“Yes. I suppose they would, although I would not enjoy the experience very much.”
“When I ate at the Ball it was because I was starving . . . if I only had known that a few moments later I would have a feast that far surpassed my needs, I would have not touched that food,” he said the last part more to himself then to me.
“How did you learn these things about yourself? How you can sustain injuries and survive and what you should and should not eat?” I asked.
“The Order taught me how to survive,” his voice held reservation in it.
“You feel as though you owe them?”
“No,” he shook his head and frowned. “I have broken their rules and so I am on my own. They are not part of my life anymore.”
I sat up in bed and pulled the blanket around my chest, tucking it under my arms. I made a concerted effort to nibble at the bread and meat that was placed before me.
Greer went to one of my trunks and searched through it until he came back to me holding an envelope.
“This is for you.” He placed the letter next to me, “It is from your mother. She did not want you to read it until we had left port.”
I took the letter and carefully opened the envelope, knowing that this would be my last contact with my mother for some time. I did not want to tear the parchment at all.
My Beautiful Daughter,
By now, you are at sea with your new husband and I pray that I made the right choice by giving you to him. Forgive me for not trusting Greer as you do. When you have children, you will understand the constant worry that haunts the heart of a mother.
I wanted you to know that Greer left a substantial amount of money in our possession. If your father chooses to, he will never have to work again. Of course, this is his choice to make.
You should also know that we are employing Becky to help me around the house now that you will be gone. There has been some quiet talk in town of people who are willing to help slaves find freedom. At this time it is just quiet rumblings of course, but we will help Becky and her family in anyway we can.
I will not say goodbye to you Aislin because you will always be in my heart. Please write to me from time to time and tell me of your new life. I will be thinking of you.
Beannacht ort,
Your mother and friend,
Deidre
I placed the letter back into the envelope and Sneachta jumped on the bed. She snuggled in next to me and rolled on her back, her belly looked large.
“You are fat!” I said to her. She hissed in reply, but did not move.
“That is my fault,” Greer laughed. He scratched her head and she purred happily. “This ship is full of mice, and I have been letting her run about all day.”
I lifted her on top of my lap and kissed her soft fur, she purred in response. I looked between Sneachta and Greer and felt content. They were my family. We loved each other and we were truly happy.
Scotland
April 17th 1735
We arrived in Glasgow on an overcast morning. It was a busy port with many ships and merchants going about their business.
Greer hired a carriage to bring us to the castle that was located over sixty miles away. The journey was only a few days in length and it did not bother me at all. Scotland was a magnificent country. Everywhere I turned, I saw great beauty. Better still, I was with Greer, who regaled me with stories of the towns we passed through. Some of the stories were folklore and some were real. Some seemed to hang on the borderline between the two.
We traveled through the day and stayed at Inns in the evening. Greer said that highwaymen patrolled these lands, and it was safer to avoid encountering them. He wanted our arrival to be a quiet one.
Sneachta enjoyed the nightly break and took time to hunt. I wondered if she had met other faeries yet, and if she was happy to be in Scotland. From her demeanor it certainly seemed so. She had not hissed or flicked her tail at me since we arrived.
Greer also seemed relieved to be in his home country. He smiled so often and so frequently that we were both constantly laughing. We would dance in the evening while the fiddlers played and when we would finally retire to the bedchamber, we would make love through the night. I was very glad that Sneachta took this time to hunt.
As we traveled in the day, we would pass castles and villages, rolling hills and fog covered plains. This country was full of magic.
I recognized faerie mounds that my mother had described to me from the Isle. I even saw ancient ritual sites, comprised of tall stone circles where magical rites were observed. I knew deep in my heart that I was home as well.
Finally, the carriage wound up a cobblestone path and there, straight before us, was the Ruthven Castle. Memories from another life flooded through my consciousness, and I felt my breath falter as I looked upon my new home.
The whole building was made of grey colored stones and bricks. It was tall and seemed to be four different squared off towers that were built one after another. There were archways, towers, and long rectangular windows peppered every wall.
“We are home,” Greer smiled.
He took my hand in his, and I picked up Sneachta and tucked her under my arm. The carriage came to a halt in front of an arched doorway.
Waiting outside the doorway stood an old man with grey hair and a solid build. He walked to the carriage and opened that door for Greer.
“Sir,” he said in a heavy Scottish accent, “It is lovely to have you home.”
“It is good to see you Callan. You are looking well.”
The old man, Callan, looked at Greer with a bewildered expression, “Sir, you have not aged a day since you left,” he stammered.
Greer just smiled and reached into the carriage for me. “Callan I would like you to meet the Lady of the Manor, Aislin, my new bride,” Greer beamed, as he gently placed me onto the gravel path.
Callan's eyes widened with recognition and he stood silent for a long while before he regained his composure, “Lady Aislin, it is an honor,” Callan said. He bowed cordially, took my hand in his, and kissed it.
“Sir, I will have your possessions taken to your chamber. You must be tired from your journey.” He looked back at the house nervously and then returned his gaze to Greer.
“What is it Callan?” Greer followed the old man's eyes to the first floor windows of the castle.
The man's bottom lip quivered as he shook his head, “I am so sorry sir, but I could not get them to leave. They said they were expecting you. They're a sinister looking bunch sir.”
“Who are you talking about?” Greer asked uneasily.
I could see movement in the first floor windows, as dark figures moved about.
Callan looked in the same direction and gulped, “They call themselves The Order, my lord.” He looked at Greer with worry in his tired eyes, “They are waiting for you.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Margeaux Laurent lives in the South Western United States with her family.
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GLOSSARY
PEOPLE AND CREATURES
Aislin pronounced (Ash leeng) in Ireland, but in the Colonies her family and friends pronounce her name as (Aze-lyn), (the “aze” rhyming with maze)
Dearg Dul: pronounced ( jiarg-dool)
Deirdre pronounced (deer- dre) in Ireland, but in the Colonies (Dee-drah)
Púca pronounced (pookah)
Sneachta pronounced (Shnok-tah) in Irish, but Aislin and her family call their pet (Sneach-tah)
THE OLD RELIGION’S HOLIDAYS
Samhain (sow-en)
Also known as All Souls Night or Halloween. It takes place on October 31st and celebrates the harvest and honors the spirits of those who have passed. Bon fires are a traditional part of Samhain.
&
nbsp; Alban Arthuan (Al-bon Ar-thoo-an)
Also known as Yule. The holiday that takes place on the winter solstice. It honors the Mother Goddess and the birth of the divine Sun child. Evergreens and Yule logs are traditional decorations for this fire festival.
Imbolc (im-bulk)
This holiday takes place on February 1st and honors the triple Goddess Brigid. Decorating ploughs, lighting candles, and feasting are traditional parts of Imbolc.
Ostara (oh-star-ah)
This holiday celebrates the union of the Sun God and the Maiden Goddess, as the Sun now grows in strength. Planting seeds and being in nature, decorating eggs and using them in holiday fare are traditional.
Beltane (Bell-tinuh)
Taking place on May 1st, the holiday honors the Mother Goddess and the Horned God and celebrates the great abundance of the earth. Burning fires, dancing around a “May pole” are traditional of this holiday.
Midsummer
Taking place on June 21st, the Goddess Arianrhod takes the Young God into her realm where he will learn and grow until his birth at Yule. Feasts and Faery magic are traditional of this holiday.
Lughnasadh (loo-nah-sah)
Takes place on August 1st, and honors the God Lugh. His festival honors his mother, who died as she tilled the land of Ireland. Feasts, crafting corn dollies, wreaths, and jewelry from wheat are traditional of this holiday.
Mabon (ma-bon)
Takes place on September 22, and honors the Young Son Mabon and his mother, the Goddess Modron. A holiday of thanksgiving, where wine is served, and the harvest is enjoyed.
SAYINGS
Beannacht ort (bahn-ukth - urt): Roughly translates to “Blessed Be”
Spellbound: The Awakening of Aislin Collins Page 31