by Audra Hart
Athena also feels compelled to warn Morna, “Nyx is here. I don’t know if you know this or not, but she isn’t a great supporter of yours.” Morna nods and telepathically tells Athena about her suspicions that Nyx is the Dark One, and the reasons behind her suspicions. Athena is momentarily surprised and then seems to agree. “Possible, highly probable even. You are a smart girl, aren’t you?” Athena laughs when Morna blushes. “Good! You are humble too. I like that, so will Arete.”
Athena laughs again, and says, “It is time to begin. The Father has been demanding his fair hearing and accusing you of all manner of trickery to any and all who will listen. Whatever did you see in that whelp, Morna?”
Arete speaks up and says, “She was mortal, she was lonely. I get it.”
“Probably not my finest hour,” Morna admits but continues, “I wouldn’t do anything different. He put three wonderful children in my belly. He was good for something.” The three women laugh at that, and some of the men around them smile too, knowing many women of great magical power see men as of little value other than putting children in their bellies.
Morna follows the two Greek goddesses to the front of the hall. She has been looking around and expanding her senses since she arrived. She approves heartily of the security measures that Bronwyn and Brian has put in place. She knows her Guild is well protected between Luca, Elias and the other Spell Weavers who have been her supporters for centuries. She also looks around the occupants of the Guild hall. She quickly spots the Celtic Gods; Belenus and Lenus both are gods of healing. She admires both of them greatly. Of course, Taranis the Celtic god of thunder is there. She is surprised to see two goddesses Agrona and Andraste, the pair are mated and are the goddess of war and victory, respectively. She wonders why they are interested in this matter. She smiles happily when she sees Sirona, the Celtic goddess of healing. Morna has long admired her and even named her own Cirona after her.
Morna also recognizes two New World gods. Camaxtli, the Aztec god of war and Gahe, an Apache mountain god renowned and revered for his healing abilities. She sees a third New World god that she doesn’t recognize, but she hears Maria greet him and learns his name is Xellas, the god of Change, Transformation and Improvement. Ah, so that’s him,” Morna thinks to herself.
Movement catches her eye and she looks to the front of the hall. Silvanus is taking his place alongside Tarvish, Taranis and Hector. Morna nods. “This is good,” she thinks, but then Morna suddenly feels a wall of hatred coming at her, and looks towards the direction it came from. She knows who is behind it before her eyes even find her. Nyx.
Morna can’t help herself, she smiles sweetly at The Primordial. The tall, willowy goddess has lovely pale skin, with hair and eyes as dark as midnight and just a beautiful. “Too bad her beauty is only skin deep. Why don’t you show your beast form to this group?” Morna shakes her head. “Your day is coming! No one screws with my family and my guild!” Morna thinks to herself.
And then she notices Nyx place her hand on the knee of the man seated next to her. Morna smirks as the goddess slides her hand up the leg of Ares, the Greek god of war who is sitting beside Nyx looking beautiful and bored. “I wonder why the best looking men have to be such… men.” Morna thinks to herself. She smiles and looks to her right at her mate, and knows that statement isn’t entirely true. She also wonders if Ares is in league with Nyx. Probably not, but who knows for sure. He’s a bit of an egomaniac and fancies himself a badass. Actually, he is a badass, but he seems to be an honorable badass. She will just have to keep an eye on him, as well.
Morna is nearly at the front of the hall when she walks beside Mars. He stands and holds up his hand to ask her to halt. “Thank you,” He whispers. “I would have hated myself later if I decided to let you down at the last minute.”
Morna chuckles at that and pats his hand and continues on her way. She is grateful for Octavius’ advice. She had been wondering about the wisdom of choosing Mars before, but now she is certain it was wise to replace him. Mars smiles and sits beside his companion, Sol Invictus, the Roman sun god and his mate, Veritas, the goddess of virtue and truth. The women’s eyes meet and they smile openly at each other, recognizing kindred spirits and allies in each other.
Sol Invictus nods at Morna and Luca as he speaks to them telepathically, “I hope to spend some time with both of you soon… I have news, but for now just know Veritas and I are your ardent supporters.” Morna and Luca look at each other in confusion and wonder what that is about.
When Morna approaches the raised platform, she encourages Kyle, Aiden and Nora to follow her. The children quietly sit in the chairs awaiting them and look coolly at their father across the platform. Morna looks behind her to see Luca making sure the younger of their Highland children are settled. Morna smiles because her mate and her children take up the entire front row. Her family and supporters take up the next three rows. Morna can’t help but feel well loved and well supported. “I am indeed a blessed woman.” Morna thinks to herself.
She finally looks across at Rolan. Just as she expected, he is staring venomously at her. “Dammit Deidra! Did you really have to call for a Paternal Bond hearing?”
“You started screaming for your rights, Rolan. I don’t want to infringe on your rights, but I will, at all times, protect my children… from everyone who might be a danger to them,” Morna says calmly.
Athena interrupts and says, “Morna, I take it by that statement that you are not seeking to sever the bond?”
“That is entirely up to the children. However, if the bond remains, I want very reasonable restrictions in place to protect them. Rolan has not proven himself to be the most caring and loving Father in the past,” Morna says quietly.
Athena lifts an eyebrow questioningly and says, “You do not know how the children will vote?”
“I have a good idea, but it’s their choice, not mine. They are all three intelligent, articulate and rather mature for their ages. They can speak for themselves. They know that I will support whatever they choose,” Morna says confidently.
“Extraordinary!” breathes Arete. She turns her attention to the children. “Your mother nor any of her supporters have encouraged you to vote one way or another?”
Kyle shakes his head no. “Mom wouldn’t try influence us and wouldn’t allow anyone else to either.”
Aiden and Nora also shake their heads no. Arete smiles, “Good, Lady Morna has once again proven herself an honorable and ethical woman.” The four judges nod in agreement.
Athena looks at the panel and says, “I think we should begin by asking the children what they want and then allow the parents to make their respective cases. The four judges nod again. Athena turns to her attention to Nora, “Child, do you understand why we are here today?”
“Yes, our biological father started demanding his right to take us with him. This hearing is to decide if he actually has any rights,” Nora says calmly.
“Exactly. And Nora, how do you feel about what your Father wants?” Arete asks sweetly.
“I won’t go with him. I am a seer, I see what is to come and what has already happened. Rolan hurt my mother the night I was conceived.” There is a gasp in the hall, but Nora ignores the reaction of the assembled witnesses and continues, “I am seven years old. I was six when we were in that crash, and he never once tried to see me before that time. I am sure he doesn’t even want me. I know that I definitely do not want him to be my parent. Lucian Michaels is for all intents and purposes my Daddy,” Nora says calmly, in her sweet, little girl‘s voice.
Athena and Arete nod and then thank Nora for her testimony. “You are indeed very articulate and intelligent for one so young. But I understand your mother was much the same.” Then they turn their attention to Aiden. “What of you Aiden? How do you feel about what your father wants?”
Aiden smiles and says, “I was only recently healed. I was severely disabled since birth. It is hard for me to speak clearly, so I will be brief; Roland Montfort rejecte
d me because I was a cripple, I reject him because I witnessed what he did to my mother when Nora was conceived. I too, choose Lucian Michaels as my Father.” The assembled witnesses gasp again.
Arete looks harshly at Rolan and asks him, “Did you really mate, forcefully or otherwise with this woman, in front of this child?” Rolan looks away and doesn’t answer.
Athena growls, “I guess we have our answer.” She turns her attention back to Aiden. “You are a brave young man, and very articulate, despite the problem you have forming clear speech. Thank you for your honesty.” Aiden nods, and folds his hands in his lap.
Athena looks at Kyle and says, “Young man, I expect that this will be hardest on you. You can decline to speak if you wish.”
Kyle shakes his head no, “I should speak.” He looks at Rolan and says, “You are my biological father, and I truly wish you no harm. I hate the way you treated Mom but she says that whatever happens between the adults in a family should be dealt with by the adults, so I won’t even speak to that. But I feel that I must say that Lucian Michaels is better able to teach me to be the kind of man I want to be, because he is exactly the kind of man I hope to someday be. He‘s honest, caring, strong, moral and responsible. He tracked mother down thirteen different times all around the world over a span of nearly six hundred years. He always loved her and respected her. He has steadfastly shown up here in Airendell six times each year since 1438 to carry out his duty to train the warriors of Airendell. He has taken on eleven children as his own to love, protect and look out for as his own… Rolan couldn‘t even bother to show up when Mom almost died delivering Aiden. He wouldn‘t change a diaper, help her care for me or Aiden. All I ever heard him do was make demands and tell Mom to make us be quiet so he could watch the game on TV. I am really not sure why he claims he wants us. He never showed any interest in us when we lived together as a family. I want to sever all Paternal Bonds with Rolan Montfort or MacQuahae, whatever his name is.”
Athena nods and looks at Morna to say, “You have raised fine children Madam.” Morna smiles at that and Athena turns her attention to Rolan. “Now Rolan Montfort MacQuahae, son of the Dark Elf Ciciceri, tell this panel why we should not do as these bright, sensitive, articulate children wish and sever your bond to them?”
“Because they are mine! I have rights! I want them!” Rolan says petulantly. Morna notices that he looks at Nyx nervously, almost fearfully and then looks back quickly to Athena. “I have rights,” He mutters quietly.
Morna speaks to Rolan via telepathy, “Is she forcing you to do this? Did she force you to do other things against me?” When he doesn’t even look at her she becomes frustrated and says, “Dammit Rolan, I can help if she has threatened you.”
Rolan looks at her and nods nearly imperceptivity. “When you leave this hearing, make your way to Asgard. We will give you sanctuary.” Morna quickly relays this information to Luca, who only sighs but agrees with his mate.
Athena nods and looks at Morna, “Morna Michaels, formerly known as Deidra Montfort, and many, many other names…” Everyone in the hall chuckles at that. Morna stiffens, she hates to think that the hell that she and Luca have endured over the past six centuries has become some kind of joke among the magical realms.
Arete looks at Morna and says, “Athena, forgive my interruption but Morna just had a thought that I feel must be cleared up immediately, before we progress any further.” Morna cringes… “Morna wonders if the trials and tribulations that she and Lucian have faced have become some source of amusement among the magical realms… Madam, let me assure you that they have not. Most of us shudder to think what we would have done in your place. I suspect that most of us admire you and your mate greatly.” There is a rousing cheer among the witnesses filling the hall.
Morna blinks rapidly and mumbles, “Thank you.”
Athena chuckles and says, “Arete, may I continue?” At Arete’s nod she says, “Morna, tell us why you don’t want Rolan Montfort to raise your children.”
“He has behaved as a dishonest man, a selfish man, and an uncaring man,” Morna says calmly. “I do not think he can keep them safe. The threat against me and the ones I love still exists.”
“How do you know he is dishonest?” Athena asks.
“He knew that Lucian was my mate. He knew all about the curse and wed me anyway. That’s dishonest.” Morna says in a stone cold voice that sends shivers up the back of Rolan and others.
“And why do you say he is selfish and uncaring?” Athena asks.
“My children have already articulated those plain truths much more eloquently than I ever could,” Morna says as she looks at her children proudly.
The assembled witnesses break out in spontaneous cheering and clapping. When the cheering dies down an icy voice from the hall says, “But the First Spell Weaver of Airendell is far from perfect… she is at this very moment creating a new race of magical beings. I suspect she’s doing so to increase her power, perhaps she has some dark plan…” Nyx purrs from her seat beside Ares.
“How is she creating a new race of beings?” Athena demands of Nyx.
“She is infecting them with what she is. She has infected her sister, a Stone Breaker, even her own mate. I suspect she is planning to infect many others. Soon the nine realms and various dimensions will be swarming with her spawn,” Nyx says venomously. Some of the assembled witnesses gasp at those accusations.
Morna smiles, she had been hoping for a move like this. The First Spell Weaver stands slowly and strolls over in front of Nyx… “You would know all about creating a new race that would infect innocents all over the nine realms, don’t you Nyx?”
Nyx sputters and rants, as Ares and several others in the hall laugh at her discomfort. “Nyx… it’s not a secret. We all know that you created the Stone Cold vampire race. We all know that you don’t care that most of them cannot stop themselves when they see or smell human blood, they go into a killing frenzy. I think you are angry because the way I ‘infect’ them seems to make them more human like. As to those I have already ‘infected’, all but Breena was an accident. And she was dying and I would do whatever it takes to keep that good woman alive,” Morna says calmly.
“And what about your mate?” Nyx demands.
Morna smiles and looks around the hall. “Very well, Agnar, Thor and George… brothers please escort all of my children from this hall and keep them safe? I will not speak of mature and private matters in front of my own offspring.”
Morna and everyone in the hall watches patiently as Morna’s thirteen children file out of the hall, escorted by her three chosen protectors. Morna knows that Bronwyn has also assembled a detachment of Airendell warriors to watch them. She also notices that Ingrid and Annie have positioned themselves so that they could leap to Morna’s defense if needed.
Morna smiles satisfied and walks back up to the platform. “Nyx has accused me of creating a new race. Perhaps that is true. I know there has been some talk of that being in prophesy, but honestly, I became what I am by accident… and the changes in my mate were not deliberate either. Both occurred because I am a very passionate woman who loves her mate, shall we say… enthusiastically.” There are several chuckles at that remark.
“And just what does that mean?” sneers Nyx.
Morna smiles and says, “Nyx, if you are hoping I will shy away from answering out of embarrassment, you are sadly mistaken. I don’t relish the idea of openly discussing my sex life before the nine realms, but I will if necessary. I am certainly not ashamed of loving my husband.”
Nyx snorts and says, “You can’t bravado your way out of answering Morna!”
“Fine,” Morna says quietly. “I was exposed to Lucian’s venom during sex.”
“The fiend attacked his own mate?” Nyx says, feigning disgust at the thought.
Morna chuckles and says, “Jeez Nyx, we all know you aren’t that thick headed. Shall I draw you a diagram? He was pleasuring me with his mouth.” Morna smiles when Nyx seems to choke on
her former smug satisfaction. Titters and chuckles sound throughout the hall.
Ares laughs outright and says, “Nyx you idiot, you opened this can of worms. But I must admit that I am rather glad you did. This little Spell Weaver is much more interesting than I ever imagined she might be.”
More chuckles follow Nyx’s tirade directed at her lover. Morna turns to walk back to the platform. Nyx can tell she is losing her audience completely, she strikes out with one last hope… “Morna, how did you infect your mate with what you have become?”
Morna turns and smiles a very satisfied smile. “Nyx, I am a woman of strong magic, strong warrior skills, I have a very strong body and my desires for my mate are very strong as well. I encouraged him to bite and drink my blood during our loving.”
“Actually,” Mordir says as he stands to speak from the back row, “I advised Lord Lucian to bite his mate as a way to encourage her body to heal and strengthen after a very taxing healing rite that the First Spell Weaver performed.” Mordir chuckles, “However, I suspect the drinking part was all Lady Morna’s idea. She is a very giving woman and I am sure she wanted to give her mate pleasure in the process.”
Athena laughs and says, “Morna you are a very candid and unpretentious woman, but unless Nyx has any further accusations she wants answers to or wants to provide answers for…” Athena says looking at Nyx with clear disdain in her countenance. When Nyx will not meet her Greek sister’s eyes, Athena snorts derisively; “No? I rather thought not. The can of worms just wasn’t what you hoped it would be, was it, darling?” Athena purrs sarcastically.
When Nyx scoffs and looks away, Athena turns her attention back to the panel of judges. “Honored panel members, I am afraid we got very much off track here. Are your ready to vote on the matter of Rolan Montfort’s Paternal Bond petition?” When they all nod, Athena turns and says, “Morna do you still stand by your position?”
“I do,” says Morna.
Athena turns to Rolan and asks, “Do your still stand by your position Montfort?”
