Drail

**Drail**, also known as **Lord Drail**, is a red deer and a Lord of the Home Herd.

## Appearance

Drail is an eleven year old, old, virtually lame,  massive  Red Deer with a great, shaggy form. He has twelve points to his antlers, which judging by their size and thickness, have clearly gone back. He is not unattractive, but his eyes have a wary, cruel look.  He has a limping gait.

## Story

Drail is the Lord of the Home Herd, though has begun using the title "Lord of Herds", for he wants to rule throughout the Low Lands . He has grown increasingly unpredictable, and he and Sgorr have spies everywhere . After Sgorr joined the herd, he quickly gained Drail's confidence and played on his fears of being ousted, leading to the creation of the Draila . Drail’s Lordship has not been challenged for over 6 years now; not because no stag is strong enough to defeat him, but because of the new Draila system . His ambitions had grown with his power, his power base stretching far beyond the herd itself, hence the new title “Lord of Herds”. Many of the red deer across the low lands now recognize Drail’s authority and come to pay him homage before Anlach.  Drail wanted Eloin for himself, and was jealous that she chose Brechin, an Outrider captain. Brechin thinks this is part of the reason for the change in him.

Bandach tells Brechin that he has a message from Drail- he has summoned the council at Larn. Brechin scoffs at Drail and his Lord of Herds title, and says he'll come when he can. When Brechin tells Eloin of the meeting, she urges him to be careful, as Drail is jealous. Brechin reminds her that if Drail wants her, he must fight for her at Anlach, and could take him with one antler.

When Brechin reaches the meeting place, Drail announces that he has consulted with Sgorr and the Draila, and has decided to abolish Anlach, so he will lead for three more summers at least.  Brechin is shocked and challenges this, telling the younger stags that Drail has gone mad. The Draila attack and kill the Outriders. Drail and Sgorr feel the enormity of what they have done. Drail is deeply displeased that Brechin fought so bravely, and asks where he is, saying they shall pay their respects. He goes to Brechin's body and bows his antlers, hooking them with Brechin's and nodding his head twice. He then kicks Brechin in the head and snaps his antler clean in half. He walks away, gratified. Drail then orders Sgorr to go get Eloin and kill her fawn. Sgorr thinks Drail is an old fool and won't last as Lord, for he is lame and tired. He plans to overtake him. If it hadn't been for Drail being so gullible, he wonders where he would be now.

Bandach tells Eloin that the Draila are coming to take her to Drail. When Sgorr arrives, Eloin says she'd rather die than stand with Drail, pleasing Sgorr. When he suggests it might only be for a time, as he is young, Eloin says she'd rather have Drail than Sgorr in ten thousand years. Eloin repeats that she'd rather die than run with Drail, threatening to eat poisonous plants. She ultimately agrees to go with them to Drail.

Drail imposes a curfew on the herla. His personal power spreads, as this autumn over seven herd lords came to pay him homage. He insists on being called Lord of Herds. New schools for the fawns are created, where instead of Herne, the fawns are taught of the strength, power, and goodness of Lord Drail, Protector of Herla. That anlach, Drail tries to mate with Eloin without success, and while he dismisses the other hinds in his harem, he keeps Eloin close to his side. After hearing about a fawn with an oak leaf mark, Drail has Blindweed brought to the Home Oak where he recites the Prophecy. Afterwards, Drail asks Sgorr if he believes in the Prophecy, and Sgorr says no, but others might, therefore such a fawn could be a danger to him. Sgorr suggests killing all the yearling bucks, and Drail agrees to it.

## Trivia

* Some of Drail's own sons are observed by Brechin to be among his Draila bodyguard.
* Although Drail could hold his own against many young stags, he is no match for Brechin. Even in his prime, Brechin could have beaten him, but it would have been bloody business.

#### References

1. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 6
2. ↑  Fire Bringer, page 187
3. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 14
4. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 6
5. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 30
6. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 187
7. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 197
8. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 56
9. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 83
10. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 187
11. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 196
12. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 14
13. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 10
14. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 30
15. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 41
16. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 6
17. ↑ Fire Bringer, pages 6-7
18. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 16
19. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 16
20. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 16
21. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 11
22. ↑ Fire Bringer, pages 31-32
23. ↑ Fire Bringer, chapter 4
24. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 30
25. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 14