Waves in the Wind (6 page)

A chuckle ran through the massed Druids, and he scowled, his eyes fixed upon us. “Think not to laugh! For then came a plague of lice, and then flies, and then a disease among all the animals. Despite these trials, Pharaoh still refused to release the Hebrew people. Therefore, the plagues continued as next came a disease on people, boils that refused to heal. Then God brought thunder and hail against the land followed by swarms of locusts that devoured all the crops in the fields. Yet, still Pharaoh refused to yield. Consequently, God brought darkness upon Egypt and finally death to all first-born children; death to all except the children of the Hebrews. It was only then that Pharaoh relented and set the Hebrews free.

“All these things and more God can do and has done against those who would defy him.” He pointed outwards into the darkness beyond the canopy. “So how is it I know Eire’s darkness fell by God’s Hand? It is because He has done it before! Long ago He brought this very same darkness upon Egypt in retribution against Pharaoh’s arrogance!”

His still-pointing finger turned towards us, accusing us. “By His Own words God said, ‘Thou shalt not have any gods before Me!’ Many years ago the Holy Saint Patrick, may God rest his immortal soul, decreed in God’s name that you forsake your demons, your blasphemous idols and your pagan ways. And yet, like Pharaoh, you defied God, you refused to obey His command. Now look out there, see the darkness and see God’s vengeance against you and this land for your insolence. Look not for the sun to reappear until each of you renounces your false gods, fall upon your knees, ask His forgiveness for your many sins and swear everlasting allegiance to Him and Him alone!”

Angry muttering swept through our assemblage of Druids but the bishop ignored it, turned his back upon us and began another prayer.

“O Heavenly Father…”

“One moment!” It was my father who spoke. He stood and bowed in the direction of King Máelgarb. “Please pardon my interruption Your Highness. However, with your gracious indulgence I would address this man.”

The High King nodded and gestured that my father could continue. I suspected that while the King might be gracious with his indulgence, my father would not share the same with the bishop. He strode forward to confront the priest.

“Yesterday, Master Tóla, great Druid and wise advisor to us all that he is, sang for us the song of the Dagda. Within that song the source of the darkness was revealed, a natural occurrence within Mother Earth. Today you accuse us for causing it,” his hand swept ’round to include the Druids, “through your story of Pharaoh, a fable speaking of vengeance by the hand of your god.”

The bishop’s neck grew red to match his robe as he blustered, “Fable, you say? Were you not listening when I told you the story of Moses is written in God’s Holy Book? No, you ignored me just as you ignored the Truth proclaimed by Saint Patrick!”

“There is cause to ignore you for your intentions are as obvious as the flame of yon torch. Well I remember accounts of your priest called Patrick, and well I remember him being a man who sowed strife and turmoil among our people just as you would sow the same among those gathered here today.”

Redness moved from the bishop’s neck to his face as his arms crossed over his chest. “Today I spoke God’s Truth. I promise you it would serve you well to hear me.”

My father’s hard eyes held the man and he waited for a count of ten before his quiet voice responded. “I heard you, priest. Now you hear me. Little it is I know of your god and little it is I wish to know, for I remain true to my own gods, the all-powerful Lords of the Sidhe. For thousands of years they have seen to the needs of Eire’s people. Therefore, come not before me with your accusations and threats, for I care nothing for them.”

“You think I speak idly, Druid? Continue then to defy Gods’ Will, continue to worship your demons and feel the full measure of His punishment!”

The bishop turned and bowed to the King. “Your Highness, as you requested I have made my statement on behalf of the Ruler of the Universe, and see no point in arguing further with this…this man. In the end, by God’s grace and through His divine guidance, only your wisdom and your words matter and will lead us from this darkness.”

* * *

We stood beside our horses in a grove of trees. I was finally able to catch my father alone as we rested on our return journey to Dún Ailinne. “The bishop was intentionally rude and meant that his words would hang above us like an executioner’s axe.”

My father’s weariness was voiced in his sigh. “Yes, he meant to intimidate us. I felt it was important to stand before him in the presence of King Máelgarb to make it known that his devices were not successful, that Druids do not cower before Christian priests or their god.”

“Your words were well said, father.” A warrior stepped up and took my reins to lead my horse to water in a stream. When the man was out of earshot, I continued. “Thanks to you the Christians will think twice before challenging us.”

“The Christians will not stop defying us. They have long sought a means to undermine our hold on Eire. This darkness has given them a perfect opportunity. Laying the blame for a tragedy at the feet of your adversaries is an old ploy. Still, it can be effective when the same thing is said time and again before those who reach out for something or someone to blame for their fears.”

“Then we must refute their god-cursed lies.”

“Lies?” my father chuckled. “Is it a lie when you believe what you say to be true? Make no mistake. The bishop believed his own words. Henceforth, Christian priests will fervently preach loud and long to all who will listen that it is we Druids who are at fault for the darkness. Mark my words; many will believe them and go over to their faith.”

“Perhaps, but most people will stand by us and the Lordly Ones when they hear the truth revealed by the Dagda.”

“Common sense says you are right, but these are not sensible times. Families tremble beside their fires and call upon their gods, the old and new, for salvation and the restoration of order.”

There was almost a tone of futility in my father’s voice, but he was very tired. Perhaps that was all I heard. Still, I pressed him, for there was more I wished to know. “I must tell you the bishop’s story of Pharaoh sickened my stomach. Do you think the Christian god can do all he claimed?”

“Perhaps, though we have seen no sign of it. The Christian god holds no sway here, the Lords of the Sidhe still rule Eire.”

“Aye, but what manner of god do the Christians worship?”

My father yawned and briskly shook his head. “Pardon me. Now, how do you mean?”

“I think of the ten plagues the Christian god brought upon the people of Egypt because of Pharaoh’s stubbornness. You recall the final plague?”

“No.”

“All first-born children of Egypt died. Think of it—a god who killed an untold number of innocent children because of the actions of their king. What manner of god would do such a thing? And if he is a god who in his wrath kills children, what might he do to the people of Eire?”

“Your thoughts are well considered,” he sighed. “Beyond that you speak to fundamental questions that must be asked of all faiths. I cannot answer your question, though I say again, the Christian god has little power here and I do not fear his wrath. However, the synod revealed the growing power of those who stand behind the god you described and I do fear we must prepare for their wrath.”

Chapter 6

Flames of Rage

“Ossian, I have something for you.” My father sat at the head table within the dining hall alongside the Master. He stood and removed a gold chain from around his throat that had been hidden beneath his robe.

I disengaged myself from a group of students, walked forward, bowed and accepted his gift from his hand. It was a spiritual thing of great significance, one that would reveal my Druid’s status to all who saw it. A serpent ring; a solid gold body formed by three coiled bands joined as one, the crest a snake’s head featuring bold emerald eyes glittering in the candlelight.

“It was your grandfather’s,” he explained as I slid it onto my finger. “I’ve worn his ring of the sacred serpent around my neck as a token of good fortune. Always it was with the thought I might present it to you as I do now during the celebration of your formal introduction as a Druid. May it always speak the truth of your dedication to the Lordly Ones and serve you well.”

* * *

My duties changed immediately. Though I was still a student, as a First Order Druid I was assigned to teach the basics of alchemy to the youngest acolytes. Upon making this assignment
Master Tóla’s eyes gleamed as he told me, “Teach them to burn that which cannot burn.”

I settled into my new standing and role while three months passed, each dark day much like the last. A day came, however, that while walking across the compound between afternoon lectures it seemed as though by accident a shadow moved among the nearby trees. I walked closer to investigate, and a short, cloaked man stepped into the fire-lit compound. Without comment he handed me a scroll.

I unrolled the vellum document and hurriedly scanned the Ogham figures on it. It was a message from my father. The mystery deepened when I raised my eyes to discover the messenger had disappeared. Puzzled, I concentrated on the scroll.

Be warned, my son. Word has reached me of treachery at the highest levels in the halls at Tara. King Máelgarb publicly proclaims to remain true to the gods, but fears the growing strength of the Christians and has formed a secret alliance with them. Christian priests continue to lay the blame for the darkness at the feet of Druids. Their followers plan depredations against our most sacred places. The King cowers within his stronghold like an old woman and has agreed not to interfere. Remain vigilant and take whatever action you deem necessary, for the school and shrine at Dún Ailinne may be attacked without warning. Say nothing of this to anyone and share this message only with Master Tóla. Destroy this scroll so no others may read it.

The scroll in my hands trembled as the threat behind my father’s words washed over me. Not only might I be in peril, but also the Master and my fellow students. He also insisted I say nothing to anyone other than Master Tóla. Why? Was it he suspected the High King had his own ears planted among us? Yes. I nodded to myself, yes, of course.

Master Tóla would be in his sanctuary. Since the onset of the darkness it was always there he spent his days. I hurried up Knockaulin with my heart on fire, rapped lightly on the door and entered upon hearing his quick summons.

He sat alone, cross-legged on floor. His sagging posture and bleary eyes revealed he had been in meditation, and he gestured for me to approach. His eyes sharpened but he remained motionless as he recognized the anxious expression on my face. I bowed before him, and he gave a questioning nod.

“Master Tóla,” I forced myself to remain calm as I began. “I sincerely beg your pardon for disturbing you, but I have received an urgent message from my father. He instructed that I share it with you.”

The Master took the scroll from my hand, read through it, scanned it again and then looked up to me. “And so?”

It was not the response I expected. “What should we… That is, what will you do?”

“Do? Of course, I shall do nothing.”

“But Master, you’ve read my father’s warning.” My finger shook a bit as I shivered within the disagreeable dampness of the room and pointed to the scroll. “We face danger. Surely some action is needed.”

He merely shrugged. “Your father’s words are well intended, but I have come to know many Christian priests. We argue, yes, we disagree, yes, but the men I know do not sow violence among their followers. Believe me, there is no danger.”

His conciliatory tone grated upon me as he ignored my father’s warning. Much was at risk and I dared reveal my true feelings. “Christians, all of them, are a scourge upon Eire and cannot be trusted.”

“Who taught you such a thing?” His eyes glinted. “Of course. You heard this from your father, for I know his strong feelings on it. You are wrong as is your father.” He shook his head, somber reproach in his eyes, as he continued. “You must never condemn all based upon the actions of a few, or judge men solely upon their beliefs. Men may be guided by faith but you must look deeply into the heart and mind of every man, and measure him only upon what you find there.”

“Of course, Master, I see the truth in it.” I was almost dancing in frustration. “However, I think of one man, the Christian bishop at the synod. He deliberately threw his threats into our faces.”

“Bah! I know the man. He blusters and postures to further his argument, but would never countenance actual violence.” He re-rolled the scroll as he looked up at me. “Granted, we are a warlike people; kings, great and small, fight among themselves for land, wealth and power. Do not worry. Within the entire history of this land we’ve never once seen a war between religions.”

The Master reached a hand upwards to me. “Give a man a hand, would you? I’ve sat here long enough and my old bones demand stretching.”