by Jana LaPelle
“You’re wrong! You know nothing! The only reason why you are here is to entertain yourself and create chaos. Your depravity knows no boundaries.” Lainn spits out.
I snort, not able to contain myself because I’m in total agreement with Lainn on that point.
Luc shoots me a derisive glare, his eyes flash in aggravation before continuing in earnest, “Think about it Cú Chulainn. You and Morríganna were lovers. Were you not? Then, along comes Fandra, and you drop her like a hot potato when you recognize your kindred bond. Everyone in the realm knew she was the scorned lover. How do you think a goddess of her station felt when you left her for a mere faerie? Don’t get me wrong, from your memories, I could see that she was quite majical to look upon, just like our dear Jasmine over here.” Luc indicates Jaz with a wave of his hand before continuing, “While you ran off to playhouse with your kindred, Morríganna was seething in your rejection of her. You know her better than most. What do you think she did?” I can see that someone is finally getting through to Lainn. Of all people it had to be Luc. I narrow my eyes as he continues, my mind reeling at the implication. “How do you think Manannán found out about you and Fandra so quickly? The two of you hadn’t been together even a month. They were estranged, were they not?” He pauses here to allow us all to ponder on what happened before continuing, “I’ll tell you how, Morríganna wanted you back, so she did the one thing she could think of to make that happen. She went straight to her brother and spilled the beans. She incited a fury within him and then stepped back to watch the fireworks. Your precious liege is the one responsible for Fandra’s death. She sold the two of you out, just for spite and Fandra paid the ultimate price! And now you warm Morríganna’s bed sheets, night after night!” He declares.
Jasmine and I both gasp at the revelation. Oh my God. I look up to gage Lainn’s reaction. Only to see fury wash over his features. Luc is inciting a rolling, boiling rage within the demigod before us. He roars, “Lies! All lies! You are the master manipulator. Morríganna… she cares about me. She loves me! She would never… She knew what Fandra meant to me.” He trails off. His mind reeling. Where there was rage just moments before, there is now indecision and pain clearly written on his face. His company begins to shift nervously, not sure what to do. This clearly is not how they expected this would go.
It’s at that moment that the spirit of Cailleach rises from her resting place and we all still to see that her warrior guardians have awakened around us as well. Their spiritual forms surround us in the pinnacle of the tower. Cailleach reaches out to Cú Chulainn, her ethereal form is stunning. She reminds me of the winter fae in her crystalline beauty. Her spiritual form hovers above the ground before she says, “I’ve waited for you for a long time Cú Chulainn.” As she speaks the rock above us begins to tremble and crumble. In the distance I hear pebbles of rock as they fall to bounce and ricochet against the ground below us. I look up to see a small opening in the rock ceiling above us. Just enough to see the rays of light breaking through the fissures to the bright skies of the morning above.
Cailleach’s form shimmers and she smiles, I feel the urge to go to her to guide her home but resist. She looks to Lainn and says in her thin ghostly voice, “You and your plight have awakened me, demigod. You have a choice to make. I believe that you will choose true. Once you have been able to gain clarity. I see in you a kindred soul, one who has been separated from your love. Now my child, take the spear. The fate of The Realms will be yours to bear. Listen to your heart, warrior. Always. It will be your compass home.”
“Nooo,” the whispered gasp escapes me, and I look to Alaric and my companions in desperation, not understanding why she would give the spear to Cú Chulainn and ask, “Why?” Shaking my head not understanding her actions. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see that Thendar and Gibbon have begun to slink back out of the chamber trying to go unnoticed. Thendar looks at me sadly before turning away to scurry out of the room alongside Gibbon. I’m sorry to see them go. I really liked those two dwarfs, but I’m not surprised to see them leave as all hell is about to break loose.
Several things happen at once. The ceiling above us begins to crack wide open, and rock begins to rain down on the forgotten city. Huge chunks of rock and earth begin to fall, crashing to the ground, the sound is deafening and the floor beneath us shakes. Cú Chulainn reaches for the Spear of Lugh and wrenches if free of its icy grip that it has been incased in. As if on cue, a roar of raven wings converges upon us from the opening above and begin to swirl in mass to the right of Cú Chulainn. The Morrígan makes a dramatic entrance. I move to Alaric’s side and our warriors flank us as our greatest enemy materializes in front of us in a flurry of black winged ravens. As her form quickly knits itself together, she stands tall while the rock ceiling above us continues to collapse. Clad in a slick black catsuit, thigh high boots, and her self-appointed onyx crown she looks about her minions, but she has eyes only for the handsome demigod. She saunters his way, her long ebony hair swaying in the breeze and she smiles seductively up at him, before pulling his mouth down to meet her own, delivering a hungry, demanding kiss. Smiling she pulls away, patting his cheek, as though he were a very good boy.
Pulling my eyes from the disturbing seen, I see Cailleach shimmering form begin to rise, she points to Lainn and says, “Remember my words, warrior, listen to your heart. Only then can you change your fate.” With those cryptic words, everyone in attendance witness, in one breath taking moment, Cailleach’s shimmering ghostly form reuniting with her star-crossed lover. Their essences swirling around one another as their ghostly forms continue to rise skyward in a dance of celebration and devotion. Without a moment’s hesitation, I call on my Valkyrie Keepers and they appear with their paired Guardians in the sky above us to usher the two to The Overworld, followed by her warrior guardians.
My attention is quickly redirected as The Morrígan takes control of her foot soldiers and her prize zombie. My heart aches for Cú Chulainn. He is once more lost to her thrall. I step forward and call out, “Lainn, you have a choice! You can still choose the right path. It’s up to you.”
Morríganna glares back at me. Her look is one of pure hatred and promised retribution. Garrik and Tolin step forward almost at the same moment as our enemy makes a move. I can tell that things are about to go from bad to worse, but before they are able to take more than a couple of steps, Morríganna’s whip snaps forward finding a target. In a split second, I see Garrik’s form flying away from us through the air at the end of her whip, just like when she took Alaric. Her maniacal laughter rings on the air before she strides forward and backhands Garrik, her whip strangling him as he claws at his neck. “Traitor!” She screams her accusation, damning her prey. “I gave you everything and yet you betray me?! End him now!!” My heart lurches at her demand. Turning, she marches away from Garrik.
All hell breaks loose as Tolin morphs into his berserker form along with every other Fomorian in the room save for Garrik who is still struggling with the whip that is wrapped tightly around his neck. Morríganna raises her hand as she walks away to ward off the majic that we have begun to hurl at her. She laughs wickedly and turns back to us behind her shield. I toss fire ball after fire ball at her and she just laughs as my majic dissipates as it hits her shield. Dagda and Lugh join in and we begin hammering away at her defenses. She looks over her shoulder with a wicked smirk and tugs Garrik further into her bubble of protection. Tolin’s berserker form goes ballistic and he begins to pound mercilessly at her invisible wall. Cameron is by his side but nothing we have done has had any effect on her dark majic.
Knowing that time is running out for Garrik, I scream, “Garrik!” I race forward to be stopped by Alaric and Dagda. Luc steps in front of me, blocking my view. I push around them and watch, horrified as Garrik struggles to gain his feet. Time stands still, and I can do nothing more than watch as an ax swings down, severing his head from his body. “Nooo! No,” I cry, falling to my knee
s in horror as I see Garrik’s head tumble to the ground, his eyes wide in shock before the light fades from them.
“Why?! Why would you?!” I cry out. My eyes are glued to Garrik’s lifeless ones. In shock, I watch his crimson blood pool on the stone tiles. Tolin sinks to his knees, his forehead leaning against the invisible wall that separates us from one of our own fallen.
Morríganna stills, cocking her head assessing me, her voice and eyes are flat before addressing me, “Ashlinn, Mother Keeper,” She sneers, “I will cut everyone you hold dear from your pathetic life. And I will take joy in it. You don’t even remember me. Yet you seek to challenge me? You will rue the day that you entered into this realm.” Her gaze moves to Alaric, her voice becoming more seductive, “Hello, pet. I’ve missed you so. Luc had no right to take you from me. He cut our time together too short. Until we meet again.” A wicked smile full of deranged intent twists her features to betray the monster that lives beneath her beautiful façade.
“How dare you,” I rage. “You… wretched bitch.” I challenge.
Her insane laughter echoes about the demolished tower, extending her arms out to either side of her dramatically, she announces, “Oh, my dear… I assure you, I dare.” Laughing as she continues, “I will save your kindred for last… and I will enjoy every moment of our time together as you watch from the sidelines.” Then she glares down at me, her gaze that of someone that has long since lost their mind, before looking to her men and demands, “Warriors of mine, come to me. We have what we came for, now, we have a war to win.” With that Morríganna smiles wickedly and morphs them all into a thousand ravens. Midnight black wings beat furiously and soar upwards out into the sky above, their riotous caws are deafening on the wind. I watch them go before closing my eyes and bowing my head as tears silently slide down my cheeks.
We have not only lost the spear, but Garrik as well, and my heart aches for his loss, for the life that he did not have a chance to live. Not fully. We were ill prepared, and she has grown strong, too strong. How did things go so desperately wrong so fast? Forlornly, I look everywhere but where Garrik’s body lies, I’m not able to bear the sight. I have failed him. I feel as though I have failed them all.
Chapter 29
(Alaric)
I gently pull Ashlinn to her feet and she collapses in my arms, weeping. She mourns the loss of Garrik’s presence in the here and now, the potential of what his life could have been. I watch the wicked goddess and her minions vacate the cavern in a flurry of black winged ravens. Picking up on Ashlinn’s thoughts, she’s right. We’ve lost the advantage, and we have lost one of our own, and the war has yet to be fought. How many more will we lose as we march toward war with the deranged goddess? Gently, I hand Ashlinn over to Tolin, who is not much better off than Ash. Dagda, Lugh, and I quietly gather Garrik’s remains. With a nod we all silently trace back to our home, back to Glenndale.
As we materialize in the courtyard, I hear Ashlinn’s heart wrenching cry. Her tender heart is breaking over the loss of one of her Guardians. Lexie rushes to her side, along with Jazmine, and they pull her inside the Keep. I know Ashlinn will be well taken care of in her time of morning. Now we go to prepare Garrik’s body for tonight’s farewell. His soul ascended straight to The Overworld. What we do tonight will honor his memory and his time with us. However short it may have been. The sun is high in the sky. By the time the sun sets we will be ready for a sendoff ceremony befitting a mighty warrior.
I take a few moments to remember Garrik. As my memories wash over me, I nearly buckle under the weight of what he has done for Ashlinn and our family. To think, I was going to end the male after the coordinated attack on Ash and me all those months ago. He proved to be a male worthy of Ashlinn’s pardon. All of the Guardians are working quietly together to assemble Garrik’s funeral pyre. The barge that will carry his remains out onto the expanse of the Loch toward the western sky. I sense the moment that Tarron arrives with his Horde. He was one of Tarron’s own and he is here to mourn his loss as well. As we complete our work, the females gain our attention. They are here to care for Garrik’s mortal body and prepare it for his final send off. We gingerly place his remains on the barge, and I watch as Ashlinn, Lexie, Jasmine, Danu, Millie, and Maith lovingly care for his remains. Once his body has been bathed, his armor placed back on him, and his weapons carefully placed in his grasp and at his side, they take their leave to prepare for Garrik’s wake.
I look around to see that the day is spent, and sunset is just an hour away. An honor guard has been posted by Garrik’s side and they consist of his Fomorian brothers in arms, Tolin, Torin, and Dorlan. Camoryn, Nym, and Khatar stand with them in their finest dress armor. I trace to our rooms to check on the twins and Ashlinn before changing for the ceremony. I find Ash standing in front of a mirror staring at her reflection. Her war paint is stunning, her golden chainmail armor befitting a queen, her crown sits upon her head and her hair is interwoven within it in a multitude of intricate braids, but her eyes belie the sorrow she holds for the loss of Garrik. She turns to me and says, “I can do this… for Garrik.”
Nodding, I agree, “For Garrik. Just let me change and I’ll join you.”
Ashlinn leans into me and gently kisses my lips, before imparting, “Take your time, you’ve worked non-stop since our return. I’ll meet you downstairs with our little brood in tow. I know that Garrik would want them there.” She smiles up at me through her unshed tears that glisten in the low light.
“You’ve got this mo grá, I won’t be very long.” Leaning down I kiss her softly before making my way to the shower.
(Alaric)
It doesn’t take us long to assemble on the lawn of the Keep. Torches erupt into flames as the sun sits perched upon the western horizon. Tonight, it’s a red fiery ball with nary a cloud in the sky. We all gather round to honor Garrik. Everyone is here, light and dark fae, coming together to remember Garrik and how courageous he was. How he had the fortitude to switch allegiances after meeting and talking to Ashlinn. Catching my train of thought, Ashlinn takes my hand in her own. She’s so sad. As am I. Shifting my gaze to Ashlinn, I pull her to me, and we console one another. Millie and Maithe step forward and hand us Lachlan and Lillie. The twins snuggle into our necks, their grief at Garrik’s loss is tangible and we hold them close, consoling them the best we can.
Shifting my attention to the rest of our family and friends, I can see the impact that Garrik has had on everyone here. We move to the front of our gathering, along with Danu, Dagda, and Lugh. As the last rays of sunlight slips through the skies grasp, the five of us create several balls of light, me with the help of Ashlinn. I’m finally beginning to get the hang of it. Then we direct the glowing orbs out to everyone here and the orbs divide to find someone in attendance. Everyone holds their hands out to receive a tiny glowing orb. As soon as everyone is cradling their very own tiny fireball we begin.
Tolin smiles at everyone, but still looks mournful, and says loud enough for everyone to hear, “Garrik and I may have gotten off to a rocky start, but soon he proved himself and became part of our team. Part of our family, but now he will have new adventures ahead of him. A new quest upon his horizon and I wish him peace and happiness. May he find the answers he has been looking for in the afterlife. So Garrik, may the road rise to meet you, brother. Know that I will miss you.”
Dorlan is next, “May the wind be always at your back, my dear friend.”
Ashlinn smiles up at me before imparting, tears shining brightly in her eyes, “My dear Garrik, may the sunshine warm upon your beautiful, handsome face, and may your light shine bright for all to see.”
Looking from Ashlinn back to Garrik’s still form, I say, “Until we meet again, friend. May the Creator keep you safe, may you wander the fields of The Overworld knowing that you made a difference, knowing that you overcame, that you are strong, and good, and light.” Inhaling deeply, I look around to see our allies, warriors that st
and with us. All of us morning the senseless loss of life today that signifies the beginning of a war. I sense that we are outmatched. We are heading into a battle that I fear we are ill prepared for.
Giving the signal, I watch as Tolin, Torin, and Dorlan wade out into the Loch to set the barge free, pushing it forward with several tremendous heaves. The last rays of the sun set upon the western horizon and the night sky is about to snuff out the last remaining light as the barge glides toward the setting sun. Ashlinn, Lexie, Ēolieus, and Khatar raise their bows and let loose a round of fiery arrows that find their mark. The pyre barge catches fire instantly. Lugh steps forward and the wind picks up, the sails of the barge billow out catching the wind and the fiery barge sails further out into the Loch replacing the sun on the horizon, and darkness swallows up the rest of the sky. Ashlinn steps back to me, wrapping her arms around me. Her cries are muffled as her hot tears soak my shirt. I’m helpless but to rub her back and try to sooth her grief. My throat is clogged with emotion, and I try to swallow past the lump that resides there.
Garrik’s funeral pyre erupts into a blazing inferno. The embers of the fire reach upward toward the heavens as they are carried on the breeze. We all watch as one of our own has been welcomed home. We mourn the loss of his presence with us here in The Otherworld. He will be missed.
Chapter 30
(Pipperton)
The Underworld
Standing in the shadows of the rocky outcropping overlooking the rift between the realms, I have a few moments to reflect on how lucky I was that Luc intervened when he did on the day that I saved Mister. The last thing I remember before waking in my prince’s fortress on the other side of the Great Divide, was drifting off in my friend’s arms. Poor Mister. Luc explained to me that he thinks that I’m dead. I remember that the pain in my chest was excruciating as I gazed up into his face, and I welcomed the darkness as it shrouded my mind and body from my torment. Momma later explained that when Luc arrived in the arena, he stopped time for everyone, but a select few, and in doing so bought me some much-needed time. Once Mister left and went back to The Otherworld, Luc quickly placed me in a healing sleep that took me some time to recover from, that allowed the healers time to work their majic on me. I was told that the healers painstakingly were able to remove the spear from my chest healing me as they went. A very tedious task, I’m sure. I eventually woke up, completely healed of my life-threatening wounds.
