“You know more than most how dangerous such a venture would be, son. You have a home, a trade, and a future. Why would you squander it away on such a mad quest?”
Conall shook his head. “I appreciate your counsel, but how can I not search for my f-father? I’ve buried Ligach and Sétna, and properly honored their memory as tradition dictates. I’ve given you the roundhouse so you might continue your school. I’ve taken care of all my duties. That part of my life is finished.”
“Your father evidently doesn’t wish to be found. Perhaps you should respect his wishes. Besides, Aoife would like you to stay. Her husband is dead, and her children need a father.”
“He doesn’t want his enemies to find him. But I’m his son! Besides, I should let him know of Ligach’s death. And of Lainn’s…change. As for Aoife…” Conall shook his head. “She is attractive enough to find any number of husbands who would be far more interested in her charms than I would ever be.”
Gemmán nodded, but the unhappiness returned to his eyes. “I miss Lainn, and mourn the loss of such a promising student. Still, she will likely live a much longer and richer life as she is than as a human. I wish her well. If you should see her, please pass on my love.”
Conall nodded. “I will. Are you certain the d-druids at Uisneach will allow me to use the Old Way into Faerie?”
“With my recommendation, yes. If you had approached them on your own, most certainly not. But I shall vouch for both your worth and discretion. Keep in mind this might not be a valid passage back to the human realm. While the Old Ways remain open on this side, they may change in Faerie. Or it may become dangerous to return this way. Those two that accompanied the Queen didn’t look like they were the welcoming sort.”
Conall shoved down the memory of his erstwhile lover and his…of Ligach’s tormenter. “The white-skinned Fae had been our friend before a tragedy turned him to madness. It’s possible he will recover. If I find my father, I may return to see if I can help with that.”
Unexpectedly, Gemmán drew him in for a fierce embrace. “I wish you luck with that, lad. You have a great store of patience, despite your frustration with your mother’s healing, and a strong faith in people. I hope your faith is rewarded.”
Gemmán’s expression grew dour, likely recalling his faith in his most recent student.
“Did you find out what happened to Crimthann, Gemmán? After the incident at our house, I mean?”
He nodded. “Crimthann didn’t come back to be taught, of course. He decided the Christian faith was the only one of any worth, and became rather vociferous against my ‘interference’, as he termed it. The last I heard, he had moved to some island in Alba, to start his own enclave of priests. He even changed his name. He’s calling himself ‘the Dove of the Church’, if you can believe that.”
“Him? A d-d-dove?” Conall didn’t stop the laughter bubbling into his voice.
Gemmán’s face cracked a smile as well. “Aye, a dove. Fox suited him much more clearly. But he’s adopted the name ‘Columba’ and hopes to make a name for himself. He’s got the education and the ambition. Perhaps he might even do some good along the way. We can only hope so.”
The entrance to the druid’s grove came into view, and they fell silent.
The introductions were made formally. Gemmán wasn’t personally known by most of the druids. As a solitary teacher, he wasn’t part of the grove. Yet, all teachers of the lore were highly respected, and he’d achieved a high rank amongst them.
When he finally parted from Conall, they embraced again. “Keep yourself safe, young man. You have grown much in the time I’ve known you, but you have even more potential if you don’t squander it with foolishness.”
Conall nodded, knowing the truth of this admonition. “I’ll try to think what you might do in my place, or Adhna.”
“For a Fae, he was a good man. There are many worse examples to emulate.”
With a final clap on the shoulder, Gemmán left him in the care of Dianaim, an older female druid. With a silent nod, she led him to the stone circle within the grove.
She handed him a plain wooden staff. “Take this gift with our blessing, young quester. Gemmán explained some of your purpose. We shall welcome you back to the human realm if you return this route.”
“I th-thank you.”
She nodded once. “Walk around the stones three times, sunwise, chanting the words Gemmán taught you. Then enter through the eastern gap, here. When you do so, the world should change. You have been to Faerie before, is that correct?”
Conall nodded, his stomach doing flips. He shouldered his pack, complete with traveling food, the bronze knife, and his brooch.
“The portal has led to a peaceful spot in Faerie in the past, but they sometimes shift. I cannot guarantee your arrival place, but if it hasn’t changed, a small túath of friendly Fae lay not too far away. They can help you begin your search.”
With more confidence than he felt, Conall began the circuit around the stones. The first resulted in no effect, but the second made the air around them shimmer and sparkle. By the third circuit, the air seemed thick, as if he was pushing through water. The last few steps were a hard slog through thick honey. The light dimmed to darkness, and he had to work to push through.
When he finally broke through the other side, the familiar non-light of Faerie greeted him with rolling soft blue hills and several festiwings. He watched them flitter by with bittersweet memory of Lainn’s fascination with them.
Perhaps, if he found his father, he would tell him about Lainn and her love of the festiwings. Even if he daren’t seek her out while she was in the Queen’s service, he could keep her alive in his memory.
He picked a direction, shifted the pack across his shoulders, and began his new quest.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
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ABOUT CHRISTY NICHOLAS
Christy Nicholas, also known as Green Dragon, has her hands in many crafts, including digital art, beaded jewelry, writing, and photography. In real life, she’s a CPA, but having grown up with art all around her (her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother are/were all artists), it sort of infected her, as it were. She loves to draw and to create things. She says it’s more of an obsession than a hobby. She likes looking up into the sky and seeing a beautiful sunset, or seeing a fragrant blossom or a dramatic seaside. She takes a picture or creates a piece of jewelry as her way of sharing this serenity, this joy, this beauty with others. Sometimes this sharing requires explanation–and thus she writes. Combine this love of beauty with a bit of financial sense and you get an art business. She does local art and craft shows, as well as sending her art to various science fiction conventions throughout the country and abroad.
* * *
Get in touch with Christy Nicholas:
Website (http://www.greendragonartist.com)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/greendragon9)
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LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/in/greendragon9)
Tirgearr Publishing (http://www.tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Nicholas_Christy)
OTHER BOOKS BY CHRISTY NICHOLAS
DRUID’S BROOCH SERIES
LEGACY OF HUNGER, #1
Published: October 2015
ISBN: 9781311528575
It’s 1846, and Valentia is bored with the life of a spinster on her father’s prosperous Ohio farm. She is haunted by dreams about Ireland, so vows to travel to find her grandmother’s family and a long-lost family heirloom. On the way, she loses many precious things, but gains far more than she imagined.
LEGACY OF TRUTH, #2
Published: July 2016
ISBN: 978131
0151149
Gifted with a magical brooch, passed down in her family for generations, Esme finds herself isolated and ill in an unfamiliar land. Her sister plots to steal the family heirloom from her in order to exploit the magical powers for her own gain, and Esme must battle for survival of herself and those she loves.
TURLOUGH'S TALE, #2.5 short story extra
Published: September 2017
ISBN: 9781370474523
After his beloved wife dies in childbirth, Turlough leaves in the middle of the night with his son, Ruari, traveling west to find music, Turlough’s other true love. Unwittingly sleeping under an ancient stone, they wake up in Faerie, amidst enchanting music. When they return, Turlough finds two years have passed, though he’s only been gone two weeks. His mother is waiting for him with a gift.
LEGACY OF LUCK, #3
Published: January 2017
ISBN: 9781370831975
Irish Traveler Éamonn loves gambling, women, and drinking, not necessarily in that order. But he’s entangled in a true mess when he falls for fiery redhead, Katie. When she’s married to a Scottish Traveler, Éamonn travels to Scotland to find her, with the help of Katie’s sister and cousin, and the magical brooch gifted by his father. Their quest takes them across the Irish Sea to the Isle of Skye, encountering war, betrayal, death. In the end, Éamonn must make his own luck.
MISFORTUNE OF VISION, #4
Published: January 2018
ISBN: 9781370115228
In 12th century Ireland, Orlagh has been Seer to her king for 40 years. After dismissing her efforts to warn him of war, she decides to fulfill her own quest: to find a worthy heir for her magical brooch. During this time, she passes judgment on a thief, escapes a Norman war camp, and battle wits with a Fae lord. She enlists the help of a grizzled old warrior, who happens to be a long–time friend.
MISFORTUNE OF SONG, #5
Published: April 2018
ISBN: 9781370150205
Even a soldier cannot fight love—In 12th century Ireland, all Maelan wants is to do his duty to his Chief and maintain his family’s good name. However, his granddaughter, Orlagh, is hell bent on wreaking havoc, with no care for the consequences. Maelan must make some difficult decisions and bargains with the Fae to save his granddaughter’s life and future. Can he save her happiness as well?
MISFORTUNE OF TIME, #6
Published: July 2018
ISBN: B07D447G4Y
Étaín must hide her pagan magic from her pious Christian priest husband, Airtre. She wants to escape his abuse, but she must stay to protect their grandson, Maelan. When Airtre's paranoia and jealousy spiral out of control, Étaín has no choice but to escape in the night. Ultimately, she must make decisions that may result in disaster for her, her grandson, and everyone she loves.
ALSO BY CHRISTY
THE ENCHANTED SWANS
Published: March 2017
ISBN: 9781370316731
In pre-Celtic Ireland, Fionnuala is a fae princess with hopes and dreams of love and a full life. But all her dreams are stolen from her, ripped away in a torrent of envy and magic, and forces to live under an evil curse—she and her brothers having been transformed into swans. Will she find a way to break the spell, or will they remain swans, tethered to three places for nine hundred years?
CALL OF THE MORRIGÚ
Published: July 2017
ISBN: 9781370942718
1798 Ireland–While rebellions are rising across the countryside, Theodosia Latimer and her grandfather Reginald are on a mission to discover the past. But when they discover an imprisoned goddess straight out of Ireland’s rich mythological history, they're both amazed and frightened. Will they be able to tame her lust for violence in the upcoming rebellion? Or will they fall victim to it?
THE HIDDEN GUIDES
Do you find yourself drawn to the magic of the Emerald Isle or Scotland? Would you like to see places beyond the typical tourist traps? Come, join me on a journey through the mists of legend, into the hidden places of mystery. Immerse yourself in the legends and myths, the history that has made this island precious in the hearts and minds of millions. Along with the tales and history, there is practical information on planning your trip, budgeting your costs, and finding the best places to while away the magical hours of your holiday.
IRELAND: MYTHICAL, MAGICAL, MYSTICAL
A Guide to Hidden Ireland
Released: June 2013
ISBN: 9781301520725
The Mythical Facet - History and Myth-tery
The Magical Facet - The Fair Folk
The Mystical Facet - Gods and Saints
The Personal Facet - Friendly Folk
The Musical Facet - A Song and Dance
The Stunning Facet - Photo opportunities
The Tasty Facet - Irish Fare
The Practical Facet - How do I…?
The Frugal Facet - Budgets, Discounts, and Deals
The Hidden Facet - Undiscovered Places
SCOTLAND: STUNNING, STRANGE, SECRET
A Guide to Hidden Scotland
Released: November 2014
ISBN: 9781311036391
History and Myth
Superstitions and Beliefs
Gods and Saints
Highland Hospitality
Ceilidhs and Flings
Stunning Shots
Haggis and Cullen Skink
Plans and Mechanics
Discounts and Deals
Hidden Gems
Age of Saints: Druid's Brooch Series: #7 Page 25