Rundimahair: A new hero for a new adventure

by Larry Forkner

  The gray had managed to singe part of her back and side with a deep burn. The pain was a shock that nearly caused her to lose her focus on the deadly black. She’d only barely been able to circle up and away from Grainne’s furious rush at her. Ashling had been saved by the black dragon’s lack of strategy. It seemed that Grainne could only attack with burning anger and try to overpower her opponent.

  With her injury causing her terrible pain, Ashling knew that her enemy’s strategy would eventually bear fruit. With the loss of blood and mind-numbing pain from her burns, Ashling would eventually slow down enough to allow Grainne to finish her off.

  Ashling dodged another bull rush by the black dragon but realized too late it had been a distraction. Grainne waited until Ashling arched away and cut back to catch her back with her vicious fore claws. The cut was deep and Grainne ripped even deeper, as Ashling pulled herself free.

  Sean heard Ashling’s roar of agony and looked to see her pull away, tearing the black dragon’s massive claws out of her back. When the gray saw Sean lose focus, he released a massive ball of fire at Sean’s head.

  Without a conscious thought, Sean suddenly disappeared from sight. The confused gray pulled out of his follow up attack and hovered in midair for a moment. It was an understandable but fatal hesitation as Sean suddenly crashed into the gray with all his power.

  The gray fought desperately to pull himself free, but Sean already had all four of his claws ripping through the terrified gray. Fueled by the knowledge that Ashling was in trouble, Sean tore the gray apart with his claws and finished him with as blast of fiery death, as he pulled himself free. The gray dropped out of the sky. He was dead before he hit the ground.

  Sean tried to disappear again, but still had no control of it. It seemed to come and go at will. Due to the blood loss from his many wounds, he feared he might pass out and fall from the sky at any moment. With the last of his strength, he streaked toward the gray, who was causing so much damage to Ashling.

  The gray must have sensed Sean’s approach, but he turned a moment too late to fend off the mighty red dragon’s attack.

  Sean locked onto the gray and began ripping and tearing into him with all his strength. The gray responded with a desperate defense to save his life. The two battered dragons began a slow spiral toward the ground, locked in mortal combat.

  Ashling wasn’t aware of Sean’s desperate struggle because she couldn’t take her eyes off of Grainne for a moment. The other gray dragons taking cheap shots at her back, while she’d been forced to fight off the mighty black, had left her weak from pain and blood loss.

  Grainne seemed to sense her weakening condition and pressed her attack with new ferocity. She didn’t care if she’d needed the help of her grays to wear Ashling down, as long as she was the one to take her life force. By adding Ashling’s life force to her own, Grainne knew that she would be the undisputed leader of all of the Sidhe.

  Ashling managed to break free from the black dragon’s grip one last time. She flew straight up just to put distance between them, while she tried to think of any way to defeat the monster.

  When she circled in the air to look down at Grainne, Ashling knew it was hopeless. She was struggling to even stay conscious. Her heart ached with the thought of how her people would survive without her.

  As Grainne began to circle up toward Ashling, she appeared supremely confident that she’d won the battle. Ashling knew it was true, but she was going to do as much damage to the evil black dragon as she could before she died.

  With Ashling and Grainne locking eyes on each other, neither of them saw the blur of blue streaking across the sky until it smashed into Grainne with incredible force. The great black’s single focus on Ashling had left her wide open to attack.

  Momentary confusion and surprise suddenly cleared. The massive blue dragon was her father. Never in her long life was she more grateful for Eamon’s stubbornness. He must have slipped through the portal at the last moment and used his own great powers to keep it open long enough to pass through.

  Ashling began to circle down toward Eamon and Grainne, who were locked in a deadly struggle. She lost consciousness for a moment and drifted sideways. The fearsome roar of the black dragon brought her back to the moment, but she’d drifted farther from the battle.

  With her last remaining strength, Ashling surged toward the black devil dragon. Grainne had done nothing but cause pain, misery, and fear to her people for centuries. It had to stop now.

  While the great black dragon was desperately trying to get her foreclaws onto Eamon’s back, Ashling struck her from the side, ripping deep, massive cuts into her left wing and side.

  When Grainne arched up and away from her battle with Eamon, Ashling anticipated the move and hit her hard with a burst of flame. She’d aimed it at her head, but the badly wounded black dragon managed to twist away. The searing fire struck her neck and right shoulder instead.

  Ashling knew that the combination of wounds should be deadly, but she never counted Grainne out of any fight. Her caution saved her life.

  Grainne managed to twist up and away from Eamon’s deadly rush at her. She soared past Ashling and managed to singe her wing with a smaller but still effective fireball.

  With the amount of magical energy she’d expended, Grainne was struggling to evade Eamon and finish off Ashling before she fled the battle. She knew if she didn’t escape very quickly, she would be finished. Her injuries were quickly stealing her strength and powers from her.

  While she lined up for one last rush at Ashling, a burst of red-hot flame struck the mighty black dragon’s already injured wing. She knew immediately it was the red dragon.

  She let herself fall from the sky, hoping they would think she was about to crash into her ruined compound below.

  Eamon followed her down to be sure it was the end of their feared and hated enemy. Sean was about to join him when he saw Ashling transform into her human self and begin falling from the sky.

  Sean rushed to a position just under Ashling and allowed her to land on his back. “Hang on!” he shouted and was encouraged to feel her clutch onto his neck.

  Eamon looked up to see Sean catch Ashling, as she was falling toward the fiery ruins below. He quickly glanced down to see Grainne disappear into the blazing ruins of her military compound.

  Without another thought, he surged upward to fly beside Sean. Together, they landed near the forest where the medics were waiting.

  Several medics quickly converged on Ashling and began assessing her many wounds. After a few minutes, the lead medic covered her with a blanket and said, “We’ve got to get her back to Rundimahair quickly. These are life-threatening injuries.”

  Eamon nodded gravely and turned to Sean. Without a word, Sean joined Eamon and began pushing open a portal that would take them home.

  When the portal was fully opened, Eamon said, “Sean, you take Ashling and I’ll make sure the portal stays open until everyone is safely through.

  Sean wanted to stay and help get everyone home safely but his aching desire to help Ashling took precedence. He carefully lifted her into his arms and rushed into the still growing portal. While he streaked through the portal, the sounds of fires raging, massive explosions, and the screams of the injured and dying began to fade away.

  Sean prayed for the safety of their warriors and leaders. Most of all he prayed that Ashling would still be alive when he got her back to Rundimahair. They may have won the battle but there would be little joy or elation if it came at the cost of losing the love of his life.

  Epilogue

  May the road rise to meet you,

  May the wind be always at your back,

  May the sun shine warm upon your face,

  The rains fall soft upon your fields,

  And until we meet again,

  May God hold you in the palm of His hand

  ~ Old Irish Saying ~

  When Ashling finally opened her eyes, the sun was shining brightly through the window in
her bedroom. A sense of peace and comfort drifted back and forth through her thoughts.

  After a few minutes of enjoying the sunshine, she decided to get up and start her day. When she attempted to roll out of bed in her usual manner, pain arched through her back and side.

  She couldn’t keep from crying out, which brought a rumble of footsteps rushing down the hall outside her room. Moments later, Sean pushed the door open and hurried to her bedside. “You’re awake!” he almost shouted.

  While his volume hurt her ears, his warm smile and the relief in his stark, blue eyes helped her relax a little. “What… what happened?” she finally managed to ask.

  “Oh, nothing much,” Sean said, grinning. “You just defeated the evil Grainne in battle and pretty much trashed her great military base over in Ireland.”

  With his words, the memories flooded into her mind. The recollection returned of the great and terrible battle with Grainne and her dark forces. There had been losses on their side too, but nothing like the destruction heaped upon their long-time enemy.

  “We won,” she managed to say in a dry, squeaky voice.

  “Indeed, we did, although we lost our share of good warriors too,” Sean said.

  “Why am I in bed?” she asked.

  “Actually, you’ve been in bed for weeks,” Sean said. “We came much too close to losing you.”

  Ashling felt his pain and fear in those words. When she looked into his eyes, she knew he’d feared the worst.

  After a moment he smiled and said, “But you’re out of danger now and gaining back your strength and powers quickly.”

  “David and Susan?” she asked fearfully.

  “They’re both fine and pretty much inseparable these days. This isn’t just some puppy love going on here. They are totally gaga over each other.”

  “I’m assuming that being gaga is a good thing,” Ashling said, softly.

  “Oh, it is indeed. In fact, I am totally gaga over you and taking it to a whole other level.”

  “Good to know,” she said, smiling. She felt the same way about Sean, but he’d never hear her describe her feelings as gaga.

  “There’s my girl!” Eamon said, stepping into her room. “It does me old heart much good to see your smiling face, dear Ashling.”

  He bent over the bed and gave her a gentle hug, as he softly said, “You had me worried, my dear.”

  “Sorry Da, and I’m grateful that you came along when you did that night. Without your help, Sean and I might both be gone from this life.”

  “Thank the Creator of us all that he chose to leave you here to finish your great work,” Eamon said in a trembling voice. He turned away to wipe at a stray tear.

  Ashling knew how difficult it was for Eamon to show emotions in this way. The fact that he was showing them openly meant he’d feared greatly for her life. It sobered her to realize how close she’d come to the end of her days on earth.

  “We’re just grateful that you’re still here and psycho Grainne is cleaning up black dragon pooh in outer darkness,” Sean said, trying to lighten the mood.

  Ashling smiled softly but didn’t answer right away. When Eamon saw the concern on his daughter’s face, he asked. “You think she survived?”

  After another long pause she finally said, “I don’t know for sure, Da’. But I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of Grainne.”

  “Saints preserve us,” Eamon said, with a furrowed brow. “I know those feelings of yours and that tone of voice only too well.” Sighing, he continued, “Well, if she’s not dead and gone then I hope the great Creator keeps her away from us for a good many years to come.”

  Ashling nodded thoughtfully and finally said, “Amen to that, Da.’”

  * * *

  It was too dark here–darker than any moonless winter night. Her initial fear was that she’d died and been banished to outer darkness. In outer darkness, most of her powers would be useless. Grainne knew she had many enemies that she’d sent to outer darkness over the centuries.

  While the darkness surrounding her was devoid of any light, she began to sense that it wasn’t the same as the atmosphere in outer darkness. That soul draining feeling that all hope is lost was unique to outer darkness.

  On her few visits there she’d sensed terrible, lonely sorrow. The other pervading feeling in outer darkness was that you only had yourself to blame for spending eternity here. No amount of rationalizing or lying to yourself could change the truth.

  Fear crept into her belly, giving rise to panic that she’d rarely experienced. Grainne knew that she had to get out of this place wherever it was. She didn’t think she could stand another moment in this black hole.

  When she tried to move, the fear spiked into terror. Grainne couldn’t move at all. She was paralyzed from head to toe. She tried to scream, but she couldn’t open her mouth or get her vocal chords to react. Other than her thoughts, she felt like she was made of stone.

  “It is not yet time, mighty warrior,” a soft, gravelly voice spoke from out of the darkness.

  Her heartbeat escalated to a panicky, rapid pounding in her ears. The voice sounded like it came from close by. Perhaps only inches from her ear.

  “Fear not, Grainne. It was my honor to rescue you from eternal confinement in the outer darkness you fear above all else. I have long admired you as you shaped this world to meet your own demands.”

  His voice soothed her fears and left her feeling comforted. If only she could speak. She desperately wanted to ask him who he was.

  “All in good time,” he said, as though he’d read her thoughts. “For now, you must rest. It will be months before you will once again regain use of your body. It will perhaps be years before you can access all of your once great powers.”

  The words washed over her like acid rain. All that she feared seemed to be echoed in his gentle voice. Would she be a vegetable, lying helpless in bed for years to come?

  Again, he spoke as though he’d heard her thoughts. “I’m not sure why, but I can hear your thoughts and I know your fears. I sense that your recovery will not be so long. I have learned much of the healing arts in my centuries of life. I will do all that I can to restore you to health sooner–rather than later.”

  If she hadn’t been paralyzed, Grainne would have flinched back when she felt his large hand on her forehead. His palm was rough and callused, like a man who’d worked hard all his life. While he continued to stroke her forehead, she began to feel more comfort wash through her.

  “I will strive to make you better than you ever were before, Dark Queen,” he said, as he continued to stroke her forehead. “When you have fully recovered and we work together, the revenge over your enemies will be assured. We will cause them to rue the day they dared challenge your right to rule your people.”

  Grainne again felt a surge of peace and comfort run through her heart and mind, as he continued to speak in his soft, gravelly voice. Even though it wasn’t loud, she felt compelled to listen. She felt a great desire to hear what he would say next.

  “Together we will accomplish what you could not do alone. You cannot imagine how long I hoped for the day we would meet and join together. With my help, I believe you can win your ancient war.”

  Grainne felt drowsiness creeping back while she listened to the stranger’s voice in the darkness. She desperately hoped that she’d stay awake long enough to hear all his words, which filled her heart with hope. There was a subtle power in this gentle, well-spoken man. He may indeed be a great ally if his words actually came to fruition.

  His hand slowly moved to caress her cheek as he said, “Sleep now, Grainne. When you awaken, we will begin the long journey that we’ve both waited for centuries to commence. It will be a journey that could end with the destruction of your enemies and perhaps much more.”

  The stranger was silent for a long time, and Grainne thought he was through speaking. His calloused hand continued to gently stroke her cheek, and she was nearly asleep when she heard him speak very s
oftly.

  “I have watched you struggle to defeat your enemies for centuries. I once fought to rule this planet. I have lost thousands of my friends and fellow warriors in battle against countless enemies.”

  Grainne felt empathy from the calloused stranger. She knew that he spoke the truth about his great losses and suffering. It was the same suffering she was going through.

  “In the end, I alone survived to live on in a world that I was a stranger to. The only thing that kept me going was watching you and your relentless drive to claim your right to rule your people. In the end, we have both failed to accomplish our greatest desire. Together, we will finally achieve the victory that has eluded us for far too long. If we continue down our separate, solitary paths, we will both continue to fail. Only together will we achieve the final victory which has been denied us for far too long.”

  Even through the terrible physical, mental, and emotional pain she was suffering through, Grainne felt a very slight sense of hope. The fact that she wasn’t alone, and the stranger believed in her, kept her going. She wouldn’t give up, despite the odds against her ever becoming the great warrior she’d been.

  The tremendous fury and hate she felt toward Ashling, Eamon, and the young, red dragon, would keep her going. It was going to be a long, painful journey, but she would be back. “Hear my thoughts, Ashling. I will return!”

  About the Author

  Larry Forkner has been writing novels for more than twenty years. He’s published fifteen fiction and two non-fiction books. He also wrote and produced the musical: Erin’s Promise. Larry founded Highest Star Productions to provide authors the freedom to be creative and to offer the support necessary to be successful in today’s fast-changing world of writing and publishing.

  You can connect with him at: