by Dee, Bonnie
“Crawling? I do not crawl. This is crawling.” Nolen clenched and unclenched his left hand, moving it back and forth and Cull scuttled before him like a crab.
“What need do you have for these hands? You should have no fear of men long dead.” Ma’an laughed with bravado.
“I fear nothing and no one. Men fear me!” Nolen raised his arms high; hands opened wide and then swept them down. Neon blue branches of electricity danced from his fingers and struck the ground and the earth shook.
Ma’an dragged himself up onto his elbows and looked past Nolen’s shoulder. His eyes gleamed. A small satisfied smile crossed his lips. “Brigid.”
Nolen heard her name amid all the cacophony and turned. As though she moved in slow motion, he saw her pull back her bow and release a feathered shaft. He ducked and it veered off course, its momentum carrying it straight to his right eye, piercing it like a fork pierces an egg yolk. Blood and a clear viscous liquid spurted forth and he screamed in agony, clutched his face, and fell to his knees.
The men scrambled around him toward Brigid, Gabe and Ethan while Nolen spat obscenities to the sky.
“Bitch! So, you are once more here to plague me!” He breathed heavily, the pain gripping his body. “Well, you’ve no army behind you now. Your father is dead and of no help to you.” His left eye burned like fire as he fought to overcome the incredible pain. He swiveled on his knees toward the Stone Circle, and lifted his hands now dripping with the blood of his sightless orb. “Arise! Arise and follow my commands! Kill them!” His voice rose to a scream. “Kill them all!”
*
The air sizzled and the moon turned a sickly yellow. The Stone Men stretched their arms and raised their feet from the earth that held them. The one closest to Brigid took a step toward her and, swifter than thought, she notched another arrow. It flew to the center of the creature’s forehead, destroying its ability to function and it stilled, inert stone once more.
“Move toward the left, my bright love, I need to get closer to the creature stomping toward us.” Ethan’s fingers flew, striking Ceol Mhor’s strings, creating the harmonies designed to shatter the zombie-like creature lumbering in his direction. It raised its mammoth fist, ready to bring it down on him, when it began to tremble. Pieces sheared from it as it crumbled to dust at his feet.
Its nearest companion continued its march toward them and Gabe stepped forward, grasped his spear and threw it with all his Protector’s strength toward the evil eyes that glowed like living coals. The point struck deep, impaling the demon and exiting from the rear of the skull. Like a guided missile, the spear continued its flight and swerved back to Gabe’s hand. He smiled with satisfaction.
The stone creatures kept coming against them, herding them toward the center of the Circle. Torc and his comrades joined them as they slowly retreated toward the tumulus in the middle.
Brigid’s movements blurred as she shot arrow after arrow at Nolen’s army. Ethan’s harp rang out its magical chords and Gabe threw his spear over and over, yet the Stone Men continued to attack.
Torc’s hammer and Cull and Ma’an’s swords glanced off the creatures’ bodies and they growled with annoyance.
“My lady, we are impotent against them.” Cull dodged a huge stone fist.
Brigid swerved as one of the Stone Men toppled to the ground at her feet. “Just keep striking at them. Slow the bastards down!”
Her words sounded above the battle and the men took heart from them and fought with renewed vigor, causing some of the Stone Men to stumble. They rose with difficulty from the earth, but they kept bearing down on them.
“Seems like they’re choosing the spot for our last stand.” Gabe pointed to the tumulus.
Brigid nodded. “It’s a good spot. We can ascend to the top. It’s difficult for them to climb since they still retain their enormous weight. Let’s move there now!”
She turned and ran toward the raised mound of earth, the others following on her heels. The group drew closer together, standing back to back in a circle on top of the mound.
“How many are left?” Ethan asked.
Brigid scanned the Circle, her keen eyes taking it all in. “I count thirty, not all of them mobile yet.” She felt like howling in frustration. “Damn, there are still too many of them.”
“There are still six of us. If Cull and his buddies continue to slow them down, we can try to finish them off,” Gabe said.
“Aye, my lady, we’ll prime them for you.” Torc grinned, his mutilated face a gruesome sight in the yellow moonlight.
Cull smiled. “Let them come.”
“You’ve got your wish.” Gabe pointed down toward the base of the mound. The Stone Men had gathered in front of the tumulus. As they watched in horror, the rocky demons moved as one toward them.
Brigid nodded and they raised their weapons.
Then, off in the distance, they heard the sound of a goatskin drum like thunder in the night. The steady martial beat boomed louder and louder.
“Look, my lady!” Ma’an pointed towards the forest.
Marching toward them came twelve hardy warriors carrying spear, sword and hammer. An unseen drummer beat the ancient war drum as the men moved with determination toward the battleground.
Dressed in short tunics, their burly arms bare except for copper bands around each wrist, and their feet shod in short, leather boots, they appeared as they had in days gone by.
“’Tis Dagda’s men!” Cull’s voice rang out in triumph.
Torc raised his hammer high. “You wanted to know where the hands are, you slimy bastard? They’re coming to you now!”
“And by the way, Dagda’s alive!” Ma’an crowed.
The twelve men broke into a trot and attacked Ba’al’s minions. Brigid and the men raced down, harrying the creatures, forcing them back as they destroyed the Stone Men one by one.
*
Nolen crouched by Ba’al’s cock. He howled in impotent anger as he saw Brigid and her cohorts pushing the Stone Men to retreat and frothed in impotent fury at the arrival of the twelve Protectors.
“By the testicles of Ba’al, I do not have time for this!” He raised his hands and called out to the demon. “Send your fire and strike them down!”
Bolt after bolt of lightning charged toward Brigid and the others. They avoided the fiery spears, swerving and darting away from them. The ground grew scorched and small fires burst around their feet as they ran toward the portal to the Grove, jumping over the bodies of the fallen Stone Men.
Nolen tore at his hair, ripping out hunks of the thick strands. “The bitch just won’t give up!”
He gathered his strength and threw up a wall of flame, gaining precious time. He raised his left hand and pointed it at the enormous stone pillar. A huge bolt of Ba’al’s fire struck the base of the phallus and it crashed to the ground, smashing the smaller stones beneath it, crushing Mrs. Scathan’s smoldering body and blocking the entrance to the Grove.
And Nolen disappeared amid the dust cloud that rose before him.
* * * *
The night fell silent once more. Ethan’s harp stilled its thrumming. The smell of scorched earth, flesh and hair seared everyone’s nose and throat. Small brushfires still burned. The fallen remains of the defeated Stone Men lay about the Circle like neglected toys. Once Ba’al’s cock had been destroyed, the Stone Men ceased to move.
And the twelve Protectors had vanished.
Ethan spoke softly. “They fought their final battle and now they can truly rest.”
“And what a battle!” Torc grinned from ear to ear and winked. “I haven’t had that much fun in more than three thousand years!”
The three warriors slapped each other on the back and capered with glee.
Brigid, Gabe and Ethan were a good deal less triumphant. She gazed at the mangled remains of Ba’al’s sacrifice still visible from beneath the rubble. She shook her head. “To submit to such pain…”
Gabe sighed. “She died as she wished. Leave her to Ba’al and
any scavengers. She was as evil as her master.”
“Speaking of her master,” Ethan said. “Let’s not just stand here; let’s go after him. He obviously fears us, otherwise why did he retreat?”
“I think we’re merely a minor impediment to him,” Gabe said. “He must have a backup plan. He didn’t waste any more time on us once he saw we weren’t so easily killed.”
“Let’s make sure his backup plan also fails.” Brigid paused and then gasped. “Gabe, look, isn’t the town in that direction?” She grabbed his arm and pointed toward the southeast where an orange glow lit the sky.
“Ba’al’s fire must have struck the buildings.” Ethan cursed and struck a discordant chord on his harp.
“The woods are on fire, too!” Brigid’s voice reeked with horror. “We can’t go after Nolen now. We have to try and save the people in the town and the woods!”
Her mind raced. The three ancient warriors would be of no use to them fighting the fire in town or helping the people. They had no connection with the modern world. They’d be more of a hindrance. They’d be better off staying with Dagda in the cave.
“Ethan, you and Gabe head to town, offer your help and see what’s going on. I’ll try to take care of the forest fire and bring the guys to my father.” Somehow she managed to find a smile. “He hasn’t had this much company in over three thousand years. I’ll meet you in town as soon as I can.” She paused. “And listen, try not to kill each other before I get there.”
Chapter Nine
30th April—Midnight
“What are you gawking at, fool? Get those hounds crated and bring the SUV to the side of the garage. There’s a change in plans.” Nolen stomped past a stunned Gortham and the leashed hellhounds.
What the hell had happened? Nolen, obviously gravely wounded and in pain, had stumbled through the portal alone. Had those three clods somehow managed to destroy the invincible rock demons? Gortham hadn’t bothered following the mangy trio when he had tricked them into entering the Circle. He’d thought Nolen could handle them. Now it appeared he had misjudged their capabilities. “Sir, didn’t the ceremony go well?”
Nolen took a handkerchief from the clothes left by the entrance to the Circle and held it pressed against his right eye. His left eye glared at Gortham and he laughed sardonically. “Look at me! What do you think? No, it did not go quite as well as it should have. We had some … complications.”
“Oh?”
Nolen gnashed his teeth and ground out his reply. “Suffice it to say, Brigid appears to have somehow joined me in the twenty-first century, setting my plans askew. She and her followers and the twelve warriors, who now seem to have gotten their hands back, fought and destroyed the Stone Men. And the bitch tried to kill me! Then to find out that Dagda lives! The plan is in danger. Now, does that answer your question?”
Gortham felt no sympathy for the man. Nolan’s arrogance often set his teeth on edge, but as long as he had his precious hounds he would let Nolen pontificate. Now the arrival of this female might threaten his personal contentment. He would have to pay more attention to the man’s whining.
“So, what are you standing there for? Time moves quickly. I have to contact Ba’al and find out what he wishes me to do about this … delay.” He couldn’t say failure. He glanced down at his body, filthy with dust, blood and other noisome grime and frowned. “And I must cleanse myself before I can continue.” He turned to Gortham. “Get the house ready as we planned.” He glanced at the hounds. “And make sure they relieve their bowels before you crate them.”
Gortham’s lips thinned at Nolen’s dig, but he kept a tight rein on his temper and went off to the kennels.
*
Nolen entered the garden, pulled up some of the medicinal plants and carried them into the kitchen. He grabbed a glass bowl and crushed the plants in it, then folded the mixture in a clean, linen dishcloth and soaked the bundle with water from the sink. Holding the makeshift poultice over his injured eye, he strode through the house, stripping off his clothes as he went, and climbed the stairs to the master suite. A hot drenching shower washed away the remnants of the ritual and fresh clothes renewed his appearance. He reapplied the poultice to his eye and took a moment to fashion an eye patch from one of his treasured silk ties to keep the medicinal mixture in place. He was now ready to communicate with Ba’al.
He entered the library, opened up one of many of the display cabinets, and removed a small silver scythe and an incense burner piled with diced resin pieces. He carried it to the round ceremonial table, sat down and lit the incense. He placed his left hand at the table’s edge so that only his index finger lay against the smooth wooden top. Taking a deep breath, he slashed down with the scythe, chopping off the fingertip to the first knuckle.
The pain was excruciating. A crimson flood of blood gushed forth, soaking the wood. Bile burned his throat as a deep voice reverberated in his ears.
“Not enough. Take the second knuckle.”
Barely clinging to consciousness, growing weaker by the second, Nolen lifted the scythe once more. It took two strokes this time to remove the second knuckle.
“Put your hand in the flames and cauterize it. Then place your offering there … and try to explain your failure before I punish you.”
Nolen did as commanded, deeming himself lucky that the demon still wished to hear him. “Oh, mighty Ba’al, I did as you directed and the ritual went well, but…” He paused. “You know what happened.”
A vise tightened around his head.
“I know what happened. The pitifully few lives in the village will not be satisfactory.” A fist clenched Nolen’s heart. “Tell me why I should not kill you right now?”
Nolen gasped. “Because I have another plan. Better than the Stone Men.” He whimpered as Ba’al released him, leaving only the incredible pain from his eye and hand.
“Why did you not inform me of this before?”
As powerful as the demon was, he had one weakness—he could not read Nolen’s mind.
And for that, Nolen was extremely grateful. “I had hoped I would not need to. But I think you will be pleased with this new plan.”
“Tell me.”
* * * *
Gortham knocked on the library door and entered without waiting for permission. Nolen looked up from bandaging his maimed hand and scowled. “Have you taken care of the house and grounds?”
“Aye. ‘Tis all done. I’ve packed the laptop and a few other things I might need.” He gestured to Nolen’s hand. “What happened now?”
“None of your damn business. I’ll meet you at the van.”
Gortham’s lips thinned. Nolen knew Gortham was getting tired of taking orders; he could tell from the man’s demeanor. He watched as Gortham turned on his heel and hurried out before his anger overwhelmed him.
Nolen waited until Gortham left then wrapped his dagger, chalice and mirror in a clean chamois. Unlocking the display case, he took down the water demons’ glass prison.
“Soon, my dears, you shall feast.”
He slipped the disk he'd downloaded earlier into the false bottom of a small bag, turned off the lights and shut the library door.
Everything appeared to be under control. For now.
* * * *
Brigid led the three men over the stone wall to the edge of the forest. The flames licked their skin and the smoke choked their throats, searing their lungs.
“My lady, how shall we get through the fiery barricade?” Cull asked, his voice hoarse from the smoke.
“Let me think.” She paused. “We’ll go back to the wall and rest on the other side. It will shield us somewhat from the flames.”
She hunkered down beside the men, her back against the stone fence and grimaced as her bottom grew damp from the evening dew. She’d need more than dew to take care of the damn fire!
Did she have enough control to call down a soft rain to douse the flames? She could only try.
She stood and raised her hands to the sky. S
hutting her eyes, she centered her spirit. Then she was in the clouds, the heat of her body mingling with the cool night air. She chanted, letting the words focus her talent. “The night air caresses me like a lover’s embrace, enveloping the heat of my body and soothing my fever with its cooling touch. Come to me like a healing balm.”
And the rains came.
The men rose and lifted their faces as the gentle rain healed the blisters and burns on their flesh. The fires in the forest died and they set off for the cave.
“’Tis like taking a walk through a warm, misty evening.” Ma’an smiled and combed the raindrops through his beard.
With no need to worry about the fire, they made good time. Both the men and Brigid knew the route once they found the narrow, winding creek that meandered through the woods, and they reached the hidden entrance to the cave without incident.
They paused at the foot of the cliff and Cull’s voice filled with awe as he gazed at the opening. “’Tis over three thousand years since we entered the cave. The last time, we left twelve brave men dead.” He turned to Brigid. “I fear Dagda’s wrath.”
“My father has already put it aside. You did as you were instructed to do and even so Nimhnach betrayed you. The battle is with him and the consequences are far greater if we lose that fight.” She smiled. “It’s time to meet with Dagda.”
* * * *
“It’s this way.” Gabe pointed away from the manor house and parallel to the forest.
“No way.” Ethan shook his head just as convinced the town lay in a slightly different direction.
“I’m not moving one step farther the wrong way.” Gabe leaned his spear against a birch tree and examined his nails.
Shaking his head with disgust, Ethan dug his hands in his jeans and came up with a coin. “Here. Heads we go my way.”
The small metal disk spun in the air, flipping over and over until it fell to the ground and lay gleaming in the moonlight. “Heads.” Ethan pocketed the coin, his expression just a bit too smug for Gabe’s liking.
“Are you sure that wasn’t a two-headed coin?”
Ethan’s eyes opened wide with innocence. “Me? Cheat you? Of course not. Let’s get on with it. It’s still almost two miles to town.”