Emily's House (The Akasha Chronicles) (6 page)

8. The Dark One Comes

Hours after Cormac betrayed the most sacred secrets of Ireland, Dughall ordered his men to assassinate Ruaidrí, the last High King of Ireland. Dughall’s official mission was complete. He had control of the Emerald Isle.

But for Dughall, control over an island overrun with barbarians was not enough. He had his sights on something far greater. The next morning Dughall put his highest commander in charge of Tara, and he set off with his best army to the south and west to search for the Sacred Grove of Brighid. At nightfall, Dughall ordered camp and went to his tent to eat alone.

As Dughall chewed his bread, he heard a slight rustling sound behind him. Within seconds, he was on his feet, turned around and had his sword pulled from its sheath. His men knew better than to enter his tent without permission.

In the darkness, he saw a small figure appear. Was a child here in his encampment? Child or no, he would kill any intruder.

But it wasn’t a child. What he saw before him was a small – pixie! He couldn’t believe his eyes. He had heard the Celt peasants talk of forest folk and faeries, but he didn’t believe in it. Dughall thought it was just the talk of imbecile pagans.

Here it was though, standing no more than two feet high and extremely slight of build. Her ears came to a point, and her skin was as white and luminous as marble. Her wings were like dragonfly wings, shiny and iridescent, changing colors depending on the light and her mood. Her eyes were overly large for her small face and dark as coal with no color visible at all. The overall impression was frightening despite her diminutive stature.

The sprite said nothing but bowed slightly. In a small voice, that he had to strain a bit to hear she said, “I am Macha, of the Dark Sídhe. I come to offer my assistance to the one who has slain the last High King of Tara.”

Dughall was speechless. At last he said, “Why would you offer to help me? You are a faerie, and I seek to take over your country. Why help me in this plot?” he asked.

“Dughall, there are many Sídhe in this fair land. Some are what the humans call ‘Fair Sídhe’. Others are ‘Dark Sídhe’, like me. Before humans came, we were in all corners of this isle. We of the Dark Sídhe have never forgiven the humans for taking our lands from us and driving us to the knolls, mounds, trees, and underground.”

“Why do you think I would be different? I can tell you that I detest most humans, and I’m not inclined to enjoy the company of bestial creatures any better. Your high pitched voice is already grating me.” Dughall eyed his sword as he considered wielding it.

“We believe that you will treat us differently because we have something that you need,” Macha steadily replied.

Dughall stopped eyeing his sword for the moment. “Tell me why I shouldn’t swat you down right now.”

“We know why you are here and that your task is not yet complete,” Macha said.

Dughall raised his dark eyebrows. “What task is that?” he questioned.

“You seek the golden ring, the torc of the Order of Brighid,” replied Macha.

She had his complete attention. Dughall’s sword dropped to his side. “Continue.”

“You seek the power that lies within the Grove. But there are potent spells and enchantments that protect the Grove. You may break through – you have men to spare. But there are also Fair Sídhe, allies to the Order. Their magic is formidable, and they are loyal to the High Priestess and the goddess. You will need our assistance even to find the Grove, and once there, you will need our help to get inside.”

“Let’s assume that you are right – that I need you. What do you want in return?”

“The Dark Sídhe will be your allies and protect you and your lands from your enemies. In exchange, we will be equal to the humans that live here and have our own lands.”

Dughall thought for a moment and again eyed his sword. He didn’t know if he could trust this creature. Perhaps it had been sent by the High Priestess as a decoy.

On the other hand, Macha confirmed what Cormac had told him. And if it was true, the force of his armies may not be enough to obtain the object of his desire. He may need the magic of this detestable creature.

“You may join me in this quest,” he said finally. “But know this Macha, if you or any of your kind betrays me, you won’t be running to the mounds or forests. Your faerie blood will trickle into the roots of your beloved trees, and it will be the end of your kind.”

Macha simply nodded her head in understanding and took leave of Dughall as quickly as she came. Where she went he didn’t know and didn’t truly care. He may keep his word to her, he may not. It would depend on his mood.

He lay on his bed of blankets and lamb’s wool and grinned widely. He couldn’t believe his unexpected luck. This was going better than he planned. It wouldn’t be long now. He would hold in his hands the key to his deepest desire.

9. March To The Sacred Grove

Despite the fact that Saorla redoubled all of the spells and enchantments protecting the location of the Sacred Grove, with the help of Macha and the other Dark Sídhe, Dughall was able to find it.

There were several skirmishes along the way between the Fair Sídhe and the Dark Sídhe. Dughall and his men stood almost speechless as small, brightly dressed faeries flew out of trees, mounds and woods, their wings glistening in the sun, and attacked the Dark Sídhe that were traveling with Dughall and his men. The Dark Sídhe, full of pent up venom and anger, dispatched their attackers quickly and with ease. After a few hours, there were no more surprise attacks by the Fair Sídhe, who apparently decided to give up rather than be exterminated.

At the suggestion of Macha, Dughall ordered two of his men to go forward as scouts as the rest pulled back. After two hours, one of the soldiers stumbled back to camp, the other soldier nowhere in sight.

“What happened?” Dughall asked the hapless man.

The soldier just stared vacantly and said over and over, “I am your servant, my love.”

Dughall quickly lost patience with the man who had clearly lost his mind. He paced the floor and tired of hearing the soldier prattle on and on, he pulled his sword and in one swift stroke, cut off the man’s head.

“Now he’ll stop that prattling,” he said. The soldier’s head rolled a few yards then came to a stop just feet in front of Dughall.

“Sire,” Macha said in her soft but brittle voice. “He has been kissed by the Lianhan Sídhe, Sire,” she said.

“Creature, explain,” Dughall barked.

“She is a powerful spirit. Lianhan Sídhe is quite beautiful to human men and irresistible. She lures men to her then ‘kisses’ them. But her kiss removes most of their life essence, and they become addle brained or kill themselves.”

“So this hapless soul was already dead,” Dughall said flatly as he nudged the now lifeless head lying on the ground with his toe. “This is all very interesting, Macha, but how can we defeat this creature?”

“I don’t know, Sire,” replied Macha.

Dughall spun toward her, his eyes ablaze with fury. “You drag me all the way out into this wood claiming you can gain entry to the Grove, and now you’re telling me that you don’t know how to defeat this creature that stands in my way?” Dughall bellowed.

“Sire, no one that has ever seen the Lianhan Sídhe has been able to say what they saw. No one knows exactly how she holds sway over men. We must send another scout, but this time, be close enough to see what happens,” offered Macha.

Dughall’s face softened ever so slightly. “You mean send another of my men as bait, is that what you are suggesting?” asked Dughall.

“Well, yes, Sire. I think it is the only way,” answered Macha.

“Yes, Macha, I think you are right. You are a detestable little creature, aren’t you? So devoid of feelings for human life. I do believe I’m starting to like you.”

Macha brightened a bit, and her wings became an iridescent coral color as she received Dughall’s compliment. Together they came up with a plan for finding at last the secret of the power of the Lianhan Sídhe.

10. Lianhan Sídhe

Dughall and Macha were in position. They followed a safe distance behind the soldier who they tapped to be the scout then scampered to the top of a small hill where they would have a view. The poor soldier had seen his mate come back from the last scouting trip addle minded and knew that the other had not been seen again. His legs quaked as he entered the area around the Sacred Grove.

As Saorla had observed all those years ago, when one got close to the entry of the Grove all was still. No breeze. No birds chirping. No sound or movement at all. As the soldier approached, the stillness made him quake even more. The preternatural quiet made the area around the Grove eerie.

Suddenly the scout felt a slight breeze and a chill come over him. He turned and saw before him the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her hair fell around her shoulders in waves of gold. Her eyes were the brightest blue – like two radiant sapphires. Her full, rosy lips were parted slightly. But it was perhaps her skin that was the most striking. Pale and luminescent, it almost glowed. The soldier was so immediately enthralled with her beauty that he didn’t notice that she was, in fact, hovering before him, held aloft by her large faerie wings.

From afar Dughall and Macha watched the whole scene. They saw the soldier immediately enraptured by the beautiful creature. They saw the scout move closer with a wide smile on his lips. He held out his hands to her, and she held out her hands to him. Then they heard, very faintly, music. She was singing to him. The Lianhan Sídhe sang to the soldier, and it was the song that lured him ever closer to her.

Macha told Dughall, “Don’t listen! Muffle the sound so you can’t hear her song.”

Dughall did as she said and wrapped a cloth from his saddlebag around his ears. Now he could see the Lianhan Sídhe but could not hear her beautiful song.

What he saw was totally unexpected. The Lianhan Sídhe smiled in a most beguiling way and continued to sing her song and lure the man closer. At last, their hands touched. She bent to kiss him, and he offered his lips to her. As soon as their lips touched, Dughall could see the man’s body go rigid, and for a split second, he opened his eyes wide in terror.

The Lianhan Sídhe was no longer the beauty that had lured him to her. Suddenly her eyes were as red as flame. Her fingers ended in sharp talons rather than neatly trimmed nails. Her wings, seconds ago light and glittery were now the scaly wings of a dragon. Her body and face, previously all light and luminous, were now covered in reptilian scales, her lovely blue billowy dress replaced with rags.

As she drained the life force from the man, his eyes became vacant. The Lianhan Sídhe’s beautiful song was replaced with a loud cackling. The life force of the man seemed to have made her even larger and more powerful. As quickly as she had appeared she disappeared with a loud crack as she flapped her large dragon wings and disappeared into the waning light of day.

Dughall and Macha stared in wonder at the spot where the Lianhan Sídhe had just been. It was Macha who broke the silence.

“You know Sire, legend says that if a man can resist her kiss, that she is defeated and doomed to wander the earth as a ghost for a thousand years, unable to take any more victims.”

“You mean, if I can resist her. . .”

“If you can resist her, you will defeat her. She will be powerless,” Macha replied.

Dughall’s lips curled into a sneer. He had discovered the secret of the Lianhan Sídhe, a secret unknown to any man in history until now. He would defeat her. She would not stand between him and that which he most desired.

“You know Sire, that ordinary cloth will not be enough when you get close to her. Her song will pierce right through it,” said Macha.

Dughall had not thought of that. He would need something stronger.

“Do you have magic that will protect me?” he asked.

“No Sire, but I know of one who does,” Macha answered.

Macha summoned Cian, a Dark Wizard. She told Cian that Dughall needed a potion that would render his ears useless for a time.

Cian eyed both Macha and Dughall warily. “I owe you nothing, Macha. Why should I do this for you or for this one?” he said as he gestured toward Dughall.

At that Dughall quickly grabbed the old wizard and put his sword to the man’s throat. “This, my dear man, is why you should help me,” Dughall hissed.

“Ah, you are all about might then. You fighting men, you think that piece of metal makes you superior,” the wizard replied.

“Who is in a position to die now, old man? You will help me, or I’ll run you through.”

The wizard had been caught off guard and was not in a position to use his magic to defend himself. He found himself with no choice but to give into Dughall’s demands.

“It appears I have no choice but to aid you, oh dark one,” Cian croaked. Dughall released him, and the old wizard stumbled. “I’ll need time to gather the proper ingredients,” Cian said as he rubbed his throat where Dughall’s sword had been.

“It grows dark. You shall have the evening, but no more. I want your potion at first dawn old man.”

Cian went to the woods surrounding their camp and worked feverishly through the night with only the light of a torch to help him find the forest herbs and fungus that he needed for his potion. By dawn, the potion was ready for Dughall.

“Here it is, as you demanded,” Cian said as he handed the tankard to Dughall. “Drink this – all of it – and you will not have use of your hearing.”

“I won’t be able to hear anything old man?” asked Dughall.

“You will not be able to hear the loudest thunder,” replied Cian.

“And it is only temporary, right?”

“It will wear off after a few hours,” said Cian.

Dughall took the cup and drank the potion down quickly. He gagged a little because of the vile taste. Then began an excruciating pain in his ears and a rushing of blood through all his veins. He held his ears and fell to the ground, writhing in pain.

“I’ll kill you old man,” Dughall bellowed as he held his ears. He would have too if he could get up and to his sword. But soon the pain began to subside, and as it did, he realized that he could not hear. He clapped and then spoke and then let out a loud yell but could hear nothing. He smiled wide, a most unsettling sight.