The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (6 page)

“The Clan started out early in the morning and as the crossed the mountains and eventually the sea, hope and excitement began to build within them. Stepping foot on Irish soil Elsbeth felt a deep sense of magic in her bones and determinedly set off to explore the area and find the Fae. It was not an easy quest. As the Clan crisscrossed throughout the land, tempers flared, and a ripple of dissatisfaction with their Queen began to set in with the clan. Why have we not found them? Why has she not sensed them? They asked. One late afternoon in the very center of Ireland the group stopped for the night, set up their protective borders and all went quietly and reflectively about their business."

"The Queen, tired and weary, walked over a small hill and dropped to the ground. As she looked out over rolling hills of fields so green, she began to doubt herself as a leader and as a Queen. Tears streamed down her face, and she almost missed the shimmer that had started to appear in front of her. As she wiped her eyes dry, she saw the shimmer grow bigger and bigger until a figure of a woman appeared. The woman, who was tall, took the Queen's breath away. Long hair the color of ebony flowed over her shoulders and down her back. A beautiful face that could only be created by the Gods themselves stared back at her. Wide blue eyes, perfect rosy cheeks and a lush red mouth came into focus. When she first spoke her voice sounded like an angel's song."

“Welcome Queen Elsbeth, leader of the Clan of Skye, she said. I am Queen Sidra, The Queen of the Tuatha De Danann, Queen of the Fairies, Nymphs & Sprites. I have come to give you and your Clan a warm welcome to Ireland. Elsbeth was speechless and overjoyed, as she found her voice; she stood up and sank into a deep curtsy before the beautiful Queen.”

“Laughing Queen Sidra told Elsbeth to please rise, for Queens’s bow to no one. Queen Sidra, Elsbeth said, my clan and I have been traveling for many months searching for you and your land. We beg of you an invitation to find refuge in your realm.”

“Queen Sidra had been aware of the threat of Rau. She sympathized with the Gypsies but also knew of the danger of offering them refuge in Fairlia. She had struggled with this for months but recently she had been shown an alternative to help Elsbeth and her Clan. An alternative she was keeping to herself for the time being. Elsbeth, my fellow Queen, I give you and your clan a much needed rest and rejuvenation holiday in the realm of my people, Fairlia."

“Queen Elsbeth was thrilled at the invitation but also noticed that the Fairy Queen did not offer a long-term stay. She decided to hold her tongue and focus on just getting her people to safety, Elsbeth lead Queen Sidra over the hill to the Gypsy campsite. One by one the clan soon saw their Queen walked alongside the Faerie Queen, and they all dropped to their knees in reverence. Rise Clan of Skye, Sidra, said, rise and follow me into my land. We welcome our Gypsy friends with open arms. There will be no need to bring anything with you because everything you need will be provided she said in a clear, firm voice."

“The Clan of Skye, all three hundred of them, followed both Queens over the hill and watched with fascination as Queen Sidra chanted softly over a seemingly bare space. A small shimmer of mist grew from a tiny drop to a large opening out of thin air. The Queen beckoned for all of them to step through the portal. As Elsbeth walked through she felt like a million sharp pins pricked her skin at once. Gasping she clutched her stomach as a wave of nausea swept over her, and she was sucked through a whirlwind. The sensation was over in a matter of seconds, and when Elsbeth opened her eyes she stared with amazement."

“There were beautiful mountains in the distance, some covered with snow on the highest peaks and others thick with tall, statuesque trees. The smaller trees in the valley below the mountains had leaves on them the colors of green, blue and pink, and they swayed in the soft wind. A large waterfall fell into a pool of water that glistened like crystals in the sunshine. To the right of the waterfall watching over the valley was a magnificent white castle surrounded by a large village with houses every color of the rainbow. Elsbeth and her Clan were enchanted by the glorious site of this Fairyland and followed the Queen up the golden streets to the castle."

“They were greeted by the Fae of the village with nods, smiles, and hellos. After their long journey, this was almost surreal. They were even more amazed when they walked into the Fairy Queens castle. The jewel covered walls and tapestries that had gold woven into the fabric depicting scenes of merriment and war took their breaths away. Come, my friends, said Sidra, as she led them to a room that was divided by a wall of water. Step through this water wall, and you shall come out on the other side refreshed. The Clan all looked at each other for a minute, for the promise of this magic was too great indeed. Elsbeth decided as Queen to go first and as her and Hans walked under the magical water, which was warm, her body was immediately drenched, perfumed and massaged. As she took another step out she looked down to see to her delight not only was she dry and cleaned but also outfitted in a flowing white gown. She waved her clan to go through and watched as everyone from young to old take in the delight of the water wall."

"Now everyone follow me to the great dining hall for a feast. I'm sure after your long journey you must be famished, said Sidra. She led them into a large roomed filled with dozens of round tables laden with food. Sidra took Elspeth’s hand and invited her to join her and her husband at their table. This man is my husband Kelvin, Sidra proudly said, and Elsbeth found herself a bit tongue-tied as he took her hand and swiftly planted a kiss. Tall and dark like his wife; Kelvin had more defined chiseled cheeks and bright green eyes that twinkled when he greeted her and Hans."

“Elsbeth quickly sat down and was just picking up her fork when Sidra lightly clasped her hand. No, she said, please, indulge me for a moment and wait. Curious Elsbeth laid her fork down and gazed happily at her clan laughing and enjoying a sumptuous feast. After a few minutes though she saw a few of her clan members drop their forks and lay their heads down to sleep. Alarmed she looked at Sidra, who smiled, and said to her. I'm sorry, but this has to be the way. Your clan is tired from their journey, and they are going to need a long sleep. Elsbeth glanced at Hans who looked furiously at Sidra. What have you done? He asked. What needs to be, she said. Please Hans, go with Kelvin, you both have a lot to discuss. Elsbeth, please trust me."

“Not sure what was going on, Elsbeth followed Sidra through the dining room and up a short flight of stairs to a grand ballroom. It had a stunning throne made of white flowers. Sidra simply walked around it and motioned for Elsbeth to follow her into a small room behind the throne. The room had just a few chairs, but the main focus was a large, about 7- foot tall, ornate mirror. This is a portal, said Sidra. It can take me too many different worlds, including, your human world. Thru this portal, starting tonight, you and I will travel through and for the next seven days we will make the most wondrous magic and secure the safety of your people"

“Elsbeth, although skeptical, joined hands with Sidra and together they went through the portal. When Elsbeth opened her eyes, she gasped. They were standing upon a large rock that was cropped up in an angry gray ocean. Where are we Sidra? She asked. What ocean is this?  We are in the English Channel off the coast of England and this place is where we will make your sanctuary for your Clan, Sidra replied."

“For two days straight Elsbeth and Sidra worked together calling upon the elements. They forged dirt and water into larger and larger pieces until they fused them together to create a large island. Exhausted they both sat down and surveyed their handiwork. Never in all her life had Elsbeth seen or been a part of this sort of magic. She never dreamed she could accomplish such a task."

“Elsbeth, Sidra spoke for the first time, before we continue you must agree to make two promises. Elsbeth cautiously nodded her head, too tired to speak. The first is you must, every seven days, climb to the northernmost tip of the island. There you will perform a protective barrier spell calling on the elements and asking for the blessing of the guardians of the watchtowers of the North, South, East and West. Elsbeth quickly agreed and waited to hear the second condition."

“Most importantly you and your clan must accept the protection of the Guardians of Solas or the Guardians of Light. Elsbeth went to say she accepted, but Sidra put her hand up to stop her from speaking. The Solas are the vampires of light, she explained. What Sidra said shocked her to the core. How dare you ask this of me? Neither I nor my clan will ever accept the presence or the help of a vampire."

“You are aware the Rau is evil. They turn those that are willing to give up their souls for a drink of their cursed blood. What you do not know is that there are those forced into vampirism. Those who did not go willingly and fought to their last breath for their souls. These creatures walk the earth, horrified by the being they have become. They hurt for their thirst is so great. Still they fight the demons inside of them. They fight the cursed blood in their veins and try to salvage some of their humanity."

“These Guardians will protect you and your clan for all eternity. All you and your clan have to do is to try to accept them and give them your blood so that they can survive and stay healthy to protect you. Sidra, how can you ask this of me? Elsbeth asked. You want my clan and I to feed them, to offer our necks into submission, to the offspring of the beast that killed my Mother?"

“No, that is not necessary. I will show you places where one of your healers can gently slice and drain blood. You can place the blood into containers where the Solas can drink from in private and not be ashamed. Elsbeth thought for several long moments. But how? How do I ever trust them? She asked. By knowing that the only hope for your clan's survival is them, Sidra replied. Can you accept this young Queen? Accept that there are some creatures on earth that although share characteristics of your enemy is in truth good, soulful beings?"

“For my people I must accept this, Elsbeth replied. Good, said Sidra, now let's have a little drink of fairy nectar and get back to work. So for five more days the two Queens worked building roads, cottages, a small village center and castle with magic and determination. As they admired, their work in the castle Sidra showed Elsbeth into a room similar to the one off of her throne room. There stood an equally tall and ornate mirror. A portal to our worlds she said. Twice a year we will open it for one another and have a grand party. In the spring, the Fae will come onto the Isle of Skye and in the late Fall the Gypsies to Fairlia."

“Elsbeth smiled and agreed quickly. They both jumped eagerly through the portal at the same time. They couldn't wait to see their loved ones and tell them of their great work and accomplishments over the last seven days. As they arrived back through the portal and into the great dining hall, Elsbeth was happy to see her family. They had just awakened from their deep slumber, and she was anxious for their reactions, both of the Isle and, of course, their new protectors."

“As she took the small stage and spoke in great detail of the clan's new home on the Isle she saw hope and gratitude etched in their faces. However, when she explained who and what their new protectors were, the level of unease and distrust echoed through the great room.”

“Unsure on how to proceed she turned to Sidra, who came to stand next to her. Sidra told the group of the agonizing plight of those turned vampire unwillingly. She explained their torment over the loss of their life as it once had been.”

“Then she asked a most peculiar question. Did you all not sleep as peacefully as babies over the last seven days? Many yelled it was because of the spell and what on earth did she mean? Why, Sidra said, as you slept your new Guardians of Light watched over you. Slowly throughout the room men and woman, pale and reluctant, came out of the shadows of the tapestries to show themselves to the clan."

“Several women screamed and children bundled up protectively in their parent’s arms. Elsbeth stood frozen as she gazed upon the vampires, her fear though, curiously evaporated as she looked in their faces and saw shame and reluctance. Elsbeth knew then that there was nothing to fear from these creatures and shouted for everyone to stop this nonsense at once. There is nothing to fear from the Solas, they offer us protection and their friendship. They offer us to live our lives normally and safely, without worry, without fear. It's a small price to pay for that kind of reassurance."

“The group listened to their Queen and one by one they looked at the Solas and with nods of their heads a silent agreement went around the room. Queen Elsbeth thanked Sidra and Kelvin for their hospitality and most importantly, their help and knowledge. The Queen and her clan moved swiftly through the portal to their new home, The Isle of Skye."

“Over time, of course there was a period of adjustment, but eventually the clan prospered and lived happily on their island fortress. The Solas although starving for human interaction still kept to themselves pretty much on their end of the Island. They offered their silent and stoic presence in exchange for the rich blood that kept them sharp and alert."