The Greener Shore

Read The Greener Shore Online

Authors: Morgan Llywelyn

Tags: #History, #Scotland, #Historical Fiction, #Ireland, #Druids, #Gaul

 

 

 

Contents

 

Cover Page

Title Page

Dedication

Phonetic Glossary

Prologue

 

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter X

Chapter XI

Chapter XII

Chapter XIII

Chapter XIV

Chapter XV

Chapter XVI

Chapter XVII

Chapter XVIII

Chapter XIX

Chapter XX

Chapter XXI

Chapter XXII

Chapter XXIII

Chapter XXIV

Chapter XXV

Chapter XXVI

Chapter XXVII

Chapter XXVIII

Chapter XXIX

Chapter XXX

Chapter XXXI

Chapter XXXII

Chapter XXXIII

 

About the Author

Also by Morgan Llywelyn

Copyright Page

 

 

 

 

for Sonia

 

 

P
HONETIC
G
LOSSARY

 

Ainvar:
AYN-var

Aislinn:
ASH-lin

Anicius Bellator:
An-ICK-ee-us Bell-AYT-or

Anluan:
AN-luah

Bean Sídhe:
Ban-SHEE

Briga:
BREE-ga

Cairbre:
KAR-breh

Caman:
Cam-AWN

Carnutes:
Kar-NOO-tays

Cas:
Kosh

Cathal:
KA-hul

Cohern:
KO-ern

Cormiac Ru:
KOR-mick Roo

Damona:
DAH-mona

Dara:
DAH-ra

Deisi:
DAY-sha

Dian Cet:
DEEN Ket

Eoin:
OH-in

Eriu:
AYR-yoo

Fíachu:
FEE-ah-koo

Filidh:
Fil-EEE

Fír Bolg:
Feer Bohlg

Glas:
GLAHS

Goban Saor:
GO-bawn Sear

Gobnat:
GOB-nit

Goulvan:
GOOL-van

Grannus:
GRAN-us

Éber Finn:
EEB-ar Fin

Éremon:
EE-re-mon

Keryth:
KER-ith

Labraid Loingseach:
LOW-ree LOYNG-sha

Lakutu:
La-KOO-too

Lorcán:
LOR-kawn

Mac Coille:
Mok-KIL-eh

Maia:
MY-uh

Mahon:
MAH-hun

Morand:
MUR-an

Niav:
NEE-uhv

Ongus:
AHNG-us

Onuava:
On-you-AY-vah

Probus Seggo:
PRO-bus SEGG-oh

Rígan:
REE-gawn

Seanchán:
SIN-chawn

Senta:
SIN-tuh

Slea Leathan:
Slay LOWuhn

Sulis:
SOO-liss

Tarvos:
TAHR-vos

Teyrnon:
TEAR-nun

Túatha Dé Danann:
TOO-ah deh DAN-uhn

Vercingetorix:
Ver-kin-GET-o-rix

 

 

P
ROLOGUE

 
 

 

 

 

E
VERYTHING IS LOST.

The sea is so wide. There is no end to it and no beginning. Strange gods rule the waves. From time to time Ainvar thinks he hears their voices, but they speak a language he does not know. He cannot impress them with magic, he cannot placate them with sacrifice. He can do nothing but wait.

 

 

ONCE AINVAR’S EXTENDED FAMILY HAD NUMBERED IN THE HUNDREDS
, yet theirs had been but one clan among many in the tribe of the Carnutes. The Carnutes of Gaul were part of the vast Celtic world that stretched from the river Danube to the edge of the Great Cold Sea. The far-flung tribes spoke many versions of their mother tongue and practiced a variety of customs, but all had two things in common. Every tribe was ruled by a warrior aristocracy led by a chieftain. And every tribe treasured its druids.

From his seat in the stern of the boat, Ainvar the druid frequently turns to look back. Every time he does this his heart breaks anew, but he cannot help it. The land he loved is far behind him now. He sees only an endless army of waves rolling on, rank after rank.

Like the Romans. The relentless, remorseless, rapacious Romans, against whom the power of the druids had proved insufficient.

 

 

DRUIDS COMPRISED THE INTELLECTUAL CLASS OF THE CELTIC PEOPLE
. Although some came from humble origins, in tribal society the druids were equal in rank with the nobility.

In every generation a few boys and girls were born with special talents. These gifts usually revealed themselves early in life. At that point the chief druid of the tribe began training the youngsters in the disciplines necessary for acceptance into the Order of the Wise. Neophytes were apprenticed to other druids whose gifts were similar to their own. After being fully trained, a druid was supported by the tribe in return for the free gift of his or her abilities.

Druids served in a number of capacities. Their principal obligation was to maintain the harmony between the visible and invisible worlds. They also kept the laws of their race and were the only members of a tribe exempt from battle.

 

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