He smiled a warm smile. ‘You were always special to them so I have heard, but you’ll get a chance to meet many more later on and learn that you will always be in their hearts from now on, both of you.’
After dinner they washed themselves in a pleasant, clear lake and they received new clothes. A dark blue velvet dress to the knees for Artride, lined with golden laces, and a dark green velvet one for Tirsa. The belt was a soft brown rope made from the bark of an oak tree. The leggings were both tight, stretchy black velvet, and the boots were the only piece of clothing made from leather.
‘Deer,’ Eolas explained later to them as they were fully dressed. ‘Sometimes an animal dies or is left after a predator has eaten it; only then they use the skin and bones. ‘You look beautiful the both of you.’ And they did. Clean and rested, and newly dressed they also felt a lot better.
‘I do not know how to thank them for this,’ Artride whispered to Eolas and he winced at her in conspiracy. ‘By wearing it you already have. You are a delight for their and … my eyes.’
She coloured at that and smiled, confused, for she had not suspected them or him to be interested, but of course, even though he was immortal, he also was a male. He and Sempervirens surely had had a sexual relationship.
‘Eolas,’ Tirsa interrupted, frowning. ‘I have not seen any Windchildren yet, how come?’
‘They have lost a great number of members to the whims of Sempervirens,’ he said painfully, with almost something that showed as guilt in his eyes. ‘A lot more than the Woodchildren in fact. They mourn and celebrate this news in their own way, but hopefully will join tonight.’
‘How do we have to behave during this party?’ Artride asked carefully.
‘Just be yourself, Artride. We do not expect anything from you. We’ve already got more than we ever could have hoped for. That counts for me too. You have freed me and them. We will always be in your debt.’
‘We did what we had to do.’
‘No, you could have chosen differently, but you did not.’
‘I just wanted to help.’
‘Yes, and you forgot about yourself –’
‘And my mission.’ Artride interrupted him with sad eyes.
‘You just followed your kind heart and got lost in the moment; but you knew something good would come out of it, it had to and it did.’
‘Luckily it did, but it could have ended worse. If it wasn’t for Tirsa –’
‘Hush, now, Artride,’ Tirsa said. ‘Don’t put yourself through this again. It’s over now.’
‘That’s right; tonight we’ll celebrate the outcoming of this; not what might have been!’ Eolas said cheerfully and gave them a glass of a bubbling drink. ‘Drink this and you’ll feel better.’
‘Alcohol?’ Artride asked.
‘No, something far better; drained from a special flower, drink. It’s kind of sweet and it gives you energy.’
Artride put the glass to her lips and sipped it; tasting the transparent liquid which caressed her tongue and throat delicately. ‘Hmm, it tastes delicious.’ And she nodded at Tirsa; urging her to drink.
The three of them drank and laughed the rest of the afternoon, forgetting the past worries and troubles.
That evening, when the sun had set, orange and pink had painted the sky. Drums welcomed them deeper into the woods where large torches along the path gave off a reddish glow. A large crowd had gathered on a clearing, sitting on the soft dry mulch and grass of the forest floor and some on blankets. A big fire was burning in the middle of the circle. A huge pile of old branches and dead wood had been built up outside the circle; so that the fire could be fed all through the night. They spotted Roalda among them and she looked like she was glowing herself. How she kept her white dress so spotless was a mystery.
‘It almost looks like you’re their parents or leaders,’ Tirsa said in wonder. ‘But I thought they didn’t have any need for a leader?’
‘That’s right,’ Eolas answered kindly. ‘We’re very close to them, but we don’t lead them. They respect us like we respect them and we often cross their paths; well, I used to before I was captured of course. But Roalda and I have different tasks; mine is more concerned with humans and their path of learning through suffering, since the TalamhClann already posses a great sense of insight and walk a different path than humans do altogether. Roalda knows people better in her job in dealing with all mortals.’
‘You’re not married then?’ Artride joked, feeling light-headed from the drink.
He laughed. ‘We cross paths occasionally and are old friends. Remember I was born a mortal, but she’ll never guide me to the Afterlife, nor bring me back from it for that matter.’ And he glanced, smiling at Tirsa who laughed as well. Eolas was as dark as Roalda was white; it was as if they were opposites on the outside, but they sure looked close when one saw them together; they were as one.
‘My friends,’ Roalda spoke as they entered the bonfire making eye contact with the two women, ‘we have a wonderful night for you in store; come sit at the fire and let your friends entertain you.’
They got up to sit down among the Woodchildren who sat in a big circle around the fire; shaking their hands and speaking warm words in thanks.
‘Can you feel the power of the circle of life?’ Roalda continued, smiling. Indeed, there was a strong power radiating from the circle; from within or without they were not sure. Certainly a great love and appreciation from the TalamhClann, they reckoned.
‘Of course from us, but the stars tonight stand in a particular pattern, and this circle makes a connection with that same pattern, linking to it; extracting a power full of uplifting healing energy. The very essence the TalamhClann needs in order to heal and continue their lives.’
Tirsa thought back to the many symbols she had seen in Sempervirens/Sovalis’ home, mainly circles; even the Snake biting its own tail. Biting back the frustration that she was called Snake Eyes as she didn’t want to be compared to the sorceress as such, she did, however, wonder what all those circles had meant to Sempervirens.
As if Roalda heard her thinking, she spoke, ‘And of course, everything in life is a circle in many ways as everything returns and life goes on and on, round and round, never changing, but does it? We worship, unlike some we’ve known; not the Circle, but –’ and Roalda grabbed a stick and drew something in the sand in front of the fire. ‘But the Spiral.’
Smiling, she explained, ‘For the Spiral symbolises change; it can go upwards if you look at it in depth or downwards. Our Spiral has been going downwards too long. That has changed.’
The crowd started to clap and Roalda’s gaze turned towards the Woodchildren, and she spoke something in their tongue; one of them attended the fire and as Roalda was speaking to the group in front of her, Tirsa glanced at the Woodchild next to her, feeling her gaze upon her; a blonde maiden with long limbs; caressing with her tender fingers the frame of her harp. She could hardly wait to begin to play her song. Tirsa smiled at the girl.
‘This must feel strange for you,’ Tirsa whispered softly. ‘A celebration party for two humans, while it was humans who turned your world upside down in the first place.’
The Woodchild’s face stayed serene when she answered, ‘It is true we have a sad history with mankind; they forced us to leave our woods and valleys. And they treat our dear brothers and sisters, the animals, cruelly. It was also a human who held us imprisoned for over two centuries in a small part of the world; shielding us from our friends and duties. And the same person tricked us and used and misused us.’ And she closed her eyes, like she was chasing away those memories from her mind. There had been no women Woodchildren in the cave; but surely she had heard stories from the male slaves; now free but most likely traumatised.
‘But we know you are different, you have proven that. And although there are no guarantees, we have learned that all too well; we know you will never be like her. There is just one big question we all have.’
‘And that is?’ Artride a
sked, who had been eavesdropping over Tirsa’s shoulder.
‘Why? Why did she do all those things to us? What had we ever done to her?’
The queen sighed deeply. ‘It’s not easy to explain in a few words, but she really did not have anything personal against your people. You see, she was highly jealous of your youth and the lasting of your beauty and good health.’
‘But I heard she was very beautiful herself and appeared young; very much like us. Why torment us when she had all this, besides her magic, which is more than most humans can say?’
‘It was given to you by nature. Sempervirens on the other hand eventually would grow old and in her eyes ugly and feeble; she was still mortal and would die one day,’ Tirsa answered. ‘If she had not found a way to barricade her beating heart with a wall. With it she was indeed immortal. She had to use powerful magic in order to maintain her beauty as well. I think she admired you people very much in an odd, sick way; but to her it was a special way, unlike how she would treat a human. Artride and I had much hardship whilst in her home; she played with our minds, bodies and souls, driving us slowly insane. We were beaten, tossed and turned, tricked, starved and imprisoned literally. And oh yes, she did feed us and we had some luxuries; but only when she tried to persuade us to stay. I think your people might have been better off, from what I’ve seen; she tried to keep you as pets or objects of beauty. Servants yes, slaves to her whims, but she never knew kindness herself, so in her world she perhaps didn’t mean bad. To have you around her must have reminded her of her own natural youth and innocence. Perhaps it became sometimes a little too much; therefore the cruelty and her own dreadful past taught her nothing but cruelty. Indeed you had casualties so I’ve heard and I’m sorry.’
The girl lowered her head, but nodded with respect. She understood what Tirsa had tried to say.
‘We shall tell you all you want to know,’ Artride added. ’So it will not be forgotten.’
‘Katasha Amanthi,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’
‘What’s your name?’ Artride asked her.
‘Mhaari.’
‘Pleased to meet you, Mhaari.’ And she lightly shook hands with her as only a queen could do.
‘You have a rich life.’
‘Don’t you, where you live?’ the girl asked.
Artride’s smile vanished thinking about her home; her riches and wealth, but then she thought about the beauty of the land, and the harmony she could create there now with a different law system, and she smiled.
‘We people tend to forget what we’ve got or what we could have if we wanted to. We are not as harmonious by nature as you are. But perhaps we could learn and should try harder to create a paradise like this.’
‘It’s hard to change people and their lifestyles,’ Tirsa added. ‘Especially if they have been living it a certain way for generations.’ And she thought of the dialogue between Artride and the sorceress about throwing water on a fire. ‘Habits, traditions are always hard to change; even if many people are doing it and in fact are bad. It all starts from within and we should teach our children a better way and give them a good example; so that they can grow up in a healthy, harmonious society, free from hate and violence.’
Mhaari smiled at them. ‘If humans were all like you it could certainly happen.’
Music started to play near the fire. A small group played on their instruments; drums, flute and a harp. It sounded harmonic and joyous. Many stood up and started to dance; inviting others to join, and clasping hands everyone formed an enclosed spiral that moved round and round each other and danced forward and backwards in a well trained balance. And of course the women were invited as well and soon took up the pattern of the dance.
It was a long, enchanting dance and the fire was warm on their bodies, and the laughs and shouts were cheerful and many. The full moon rose soon and shone its white light on the group of TalamhClann; her children.
After the tiring dance they seated and Roalda appeared again. She had not joined the dance, but had talked to Eolas instead. Together they made such a lovely couple, Artride kept thinking.
She stepped into the circle again, and after all was still again she said in a kind voice,
‘We are gathered here tonight, not only to celebrate this monthly Moonfest, but to thank and honour our new friends, Artride and Tirsa.’ She left out their titles deliberately since it had no meaning here.
‘They set out on a perilous journey and continuously risked their lives for freedom and justice. Their quest was for the Dominator to ask her for a counter spell, which she could easily have made for them, especially after all the tests they endured and passed. Instead, she decided she wanted to keep them to add to her collection. Having met Eolas they found out about her sad history. They faced another quest which was entangled with their own and even more dangerous. Their love for life chased away evil and they’ve proven that love always conquers in the end; always!’ And she spread her arms widely so that the orange yellow light of the fire curved her feminine body, which seemed to glow instead of being white, with pure fire now; a warm, friendly and welcoming fire.
Everyone clapped and cheered loudly, and looked at the two women with sparkling, loving eyes. Roalda too, smiled at them with love and respect; beckoning to them to stand and join her, which they did.
She grabbed their hands and held them high and an even louder applause sounded in the nightly wood.
She gestured at Eolas who stood, carrying something in his hands that looked like a piece of flat wood.
‘Eolas.’ She bowed lightly for him and stepped back a little.
‘Right, now my turn to thank you,’ he spoke as he came in between them. He stared at his hands and lifted them. He turned to Artride and handed her carefully, as if it was alive, a slab of wood. She took it and stared at it.
‘This, my friend, is what you came for. What you searched high and low for.’
Artride swallowed away a lump in her throat and felt tears swelling in her eyes. This was such a big moment …
And of course they knew what he was about to say, ‘It holds the counter spell for the curse.’
She stared through misted eyes at the flat, striped piece of carved wood about as big as her hand; it felt warm and smooth in her hands and had small black letters that looked as if they were burned in. She could not read the words for the tears streaming over her cheeks. All she could think of was her father who died for it and all those years, all those people who had lost their lives to the curse.
‘Thank you, Eolas,’ Artride managed to say, and felt Tirsa’s hand in hers behind Eolas’ back.
He touched his heart and bowed, stepping back again. Roalda stepped forward, giving her a moment. The crowd was silent too.
‘It wasn’t that arduous to find an appropriate gift for you two; one that will stay with you throughout your life. And it will be most helpful in times of need and speed.’ She winked.
Artride and Tirsa exchanged a confused look.
‘You have already helped us and … Kasching and Eolas did,’ Tirsa stammered.
‘We have only guided you.’
‘But we are here and we’ve got the counter spell. That is the biggest gift of all, really,’ the queen stated and glanced around at the lovely beings she only dreamed of until now. And she touched the slab of wood lovingly.
‘That is really all I came for.’
‘True, however you did more and so you shall be rewarded properly; something truly for yourself, something you do not have to share …’ Roalda said.
‘That’s too kind –’ Tirsa muttered.
‘You still do not comprehend the magnitude of your doings.’ Roalda smiled. ‘You have set out to restore the freedom and justice of your country. We, ourselves, never had that much luck, not even with all our powers, right here in Dochas. Every quest we set out to the cave to rescue our kind was doomed to be a failure. That you of all people succeeded is something we should be envious of. Being human was an advantage for sure; s
he wanted you to come to her, despite her distaste for mankind. She much expected it from the TalamhClann to outwit her, so she was on her guard all the time. She underestimated you, but perhaps deep down she wanted to heal; to change for the better, which almost happened. Well no doubt we’ll hear the complete story from you later on. But I only know that no one else could have done what you have accomplished. Therefore, our gift …’ and she walked around the two women and touched their backs softly. They felt a tingling, sensational electrical shock through their body and a sudden itch on their back. Glancing backwards they saw nothing; although it felt as if they were given a new body part.
Roalda faced them again and said loudly so everyone could hear, ‘I give you the power of flight; Wings of our gratitude.’
CHAPTER 23
WINGS OF GRATITUDE
My heart beats with yours, though we are apart
Your pulse hums the song that calls for the start
of the wish to forget the days I have mourned
Celtic poem
At a loss for words they just stood numb, sensing something growing on their backs. It was a twitching, almost itching, tingling feeling, and even if they could not see their wings, they sure were there.
The sensation of the invisible wings felt a little odd; new and strange at their backs, but it wasn’t so much of a weight and hardly noticeable at all when they did not think about it; but how could they not?
‘Use them wisely and carefully,’ Roalda spoke. ‘It is not meant for human eyes to see you fly. So we ask for caution and secrecy. For all we know your kind would be knocking on our doors asking for wings!’ and she seated herself among the Woodchildren.
The TalamhClann laughed.
They both thanked her, overwhelmed by this unique gift, which would be an ability they could only have dreamed of before. Both women, in fact, always had had dreams where they could fly freely. One could describe that as the wish to be truly carefree and above all responsibilities, which of course at times was true. But for now it meant most of all that they didn’t have to worry about being back on time to lift the curse to prevent Elimar’s death sentence. And they didn’t have to worry about obstacles on their way –mountains, swamps, ravines. They were literally above all that now.
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