by Jana LaPelle
Lugh’s face lights up as he addresses us, “It is I who am honored to be here. Thank you both for making me feel at home. Today has been a most welcome change, and I hope it is a sign of good things to come.”
I look to Dagda, and I see a look on his face that I’m not sure that I have seen before, he’s happy, but it’s something more, and I have to wonder how close Lugh and Dagda were before Lainn died. As I think back on it, Danu and Dagda both knew so much about his life and Lainn’s. He called him brother, but I get the feeling that there is more to their relationship. Smiling, I reply, “Lugh, you are always welcome at Glenndale Loch Keep. I hope you find your accommodations to your liking.”
“But of course, I have always enjoyed my stay here in the past, but that is longer ago than I care to remember.”
I give a nod, and we all make our way toward the dining tables, and the meal gets underway. Ashlinn is seated to my left at the head of the table Lugh to my right, Dagda to his right and Tarron is seated across from Lugh to Ashlinn left. Our first course is plated before us, and we enjoy a tasty shrimp bisque paired with a slice of hearty bread. Everyone enjoys a comfortable familiarity and conversation around the table quickly takes off.
Ashlinn is quick to engage Tarron, “So Tarron, I believe that now is the perfect time for us to discuss the little problem that you have with a particularly nasty faction of your horde. The púca,” She glares at our friend over what’s left of her bisque and for the briefest of moments I take pity on Tarron.
“Ashlinn, I’m sure that whatever transpired with the púca that reside in the stone forest can’t be that bad.”
Oh well, here we go. Tarron has just set her off, so I intervene, “Tarron, I’m not sure that you understand the gravity of the situation, you should know that the púca seriously overstepped-“
“Overstepped?!” Ashlinn is quick to interrupt me, “That’s what you’re calling it now?” She glares at me before turning her attention back to Tarron, “I’ll tell you just how that faction of your horde overstepped,” saying the later indicating with her fingers in air quotes as she directs her anger over the actions of the clan toward Tarron. I watch him as he visibly flinches as Ashlinn points her finger at The Horde King and I sit back to watch her in action, “You, my dear friend, have a problem with the púca that will demand a firm hand from you. They are particularly cunning and wicked little creatures with a nasty bite, and they expect you to back them in their endeavor to drain me of my essence in the hope of increasing their numbers. I suspect the evil little wench was lying about that. Their numbers looked just fine to me when we were racing for our lives to escape the stone giants and their swarm. They descended on us with a vengeance in an effort to get what they wanted. Me.”
“Ashlinn, I don’t understand. That makes no sense really, typically they’re harmless. Albeit, mischievous in their usual endeavors but...” He pauses as if finally putting two and two together.
Lexie takes that moment to speak up, “What exactly happened, Ash?”
Ashlinn and I quickly recount the encounter with everyone present at the table, they are quiet for about two seconds before everyone begins talking at once, expressing their concern and outrage at the violent attack on our behalf. Clearing my throat, I gain everyone’s attention, “What matters at this point is that we were able to escape their attack and we survived their venomous bites.” Turning my attention to Ashlinn, who is still riled up, I nod, “Continue Ash, you had a point, and I believe Tarron needs to hear it.”
“My point is this… for whatever reason, they seemed bound and determined to end me. After seeing their numbers when they were pursuing us through the forest, I don’t for one moment believe that the little she-devil was telling the truth about their dwindling numbers. I have an inkling that The Morrígan is behind their attack and if that is the case they are siding with the phantom queen herself. Tarron, their actions toward me belie a larger issue at hand. They seem to rely heavily on their… whatcha-ma-call it? Their will-o’-the-wisp, she said they were guardians to the wisp. They coexist for a reason, and I believe that The Morrígan appealed to the wisp’s baser instincts. That being said, you will need to tend to The Horde, and the púca will have to suffer punishment for attacking one of your allies. It is as simple as that.”
Before Tarron has a chance to reply I take Ashlinn’s hand and add, “Tarron, they were united in their attack, and if we had been further inside that stone forest, we would not have made it out of there alive. We barely cleared the forest before collapsing. Both of us were covered in their bite marks with enough venom coursing through us to knock us out for hours. They have to be dealt with and quickly!” I demand. “I believe that Ashlinn is right about The Morrígan’s involvement, there is no telling what lies and half-truths she’s spreading around The Realm in order to gain the backing of the dark fae right out from underneath you. Brother, you must unite The Horde, it is time to call The Horde to you. It is time to establish your reign, and it is time to unite your masses.”
Tarron’s green eyes flash with anger at my dictating to him what he must do and how to manage his people. His hands fist at the table before uttering a single word, “Alaric, you of all people should know how difficult this task is going to be. The dark fae does not reside in just one territory but are spread out around The Realm. For you to sit there and give me orders on how to conduct my business with my people is-“
“Don’t say it Tarron,” Ashlinn interjects and lays a soothing hand over his fist, and my panther elicits a growl from me, “Shhh, Alaric. Both of you need to calm down. Tarron, I’m sure that Alaric only meant to give advice even if it did come out as a demand.”
Tarron’s eyes flash toward me again, “Alaric, I will take your suggestion under advisement. As for the púca, I will look into the matter.”
Now it’s time for Ashlinn to bristle, “You’ll look into it?!” She demands, “You had better do more than that Tarron, or you will not get to see the twins until they are grown adults.”
Tarron sighs, “Ash, I intend to do more, but I will have to hear their side of the story before I can dole out punishment. I also have to get to the crux of the problem.”
Lugh and Dagda share a look before Lugh enters the conversation, “Well if it helps, there have been complaints in the area against the wisp and their guardians. Allegations of them becoming more aggressive. Tarron, they may be evolving into a being that will need direct supervision and that firm hand our little Keeper was talking about. I have no idea, but as we discussed earlier, Dagda and I will help you in any way we can. You have been given a daunting task to unite The Horde, but with some help, it can be done.”
I interject, “Tarron, it was not my intent to manage you in your task as king. Believe me, when I say that I’m entirely happy with my station. I don’t guess that I stopped to think about how difficult a task has been handed to you, the task of uniting The Horde. You’re right, geography will not be your friend. You know that we will help in any way we can. I just don’t want The Morrígan usurping your rule before it has even begun. She has been planning this coup for many years and continues to stay one or more steps ahead of all of us. I’m just saying that the time is now. Your destiny awaits, don’t let her wickedness thwart you. You need to know who of your people you can count on to have your back and follow you into battle when the time comes.” Pausing I look around the large banquet table to see that everyone is listening to our conversation as the next course is plated in front of us before continuing, “I believe that after this night we will need to part ways so that you can do what you must to bring stability and order to your people, and it pains me that I cannot be there for you during this time. We are just beginning to put the past behind us, and we are being pulled apart again.” Ashlinn squeezes my hand in her own, giving me comfort and I wish with all my might that Tarron had someone like Ashlinn standing by his side while he muddles through the impossible task at
hand.
Looking down I see that Ashlinn is not only holding my hand but Tarron’s uniting the three of us before Tarron replies, “I don’t want to leave you to your own devices for long, Alaric, so I best get my ass in gear. Mo solas here has a tendency to find trouble.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Ashlinn replies with a cheeky smile. “Now that we have cleared up that whole nasty little piece of business, I say we finish up our meal so we can get to dessert. I’m hoping beyond hope that Maith has made my favorite.”
Everyone begins to chuckle, and I lean over to let Lugh in on the well-known fact, “Ashlinn loves Maith’s chocolate, chocolate cake. I believe that she would eat it for every meal and in between if Millie and Maith would allow it.”
Ashlinn is quick to retort, “No I wouldn’t, maybe every other meal.” Everyone around us laughs, and we continue our meal listening to tall tales from Dagda and Lugh’s past, and I was right, they were pretty tight back in the day.
Chapter 21
(Ashlinn)
As much as I enjoyed our evening meal and the fun that we have all had today, I’m eager to get on with the rest of the evening. It’s time to plan for Lainn’s resurrection. After my vision from earlier, I’m still unnerved. That and I know that Alaric is keeping something from me. Several times tonight I have felt him close off his link to me, it wasn’t for long, but I noticed it all the same. I guess I’m getting a taste of my own medicine from all those months ago when I shielded my thoughts from Alaric before that wretched blood contract went into effect, but I thought we were past that. I don’t like it when he shields from me. I feel vulnerable and lonely without his ever-present mental touch sliding against my mind. The link between us is intimate, sensual, and constant so when it’s shut down, I definitely take notice. I will have to get Jasmine to spill the beans because whatever it is that he’s keeping from me she knows something.
As our meal comes to a close, our entire group retires to the library, the terrace doors are open to the night beyond, and the moon shines brightly down on the flagstone. The lighting is dim and cozy, and we all make ready to discover where we are to locate the long-dead demigod and I can see that for the first time all day, Lugh has become uncomfortable. As everyone gets settled, I look up at Alaric and smile, “We need to put him at ease. Let him know that nothing that he says here will be judged and will be in the strictest of confidence.”
“Ash if anyone can help him relax, it’s you and maybe Lillie,” he says will a sweet smile before kissing my cheek and then Lillie’s forehand before he hands our daughter over to me.
“You may have a point.” Walking toward the two larger than life gods, Lugh and Dagda, I come to a stop in front of Lugh, I can’t help the smile that springs to life when I see Dagda’s eyes light up, “Dagda, tonight will be an exercise in sharing.” Turning my attention to Lugh, I ask, “Would you care to hold Lillie? She is out like a light, all the activity of today has her and her brother worn out. If she wakes, just hold her close and kiss her forehead. She will settle. As long as she can sense your good intentions, she will be good. My son, on the other hand, can be quite the handful and a little hellion when it comes to being a momma’s boy.”
Lugh’s gaze is piercing, and I swallow uncomfortably, before he asks, “Ashlinn, Mother Keeper of Souls, my celestial sister, are you sure you want to trust me with your most prized possession? Your first born daughter? Your first born Keeper.” His gaze is penetrating, and I bristle under his menacing stare, so different from earlier today, and I realize that I know little to nothing about this god that stands before me.
My gaze shifts to Dagda, and he too is aloof. My mind is racing, and the last thing that I want to do is hand over my daughter, my precious little flower, but I do so as my panther stirs, she is primal and protective and wants nothing more than to challenge the pretentious male before us but instead I silently hand the child in my arms to Lugh as I lean in to whisper, “Harm a single hair on her head and you will suffer my wrath. I’m sure that we understand one another. Isn’t that right?” I pull away to see that he is smiling and I relax.
Lugh looks down at my sleeping daughter, and I can see that he is immediately captivated. He studies her face and runs a gentle finger over her cheek before glancing back up to me, “She is a beauty, it’s a shame that she received none of your coloring.”
“I was just thinking the very same thing. We will have to rectify that the next time around,” Alaric’s teasing voice is heard over my left shoulder.
“Thank you both for trusting me with your daughter. You honor me when you know not the first thing about me and thank you for welcoming me into your home. I will do what I can to help.” His voice rings with truth, and I begin to settle. I notice that he looks quite at home holding Lillie as if it’s something that he has had a lot of experience with. Sensing my scrutiny, he smiles and offers, “I have always loved children and felt at ease with even the wee bairns, but mayhap this little one will be more comfortable in yonder cradle with her deartháir, her brother.”
“Perhaps you are right,” I see Millie hovering and can’t help but smile at her maternal need to provide care for our little ones, “Millie, would you mind taking Lillie and putting her down with Lachlan? Alaric, tonight we name these pups. I don’t like thinking of them as Thing One and Thing Two.”
“Agreed, thank you Millie, and by the way, the entire day has been wonderful. Please let Maith and everyone involved with making today happen know how very appreciative we are.” Alaric is ever the gentleman.
Millie approaches Lugh and gingerly takes Lillie before pinning us both with a look, “Ashlinn, would you please explain why you brought back not one but two desert fox pups from your excursion, and why do they seem so attached to the children? I would not normally condone allowing wild animals in the cradle with infants. So I need to understand what is going on here.”
Turning to Alaric, I shake my head, “How do we explain this?”
“Come and sit, mo grá, and I will explain the best I can,” with a heavy sigh Alaric begins. “It would appear that our attempt to keep our children tucked safely away within a sleeping charm backfired on us. Ashlinn and I both can dream-walk, as Ashlinn calls it. It would appear that the twins took dream-walking one step further. In their unnaturally long slumber, they had plenty of time to connect with one another and then… believe it or not, they were able to connect with their now constant companions, Thing One and Thing Two, as Ash so aptly named them earlier. Lillie and Lachlan’s subconscious mind, for a time, resided in the bodies of these two fox pups and they have bonded. Crazy, right?”
Lexie is the first to comment, “Seriously? They were with you the whole time?”
“Not the whole time, the last day, less than twenty-four hours really, but they were with us when we arrived back at the Keep. If you recall we each held a pup until we were able to get back to where they slept. I know it’s crazy, but it’s true. Lex, it was so strange knowing that they were there and hitchhiking in the bodies of these two little foxes that will forever be changed by this event.”
“Wow, that is…., just wow…,”
“Yeah, that’s what we thought, we were blown away when we realized this morning what we were dealing with.”
Dagda and Lugh both start in on a chuckle before Dagda speaks up, “Forgive me for finding the situation entertaining but what did you expect? You each started off your lives as demigods. Each born of a goddesses only to ascend to your rightful place as a god and goddess in your new station as Guardian of Life and Keeper of Souls as our creator meant for it to be. Lest ye na forget Ashlinn, all this happened while you were still carrying those two precious babes. They ascended at the same time you did. Your precious children were born a god and a goddess. Their molecular makeup changed while still in ye womb hence your unnaturally short pregnancy. Not one of the original gods or goddesses can boast that they were bo
rn of flesh as a deity, not even you or Alaric. They are very special indeed, and they will probably continue to learn and grow and develop their gifts at an astounding rate. Life around here should be rather interesting from here on out. I can’t wait until they’re toddlers.”
Alaric and I both sigh heavily as we assimilate what we should have questioned before now and didn’t think to do so. Of course, they are, and that explains so much. I glance over to Millie, and she has put Lillie down with her brother, and she reaches down to scoop up one of the pups who had begun to whine at not being close to the twins. Shaking her head, she cuddles the tiny fox and ruffles its fur before placing it in the cradle then repeating the action with its twin before settling by the cradle with Hank at her side. I need to spend more time with my foster parents. That’s how I think of them, and I know that Lexie feels the same. They have been there in my life for as long as I can remember. Alaric squeezes my hand drawing me back to the conversation, and I look at him sheepishly, “Sorry my mind drifted. So our children will be special, I’m assuming that we will need to keep a very close eye on them as well. Will there be any that will feel threatened by them?” I ask the two elder gods before us.
Lugh looks to Dagda before offering up, “Little Keeper, we are entering uncertain times, and this realm is now in constant flux. It will be difficult to say yay or nay. If I were you, I would err on the side of caution. Your beautiful babes are your greatest treasure, and they are important to The Realms in their duty to us all as they mature. Until the state of The Realms is sorted, you should be vigilant in your endeavor to keep them safe.
“Take it from a father who lost his son way too soon. My Lainn, my son, should never have endured the emotional and spiritual pain of his last year here on this plane of existence. There should have been something that I could have done, but Manannán could not be reasoned with, I tried. I never understood his dislike of Lainn. Even at an early age, my mentor would have nothing to do with my son. I should have known then that as adults they would struggle to see eye to eye. I should have intervened sooner, if only it were that simple.” Lugh sighs as his words trail off, the burden of his son’s demise weighing heavily on his soul, his gaze is penetrating, and I want to weep for him and for Lainn and Fandra.
