Cian, his wife, and son were playing in the sand. Not paying any attention to Morrigan’s taunts.
Morrigan rolled her eyes at herself. The family played in the sand for hours, or maybe minutes. Hard to tell in dreams.
The whole scene went blurry and then she was in a room. A large rectangular trough at least twelve feet in length presided in the center of the room, a fire contained in it. The walls were of dark wood and bore tapestries depicting oceans around the world. The scents of cinnamon and oak wafted through the air. Cian, his six brothers and his father were drinking ale at a table next to the fire. They were laughing and talking. She could not make out their words, but they were enjoying one another’s company. One would stand and reiterate something and hit Cian on the shoulder while the others laughed. Cian laughed as well, hanging his head low, shaking it. They were teasing him about something.
Cian, his brothers and father were at the table in the same room but the scene shifted. No laughter and mugs of ale this time. Their faces were tight and Cian stood and yelled, “This is madness! All of you! We do not serve the Gods. You know they cannot be trusted. They mislead and twist everything to serve themselves and nobody else. You have to see this. You must know this in your hearts! This will be our undoing!”
The Fomoire King stood and said, “You are being unreasonable and shortsighted, Cian.”
Cian stormed out of the room and the room vanished.
Cian was running up the beach where he and his family had played earlier in the dream. He had on his black and blue fish scale leathers. His sword was out and his face was panicked. About forty Fomoire in battle gear followed him with the same panic on their faces.
He and the others reached a village nestled next to the ocean. The flames were gone but smoke still drifted into the sky. Buildings were mostly burned but some were still intact. The smell of blood and death filled the air. Bodies of burnt headless Fomoire littered the ground. Thousands of them. Cian rushed towards the main hall, stepping around bodies, and flung open the large oak double doors. Hope filled his chest, the building showed no signs of fire. His wife and son were not burned, but their severed heads lay next to their crumpled bodies. He dropped to his knees. The loss was overwhelming, his chest felt as if it split open and everything ripped out. His body shook and convulsed as tears streamed from his eyes. He could barely see, but as he lifted his gaze he saw his father sitting on the throne. His face bore a look of shock, a few feet away on the ground.
The scene shifted again. The forty or so Fomoire and Cian stood outside the village. They raised their hands and balls of fire arced up into the air, sending what was left into flames. They sat on the beach, numb, and watched the village and their loved ones burn. When nothing was left but ashes, they once again extended their arms out, intertwining their powers, sending the remains into the earth. Nothing was rebuilt where the village once was.
Morrigan felt herself back in her own mind and body. She was groggy but felt well. Sleep began to fall away and her eyes opened.
She blinked a few times and saw a smirking smile and bright blue eyes. “Man oh man, you are one kinky chick,” Cian teased.
Chapter 25
We walked in silence. Well almost silence, Emrys had opened up a link between our minds and I relayed Cian’s dreams.
Neil pulled us away from our conversation. “Are we sure we’re headed in the right direction? We’ve been walking for what must be half a day and still there’s nothing. I can see for miles and nothing. The damn sun doesn’t even move in this place.”
I expected Emrys to answer Neil, but Cian spoke up, “You really aren’t that bright, are you? There are no Gods here. The sun stopped in the sky where it was when the Gods were killed. The realm is frozen in place.”
Emrys couldn’t help smiling as he said, “I’m sure we’re going in the right direction. We’ve been traveling almost a full day, by the way. We might as well stop here and rest.”
We sat and I stretched out my tight muscles. Cian had acted his normal smartass self but he hadn’t looked me in the eye all day. I’m sure he, like me, wondered what I had seen in his dreams.
“Can I have a drink?” I asked Cian.
He closed his eyes, waved his hand over the tattoo of the cup, mumbling some words, and opened his palm. He handed me the Cup.
“This is the Cup of Plenty?” I said, observing the ornate knot work on it.
“The one and only.” He winked
I lifted it to my lips and tipped my head back. Water flowed from it and I drank until I was quenched. I passed it to Emrys.
“And how did you say you came to be in possession of it?” I asked, smiling, knowing he wouldn’t tell me.
He smirked. “Oh Red, your charms won’t work on me.”
He was a slimebag and maybe it was the empathy I felt for him, but I laughed.
Emrys decided to join in. “Come now, she has no charm.” Then he kicked at my boot playfully.
I couldn’t resist. “Apparently you’re the one with all the charm. Why, I had no idea you’ve had a love affair going on for what? Centuries? You’ve been holding out on me,” I teased, remembering him and Druantia.
He gave me a look, warning me not to reveal too much. I knew better than to do that, but I rarely had a card to play against him and it felt good for a change.
Emrys passed the Cup to Neil then stretched his arms above his head. “So Cian, now that we have a bit of time to kill why don’t you fill us in on how you came to be friends with the Vampire King.”
We all looked at Cian. He looked calm as ever and started, “See, so what happened was—”
“Stop,” I said. “Cut the bullshit and tell the truth, or by the Creator I will end you this instant.”
“Simmer down, Red.” He smiled as he took the cup back from Neil and pushed it against his forearm, returning it to the tattoo. “Okay. Cards on the table, I suppose.” He sighed and his face became serious. “Long story short, after you were put to sleep, Artaius turned on us. There was a team of us away on a quest. An unsanctioned quest actually. When we returned all of our people were dead. There are only thirty-seven Fomoire in existence now.”
Emrys and I knew this to be true from the dream I had seen. But it didn’t make sense so I asked, “Wait… now? If that was over a thousand years ago why haven’t your numbers grown?
Cian shook his head. “We’ve never been able to reproduce since. I don’t have an explanation, other than the damn Gods, possibly. Anyway, we went into hiding. We feared a large number of us would attract the attention of the Gods and we wanted to stay hidden so we dispersed into groups of no more than four together at any time around the world. We only met once a year on Samhain.”
Emrys and I nodded in understanding a great loss of your people. Neil acted as though he were listening to a fairy tale. He couldn’t begin to know what it felt like.
Cian said, “For some reason or another, since the day of our battle there have been few demons. We led quiet lives, trying to gather information on Artaius. It was nearly impossible. Centuries went by. No demons to interrogate, no sign of any of the Gods or any other supernaturals. We began taking turns traveling to the different realms but found nothing. Oddly enough, I was walking home one night in Rome. This was probably five hundred or so years ago. I heard something behind me a human wouldn’t be able to hear. I kept walking and a person jumped down from a building right in front of me. He landed on his feet, uninjured, and smiled. He had fangs.”
“That was the first time you ever saw a vampire?” I asked.
“Yes. Turns out there were four of them behind me. The one in front was supposed to distract me as his buddies came up from behind to drain me. They like to play with their food first. It didn’t work out for them, to say the least. That month Kate, another Fomoire, and I ran into a dozen more. Also came across six werewolves.”
“They’re hellhound-human hybrids, by the way,” Emrys interjected.
“Yeah, I figured that o
ut,” Cian replied. “We got together with everyone that Samhain and the others had come across vampires and werewolves as well. The humans were even aware of them to an extent. Not many that had seen them lived to tell. A few had witnessed attacks though, and so the lore began.
We decided to begin meeting at a different location once a month. The others observed only, while Kate and I went to see the Ogre King. He has a seer—”
Emrys interrupted, “Yes. She’s a real bitch, by the way.”
“Well, she is an ogre.” Cian shrugged. “She told me that she saw the realm being destroyed. That was the path. I would have to find a way to change the path. That was all she said. Not very helpful and nothing about vampires or werewolves.”
He wiped his brow then continued, “We figured out that the vamps and wolves were highly organized.”
Neil cut in, “Yes we know. Kings, a Prime—”
“Sure, act like you know what’s going on, kid.” Cian turned away ignoring Neil. “The Prime is Artaius. He created them.”
“You’re sure?” Emrys asked.
“Very sure. He cut some kind of deal with the demons in Hell and created the vamps and wolves. They’re loyal because he’s told them they’re part of an army. That Hell is going to open up, and that when it does they are the ones that will have to fight the demons in order to save the realm. Then they can rule over the humans. I’m assuming he told the demons the same sort of thing. Playing both sides. Or maybe he said it so that they would let him use their blood in order to create his hybrids. Who knows?”
He paused for a moment. We said nothing.
“About a hundred years ago I heard of a Hoodoo priestess that lived deep in the Bayou. She must’ve been a descendant of a very strong Druid. She knew when she saw me what I was. She told me I had to awaken my enemies. She did some spell and put whatever she mixed up into a jar. Said to sprinkle it over the Earth where they slept and that one of ‘her people’ would rise up. He’d take care of the others.”
“She had more than Druid in her. She’s a seer of some kind. Even I cannot see the future,” Emrys said.
Cian nodded in agreement. “Strange times we live in. I didn’t question it. She told me that my path wasn’t to cross with yours until the Creator needed it to. That you would have to go on your own journey before we intersected. She told me I would need to leave the ‘story of the sword’ for you and to leave a message that when the Creator brought you to me, you would know I was a friend and not a foe. I was to get the Cup of Plenty and stone to the Godless and keep them on me at all times… then wait.”
“Okay, so you woke Emrys up. How did you end up with the vampires? A vampire King no less,” Neil said accusingly.
Cian didn’t even look at him. “It took me almost eighty years to find and get the Cup of Plenty and the stone. It was not an easy task to say the least. Afterwards, I went to New York. I heard rumors in Europe that the vampire King of North America lived there. I’ve been there ever since. I finally found the king but kept my distance. This past year rumblings began about entire nests vanishing without a trace. I figured Emrys had finally found a way to awaken the Tuatha and you were the cause of the missing nests. I went there to tell the king I knew who and what was taking out his vampires and werewolves.”
“You were selling us out?” Neil yelled.
Cian smiled widely. “Well it was hardly selling you out. Werewolves spotted a couple of redheads: one, a massive hulk of a man that I’m assuming is Daur, in New Orleans. Artaius knows it’s Tuatha that are hunting his creatures by now, surely. I’m assuming the king was curious as to what I knew and how I knew of the Tuatha. I was meeting with him when it was announced you had arrived and I asked if I could greet you in order to verify my suspicions. Though I was trying to get my, ‘I’m a friend’ message out before you did anything, I obviously wasn’t expecting you. I went there to get in front of the king and was hoping to get some information on how he contacts Artaius.”
Cian wiped his forehead with his arm. His face became very stern. “I’ve waited a long time to track down Artaius. He took everything from me. I’m not opposed to saving the realm, but I will not rest until Artaius is dead.”
Nobody had anything to say after that. We lay down and shut our eyes. We would be facing the Godless before much longer.
Chapter 26
NEIL
We walked endlessly through this damned land. Emrys led, Cian and Morrigan next to one another, and me bringing up the rear. I could feel the apprehension pressing into me. There was no wind. The stagnant air not only held no life, it felt like it was drawing life from me.
Morrigan refused to even glance my way. It pained me to have her so cold towards me. The moment I laid eyes on her when she returned I knew I had made a mistake with Riley. Hell, I knew the first time I slept with Riley it was a mistake. Riley looked at me as if I was strong and wise. Not just a man, but a King and a hero. I always felt inferior to Morrigan. She was the one that was strong and wise. I could never be her equal, much less someone she could look up to or look to for help or guidance. I succumbed to my ego with Riley. I cared for her but what drew me to her was the way she made me feel about myself if, I was being honest.
Emrys kept his eyes trained on the horizon and said, “I see the castle. About another five hours and we’ll be there.”
I shaded my eyes and squinted. “I don’t see anything.”
Emrys’ voice was neutral for a change. “You wouldn’t. You’re human.”
How my life had changed. I walked as a King of Erin with the leader of the Teulu of the Tuatha who was a queen, the most powerful of the Fomoire and Emrys, Merlin himself. I was the inferior of them all and I knew it. I kept trying to prove myself worthy of my birthright. A descendent of King Arthur. I had felt myself get stronger and more skilled in my trainings over the past year. I easily bested every Knight. But I couldn’t compete with the supernatural. I was only needed to get the sword of the Tuatha back. I would never have their respect. I would never have Morrigan’s respect.
Seeing Morrigan fight beside Cian demoralized me even more. I was cheered and revered by my Knights for having led them into vampire nests and taking out dozens of them at a time. Morrigan took out hundreds effortlessly. She fought next to Cian in perfect synchronization. They were mesmerizing to watch. They were powerful, deadly and beautiful all at once.
I felt like a fool. All the times in training I ‘bested’ her. She let me win as a parent lets a child win.
Cian walked next to Morrigan and they discussed strategy for when we met the Godless. They spoke to one another as respected equals, even if neither of them trusted the other. Cian occasionally glanced back at me, giving his smug smile. He was an arrogant asshole.
Morrigan looked back at me and for a moment held my eyes. I missed her. The hardness in them returned but for a split second it was as it had been before she had left.
Emrys pulled me away from my thoughts as he said, “Cian what do you know of the Godless? Can they be reasoned with?”
Cian’s voice even sounded like powerful crashing waves. “Well, if history holds true, this is a fool’s errand and we’ll all die and be eaten today.”
I cringed at his steadiness and lack of fear. “But having the stone to enter the land and presenting the Cup of Plenty will garner us an audience with their King. I fear that we are going in blind as to whether they’re reasonable or not. I’m hoping they will be intrigued by us wanting to save our realm from the Gods and be willing to help us out.”
“Great, our plan is based on your hope,” I scoffed.
Cian stopped and turned to me. “Hope is all we have right now. The entire realm, everyone we love, is counting on us and all is lost if we don’t succeed. I have faith the Creator will present a solution once we arrive.”
He turned away and walked on, as did the others. They seemed to be okay with hoping for a miracle. I would’ve much rather had a plan. We walked in silence as the castle of the Godless ca
me into view.
Chapter 27
NEIL
The castle was in view a few hours before we reached it because it was a massive fortress. The grey stones rose out of the ground, in keeping with the monochromatic scheme of the land. It resembled an English castle I once saw in a movie. A moat that dried up long ago was now a deep trench. The gates were down and open. No guards were posted outside. This was not a place that was trying to keep anyone out. It was a place that welcomed any and all in, never to leave.
We walked across the bridge to the gates and into the courtyard. There was no one in sight. The far side of the courtyard had a set of stairs leading inside. The steps were each three feet high, the arched doorways at least fifty. I craned my neck to look up to the top tower. It rivaled any skyscraper in New York City.
Emrys led the way and we scaled the stairs to the main entrance. Every step closer increased the putrid smell that came from within.
“What is that stench?” I asked. “It smells like a hundred corpses that have been dug up after a year.”
Nobody answered. Which meant that nobody knew.
We stepped inside the entrance and Emrys projected his voice, “We have an invitation stone and a gift. A Cup of Plenty to be presented in return for an audience with the King.”
We looked at one another but nobody spoke. Seconds ticked by slowly but felt slower still. The putrid smell increased though we hadn’t moved. The ground began to vibrate slightly. The door at the end of the hall opened and the Godless stepped through.
With the opening of the door the smell rushed down to hit us in the face. I could see everyone’s eyes begin to water and noses wrinkle. My stomach lurched, fighting to keep my gag reflex from winning. The Godless were as massive as we expected, towering around thirty feet high. The one large bulbous eye planted in the center of their head is what I expected would shock me most. Seeing a real life Cyclops was startling enough, but the zombie like appearance had my nerves screaming at me to get out of there.
Awakening - The Morrigan Chronicles Page 13