by Jana LaPelle
“Alaric, don’t just stand there with your mouth ajar, take Lillie. These two are getting too big for me to juggle both of them when they are fighting me to be out of my grasp. I’m not about to put them down until we get to the bottom of this mystery.” Turning her bright eyes my way, I ain’t never seen eyes as striking as hers. I can see why Mister is smitten with his kindred. She asks, skeptically, “How can we know that you are who you say you are?”
I can’t help but smile and say, “Yous so pretty, Mister said you were. I’ve wanted to meet you for a very long time. I’m Pipperton and I was your kindred’s guide in The Underworld. We ran into lots of trouble, but I like to think that Mister called me friend.” Turning serious, I look back to the male that I looked up to when I was little and watch with a sad smile as he juggles his daughter and wish that he had been around while I was growing up. I can tell that he’s a wonderful father. I need to convince him that I’m who I say I am. Remembering the perfect conversation, I say, “Remember that time, after the run in with the gorgers? Remember what you said to me? You said that I had grown on you like a rash. It’s me, Mister. I promise. I’m not here to trick you. I’m here to warn you.”
“It really is you, isn’t it Pipperton?”
“Yes, Mister. It is, and yous gots all sorts of trouble heading yer way.”
Mister steps forward, as if he hasn’t heard my last words. He grins broadly and pulls me in to a tight hug. His baby girl giggles and pats my bare arm and I hug them back. Pulling back, Alaric says, “How is this possible?”
“I promise that I will explain everything to you, but right now Mister, you have a big problem, an evil soul from The Mortal Realm entered The Underworld from the rift. You see, my uncle and I were scouting around the rift that grew to the opposite side of the Great Divide. We watched as the lich came through the rift there.”
I hear several females gasp at my announcement. Turning back to Mister’s kindred she has her sprite friend on one side of her, who is now much larger, and her wings are gone. Curious... On her other side is a pretty young human with wide green eyes and long, fiery red hair. She wears long flowing druid robes over her pretty gown. The three immediately begin speaking amongst themselves in hushed tones.
Turning back to Mister, I continue, “One after another, they came through to look over the Fields of Punishment. When their leader came through, they all took a knee and bowed to him. Where he was young and handsome in appearance, his followers were mere walking skeletons. Where their eyes should be were glowing putrid green orbs. There were too many of them for Uncle and me to engage, so we tracked them over the mountain to the site of the other rift. They quickly took out the handful of guards that Luc had stationed there. They worked as a team and quickly dispatched the guards using majic. As quickly as they enter The Underworld they left, entering the rift to your realm. Rhynik went back to warn Luc and I came here to warn you.” I finish up in a rush and Mister looks from me to the red headed warrior that escorted me here.
“Fergus, report.” Alaric demands.
“Tis true, what the boy says, we were taken off guard and those of us inside the crypt were stunned. We were up top when they exited the crypt. We tried to overtake them, but before we could reach them, they put up a defensive barrier. They are truly heinous to look upon. Their leader began chanting and then all of his followers circled around him, joining in. Then they just disappeared. It wasn’t like they traced; it was like they cast a spell to transport them somewhere else. Some other, specific destination. That was when we ran into Pipperton here. I thought he was with them, but then he asked to speak to you.
Our attention is drawn back to the females as they continue their animated conversation. Mister turns and addresses his kindred, “Ash, what do you all know or make of this? You three don’t seem at all surprised by this turn of events.”
“Well, we believe that Daerok, the exiled druid Luminary has just found a way back into Faerie.” Ashlinn says quietly.
“What do you know of Daerok? And why is this the first that I have heard of this? Whatever you all know, it’s time to spill. We leave out tomorrow and now we have another threat on the horizon.” Mister says with a grimace but smiles when Lillie smacks both of her little hands against his cheeks and makes smacking noises with her puckered little lips. She’s so cute.
Ashlinn sighs and walks toward her mate, before answering, “Alaric, one night when The Morrígan still had you imprisoned, the night before Luc took you to The Underworld, I read Mom’s memoirs. Long story short, Lexie is a direct descendant of the only druid that was banished with Daerok and his followers who realized that following Daerok was a mistake. He found a way to leave the dark order, met his kindred, a witch, and the two combined their majic to keep their family hidden for centuries. Daerok sought immortality and through the many failures of his faithful followers he perfected the dark art of harnessing a person’s essence to prolong his life, giving him eternal youth while his brainwashed followers became lich gaining immortality, but at a cost. We just haven’t had time for me to share this information with you, Alaric. First you returned from The Underworld, then you were grieving for the loss of Pip, then we had to leave to retrieve the Spear of Lugh, which we lost, and then we were grieving for the loss of Garrik. I’m sorry, it slipped my mind with everything going on.” She smiles sadly up at her mate, reaching up to caress his cheek.
“Alright then. That’s a lot. What do we know of this Daerok?” Mister asks the room in general. “We need to know about this new threat.”
Not knowing what to do, I begin to move back toward the door that leads back out to the hallway. I watch for a few moments as everyone comes together to work as a team. I’ve done my job. I just don’t know how to get back to the rift. I make my way back out to the front of the large fortress that is bustling with activity. I feel my shoulders slump. It’s time for me to go, but I have no idea as to what direction I need to head. The bright glowing ball in the blue sky is fascinating, but foreign and a bit scary. Why isn’t anyone concerned that it will burn their world up? I mean, look at it. The sky looks different now as the fiery orb moves closer to land fall. Is this normal? It must be, no one seems the least bit concerned.
“Pip? Come back inside.” I turn to see Mister standing in the doorway, his smile slips from his face when he says, “I bet Paynga hates the very thought of me.”
“Naw, Mister, she just doesn’t understand. She doesn’t want anything bad to happen to me. See this scar?” I point to my chest, before continuing, “It’s a painful reminder that she almost lost me because I chose to save you. I’m sorry that you thought that I was dead.”
“Pip, what happened to the kid that I left behind?” He asks sadly.
“I guess I grew up. I’ve done my job, Mister. I should get back.” The thought saddens me.
“Not just yet. Come on. We are about to break for dinner and then we will take some time to catch up. I’ve missed you, Pip.”
“I’ve missed you too. Can I play with Lillie and your son?”
“Lachlan. Yes. I’ve told them so many stories about you. Come on. We have a lot of catching up to do.” Mister claps his hand on my shoulder, and I smile back at him, happier than I’ve been in a long time.
Chapter 31
(Alaric)
Pip and I talked for hours after dinner while he got to know everyone. Tomorrow, I take him back to the rift. I told him that he will fight another day, but tonight I just want to spend the evening with Pip and my family. Yes, we are heading out in under a day to march toward war, but tonight… Well, tonight is about reconnecting, remembering, and family.
Getting up, I move to the doors to the terrace, calling over my shoulder to get Pip’s attention, I ask, “Hey, Pipperton, let me be your guide in my realm for tonight.”
He smiles back at me and hands Lillie over to Jasmine, Lillie is quite taken with the young imp. Ashlinn waves and smiles back at me. Through our link she is encouraging me to go. Pip is n
ow only about five inches shorter than me. His black horns are almost as big as his uncles and his white blonde hair is long and unruly and a total contrast to the rest of his coloring. Where he used to be pink lending to red, he is now all red, like his uncle, but his spirit is still the same.
Before we walk outside, I say, “Close your eyes, Pip. I have a surprise for you.”
He looks at me and smiles a toothy grin, “I like surprises, Mister.”
He closes his eyes and I lead him out onto the terrace. I point him to the eastern sky and say, “Open your eyes, Pipperton.”
He does so, and is still for just a moment, his eyes wide with wonder. He looks back at me and then back to the overly large full moon. The sky behind us is multicolored as night continues to creep toward the western skyline. He turns and begins pointing, and asks, “What are those tiny lights? Wow. This is amazing! The Underworld’s sky is just red, this is beautiful and amazing and wonderful. Thank you, Mister. Thank you for sharing your world with me.” His look turns serious before announcing, “I’m staying. You know… to fight, Mister? I can fight by your side or by Luc’s, but I’m fighting for this beautiful and amazing realm you call home. It’s your choice.”
“Pip… I lost you once and it about killed me. I was broken after I thought you had died on my watch. I know that you are not the same child that I left behind, and that is still a little hard for me to process, but you are still mine to protect. I love you as if you are my own. I don’t trust Luc and his motives.” I hold up a hand when I see Pip about to protest, “Let me finish. Luc has his own agenda and I have no idea as to what that will be. What I’m trying to say, Pipperton, is that I will be honored to have you fight by our side. I see that your mind is made up, and knowing you and how stubborn you are, I know that you will find a way to follow your heart. I just ask one thing of you. I need for you to go talk to your mother before marching off to battle.”
Pip nods, agreeing and says, “Yes, yous right. I will go back tomorrow, but how will I meet up with you and your army?”
“We’ll work that out before morning. Tonight… let’s enjoy family and friends. That includes you. I’m so very thankful that you lived that day. I was a mess, Pip.”
Pip throws his arms and wings around me, and says, “I love you, Mister! I’ve missed you so much!”
“I’ve missed you too. Come on, one of Ashlinn’s favorite things to eat is chocolate, chocolate cake. I think you will love it. We’ll worry about tomorrow and what is to come then. Tonight, we rejoice, and we put all our worries behind us.
Chapter 32
(Ashlinn)
Today we march to… I’m reluctant to complete my thought. My sigh is heavy as I take stock of our troops, all those that will fight with us against the evil that threatens to take over the land. Not just here, but The Mortal Realm as well. If Morríganna succeeds, she will not stop. She will want more, so much more. So today we march toward a battle that will define the future for us all. I stand here pondering her words that echo in my mind and seem to be on repeat this morning, and I can’t make sense of what she meant by, “You don’t even remember me. Yet you seek to challenge me.” Were we acquainted before? In the Overworld? Is that one of the reasons I chose to not receive my memories? Scrubbing my hands over my face, I’m lost to my musings.
The sun is about to rise as I stand looking out over the valley that Glenndale Lock is nestled within. It is our safe haven; I chose this turret of the Keep looking out over all those that have gathered in the meadow beyond the loch to indulge my restless mind. Their tents are a sight to behold and most fly colorful medieval style banners or flags of their people denoting their colors and symbols. It reminds me of a scene from the movie Narnia. I know that I don’t know these people, not like I should, and I feel guilt for not having taken the time that I should have to mingle with them. I feel as though I’m ill prepared for what we will face, that we should have had more time to prepare for what awaits us. and all those who gather here that will follow our lead to a battle that will define The Realms.
I watch as Alaric issues commands to the leaders of our army. Just watching him in action has the ability to lift my heavy heart. A gentle smile tugs at my lips as my heart swells with love for my Elf-Man. He turns and smiles back at me and winks before getting back to business. The eastern sky is ablaze of color now as the sun begins its upward trek to chase away the last remnants of night.
Behind me I hear two pairs of footsteps. Turning, I see Lexie and Jasmine approaching. Lexie is decked out in battle gear, her ash grey druid cloak billows on the wind, her fiery red hair is captured in what started out as a French braid on either side of her scalp that is ridiculously interwoven to create a masterful style that captures her hair but also allows it to hang heavy down her back. Jasmine, well, Jaz as always can carry off any style. Both are wearing similar battle attire, their silver chain mail gleams under the attention of the rising sun. Likewise, they both have metal plated armor pieces as well as wrist gauntlets, thigh high black clad boots and charcoal grey sleek fitting under garments. Lexie’s cloak is a silver grey and upon second inspection, it has all matter of Celtic runes stitched into the hem of the garment in a dark metallic sapphire blue. Jasmine’s cloak is a midnight blue with beautiful silver stitching, again with all matter of Celtic runes stitched into the hem. They look remarkably similar to each other.
Lexie holds out a package for me as she approaches, and says, “Here. This arrived not long ago. It’s a gift from Morgwais. It looks like we all got one. It’s your turn to open yours.”
“So, this just shows up right before we head out, but she is still nowhere to be found? I don’t understand, why is she not here. Doesn’t she understand that she is needed for what is to come?” I huff.
“I don’t get it either. Her coven has been trying to locate her, but nothing they or I have done thus far has given us her location. It’s like she has just vanished and doesn’t want to be found.”
“But we need her. I know we do. I can’t seem to shake the feeling,” I say begrudgingly as I open the fabric package in my hands. I pull on the ribbon and it releases its hold, and like majic the package unravels to reveal a reversable cloak. I’m in awe of the rich fabric and drop the golden ribbon without thinking. A gust of wind plucks it up in mid fall and carries the shimmering ribbon away on the breeze. I look up to see it dancing on the wind before my attention turns once more to the cloak in my hands. One side is a rich dark coffee brown with shimmering strands of gold interwoven into the material. Just like the girl’s cloaks, there are similar golden Celtic markings that line the entire hem of the garment, the coloring matches my battle attire as well. Even if I reverse it to the deep forest green that lines the inside. I hold it up and shake it out and as I do so a tiny scroll floats to the center of the triangle we form as the three of us come together. I hold my breath waiting to see what happens next.
The scroll just hovers between us and Lexie says, “Try putting your cloak on. All our note said was, “All me love, Morgwais.”
Gingerly, I pull the cloak around me, fastening the delicate looking trinity knot that catches at my throat and then shake the fabric free so that it hangs perfectly about me. As I do so the scroll begins to unroll as it hovers between us, and we hear Morgwais’ voice speak, “Me lovely dears, Morgwais misses ye so very much, each and every one of ye. I love ye so, and I be so very sorry to be away from ye all for so long now. It be a necessary evil for now. That wretched Morrígan must not know of me, not just yet. Morgwais asks that ye believe and trust in me. Just know that when the time be right. Morgwais will be there for ye all. Ye be not alone in this endeavor, her evil reign must come to an end. Ye be on me mind and me worry for ye, so to protect ye, me young lasses I stitched these cloaks with protection symbols and cast a protection enchantment on these garments. Wear yer cloaks into battle, me beautiful lasses. Lexie, Mother Druid, ye be skilled in casting enchantments, ye can replicate what Morgwais has done with the cloaks to pr
otect those that fight for the light. It will help but will not protect against a death blow. Be safe. It won’t be long before we meet again. All me love, girls... All me love.” The scroll rolls back up and drops to the ground with a dull thud. The three of us just stare down at it and mull over her message.
Lexie is the first to recover, and announces, “You’re right Ash. We are definitely missing something here where she is concerned. I don’t think that we will see Morgwais again until we meet The Morrígna and their army in battle, not if her message is anything to go by. I have work to do. I believe that I can replicate the protection enchantment, but it will take some finesse. I should have it ready before we converge on Lár Domhain.”
For a moment I assess Lexie, and ask, “Sammy is safely tucked away?”
“Yes. I’m so sorry for all the times you had to leave the twins behind. It goes against my very nature, but we do this for the future of our children. I’ll meet you below and then we can head out.” Squeezing my hand, she takes off. Her dark cloak billowing in the wind behind her. Sunrise was a sight to behold but since then dark clouds have rolled in and are now blocking the rays of the sun. The temperatures have turned much colder than I thought this time of year would have.
I shiver and pull my cloak closer about me before taking Jasmine’s hand in my own, and ask, “What’s up with the weather? It feels as though it’s dropped twenty degrees in twenty-four hours.”
Jasmine is quiet before she responds, “It’s being rumored that The Morrígna is calling on the energy of the land to empower them. By the drop-in temperatures over the last few days, I’m inclined to believe the rumors. Ash, she has to be stopped, if not, she will suck all the majical energy from our realm and if that happens, I fear for what comes next.” She shivers beside me as we enter the turret staircase and rush down the steps to the ground floor, our footfalls echoing in the massive hall below us. It’s time for us to head out. I take one last look around before exiting the main doors to the courtyard. Alaric has Storm ready for me and I nimbly leap up to mount my horse. She side steps and prances in anticipation, and I lean over to pat the side of her neck and quickly kiss her there.