by Alan Fisher
Ena chewed down on his lip and dropped the dagger to the ground. They walked over to the bed still holding hands and climbed up. Fionn’s foot was the size of them both. Ena looked at Taiko one last time.
“Remember, not through his eyes, through yours,” she said.
Ena then touched Fionn’s leg.
Suddenly they were looking down on the Foye market. It was Oiche Samhain and every little sprite was whispering about what was to come that evening. Finnegus had drafted the help of Ena and Una to help take his whiskey from the stall back to his house. He talked away as they stacked the bottles into cases.
“Each year when that bloody waterfall opens some very unsavory characters flow down to this market. And you know what, I’ve no qualms about what they get up too. Sure, I don’t care about them oversized apes outside, but they’ll destroy my whiskey. They storm through the market and use that portal there. I’ve asked King Brian to move my stall, but sure that request falls on deaf ears. I guess we’ve burned that bridge a long time ago.”
“Why do they come back each year, Finnegus?” Una asked.
“Well the gods have a strange sense about them. They open the gateway between this world and the next once a year to allow the deceased to check back on their loved ones and kin. But, at the same time, if someone has been particularly mistreated or sent to the Otherworld before their time, or just has a penchant for destruction, well, they’ve a chance to cross over also. You see, there are no gate keepers like Padraig up there in Mag Mell, anyone can return. So that’s exactly what happens. Aillen Mac Midhna is a perfect example. Supposedly, he was burned alive for some minor thefts by Art Mac Cuinn, yet still, even after the death of Art, he returns to torment his son, Cormac, who is high king in Tara. He burns that place to the ground each year.”
Ena then spoke as he carried a case of whiskey onto a pull trolley. “Here’s what I don’t get though, Finnegus. If Art Mac Cuinn killed Aillen Mac Midhna, shouldn’t they both be in Mag Mell now? Could they not settle their differences there? That’s always strange to me.”
“That’s a good point. But, who are we to judge the ways of the gods. After all, if it weren’t for that waterfall over there, we’d be dead ourselves long ago,” Finnegus replied.
Una was shocked to hear his story about Tara. To this day that had been the only place outside of the Foye Mountain she had ever visited.
“He burns the city to the ground and kills all those people?” she asked.
“Yup, that’s right, and what’s even more interesting is how he does it. He uses music, a sleeping spell like that of your father’s and sends everyone in the city, as well as all their mighty Fianna to sleep by playing a Timpan. Then he shoots fire from his eyes, lighting up the city and all who sleep in his path.”
Una didn’t reply, but his words weighed heavy on her mind all day as they continued to store away the whiskey in his cottage cellar.
That evening the leprechauns of Foye hosted Oiche Samhain gatherings. Finnegus’s whiskey parties where quite popular and many of the other merchants gathered into his tiny kitchen to taste a whiskey or two. Around a candle lit table, they would drink and laugh the night away telling stories about the many demons flowing through the Mag Mell waterfall just outside their door.
On this evening, however, Una didn’t join in the festivities. She sat on Finnegus’s doorstep, his words still weighing on her mind. “Was the homeless boy this demon? And did I cause his death by gifting him the Timpan?” She needed to know.
It was the early evening when the darkness came. Una watched as the colors from the waterfall faded, replaced by a dark shadow that dropped like a cloak over the market. They were coming. At first the howls and screams, the sounds of creatures set loose from their cages. Then they burst through the waterfall. Some floating straight up in the air, others leaping down to the ground. So many different deformities and spirits, all rushing off through one portal or another, hell bent on sharing their wrath with the world.
Una stood from Finnegus’s doorstep. Through his little side window, she could see everyone drinking and looking out, fascinated by these creatures. She slipped away unnoticed and quickly made her way over to the whiskey stall, ducking down behind a counter.
It wasn’t long before Aillen burst through the waterfall also, he landed on one knee grasping his Timpan and bow in either hand. The water steamed off his charred black flesh as he rose to his feet. Still the size of that small boy from Tara he made his way through the market and over to the portal leading to the Red Hill. As he approached Una showed herself. Standing up from behind the stall she spoke.
“Wait. It was me, I was the one who gave you that,” she said, pointing to the Timpan.
Aillen didn’t reply, he did stop, however, if only for a moment to look in her direction, then he continued walking on through the portal. Una was unaware that the boy she once felt sorry for was no more. The fire that took Aillen's life burned so fierce that his tongue and vocal chords could no longer function and he existed in a state of constant agony. This pain fueled his anger and desire for revenge.
From the cottage, Finnegus, Ena, and the others looked over at Aillen as he stopped just before entering the portal.
“What’s he doing?” Finnegus asked.
“I don’t know, I can't really see,” said another.
“Is he talking? Wait. Where’s Una?” Finnegus replied.
With that everyone looked around and Ena rushed out the door.
“Una?” he shouted standing by the doorstep.
“What is she doing…?” He said turning to Finnegus who was now by his side.
They both watched from across the market as she followed Aillen through the portal. Hearts pounding, they looked at one another, then chased after her.
Aillen’s eyes shone red and fierce as he emerged out of the cave on the Red Hill. It didn’t take long before Goll Mac Morna and one hundred of his Fianna charged at him, intent on striking a blade across his neck before he could string a single note. A spear fizzed past Aillen's head catching his attention. He quickly drew the bow down on the Timpan sending a sound wave in the direction of the men, throwing them all to the ground. He then proceeded to make his way further down the hill, closer to the city, the perfect position to play his melody.
Una exited the cave as the charging warriors succumbed to Aillen's music; halting in their tracks, they fell to the floor. It was then that a loud scream from the final conscious Fianna warrior on the mountain caught her attention. She watched as this Giant flung his spear at Aillen, piercing his hand and joining it to the Timpan. Wounded, the young soldier dropped to his knees.
“No…no…” she thought as Aillen ripped the spear from his hand and shot blinding flames at the Giant. She wanted to do something but fear rooted her to the spot, she could only watch the Giant’s wooden shield char as the flames burst against it, deflecting off in all directions. Despite the heat, the Giant crawled along the ground, inching his way up the hill closer to Aillen. As he did so Aillen’s anger grew stronger and the flames intensified smashing off the remainder of his shield. The Giant screamed as the charring wood burned his arm.
Una mustered her courage to take a few steps further from the cave and grasped a branch on the nearby oak tree.
All seemed lost for the young Giant until he flung what remained his burnt shield at Aillen, diverting his flames just enough, enabling him to jump to his feet and run towards the demon. Charging at full pace he swung his arm and knocked Aillen to the ground, cracking him with the back of his hand. Kneeling over Aillen turned his neck and once again shot fire from his eyes.
Now the Giant was better positioned. He stood over Aillen and slammed his hand down on its head, gripping its blackened scalp and twisting its neck so the flames shot harmlessly into the ground. Holding the demon’s head forward, he exposed its neck, with his other hand the Giant drew his short sword and raised it into the air.
It was then that Finnegus and Ena emerged from the portal and watc
hed as Una finally mustered all her courage to act.
She screamed. This harrowing sound drew the Giant's attention for the briefest moment. In doing so, his grip on Aillen’s head twisted. The flames shooting from his eyes fired along the ground leading toward the cave and burned deep into the soil, thrusting mud and dirt into the air. A raven hastily flew from the oak tree just as it ignited, then burst into flames, lighting the night sky. The Giant dropped his blade across Aillen’s neck, severing his head. Still gripping Aillen's scalp he raised it into the scarlet night and shouted for all of Tara to hear.
“Macha!”
The flames from the blazing oak violently funneled through the cave, shoving Ena and Finnegus back through the portal, crashing into the whiskey stall and knocking them unconscious.
Shortly thereafter, the fires abruptly died and Taiko and Ena appeared at the cave’s entrance. She still gripped his hand. Jaws clenched and tears flowing, Ena looked at Fionn, who cut a triumphant figure standing with Aillen’s head still held high. Catching each other's gaze, Fionn slowly lowered his hand and dropped his sword to the ground.
The Awakening
F ionn rubbed the sleep from his eyes, then shuffled over to the edge of the bed, touching his feet to the floor. He rested his elbows on his knees and looked over at Taiko and Ena. They had jumped from the bed and stood beside the window ledge with Bran and Sceolan on either side. Tears welled in Ena's eyes.
“You should know, I never saw her,” Fionn began.
“I've often wondered about that scream. I assumed it was Macha coming for Aillen, because I saw the Raven that night, but it was...Una, was that her name?” Fionn's tone was light, any thoughts of revenge had passed.
“Yes,” Ena replied. “She was my sister. I'm now the last of my family.”
Taiko once more lifted his hand. “But you’re not alone anymore.”
She then spoke to Fionn. “It's time for us to go. Please let this be the end.”
He nodded at Taiko, then spoke to Ena once more.
“I too would be dearly troubled if I knew someone rejoiced in the events which led to the death of a loved one. For that I am sorry. Yet, Aillen’s terror needed to be stopped. But, rest assured my deeds from that night have not gone unpunished. I sit on the throne at the expense of my friend's life and I can hear the wounded battle cries of my men outside. Furthermore, with the departure of Taiko, I fear more misfortune is to come. Let that be retribution enough and go in peace with my blessing.”
Ena nodded, then he and Taiko disappeared. They reappeared in the courtyard where Diarmuid and his men were closing on victory. They were about to cut down the few remaining Finnegus clones when Fionn shouted from the balcony.
“Stop! Enough unnecessary blood has been spilled this night. They may go in peace. Diarmuid, sheath your sword and check on our wounded.”
Diarmuid flung his sword one last time but abruptly pulled back before striking the few remaining clones. He was eager to finish but heeded his high king's command.
He nodded at Fionn who turned back into his room.
Ena, Taiko, and the remaining Finneguses looked at one another then all disappeared. Grainne watched from the shadows of the keep entrance as Diarmuid and his men battled the sprite army. Before sheathing his sword, she rushed forward and offered him a cloth.
“Here you can use this, Diarmuid,” she said, arm outstretched.
“Thank you,” he replied, taking the cloth and wiping his blade clean.
“So, the rumors are true?” she asked.
“What rumors are these?”
“That you have no equal on the battlefield. I was so frightened when all these things swarmed the city, but you and your men were fearless, unstoppable. I couldn’t look away.”
“Indeed, my lady, the day would have been ours had your future husband not ordered us to cease.” Diarmuid finally sheathed his sword.
“That was my father’s decision. Fionn would not be my choice,” Grainne replied with a glint in her eye as she turned and walked back into the keep.
Ena held Taiko’s hand as they reappeared on Red Hill.
“Where do we go from here?” asked one of the Finnegus clones.
“Finnegus, is that you?” Ena asked.
“That would be me,” said another, raising his hand.
“Hic…hic…cup.”
Taiko then spoke also. “Finnegus, what will you do with these… three, four, five versions of yourself?”
“I'm far too old for this carry on. Perhaps a few extra pairs of hands might just be what I need. It's good to see you safe and well, Taiko. Come now fellows, let’s leave these two alone.”
Before entering the cave, Finnegus turned once more to Ena.
“I've a few years left in me yet wee lad. You’re my family too. Remember that.” He slapped him on the shoulder as he and the other five clones returned to Foye.
“You know, I come here sometimes just to chat with her. I like to think she can hear me.”
“Perhaps she can. But, if not, I'll always be nearby, ears open.” Taiko smiled, leaned forward and kissed Ena on the lips.
She pressed her forehead against his as her hands gently fell from his shoulders until she grasped both his hands together. “I think I'll stay in Ireland for a while. Keep an eye on you. After all, you owe Aine and Eamonn a new home and you could probably use my help.”
“Thank you for everything Taiko. But, I’ve put this family through so much.” Ena said, shaking his head.
“It's over now. Let’s reunite Thomas with his parents and let him keep the ring. He'll have the freedom to travel back and forth as he pleases. Perhaps there is someone in Foye who can help rebuild their home better than ever also."
Ena smiled and they disappeared.