Ghalien: A Novel of the Otherworld

by Johnson, Jenna Elizabeth

  That night, my travel companions and I relived our adventures around a roaring bonfire, each of us interrupting to add extra details or to challenge the truth behind another's version of the tale. We stayed up late into the night and caused many of the youngsters to go to sleep with a lantern burning. When the last of the villagers sought their beds, I stood and bid my friends a goodnight, eager to find my cabin and get some much needed rest.

  The next morning my sister greeted me the moment I stepped out into the open air.

  "Cernunnos sent his spirit guide again. He wishes to meet with us."

  By mid-morning, Fenrah, Rhyne, Devlin, Enorah and I were on another journey, only this one took us to the Tree of Life. The forest god was already there when we arrived, leaning against the great tree as if he didn't have a care in the world.

  "I want to thank you for a job well done. The Amsihria are very grateful for your service."

  His brown eyes roved over us, a sharp intelligence and shrewdness buried in their depths.

  "With that being said, I owe each of you a favor."

  For several moments, no one spoke and Cernunnos just stood there, arms crossed over his chest, studying us.

  "You may not have need of it now, but in the future, don't hesitate to call upon me."

  He turned to leave. There were no favors I could think of, unless, of course, he could free me of my bond to the Morrigan, but I was certain nothing short of death could sever that tie. Perhaps I could ask a favor that would benefit Meghan . . .

  "Wait!" I called out, lifting a hand.

  The antlered god paused and glanced over his shoulder, one eyebrow arched.

  "I need a spirit guide."

  If at all possible, Cernunnos's brow arched even further.

  "From what I've heard, you already have a spirit guide."

  "No, not for me. For another Faelorehn who is in need of protection. My spirit guide watches over her now, but if she had her own . . ."

  My words trailed off and I could feel the eyes of my companions boring into me. Their curiosity might be strong, but I wasn't about to go into detail about Meghan.

  I took a breath and continued. "Something small, a ferret or cat perhaps. Something that requires little care."

  Not that spirit guides were entirely helpless, but I imagined Meghan might appreciate a companion with a little less presence than one like Fergus.

  Cernunnos seemed to be replaying my request over in his head, determining if it was an appropriate favor to ask of him. Several heartbeats passed before he finally nodded. "Very well. I'll see what I can do, Caedehn MacRoich. Any other requests?"

  His eyes once again traveled over us, but no one spoke up.

  "It may take me a while to locate the appropriate spirit guide," he said, returning his attention to me. "I'll send word when I have found one."

  "Thank you," I replied, giving a slight bow.

  On our walk back, I lagged behind the others and contacted Fergus again.

  I took your advice, I sent.

  What advice would that be? he wondered.

  I found a way to protect Meghan, so that you might return to me.

  Oh? Do tell.

  The payment for this last mission we went on was a favor from Cernunnos.

  You wish to ask the horned god to watch over Meghan?

  Immediately, my glamour spiked and a low snarl escaped my throat. The last person, besides the Morrigan, I wanted Meghan spending any time with was Cernunnos. The god of the wild could charm an infant from its mother's arms.

  No. I asked him to find Meghan a spirit guide.

  Silence greeted me and I passed by two more beech trees before Fergus responded.

  That is a good idea.

  I thought so, though it may be a while before he is able to fulfill my request.

  I understand.

  But cheer up, I sent, it won't be long before I make a visit to the mortal world.

  After that, I bid my spirit guide farewell and caught up to my sister and our friends.

  "A spirit guide for this girl of yours, huh?" Enorah said when the others were out of hearing range.

  I shrugged. "This way, I can get Fergus back."

  Enorah cast me a sideways glance and snickered. "Oh yes, I'm sure that's the only reason."

  I declined to comment, and so, we traveled in companionable silence the rest of the way to the village.

  Nearly a week went by before I left to return to Luathara. I hadn't healed much, though I wasn't surprised considering all I'd been through, and my insistence on helping Enorah and her Wildren with some of the more difficult chores around the village only slowed my recovery. By the time I was ready to depart, several of the leaky cabins had been repaired and a fireplace or two had been added.

  After saying my farewells to Fenrah, Rhyne and Devlin, Enorah walked me to the edge of the village. She reached up and took my face between her palms, her eyes shining and her lips quirked in a grin.

  "Visit again soon, my brother. And next time bring this Meghan of yours along."

  I scooped her up into a great hug and said, "I will."

  When I finally set her down, she shoved one shoulder then placed her hands on her hips. "And don't forget what I told you. You are worth far more than you give yourself credit for. I hope your lost Faelorehn girl can help you see that since you refuse to listen to me."

  Enorah watched me until I disappeared into the depths of the forest. I didn't glance back as I headed east toward the edge of the Weald where a dolmarehn waited to carry me to my home, but I could feel her gaze, as steady and sure as ever. Part of me wished I could stay and spend more time with her, but a greater part of me knew that my troubles were far from over. Another week I would allow myself to rest, and then I would have to start thinking about the web I'd entangled myself and Meghan in with regards to the Morrigan.

  Evening had nearly settled in by the time I passed through the rusty gate guarding Luathara's courtyard. Climbing the stairs was a tedious chore and I had to lean against the wall while I took a shower. Once I was finished, I collapsed on top of the great bed in my room. It, too, was in a state of disrepair, but of all the rooms on the third floor, this one and the one just down the hall were in the best shape. And at least it had a working bathroom. Sleep found me quickly and soon I was dead to the world, my dreams blissfully free of the Morrigan's presence.

  I spent the next several days alternating between sleep and minor chores around the castle. There wasn't much I could do on my own, but one thing I focused on was making the other third floor bedroom somewhat presentable. If I ever thought to bring Meghan here, she had to have a place to stay.

  On the morning of the eighth day after my return, I woke up and dressed in my usual travel attire: leather pants, a plain tunic and my travel coat. Getting my boots on proved a bit of a challenge because, even after all the time that had passed since the ordeal with the draghan, I was still plagued by a few aches and pains.

  The cool kiss of fog greeted me when I stepped out into the courtyard, and I couldn't help but throw my head back and take in a great, deep breath. Eventually, I lowered my head and glanced around the stone ruin of Luathara, picturing in my mind what it might have looked like long ago. A loose stone rested beside my foot and I leaned over to pick it up, weighing it in my hand and just admiring its color and texture. Enorah was right, curse her. I had a terrible habit of thinking very little of myself. Although I couldn't make those feelings disappear entirely, I was willing to admit to myself it was something I could work on. My head tilted back once again and I studied the topmost window of the castle. At that moment, I made a decision: I would stop putting off my dreams of restoring this castle and actually take the first steps in doing so. I would return it to its former glory, and perhaps as the stone walls healed and became whole once again, my soul would do the same. Luathara would be a true castle once more, and then I'd have something worthwhile to offer Meghan.

  Never, never, Caedehn dear. Dreams are b
ut illusion, and you will not see them fulfilled.

  My jaw tightened as the Morrigan's words danced around in my skull. The stone became painful in my grip as my fingers dug into it. In a fit of anger, I threw the rock against the closest crumbled wall and watched it break into a thousand shards.

  Just like your spirit, Cade, waiting to be broken by my hand.

  No. You will not break me. I will resist you as I always have, only this time it will be much harder for you in your attempt to succeed.

  The Morrigan's shil-sciar words were a harsh red scrawled across my mind, but they registered as ice. And what makes you say that?

  A smile found its way onto my face as I lifted my now empty hand and glanced at it. I have something worth fighting for now.

  With those last thoughts I took a step forward, seeking the trail leading to the dolmarehn that would carry me into the mortal world. As the Morrigan screeched her outrage in my mind, I whistled an ancient Otherworldly tune of love lost and eventually found, and daydreamed about seeing Meghan Elam at long last.

  Extra Scenes from Dolmarehn

  A Lesson in Glamour

  The almost inaudible hum of magic in the mortal world always reminded me of an itch just below the surface of my skin. It was there, taunting me with its presence, but I could never manage to reach it. As I tried to ignore it, other thoughts rose to the surface of my mind, doing their best to help distract me. The last several weeks had held their share of things to ponder. After finally seeing Meghan for the first time in months, a weight had lifted from my heart, and now that her spirit guide was nearly grown, Fergus could finally come back to the Otherworld. A smile managed to work its way onto my face as another memory played across my mind. Several weeks after making my request to Cernunnos, a white stag paid me a visit at Luathara. He stood in the center of my courtyard, his pale coat blending with the morning fog. Fortunately, I didn't have to travel far to meet with its master, for the antlered god himself stood just on the other side of the stone walls holding a wooden box.

  "Your favor fulfilled," he said, offering the box to me.

  Curious, I cracked open the container only to find an egg in the beginning stages of hatching.

  "What is it?" I asked.

  "Right now it is an egg, but soon it will be a merlin chick."

  I couldn't help but smile at that. A merlin. What a perfect spirit guide for Meghan. Cernunnos didn't linger, he only stayed long enough for me to extend my thanks.

  A few days later, I made a special trip to the mortal world to give Meghan her spirit guide, just in time for her birthday. Before I left, I was rewarded with a hug. No, it wasn't the kiss I always craved from her, but something about the way she leaned gently into me seemed so much more intimate. I tried to tell myself that I was reading too much into it, but in the end I pushed my better judgment aside. No self-deprecating thoughts, my conscience reminded me. My good mood lingered for a day or two afterward.

  Now, I stood on the edge of Meghan's backyard, waiting for her to emerge from her room. I breathed in the familiar scents of autumn, the fog lending its own flavor, and I made an effort not to fidget. I was finally ready to bring her to the Otherworld. It was time she visited her birthplace, properly and without the threat of faelah attacking her. Besides, she needed to know how to detect and use her glamour, and I hoped with this first trip we could awaken it.

  The nearly silent swish and snick of a glass door opening and closing shifted my attention. Meghan, dressed in the casual clothes of the mortal world, snuck out of her room and silently made her way toward me. Immediately, my heart rate kicked up its pace and I had to take a breath to stay calm. Fergus nudged my leg and I glanced down at him.

  Is the warrior son of Cuchulainn and the Morrigan intimidated by a young girl?

  I was very tempted to kick him, but all I did was bite my tongue.

  No, I wasn't afraid. But more often than not, my wild glamour picked up on my instincts and tried to run away with them, and at the moment they wanted to do something that would most definitely give Meghan second thoughts about spending any time alone with me . . .

  Giving myself an internal shake, I returned my gaze to her. It was hard to see her in the morning dark, but as soon as she was standing before me, her eyes bright with excitement, the more civilized portion of my brain took over.

  "Right on time," I teased, remembering Meghan's tendency to be late.

  Unable to resist a chance to touch her, I reached out a hand and said, "My glamour is stronger than yours. Let me lead you through the dark."

  Meghan failed to see through my ruse and placed her palm in mine. The contact warmed me and I drew strength from it. Without wasting any more time, I led her down the equestrian path and to the dolmarehn, her spirit guide and Fergus trailing after us like specters emerging from the mist.

  My hand found Meghan's once more as we passed from this world into Eile. Entering the Otherworld again might dredge up some bad memories, so I kept her close. I reassured her once we reached the other side that the Morrigan wouldn't be anywhere nearby, but it didn't stop my glamour from bristling at what my mother might do should she discovered Meghan was in Eile. Ever since returning from my trip to the Amsihr Mountains, the Morrigan had invaded my mind sporadically, waking me from my sleep with nightmares every now and again. For the past few weeks, however, she had left me in peace, which was both a blessing and a curse. Either she had grown weary of pestering me, or she was plotting something.

  For several minutes, I led Meghan through the wooded hills that surrounded Luathara, giving her time to absorb her surroundings. I could only imagine that the Otherworld was an overwhelming place to someone who had never really visited. At some point during our hike, Fergus approached me from his scouting.

  Her inner spirit feels at ease here, despite her outward nervousness, he sent. And the merlin is enjoying herself as well.

  Grinning, I reached down to pet him, speaking an old blessing in the language of my ancestors.

  I am glad to hear it, I eventually said.

  "Um, where are we going exactly?" Meghan called from behind me.

  "You'll see," I answered over my shoulder.

  So far, our journey into Eile had been rather uneventful, something I was grateful for, but when the trees started giving way to a landscape of tangled grasses and giant stones, our luck changed. I noticed the creature about thirty seconds before Meghan did, a mucdiahb, ahead of us on the trail. She let out a small gasp and in the next breath her warm body pressed itself against my back. I tried very hard not to simply close my eyes and lean into her touch. Instead I shouted, "Fergus, go!"

  My spirit guide bolted down the path, sending the mucdiahb squealing and scurrying into the trees up ahead. Meghan's merlin gave out her own battle cry and followed after, her pale wings beating furiously as she worked to keep up.

  "What was that?" Meghan asked in a small voice.

  Realizing just how tense I was, I took a few breaths as my muscles relaxed. Although I was certain the Morrigan didn't know Meghan was here in Eile, seeing the evil creature did nothing to reassure me. Perhaps my misgivings were warranted. Perhaps she had been plotting after all . . .

  Don't be paranoid, Cade, my inner voice insisted. This is exactly what she wants, for you to question every shadow until you can no longer leave the false safety of your ruined castle.

  "Mucdiahb," I finally grumbled, "evil pig."

  I figured Meghan would leave it at that, but apparently her curiosity got the better of her.

  "How is it evil?"

  I considered her question as I searched her inquisitive eyes. Mucdiahb were not technically faelah since they could still function on their own without the Morrigan's help, but they were still a useful tool to her, especially when it came to harassing my sister and those who lived in the Weald. I told Meghan this as we started moving once again.

  "The Wildren of the Weald?" she prompted.

  For the next several minutes, I told Meghan about t
he Weald and why there was a large group of orphaned children living there. I anticipated her slight horror at the idea of parents abandoning their sons and daughters to the care of those sympathetic enough to take them in, and I wanted so much to reassure her they received all the love and care their parents couldn't give them. An image of Enorah cooing over a newly-discovered infant leapt into my mind, but I cast it aside. Telling Meghan about my sister was tempting, but I wasn't quite ready for that step. This visit was supposed to be about Meghan, not me or Enorah. Besides, I would be introducing the two of them soon enough. I hadn't visited Enorah since our trip to the Amsihr Mountains and if I didn't drop by soon, she might send out a posse to check on me.

  A short bark announced Fergus's return and we stopped as he joined up with us again. I eyed his blood-stained fur dubiously.

  I hope the mucdiahb didn't give you too much trouble, I sent, leaning down for a closer look.

  No, Fergus replied with an air of pride. This blood belongs to the monster.

  I nodded and stood back up, resolved to continue our hike. "The mucdiahb has been taken care of," I told Meghan.

  "Oh, wonderful," she responded, her slight nervousness apparent in her tone.

  We started moving again, leaving the hilltop behind. Ahead of us, the trail angled downward before gradually leveling out. Oak gave way to birch trees and the once grass-littered ground gave rise to a tiny forest of ferns. Blue moths, a rare species in this part of Eile, fluttered around us and I had to catch Meghan as she lost her balance trying to steal a glimpse of all of them. Reluctantly, I let her go, succumbing to a smile when I noticed her slight flush. For a few minutes, I simply stood back and watched her drink in her surroundings, her eyes wide with wonder and her face lit with delight. The experience was like a salve to my often bruised spirit.

  "You never said where we were going," Meghan prompted as we made our way down the trail once again.

  "The best place to camp in this part of Eile," I responded with pride.