by T L Harty
“She was also a very attractive woman. Don’t you find it interesting that she never married?” I asked out loud. “Some said she was a lesbian, but she was an actress when she was younger. Which in those days, as you probably know, is sometimes code for a loose woman or someone who doesn’t want a husband. She may or may not have had an affair with a couple of the names on this list,” I hinted, pointing to the bottom of the proclamation where there were seven signatures.
“I belong to the historical society here and we have debated this topic at length,” Paige explained, exacerbated. “There is no evidence that points to Helena Molony as the author.”
Making eye contact with Paige, I shrugged my shoulders. “My mistake,” I said.
At the other end of the old library, a tour was starting to come in. Once the quiet of the room had been broken, my anger subsided. It was then that the pain became evident, as Grammy was employing some sort of death grip on my hand. I took it away, rubbing it in hopes that some feeling would return.
As I walked toward the gift shop, Paige was contemplating things that were said. She stopped me and spoke, “You have obviously studied this document to know so much information.”
There was no reason to respond to the statement. I just stood there, watching her become flustered. “Let’s say she did write the document,” Paige suggested. “Why wouldn’t someone have given her credit?”
“Even Helena didn’t want credit,” I answered. “These were the ideas and hopes of a people. No one ever wanted them to be tied to an author when they needed to be attached to an entire country. The knowledge that these words were written by a woman, may have lessened their importance or impact. Besides, she may have written it, but the bulk of the document was a compilation of many ideas.”
“But, she should have been acknowledged somehow or able to sign the document! She should have had a bigger place in history!” Paige said outraged. Her sudden passion was evidence that she had decided my words could be truthful.
By this time, Grammy had lost all patience with me. She grabbed my arm to lead me out of the building. “Thank you so much, Paige, but it’s time we go,” Grammy said.
“But, wait,” Paige pleaded. “I have questions.”
“Ask yourself this,” I posed. I was now walking backwards because Grammy wasn’t stopping. “Why doesn’t your beautiful library have one bust of a woman?” I asked. “It’s the twentieth century. There were many books in that room, but it’s the busts that spoke volumes.”
Chapter 7- Round Table
Everything was blurry. Blinking could only be accomplished slowly, with more effort than generally required. I could hear muffled voices and shuffling papers, meaning that people must be present.
Their attention shifted toward me when they realized I had begun to stir. “Muriel,” someone spoke, as though it was being said under water. “Can you hear me?”
A cool cloth was on my forehead. It was difficult to move my arms and legs, but my head was clearing of whatever fog had taken up residence. As the scene around me came into focus, I could make out a table before me and a few people milling around.
“Get her a glass of water,” a voice suggested. “And grab a sandwich too. Tracy said she hadn’t eaten yet.”
When the name Tracy was mentioned, I remembered that she had put something in my tea. My anger rose, which helped counter whatever drug she had given me. Once my vision was fully restored, it was possible to take in my surroundings.
The room was small, maybe fifteen by fifteen feet with no windows. The walls were a bland, grey color. A round table was before me, with five other women seated around it. They were all around my age; perhaps a couple were a few years older…it was hard to tell.
A man entered the room to place a plate and glass in front of me. He left immediately after completing his task. I looked at the sandwich and then back up at my captors. It occurred to me to throw both items across the room, but I was hungry. I grabbed half of the sandwich and starting taking small bites. There was uncomfortable eye contact off and on between the women and me, but apart from their paper-shuffling and scribbling- it was quiet.
Once the sandwich was gone, one of the women spoke up.
“First,” she said, “I want to apologize for the way you came to be here. Not everyone thought this was the best course, but we decided on it democratically.”
There was a short pause, offering me a chance to respond, but I wasn’t interested.
Another woman at the table introduced herself, announcing, “My name is Aine, but please call me Ann. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. We’ve been waiting a long time for this.”
She appeared to be genuinely excited. Once again, I remained silent. There was no way to know who these women were but, by their own admission, they had a hand in getting me here against my will.
The woman, who spoke initially, gave Ann a disapproving glance. It appeared to be a signal for her to stop speaking. She introduced herself, “My name is Clio and I will be facilitating this meeting. We will alternate asking and answering questions. You will pose a question to us, and then we will pose a question to you. Do you understand?”
Once again, there was no response of any kind from me. I just stared at Clio. One of the women at the table was irritated. She huffed and sat back in her chair, saying, “I knew this was a bad idea. Let’s just send her back, so she and Deidra can fend for themselves. They’ll come running back soon enough...if they don’t die first.”
“Do you really think that is helping, Macy?” Clio asked the impatient one.
Macy sat up in her chair, looked at me, and asked, “Well, what’s it going to be? Are you going to start cooperating or should we just let you go about your business?” She waved her hand in a shooing motion.
“I’m just not sure what this is all about,” I said, with a bitingly, sarcastic tone. “My invitation didn’t specify the reason for this little party. Oh wait, that’s right- I didn’t get an invitation. I was drugged and brought to this unknown location. Surely, I should have a better attitude- my apologies.”
“She’s feisty,” Ann giggled. “I like her!” That comment received another disapproving glance from Clio.
“You have every reason to be upset,” Clio admitted. “It may be hard for you to understand, but this was for your safety and that of your daughter’s.”
“This is the deal,” Macy announced. “We have a civil conversation to see if you are the person we think you are. You can ask us questions about anything. You are here because of your Toec gifts- even though you have been denying them for years.”
“What if I don’t want to talk to you?” I wondered.
“Well, Macy hinted, “we’re a secret group for a reason.” That statement hung in the air like the threat that it was. The eerie truth in her words put a lump in my throat.
Clio wanted to lighten the mood. “Now, now, there will be no talk of that nonsense,” Clio decided. “Macy can be a little rough around the edges.”
“Would you please just tell me why I’m here?” I pleaded.
“You are here because this council is incomplete,” Clio explained. “We believe you are the missing piece. We all represent women from the past based on our gift or ability.” She looked around the table, speaking to the other women, “Please introduce yourself to Muriel, letting her know what gift you possess.” Clio placed her hand on her chest and said, “You already know my name. Clio is short for Cliodhna, who was the queen of the banshees. My ability is to foretell when someone will die.”
Next in line was Macy. “I represent Morrigan,” Macy announced, “the goddess of battle. My gift is to recognize the victor- in battle, business, sports, etc.”
“My name is Bridget,” said the woman sitting next to Macy. She and one other woman in the room had yet to speak. “My gift is of healing and fertility. You are very fertile,” she added, her comment striking me off guard. “I represent Saint Brigid, who was known for her healing ability.”
The next woman smiled, announcing, “It is nice to see you again, Muriel. My name is Coventina- Tina for short. I’m a descendant of a water nymph with the gift of discerning truth.”
“We’ve met before?” I asked, unable to remember her.
“We can talk about that later,” Clio interrupted. “First, Muriel, tell us about your gifts.”
“I can see my mom’s past,” I slowly started. These women had just shared their abilities, but all I could think about was my Grammy’s letter, telling me to never discuss such things.
“That’s not a gift,” Macy said, shaking her head.
“This is the thing,” I stated. “My Grammy always told me not to discuss this information with anyone…even those in the Oris Foundation.”
All five of them either giggled or smiled at my comment.
Bridget spoke up, “There’s something you need to know so you can have a right perspective, Muriel. If, for instance, the six of us in this room were presidents, prime ministers, queens, empresses, etc., the women in the Oris Foundation could be likened to Girl Scouts.” The women giggled again.
Everything about Bridget was thin- her body and lips were no exception. Her long, unruly hair was just what one would expect from a healer or witch doctor. Bridget was the oddest of all the women, sometimes twitching her nose or aimlessly looking around. And announcing my fertility during our first discussion was strange. That being said, I still appreciated her comparison.
“The Oris have a cute little club,” Macy added. “But, any success they’ve had is mainly your doing.”
“If we’re correct,” Clio spoke, “you’re gifted in many areas. Seeing your mother’s history is an unfortunate part of your gift of sight. Your grandmother took you to England and Ireland when you were sixteen in an attempt to awaken your senses. She thought visiting the land where your ancestors were from, would encourage you to embrace your abilities. She never imagined you could be so stubborn.”
“In her defense,” Ann added, “she had no idea what you were capable of until recently when she visited.” Ann got teary-eyed, but smiled very widely. “She loved you fiercely,” Ann shared. “It’s always so beautiful to be in the presence of such emotion!”
“Please understand,” I said. “Queens, saints, nymphs and goddesses- this is all very difficult to believe.”
“I totally get it,” Macy barked. “Admittedly, we are freaks. But, you know there is something inside of you that cannot be explained away.” She squinted at me, asking in a whisper, “How many years have you fought to keep it at bay? Is this how you want to live for the rest of your life?”
Macy was incredibly beautiful, which was intimidating when she stared at me with her steely, grey eyes. She looked like she was on high alert at all times, mentally taking notes of weaknesses and shortcomings. Patience was not something Macy could be bothered to entertain.
There were no answers for Macy’s questions. I only shook my head.
Tina, who had been very quiet, said, “Let’s start the question/answer portion. Muriel, you ask a question first.”
“Clio, did you know when my grandmother met with you, that she would die soon?” I asked.
“Yes,” she answered.
I leapt out of my chair and sprang over the table at Clio. Nothing would satisfy my anger, short of my hands being firmly around her neck. Hearing her gasp for air was like a melody. It wasn’t long before I was pulled away. The man that had brought me a sandwich must have doubled for a bouncer. My chest was heaving from the exertion.
Clio rubbed her neck, but was not fazed by my attack. “O.K., Muriel asked a question,” Clio remarked, “now it’s our turn. Go ahead, Ann.”
Ann looked a tad frightened, but asked, “How do you think the sweat spell can best be used?”
“I didn’t even know that was a gift of mine until four days ago,” I informed. “My Grammy left a letter. And I’m not sure it should be used at all.”
For some reason, my answer made everyone uneasy. They adjusted in their chairs.
“This isn’t what we expected,” Ann announced, disappointed. “How about we inform you of your gifts, based on your ancestry? Then, you can ask us questions. There has to be a way we can figure this out.”
I nodded my head in an act of surrender. This was their little meeting, and it was going to happen exactly as they wanted anyway.
Bridget spoke, “You have the gift of sight. You can see past, present and future events. Sometimes they come about because of an emotional crisis, but they can also present themselves based on where you are or what you’re doing. You have had a few of them without even trying. We are curious how your ability would manifest if you concentrated and actually tried to use your sight.”
“You know who will be successful in life,” Macy explained. “To be able to see the green hue is amazing. Where I can identify a victor in a fairly immediate circumstance, you can know a man will be a solid individual or continual winner over time. That little gift of yours has made the Oris Foundation millions of dollars, which isn’t bad for a couple of girl scouts.” Macy huffed at her own joke. It would appear she didn’t like the Oris Foundation much, but after knowing her for only a short time- she didn’t seem to be fond of much.
Tina had been fairly quiet so far. “You can bring someone under a sweat spell,” she stated. “This is a powerful ability. If they are bound to you through your sweat, they will do and say what you wish. You will command them because the sweat spell replicates a type of love. You can also determine what kind of love is employed. Will the subjects be bound to you out of brotherly love or a force greater than that?”
Clio spoke next, “You may be capable of more, but we must first explore the gifts we know about. You need to start using them…figuring out their usefulness. Until you can control them, you cannot be a part of this council. You will stay here with Deidra and Tracy as you train. A member of the council will be here at all times if you need help. They will also help you understand their own gifts.”
“Why does this council exist?” I wondered. “Why would I want to join?”
“You may not fully understand that until your training is complete,” Ann answered. “We are Toec women and our purpose has always been to support and defend our way of life…our culture…our people.”
“We have been gifted,” Macy interjected, “for that reason alone.”
“We have separate abilities, but together we can be incredibly powerful,” Bridget added.
“With you,” Tina said, “we will finally be complete. We will be able to reverse some of the tragedy that our history has endured.”
It was hard to fathom what they were talking about, but whatever it was- their passion for it was undeniable.
“We need you to be part of this council,” Clio informed me. “If we stand together, nothing can stop us.”
“What is to become of Deidra?” I wondered.
“When she completes her training,” Macy started, “she will enter the council when you have vacated it.” Macy took her finger and ran it across her neck to make sure I understood that meant after I had died. That gesture made me smile, and appreciate Macy for the first time.
“She will need to produce a female heir,” Ann mentioned.
This statement made me shudder. They were talking about Deidra as if she were cattle. Bridget could see that the turn in conversation was making me upset.
“Don’t worry,” Bridget spoke. “That is up to her. She may find another in your line to take her place.”
“Deidra is very excited about this whole notion,” I said. “She doesn’t understand it fully, but she is intrigued.”
“The fact that she has accepted it is half the battle,” Clio informed. “And she may understand better than you, at the moment.”
All of them reached out and clasped the other’s hands. Clio and Tina ex
tended their hands toward me. I was farthest from the table, so I moved closer to reach their outstretched hands. They lowered their heads. It seemed we were going to pray, but no one spoke.
Once I relaxed enough to let my eyes close and head drop like the others, it was clear that there was some foundation to what they shared. My heart was lighter…my mind clearer. Energy raced through my body, raising my heart rate. These women immediately became imbedded in my life. Clio released my hand first, then Tina. Everyone knew. Time passed before words were spoken.
“Bruce,” called Ann, “can you come in here, please?”
It was the man who had served me a sandwich and pulled me off of Clio. He entered the room with Deidra. She waved at me, wearing a huge smile.
“This is Bruce,” Ann introduced. “He is a fixture here at the manor, and will be staying here with us this season. I will be in charge of your first week of training.”
As far as the choices available to me, Ann was a good person to ease me into this process. Clio would not have been the number one choice. As a matter of fact, if they were smart, they would save her for last.
“Hi Bruce,” I said. “It’s very nice to meet you.” I smiled a little, thinking of the absurdity of our congeniality after my violent outburst.
We all stood up and started to exit the room into a larger room. Tracy was sitting on a couch, trying to avoid eye contact. It wasn’t a bad idea, as I was still unhappy with the role she played in this escapade.
“So, Deidra, do you want to go set up a room?” Tracy asked. Tracy was smart. Getting on my child’s good side would soften my anger.
Everyone filed out, heading in all different directions. There were four different entranceways to this large room, and the voices got quieter the farther away they walked.
“Well, Bruce,” I started, “it looks like it’s just you and me. Exactly how did you get mixed up in all this craziness?”
Bruce smiled. He was quite a handsome man, with a trim physique. There was no doubt he was strong. Not many people could have pulled me off of Clio with such ease. His brown hair was wavy, but not too long that it looked shabby.