“Your Highness, the High Priestess’s vision has never failed you before. She implores you to take action to fortify the port cities. She has seen a large and fearsome army overtaking our land,” replied Cathaír.
Ruaidrí drank more mead and thought for a few minutes. If the wise woman’s vision is true, mayhaps it is a warning from the Goddess herself, thought Ruaidrí. In order to appease the Christian bishops and local monks, Ruaidrí and his estate followed the Christian rites, eschewing the old ways. By decree, he had forbidden many of the ancient practices and approved of the renaming of others. Many of his people were devoted to the new religion. But many, like Ruaidrí himself, mouthed the words of the hymns and prayers, but in their heart, they longed for the Beltane fires.
As he reflected, he thought that perhaps the Goddess was upset with him. Maybe he needed to appease her. He felt certain that an offering to the Goddess and a festival to honor her would put him again in good favor with the gods and goddesses of his homeland. Mayhaps the High Priestess’s vision does not portend of what is to come but is only a warning, Ruaidrí thought.
At last Ruaidrí spoke. “What is called for is a great ceremony to appease the Goddess. We will perform a ban-feis. Now go, Cathaír, and tell the High Priestess to ready herself for the ritual.”
“My King, I mean no disrespect, but as you know the Lady of the Well has taken sacred vows. She cannot attend a festival outside the walls of the Sacred Grove. Another priestess, one of high rank, must perform the ceremony instead.”
“Cathaír, return at once to the Sacred Grove and give this message to the High Priestess. Let her know that her vows are of no consequence when the very soul of our fair land is at stake. We shall have the ban-feis at the next full moon, and I expect the High Priestess to perform the role of Goddess.” Ruaidrí dismissed Cathaír without another word.
“What is a ban-feis?” asked Fanny.
“The ban-feis is a ritual that had not been performed in many years. During the ban-feis, the kings, lords, ladies, knights and all of the people come together for bonfires and feasting, and the King is married to the Goddess,” answered Hindergog.
“You mean a real Goddess existed, and the King married her?” asked Jake. “Okay this is starting to get too weird, even for me.”
“There’s no ‘real’ goddess Jake,” I said.
“There is indeed a Goddess, fair Emily. But for the ban-feis the King ritualistically married a priestess or druidess disguised as the Goddess, thus uniting the people with the forces of nature and the land,” said Hindergog. “Listen as I continue my tale.”
The announcement of the ban-feis spread across the land. Those that still followed the old ways were excited and pleased that the King was making peace with the Goddess. Many who did not outwardly follow the old ways out of fear of scorn were secretly happy within their hearts too. The people missed the joyous feasts of old when the High King, as well as all regional kings and lords opened their larders. High born and peasants alike would feast and celebrate.
The next full moon fell on Samhein itself, the New Year for those who followed the ancient ways. It was the end of October and the time when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest. The time when spirits and beings from other worlds are more easily seen in your world.
Saorla had not left the Sacred Grove since she arrived all those years ago. While Cathaír was strongly against it, Saorla agreed with Ruaidrí that they were not in ordinary times.
In Saorla’s heart, she also yearned to see the world outside the walls of the Sacred Grove. She had not attended festival since she was a child. Saorla was excited to see the famed festival fires, hear the thundering drums and feast on meat and game. As a Priestess, Saorla ate mainly fruits of the forest, bread, root vegetables and herbs and only occasional fish or fowl. She had not eaten game since she came to the Grove.
For the ceremony, Saorla and her attending priestesses traveled four days to the north and east until they reached the ancient, sacred site. For countless generations, her people had gathered there for ritual around the central stone cairn. It was all but abandoned. Most no longer remembered who was buried in the tombs on top of the hill or why the ancient peoples had made the intricate carvings of swirls and circles in the large stones placed there. But the site still had a sacred energy about it that made all who gathered at the top of the hill fall into reverent silence.
Saorla attended the ban-feis personifying the Goddess. To keep her identity secret, she wore a mask and an understated, long white tunic and cloak so that the torc around her arm was covered.
Saorla and King Ruaidrí gathered on top of the hill known as Loughcrew along with the regional kings, their ladies and other noblemen and high born. The ceremony began at dusk on Samhein. The highest-ranking Druid Priest in the High King’s court performed the ban-feis ritual as the sun set over the Slieve na Caillaigh hills at Loughcrew.
Around the bottom of the great hill, common folk from all around gathered, ready to join in the revelry of the sacred union. As the Druid Priest spoke the ritual words, Saorla’s attention wandered as she smelled the smoke from the large wood bonfires lit below and the scent of roasting meat. Saorla wondered if all weddings seemed to last so long for a bride.
At last the Druid Priest announced the union was complete, and the High King, on behalf of all his people, was married to the Goddess and thus the land. The regional kings, lords, knights and their ladies cheered loudly. Their cheers were heard by the people gather below and led to a loud roar of hoots and hollers as all celebrated the union.
The last part of the ritual required the High King and the ‘Goddess’ to consummate their marriage in a wedding bed. Ruaidrí and Saorla, still wearing the mask of the Goddess, were taken to what looked like a stone alter bed, draped for the ceremony with linens for privacy. The crowd sent up a riotous cheer as first Saorla then Ruaidrí entered through the drapes to their wedding bed.
Once inside, the High King took Saorla’s hand and kissed it gently. “It is my highest honor to meet you at last, High Priestess,” he said. Saorla was frightened of what would come next as she had never been alone with a man in a bedchamber before. Ruaidrí was practiced in courtesies. But he was an old warrior, gruff and hardened by years of battle and war.
Ruaidrí must have sensed her fear. “You need not worry, my Priestess. I have no desire to offend the Christian gods by taking the sacred virginity of the Goddess’s High Priestess of her most Sacred Grove. I would then offend all the gods while I’m trying to appease them.”
Saorla was much relieved by Ruaidrí’s statement but tried not to show the King her relief. She bowed to the king in thanks. “I thank you, your Highness, for honoring my sacred vows. I am sure the Goddess is pleased with your offering to her, and your diplomacy has saved you from offense to the one God of the Christians as well.
“But what should we do now, my king? The people expect the High King and Goddess to participate in the old rites and consecrate their marriage.”
“We wait an appropriate amount of time. I will emerge from this bedchamber and look the part of the boastful stag. All will think that we have consummated our ‘vows’,” he replied. “You may remove your mask with me, High Priestess, if you would like. It is a warm evening and the mask is surely too warm on your fair face.”
“No, my King, I must stay hidden, even with you.”
“You are right, of course, of course. These are dangerous times, are they not?”
“Yes, your Highness. Cathaír told you of my visions?”
“Cathaír told me. Please forgive me, your Highness, but I cannot believe what you have seen. Your vision must surely be clouded or perhaps it was merely a warning from the Goddess. My men are the most loyal this fair land has ever seen. The people are more united now than in many harvests. I am not concerned of a plot against me, gentle woman.”
“This makes me even more concerned my King. I know that your men are loyal and our land united. For now. But the
invasion that is coming to Érie is different from those that came before. The leader of this army is dark, my King. He quests for power and his thirst is unquenchable. He will say and do anything to achieve his ends. He is without conscience my King. That makes him most dangerous.”
“I am grateful for your fealty, High Priestess. And I will take your words to consideration. But this night, let us enjoy the feast and the fires of Samhein. Let us enjoy the beauty of our fair land and her people. I take my leave of you, your Highness. May the Goddess shine her light on you all of your days.” He bowed low and backed out of the drapes and into the night.
Saorla, finally alone, removed her mask. The mask had made her hot and rivulets of sweat dripped from her temples. She knew that she should stay there and keep her identity secret. But the music was so enticing, the odor of roasted meat and smoke from the fires so delicious. She was practically salivating and her stomach growled with hunger. The low, thundering drums awakened in her desires that were animal and primeval. The night felt momentous and full of magickal power. It was a Samhein with a full moon, surely an omen of good fortune. The Goddess could not intend for her to sit alone and masked in a shrouded room rather than rejoice the life force of the Goddess.
She tore off the white cloak and tunic. Underneath she wore a rough spun and undyed linen tunic like the peasants wore. The long sleeves covered the torc. No one knew what she looked like. She could pass for a peasant.
I will. I will feast and dance.
Saorla snuck out of the linen curtains at the back of the makeshift marriage bedchamber. There was no one around to see her. Everyone else had ventured down the hill to join the feasts and merriment in the valley below. Most of the revelers had a few mugs of mead in their bellies and no longer paid attention to the ‘wedding bed’.
Saorla stepped gingerly down the steep hill. It was difficult walking as she had only the full moon to light the way. Saorla blended into the crowd easily, and as soon as she could, she grabbed a mug of mead and a leg of rabbit. She ate the meat quickly and savored its musky flavor. Saorla drank down the mug of mead in one long draught. She had never had mead and was surprised by the slight tingling sensation it left in her lips. Her head began to feel swoony. Saorla decided that it was not an altogether unpleasant feeling.
She wandered away from the feasting tables toward the sound of the drums. Saorla watched the dancers for a few songs. When she felt confident that she knew the steps of the dance, she joined in. Between the mead, the power of the drums, and the spinning and twirling of the dance, she felt positively intoxicated.
After she had danced a few songs, Saorla looked up to see that her dance partner was Cathaír. He swung her around and danced with her for the rest of the song. They both laughed, and Saorla felt light and free as they danced together. After several more dances, Saorla looked as if she would fall over from exhaustion. Cathaír steered her by her elbow away from the crowd.
“What do you think you are doing, your Highness?” he whispered playfully into her ear.
Saorla hiccupped and said, “Enjoying my wedding night, good sir.”
Cathaír could not help but smile. He felt a warmth toward Saorla he had never felt before. There, in the glow of feast fires and away from the serious business of the Sacred Grove, he noticed for the first time how truly beautiful Saorla was. Her green eyes were two brilliant emeralds. Her lips were rosy pink and full. Her cheeks were flushed from the dance and the ale. Her hair, usually tightly plaited, was loose and flowing, full cascades of soft red flowing over her milky white shoulders.
“Are you going to stand here and continue to scold me, or are you going to dance with me, Cathaír?” Saorla asked.
He thought he should pick her up, carry her to her horse and escort her right back to the Sacred Grove. As her sworn protector and one of the holders of the secret of the Fires of Brighid, that was what he should do.
But he was a man too, and would be a fool not to enjoy a night of dancing and laughter with Saorla. So he put out his arm for her and said, “May I have this dance?”
She smiled mischievously and took his arm as they joined the others in a raucous dance. After a few more hours, Saorla said, “Ach, my feet! My poor soles are not used to all this dancing.”
“Come then and let us rest,” Cathaír said. He took Saorla by the hand and they hiked the steep climb to the top of the sacred hill. It was late into the evening and they walked alone and unseen by the drunken crowd below. Saorla and Cathaír tucked back into the shrouded ‘wedding bed’.
Inside, Saorla threw herself down on the large flat stone bed to rest. She was exhilarated and tired all at the same time. Cathaír stood nearby awkwardly, not knowing what to do next.
“Come rest with me, Cathaír,” Saorla said. She motioned for him to lie next to her.
Cathaír hesitated. He knew it was most improper for him to lie on a bed with Saorla. She was, after all, the High Priestess. But he was tired, and as there was no place to sit, he did as she suggested. As Cathaír lay next to Saorla, their hands gently touched.
Although Saorla was tired, the mead had worn off, and her mind was clear, not foggy. She focused herself and knew in an instant that Cathaír was thinking of how much he loved Saorla. And how much he wanted to kiss her. Saorla’s cheeks flushed scarlet.
Instead of speaking, she rolled over to look at Cathaír. Before he knew what was happening, Saorla gently kissed his lips. Cathaír’s brain told him that he should push her away, but the love pouring from her was too powerful a magnet. He kissed her back and gently wrapped his arms around her. Her body softened in his arms. She felt as if she would melt from the inside out. Her insides had turned to jelly.
As their lips parted, Cathaír looked deeply into Saorla’s eyes. “I love you, Saorla,” he said.
“I love you too, Cathaír.” They kissed again but more deeply. Their passion was ignited, and neither of them could stop the long embrace even if they wanted to. Cathaír and Saorla stayed together, wound tightly in each other’s arms until just before dawn.
When they awoke, Saorla once again dressed as the Goddess, complete with mask. Cathaír slipped out without being seen but brought her horse around for her and escorted her back to the Sacred Grove.
“You mean that they stayed the whole night together?” broke in Fanny.
“Yes,” replied Hindergog.
“Wait. If you know this you were spying on them,” I said.
“Yeah, that’s gross man. You were spying on them while they were making out,” added Jake.
“I cannot expect you human children to understand, but Saorla knew that I saw all of her life. There was nothing she hid from me. She wanted me to see her fall in love.”
“So she and Cathaír were in love?” I asked.
“Yes, very much in love,” replied Hindergog.
“Hindergog, did they make love that night?” asked Fanny.
“Yes, they did,” answered Hindergog.
“Wow, that was totally against the rules, wasn’t it?” asked Jake.
“Yes, young sir, it was. But for my fair Saorla, it was the loveliest night she knew in the whole of her life.”
“You never told anyone, did you Hindergog?” I asked.
“No, I did not,” replied Hindergog. “My dear mistress deserved to have that one secret. And I have never told anyone until now.”
“But why tell us? I mean, it’s a beautiful story and all, but what does it have to do with danger to their world or with me?” I asked.
“That is a fair question child so listen well as I continue. You will see why I chose to reveal this to you now,” Hindergog answered.
5. CATHAÍR’S BAD NEWS
A full twelve moons after the ban-feis, Cathaír rode hard and fast to the Sacred Grove to meet with my mistress. In those months, Saorla’s vision had proven true. Invaders entered upon the Emerald Isle. The army was large and their fighting tactics fierce. The King’s own armies and even the fearsome rogue bands of mercenar
ies had been unable to protect Ireland’s borders. Soon an army had surrounded the High King himself.
Cathaír rode through the night from the Hill of Tara to the Sacred Grove and brought with him unwelcome news. As was custom, Saorla met with Cathaír in the Great Hall.
“Saorla, it is with a heavy heart that I bring you news of a march coming toward your Sacred Grove as we speak. Their numbers are many, Saorla.”
“I know, Cathaír, I know.”
“You have seen the army coming?” asked Cathaír.
“Yes, dear friend, remember I foresaw this over twelve moons ago.”
“That is right. I tried to forget it.”
“The visions are strong and keep me awake at night.”
“Your priestesses are well trained and well armed. You have Madame Wong, an army in her own right. And of course there are the Fair Sídhe and Lianhan Sídhe to assist you. Your women warriors are fierce, Saorla, but I fear that even the famed women warriors of the Order of Brighid will not be able to fend off so many a number.”
Saorla said nothing to this. Instead, she poured herself more tea. She so loved hot tea. I will miss tea and the company of my friends, Saorla thought.
“Saorla, you look so sad suddenly.”
“A moment of weakness.”
“It is not weakness to feel. To be human. You know what is coming. Much blood will be shed. Many lives will be lost.”
“Yes, Cathaír, and that is why I have no time for the human frailty of my emotions. My Order must be able to rely on my steady leadership.”
“You are a strong leader, Saorla.”
Saorla poured Cathaír a cup of tea as well.
“There is more news too. This you may not know. There has been a great betrayal.”
“A betrayal? Of whom?” asked Saorla.
“Of High King Ruaidrí,” replied Cathaír.
“Ah yes, the plot against him that I saw so many moons ago. But I have not seen a vision of this happening recently. How have I not seen this?” wondered Saorla aloud.
The Akasha Chronicles Trilogy Boxed Set: The Complete Emily Adams Series Page 3
