The Forgotten Spell (Legends of Green Isle Book 1)

by Constance Wallace

  Crawling from his sanctuary, Matt made his way towards the helm. Carefully, he stepped over DaGon. Keltrain was busy with his star charts as Matt approached. “I just wanted ya to know that the Selkies have disappeared.”

  “Yes. They’re changing into their nightly form. We’ll see them again soon.” The wizard took an odd-looking instrument out of one of his pockets and held it up towards the sky. “I’ve been working with the star charts to make sure we don’t Wander off course too much in their absence.”

  “I’ve been thinking. With us so close to Black Isle, would the Slaugh be able to find me?”

  “The others still have Queen Onagh’s spell protecting them. I’m hoping that we’ve been far enough ahead of them. The Dyrads were working very hard to keep them away from us. And let’s not forget that Bodach.”

  “I don’t think it’s that easy.”

  Keltrain put the strange instrument back into his pocket and turned the wheel slightly. “You did a good job today. Why don’t you rest and warm yourself. I’m sure Miranda and Lug would enjoy your company.”

  Matt complied without argument. His body ached from crouching and standing most of the day. Plus, he longed to see Miranda. As he passed the mast, he chuckled when he saw that Ned had tied himself to the wood to keep himself standing upright. The image of his friend made him suddenly realize his purpose in their quest.

  Several days ago, he wanted to be the champion and hero, racing to rescue those taken, and wielding the magic sword. He had been disappointed when he wasn’t chosen. Anger had blinded him, making him want to go against the decision, and do it his way. Yet, it was a simple truth that, in many instances, the true hero is the one in the background. The one waiting patiently for the time when he’s needed. Kind of like Ned, who was willing to tie himself to a mast to make sure he was in a standing position, ready to fight.

  Matt understood all at once. He was Miranda’s protector and friend. He was a leader, bringing his friends to Black Isle and keeping their courage alive. He felt relieved and could move on, stepping into the shoes he was destined to walk in. Just like Miranda said earlier, it was her destiny to carry the sword. It was his destiny to protect them all.

  Opening the cabin door, he crossed from the darkness into the lighted room. Keltrain’s crystal filled the interior with a golden glow, heating the small space with warmth.

  “How is she?” Matt asked quietly. He glanced at Sonya sleeping on the bunk next to the wall and Lug slumped over the table nearby.

  “Her heartbeat is getting stronger and all. I think she’ll make it,” she whispered.

  Matt quickly kissed her. He wanted to feel her lips again. She smiled and moved away. “It just worries me. Ya know, that she got hurt.” She touched the animal gently.

  “Don’t you find it odd she went outside? Especially in the storm,” Matt said.

  “All cats need to go outside. One time or ‘nother.”

  “Maybe. But you know how I feel about her.”

  “I know everybody thinks she’s a traitor. I just don’t feel she is. And she promised me she would be truthful. I have faith in her words.”

  Matt looked down at the floor. He didn’t want Miranda to see the disappointment in his eyes.

  “I’m sorry. Here. I’ve got something for ya.” Miranda pulled the wooden box Huathe had given to Lamfada from beneath her white cloak and held it out for him.

  “Hey. How didja get the Wand?”

  “Lamfada gave it to me earlier. He said to pass it on, once you came in.”

  “Why me?”

  “When the Wraiths and I were talkin’ about this quest, Huathe told me that Lamfada would give it to you after we left Partholon.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You’re the true protector of the Wand. Don’t ya get it?” She brushed the top of the box with her fingers. “The Wraiths said you were destined to guard it. Its power’s kinda like the sword.”

  Matt held the ornate box at eye level. The strange carvings reminded him of the carvings on the door back at the Manor. “It’s warm,” he exclaimed softy, his eyes wide with amazement.

  “As the sword trusted me with its energy, so will the Wand with you.” Miranda held up her left hand to show Matt the burnt image on her palm. A soft glow swirled outwards from her fingertips, reaching towards his face. He drew back as blue flames engulfed his chin, touching and caressing him.

  “Don’t be scared,” she assured him. “It won’t hurt ya.”

  Rising from his seat, he stumbled back, his stomach sickening. “I’m not afraid. Just surprised.” Fearing her anger at his lie, he tucked the box inside his tunic and scrambled for the door. “I think I better get back to...to helping Lamfada on watch.”

  “But you haven’t merged with the Wand yet,” Miranda exclaimed.

  “I’ll be back to do it, I promise.”

  Lug’s head lifted from the table as Matt’s hasty retreat woke him. “What’s going on?” he murmured sleepily.

  Unable to stand the feeling of being so close to the magic that surrounded Miranda and the blade, Matt quickly left the cabin, tripping on his feet as he passed over the threshold. Shaking, he sucked in a deep breath once he closed the door. He frantically searched his mind, trying to find the reason for his fear.

  “How are the others?” Keltrain called out from the darkness.

  “Miranda says Sonya’s heart’s getting stronger. Everyone seems fine.” He held still, hoping the loud beat he heard in his ears was inaudible to the wizard. “I think I’m gonna head up front and sit with Lamfada.”

  “Before you go, will you wake Ned and ask him and Thomas to come help me with some rigging?”

  “Yes, certainly.”

  “Gee, I’m awake. I’ll get Ned.”

  “Thanks. Riggings aren’t too complicated.”

  Matt stumbled in the darkness until he found his place beside Lamfada. He could hear Keltrain’s curt orders to his friends, and Ned’s complaining. Still perplexed at his fear of what had transpired between him and Miranda, he lost himself in his thoughts. His mind soon drifted to Toby. He was filled with remorse as he thought back to the day when he chose himself over his brother. “Hold on, Toby,” he said under his breath. “I’m almost there.”

  The two moons' soft glow on the sea disappeared briefly. The wind had picked up and pushed ash colored clouds across the sky, covering the faces of the two orbs. Matt looked up at them and wondered if they were heading into a storm.

  “So did the lass give you the Wand?”

  “Yeah. She did,” he replied, still staring up at the sky. “Although I don't understand why.”

  “Aye...they felt your future, my boy. Very specific timin’ on their part for the presentation of a magical object. Means there be a specific purpose for you and it.”

  “What? Feel my future? What are you talkin’ about?”

  “Me sisters sense the future of all they meet. Kinda like Morrigana, but not as strong. I believe the lass be blessed with the ability now. The sword be passin’ its magic onto her, giftin’ her with the insight.”

  “So, your sisters felt my future, and the Wand was part of it? Did they say anything about why?”

  “Maybe they did and maybe they didn’t,” Lamfada murmured as he leaned back and sucked in deeply on his pipe, the red-hot tip glowing in the darkness.

  The smell of the tobacco smoke relaxed him. “Please tell me what they said. I’m kinda confused about this.”

  “Me sisters didn’t give much information, other than I was to be with ya this night, and to be stayin’ with ya all night. I am to explain the Wand, they said, and keep ya safe.”

  “That’s all they said to you?”

  “Do ya want to know the power of the Wand or not?” Lamfada asked as he chewed on his pipe.

  “Yes. I do....”

  “It be very simple. It gives ya your heart’s desire.”

  “My heart’s desire?”

  “Aye, whatever ya want. The W
and senses it. But ya have to make sure it be what your heart truly desires. Not the fanciful wishes of materialistic nonsense, like jewels or gold. When ya point the Wand, ya must see the desire in ya mind. Focus on it; make it take shape and form. And if ya heart be good, then it will be good. But if ya heart is dark and evil, then it will only give ya darkness and evil.”

  “My heart’s good.” Matt touched his chest.

  “Aye, I know it be, lad. And brave, too. Ya are mightily brave to follow creatures into this world to find and rescue ya brother and those taken with him. Brave to lead ya friends and help them find their courage, without givin’ up.”

  “I only did what I needed to. It was my fault Bera’s banshee took Toby. Ya know, I was supposed to watch him that day. But I didn’t listen to my mother.

  I kinda wanted to spend time...alone...with Miranda. I sort of forgot about him.”

  “I see,” Lamfada said solemnly. “Perhaps, lad, it be fate. Ya destiny knocking. Sending ya to be with Miranda that day instead of ya little brother. Keltrain prophesied about the four who would come to our world. Those who rid it of the evil. Those events which happen in your world needin’ to unfold in their way to make events happen in this world.”

  Matt nodded. He never thought about it that way. Lamfada’s way of thinking made sense. Touching the box in his tunic, he felt its warmth on his chest. He sensed a great purpose for the Wand. His heart’s desire would be to see his brother. Free all the kids Uthal had taken.

  “There now. I be finished with the first part of the task the sisters set for me. Now to the second, to finish the night at ya side.”

  “I think I’ll be okay. If you want to take a rest down below with Miranda and Lug, you can.”

  “No. Trinne be specific I stay with ya all night. She said this night be a crossroad in our journey, and I be needin’ to guard over ya.”

  Matt’s gaze turned skyward, aware suddenly that clouds had engulfed the stars completely. There was a new crispness to the breeze. Keltrain's fear had come to pass. Matt couldn’t see the constellations anymore. His eyes watered at the sting the wind brought. Silent for the remainder of the evening, he and Lamfada stood together in watch, as the Water Wraiths had instructed.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Keltrain had just rung two bells when Matt felt his head nod forward. He rubbed at his eyes, trying to force himself to focus. He soon lost the battle though and slumped against the wooden statue in sleep. It didn’t seem but a Moment of dreaming before he was thrown from his position. The ship had rolled and a great wave of dark, icy water poured over the rail. The movement caused Lamfada's body to slam into him and push the air from his lungs. They both tumbled with the pitch of the vessel and Matt soon found himself on the deck, soaked.

  He could hear Ned scream. A terrifying roll of thunder and surge of lightning filled the sky. Its quick illumination was enough to allow him time to determine the position of the others on the ship. “Where did this storm come from?” he yelled.

  “Be from that witch,” the leprechaun replied loudly.

  Grasping Lamfada’s arm, he clung to the leprechaun and the railing while the ship heaved upwards, riding the edge of a giant wave. “We’ve got to secure the ship’s sails,” he hollered. “Before the wind pulls us over.”

  The leprechaun nodded and headed to the center mast. Matt followed. In the next burst of lightning, he saw the wizard at the helm. Keltrain gripped the wheel, his feet planted squarely on the deck. He was pointing to something behind Matt. “Help Thomas.” The rest of his words were lost to the wind.

  Turning around, he could see by the dim yellow light from the cabin window that Thomas was wrestling with a rope hanging from the riggings. The older boy held on to the end. He was desperately trying to rescue Ned, who was entangled in it. Before Matt could reach them, the ship tilted, the force taking the rope from Thomas’ hands.

  Ned was hoisted above Matt and hung upside down. “I’m coming!” Matt yelled. “Hold on.” The younger boy screamed.

  Bracing himself, Matt inched along the railing as the ship leaned heavily to one side. In an instant, the lightning illuminated the rise of water beside the boat, showing a snapshot of another giant wave cresting above them, the wall of water towering high into the sky. Matt knew it was about to descend on them. Quickly he headed to his friend, a sense of urgency propelling him.

  “Give me your hand,” he cried loudly, stretching his fingers upwards.

  Ned reached down, but couldn’t touch. “I can’t...I can’t...,” the boy sobbed.

  The large wave spilled over the railing and struck Matt and Thomas fully. Matt felt his feet lift from the deck as the wave tipped the ship further on its side. He tried to hold on but somersaulted wildly as the water pushed him across the deck. The sea smashed him against the far railing. When he collided with the wood, his fingers grasped at the structure and found a hold. The wave left the deck and he emerged, half drowned, spitting salty fluid from his mouth. It took every bit of his energy to move when the vessel righted itself.

  “Gee whiz! Are ya okay?” Thomas called fearfully.

  “We’ve got to get Ned down!” Matt cried. Reaching again, he connected this time, quickly yanking his friend to him. Thomas held the rope as Matt untangled Ned’s foot. Seeing the swollen ankle, he instructed loudly, “Go below. Thomas and I’ll help Keltrain.”

  Lightning crackled against the blackness as Ned hobbled to the cabin door. He hesitated, turning back to look at his brother. The brilliance of another bolt lit the raging clouds around them. Seeing Ned suddenly point upwards in terror, Matt’s eyes followed and saw the outline of several dark shapes hovering above the vessel. Blacker than the darkest night, the ghostly entities floated within the thunderclouds, riding the lightning as it arched closer to the top of the main mast. Matt could see yellow slits beneath the hooded heads. “What the heck are those things?” he yelled.

  The older boy shot a look skyward just as another lightning strike zigzagged across the clouds. “I don’t know.” He shook his head in bewilderment.

  Lamfada jumped in front of Matt, pushing him on the chest. “It be the Slaugh, Matt! Hide! Hide!” he screamed.

  He ran to Keltrain, fear quickening his steps. “Where’s DaGon?” he called out. He hoped the dragon would be able to help intercept the creatures above them. Keltrain pointed to the mast where the dragon was working to tie the sails. He seemed unaware of the menace just over his shoulder. Cupping his hands to his mouth, Matt screamed for him, but the words were sucked into the storm.

  Hearing no response, he headed back to Thomas, the desire to protect his friends overwhelming. “Get Ned inside,” he commanded as one of the Slaugh flew closer. Its claw-like hand reached for them, catching the corner of Matt’s hood.

  Thomas quickly shoved Ned towards the door. Wet and tired, the younger boy's cloak hung heavy with moisture and the fabric twisted around his leg, tripping him. Thomas bent and quickly unwound the wool from Ned's ankle, and then pushed him through the frame. “I'll be back. Just stay inside with Miranda, okay?” Thomas’ face showed alarm. Ned nodded his understanding as his brother closed the cabin door.

  Another wave breached the railing and crashed onto the deck. The thrust of the water picked both boys from their feet, flinging them into the deluge. Matt’s hands extended out blindly, somehow catching a rope as the sea surged past. Sputtering, he looked at Thomas. “We’ve got to find a way to battle them.”

  Thomas nodded. A look of horror crossed his face as the ship pitched wildly. In the lightning, Matt could see another giant wave was about to cover the boat. He could hear the dragon roar. DaGon must have noticed the Slaugh.

  “Your feet!” Thomas bellowed.

  Matt’s legs were tangled in a line of rope. The whole mass shifted fluidly with the water on the deck. He reached inside his tunic for a dagger to cut the line. All he felt was the box holding the Wand. He forgot to get a blade from the horses.

  Matt sucked in his breath
as he felt the wave crash on top of him. It lifted him from the deck and spun him around. The icy water swirled around his head and he felt his body slide over the railings. Thrusting his hands outwards, he searched for anything, but this time, his fingers didn’t find the hold they had before. The dark water carried him across the barrier between air and sea, his scream silenced as he slipped into the icy blackness. The force of the water took him deeper into the dark abyss below the ship.

  Lightning crashed above him and he could see Thomas hung over the railing. The wildness of the churning sea battered his body. Water invaded his lungs. It was a strange feeling. A quietness filled his ears, and even the beat of his heart slowed and became still. He was floating. And just before his spirit crossed, he saw a light and a beautiful woman reach for him.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Miranda flung open the cabin door just in time to hear her cousin scream. “Keltrain! Keltrain! Matt...Matt...” Thomas rushed to the railing.

  “Where is he?” she yelled.

  Thomas pointed to the water.

  It took nothing for her to unsheathe the sword. Her anger fired the blade. One of the Slaugh was standing on the deck behind Thomas. She sliced the sword through its body, and it fell to the deck in pieces. She looked at the other three above her.

  DaGon lifted from the mast and fought against the storm. His talons tangled with the nearest dark entity. The dragon cursed and shredded the face of the Slaugh that opposed him. It answered with its own punishment, gouging a deep gash in the dragon’s shoulder. DaGon howled in pain, then shot out flames so large they lit one of the sails as well as the Slaugh he had been battling.

  Instinct took over. It was the spirits of the sword. They possessed her. Their knowledge forced her to hold the sword upward, towards the clouds and the lightning. Saying words in the Fomorian tongue, her body was engulfed with a dark blue flame. It fed itself on her energy, coursing down her arm, over her hand, through the blade and then shot skyward. The jolt of the fire consumed the remaining two Slaugh and tore a hole in the storm clouds. Their bodies withered, burned, and fell into the sea.