Only the Stones Survive: A Novel by Morgan Llywelyn

Author:Morgan Llywelyn
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Irish, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Mythology & Folk Tales, Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Historical, Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, British & Irish
ISBN: 9780765337924
Publisher: Forge Books
Published: 2016-01-04T13:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

WHILE THE BATTLE was at its height, many friends had come to our aid. The Children of Light held all life to be sacred, and the life of Ierne had responded in full measure. The birds whom we fed when the frost and ice of darkseason depleted their food had flown to the farthest reaches of the land, summoning the few Túatha Dé Danann who did not already know about our peril so they might hurry to help us.

Allies nearer to the battlefield had joined in the struggle too. The swift and clever deer had come out of hiding and appeared at the edge of the fighting in order to distract the foreigners, the hunters. Some of our enemies had left the battle in order to pursue and murder them. Calling it sport.

On the battleground, brave badgers and ferocious stoats had emerged from setts and tunnels in the earth to bite the trampling feet of the Mílesians. Hares and foxes and even graceful little pine martens, who were among the shyest animals on the island, had scampered across the field long enough to draw the attention of the foreigners, then raced away again with a baying crowd in pursuit.

Meanwhile, clouds had gathered themselves into mountain peaks, turned dark, turned black, conspired with sunbeams to create shifting patterns of uncertain light to confuse the New People. Mist had risen from the ground and swirled and roiled with a life of its own. Howling wind had constantly changed direction in order to disconcert the invaders still more.

But there had been too many of them. And in spite of our loyal allies, too few of us.

As the battle abated, the Dananns who had not been slain sought hiding places. The forests beyond the battleground had welcomed them. Sheltered them. Enfolded them. A fortunate few of the Túatha Dé Danann became one with the trees, and their enemies never recognized them.

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