Eamon was silent for a few minutes, while he stood on the training grounds watching the newest dragons trying to complete very basic fighting drills. As much as he wanted to argue the point, he could see that Sean and Ashling were right. They wouldn’t last for five minutes against Grainne’s more experienced and ruthless dragons.
“Aye, I see the truth of what you’re saying, Sean and Ashling. Even David and Susan will struggle in a real fight,” Eamon said, dejectedly.
“Tis true,” Ashling said. “So, Sean will fly with David and I will fly with Susan. We’ll fight as teams to help offset their inexperience.”
Eamon sighed and said, “Ashling, I should be going with you since no one has more battle experience than your old Da’.”
Ashling stepped in and hugged her Da close as she said, “Truer words were never spoken, but we can’t take the chance. If we were both lost in battle, it would be the beginning of the end for our people.”
Eamon stepped back and looked at Ashling, his eyes filled with sadness. Finally, he nodded his head slowly and said, “You’re right as rain, my dear, but I don’t have to like it and that be the truth of it. You and Sean come home safe along with the young ones,” he added with his voice choked with emotion.
* * *
“So, we’re sure this thing is safe?” Sean asked nervously.
“You’ve traveled by portal with me before, Sean,” Ashling said patiently.
“That’s true, but this time we’re traveling across the ocean. We’re also taking five hundred of our people with us,” Sean said.
“Faith and begorra, Sean. Do you trust me or not?” Ashling said impatiently.
Sean was silent for a moment before saying, “When you put it that way, I’d have to say open the portal and let’s get this done.”
Truthfully, Ashling hadn’t opened a portal of this size for a hundred of years. The principle was the same regardless of the portal size. The difference was that it required massive amounts of power.
In the past, she’d relied on Eamon to strengthen her own great powers. This time it would be Sean lending a hand. It was their best chance since his own magical powers appeared almost unlimited.
“All right then. Let’s get on with it,” she shouted to her troops. “Sean, it’s just like we practiced it. You stand behind me and wrap your arms around my waist.”
“I like this part,” Sean said as he took his place behind her with his arms around her waist.
“Typical man,” Ashling said, smiling. “Once I get the portal open, you join your powers to mine.” She turned and looked at Eamon and said, “Da, when we open the portal please keep everyone moving through it as quickly as possible.”
“Will do, my darlin’ girl, and may the Creator be with you all,” Eamon said solemnly.
Ashling nodded in return, as she glanced back at the five hundred warriors lined up in columns behind Eamon. It was a comforting sight, but she also felt a pang of worry. All of their fates were in her hands.
As if he could read her thoughts, Sean said, “We’ve prepared them well, Ashling. They’ll do their best and so will we.”
“True and true,” she said, as she put her hands over his. “It’s time.”
Ashling raised her hands high above her head and began reciting the incantation that would open the portal. Almost immediately Sean saw the air in front of them begin to swirl in a circular motion.
Within minutes, the center of the circle opened, and they could see green hills in the distance. Initially, it looked like the hills were shrouded in a gray fog, but as she pushed her powers deep into the opening vortex, the distant green hills of Ireland became clearer.
Ashling felt the terrible strain on her powers as the portal opened to a four-foot circumference. “Now Sean,” she said in a strained voice.
Quickly, the painful pull on her powers began to ease. Sean’s powers still amazed her whenever she felt the incredible depth of his magical strength.
Working together, Sean and Ashling pushed the portal opening until it was a swirling ten-foot circle. When Eamon was satisfied with the size and strength of the portal opening, he gave the order for their warriors to advance.
No matter how many times he’d witnessed it, Eamon was still in awe of his daughter’s powers to open a portal. It allowed them to travel thousands of miles in a few short minutes. He was grateful that Sean was helping her since his formidable powers took much of the strain off Ashling.
Eamon watched with great pride as the columns of their best warriors hurried through the portal. When Eamon saw Sean and Ashling about to pass through the portal, he turned and spoke with one of the trusted council members. Although the council member couldn’t hide his surprise, he smiled and nodded in agreement with his old friend.
* * *
In the night skies over Idaho, another portal was opening. Instead of a soft white vortex, this portal was as black as a dark, stormy night. Within moments, hundreds of huge, powerful, misshapen beasts passed through the portal. Once through the portal, they marched onto the hilltop a few feet below. Right behind the columns of warriors, ten fearsome dragons rushed through the portal and began circling the hilltop in the cloudy afternoon sky. Leading the swirling dragons was a massive, powerfully built, black dragon. Despite its size, the black beast moved with the grace and speed of a hawk.
The impressive and terrifying black dragon elegantly swirled downward and landed softly on top of the hill. A streak of light, similar to a lightning strike, flashed for a few seconds. When the light disappeared, Grainne was standing where the dragon had been moments before. She didn’t really need the lightning strike to complete the transformation, but she couldn’t resist the dramatic touch.
It was an isolated valley with only one old road providing access in and out. Even so, Ashling had placed a concealment spell over the valley, to hide their presence from any foolish humans who might try to interfere. She didn’t want any bystanders watching when Grainne unleashed her vicious attack.
“You all know why we’re here,” Grainne said. “The last of our sworn enemies are hiding in the valley below. When I breakdown their defenses be ready to attack quickly and without mercy.”
The horde of monstrous warriors pounded the staffs of their spears onto the rocky surface in unison, acknowledging their understanding and approval. It would have been a terrifying sight if their enemy had been present to see the terrible blood lust in their dull, gray eyes.
Without another word, Grainne returned to her dragon form. Ten dragons quickly appeared at her side and they flew off together. The dragons and the monstrous troops were united in their desire to destroy their old enemy.
* * *
Ashling’s portal opened in the forest on the west side of the remains of an ancient castle. They wanted the concealment of the thick forest as a staging area for their attack.
She tried to place the ruins she was looking at, but they didn’t seem to fit any of her memories of the ancient ruins of Ireland. While they looked genuinely ancient. something about the ruins seemed unnatural to her.
“I’ve not heard of or seen theses ruins before,” Ashling said quietly.
“Are you telling me you know every ruin in all of Ireland?” Sean asked.
“That I do, Sean. The history of Ireland has long fascinated me. I’ve had a long time to study them closely.”
“Okay, I’ll take your word for it, since you are much, much older than me,” Sean said.
“You left out the important part of that statement,” Ashling said.
Sean smiled and said, “I didn’t leave it out. You interrupted me before I could say that although you are as old as the hills, you actually look younger than me.”
“Thank you. Although I could have lived without the ‘old as the hills’ part,” she said, smiling.
“Good to know,” Sean said. “So, if it’s not a real castle, why would Grainne have put it here?”
“It’s good cover, I suppose,” Ashling said. “
If anyone ever did happen upon her home base, they would only see another old pile of castle ruins. They wouldn’t be likely to look any further.”
“It makes sense, although it seems like it would just draw tourist to this area,” Sean said.
“Did you not see the no trespassing signs?”
“Nope, where are they?” Sean asked.
“I see three of them from here. I’m guessing there are more on the other side and out front,” Ashling said. “I’ve no doubt that she owns all the land within fifty miles in any direction.”
“I guess that makes sense. Even if they did trespass, all they would see is old ruins. What’s inside seems to be protected by some seriously powerful magic.”
“I can feel waves of dark magic circling the valley and we’re still nearly a half mile away,” Ashling said. “That means we’re going to have to watch and listen for magical traps. We don’t want to set off any alarms if we can help it.”
“You go first,” Sean said, smiling.
“Trust me, I was planning to all along. You’re sensitive to magic for a newbie. But I will sense things that would go right past you.”
“Humble and beautiful,” Sean said, smiling. “A rare and appealing combination.”
Ashling smiled. She appreciated Sean using humor to ease the extreme tension they were under. She touched the minds of each group leader and ordered them to spread out and prepare to attack.
When they reached the edge of the woods, Ashling ordered everyone to stop. She searched the ruins carefully by letting her powers slowly roll over the ancient ruins like an invisible fog. After a few minutes, she shook her head in frustration.
“What’s wrong?” Sean asked quietly.
“I’m not sure,” Ashling replied. “I can sense Grainne’s dark magic cloaked over the ruins, but I’m having a hard time finding the opening to her hidden compound.”
Sean touched her mind with his and let their powers blend together. “It’s right there,” he said, pointing to an archway off to their right.
Ashling couldn’t hide her surprise when she realized he was correct. “How can you see it if I can’t?”
“Because I have been inside once before. It was in my vision–remember?”
She nodded her understanding. Ashling continued to focus on the archway Sean had pointed out. Suddenly, she saw a dark blue, magical gate shimmering in the archway. “Okay, I see it now. It looks like the gate is protected by at least three dark spells, blended together.”
“So, it’s probably not going to want to open even if we ask nicely,” Sean said.
“We’re not going to ask nicely, but I promise you that it’s going to open,” Ashling said.
Mind to mind, she ordered their warriors to stand ready and wait for her signal to attack. When she was sure everyone understood her order, Ashling and Sean quickly covered the ground between the edge of the trees and the gate.
Ashling began pushing spells at the magically locked gate. After going through a dozen spells, she frowned and said, “Grainne’s put something diabolical into this protective spell.”
Sean could see her growing frustration. Suddenly, he felt a strong urge to reach out and touch a large stone in the support column for the entry gate. It took a moment for him to recall this stone from his vision. Without hesitating, he reached out and placed his right hand on the stone. Immediately, it began to glow a soft, white light.
“What in blue blazes do you think you’re…” Ashling’s panicked rebuke stopped when she saw the stone quickly release a blinding white light over them. Immediately, the blue, shimmering light on the gate began to blink rapidly and then go out altogether.
He pushed hard on the gate and it opened easily. Sean looked back at Ashling and said, “Beginner’s luck.”
Ashling watched in amazement while Sean pushed the heavy old gate all the way to the side. “Ladies first,” he said, smiling.
She couldn’t help but smile back as she walked past him and said, “Did I mention how happy I am that you are here with me?”
“We’re a great team,” he replied as they hurried forward.
Once they passed through the dark magical barrier at the gate, the illusion of old castle ruins began to dissipate. In its place stood a stunningly beautiful, modern-day castle of immense proportions.
When Sean saw Ashling’s reaction to the beautiful home, he said, “Pretty amazing, isn’t it?”
“It’s incredible. Can we take it home with us?” she asked.
“Wait until you see the rest of the place. It stretches out for miles. Down there are the industrial, military complexes. Over there,” he said, pointing to the apartments and barracks area, “is where they house much of her army.”
“I would have loved to see all of this in the daytime,” Ashling said. “Grainne has built an amazing home for her followers. I actually hate the thought of destroying it.”
“Let’s focus on the industrial and military areas first. Maybe we can leave the housing complexes and the castle alone,” Sean said.
Ashling stared at the castle for a long moment, before shaking her head. “I’m not sure why, but the castle has got to go. There’s something very dark and ugly in the fortified basement.”
Sean shivered as he thought of some of the ugly, terrifying creatures he’d already had to fight. He also recalled his scary visit to the basement in his spirit vision. If the basement area had anything to do with creating and housing the deadly savages, then it had to go. “I’m with you on that,” he said grimly.
Ashling nodded thoughtfully as she touched minds with her captains of one hundred. Each captain was responsible for the hundred warriors under their command.
Sean heard her mind-to-mind communication as she said, “Remember why we’re here and what has to be done. Stay connected to my mind tracks so I can contact you instantly if necessary. Susan and David, it’s time for you to join Sean and I.”
While Susan and David were hurrying to join them, Ashling continued to pass orders along to each captain. One of them was ordered to search the massive castle-like structure and to take no prisoners. She also ordered them to leave the basement area to her and Sean.
When Susan and David arrived, they all quickly transformed into their dragon selves. “Susan, you’re with me and David is with Sean. Remember your training and stick to our plan. If anything changes, Sean or I will let you know.”
Just as she was about to give the order to commence the attack, shrill sirens began going off all around them. They could see large spotlights coming on up and down the complex.
“Grainne must have a trigger warning in place if any strange dragons are sensed. Our transformation must have set off the alarm. Go, go, go!,” Ashling shouted, mind to mind.
* * *
The dragons in Grainne’s army attacked what they thought was Rundimahair. She took the lead, using her fiercely dark and powerful magic to break down the city’s protective shield. She cast one spell after another and unleashed them at the invisible barrier.
Almost immediately, counter spells began crashing against her and the other dragons. One of the gray dragons was too slow to evade the spells and was blasted into oblivion in seconds.
“Spread out and watch yourselves!” Grainne shouted angrily. The attack had just begun, and she was already down one dragon.
Through the invisible barrier, there appeared to be thousands of people running around in confused panic. The others couldn’t see through the barrier yet, but Grainne could. It filled her heart with a lust to destroy her longtime enemy. They’d fought against her, as their rightful ruler, for so many centuries. Now they were running amok, knowing that their doomsday had arrived. There would be no mercy given, and no prisoners taken. Only their entire annihilation would satisfy her terrible rage.
Grainne closed her eyes and focused on the devastation spell that she’d been revising and strengthening for over a hundred years. It took a tremendous amount of power and strength to cast such a gargant
uan spell.
She swirled, dodged, and dove in unpredictable turns to avoid the protective spells being hurled at them from below. When she was finally centered over Rundimahair, Grainne nosedived toward the barrier with blinding speed. Just before she was about to crash into it, she unleashed the devastation spell on the barrier.
There was a tremendous explosion, as Grainne completed a reverse spin. The dark spell crashed into the barrier and spread across its surface like a gray cloud. Grainne didn’t bother to watch it spread. She was desperately soaring into the dark night sky. If she didn’t get clear of the spell’s unleashed power, she might die along with everyone inside of Rundimahair.
* * *
Within minutes ten gray dragons were in the air above Grainne’s Ireland compound. Eight of them closed quickly on Sean, Ashling, David and Susan, who were each in their dragon forms. The remaining two grays began searching for enemy warriors on the ground.
Ashling had ordered a captain of one hundred to take his warriors and attack the beautiful castle-like building. Everyone else had been ordered to stay under the cover of the trees until they could gain control of the skies above the compound.
Sean saw that Ashling was busy fighting two grays, while he and David were fighting three gray dragons. Two other grays seemed to be gliding close to the ground, searching for enemy ground troops.
The remaining three grays were closing in on Susan in her beautiful, golden dragon self. Sean had an urge to go help Susan, but he couldn’t leave David alone against the three grays.
Two grays attacked Sean, from above and below, hoping to confuse him long enough for one of them to set him on fire. It was an attack strategy that he’d practiced countering over and over.
Sean arched upward suddenly, catching both attacking grays by surprise. The gray above him was forced to pull out of the dive he’d begun, which is exactly what Sean wanted. With his blinding speed, Sean was able to reach the dragon above him while the gray was trying to regain his balance. Having to pull out of his own nosedive had left him slightly out of control.
Rundimahair: A new hero for a new adventure Page 24