The Dagda's Cauldron

by M. C. Cairns

  Watch your back. We haven’t seen the Dullahan yet, Alayna warned her.

  Flying above Mack and Carman, Brianne looked around the area for the Dullahan. He was nowhere to be seen, so she dropped down to fight Carman. As she buzzed over the witch's head, she dropped fire bombs, but Carman threw up a shield that diffused them all. Circling back around, she opened up her flamethrower and waved it side to side. The shield didn't give. Mack was trying to hit from the opposite side, but the shield protected her all around, except underneath. Brianne saw a crack in the rock under Carman's feet and swooped down to attack from below. Carman bombarded her with supercharged bolts. She flipped and rolled, but right before she went under the ledge, her side was struck, shooting electrical pulses through her body.

  Mack caught her on his back as she fell toward the water, and carried her back to the ledge where the puca was being held. Switching to faerie form, he inspected the wound. "That doesn't look good." He tried to apply pressure to it. "There is a lot of blood." He looked up at her ashen face and kept talking. "Stay with me. Come on Bree."

  Alayna, it hurts.

  There was no answer.

  Alayna?

  Brianne could feel the connection had been broken. "Mack. Where's Alayna?" she managed to whisper.

  "You need to worry about yourself," he said.

  "Where's Alayna? I can't talk to her."

  Mack sighed and looked out through the falls. "Um. I don't know. She's gone." He looked up and spotted her. "She's going after Carman."

  "You must stop her," the puca insisted. "She will take her to him. He will take her soul."

  Mack was confused momentarily and then his eyes lit up and he pushed himself up off the ground. "The Dullahan! That's her plan! She was trying to weaken you so she could take you to him. She’s still trying to destroy the prophecy by killing one of you." He leaned over Brianne and kissed her softly on the forehead. "Please hang on. I have to go help Alayna."

  Brianne shooed him away with her hands and he flew off of the ledge, breathing fire on his way up. She turned her body toward the swirling sphere. "You...told us...her...plan." Brianne tried to shoot him a sarcastic look, but the pain and her increasing wooziness made it come across as pathetic.

  "Yes. Normally I wouldn't care who wins, but she lied to me and made me look like a fool. I am no fool." He stretched his neck and looked at the hole in her side. "If you do not close that up, you will die. Is that your plan? Be a martyr for the cause?"

  She tried to laugh but ended up coughing up blood instead. "No." She coughed some more. "Not... a martyr. Too...mouthy." She stopped for a few minutes and tried to slow her breathing while still pressing on the open wound. The pain shooting through her ribcage felt like knives were piercing each rib. She wanted to call out to Alayna again and ask her to heal her, but she knew the line had been disconnected.

  Through the haze of her thoughts, she remembered that Alayna had said she could fix it herself. It wouldn't be pretty, but maybe she wouldn't die. Her left hand heated to a bright red color, however, there were no flames. She adjusted her position, twisting until the edges of the wound were all touching. Concentrating on her hand as it changed to a bright orange, into a purplish white, and finally a glowing blue color, she turned her head the other direction and laid her whole hand over the wound. She bit her lip and cringed as the skin melted together and caused a nauseating pulling sensation. She tried to breathe through it, but the sensation was so foreign that she couldn't stop herself when her stomach lurched again.

  Throwing up had hurt almost as much as being hit by lightning. Brianne stumbled to a standing position and took a few breaths. She reached out under a small stream of water and gathered water in her hands. She washed her face and drank. "Where is the Dullahan?" she asked the puca between sips.

  "He is hiding on the edge of the resting grounds. That way, if Carman is defeated, he can still call one of you to him when you try to replace the cauldron," he answered.

  "Not if we kill him first." Brianne stretched her side as her strength began to return.

  "He is a spirit already, he cannot be killed."

  She walked along the rock wall, staring up at the overhang, and called over her shoulder, "We will find a way." She continued to look up as she made her way halfway around the falls. She flew up and down, investigating different parts of the ledge above her. When she found what she was looking for, she darted up to the rocky ceiling, peered through a crack, then dropped down a bit and stuck her hand in it. "Fire in the hole!" she yelled as she pushed fire through the crack like an erupting volcano. Carman’s final screams echoed through the Maiden’s Mist as the fire swirled and danced within her shield.

  29

  The Sacrifice

  M

  ACK AND ALAYNA LANDED ON THE ledge next to Brianne. "Didn't I tell you to wait?" Mack scolded her while he looked at her side. "What did you do? That is going to be one ugly scar."

  Alayna hugged her. "I think it’s beautiful. "She wiped a tear from her eye. "I’m so glad you are okay."

  "All right, all right. Let's save the sappy stuff for when this is done." Brianne hugged Alayna briefly and stepped away from her. "We have one more problem."

  "The Dullahan. But we don't know where he is." Mack looked out to the resting grounds and the woods.

  "I do." Brianne pointed to the sacred land. "He is waiting for us somewhere near the resting grounds. The puca said he was there so he could take one of our souls when we place the cauldron." She turned to Alayna. "I was thinking if you could get the cauldron down here with the water, then we could get the cauldron in place before he can take one of us. That way, he will be banished along with all the warriors of the Unseelie court."

  Mack pressed his lips together. "Technically, the Dullahan is neither Seelie nor Unseelie. He isn't light or dark, he is a spirit. We can't banish him."

  "But he is working with the Unseelie court and that dark witch," Brianne protested.

  "Yes, but he and the puca are unkillable and unbanishable." Alayna put her hand on Brianne's arm.

  "There has to be a way. Everyone has a weakness. We have to find his. But first, we need to check on Ekon, Yetu, and their families, then we’ll go get the cauldron." She flew off the ledge and toward the unburned portion of the woods with Alayna and Mack right behind her.

  The trolls were huddled around something on the edge of the woods. They landed a few yards from them and Brianne ran toward them. "What's going on, guys?" She stopped short and covered her mouth. "Yetu! No." She dropped to her knees next to the lifeless troll.

  Mack and Alayna ran to the group. "What happened?" Mack asked Ekon.

  Ekon's voice caught before he could get the words out. "It was an ambush. We thought we had them all. But they hid in the trees and hit him from behind."

  Mack leaned down next to Yetu and laid his head on his chest. He felt his neck, then his wrist. "He doesn't have a pulse and he isn't breathing."

  "Can't the nymphs help?" Brianne looked around at the nymphs hiding in the trees on the other side. "You saved Mack. Can't you save him?"

  A female troll who was kneeling next to Yetu spoke, "They cannot bring him back to life, they can only heal. He was dead before he fell. No one can help my Yetu now." She wiped her nose on the back of her arm. "All I ask of you is that his death means something. Finish what we started and get the Dagda's cauldron back where it belongs."

  Alayna and Brianne both kneeled next to Yetu's wife and hugged her. "We will," Alayna promised as she laid her hand on his chest. "We will."

  They left the group and flew over the falls to where the cauldron was in somber silence. When they landed on the path, Brianne threw her head back and screamed at the sky. She screamed until she ran out of breath then said quietly, "It's not fair. He didn't even have to fight. They can't win. I won't let them. Let's get that cauldron where it belongs."

  Alayna wrapped the cauldron in a protection bubble and moved it to the stream. The water rushed toward the
falls, carrying the cauldron past rocks and around bends. Within minutes Alayna was holding it back from going over the falls. "You guys ready?" She waited for Brianne and Mack to both nod, then let go. They flew to the edge and watched it splash in the pool below before following it over.

  Alayna landed on the edge of the pool, maintaining control of the cauldron, while Mack and Brianne flew to the large depression in the ground filled with wilting flowers and dying grass. The trolls and nymphs were watching from inside the charred forest. Raising her hand, Alayna lifted the cauldron out of the water, still in its protection bubble, and moved it toward the sacred area. Before she could get it all the way there, a voice filled the air, deep and full.

  "It is time for one of you to die." The Dullahan walked slowly from the shadows, holding his head high. "I have come for a soul. Only one of two will do, the final choice is up to you."

  Brianne stepped forward. "I don't think you’ll be taking any souls today."

  "I have been denied a soul that was promised to me. Queen Mab ripped that pleasure from me, but I am here to collect now." He walked forward a few more steps, the eyes in his head glowing green and the hell steed's mane flickering. "Are you offering yourself again?"

  "Not this time, headless wonder. Your allies have been defeated. The witch is melted and the puca imprisoned. This is not your fight. Surely there’s something else you might want?" Brianne walked closer to him. She stopped and glanced back to see that even though Alayna was still moving the cauldron, she was watching Brianne.

  "The only thing I am interested in is your soul." The disconnected head made eye contact with her and the mouth, which had not been moving before as he spoke, opened wide, her name emerging from its depths, "Bri --"

  "Stop!" Alayna stepped in front of Brianne. "I am the one you want, Dullahan."

  "Yeah, right." Brianne pushed her to the side. "There is no way I’m letting you sacrifice yourself. There has to be another way."

  Mack wrapped his arms around Brianne's shoulders and pulled her back. "There is no alternative, this is the only way. We knew it could come to this. The decision was made before we left the castle. Alayna's purpose is to ensure the protection of our kingdom. Her spirit will remain in the Maiden's Mist for eternity."

  "No!" Brianne tried to knock him off of her, but he held on tight. "I won't let you! We can do something else! There is always another way!" She fought to get out of Mack's hold, tears streaming down her face.

  Alayna placed one hand on Brianne's shoulder and brushed her hair out of her eyes with the other. "We couldn't tell you before because we knew you wouldn't agree with the decision."

  "Of course I don't agree!" Brianne begged her with her eyes. "Please don't leave me."

  "I will always be with you, Bree. We're soul sisters remember?" Alayna pulled her away from Mack and hugged her. "This is my choice to make, Bree. No one else wanted this either, but it was our backup plan, and now it is the only way." She kissed Brianne's cheek. "I love you."

  The Dullahan stepped forward, made eye contact, and his voice filled the air again. "Alayna..."

  Alayna's body became rigid as it prepared to release her soul.

  "...Rose..."

  Her sister's words ran through Brianne's mind, I will always be with you, Bree. We’re soul sisters. “That’s it! Alayna hold on!” Brianne screamed as Mack tried to hold her back. She slammed her elbow into his stomach, knocked him to the ground, and lunged for Alayna, grabbing both her hands. Stay with me, Allie. We can beat this together.

  Alayna’s eyes flew open. What are you doing? You could get hurt!

  No, this is what they have been telling us all along. We are stronger together. Focus on me. Become a part of me and your name will give him no power.

  "...Davis." The Dullahan's mouth opened so wide the rest of the face’s features disappeared and the sound of a million tortured souls escaped as he waited for Alayna's to join them.

  They stood in the middle of the clearing, a purple light emanating from their bodies as they lifted into the air, forming a circle with their clasped hands. Their duality necklaces glowed brighter as they joined together. The light engulfed them and became too bright to look at, then exploded, knocking every creature in its path off their feet. Alayna and Brianne floated to the ground and turned to the Dullahan.

  "It's not possible!" The hell steed pawed at the ground and the green eyes in the detached head were burning bright. "I called your name. Your soul is mine!"

  Brianne took a step toward the headless horseman. "Our soul belongs to us. Never underestimate the power of soul sisters. It is time for you to leave."

  The steed reared up on its hind legs and took off through the woods as its rider called out, "You cannot escape me forever! I will return!"

  Ekon and his family joined the faeries in the clearing. "Your quest is almost complete. Only one step left." He pointed at the cauldron.

  Alayna lifted the bubble and placed the cauldron onto the sacred resting ground and the magical protection force snapped into place, sending waves of energy through the kingdom. The first wave released the magic in the water sphere holding the puca and he could be heard whinnying as he left the Maiden's Mist. Flowers and grass began to bloom and grow under the cauldron, spreading in all directions. As the new grass reached the forest, the trees began to heal, the bark turning brown and leaves growing back on the limbs. The green grass spread deeper into the forest, reaching Yetu and his wife. Flowers sprouted around Yetu's body as nature paid tribute to him for his sacrifice.

  Ekon bowed to the girls. "We must bid farewell and tend to my brother and his family. It has been an honor to serve you, your highnesses."

  Brianne wrapped her arms as far around his neck as they could reach. "Thank you, Ekon. I promise, your brother will receive a royal burial and his family will be taken care of for all time."

  Ekon nodded his head and he and his family left the clearing.

  Alayna wiped a tear from her cheek. "You saved my life, Bree."

  "Oh, you know, just doing my job as a big sister. Plus, now I can hold it over your head forever and make you do all my chores." Brianne laughed.

  Mack shook his head. "You got the bad end of that deal, Alayna. I've seen her room." He opened his eyes as wide as he could and mimed a bomb exploding.

  Brianne smacked his arm. "Shut up!" She pulled Alayna into a hug and whispered in her ear. "I love you, too, Allie."

  30

  The New Beginning

  B

  RIANNE SAT AS STILL AS SHE could on Alayna's bed. "Are you almost done?" She tried to peek at Alayna's sketchbook.

  "I won't ever get done if you can't sit still!" Alayna pulled the sketch close to her body.

  "I've been sitting still forever!" Brianne straightened her shoulders again and looked at the window.

  "Okay, okay. It's done," Alayna said, putting a few finishing details on her drawing. "Close your eyes."

  Brianne closed her eyes and Alayna flipped the book over. "Okay, open them!" Brianne opened her eyes and stared at the picture.

  "Um, yeah, that's --"

  Alayna fell over giggling. "That's not the real thing! Here," she flipped the page over, "this is the real one."

  "Oh, thank the gods! I didn't know how to tell you that it looked like something I drew in kindergarten." She looked at the real sketch Alayna had handed her. It was a breathtaking sketch of the two of them together. "Oh, Allie! It's wonderful! I know exactly where I am going to put it."

  "Don't let her make you think she has options. I've seen her room and there is only one clean spot in the whole thing." Mack pushed himself off the chair and walked over to see the picture. "That's amazing, Alayna. You are really talented."

  Brianne punched Mack in the arm. "Hey! You need to come up with something new. That one is getting old. Plus, that was my old room. My new room is clean and there is plenty of space."

  "For now," Mack teased her. "Although, with two moms living in the castle, and your grandmo
ther, I bet you have to keep it clean."

  "I'm so happy that your mom agreed to move here with you, Bree." Alayna hopped off the bed, grabbed the backpack Brianne had given her, and started filling it with her art supplies.

  "The only thing that would be better is if you were here all the time, too," Brianne said. "But I get it. Your parents have stronger connections in the human realm. And you still need to finish high school."

  "I'll still visit every chance I get, you know that."

  Brianne hopped off the bed and took Alayna's sketch pad to her. "I know. And I will come visit you. You are only a portal jump or two away."

  There was a quick knock at the door before Mayrianne poked her head in. "Alayna, dear, it's time to go." She held out her arms for a hug and Alayna reached down and wrapped her arms around her. "You are so much taller as a human!" Mayrianne laughed as she stood on her tiptoes to hug her back.

  Laughing, Alayna said, "Yeah, I feel like a giant compared to the three of you. Especially you Brianne. I'm not used to you as a faerie yet. It's going to take some getting used to, being the tallest one in the room."

  "Great things come in small packages." Brianne smiled and bowed. "Besides, all our other sisters are still your size, so when we find them, you won't be alone."

  "We have to find them first. How could Ian have not known that Elly's parents died? You’d think they would have kept better tabs on us." Alayna threw the backpack over her shoulders.

  "You’d think so. Either way, I won't give up until we find them all." Brianne hugged her. "Now. You have to go to your parents and your human life. I'll let you know when we find something, okay?"