"Nay, he wanted to slay the dragon and burn his carcass, whereby the ashes when rubbed together turns into gold. He also wanted the crown of wisdom. With two such treasures he believed he could win the heart of his one true love."
Meav frowned. “Did he not know she would love him for rich or poor?"
"Nay, he did not."
Meav's frown deepened. “He could have simply asked her."
Wysteria chuckled lightly. “You have much to learn about the egos of men, my child.” Wysteria lovingly pushed aside a tendril from Meav's forehead. “Our young man believed knowledge beyond all others and riches would win him the maiden's hand"
"How sad he did not trust her enough to love him for who he was,” Meav concluded.
"Dragons are not meant to be slain. They are meant to be controlled as a force to empower you,” Wysteria went on. “They are the epitome of power, their eyes the gateway to the soul. ‘Tis said a hydra knows the true heart of an individual just by looking into their eyes."
"And the hydra saw the young man's greed?” Meav asked.
"Aye, and his quest for power instead of his trust in true love,” Wysteria added.
"So it wounded him,” Meav said.
"Aye, and his young woman sat weeping with him in her arms."
"But what of the warrior-god?” Meav asked eagerly. “You said he came along and found her crying. Surely he would have the power to help?"
Wysteria smiled. “Aye, Hugo Pierre Quinn felt sorry for the young woman's grief, and he offered her a chance to save her man."
Meav's face brightened. “What was his offer?"
"That she take his place,” Wysteria said softly.
Meav inhaled sharply. “And did she?"
"Aye, she did ... agreeing without hesitation and before her very eyes, her young man's wound healed and she became afflicted instead. When water is bombarded by negatives, like the spilt blood of a hero, the crystals tend to store the sorrow. As she lay dying, her blood flowed into the river and mixed with the yellow of the sun ... thus coloring the water. A river of orange was left."
"So the hero's blood was hers not his,” Meav concluded.
"Aye, lass ... no where is it written that only men can be heroes."
Meav's eyes saddened. “So the young woman died?"
Wysteria shook her head. “Hugo Pierre Quinn was so taken with the young woman's unselfish act; he blessed the river and instructed her man to place her into it. Her wound was cleansed, healed by the orange water, and she lived."
Meav smiled through her tears. “And they lived happily ever after."
Wysteria smiled, her own eyes welling with tears. “'Tis what I am told."
Meav looked over at the waterfall, its rush filling the river, changing from clear to orange as it accumulated below. Beams of sunlight flickered across the blanket of water like tiny fireflies. “Why have you taken me here, Wysteria?"
"All things have a reason, child,” Wysteria said.
"What is the reason we are here?” Meav inquired again.
"Keronia has been waiting for a hero, lass."
Meav quickly turned to look at Wysteria, her brows arching with surprise. “And you think I am this hero?"
Wysteria placed a loving hand on Meav's shoulder. “I know you are, child."
Meav stood quickly, arms straight down by her side, fists clenched. “Nay, I am no hero.” She stamped her foot like a child having a tantrum “I am just a scared, homeless girl who fled in the dead of night instead of facing me fate and left me family to die because of me selfish way."
"Your family did not die because you fled,” Wysteria corrected gently.
"Aye, they did. Had I accepted Hollister McGreary's proposal all of them would be alive now. ‘Tis me fault they are all dead,” Meav sobbed. “I am no hero, I am a coward.” She fell to her knees. “I let them all die.” Covering her face with her hands, Meav poured out all that had been in her heart.
Wysteria slid off the rock and sat beside her on the bank of the river. Gently she reached out and embraced the young woman. “Shush now, child,” she comforted. “You place far too much blame on your innocent shoulders. The man that murdered your family was ruthless and heartless ... your marriage to him would not have stopped his evil plan, nor spared your family. Scoundrels like that are wicked through and through. Trust me on this ... I know of one like McGreary ... maybe even worse. Nothing you did or did not do would have stopped him. Your family would have all been murdered in their beds eventually, only you would have been McGreary's wife and made to sleep beside your enemy."
The thought made Meav shudder. “Oh, saints preserve me,” she moaned.
"Aye, that they did,” Wysteria whispered. “And if you carried on so with your grandmamma, as you did just now, ‘tisn't a wonder why you spent a lot of time in the woodshed."
Meav giggled in spite of the sadness she felt. “She was never one to take me guff."
Wysteria pulled away and looked deep into Meav's eyes. “I have to warn you, lass, I am of the same stock as your grandmamma. If you ever spit and sputter like that again, I will introduce my hand to your bare bottom ... over my knee you will go ... no matter how big or how old you are. If you act like a child; I will spank you like a child. Do you understand?"
Meav wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands. “Aye, I do."
Wysteria forced a stern face. “See to it you remember it."
Meav nodded slowly.
"Now remove your dress and get into the water,” Wysteria ordered.
Meav's eyes widened. “Here, in the open.” She looked around her. “Someone could come by and..."
Wysteria interrupted. “No one will come, trust me on this.” She slowly stood, her old knees creaking. “Come now, up you go and off with the dress."
Meav reluctantly stood and slipped the dress over her head. Standing naked out of doors made her blush with embarrassment. She modestly covered her womanhood with the palm of her hand and placed her other arm across her chest.
"Into the water with you,” Wysteria ordered. “There is much to do."
Slowly Meav entered the river, dipping one toe in first. A tingling sensation crept up her ankle, to her knee, up to her thigh, and settled between her legs. The sensation pleased her, and she suddenly felt unashamed of her nakedness. “What is happening?” she muttered.
Wysteria smiled. “You are experiencing the true potential and natural fulfillment of your woman's body."
Meav lowered herself into the water, feeling its coolness penetrate her. Inside her the water turned warm, easing all her muscles and bones, making every nerve come alive. She lay back and spread her legs, enjoying the sense of peace and joy, pleasure and satisfaction that bathed her insides. “Do you think ‘tis shameful to feel this good?"
"Nay, ‘tis not shameful in the least, lass.” Wysteria rummaged through her satchel for the herbs she needed. “'Tis never bad to feel at one with your body, to know what it likes ... to give it what it craves."
Meav's breasts prickled, her nipples hardened. Gently she caressed herself and smiled.
From his perch atop a tree, Rule smiled too. His eyes followed Meav's hands, caressing her full breasts along with her; drooling with hunger. Not the kind one craved to fill the belly. Nay ... this was a different kind of hunger ... a hunger for human contact and warmth. Rule's phallus grew thick and hard between his hind legs. He felt himself ooze with excitement when she spread her thighs wide ... the triangular patch of fiery hair being her only cover.
He watched enthralled as she rolled onto her belly, luxuriated in the water's power. Slowly she pushed her creamy buttocks up, spreading her legs again, and causing all sorts of wonderful havoc within Rule's body.
He licked his jowls, almost tasting her flavor. The thought of jumping down from his hiding place to run his tongue over her flesh became his instant obsession. He knew it would savor sweet; expected it would please him greatly. A purr rumbled deep in his throat, as he fought for control to
stay put ... quiet ... and alone.
Rule cast his gaze to the waterfall, its gurgle passing over the rocks, its song singing a lyric of peace and contentment. At this very moment this was what he knew Meav was experiencing; oneness with life, energy carried through her body by the water she bathed in. The orange liquid was divine, life-giving. It had the power to heal, cleanse and renew; it was a living being all on its own. Rule heard in tales of some life forms way at the bottom of the sea that could live without light, but no life can survive without water.
Rule looked back at Meav. She had turned onto her back, stroking her arms and legs back and forth.
"I read a passage in me Papa's Bible ... it read ... God created the heaven and earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters,” Meav recited. “Do you think His face has moved over this water, Wysteria?"
Wysteria lined the herbs she would use on a rock. “Our Divine Maker's face is in all we come upon, child. He orchestrates life to a perfect harmony; ‘tis man that destroys the plan. Every detail, each and all things have an origin."
Meav frowned. “Like what, for example?"
Wysteria placed her hands on her hips. “The role water plays in our lives, for one. It rids us of negativity, it refreshes and calms. Water is the balance of our lives in many instances.” She tilted her head sideways. “Did you ever realize the fluid in your mother's womb was your first bath?"
Meav sat up, water droplets falling from her nipples. “'Tis true, as I think of it."
"Life began in the vast waters,” Wysteria said. “It represents time without end, the celestial deep from which all life spiraled. Eventually, into which it must also dissolve and resume."
"'Tis the nectar of the earth's womb,” Meav reflected.
Wysteria sat down on a rock. “Aye, lass, and a human hand can reach out and feel the power of the Divine if they are in tune to the earth's spirit."
Meav stared at Wysteria baffled. “How does one become in tune to the earth's spirit?"
For the first time in a long time Wysteria's knowledge was being called upon. Being able to mentor again had made her feel needed. And the young woman before her was such a joy to know and guide. “By praying, chanting, singing medicine songs; all of these things open the portal to grace, and the presence of our Divine Maker, and what He has placed in earth's hands for us to nourish ourselves with, to thrive, live, and even die by. When prayers are offered over water, they are soaked up, their patterns vibrate healing thoughts, negatives are washed away, and a path for spiritual clarity is set.” Wysteria began to sprinkle rosemary into the water. “Plants and herbs, like the rosemary I have added to your bath, cleanse the spiritual body."
Meav moved closer to the sprigs, allowing the fragments to wash over her flesh. “Is me body a spiritual one?"
"'Twill be by the time you leave the river,” Wysteria promised. “Now, lass, I want you to immerge yourself fully under the water."
Meav nodded and obeyed, dunking herself quickly under the water.
Wysteria waited until Meav's head popped above the water before she spoke again. “I want you now to take a deep, slow breath and feel the water around you ... let it caress you, stimulate you, cleanse every part of you. Let it carry away all regrets, hurts, and sorrows of the past. Let Mother Earth's womb hold you, protect you, nurture you as though you were a wee babe again. Trust her, allow her to let her healing juices float away all your concerns and misgivings."
Meav sighed.
"You are comforted,” Wysteria said softly. “You are reborn. Feel the sense of your well being and all the parts of your body ... your toes, your legs, your buttocks, your genitals ... the belly where one day you will nurture life. Let the water soothe your back, feel the wetness on your shoulders, your neck; your face and in your hair. Feel this very moment, the life force in your body, feel the living waters merge with you ... connecting you now to this place, the universe, and eternity."
Meav listened to the soft, pronounced words Wysteria spoke. Within her she began to feel the strength, the power of her own body. “I understand what me body is asking of me."
"And what is it saying, child?"
"It needs me forgiveness, it wants to grow and heal.” Meav stretched, and breathed, and for the first time in a long time thought of the future. Hope filled her, as did desire. “The water's spiritual tide is washing me with love, contentment, joy of life and the presence of the Divine.” She could actually envision the possibilities that awaited her, instead of fearing and dreading each day as she had done in Dublin. “'Tis working, Wysteria. I am reaching out, becoming in tune ... one with the earth's spirit."
"And with your own, lass,” Wysteria added.
Meav sighed. “Aye ... with me own."
Wysteria pulled from her satchel a clay bowl. Filling it with water, she dropped a handful of rosemary into it, along with a bit of rue and lemon balm. Then her shaky voice brought forth a song. “New moon ... rebirth ... the sliver of the crescent beneath her foot...” Wysteria added a sprinkle of motherwort, hyssop, marigold and basil to the mixture in the bowl. “Lead her down the right path ... strength ... conviction ... she is our hero."
Meav listened to the words closely, but had a hard time understanding their meaning.
Wysteria held the bowl up to the heavens. The sun warmed the mixture, soaking it with renewal and energy. Placing the bowl beside her on the rock, Wysteria reached again into her satchel and brought out a strip of muslin. She soaked it in the bowl of water. “Come here to me, child."
Meav stood slowly.
Rule, watching the ritual from his hiding place, felt his loins tighten as Meav immerged from the water like a goddess from the deep. Her natural beauty left him enthralled.
Wysteria stood and began to wash Meav.
Meav held her arms out to her side while Wysteria spread the mixture over her shoulders, elbows and to her hands, washing each finger.
Again Wysteria dipped the cloth into the bowl.
Meav felt the healer's soft brush of the fabric against her breasts, down her belly, and between her thighs.
"Now turn around,” Wysteria instructed.
Meav obeyed, feeling the gentle hands of her mentor run the material down her neck, to her back, around her buttocks and down her legs. One by one, Meav lifted each foot and Wysteria washed her there as well.
"Gaze into the water, Meav,” Wysteria whispered.
Meav cast her glance to the sparkling flow, light from the sun playing on the moving water.
Wysteria massaged the young maiden's back with gentle swirls. “Empty your thoughts, lass. Concentrate on the beauty and the meaning of the water, the light dancing upon it, the air filling your senses, and the earth around you."
Rule closed his eyes, wishing Wysteria's words could free him from his horror.
Meav inhaled deeply, feeling connected to every living thing on earth. It was at that moment ... the very moment Meav released all of her sorrows that the water around her ankles began to ripple. Before she knew what was happening, a gush of water flew into her face, a flash of silver blinded her.
Loreli sprung from the depth of her world and wrapped her arms around Meav. “I saved her ... so now I will claim her.” And with that she captured Meav.
"Nay!” Wysteria screamed, reaching forward to hang on to Meav as best she could, but her frail arms were no match for the quick, liquid movements of the mermaid. In an instant Loreli had taken Meav with her, beneath the water.
Meav tried desperately to wiggle free from the mer-woman's hold, but she couldn't release herself. Loreli held Meav tightly, breast to breast. Meav looked into the translucent opals of Loreli's eyes and instantly became hypnotized. The golden locks fanning out from her head framed the water nymph's face like a feather headdress or a halo ... like paintings Meav had seen of the saints ... and instantly imagined the scene before her as a heavenly vision. It was with that
thought that Meav felt her panic being replaced by an unexplainable sense of calm ... an unnatural calm ... in the face of being drowned.
Loreli felt her captive relax in her arms, and in turn lessened the intensity of her grip, as deeper and deeper she swam. Loreli would now take her beautiful maiden to the caves far beneath the sea's floor, where the air and atmosphere was suitable for a human, and make Meav her companion. The mermaid's heart leaped with anticipation. She had gotten what she had come for, but now she must make haste in securing her prize before it was too late.
Just as Meav felt the last ounce of breath seep from her lungs, a large force plowed into them, breaking Loreli's hold.
The large, black cat clutched Meav by the hair with his teeth, ripping her away from Loreli. With a swipe of his powerful paw, he sent the mermaid spinning in the opposite direction.
Loreli cried out.
The mermaid's piercing screech vibrated through Meav's bones. The high pitched scream reminded her of the night the Sea Dragon was lured to its fate.
Loreli had been maimed by the panther's sharp claws. Her pain sounded as though it ran deep and realizing she was no match to fight the animal for Meav, she fishtailed away to safety.
The beast then turned Meav around, holding her close to his chest and swam quickly to the surface.
Meav's terror returned, stark and vivid. But as consumed as she was with fear, she was too weak to struggle. She lay limp in the animal's embrace; the amber eyes the last thing she saw before everything went black.
Chapter Seven
Zailia ran through the corridor, down the large flight of stairs, and out the castle door; not stopping until she was away ... far, far away from Devora's evil, cold eyes. The witch had a heart of stone and its malevolence would now penetrate Zailia's soul. Her fear turned her blood to ice, her thoughts to mush, and her hopes for a better life was dashed.
Into the jungle she ran, hoping the large, heavily wooded closure would shield her from the terror, the sick and twisted world of Queen Devora. The things that took place in the castle were too despicable to repeat. Zailia knew the goings on in the dungeon, heard the screams from the torture chamber ... even in the queen's own boudoir depraved and sinful acts transpired. The vile woman took her enjoyment in the way others suffered. Their humiliation, their pain, and their degradation brought Devora thrills.
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