Awen Rising

by O J Barré

  Brian brandished his Smartphone between them. “It says here they allow service animals at the zoo.”

  “But none of us are disabled and Cu is not a service dog, nor does he have a harness.” Emily looked to Lugh for support and the druid priest nodded.

  “I can pretend I’m blind,” Brian interjected, “and you can lead me around, Cu.”

  “Um, no,” Lugh scowled at his nephew in the mirror. “You will not be faking a disability. That’s just wrong, Brian. Don’t you know that?” The boy had the grace to hang his head.

  “Yes sir. But this is an emergency.”

  “No, it’s not. And that still wouldn’t make faking blindness okay. We can, however, tell the zoo personnel that Cu is an emotional support animal. We get them now and again at Jocko’s. Even yappy little Chihuahuas. Zoo management won’t question that. Besides, it’s true. Cu is coming along for emotional support.”

  “That works,” Emily agreed reluctantly, though she was opposed to the whole thing. “Do we still need a harness?”

  Lugh reached for his seatbelt. “Not really, but it’d be a good idea to get one anyway. Buckle up. We’re off to Zoo Atlanta, via Pace Hardware.”

  Hakuna Matata

  T he front gate attendant at Zoo Atlanta parked Brian and his group beside the fence and went to find a manager. She had never seen a support dog like Cu the Irish wolfhound. Brian’s eyes darted about, taking in everything. It was his first trip to the zoo since he was little. And first time ever to Zoo Atlanta. As far as he could remember, anyway.

  Brian leaned against the iron fence to watch a woman disguised as a pink flamingo strut across the inner plaza. A cluster of children formed a loose, moving circle around the big bird. She stopped to let a brave child pet the delicate, pink head.

  Cu nuzzled Brian’s shoulder. He threw his arms around the beast’s neck. An official-looking black woman with hair the color of ripe oranges hurried over. Cu perked up, wagging his tail. Brian held tight to the leash, worried he would get them in trouble.

  “Hello,” the woman said with a smile. Her gentle burr put Brian at ease. “My name is Yvonne. Welcome to Zoo Atlanta. What a beautiful support animal. Minnie tells me you need a pass for him.”

  **

  The late-morning sun peeked through the clouds to shine on a whispering canopy of oaks and poplar trees. Still-emerging leaves shimmered in various shades of spring-green to mix with the deep emerald bamboo bordering the paths of Zoo Atlanta. Emily eyed the thick canes. Many had reached a diameter of six inches, rivaling those of the South American rainforests.

  They had visited elephants and giraffes, a warthog and two zebras, all in simulated-natural habitats. Now they laughed at a rhino wallowing in sticky mud. It rolled to its back, snorting and kicking its hooves in the air with wild abandon. Emily read its placard aloud and they all stopped laughing. Felix the Black Rhino was the last of his kind. Anywhere.

  Swallowing hard, she zoomed her phone camera in for a close-up. The rhino gave a shake of its head, dislodging a fat splat of mud. She snapped the picture and Felix turned to strike another pose.

  “What a ham,” she laughed around the lump in her throat.

  Lugh chuckled and took a picture of his own. “I wish Felix had a female in the barn. You know, to keep the species going.” Emily wished so, too—in spite of the sign. The rhino snorted and cavorted in the mud, unconcerned about incomprehensible things like extinction.

  An Asian family, chattering in their native language, ambled up to read the interpretive sign. Emily waved at the little girl, whose waist-long hair echoed black-saucer eyes. The girl waved back. A middle-aged man shouldering an expensive camera bag stepped between them. He removed a flashy digital camera and a tripod, setting up to shoot the rhino as if Emily and the others were in his way, instead of the other way around.

  Annoyed by the man’s hubris, she let Lugh take her hand and pull her toward the path. Pleasant jolts of electricity ran up her arm. Did he feel it, too? She looked sideways from under her lashes. A smile played on his rakish lips. Yeah, Lugh felt it.

  She was still worried the wolfhound would cause them trouble, but at the moment, Emily was daydreaming about melting into Lugh’s arms. She breathed a long sigh and contented herself with holding hands. His was the perfect size, enveloping hers. She squeezed and he responded with a gentle, reassuring pressure.

  They moseyed behind Hamilton-as-Cu, who led Brian toward Mandhari Ya Simba, the lion overlook. The wind had calmed and with the sun out, it was turning into a fine, California kind of day. Emily basked in the moment, chatting with Lugh about nothing in particular.

  Their two companions had their noses pressed against the glass enclosure, watching the lions nap. A mature male lazed on its back, giant paws twitching in the air. When it rolled indolently to one side, still sleeping, Brian laughed and pointed. Lugh snaked his free arm around Brian’s shoulders for a brief hug. Cu barked, sharp and loud.

  On the other side of the thick, sheet-glass partition, the lion’s tail whipped against the grass. The massive head turned, and the tawny eyes opened to blink lazily at Cu, who barked again—three short, staccato bursts ending on a high note. The lion scrambled to its feet, all vestiges of sleep gone. He threw back his head and roared like the MGM lion of filmdom. Emily grabbed her phone camera. Lugh turned away to answer a text.

  But Cu was on a mission. The wolfhound lurched, dragging the leash from Brian’s hand. The boy pounced and missed, no match for the hundred-plus-pound dog once it got the jump.

  “What happened?” Lugh asked when Emily gasped.

  She pointed. Cu’s neck strained across a split-rail fence, winning a tug-of-war against Brian. Bystanders hurried down the path toward the spectacle. Mortified, Emily followed Lugh, who rushed to the boy’s aid.

  “Da, what are you doing?” She put a hand on Cu’s head as the alpha lion padded across the compound. When the big cat came to a halt below them, Cu relented. He gave Emily a silly dog grin, then yipped and pranced in place like a puppy.

  “What is it, Da? We have an audience.” She stroked the long, bobbing neck and brushed the shaggy hair out of Cu’s eyes.

  Hamilton’s voice rang in Emily’s head. “A ghrá, this is my friend, Leo Prime.”

  The lion let out a majestic roar and took two steps closer to snuff the ground and the air between them. Cu barked and slung his neck across the fence. The big cat reciprocated, stretching its neck until the animals’ noses were yards apart. Goose bumps rippled up and down Emily’s spine. Lugh and Brian eyed the animals, slack jawed. An expanding group of onlookers shouted comments and snapped pictures of the two animals.

  Emily leaned close to Cu to whisper, “Da, please. There’s a crowd and you promised not to draw attention.” She glanced over one shoulder. “Of course, that ship has sailed. Can we go? Please?”

  “Why sure, darling.” Cu barked twice at the lion and backed away. The lion’s answer boomed, stirring something primal in Emily.

  “Cool!” Brian said, gaining control over the dog. “I need a pee break.” He pointed at a nearby pavilion. “Okay if we go over there?”

  Emily nodded and looked to his uncle for affirmation. Lugh stood, shaking his head with a vague expression clouding his handsome face. Emily waved a hand in front of his eyes and snapped her fingers. He blinked and focused, a new light glowing in his eyes.

  Noticing the retreating figures of his nephew and dog, he asked, “Where are they going?”

  “To the bathroom.”

  Lugh pointed to the enclosure. “But they’re missing it, look!”

  Emily’s gaze followed his finger and shock shimmered through her. The hairs on her body stood to attention. Two lionesses had joined the patriarch, and a young male had climbed from its perch on the promontory and hurried toward the fence. The lions looked up at them, as if plotting a coup. Emily shuddered, grateful for the sheer walls and fence that contained the big cats.

  Brian reversed course and galloped back with
Cu, crowing, “Whoa! Look at the lions! What are they doing?”

  “Gawking at her.” Cu shoved between them to stare at Emily. The guys stared, too.

  Unsure of what they meant, Emily looked from one to the other. “What?”

  “It’s you,” the priest whispered with reverence. “The lions are looking at you.”

  Fire leapt to Emily’s cheeks. Leo Prime roared. The young male and lionesses answered, jostling one another for a better view. A feeling she couldn’t identify raised a lump in Emily’s chest that spread to her throat. Swallowing released it and something in her shifted, igniting a glow of understanding.

  She could barely mouth the whisper, “Do they think I’m Awen?” She was acutely aware of the noisy crowd pressing from behind and grateful for the wolfhound and MacBrayer men. They surrounded her, keeping them at bay. For the moment, anyway.

  Leo Prime dropped to sphinx pose. “All hail Awen, Queen of the Druids,” his gruff voice boomed in Emily’s head.

  “All hail Awen,” the pride roared, dropping into place beside Leo.

  The crowd erupted. The trees sprang to life in a rustling clatter. Emily’s legs wobbled. Her stomach churned queasy. Tiny spots swam before her eyes. Fingering the talisman in one jeans pocket and Aóme in the other, Emily slid the ring on her forefinger and fisted the Otter Stone. The usual, subtle changes swept through her, calming her insides and fortifying her limbs. Hamilton-as-Cu nodded approval and nudged Emily forward.

  She stepped to the enclosure and leaned over the fence, holding Aóme out for the lions to see. “Hail Cath Sith and Leo Prime. I am honored, but my name is Emily.” She spoke in her head, as had the lions.

  The patriarch sprang to his feet. “Name matters not. To us, you are Queen Awen.”

  A small mob approached from the cat pavilion, moving fast. “Look! The lions!”

  “Let’s go,” Lugh and Cu barked in unison. Emily’s sentiments exactly.

  “My deepest thanks.” She bowed to the lions and slipped through the throng with the others. Roars and snarls pealed from the pride. The mob joined the already-assembled crowd, milling where Emily and her friends had vacated. Of the lions, only the patriarch remained by the fence. He lifted his head and roared several times in succession.

  Throwing her hand in the air to acknowledge his well-wishes, Emily waited as Leo Prime sashayed from the fence, giving the clamoring crowd a view of his regal behind. Lugh slipped his hand into Emily’s and squeezed, then led her away from the noisy bystanders.

  Falling into step behind his nephew and dog, and her father’s hitchhiking-spirit, they quietly retreated from the lion exhibit.

  **

  Pit stop accomplished, the guys joined Emily and Cu by the path leading to the African Rain Forest. A directional sign declared the habitat home to the largest population of lowland gorillas living in captivity. Emily had a soft spot for gorillas, including a stuffed toy named Jeb given to her by the man she had thought was her father. The well-worn Jeb still lived with Emily, despite her many moves over the years.

  Scratching the top of the wolfhound’s head, she rose from the bench and handed the leash to Brian. “Ready to see the gorillas?” She slid Aóme from her finger to her pocket.

  Brian snickered, “Yes, I am,” and scratched at his side, mimicking an ape.

  Lugh popped him with his Braves cap and reseated it on his head. With the sweep of one arm, he pointed in the direction of the rainforest. “To the gorillas.”

  But a pair of giggling girls about Brian’s age exited the bathroom. Spying Cu, they approached, cooing. The chocolate-eyed cutie gushed, “What kind of dog is that?” Tight midnight curls framed the upturned face.

  Struck gaga, Brian looked from the girls to Cu and back again.

  “He’s an Irish wolfhound,” Emily answered, fearing Brian would give them away.

  “You can pet him if you want,” the teen found his voice and massaged the shaggy face. When the girls hung back, he coaxed, “Go ahead. He won’t hurt you. He likes girls. I mean…” he quickly backtracked. “Cu likes people.”

  The tall girl held her hand out, palm up, for Cu to sniff. Thin and striking, her straight, black hair swung back and forth when she tossed her head and squared bangs fell into her almond eyes. The teens surrounded the wiggling dog.

  To Lugh, Emily mouthed, “Gorillas?”

  He nodded, tipped his hat, and in his sexy, southern drawl said, “Ladies, y’all enjoy your day at the zoo. We’ll be moving on.”

  The teens’ faces fell. Cu barked.

  “Bye.” Brian waved shyly.

  “Bye,” the girls tittered, watching them retreat.

  Emily glanced over her shoulder. The two girls stood together whispering. Probably making plans to follow. The bamboo rustled in a gentle breeze. Making an executive decision, she grabbed Lugh’s arm, bobbed her head toward the approaching girls and whispered her desire to change directions.

  The dark eyes blinked understanding. Lugh touched Cu’s harness and reversed directions. A puzzled Brian followed without comment, waving to the girls as they passed. Around the curve, they came upon a pair of large gray birds with stork-like legs and brown wings. Their necks were long and shiny, with vermiculated feathers like a rooster’s neck.

  Lugh read the placard in a loud voice, “Aha! It’s Kori Bustard of the bustard family,”

  Sneaking a look, Emily let go an audible sigh of relief. The path was clear.

  “What’s up?” Brian bounced on his toes. “I thought we were going to see the gorillas.”

  Hamilton-as-Cu wiggled between them. “My daughter is worried about those girls. She’s afraid I’ll get us thrown out of the zoo. Aren’t you?” he demanded, thrusting his nose in Emily’s face.

  “So, sue me,” she hissed. “Why am I the only one who cares? You shouldn’t even be—”

  “Ca-caa-ca, ca-caa-ca,” the nearest bustard shrilled. The tall bird had moseyed to the fence. Its neck feathers ruffled and fanned out in a magnificent display of vibrating plumage. “Ca-caa-ca, ca-caa-ca,” the bustard shrieked. It fluttered its neck and flapped its wings in what Emily guessed might be a courting display. Not to be outdone, the other bustard answered, joining the first to shriek and ruffle its iridescent neck feathers.

  Brian covered his ears. Lugh grabbed his phone to record the brown and gray birds in action. An out-of-shape family huffed toward the enclosure from the other direction, exclaiming over both Cu and the birds. Emily’s heart pounded. It had been a really bad idea to bring the wolfhound.

  “Ca-caa-ca, ca-caa-ca,” the birds shrilled in unison. Pony-dog forgotten, the family crowded the fence. The calls intensified, “Ca-CAA-ca, ca-CAA-ca,” then morphed into an unfamiliar accent that rang in Emily’s head. “Hail the queen. Hail Awen, Queen of the Druids.” Then the bustards bowed. To Emily.

  “Shit, shit, shit.” Word traveled fast.

  “Ca-CAA-ca, ca-CAA-ca.”

  The family stared at Emily now. A group of visitors in matching orange tees bustled up to surround them. Not sure what to do, Emily edged closer to the fence hoping to calm the vociferous birds. The orange-people milled, talking loudly over the bustards’ goings on.

  Standing tall to her right, Lugh signaled Brian and Cu to stand behind and to Emily’s left, effectively blocking the spectators.

  Speaking a silent prayer of protection, Emily slipped a hand into her pocket to don Aóme and presented Awen’s ring to the birds.

  The bustards quieted and lowered their long, greenish beaks to the ground. Knees bending backwards in salute, the birds cried as one, “Hail Awen, Queen of All.”

  Placing her hand over her heart, Emily responded, “Hail to you, great birds of the mother continent.”

  “Look!” a girl screamed. Emily turned. The young girls had doubled back and were shoving their way through the mob.

  Lugh grabbed Emily’s arm and tugged. “Time to go.”

  She was in full agreement. Nodding to the still bowing birds, Emily thanked t
hem and retreated with Lugh, the wolfhound, and Brian.

  Hamilton-as-Cu took them on a side path that wound through a bamboo forest and back toward the gorilla compound.

  Once they were safely out of sight, Emily stopped and glared at the dog. “This is all your fault, Da. I wanted a quiet day at the zoo with Lugh. But noooo. You had to tag along and now look at us. We’re a four-ring circus in the middle of a very public venue.” Cu hung his head in mock contrition. “And what’s with this ‘Hail Awen’ crap? Is that your doing, too?”

  Emily fought for control, angry with herself more than at her Da. She was the one who had agreed to his shenanigans. Now she’d lost her temper. In front of Lugh.

  “Dammit, dammit, dammit!” She turned away to regain her composure, hating the helplessness the anger evoked. A breeze shimmered through the bamboo.

  “Let it go, Dru-y-en,” the delicate leaves sighed. Emily eyed the fluttering foliage, annoyed by its unsolicited advice.

  “Hey, look! It’s a baby gorilla!” Unperturbed by Emily’s outburst, Brian ran ahead, pulling the target of her ire along with him.

  She resisted the urge to yell after the wolfhound’s retreating hind-end and grunted loudly instead. This day wasn’t turning out the way she had envisioned. Lugh stood beside her, watching.

  “What?” she grumbled.

  A study in priestly patience, he extended a hand. “Shall we?”

  “Fine,” she snapped. But she ignored his hand and followed their uninvited guests down the trail.

  **

  Lugh hurried after Emily, not sure what to say to make her feel better. He’d just caught up when she stopped so abruptly several people nearly ran them over. Nodding apologetically, he pulled her to the shade.

  Emily’s lips turned down and hurt twisted her brow. “You know, I still don’t get why you didn’t show up for our combat lesson. Or call. Or return my call. What if I’d really needed you?”

  Lugh’s gut lurched.

  “I really forgot,” he said sheepishly. “And I had an epic phone fail. I’m sorry, Em.”

  “You lost your phone? Seriously?”