Her mother gives birth to triplet boys, who will now inherit King Eochu's land, making Maeve a dead end to the high seat of Connacht. From this point on, Maeve's life rapidly changes. However, their friendship is not to last as Odran's father, Master Iobar, attempts to betroth Princess Maeve to Odran, against both Maeve and the King's wishes. One of those animals turns out to be a kestrel whom they name Ea. Maeve and Odran develop a secret friendship that sees Odran teach Maeve how to care for animals. But Odran does not get along with his father. Maeve discovers that Odran is a sensitive kind boy who loves animals and who wishes to care for them. Odran is a strange young man who keeps a fox around his neck and a stoat (a weasel) hidden in his clothing. So when they arrive at the ringfort, King Eochu welcomes them with great honour. Druid priests were to be given great respect and treated well.
Shortly after this, a druid priest Master Iobar and his son Odran arrive at Cruachan. Several days later, Kelan is murdered in a challenge by one of her father's men, Cailte. Instead of being proud of her, King Eochu's is enraged that someone taught his daughter to be like a man. However, Maeve's skill is discovered when she is forced to defend herself during an attack by a wolfhound. Soon Kelan and Maeve form a friendship that sees Kelan reluctantly agree to teach Maeve the art of sword fighting and other warrior skills. During one of these walks, she is saved from a wolf by Kelan, a fosterling boy at Cruachan. In her loneliness she takes long walks throughout the countryside. King Eochu considers Maeve to be the son he does not have and he decides to keep her at home.īeing left at home however, causes Maeve to despair. At that young age, Maeve demonstrated her courage and boldness by going out and cutting off the tail of her father's largest black bull, Dubh. This came about becuase of what happened when she was a mere five years old. However, Maeve is not sent because she is King Eochu's most favoured daughter.
Her sisters are sent out to fosterage, a custom where highborn children are sent into other homes to learn skills that will prepare them for life as adults. Now that her father is High King, life changes dramatically for Maeve and her sisters. The most recent trophy is the head of the High King of Eriu, Fachtna Fathach, who betrayed King Eochu and paid the price with his life. The stone entryway to Cruachan is framed with the severed heads of warriors who had fallen in battle to the king. Maeve lives within the ringfort of Cruachan, with her parents, Lady Clithfinn, King Eochu and her sisters, Derbriu, Clothru, Mugain, and twins Eithne and Eile. Eleven year old Maeve is the youngest of the King Eochu's six daughters and high-spirited. Set in Ireland (Eriu) during the Iron Age, Deception's Princess tells the story of Maeve, daughter of the King of Connacht.
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