Na Gurnaidh Dragons
In all fairness to the traditionalists trying to influence Alasdair, the Smith of the Valley does more than smite metals - he's responsible for the very security of the entire neighbourhood. For example, some time back, young women were disappearing from the surrounding countryside. An Gobhainn tracked the problem to a each uisge, a type of water demon, which had taken up residence in the loch. He forged chains of iron and set as trap for the beastie - like a giant rabbit snare. To bait the trap, he barbecued a whole steer on the edge of the loch, luring the beastie into position to spring it. The creature was of Faerie, so the iron burned, but it was the great personal strength of Alasdair that won the day as he held the ends of the chains until the beast was dead and gone and naught remained of it but slime upon the grass.
The traditionalists claim that Mairead may well be competent enow to forge the chains and set the trap, but has she the personal strength to hold until the job is done? Some one of the traditionalists (Ban-Uas Gruindee, to be precise; the biggest gossip in the Valley), asked An Gobhainn that very question directly. His answer, "Physical strength's not everything ye auld hag."
On another matter entirely, Barney Gooch, who spends most of his time fishing off the bridge, claims that yesterday the river ran backwards. Since he spends almost as much time drinking as he does fishing, I offer this tidbit with a goodly serving of salt.
The traditionalists claim that Mairead may well be competent enow to forge the chains and set the trap, but has she the personal strength to hold until the job is done? Some one of the traditionalists (Ban-Uas Gruindee, to be precise; the biggest gossip in the Valley), asked An Gobhainn that very question directly. His answer, "Physical strength's not everything ye auld hag."
On another matter entirely, Barney Gooch, who spends most of his time fishing off the bridge, claims that yesterday the river ran backwards. Since he spends almost as much time drinking as he does fishing, I offer this tidbit with a goodly serving of salt.