A Witch's Quest

by Leigh Ann Edwards

  Because of Alainn’s many magical abilities the Celtic gods believed she was the one of legend, that she would be needed one day to take part in the predicted and inevitable battle between benevolent magical beings and evil. He was becoming filled with enragement that the gods wouldn’t answer his pleas to intervene and see Alainn saved. If she was to benefit them, he thought they would have come to her aid by now. He was growing ever-impatient with them and their confusing and exasperating ways of dealing with humans as though it were all simply an elaborate game of sport for their entertainment.

  They had often declared Alainn immeasurably important to the future and the gods had therefore named Alainn three guardians. The first, Killian, a human who was connected to her through their great love, a heart connection. Lugh-an actual Celtic god was the second guardian. He had been named for it was believed the powers of a god would be necessary to guard and protect Alainn, and himself, Danhoul Calhoun, a human druid with some of the magical abilities Alainn possessed and with a connection of the mind.

  Killian was now imprisoned in the tower and Alainn had seen to it Lugh had been banished to another realm. Danhoul surmised it would be up to him to discover a way to free Killian for he believed if anything could be done for Alainn, Killian’s presence was sure to be needed. He prayed hearing Killian’s voice and sensing his touch would give Alainn purpose to be lifted from this deep unnatural slumber.

  Danhoul considered the only other option would be to use his magic beyond what magical healing he had previously employed. Yet if he was suspected of possessing supernatural abilities, then it was likely Alainn would be under great suspicion as well. Should Alainn survive this and it was discovered she possessed unexplainable capabilities, she would surely be thought of as a witch. They could both be burned at the stake for the crime of witchcraft, without a fair trial or perhaps no trial at all. They would both be painfully killed and Killian might spend the remainder of his life in the damnable tower. Although it was not yet a common occurrence in England, the rest of Europe had been caught up in witch hunts, trials and persecutions for some time. Danhoul knew the history books and written records suggested there were few burnings during this time in England, yet having lived in the future and now back here in this century, he was well aware not all of history was accurately documented and that history could be altered markedly just by one small change happening out of sequence, or through an occurrence that wasn’t ever intended to happen.

  Alainn had told him, the demon well knew of her fear and susceptibility to fire. Perhaps he was behind Danhoul’s growing sense that burnings would definitely take place before history had recorded it to be so. Although he’d not experienced any visions of such happenings, he could sense it in his gut and it frightened him to the core.

  He had to find a way to heal and rouse Alainn before the king’s physician’s antiquated methods caused her more harm or brought about her death. Even his medical knowledge of practices done in the future did little for him here where no modern remedies were available. Magic was perhaps the only hope of Alainn’s survival, but ultimately it could bring about their end. If Alainn died now, surely they would be made to live this life over again and again. He grew undeniably weary of that grim consideration as well. Although he only retained partial memories of the many lives they’d lived together, he recalled enough to know there was much that happened to them that he would not ever care to relive.

  Even if Alainn did waken now, he was filled with uncertainty for they would remain at the mercy of this ambiguous and untrustworthy king. Yet surely somehow, together they would find a way to free Killian and to leave this damnable country once and for all. Danhoul did not consider himself a man generally given to anxiety or panic. He thought of himself as being mostly calm and level-headed, and able to meet harrowing situations by keeping his wits about him, but this day he felt himself on the verge of becoming hopelessly unnerved. Unfortunately, for the time being, his own powers were unreliable at best and may well put them in further danger if he attempted a magical feat. He put his hand on Alainn’s head and sent warmth and healing to her, once more with no response. He placed his hand on her shoulder and found himself beginning to roughlyshake her.

  “Alainn, wake up, do you hear me woman? If you do not wake now, they will deeply slice your tender skin and allow great quantities, dangerous amounts of your blood to pour from your body. And if that doesn’t kill you the asinine physician with his antiquated methods is liable to take a damnable tool and bore into your skull. If you don’t die from these atrocities, then sure you’ll die from the wounds becomin’ purulent for noxiousness is nearly certain to set in afterward. I know you’d be in agreement with my conclusion in this. I don’t even know how much longer they’ll agree to have me stay here with you. So open those lovely blue eyes and look at me. Snarl at me, scold me, argue with me, just wake up, Alainn, for Christ’s sake!”

  Dawn was nearly upon them and no magical feat he could think of or aptly manage had been capable of pulling Alainn from her state. He had cursed the gods and Tristan O’Malley and himself for days now. Tristan was another magical searcher and guardian enlisted by the gods, but he had not yet been given his path or assigned a witch or supernatural being to protect.

  Although he and Tristan were steadfast friends for they had been raised together and gone through much difficulty side by side, Tristan was often hot headed and impetuous. Those untrustworthy traits were surely the reason the gods had not entrusted him with learning weaponry beyond the martial arts he was most adept in, or given him a quest or task yet. He was most displeased with Tristan at the moment, himself. Although he thought of him as family and as more of a brother than simply just his friend, if Tristan hadn’t foolishly and impulsively ventured here to the past, he would not have encountered the English guard who had knocked him to the ground. He had heedlessly insulted the guard forcing a battle of swords. Killian would not have felt the need to defend Tristan who had never been trained with swords or knew nothing of swordfights and wouldn’t have skillfully bettered one of the king’s best soldiers and therefore would never have become a man of interest to King Henry.

  The unfortunate happenings would never have begun. Alainn would not have been on that dock that day being sent back to Ireland for Killian would never have insisted she be sent back to Ireland in hope of keeping her and the child she carried safe. This entire sequence of events would simply never have happened. However, the king’s daughter, Elizabeth would surely be dead, and then he profoundly realized the history of England and in truth, the history of the entire world would have been irrefutably changed.

  Had Tristan’s journey back to this century actually been planned by the gods, or the seed planted in Tristan’s head? Danhoul realized he was becoming suspicious of the gods in nearly all regards and that may cause them to be wary of him as well. Danhoul attempted to make sense of the unenviable predicament they now found themselves a part of.

  If the demon and whomever he served was behind the attempt on Elizabeth’s life; if they intended to ensure Elizabeth did not ever become an adult and reign over England perhaps then her sister Mary and those who supported her were alleged with the demon. If Mary reigned as queen at an earlier age, she and her advisors and supporters would surely gain more power and momentum and it perhaps would be an even bloodier reign.

  How would that affect the future? He knew that during Elizabeth’s reign England and Ireland had undoubtedly known some hardships, but mostly it had been thought of as a time of peace. What uncertainties would transpire throughout history if Elizabeth I had died as a child? Danhoul surmised part of why Alainn was to be here in the first place was perhaps by design, that she was actually meant to prevent the tragedy exactly as she had done. Trying to decipher such events and determine the results of a possible future altered by even minor changes in the past always left him feeling muddled and confused. He struggled to come up with a viable solution.

  If Alainn should waken could
they go back to that day and simply avoid the docks? Could he risk altering history so drastically? Would the gods permit it even to save Alainn’s life? They would perhaps simply insist they all live this life again. How many times had they been made to live this life already? He wasn’t certain he could even count how many lives they had lived together.

  Danhoul started, hastily pulled from his grim thoughts, and jumped in earnest when he glanced up and saw Lugh stood beside him. The Celtic god had been indisposed for months now since Alainn had admittedly banished him to another realm by use of her powers. Now by some mysterious turn of events he was here beside him.

  “How the hell did you get here?” Danhoul asked.

  “You don’t seem the least bit relieved or pleased to see me!” The muscular god clothed only in a cloth that barely covered his loins, stared at Danhoul.

  “How did you get here?” he repeated.

  “This human woman, young and beautiful Alainn must be closer to the realms of the Gods than the human world, so it is likely she is near death. She insistently called to me. Our charge must believe I am necessary for she has lifted the spell that held me captive for all these months. Banished by a woman; such shame I have never felt before in all these thousands upon thousands of years.”

  “Forget about your damn godly male pride. How are we going to save her now? She is entirely near death and will be dead if we don’t stop that physician from what barbaric absurdity he plans to do. And if they should decide to bore a hole in her skull and by some miracle she lives through it she could be left feeble-minded entirely and I know that would be a fate she would despise far worse than death!”

  Lugh immediately placed his huge hand upon Alainn’s head and closed his eyes. There was a loud spark, his hand glowed and a humming sound filled the room. When he opened his eyes he was in disbelief to learn there was no change to Alainn’s condition.

  “Does the dark demon hold some power over her now? I sense him near,” Lugh spoke.

  “Aye, he is surely near. He has been pursuing her for some time since well before we journeyed to England. And here in this country he has attempted to get to Alainn on at least two occasions that I am aware of. I have sensed his presence, I think he is ever-near, but I cannot believe he is keeping her in this state or even that he is able to successfully come to her now. Perhaps he wanted to keep her from saving the life of the child Elizabeth who will one day rule this country. Yet I believe he has further dark intentions for Alainn. If he cannot force her to join the evil allegiance, then I feel he will inevitably search to discover some way to obtain her powers.”

  “Have you taken the many necessary precautions to keep demons and darkness at bay?”

  “Aye, I have charmed the location. I have spoken the ancient incantations and warded the chamber every night. But at present Alainn sleeps not a sleep of fearfulness of a demon coming to her, but a sleep of the dead. She must return to us soon before she is unable. She must be given a reason to waken. I cannot still time with any degree of consistent success, not as Alainn is capable of doing, but you are a god, surely you must be able.”

  “I am not to actually interfere in her fate, only to assist you in what you conclude must be done. I believe it is a test of your reasoning, a challenge for the gods to see if you’re an able thinker as well as a healer.”

  “Aye, and you are well aware of my opinion of the damnable challenges and tests the gods insist upon. If I was as capable as Alainn at enlisting powerful magic, I might consider banishing the entire lot of you to some far off realm so that I might never see or hear of any of you ever again.”

  “You show little gratitude for the endless years spent in our realm, for the instruction and assistance in learning how to strengthen the powers you possess.”

  “I am not ungrateful in any way. I am simply clever enough to know whatever you do for me and any other guardian, healer, witch, or searcher is ultimately to serve the gods’ purpose.”

  “Perhaps, but you should also know by now whatever is in the best interest for the gods often benefits human-kind as well.”

  “So you would have us believe!” Danhoul cynically stated. “Well if the gods wish to test me and my ability to reason, then I’m telling you that you must do as I wish and assist me. Freeze time and allow me to bring her husband to her, for sure he is the only one who can reach her. Will you do it, Lugh?”

  Lugh glanced upward toward the open window and closed his eyes. A rush of cold wind met his face and he smiled broadly. Danhoul noticed the deep chill that filled the room.

  “They do not approve entirely, but for the time being they have given us free reign on how to best handle this. And perhaps all three of her guardians are needed to take her from this unconscious state. I will still time for as long as it takes for you to retrieve her husband.”

  “Couldn’t you just snap your fingers or wave your hand to summon him here?”

  “Seems entirely remedial!”

  “It will save time and we may have little. Alainn can manage such feats, sure you can do so as well, if you are of godly origin and she simply a human woman with supernatural powers.”

  “Oh, so be it then!” the god exclaimed and waved his hands before him. Danhoul felt a swirling wind all around him, the temperature cooled even more and when he looked beside him he saw Killian standing there, an expression of complete astonishment upon his face. He noticed Alainn lying upon the bed. He worriedly observed her unhealthy pallor and immediately fell to his knees at her bedside before even asking what ailed her.

  “What the hell has happened to her, Danhoul? I had hoped you would have seen her safely back to Ireland by now!” he finally managed.

  “Aye, well I would have hoped for that end as well, Killian. She was struck down by a large coach while savin’ the life of the Princess Elizabeth!”

  “She saved the king’s daughter?”

  “Aye, and for that brave, unselfish feat she was brought to the castle to be treated by the king’s private physician. I was much relieved they allowed me to escort her. She has not wakened since then. It has been days...and Killian,” he added in a somber tone, “I am regretful to tell you Alainn has lost the child she carried.”

  Killian’s eyes registered obvious distress upon hearing these words, but his deep and heartbreaking concern for Alainn was foremost and clearly evident. He held tight to her hand as he spoke.

  “I bear you no ill for I thank you for trying to see her safe in my stead, Danhoul. What can be done for her?”

  He only then seemed aware of the imposing figure of Lugh standing by the bed. His eyes grew wide, not with fear, but in hope the god could assist them in rousing Alainn.

  “Are you not able to do somethin’ to see her well? With your abilities as a god can you not save her?” he uncharacteristically pleaded with the god in a voice consumed in grief and worry.

  “Humans apparently believe everything is but a simple feat. I tell you now, we can accomplish much, but all is not manageable because we are gods. We do have limitations and boundaries as well else we would not meet with death or misfortune ourselves. I sense it is you who will be most liable to pull her from this near death state. You have accomplished such deeds before. Attempt it now. Speak with her and perhaps she will choose to fight to come back to you.”

  Killian held her hand in his own. He brushed her hair from her lovely pale and silent face. He realized now Alainn had indeed come to visit him in the tower, not actually as a spirit, but in an unearthly manner just the same. She had perhaps come to say a last farewell to him before she journeyed to the spirit world, but he couldn’t bear to say farewell to her. He must find a way to bring her back to him. He touched her cheek and continued to caress her beautiful golden hair. He bent nearer to her and lightly kissed her lips talking to her softly all the while. His bowed head lifted as he heard her moan as though in a fitful sleep.

  Danhoul appeared hopeful and urged him to continue.

  Killian lovingly placed hi
s forehead against her own and whispered to her once more.

  “Come back to me, Alainn. There is so much yet undone. You must fight with all the strength within you to come back to me, my beautiful cherished wife. Once again you threaten to leave me here alone. Don’t go, my sweet Lainna. Come back to me now!”

  She suddenly thrashed her head from side to side and her body began to quiver uncontrollably.

  “I will not go with you, not now and not ever!” she whispered in a frantic voice though she still did not waken.

  “Who by God’s nails is she talkin’ to?” Killian asked the Celtic god before him.

  The fearsome looking god simply shrugged and glanced from Killian to Danhoul observing their downcast expressions.

  “Because I am a god also does not allow me to know all, especially of witches for they are a complicated lot. Mostly human, but with the powers of a supernatural being, they are entirely unnatural by my way of thinking. They are uncommonly unpredictable, also.”

  “What the hell good are you, then?” Killian ranted with frustration in his tone.

  “Apparently purposeful enough to allow you to be with her at the end if this is to be her time to go to the beyond.”

  “She will not be leavin’ me this day or any time soon; that’s for certain,” Killian vowed. “I will see to it she does not leave me!”

  Danhoul had placed his hand to Alainn’s head and once more desperately attempted to hear her thoughts. All three males were startled when the figure of Aine, the fairy goddess and Alainn’s great-grandmother appeared before them. She glanced at them with impatience and obvious objection.

  “Three guardians has she, and yet even still, Alainn lies near death. Upon my recommendation the council of the gods may possibly see I am correct; perhaps a woman should be named as her guardian.”

  “You are supposedly the guardian to all women? If you had been here protecting your own blood-kin, it’s unlikely she’d be in this dire situation!” Killian emphatically blared.