I am Pamel the Longstrider of White Sands. Son of Erda the Truthfinder and Beaghd the Blade Sharpener. My mother traces her line from those that came from beneath the sea and first came to Eirinn. They founded our first settlement here. Or there. I know not where we are. This land is strange to me, and your dwellings doubly so. And you people are small, like the lesser of Danu’s folk. Why you do not all choose to be larger is unknown to me. Perhaps you like your homes small so they use less trees to build and warm.

When our ancestors came here we made war with the Partholai, to take ownership of our land and make our children in safety, on land we had earned. In those days we were blessed by the Morrigan. Her wings guided us into battle then. I am not so sure now. I just walked from a battle where our losses were great.

The forest people attacked before light. From the trees they came, and in quiet from the waves of Mannanan. Throats they cut as they came, until a shout was raised. Many of them were already among us. So, the fight was difficult and urgent. A great horn was blown, Hadlar Nighteyes I think, and our people fought with strong arms against so many. Beasts of the forest they had roused, too. They drove them among us crazed with blood hunger and smelling out small prey. Easy prey.

Sometimes we can turn opponents against each other with a look, or turn them away. But beasts this does not work on. And the folk of Danu less and less.

Our White Sands are red with blood. I know not yet if my wives are safe. I will tell you of them. Their names and my memories will live even if they perhaps no longer do. My chest beats to see them again.

Ulla Treecarrier is also of White Sands. We have known each other since we were young, chasing small goats in the open spaces. I have always liked her. She has fierce eyes and strong arms. She grew up helping her father fell trees for our homes, our boats, and our weapons. Her father shaped this. And my father bladed it. It has a shape and weight so the swing is strong and the blade cuts deep. I am glad you did not suffer it, little one. Or, not so little one.

My task is to carry messages and needed things from one settlement to another. One afternoon as the Sun was pulled from the sky I came back from a long run from Rivers Join. Not so far, but the sun had been warm, and I had carried a heavy load that day. So, I stopped in the woods near White Sands where there is a pool among the trees. The water is cool and refreshing. Ulla was already there when I arrived. She knows all the places in the woods. I told her I was there to bathe. “No”, she said, “I will bathe first”. This angered me, but she smiled. “You may stay if you sing to me”, she said. I did not know what to sing of, but I was tired and wanted the cool water of the pool and to stay in her company. I liked to look upon Ulla and hear her voice, even if I did not think on it so often then. Especially her eyes. So, I sang of Sulisha, who you call Sulis. And her sister Brighid. And the cool waters and many fishes that the sisters gift to us. And the waters we use to sustain us.

Ulla shed her clothing and entered the pool. I watched closely, trying not to let my song falter. I know not whether I succeeded in that. As my song ended she rose from the water to show herself to me. “Would you have me for now or for your wife?” she asked. As usual, she knew my thoughts. I knew I liked her a great deal, and always had. And I had never wanted her more. Perhaps my thoughts were plain enough to see. “For my wife”, I said. She invited me into the pool and we made the water splash until we were exhausted and the sky was dark. Lugh no longer watched our efforts. I have been hers since. She will not tell me what she would have done had my answer been different. She still fells and carries wood. Her arms are still some of the strongest I know, and hold me well. One day she will teach our young which trees are good for cutting and which give weaving, which give boats. If I can find my way back to her.

I saw her in the battle. A great sharpened stave she had. Hardened with fire. Atop the bluffs she forced our enemies to their knees and back to their spirit realm. Dangerous and beautiful, she was. I could not get to her before the fighting forced us further apart.

My second wife is Casirnae Who Speaks of the Dark Steps. Know this, I have never been to the Dark Steps. I met her on the road as I ran to Hill that Whispers. A dangerous place. When I stopped one night by a place where roads cross she approached from the way I had not come, nor would I go. She is smaller than me, though not so small as you. She looks a little like this one. Colours unusual for us. She had blood on her coverings and on her fine fingers. Immediately I was taken with her and longed to have her before me. So, I offered to share my fire with her, and some animal meat I had. She carried mystery with her and stood like one who knows her worth. Well she might have, for it was hard not to be enchanted by her. She warned me she would not have me and would resist me by blade if I insisted. But, she asked me which way I would travel and if the woods here were safe. I told her the woods were not so safe that travelling together would not be safer for us both. This was true as the trees and the paths in that place sometimes whisper lies to you, and Danu’s people could sometimes be found there looking for blood and pain to make. So, I told her I was returning to White Sands, this was also true. I did not speak of my desire for her, but I suspect she well knew of it.

After two days travel and sharing food she told me that she had fled from a murder. A man of her tribe had bought her from her mother to be sold to the children of the Danu in a pact marriage. As she was small and rumours held of Tuatha blood in her line they thought this made her suitable. That, and her beauty, of course. She looked to be one that would bear proud children. She hates the Tuatha, they had killed her Father and the first one she favoured in a battle some four or five seasons before. So, she had cut the man’s throat as he dragged her off to barter with the Tuatha.

For a time she would travel with me on my journeys. But she would not come into White Sands or any settlement for the first three of Elatha’s journeys across the sky that I knew her. When I first got back to White Sands with her along with me, she stayed in the woods nearby while I returned to my bed place. I told Ulla of her. Ulla insisted I take her to Casirnae, so I did. Ulla told Casirnae she would show her a safe place in the woods to shelter, and where water and fruit could be found. They bid me return alone. Ulla returned in the morning, saying she had learnt a great deal of Casirnae and approved of her. So, this is how we lived for a time. Casirnae travelling with me, but living in the woods. Eventually she made use of me on the road. This pleased me greatly.

One day Gethra Keeper of Goats came to White Sands. He called out to all that he looked for Casirnae and would take her away to sell to the Tuatha. He also told all he would punish her for the death of his brother, and any who had given her food or comfort. I knew he was one whose blood was thick with greed as soon as I heard his speech. And I told him so. Ulla stepped forth and told him also, that we had Casirnae and he would not be taking her. This pleased me, so I spoke the words to claim her as part of our home. Gethra was displeased and angered much as I was when you found me in the woods. So, Ulla and I fought him. Once he was done and his severed head was shown to his companion the issue was settled.

We went to find Casirnae, but found she had crept nearby to see if she would be sold, as she had noticed Gethra approach along the cliffway near White Sands. She was happy and from that day joined us in our home and our marriage.

Casirnae decided soon after that she would be someone who would speak for others who could not speak for themselves, and would talk between those who would not agree. She is well liked, kind, and clever so she is often able to speak to those unhappy or angry with each other until they agree and make them happy with what has been decided. Oghma has blessed her and she knows the words that change the thoughts of those that hear her. In particular she takes great joy in protecting those who would be made use of by those who would sell others or use them by force. When she cannot stop it, she argues for payment or vengeance for them, pleading to the one in that settlement who can decide the thing. She is fearless in this, as Ulla is in a fight. 

It is a great honour to have two wives. Especially two that are so fierce and fine, with eyes so bright and see me well. Or they see me kindly, perhaps. Lugha shines on me. In my settlement the one who names and decides is selected by how many have chosen them as mate. Cluhsa the Name Giver has 3 husbands, one other, and one wife. But, I like my wives more than I can speak. More than the sun, and the cool waters and the warm sand. More than victory. More than time’s nectar. Though, I like a great deal to share time’s nectar with them under the sight of Elatha, who first guided us and make of the sand our bed as the waves of Lyr sing us to sleep.

Your settlement is strange, but you have given me a magical lamp and meats from animals I can only guess at. You have shown me a naiad, which is a great blessing of Brighid, and many strange things besides. I must be very far from my bed place for this all to be true. And I curse the trickster goblin who brought me here. May wolves call his name to each other. Not enough of his blood was spilled. My throw was not aimed well enough.

I must return, and help put the fallen to the flame and say the words to Cichol, to ease their journey. I would have none but I put the flame to my Ulla and Casirnae if they are gone from me.

I do not know what else you would know of me. My worth is in the paths I run, those I hold and honour, and the settlement I protect. If there is more you would know, I will tell you if I know it.