Mathan

Mathan was a horse and companion animal to the Celtic witch-warrior Niamh of Argyll.

Biography

In 878, Mathan was ridden and carried Niamh and her apprentice, Birdie, after Niamh was ordered to infiltrate the Hidden Ones under false pretenses. Mathan was led from their village in Argyll, Caledonia to England by going past Hadrian's Wall. During the journey, Mathan soon only carried Niamh as Birdie was not ready for the toll of the mission and headed home by herself. Soon, Mathan rode with Niamh to Lunden as he was then left to rest while Niamh went to find Hawk's Nest and the Hidden Ones. Mathan later accompanied Niamh on her mission to Cote to find and assassinate the Order member, a priest named Deoric. In Cote, Mathan was left at an abandoned barn while Niamh went to investigate the village and find Deoric.

After Deoric's death, Mathan was taken quickly and ridden by Niamh to Wisweth's home, over concern of the Cote's possible retaliation. Mathan was soon left by a fence post as Niamh checked on Wisweth, only to find her house burned down with no sign of Wisweth being alive. Quickly, Niamh rode Mathan to Glastonbury Tor as Mathan was made to wait for her as she left on a rowboat towards Avalon. After the conversation with The Lady and Niamh about what transpired, Mathan was met by Niamh as they rode back to Lunden to inform the Hidden Ones Hytham and Marcella. Mathan was left once again at the stables as Niamh went to confer with Hytham and Marcella about the events in Cote.

On a new mission, Niamh rode Mathan as they traveled alongside Hytham along the Tamesis River to find a base of another Order target, Cyrus. Mathan was left with Hytham's horse in hiding, as to avoid any patrols. After the mission proved successful in saving a woman from Cyrus' grasp, Mathan was met by both Niamh and Cyrus, who began to fight each other. As Niamh grew tired, Mathan was used as a last resort as Niamh made Cyrus back up towards Mathan's rear legs. Startled, Mathan back-kicked Cyrus and knocked him out. After Niamh tied up Cyrus, Mathan and Hytham's horse carried their company back to Lunden to avoid any guards following them. Niamh and Mathan later traveled back towards Avalon to inform of Excalibur's current bearer. After speaking with The Lady, Niamh readied Mathan and rode him to find Valka at Ravensthorpe.

Mathan was left nearby as Niamh went to find Valka in her home by the settlement's waterfall. After Niamh and Valka discussed the Order's nunnery, Mathan was readied by Niamh as Valka joined them in their mission. Mathan was later stationed along with Valka's horse as both women left to investigate the town besides the nunnery. The mission turned into a small rescue for some pagan women as Niamh escaped on Mathan alongside Valka, as the plan went awry due to Cyrus' survival and presence at the nunnery. After arriving back in Lunden, Mathan was quickly left at the stables as Niamh headed towards Hawk's Nest. After conferring with Hytham about the nunnery event, Niamh rode on Mathan as she traveled alongside Hytham to Caledonia to meet with Hytham's ally, Eivor Varinsdottir of the Raven Clan, about Excalibur.

Behind the scenes

After the events that transpired between Niamh, Hytham, and Eivor in Caledonia, Mathan is no longer mentioned and his current status is unknown.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse