Retreat from the Hill of Dark Sorcery
'The Fair Folk escort Beannaithe and Laekir to their nearby garrison followin' their escape from the Hill of Dark Sorcery. Beannaithe expresses her gratitude with smiles and hugs to the Dwarf, and curtseys to the Fair Folk.
The captain of the Fair Folk gives the lass a letter addressed to the Lady of Light. It is sealed with wax. Beannaithe accepts the letter and, with a nod of her head, expresses that she will deliver it into the Lady's hands.
The Fair Folk had taken very good care of Mac Énbarr in Beannaithe's absence. Nonetheless, the pony were very glad to see the lass's return. Together lass and pony travel in a westerly direction on the long windin' path through the murky wood that leads from the Hill of Dark Sorcery to the banks of the Great River.
Another garrison of the Fair Folk were located upon the eastern shore of the Great River at the edge of the murky wood. Beannaithe shows the sentinel the envelope addressed to the Lady of Light. The lass were then ferried to the western shore of the Great River. She were met at the dock by another sentinel who escorts her to the City of Trees within the land of Dreamflower.'
'The Fair Folk are very efficient, aren't they?' asks Darowva.
'Aye,' says I.
'"Welcome again, Beannaithe, to Dreamflower," says the Lady of Light in greetin' her guest. 'I understand that you have a letter for me?"
After a polite curtsey, the lass steps forward to deliver the letter to the Lady.
"Thank you," says the Lady with a smile. "What did you learn during your assault upon the Hill of Dark Sorcery?" she asks.
In thought Beannaithe tells the Lady that she and the Dwarf Laekir learned that the Piercin' Eye had left the High Tower in the murky wood, travellin' far away to his Dark Tower in the Dark Land.'
'It all sounds very, erm, dark,' says Dooli.
'Aye,' says I.
Her brothers and cousins, at least those who were still awake, giggled.
"This information is very helpful, Beannaithe. Thank you," says the Lady.
"I have information for you, also, as well as a request," the Lady says. After all that she had been through, Beannaithe were not surprised to hear this.
"A battle is looming in the fields of the Fenced Land nigh to the White City within the Stoneland. I ask that you lend aid to the defenders of the Tower of the Sun," says the Lady. "Will you do this?"
Beanniathe solemnly nods her head.
"Good! Lord Silvertree and I will provide nourishment and rest for the night, then see you off in the morning," the Lady tells her.
'And, since you lot have already had your nourishment,' says me daughter Ériu, 'your aunties and I will see you to your beds.'
'And gladly!' says Banba while her sister Fódla laughs.
'Me mam never misses her cue, does she?" Darowva softly asks me.
'Never,' I whispers to her with a wink and a smile.
'Oíche mhaith!' I says aloud. 'Sleep well, me darlin's'
'Good night, Granda,' say me grandkids as they're led away by their mams.
