Celtic Storms (12 page)

“Dear boy, I’ve no need of money. I have everything I want, and soon, your blood will ensure my dominion over this land and all of its inhabitants.”

“Father, you know what to do, now do it.”

A look of terror overtook Father MacArtrey as he strode closer to the boy. “Please forgive me son,” he whispered.“Child, this will all be over soon, you will see. And it won’t hurt ever much, I promise. Just do what I tell you.”

“Don’t comfort the bastard you insolent priest. Get on with it.”

“Very well.”

Cynbel arose from the shadows and handed Father MacArtrey the dagger of Teutates. He unsheathed the magnificent blade and turned to address the congregation.

“
By the moon, the stars and the skies;

we offer this sacrifice to Teutates.

His chosen ones this day unite,

to partake o’the innocent one’s -

life force within the blood.

Our sacrifice this day be for

the ancient rite of holy war!”

At the sound of the war rite, the gatherers shouted, “War, war, war, war, war!” in unified voice. They began to chant, wail and moan and the musty odor of peat fire filled the altar.

“Now,” commanded Odetta.

“Very well,” replied Father MacArtrey and grabbed the boy by the left hand. “By Teutates, I accept your sacrifice” and he sliced a long line upon the boy’s left wrist. “Naelyn quickly,” he murmured, “the cisterns.”

Naelyn grabbed the sacred cisterns and placed them beneath the bleeding arm of the boy who was screaming and near to passing out. His blood trickled a line of red all around the altar and began filling the cisterns. When he had finally passed out, Father MacArtrey laid him to the side of the altar and covered him with his cloak.

“Come my people and drink in the rite!” exclaimed Odetta, as each gatherer brought their glass of holy water to mix it with the blood of the boy’s sacrifice.

“Drink your fill, this night we celebrate!”

“To war,” she exclaimed as she raised her glass.

“To war,” came the loud replies. “To war!”

***

“Mary, Mother of God,” said Deasum under his breath and began to pace back and forth in front of the fire.

“Mavis, begin packing, we leave at once,” instructed Carbry.

“But my lords,” interrupted Mavis.

“Mavis, please do as you are asked, and at once.” shouted Deasum sternly. “I mean to leave post haste.”

Patrick rose from the log where he was sitting and placed a hand on Deasum’s shoulder. “Deasum, what on earth is b-both-bothering you man? It is n-ne-near to sunrise and you wish to traverse Burke lands in the d-da-day light?”

“We must, we’ve no other choice. Darina’s safety depends on it.”

“Darina’s safety depends on us ignoring our safety and traveling through Burke lands in the day?” inquired Mavis. “I will not go, I will stay here or turn back; I will not go in the daylight.”

“Mavis, hold on a bit,” commanded Patrick.

“Deasum, I must kn-know what is going on. Why must we l-leave now.”

“I can’t explain it to you,” replied Deasum.

“You can and you w-wi-will. I am to be the new l-la-laird in two days’ time. You wil t-tell me n-now, or you will t-tell me then. Either way, I w-won’t budge an inch lest you tell me.”

“Very well - It’s the girl, the girl in your dreams.”

“What of her?”

“She is Darina, your betrothed.”

“Wh-what? How do you know?”

“It is she, I am certain of it.”

“Tell me how!”

“Patrick, she wears, she wears men’s – she wears truis and she is our clan falconer,” retorted Deasum shaking his head in anguish and rubbing his eyes with his fists.

“Falconer?”

“Yes, her falcon’s name is Riann. She is the best in Western Ireland. The dream you had, it is a foretelling, Darina is in danger, and we must get to her at once.”

“I see.”

“Mavis,” Patrick directed to Braeden’s nurse. “I canna protect you if you remain behind. We are already on the b-border of B-Burke lands. But I willna force you to c-come with us. Braeden n-needs you, I would be mo-most appreciative if you w-wou-would join us on the road.”

“Very well, my lord,” she replied. “But I wish to ride in the back of the carts under the coverings.

“As you w-wi-wish.”

O’Malley Castle

“Darina, can you hear me my love? Darina please answer me, can you hear me?” came the worn inquisition from Minea.

There must be a horse sitting atop my head. I just know it. And why won’t they please hold their tongues? It pains me so.

“
She has lain in this bed for nigh on three nights now. Not a word, not a moan even,” said Minea.

Who are they talking about and why won’t they just be quiet?

“
And – you’re sure it was poison?” asked Ruarc from his perch standing at the arrow slit window watching the sun fade in the distance.

“Quite sure,” stated Lucian. “I have every confidence though that she will make a full recovery. The herbs and elixirs prepared by myself and Atilde have done their job. It is only to wait now - only to wait.”

“Kyra – any word from the priest?” questioned Ruarc as he turned to face the group gathered around Darina’s bed.

“Nothing father,” she responded. “When I and Murchadh searched for him we discovered his chambers empty and the chapel unkempt. It appeared he left in a hurry. In fact, we aren’t totally sure he left willingly but we haven’t sent a search party for him as of yet. Murchadh believes it best we leave our troops intact until the others arrive.”

“Aye, Murchadh is one of the wisest of my men, I trust his judgment. What bothers me daughter is that the wedding was to have taken place two nights ago, and Father MacArtrey, I do not believe, would have left the honors to anyone else. I do believe he would have been here and knew we expected him to be.”

“I think you insulted him however, Ruarc, when you suggested the wedding not take place in the chapel. When we set to make the plans, Lucian mentioned the overlook cliff above the bay, he seemed quite perturbed,” interrupted Atilde.

Ruarc chastised her with his eyes and continued, “However, I do wish to send a few men out to receive the travelers, they should have been here by now and I feel a storm is brewing, it’s best we do this now, Kyra.”

“As you wish father, may I accompany?” asked Kyra.

“As you wish, Kyra.” he replied.

“Lucian, would you send Riann out ahead of the group, to lead the way? I fear we need another set of eyes on the road.”

Nay. Do not send Riann, she may get lost or hurt, or a hunter may take her. She should not go out without me. Do you hear me, are you listening?

“
Father – she is trying to tell us something.” exclaimed Kyra.

“Quick – get her some water,” uttered Lucian.

Darina blinked behind heavy eyelids and licked her swollen, cracked lips.
So thirsty, and hungry! How long have I been here?

“What is going on?” she asked.

“Darina! By the gods! We thought we had lost you!” exclaimed Atilde. “Don’t try to move too fast, you have been awfully sick. You were poisoned.”

“Poisoned! By whom? Who would want to harm me?”

“Now wait a minute dear, take your time sitting up, unless you want to retch some more.”

“Not bloody likely, I think I could eat a goat and I dare say there is nothing left in my belly,” she said.

Darina opened her eyes fully and began to search the faces of those in the room. It grew dark, but the fire was lit to a blaze and the candles on either side of her bed shown bright. She carefully peered over the countenance of all who gathered around her and broke an inquisitive gaze.

“Well, where is he? Where has he gone?”

“Who my dear?” asked Lucian.

“The monk of course – he was there, in the corner. A
lthough I’m not quite sure if he is a monk or a priest - to be honest.

“
Well? Where did he go?”

“Of whom do you speak, Darina?” questioned Lucian again.

“The monk, he stood right there in the corner,” she said pointing to the far side of the hearth. “And he spoke to me the entire time I’ve been confined to this bed. He said prayers, he chanted, he held my hand, he comforted me. He even fed me in the wee hours of the night when no one else was in my room. Where did he go?”

Lucian gave Ruarc a skeptical look and rose to sit next to Darina on the bed. He placed her feeble hand inside his and caressed her palm with his thumb.

“Darina, tell me – what does this monk look like?”

“A monk – for heaven’s sake! He wore black robes and a cloak and had a golden rope tied about his waste. Just like a monk!”

“Describe his features Darina, so I can be sure of whom you speak.”

“Very well then. He was tall, possibly the tallest man I ever did see,” she chuckled.

“Why do you giggle,” asked Kyra.

“I could just see Darcy trying to get material enough to clothe the man,” Darina stated through her giggles.

“She is delirious with fever,” Ruarc interjected.

“No I’m not, I have no fever and I know what or rather whom, I saw. Now – tell me who he is.”

Lucian continued, “Go on my dear, what else? He was tall, and….?”

“Oh he had long, brownish-red wavy hair that hung past his shoulders and green eyes, the color of spring grass. He was a rather large man to be a monk I would say, but what do I know?”

“My, my, my,” said Lucian as he rose to pace the room.

“Well – where did he go?” demanded Darina.

“Darina, Ruarc and I shall get to the bottom of this quickly, for now, eat your supper and regain your strength; we shall talk in the morning.”

“Wait a minute,” commanded Darina. “Do not take Riann with you please. I couldn’t bare it if something were to happen to her.”

“Dear child, I would never let anything happen to Riann, you know this.” he replied. “Now get your rest.”

***

Lightening pierced the sky and chased the thunder clap. The rain was like needles upon their skin, and yet Deasum bade they continue. The rocky terrain was hazardous and Patrick had changed the last wheel his father had sent when Deasum halted them for a rest and to partake of a brief meal.

“Patrick, might I wander on a bit behind the trees?” asked Braeden. “I need to relieve myself.”

“I pr-pref-prefer you wait until I or Ca-Carbry may accompany you.”

“But I have to go bad! Besides it is well past sunset, we made good ground today during the daylight and haven’t seen hide or hair of any Burke clansman.”

Deasum interjected, “I see no harm in it, and we are getting close to the border that separates Burke lands from O’Malley lands. I dare say we may make it just after sunrise if we don’t rest too long.”

“I’ll see to him,” said Mavis. “I have need of a little wandering myself.”

“Don’t g-go far,” warned Patrick.

“We will see you in a bit then,” called Mavis over her shoulder.

They walked west towards the bustling stream they had crossed miles back, knowing it probably flowed in their direction. The rain itself wasn’t too much of a burden, but the wind whipped the tree limbs about them and made their journey slow. Thunder serenaded them and lightening lit their way until finally they came upon a small patch of thick brush just this side of the stream.

“We will stop here,” Mavis said and pointed Braeden towards the brush. “Go on now, be about your business.”

***

“Patrick, have you had any other dreams to speak of?” inquired Carbry.

“Nay – n-no-not really.”

“Not really?” questioned Deasum a concerned look upon his face.

“No. None.”

Carbry shot Deasum a concerned glanced and rose to question Patrick further when he heard an almost inhuman scream in the distance.

“Mavis,” they said in unison.

Burke Lands – Odetta’s Monastery

When the last of the cups were empty, Odetta rose to speak. “My people – we have great promise. Our sacrifice to Teutates is welcomed and we are assured our war!”

Cheers rose up in the hall and Easal bent his knee to Odetta in reverence. The entire hall followed his lead, save for Father MacArtrey and Cynbel.

“My dear priest, I understand your reluctance to bow your knee, but you will soon enough. Of that I am most certain. It is you my dear brother that surprises me so.”

Odetta turned and stepped down from the platform to face her brother.

“And why would the Laird of this clan bow his knee to a mere woman?” asked Cynbel Burke.

“A mere woman, you say?” inquired Odetta.

“A mere woman, indeed.”

“Can a mere woman call upon the gods to do her bidding? Can a mere woman wield the power to make war?”

“You can’t make war without warriors, sister. Surely you aren’t as deft as you look?” replied Cynbel. “No Burke soldiers will march upon your orders, and you know this.”

“But of course; but they
will
march upon the orders of my husband – will they not?” she asked as she gestured towards Easal.

Easal rose acknowledging her inference and paced to stand beside her in front of Cynbel.

“And why would your marriage – to anyone – have any bearing whatsoever upon the loyalty of
my
soldiers?”

“It would if you were dead.”

Odetta unsheathed the dagger of Teutates and thrust it madly into her brother Cynbel’s chest. Cynbel staggered and tilted forward before gripping Easal by his hips and pleading with him with his eyes.

“Easal, why have you betrayed me?” he asked, before he sputtered blood from his mouth and collapsed on the floor beside Father MacArtrey.

Father MacArtrey quickly took a knee before Odetta could utter another word.

“Well that didn’t take as long as I originally thought,” she said as she rose and retook her position before the group at the altar.