Alba and Eire (Kushiel's Legacy)

In Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy series, Alba and Eire are the names given to the countries that lie across a northern strait from Terre d'Ange. Alba is a fantasy equivalent of early medieval Britain and Eire is a fantasy equivalent of Ireland. Both are pagan and have been cut off from the mainland for generations due to the Master of the Straits barring all vessels from passing. The chief city of Alba is Bryn Gorrydum, equivalent to York. The city of Dobria, equivalent to Dover, is the point at which the straights between Alba and Terre d'Ange are narrowest; here each country can be seen from the other's shore.

=Alba=

Government/Political Structure

The ruler of Alba is the "Cruarch" and is matrilineally descended from the legendary ancestor "Cinhil Ru". The ruler of Alba is chosen through a matrilineal line of succession, with leadship generally passing from the current Cruarch to his sister's eldest son. In this matriarchy, marriage is the norm though is far more a family matter than out of pure love. Albans are also tacitly accepting of homosexuality and bisexuality but neither are as common or as accepted as in Terre d'Ange.

There are four major clans in Alba that each have their "diadh-anam" or symbolic native animal:

::Cullach Gorym, the people of the Black Boar (the line of Cinhil Ru to which Drustan mab Necthana belongs). The people of the Black Boar reckon themselves the oldest race born to Mother Earth and thereby are the ruling family to which the Cruarch is always from.::Tarbh Cró, the Red Bull (to which Foclaidha and her son Maelcon belong).::Maghuin Dhonn, the people of the bear. They are very secretive and hold to the old ways, often ostracized by Albans themselves and almost never mentioned or included in Alban affairs. They play a prominent role in the events of Kushiel's Justice.::Eidlach Òr, the southern people of the Golden Hind.

In some case the people of the White Mare (Fhalair Bàn), to which the Dalriada belong, are included in the major clans.

It is common for landholdings and families to fight each other though usually no one dies and they are merely cattle or horse raids (see Kushiel's Justice's Leodan of Briclaedh for an example). Such skirmishes are common and are a way for a man and/or estate to earn respect and power. The estate of the royal family is Clunderry.

Transportation across Alba is relatively safe because of the "taisgaidh" roads. These roads are marked by old stones and signify land where no one can fight or shed blood. This is a holy law that no Albans in their right minds would break for to do so would be heresy. These lands are not considered to be owned by anyone or any clan.

Culture

The language spoken is "Cruithne" but both the people and language are, sometimes derogatorily, referred to as the "Picti" by scholars in other nations. The Albans are viewed by D'Angelines and other southern races as barbarians, an attitude not altered by the fact that their warriors bear the symbols of their family and class upon their faces as blue woad tattoos. Each family also has their "diadh-anam" which is always shown in their tattoos in some fashion, with some being larger than others.

The women of Alba, especially those of the Cullach Gorym, are seers and can often see the future. This is considered an inherited trait. 'Magic' is also often used and is part of why the Maghuin Dhonn are so feared; they are considered great with magical wisdom. Healers and local spiritual leaders are called "Ollamhs". They serve the role of traditional herbal healers and magical druids. The most powerful Ollamh is of a near equivalent status to that of the Cruarch and has much influence in Alba.

There is also a spring custom called the "Day of Misrule". This is a day where everyone changes roles. A lottery among the house-staff is taken for the rulership positions and the rulers are supposed to do whatever menial tasks the day of misrule ruler gives them. This is done with a sense of humour where that day's ruler may say that all men dress as women or that honey be smeared on all subject's faces, etc.

=Eire=

Government/Rulership

The High King of Eire rules from Tea Muir; their halls have seven doors through which one enters according to rank. The highest is that of the "White Mare", through which only scions of Tea Muir may enter. The second-highest in rank is the "Sun Door".

Their rulers are the twins Eamonn and Grainne mac Conor, who have their court at Innisclan. They are in their late twenties, both with red-gold hair and grey-green eyes. Grainne is impulsive, lively, and high-spirited, unafraid of going to war, whereas Eamonn is more reserved and cautious when it comes to warfare. Grainne has one son, named Brennan; she takes a liking to Quintilius Rousse and decides she wants to have his child as well. While Drustan and the others are stranded on one of the islands of the Master of the Straits, the Twins lead well in his absence; Grainne raising spirits, while Eamonn sees that the horses and people are cared for. Grainne is noted for having a gift of a shrewd kindness, even in the face of sorrow. Eamonn proves to have an exacting mind for details, particularly regarding provisioning the troops. Grainne survives the Battle of Troyes-le-Mont but Eamonn does not. As is custom, Grainne returns to Eire with Eamonn's head. After the battle, Grainne also reveals that she is pregnant by Quintilius Rousse. Their son, Eamonn, later appears in Kushiel's Scion.

Culture

The people of Eire are known as the Dalriada, equivalent to the Irish Celts.

The culture is based on a matrilineal system as the Albans but the concept of marriage is quite foreign; one woman may have children by several fathers and does not have to acknowledge who their fathers are. The women of Eire also carry swords and go into battle alongside their men.

In warfare, the Dalriada are noted for stiffening their hair with lime before they go into battle and their leaders usually fight in war-chariots.

=In Kushiel's Legacy=

During Kushiel's Dart

Early in Kushiel's Dart, the Master of the Straits allows an Alban delegation, including the Cruarch and his heir Drustan mab Necthana to cross to Terre d'Ange on account of a prophetic vision containing a black boar and a silver swan. During this meeting between the leaders of Alba and Terre d'Ange, the Dauphine Ysandre de la Courcel is secretly engaged to Drustan. The party is allowed safe return to Alba by the Master of the Straits.

Not long after this, the Cruarch is overthrown, murdered by his own son Maelcon, who seeks to end the system of matriarchal rule and claim the kingship for himself. He is spurred on in this by his mother Foclaidha. Drustan flees to the western shore of Alba with his mother and three sisters, where the Dalriada of Eire give him shelter.

When Phèdre nó Delaunay crosses to Alba as the emissary of Queen Ysandre, she is met on the shore by Moiread, Drustan's younger sister. She and her companions are taken to meet the Dalriada where they enter the hall through the "Sun Door", a great honor. Phèdre tells Drustan that the price of marrying Ysandre is helping to save Terre d'Ange from being invaded by the Skaldi, but that the Master of the Straits will only allow Drustan and the Albans to cross to Terre d'Ange once Drustan has won his own throne back. Drustan is determined to try or die; he gives the Twins, the leaders of the Dalriada, one week to decide whether they will aid him, before he goes on with whomever will follow.

The joint Lords of the Dalriada, Grainne and Eamonn, greet the D'Angeline delegation and discuss on whether or not to go to war. Grainne wishes to give aid in restoring Drustan to his throne, but Eamonn does not consider that this is their fight, thinking that the D'Angelines bring only trouble. They are eventually reconciled only when Phèdre has sex with Grainne. As Eamonn can not stand Grainne having something he does not, he asks Phedre why she continues to refuse him. Phedre says to him that D'Angelines like strong men and not those that are afraid of battle. Eamonn then says he is not weak and will prove his courage by going to battle for Terre d'Ange.

The Alban tribes that agree to go to war as Drustan's allies are: the "Decantii", "Carvanicci", "Credovalae", and "Dumnoii" of his own Black Boar people; the "Sigovae" and "Votadae" of the Red Bull; the "Trinovantii", "Atribatii", and the "Canticae" of the Golden Hind. From these tribes, Drustan raises an army of six thousand foot soldiers, seven hundred horsemen, and fifty chariots. On the eve of battle, Drustan stops to give an inspirational speech to the troops, but is interrupted at the very beginning by the presence of an enormous black boar. Taking this as an extremely favorable omen, the army charges, and thus subverts an attempt by the usurper Maelcon to launch a surprise attack; if Drustan had kept speaking for another ten minutes, Maelcon would have been able to trap them, but with the advantage, Drustan's troops win the battle. He slays Maelcon himself.

Among the casualties is his younger sister Moiread. During the battle, Drustan's family stay away from the battle-field, hidden, with Phèdre and Joscelin as their guard. Unfortunately, they are attacked by a small group of Maelcon's men. Moiread, Necthana's daughter, is the first to reach her weapons and begin shooting them down, but she takes a spear to her middle and dies. When the remaining people of the Red Bull clans surrender to Drustan and hand over Foclaidha, he grants them clemency; Maelcon's head he nails over the gates of Bryn Gorrydum.

During the celebrations in Bryn Gorrydum, Grainne takes a liking to Quintilius Rousse and decides that he would make strong children. Quintilius Rousse is complimented and does end up agreeing to sleep with Grainne. During these celebrations, Hyacinthe and Sibeal, another daughter of Necthana, also become interested in one another, through their common mourning for Moiread.

Drustan decides that three thousand foot soldiers and four hundred horsemen will journey to Terre d'Ange to aid Ysandre, with the rest left behind to secure Alba. The Dalriada decide that they will go along as well, with half of their fighting force. Together, he and Quintilius Rousse decide to sail straight south across the narrowest part of the strait, then cross through Azzalle to meet up with the forces of Somerville and Trevalion in Terre d'Ange.

Before they can reach Terre d'Ange, however, the Master of the Straits has a price. Drustan, Quintilius Rousse, Phèdre, Hyacinthe, and Joscelin are guided onto the Island to see the Master of the Straits and the ships are mored on the neighbouring two islands to await the decision of the Master of the Straits. While Drustan and the others are gone, the Twins lead all the others well; Grainne raising spirits, while Eamonn sees that the horses and people are cared for. Grainne is noted for having a gift of a shrewd kindness, even in the face of sorrow. Eamonn proves to have an exacting mind for details, particularly regarding provisioning the troops. All are later released except for Phèdre's friend Hyacinthe.

In Terre d'Ange Drustan has his forces attack the Skaldi forces on the river bank. It quickly becomes apparent, however, that the Skaldic forces far outnumber them; Drustan gives his troops the option of going home, rather than facing almost certain death in Terre d'Ange. They agree to stay, on the condition that, if they fall, someone carry word of their deeds back to Alba so that the poets may sing of them and their families may know how they died.

During the Battle of Troyes-le-Mont they set fire to Waldemar Selig's siege-towers and Drustan directs his men to lead the pursuing Skaldi into ravines and narrow paths, where the Albans and D'Angelines, under the direction of Ghislain de Somerville, ambush them. The Battle is successful and when it is over, Drustan and Ysandre de la Courcel meet before their armies as monarchs of equal standing, with dignity and respect, keeping their emotions and celebration behind closed doors. They marry in the following spring.

During the Battle of Troyes-le-Mont, Eamonn dies. As is custom, Grainne returns to Eire with Eamonn's head. After the battle, Grainne also reveals that she is pregnant by Quintilius Rousse.

During Kushiel's Scion

When Imriel de la Courcel turns sixteen, Eamonn mac Grainne, son of Grainne and Quintilus Rousse, comes to foster at the Montrève residence, where Imriel and Eamonn become good friends. Imri becomes close enough to Eamonn to tell him the horrors of Daršanga. They spend their summer sleeping with various peasants and enjoying the bounty of Terre d'Ange. They also visit a nearby temple to Shemhazai. When Eamonn leaves, he makes Imri promise to come visit him in Tiberium, where he will be studying at the university.

When Imriel turns eighteen, Prince Talorcan, Drustan's nephew and heir apparent, joins Drustan's annual spring visit to Terre d'Ange, bringing Princess Dorelei with them. It becomes apparent that as much as Drustan would like to name his daughter Alais his heir, he cannot without risking another civil war. If Alais were to wed Talorcan, she would rule at his side but their children would not inherit the throne due matrilineal succession. However, if Imri were to wed Dorelei, his son would become Cruarch and Terre d'Ange's influence in Alba would not wane. Imriel is asked to consider this but he would never be forced into a marriage as that is heresy under Elua's precept.

Later that year, due to his confusion over himself and his desire to get away from both Phèdre nó Delaunay and D'Angeline politics, Imriel decides to follow Eamonn to the university of Tiberium where they study under Master Piero for a year. Eamonn falls in love with a Skaldic woman, Brigitta. During the siege of Lucca, Eamonn and Brigitta are split. When Eamonn finally leaves Lucca, he learns that her family has come to take her home but that she has him a note with a rough drawn map of Skaldia and where her tribe is. Eamonn follows Brigitta to Skaldia in the hopes of convincing her family to let him marry her, which will likely include a year's worth of hard labour for her clan.

During Kushiel's Justice

::"Main article: Kushiel's Justice"

Imriel de la Courcel returns to Terre d'Ange. When he presents himself to the Queen, he tells her that he has decided to wed the Alban Princess Dorelei. While Drustan would like to name Alais as his heir, he cannot without risking another civil war. If Alais were to wed Talorcan, she would rule at his side but their children wouldn't inherit the throne. However, if Imriel were to wed Dorelei, his son would become Cruarch and Terre d'Ange's influence in Alba would not wane. For this reason, despite the fact that Imriel does not love Dorelei as yet, he agrees to wed her for the betterment of the kingdom and, in some way, to show his loyalty to throne, thereby disavowing his being related to Melisande Shahrizai.

Imriel begins classes in Alban history with his cousin, who is as a sister to him, Alais de la Courcel. Alais mentions that she is curious about the whispers she hears about the Maghuin Dhonn but that no one will tell her anything about them. Imriel asks their teacher, who also refuses to tell them anything about them except that they are one of the major tribes of Alba. Imriel eventually learns from one of Drustan's soldiers that they are a tribe that are threatening revolt because they want Alba to stay true to the old ways in the strictest of senses. This is told in great confidence and secrecy.

The next summer, Prince Talorcan and Princess Dorelei accompany Drustan on his annual trip to Terre d'Ange in the spring. Dorelei is sweet and kindhearted but Imriel is distracted with his love another. He still agrees to wed Dorelei though. Dorelei, sensing that he loves another, says she is willing to share him, as she knows D'Angelines do, but that she herself will be only with him, as is Alban custom. Imriel takes this to heart but assures her there is no one else.

The wedding is a public affair with all persons of import in attendance. They are given many gifts though Imriel's most cherished gift is that from Drustan's family, vambraces carved with the image of the Cullach Gorym, their family emblem (their "diadh-anam"). Thus he is welcomed into the royal house of Alba. During the wedding everyone is happy except for Prince Imriel, who is brooding and moping though smiling at all the right moments and doing his duty. A couple days late, all depart for Alba with a large D'Angeline escort, Drustan's family, Phèdre nó Delaunay and Joscelin Verreuil.

After the wedding, Eamonn arrives at court from Skaldia after winning favor of his Skaldic bride's family, Brigitta. Imriel again confides in Eamonn about his worries and who he truly loves.

After a few days, they travel across Alba to the Prince's new home, Clunderry, with Dorelei's family using the "taisgaidh" roads. On his first night on Alban soil, Imriel, missing his lover, fantasizes of her and pleasures himself, spilling his seed on the soil. During his sleep he is woken by an irresistible lustful pull. Following it, he is lead to a lone Alban woman named Morwen, who seems to have the ability to control him and wants him to have a child with her. Though he tries to refuse, the spell she has cast on him strong. Suddenly, some of the Albans from the escort interrupt them and the woman flees. The Albans tell him he was stupid indeed. By spreading his seed, filled with his lust and love, on the "taisgaidh" soil, this woman has been given the tools to ensnare him by making a small "mannekin" of him, allowing her to call on him whenever she wishes. They also tell him that the two claw tattoos on her face means she is of the Maghuin Dhonn.

The spell is strong and his only help is to go to an Ollamh, who casts a spell on him; binding each of his limbs with red ribbon and putting a croonie-stone around his neck. If any of these are taken off or broken, the spell will be broken and he will be under the woman's control again. This causes a noticeable change in Imriel mood; while still self-consumed, he does not seem as sad as he was before and is able to make love to Dorelei. Dorelei, however, looses her visions of the future, as if a giant grey cloud were covering them from her sight.

Clunderry is peaceful and typical of an Alban noble's home. He quickly makes friends with her guards and those under his command. Though new, he is respected by all though many are still reserved about this new D'Angeline pretty-boy Prince. He earns their respect, however, when he stages a raid on a neighboring lord, Leodan of Briclaedh. This lord is challenging him and wants to steal his cattle and horses, perceiving Imriel to be in a position of weakness. Imriel stuns everyone by instead staging a raid on him before Leodan can do the same. Such raids are done in fun and of any true risk but merely to prove a ruler mettle. Imriel manages to escape from multiple attackers with nearly no injuries, earning him praise and respect from all. This also garners him a great friendship with Urist, a guard of Clunderry of good renown and well liked by the troops. On the ride back he feels the lustful pull. Without volition, he rides into a sheltered wooded area, where Morwen waiting. He tries to resist as much as he can but his body responds to her regardless. They are disturbed before anything more can happen and Imriel learns that, during the battle, one of his red ties has been cut off. Before even going to the celebratory feast, he goes to the local Ollamh, who recasts the spell.

Life continues as it will in an Alban holding and Dorelei has also become pregnant. Imriel can not wait for his child. This is his real bond of love with Dorelei, who loves him completely. Imriel's cousin, Alais, also grows and matures significantly at Clunderry. She has been learning the arts of the "Ollamh" and loves it. Though she does not love Talorcan, she is leaving her doors open and does not refuse him. Talorcan is patient.

By spring, Dorelei is very large from her pregnancy and she and Imriel are looking forward to their first child, who should be born soon. A couple days after the Day of Misrule, Morwen appears out of the woods right in front of Clunderry's men. She remains on the "taisgaidh" roads but says she is willing to make a deal with Imriel: if he will come with her that night to the circle of standing stones and let her show him the future, she will give him his mannekin thereby freeing him of her magic. The circle is not far away and is on "taisgaidh" lands. Imriel does not trust her but she says that if he wants to bring his troops he may, so long as they stay outside of the circle. Imriel then asks the advice of the Ollamh. She does not trust Morwen as well and asks that, before the ceremony and in the stone circle, Morwen swear not to harm Imriel or any of his family. She agrees without hesitation. Imriel and Dorelei discuss it during that day and come to a decision. Imriel will take a large escort of the troops to the circle with him and be careful. Dorelei will not risk herself or the child by coming with him and will stay in Clunderry with the remaining guards. While it is dangerous, for the freedom of Imriel, the visions of Dorelei, and their unborn child it will be worth it.

That evening they take "taisgaidh" roads to the standing stones. Night has fallen. Morwen tells Imriel that he can not wear any metal within the circle and that the torches of his men must be put out. To verify his safety, he asks her to make the pledge with the Ollamh first. Morwen and the Ollamh go into the circle and Morwen swears that no harm will befall Imriel or his family that night. The Ollamh is satisfied and departs for the outside of the circle. Morwen leads Imriel into the circle, after telling him to take off his shoes. She seeming lifts one of the standing stones and takes out her things from under it, letting it fall back down behind her. They drink mushroom tea and she paints her eyelids and his. She then passes a bag to him with his mannekin inside. Morwen then cuts his bindings, making his emotions come flooding back. Morwen then cuts her wrists and holds his hands. Waiting, the tea starts to have an effect. Eventually he begins to see that the stones are telling him a story.

He sees a boy who is obviously his unborn son, Aniel. He sees Dorelei dead with Aniel holding on to him. He sees his son with Alais and then, as a teen, yelling at Urist. Then there is a pause. Morwen says this is because he has left Alban shores. He returns, however, and Imriel can see the glitter of intelligence in his eyes and glee at the causing of arguments. These arguments lead to wars between the tribes of Alba and the death of Talorcan. He is then named Cruarch and brings hundreds of D'Angeline soldiers to Alba, crushing all resistance. He sees women and children taken out of their homes and their homes being torched. He sees Aniel kill a wounded man begging for mercy. Aniel burns the sacred groves and drags away the standing stones. He is a fearless and cruel leader who hunts down the Maghuin Dhonn until all are gone and redesigns Bryn Gorrydum into a D'Angeline city. Finally Imriel begs her to stop and she does, letting go of his hands. "Your son is a monster, Imriel," she says.

Imriel asks why this is. She replies that she does not know and at first the visions were of many possibilities. Dorelei would die before her second child is born and Imriel leaves Alban shores. At first there was Imriel and Morwen's daughter to balance Aniel but now all that remained was this one vision. Imriel asks if she considered that her intervention caused this in the first place and whether she considered not getting involved. With deep sorrow she said she had considered it.

Imriel hears horns and realizes Morwen's cuts were deeper than he thought. Morwen has lied, harm is coming to Imriel's family. Her life is sacrificed for the good of the Maghuin Dhonn. He rushes back to Clunderry, still under the effects of the mushroom tea. The gates of the castle are open; Leodan of Briclaedh staged his counter cattle-raid on this night after hearing that the troops would be elsewhere. A giant bear is now trying to enter the castle. Imriel charges him but is swiped by a giant claw and falls unconscious. When he wakes he sees Dorelei lying on a table nearby, clearly dead. Imriel falls into a deep depression. He has been severely clawed by the bear, the Maghuin Dhonn shape-shifter leader Berlik. He is transported to Bryn Gorrydum and being treated by an Eisandine healer. Alais would keep him company most days but vengeance was what kept him alive; he wanted Berlik's death. The hunt for Berlik in Alba was unsuccessful but Hyacinthe, the Master of the Straits, saw a large bear swim to Azzalle, across the straights. While he could not be sure it was Berlik, Imriel was. Imriel swears he will bring back Berlik's head and bury it as Dorelei's feet. Urist promises to help him, as do a number of Clunderry's men.

It is a long hunt for Berlik, taking him all the way to empty forests past Vralia. Finally, Berlik appears. He is humbled and broken and asks only for his death, for only his death at the hands of Imriel can bring him atonement. Berlik tells him, "I prayed...I left a trail for you to follow, and I prayed that if you found me, the diadh-anam would accept my sacrifice as atonement, and not punish all of her people for my failure. When my magic returned to me, here in the woods, I knew it was so." Imriel asks why Berlik made it so hard for him. He replies, "Would you have come here with a humble heart if I had not?" Berlik admits his mistakes, his fears, and admits that he should have trusted his gods more instead of only himself. He apologizes to Imriel and calls him "my avenging angel." As Imriel raises his sword he knows the true meaning that Kushiel, the punisher of god, loved his charges too well. Imriel says, "I'm sorry", cuts off Berlik's head cleanly and weeps.

Imriel brings Berlik's head back to Terre d'Ange and then takes it to Clunderry, to bury at Dorelei's feet.

=Characters from Alba and Eire=

During Kushiel's Dart

Drustan mab Necthana is the son of Necthana. He was denied his rightful place as Cruarch due to Maelcon "the Usurper". With the help of Terre d'Ange and Eire, he later gains the position of Cruarch of Alba and weds Ysandre de la Courcel of Terre d'Ange.

Foclaidha is the wife of the first Cruarch in the series, a woman descended from the Brugantii tribe, known as the Red Bulls. Her son is Maelcon.

Maelcon is son of Foclaidha and the Cruarch. Maelcon murdered his father the Cruarch, supposedly being spurred on in this by his mother, and has claimed the title for himself, ending the matrilineal line of succession. For this reason he is referred to by some as Maelcon "the Usurper".

Necthana is mother of Drustan, the sister of the murdered Cruarch. She has three daughters and one son.

Sibeal is the second of Necthana's daughters.

Breidaia is the eldest of Drustan mab Necthana's sisters. She shares her room with Phèdre during the D'Angeline visit.

Moiread is the younger sister of Drustan, a prophetess. She dies during the battle to reclaim Drustan's throne.

the Twins are Eamonn and Grainne mac Conor, the Lords of the Dalriada.

Carraig is the champion of Eamonn mac Conor, who challenges Joscelin Verreuil and is bested by him.

=Terms=

;"diadh-anam" : the symbolic animal of each Alban tribe, which is always a native animal of Alba.

;"taisgaidh" : roads marked by old stones to signify lands where no one can fight or shed blood. This is a holy law that no Albans in their right minds would break for to do so would be heresy. These lands are not considered to be owned by anyone or any clan.

;"uisghe" : a drink of the Dalriada that burns at first but then tastes smooth; it has high alcoholic potency.