A Story of Truth

How do we understand truth through eyes which focus on the differences.....

Once, a Druid called Baedd Bach was returning to Ynis Mon when he was forced to seek refuge from a storm. Climbing a hill, he entered a citadel where he was led into a Great Hall. The smell of roast meats filled the air. `Greetings to you, traveller, and welcome to Caer Golau,` spoke a regal looking bearded man, dressed in elegant clothes and seated upon an ornate throne, `I am Nefol Niwloedd, Lord of this place. Come join the feast.`

 

`May the blessings of our Lady be upon you and yours for your kind hospitality, My Lord, for it is a cruel night to be a traveller. My name is Baedd Bach and I am a Druid of Ynis Mon.`

 

`Then it is a good season for Druids, for you are the second to seek refuge here this very night,` laughed Nefol Niwloedd, indicating a small, dark man, seated close by.

 

The man rose, and acknowledging Baedd with a nod, greeted his fellow traveller, `Blessing to you Brother Druid. I am Airgead Teanga of Emhain Macha, though your people know me as Cigfran Ddu.` The two Druids smiled and bowed to each other.

 

`Good,` smiled Nefol Niwloedd, `Now that we have exchanged greetings we may continue with our feast.`

 

Roast pork and duck was served on silver plates, with spiced dumplings and loaves. Tankards of ale were poured, and cider and mead.

 

After much feasting and laughter Nefol Niwloedd rose from his throne and clapping his hands together, silenced the court. `Tonight,` he said, `Is Beltaine-eve and we have all enjoyed our wondrous feast. We have been blessed with the presence of two Druids. Come now, I pray that one of you will do the honour of singing for us.`

 

`Brother Cigfran,` said Baedd, `You must take precidence, as you do in years and knowledge.`

`Brother Baedd, true is it that I am your elder and should have the honour, however I feel that you would be better suited to serve the taste of your countrymen. Come, sing for us.`

 

Baedd Bach thanked his fellow Druid, and opening his bag, took out his harp of carved oak and began to sing.

 

To the mellow tones of his harp he began to sing of the birth of Lleu, of Gwydion and Arianrhod, of how he received his name, was granted arms and how a wife was made for him from the flowers of the wood. The court remained hushed as he sang of how Gwydion returned Lleu to his true form after his wife`s betrayal, and how Lleu and Gwydion took part in the Battle of Goddeu.` Baedd Bach finished his song and returned to his seat to raptuous applause.

 

`Brother Baedd, I must congratulate you on your most eloquent song,` said Cigfran Ddu, `Though it is interesting how our stories of Lugh differ from yours.`

 

`How so?` asked Baedd Bach.

 

`I will show you,` said Cigfran Ddu, taking from his bag a golden harp.

 

As his fingers moved effortlesly across the strings he began to sing of the birth of Lugh, of Cian and Ethniu, how he was named Ioldanach, and how the sons of Tuirenn were punished for the murder of Cian, and of the war with the Fomors and the death of Balor.

 

The hall echoed with thunderous applause as Cigfran Ddu carefully put away his harp.

 

Baedd Bach lowered his head and said, `It is an honour to be in the presence of a Master Bard.`

 

`Thankyou,` said Cigfran Ddu, looking embarassed, `But now do you not see that our versions of the story are different to yours. The question is, which version is the truth?`

 

Nefol Niwloedd smiled and leaning forwards in his seat said, `Now there is a question! But tell me how do you define `truth`? Clearly you both consider your seperate viewpoints as been the truth. But `truth` is not subject to the viewpoints of men. Truth is that which illuminates the Universe. In the searching for truth, man may seek illumination, but know this, the path to learning most about truth is through experience....`

 

Nefol Niwloedds voice trailed off as the walls of the Great Hall began to shimmer, becoming transparent until disolving into nothing. The two Druids found themselves sitting atop a desolate hill, watching as the first rays of the dawn edged over the horizon.

Reviews

[Christy Hauck]

This is a very good start, though I would recommend turning some of your dialogue into exposition, such as having the reader know how the Druids respond to each other before the words are spoken out loud. One is older than the other, but the reader does not know this until the Druids awknowledge this in words. If you put in some gesture of respest to the elder one from the younger one, you won't be suprising your reader as much.