A Witch's Quest

by Leigh Ann Edwards

  The stoic fairy princess and Celtic goddess warrior lifted her chin and her nostrils flared, her blue eyes grew stormy, but she simply nodded at her kin’s husband as she replied.

  “You continue to have little fear within you, Killian O’Brien, your gallantry cannot be questioned. But if you are imprisoned in the king’s tower how do you intend to see your wife safe from this country’s shores, for she’ll not be free of peril so long as she remains here. The dark demon has far too many known alliances here, and gains more each day. Now that Alainn has lost another child, she will surely not willingly leave without you. She only agreed to go previously because she promised you to keep your child safe.”

  “And how do you suggest I get out of the tower, for the king will not simply allow me set free? I might benefit from the gods’ assistance.”

  “Gods are often limited to what they can do to assist humans, for if we interfere with daily life and protect them from harm or unpleasantness, then humans are merely puppets, they live with no understanding of choice and consequences, and perhaps more importantly free will is taken from you as surely as the detestable English king attempts to take it from you now.”

  “But it was Tristan who caused this unfortunate turn of events by goin’ back in time. Sure we could go forward and ensure he does not ever make the ill-fated journey to this time!” Danhoul interrupted.

  “But Danhoul, it was deemed you retain some of the memories from the other times. Do you not recall? It was necessary for Alainn to be here at this time to prevent the death of the king’s daughter else the entire history of the human world would have become bleak and dismal. She has thankfully fulfilled that portion of her destiny. But I fear she was not ever intended to carry the girl-child to full term, for if that daughter had lived, she would have one day fallen prey to the demon. The gods thought this fate far less cruel to your wife and to you, Killian O’Brien.”

  She looked at Killian with empathy in her eyes.

  “Is that why we lost wee Cian as well?” Killian questioned uncertain he cared to know the truth.

  “No, truly the Celtic gods did not intervene in that regard. It was simply destined to be so, I fear!”

  Aine glanced toward the doorway of the chamber and she saw Danhoul did the same.

  “They draw near, the physician and the king. Lugh will see you back to the tower, and I will hold time at a standstill so that I might attempt to use my powers to heal your wife. For if she does not waken; the universe will not be righted, for Alainn has always been the one fated for that monumental purpose whether she cares to accept it or not. For she will always be our strongest hope...for it is said a human woman, with the power of the gods and beyond will be necessary, and then two others of the same abilities will one day follow.

  “Alainn is that woman, the first of the three. We must prevent her from going to the beyond this day Killian O’Brien, but know this, when the day comes that we call your wife to serve us and to perform our quests, she must come without question. You must convince her of the importance of that for if not, it is doubtful she will follow through if it means leaving you behind. Yet if she does not comply and fulfill her expected purpose, I fear the gods will not allow her to live. The council has thus decided. Therefore, if we conspire to bring her back from the dark emptiness she now is trapped within, you must promise to remind her of this day when the gods aided in her revival, and surely saved her life.”

  Killian glanced up at the goddess with uncertainty in his eyes for he knew she spoke of a time when Alainn would need to travel to another time, to a future century. She had been warned of such once before, but had always stubbornly claimed she would never leave Killian and this century to do the gods’ bidding.

  “I avow to do whatever I can to see Alainn does what is expected of her to fulfill her destiny if you are able to heal her now!” he promised.

  “It may not be inducement enough, Aine. You recall she once approached the gods with a request to see to it she was never created to begin with. Perhaps she does not hold her own life in the highest regard,” Lugh revealed.

  Both Danhoul and Killian looked at the giant of a god before them with disbelief in their eyes.

  “She wished herself to have never been born?” Killian dubiously asked.

  Aine glanced at Killian with solemnity and her memory immediately went back to that precise day in the realm of the gods and all that had transpired then.

  “Alainn, how were you able to journey to our realm? That has never been accomplished by any human magic or no.”

  She recalled the desperate look in her youngest kin’s eyes as she’d slowly responded in a morose tone.

  “I must meet with the council of the gods.”

  “They are much detained with the tumultuous discussion between the Fomorians and the Tuatha De Danann. They have declared a temporary truce as they discuss the possibility of peace.”

  “When might I see them?” Alainn’s voice held hopelessness and desperation and Aine had felt her usually guarded heart uncharacteristically ache. Although she had always prided herself in showing or feeling little emotion, the pain within her great-granddaughter’s own heart tore at her no less painfully than if she were feeling the agony herself. She placed her hand to her own chest in response.

  “Why must you speak with them, Alainn? I sense you wish to ask something of paramount importance of them.”

  She recalled Alainn finally allowing her eyes to meet her own.

  “I wish to be granted the ability to travel backward in time. I have attempted it myself, but being weak of body, mind and spirit, I fear I have been unable for all my continued efforts.”

  “What point in time do you wish to journey?”

  “About nine and ten years.”

  “To the time of your conception?”

  “Aye.” She lowered her eyes once more upon revealing that truth.

  “You wish to actually prevent your conception?”

  “It would be much better...much easier for so many if I had not been born, for wherever I go I bring sorrow, uncertainty and pain. I have endangered Killian’s life and caused him heartache beyond any worldly measure.”

  She stared at Alainn at the certainty in her words and the resolve.

  “They will not allow it, Alainn. I know it to be true. You are immeasurably important to them else they would not insist on seeing you live this life so many times in order to learn all you must to be capable of ensuring we defeat the side of evil during the final battle.”

  Alainn’s face had gone from maudlin to enraged in an instant.

  “Why would I do anything to benefit the gods in any manner? Why should I be beholden to them?”

  “These power you possess, this strong and uncommon magic you maintain, it comes from the gods, but it goes far beyond that. It is believed to be an ancient magic, older than the gods. Even the gods do not understand entirely how you came to possess such power. You are the key.”

  “If I am so all-powerful do you suppose I would choose to experience such heartache? I could not save my own child, my own precious newborn boy-child, Cian. Why would you and the other gods put any faith in my abilities to assist in salvaging the entire world?”

  “We cannot control or determine all, whether we are gods or human or somewhere in between.”

  “Why would I choose to continue to live this life or maintain these unusual magical powers if I cannot even protect or save those who hold my heart?”

  “Yet you will not simply end your existence. You’ll not take your own life though I well know it is something you have considered?”

  “I have always been told it is a mortal sin, that I would burn in hell should I take my own life. Yet, if I had never been born, never been conceived, if I could go back and prevent my mother and father from meeting, if I could prevent Mara and Teige from ever lying together, it would eliminate much tragedy. Mara would never have been violated by Killian’s grandfather, she would never have placed the curse on
the O’Brien line. It would prevent the terrible suffering and tragedy so very many have endured.”

  “Perhaps there is some truth in your words, my youngest kin, but you fail to see the goodness you have brought to your world, the many souls you have saved, and the suffering you have eased.”

  Alainn simply turned away and would not face her.

  “Perhaps I must resort to revealing to you all those you have saved from certain death, all those whose lives you have bettered and benefited?”

  “No, I assure you, you needn’t do so!” Alainn had been adamant.

  But she “had” shown her. She had presented before her a clear vision of every soul she had saved from a certain death, every person from infants to the aged, all those she had eased the suffering or comforted. Aine had been stunned herself to see the sheer number of people who were alive and thriving because of her young kin’s magical healing abilities and premonitory visions. However, the tell-tale visions had not swayed Alainn or had the desired effect. Alainn’s voice was bitter when she responded.

  “And yet my own wee son is dead barely having drawn breath. He lies cold in the ground and my husband will not dare meet my eyes for he blames me entirely!”

  Alainn had then aptly presented Aine with a vision of her own, of the wee boy-child as he died, as Alainn held his lifeless body in her arms, as he was placed within the tiny casket. Aine was well aware Alainn was an empath who took on other’s pain, but she hadn’t known she could cause others to experience her pain as well. Aine was suddenly overcome with a heartache so great and so devastating, she feared she would collapse with the deep emotions of grief and hopelessness. The overwhelming guilt Alainn felt was equally transferred to Aine and she once more clutched her chest in agonizing wretchedness. Alainn gazed at her knowingly taking some obvious satisfaction in her despair as she once more spoke.

  “Allow me to speak with the gods now.”

  Still reeling from the emotion she had been forced to experience, against her better judgement, Aine had taken Alainn straight into the council, interrupted the tense discussion between the already infuriated gods.

  Aine shook her head to dispel the undesired memory, but it came back nonetheless.

  The gods had been deeply angered at the interruption, but when they learned it was Alainn before them, that she had somehow journeyed to their realm of her own accord, and that she was insistent on speaking with them, they did, indeed listen. But no amount of cleverly thought out argument or persuasion on Alainn’s part could convince them she should be allowed to go back to prevent her conception. They, too, insisted on showing her the many people alive because of her healing and magic, but it was obvious it did little to appease her. She must have realized she would never ever be capable of making them see her reasoning. She stood within the center of the gathering of the council of the gods and she had furiously spoken.

  “I shall never do your bidding. I swear to you as long as I live, in this life or in any other you may force me to endure or relive, I will not assist you in any way. As long as I draw breath, you will never see me come to your aid without force.”

  She then created a whirlwind worthy of any god and disappeared before their disbelieving eyes, leaving all of them not a little wary of her powers and her present loathing toward the gods.

  Once more Aine, inhaled deeply and then brought herself back to the present quandary.

  She finally replied truthfully to Killian’s inquiry.

  “It is truth, soon after your boy-child died and she felt all was broken between you, Alainn journeyed by way of magic to the realm of the gods. She came before the council of the gods asking for assistance to be permitted to go back in time to prevent her own conception. She believed you and those around her would be better off never having known her or had her in their lives. The gods disagreed wholeheartedly for they saw what goodness, light and health she has brought to countless souls. They reasoned many humans would have died if she had not been there to prevent it. She was denied her request and sorely angered by their decision. She then swore she would never willingly assist the gods in any matter they might request. Since then she has only twice sought council or strength from any god, bar the Christian god. The night of Samhain she called to me to assist her in contending with the demon and I sent the searcher to assist her. And then today, she called to Lugh!” Aine admitted.

  Killian’s eyes filled with disbelief that Alainn would have desired such a drastic and unthinkable possibility during her time of grieving after they’d lost their wee Cian.

  Danhoul looked toward the door once more with trepidation on his face. Aine nodded her head toward the door and the footsteps that had been approaching were soon silenced.

  “Lugh, take her husband to the tower! Danhoul, as her guardian-healer, you and I will remain here to work what magic we can to pull her from the deep slumber she appears to be trapped within.”

  “Will someone at least tell me when she wakens?” Killian asked with dread on his face, as he tenderly touched his hand to her cheek. Once more Alainn moved and sighed when Killian grazed her skin.

  “Perhaps you are the key to her rousing, after-all!” Aine offered. “Touch her once more, Killian O’Brien. Place your hand upon her heart and dwell upon the deep love you feel for her, the uncommon bond you share. And you, Danhoul you must place your hand to her head and somehow make the connection so she hears your thoughts! Tell her she must waken now!”

  The fairy warrior’s sword and shield disappeared before their eyes as she held out her hands and a bright light came forth to encircle the entire chamber. The brightest portion was centered over Alainn from head to waist and it radiated golden light. The goddess closed her eyes and chanted unusual words and though he couldn’t understand the words Killian soon recognized them as a fairy language, one he’d heard Alainn speak, a language she had apparently simply known since she was a small child.

  Alainn startled all present when she sat up suddenly and her eyes flew open in terror as she gasped.

  “The dark demon was here; I could feel his evil permeating through to my very soul. He came to me and tried to have me accompany him to the realm of the Unseelie Court. I was forced to use all the powers I claim to keep him from taking me. It was as it was back on the night of Samhain when I was pulled within the portal. And once again, it was the same searcher who came to me and prevented it now.”

  “I did not send him to you this time,” Aine admitted. “The searcher is perhaps now assigned to assist you always, but your own powers are growing and becoming great, soon it will be impossible for the demon to take you against your wishes. He would need to convince you to go willingly. It is fortunate the searcher intervened and you resisted, for once there you would be at his mercy and perhaps you would be enslaved by Odhran for we believe he is behind all of this, that he is the being who has sent each and every demon and entity you and your kind have ever encountered. Some say he has a greater power and more malevolent evil than the fallen angel Satan so many of your people of the Christian faith fear!” Aine revealed.

  Alainn only then seemed to become aware of all who were there in the chamber with her. She looked at Killian with concern on her face. She held tightly to his hand as she confirmed Aine’s suspicions. She soon spewed forth her perceptive premonitions and all that she had learned while she was unconscious.

  “You must go back to the tower until we are able to find a way to see you safe, Killian. If the king finds you here sure you’ll be sent to the block for fleein’ his prison and Danhoul and I will go to a fiery stake accused of the crime of witchcraft. In my slumber I saw visions of those events happening.”

  “There have been few people condemned to such a fate here in England, that will not become a common practice for many decades yet,” Danhoul nervously offered.

  “But it will become a certainty for I have seen it!” she whispered in an ominous voice filled with fear of all she’d witnessed when she was unable to waken.

&nb
sp; “There are many people here connected with the dark demon, the physician is one, as are more than half of the king’s advisors. A man by the name of Cromwell intends to cause must unrest for he is clearly the demon’s staunchest ally. He must be stopped for I sense he will cause much despair and turmoil here. He or someone from his bloodline will one day wreak much havoc on many including the people of Ireland.”

  All present in the chamber listened intently to Alainn’s wisdom for they recognized her uncommon ability to perceptively know what one day might come to pass if they weren’t able to prevent it.

  “When I was in this unnatural sleep my spirit was capable of leavin’ my body and I discovered many secrets within these castle walls. I know much of the people and of the hidden passageways within the castle. It is to be hoped some of them aid me in seeing you released Killian!”

  Killian simply took her in his arms and did not respond to her words. She felt his warm strong arms around her and looked up at the two Celtic gods.

  “You have also assisted in saving my life this day?” she questioned.

  “It is truth. Together we have all aided in seeing you come back to this world, but as I have proclaimed before, you are to serve a far greater purpose sometime in the future, Alainn, my kin.” Aine offered.

  Alainn only nodded hesitantly and then glanced at Lugh.

  “You are back. You heeded my words and somehow in my state I was able to undo the banishing spell, though I could never manage it for all my previous attempts.”

  “Sometimes it is when you are not on a conscious plane your abilities are the most powerful. But now, we must end this time together. Lugh will return you to the tower, Killian O’Brien. Hold tight and be patient and somehow you shall be set free,” Aine authoritatively declared.

  “And what of Alainn?” Killian inquired in a grave tone. “Sure we can’t simply leave her here in the company of the damnable immoral king?”

  “For now, we must, for she will be necessary in further setting the future right in this land as well.”