Rufinus gives Niall's enemy, Eochaid, a charm made by the witch Nemeta, a corded falcon skull with an arrow graven in the bone. She also cast spells.
There have been many forebodings that Niall's new expedition will be ill-fated and we have just been told how he will die. Eochaid and Rufinus join Niall's fleet. When it lands and makes camp, they go scouting, Eochaid carrying a bow and quiver. They see Niall. One arrow. That is all. This is just and is preferable to the slaughter that Niall would have unleashed.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I certainly agree Niall got what he richly deserved, even tho he and his followers would not agree, of course! At the very least, they would have preferred to have died in battle. But, one arrow saved hundreds, maybe thousands from dying in combat. And even more thousands from being plundered and impoverished if Niall had managed to sack the Loire valley.
Sean
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