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As I continued being introduced to more royalty, I also continued to get many fascinating stories. Another king I met was a man by the name of Slaine. This was one of the first men I met, instead of the Man-gods I have talked about previously.
Slaine was not noble born, but he was handsome and strong. As he developed his fighting skills, his reputation for being a superior man spread. Unfortunately, his vanity led him to do something that got him thrown out of the clan.
Slaine was forced to roam the land with his only companion being a dwarf name Ukko. As Slaine and Ukko were travelling around, a portal to the world of the gods opened. Slaine walked through and was greeted by Lugh. Lugh told Slaine that he was destined to become the High King of Tir na nog. Because of his background and lot in life, Slaine laughed at Lugh and told him there was no way Slaine was king material. He had nothing, so how could he possibly be a king?
Lugh, being a patient and understanding, continued by telling Slaine that if he collected the four magical treasures of the people, then he would be king. All of the treasures had never been brought. They were brought to Ireland throughout the time of the god kings, but the treasures were never together all at once.
At that moment, the god Dagda appeared and gave Slaine the cauldron. He told Slaine that since the gods helped him get started, and then Slaine should succeed. Slaine still doubted, but he wasn’t about to argue with the gods, so he began his search.
Slaine began by returning to his clan. While Slaine was away, the clan had come into hard times. The chieftain would demand high taxes from the people. If they could not pay, the chieftain would punish them by cutting off their noses. Well, the people had fallen on hard times and were getting punished often. This made the chieftain very sad. It turned out that is witch wife was making him do these things. He did like hurting his people. So, he chose to be sacrificed. When a chieftain was sacrificed, his blood would roll toward one person, and that was the only way a non-royal could become chieftain. On the day of the sacrifice, Slaine reappeared and the blood rolled toward him. That night, for the first time in years, the clan was able to eat a feast for Slaine was able to provide for them with the cauldron of Dagda…
After a long and arduous task, Slaine gathered the four treasured items of Tir na nog; the Cauldron of Dagda, The Spear of the Lugh, the Sword of the Nuada and Lia Fail, the stone of destiny. He already had the Cauldron of Dagda, and he set out getting the Spear and the Sword from the chieftains that possessed them. Because each of the different chieftains of Ireland held the treasures, that is why there was no High King. The Sword is the giant rending blade that can kill the mightiest foe with one blow, which Slaine got from King Gann. The Spear of Lugh was his own mighty weapon that when released you can name a target and it will fly from your hands and plunge into your opponent, killing it instantly. Reluctantly King Rudraige handed over the Spear and Slaine went in search of the Stone of Destiny.
When Slaine finally found it was in the hands of the avanc, the last of a race of monstrous beaver folk and Slaine had to kill it to get the stone. The stone is said in the ancient legends to shriek out a long wailing note if the rightful High King of Tir na nog stands on it with the other four treasured items. Slaine let all the chieftains go first, but no roar came. Then Slaine stood with all the treasures on the Stone of Destiny, and, sure enough, it roared out. Hence, Slaine was the High King who first united all the treasures.
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| The Four Treasures of Ireland Mandala by Marg Thomson |
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