Legends and Lore by Michael Scott

Author:Michael Scott [Scott, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2021-05-04T00:00:00+00:00

The Banshee’s Curse

Finn was one of the greatest of the old Irish heroes. He was a mighty warrior who had many friends both in this world and in the fairy-land, but his constant companion and most trusted friend was his huge war-hound, Bran.

Bran was a magical beast—stronger, faster, and more intelligent than any normal dog. But there was something strange about him, something almost human…

One day, Finn and his fellow warriors, the Knights of the Fianna, had been out hunting a band of thieves who had been stealing from the villages. Around noon, they had stopped on the bank of the river Boyne to eat their lunch and wait for the scouts to bring them news of the gang. A warrior from the north, Ilian, walked over to Finn and sat down beside him, resting his plate on his knee. “I’ve something to ask you,” he said.

Finn, who was dangling his hot feet in the water, looked up. He was a tall, thin young man, with dark brown hair and the beginnings of a beard. But you could tell by his eyes that he was very wise, for they were the eyes of an old, old man. “What would you like to ask me?” he said, though he had a sneaking suspicion what the man wanted.

“I would like permission to marry,” Ilian said softly, blushing slightly.

Finn smiled. He had an aunt named Tuirean who was a young woman of astonishing beauty, with long, night-black hair that reached to the back of her knees, a small round face, and huge dark eyes. Many young men fell in love with her and asked for her hand in marriage, but she always turned them down. Finn had seen Ilian with his aunt over the past few weeks, and it seemed like she had fallen in love with him immediately. Ilian was tall and handsome, and his hair, like Tuirean’s, was night-black. Finn had guessed that this might happen. “Would I know the lady?” he asked innocently.

“Aye,” Ilian said. “It is your own mother’s sister, Tuirean.”

“My aunt,” Finn said.

Ilian nodded. “Your aunt. I love her, you see,” he continued, “and she loves me. We wish to be married as soon as possible. And because you are my commander, I thought I should ask you.” He paused and added, “What do you say?”

Finn pulled his feet up out of the water and began to dry them on the edge of his cloak. He glanced over at the older man. “What if I should say no?” he asked.

The smile faded from Ilian’s face. “Well,” he said uncomfortably, “if you were to say no, then I suppose we would just run away and get married anyway. But I hope you won’t say no.”

Finn stood up, and Ilian scrambled to his feet. He put his hand on Ilian’s shoulder, and the young man smiled warmly. “Of course I wouldn’t say no, and of course you may marry her—but only on one condition,” he added.

“What’s that?” Ilian asked.

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