likely.”
    â€œEber knows it too, I think,” Fineen confirmed. “Máel Máedóc fears there may be trouble brewing with King Éremon, though Eber Finn has not spoken openly of any falling-out with his brother.”
    â€œI knew it!” Brocan hissed, picking up his pace so that Fineen had to struggle to catch him. “These bloody Gaedhals aren’t happy unless they’re fighting, are they?”
    Near the caves of Aillwee the Fir-Bolg had constructed a temporary settlement, housing craftsmen, stone-builders, warriors and displaced Fir-Bolg in an irregular gathering of round wattle-houses and long, rectangular halls.
    Fortifications were still being laid out around the cave mouth according to Brocan’s instructions. Once complete these defenses would be almost impossible to breach. And if necessary his people would be able to retreat into the depths of the cavern and survive a long siege. The caves in the upper levels were cold and dry, ideal for storing large quantities of food.
    The destruction of Dun Burren was a dishonorableact conducted by the Gaedhals under cover of darkness. The disaster had taught Brocan a valuable lesson and he was determined his people would never fall victim to such an attack again. That was why the Aillwee caves were chosen for the new fortress.
    At the first house Fergus the veteran was seated on a wooden bench by the door, waiting patiently for his king.
    â€œAll went well in the caves?” the warrior asked expectantly as he stood to greet his old friend.
    â€œOf course it did,” Brocan snapped, handing the smouldering torch to the veteran. “What did you expect?”
    Fergus looked away. He had been as a brother to Brocan since they were both small boys and