Manannan's Magic (Manannan Trilogy Book 1)
Page 24
The village is different now, in so many ways. Marriages are common among my people and the Norsemen. Babies have been born who are like Edan, children between two races. Others, like Fritha’s daughters, play with mine just as we used to, so long ago. Life goes on in almost the same way it did before the strangers came to change our world forever.
I have never forgotten the knowledge McLir taught me. I have used his mixtures many times to heal those who are sick. I am called a wise woman, a caillagh, and people from miles around come to me seeking relief from their troubles. I give my help freely to all, as he did, but the wisdom and the treatments are not really mine. McLir has never ceased to be my beloved Máistir. Often I call out to him for aid, if the problem is beyond my skill. Sometimes I believe he answers me, for a memory returns and I remember what to do. I treasure all the things he taught me. I use them and I have passed them on to my children and to the others who want to learn. I know this is what he would want me to do, as his father did before him.
I have grandchildren now and, at night, when the wind blows and the torches flicker, we gather round the fire to listen to the storytellers. Lately, the bards have been telling the story of Manannan McLir, but it is not the tale I know. Few people are old enough now to remember that I once knew him well. So I smile, listen to the stories and say nothing. Manannan, they say, is a mighty sorcerer, who wields a sword called Fragarach. He covers this island with his mists to hide us from our enemies. They speak of his ship, Wave Sweeper, of his wife, Fand, and even of his daughter, Niamh of the Golden Hair. McLir never spoke of her to me, or of any other children but I am glad a child of his walks on this earth, even if she can’t be mine.
When McLir went away, the bards say, he turned himself into a fiery wheel and plunged over the cliffs at Dhoon. He returned to the bosom of the sea from whence he came - for he is the god of the sea. All creatures that live in the deep waters pay him tribute and so must we. When they tell us such things, Edan and I look at each other and smile. We know who pushed that fiery wheel into the water.
Sometimes a tear trickles down my cheek, as the nonsense brings my memories back. I do not cry because I miss the magician, or the teacher who showed me such great wonders. He made me understand so many things, about the world, about myself and about love, itself. I cry because I still miss the man, his kindness and his smile. I ache for the way he held me that last day among the heather. I weep because he truly cared for me in his heart, as I have always cared for him. More tears fall, because he has never come back in all these years and I have no knowledge of his fate.
I have always hoped that, one day, he would be able to walk again on those green hills he loved. If he could not be with me, I prayed he would find his peace in the island to the west, his home.
Fare you well, Manannan McLir, wherever you may be. In time, may you find the ending you wished, in your own land or, if God wills it, in mine. My life has been richer for knowing you and poorer because you are not with me now. I will never forget you, down all the rest of my days.
The next books in this series are:
Niamh of the Golden Hair: Niamh is captured by Viking raiders and unexpectedly falls in love with her captor. When he is badly injured, she must find her father, Manannan, who may be able to cure his wound.
Emer’s Quest: Emer, Manannan’s granddaughter, dreams that her father will be shipwrecked. She rides after him to prevent him leaving but she is too late. She persuades friends to follow him. On her journey she meets Atli, a trader who offers to rescue her father if she will marry one of his sons. Unfortunately his son Hari does not want her.
Manannan Trilogy:Box Set
All available on Amazon at:
USA = http://www.amazon.com/michele+mcgrath
UK = http://www.amazon.co.uk/michele+mcgrath
Copyright © Michèle McGrath 2013
All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the author.
All characters and events in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
My books are fiction set in history.
Front cover artwork:
Copyright © Sheri McGathy 2014
All rights reserved
No part of the cover image may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the illustrator.
ISBN: 978-0-9576327-0-7
Written in English (UK)
Published by Riverscourt Publishing
About Michèle McGrath
Award winning author, Michele McGrath, was born on the beautiful Isle of Man in the middle of the Irish Sea. She has lived in California, Liverpool, France and Lancashire before returning home. Living in Paris and Grenoble taught her to make a mean ratatouille and she learned the hula in Hawaii.
Michele is a qualified swimming teacher and manager, writing self help books on these subjects. Although she writes in many genres, her real loves are historical romance and fantasy. She has won numerous writing competitions, had second places and been short-listed many times. She has had tens of thousands of sales and downloads.
**Visit her blog at http://www.michelemcgrath.co.uk/blog
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What others are saying about Michele's books:
"From the very first and magical sentence, I was hooked on this novel."
Eddie on Kindle, reviewing Manannan's Magic.
“Set in post-revolutionary France, Duval and the Infernal Machine captures the atmosphere of suspicion and intrigue that reigned in Paris at the time. The author does a splendid job of immersing the reader into the darker corners of the city." Simon on Kindle reviewing Duval and the Infernal Machine.
“I have been terrified of the water ever since nearly drowning in Lake Michigan. My wife has tried to teach me to float - with no success - for 40 years. The techniques outlined in this book are easy to follow. Maybe finally, after all these years, I'll be able to swim and NOT be afraid of the water. Thanks Michele, wish you lived in the States so I could get private lessons." Steven on Kindle reviewing Learn to Swim, even if you are terrified."
“An intriguing and haunting short story, which the author says is based upon a real wartime experience. The fitting and satisfying ending will stay with me for a long time. An excellent story."
Gunnar on Kindle reviewing Five Lamps.
“Beautiful! Just 12 short pages, but it left me in tears. The author has such a delicate, lovely way with words that the sentences and sentiments were whispered over the pages. I will save this on my kindle to read again."
Tina on Kindle reviewing The Carpenter's Bench.
Books by Michèle McGrath
Novels
Regency Belles & Beaux
Lady Alice’s Dilemma: Lady Alice is enjoying her first London Season until her disgraced brother appears in disguise.
Miss Ridgeway’s Privateer: Following her father’s death, Lucy is sent to her grandmother in Ireland, where she is to be presented at the Viceroy’s court. These plans are interrupted when the ship she is travelling on is captured by French privateers. Lucy is held for ransom. One of her captors is the Irishman Patrick O’Rourke, the ship’s surgeon whom she has met before in unusual circumstances. How can she possibly fall in love with a pirate?
Lord Philip’s Christmas: More adventures of Lady Alice’s errant brother culminating in Brussels at the time of Waterloo.
Regency Belles & Beaux: Box set of three books.
The Manannan Series (Historical Fantasy)
Manannan’s Magic: Manannan McLir flees from a blood feud in Ireland and finds a tragic love with a young Celtic girl, Renny. Betrayal, a Viking invasion and a narrow escape all feature in this novel.
Niamh of the Golden Hair: Niamh is captured by Viking raiders and unexpectedly falls in love with her captor. When he is badly injured, she must find her father, Manannan, who may be able to cure his wound.
Emer’s Quest: Emer, Manannan’s granddaughter, dreams that her father will be shipwrecked. She rides after him to prevent him leaving but she is too late. She persuades friends to follow him. On her journey she meets Atli, a trader who offers to rescue her father if she will marry one of his sons. Unfortunately his son Hari does not want her.
Manannan Trilogy: Box Set
Duval Series (Napoleon’s Police)
Duval and the Infernal Machine 1800: Rookie police agent, Alain Duval investigates the attempted assassination on Napoleon Bonaparte. The book features romance, terror and an unexpected ending.
Duval and the Empress’s Crown 1804: Police Agent Alain Duval is tasked with finding the crown but time is very short and his suspects many. Present when the crown disappeared are Napoleon's sisters, Princess Elisa, Princess Pauline and Princess Caroline. Are they involved or merely witnesses? Aided by his wife Eugenie and his friends Lefebvre and Fournier, Duval sets out to unravel the mystery.
Duval and the Italian Opera Singer 1805: Carla Cortini arrives in Paris claiming that her son is Napoleon’s child. She relates the story to Duval and enquiries seem to confirm that it is true. When Duval goes to tell her and take her to the Emperor, he discovers that the mother and son have been kidnapped.
Duval at Waterloo 1815: The last Duval book. Duval travels to Paris and gets caught up in the preparations for Napoleon’s last battle.
Napoleon’s Police: Box set of the first three Duval books published.
Short Story Collections
Bible Women: Five short stories of women in the New Testament, starting from the birth of Christ until his death.
Baker’s Dozen: Thirteen short stories in a range of genres including romance, fantasy, crime and history.
Books for Children:
A Night at the Manx Museum: Meet Manannan, a Manx cat, the great deer and many more characters.
Stories for Seven Year Olds: Three stories in one. A magical harp takes Shannon far away to a land of magic carpets and evil viziers. Rory is scared of heights, which is a problem because he is a robin who needs to learn to fly. Sun Sun Lau is a Chinese dragon who wakes up to find himself in the British Museum and has to escape from those who want to put him in a zoo.
Non Fiction
Learn to Swim even if you are Terrified
Teach your Child to Swim: The Easy Way.
Easy Business Skills Box set
Easy Self Confidence
Easy Time Management
Easy Assertiveness
Easy Communication Skills
Easy Presentation Skills
Look out for free days and promotional offers on my website.
A Night in the Manx Museum is available in paperback through Amazon and booksellers on the Isle of Man.
Find out more on:
http://www.michelemcgrath.co.uk
I would love to hear from you:
email: riverscourt@gmail.com