A Witch's Quest

by Leigh Ann Edwards

  “It is believed by many, she delved into dark magic and created unholy potions, though I have no proof of that. It is said she bewitched Fergus, the castle’s steward and he married her and they produced a child, but it was an odd pairing for Oonagh remained living with her mother for much of the time they were married.”

  “Could you describe Oonagh; what did she look like?”

  “She would not be difficult to describe for she was nearly a reflected image of Ciara. She had larger eyes and they often held a wild look, but otherwise, if they had lived at the same time they might surely have been taken for sisters.”

  This caught Alainn’s attention without question for she had been certain the woman she had seen in her dreams and then again in the demon’s realm was an older version of Ciara.

  “Could she have lived? Could Oonagh have lived that night?”

  “There was much blood loss. She was fading fast when I left.”

  “But you didn’t see her dead?”

  “I did not see her die, but aye, I came back to see how she fared and she was irrefutably dead. She was stone cold and lying on the bed while Glynnis tended to the newborn girl-child.”

  “Did you see her put in the ground, did you witness her buried?”

  Eibhein stared hard at Alainn and finally spoke further.

  “Though it is seldom spoken of, for it is believed to cause ill will when this subject is discussed, I will tell you the whole truth of what I have heard regarding Glynnis and Oonagh...the truth as I have heard it said. And then I will speak of it no more.” Her resolve was certain and Alainn listened intently to the midwife.

  “It is said Glynnis used a secret herbal remedy and called upon an ancient dark magic, an unholy spell to bring Oonagh back to life. The gossipmongers wagged their tongues for a lengthy time with that absurd tale.”

  “And that was the end of the tale then; that Oonagh was revived from the dead by a wakening potion, but was never heard of again?” Alainn found herself nearly hoping that was what had transpired.

  “By no means was that the end of it, the unusual rumors carried on for years. It was said that Glynnis kept a depraved and unnatural Oonagh in a cave that could only be found by way of a tunnel beneath the castle. They said she was half dead, half alive that she fed on the souls of the living and the bodies of newborn babies. The tales grew wilder and more ludicrous as time waged on.”

  “You don’t believe it then?” Alainn questioned.

  “I believe in magic for sure I’ve witnessed it before on many occasions. I also believe in spells and hexes and dark magic, but no I do not believe someone can be returned to life after they have been dead, not if they were truly dead.”

  Alainn considered all she had learned, and she believed Oonagh could very well be the woman they had thought was Ciara from the future, who was perhaps somewhere between life and death as Shylie had suggested. If that was true, then surely it had been Oonagh and not Ciara who had harmed, tortured and maimed the animals in Glynnis’s cottage in order to create dark spells. That would also indicate it was Oonagh who led her own mother, Glynnis the healer to be tortured and probably killed by the demon’s dark coven.

  Alainn visibly shuddered at the despicableness of the many possibilities. If Oonagh had employed dark magic throughout the years and had no conscience and possibly no soul, she would have surely schooled Ciara in the dark magic as well. It was most certainly Oonagh and Ciara together with the dark coven and the demon who had once placed the spell on the animals and who had seemed intent on harming Alainn.

  Perhaps the other women born on the night of the blood moon were the other members of the coven. Had they all been summoned by the demon or by Odhran on the night of their birth so many years ago? But now Ciara and the coven of dark witches had seemingly vanished. Oonagh was in the realm of hopelessness, but the demon remained intent on getting Alainn’s powers for his own. Surely she had not seen the last of any of the evil lot.

  Alainn glanced at the other woman as she attempted to distance her mind from her many disturbing thoughts.

  “I thank you, Eibhein. There are few who seem to know much of the events surrounding Ciara’s birth.”

  “And fewer still willing to discuss her mother, I would wager.”

  Alainn nodded and Eibhein seemed to grow uneasy as though she wanted to ask a question of Alainn. She waited for her to speak.

  “Milady there is another matter I’d hoped to discuss with you and your husband. I should perhaps have discussed it with the chieftain first, but I thought you might hold much interest in this so I pray milord does not take offense to me mentioning it to you first.”

  “Aye, what is it then, Eibhein?”

  “My niece, my late sister’s daughter, Roisin has been livin’ in a neighboring village. Her husband died some weeks ago from the fever. Though I don’t often speak ill of the dead, it was no tragedy to Roisin in havin’ that mean-spirited sot leave this world. He was considerably older than her and an ill-tempered man who chose to spend his time filled with drink. Although his tongue was often bitter and cruel to her, in recent times it seems he was using his hand against her as well. Oft she had blackened eyes and unexplained bruises. I feel he may have even broken her arm a while back. I wanted to tell her to leave, but I could offer her nowhere to go.”

  “Sorry I am to hear of this unkindness and cruelty,” Alainn responded. “If you’d told me about your niece’s plight earlier, I surely would have found haven here for her.”

  “Aye, milady, but you’d had sorrow and tragedy of your own. I couldn’t burden you with my kin’s quandaries.”

  “Aye, but sure I don’t ever care to see a woman suffer at the hands of a man simply because she has nowhere else to turn. In truth, one day I hope to secure cottages for women who bear abuse at their husbands’ hands. I would like to request Killian see to it strict laws are in place that ensure men pay for such unforgiveable deeds.”

  “That would be a great benefit to many I am sure, milady. Roisin is a lovely kind-hearted young woman, and good-natured to a fault. She scarcely uttered a disparaging word even about that vile man she was wed to. I’m not just sayin’ that because she is my dear late sister’s daughter. The point of it is, milady, Roisin is a healer. She was trained all her childhood years by my sister, who was uncommonly knowledgeable in the craft, and Roisin has a natural inclination to the healing, but she also knows much of midwifery having stayed with me here at Castle O’Donnel after my sister died. Since Glynnis is now gone, I’ll know the castle needs a healer, but I am also much aware you possess a gift for healing. I’ve seen how you’ve attended so skillfully and caringly to those who have been stricken by fever.”

  Eibhein seemed to be taking a long time to explain the situation and Alainn finally interrupted her.

  “Are you asking me if Killian and I will allow your niece to come to Castle O’Donnel to serve as healer?”

  “Aye, well ’tis what I had hoped to see happen, but I did not wish to insult you if you wish to remain sole healer, and if that is truth then I will inform Roisin of such. It was not her notion to maybe come here, but mine. I told her I would ask, but that I could promise her nothing. She will need to find some way to provide for herself now that her husband is gone, and I don’t want to see her quickly married off to perhaps another who will treat her no better than the brute she was married to.”

  “I am certain the castle and the village would be fortunate to have two healers present and most especially if your niece is gifted in midwifery as well for it does seem to happen often that more than one mother is in need during the birthing. I am often occupied with other duties and sometimes accompany my husband on his journeys so sure I would be relieved to know the castle’s occupants and the villagers are in another healer’s capable hands.”

  “Oh milady, I would be much grateful to you if you see fit to have Roisin here near to me. She deserves much better than she’s had in recent times.”

  “I will discuss
this with my husband, but I’m certain he will be well pleased to have extra assistance here as well for he has fretted much about me being stretched so thin in dealing with those who have been inflicted with the fever.”

  “Aye, and to be sure he would have reason for concern most especially in your condition.”

  Alainn had risen to leave, but she turned and stared at Eibhein with uncertainty.

  “You have proven me wrong, milady.”

  “In what regard?” Alainn seemed unclear in her meaning.

  “I told you I believed you would never carry another child.”

  Alainn stared at the woman with uncertainty, but did not speak.

  “When do you believe the child you carry is to be born?” Eibhein asked.

  “I do not carry a child,” Alainn emphatically stated.

  The woman simply stared long at her.

  “I mean you no disrespect, milady, but I would beg to differ. I’ve become most astute in recognizing the subtle changes in a woman when they carry.”

  “I do not carry a child,” Alainn replied once more in a confident tone.

  “Even if you’ve had your monthlies recently, there are those women who do continue to bleed each moon even late into their term and sometimes the entire time they carry,” she revealed.

  Alainn had no desire to discuss the misfortune in England when she had been struck by the carriage, lost the child and then been wounded so severely she had not been expected to live. The damage had been extensive and she believed that had been the reason her monthly times had not returned. She had been told by several of the king’s respected physicians in England she may never have consistent menses and that it was nearly certain she would never conceive again. The midwife was clearly mistaken. When she did not respond, Eibhein continued with the subject.

  “You have had your monthlies recently then, milady?”

  “Aye,” she said in a surely unconvincing tone and then hurriedly left the chamber and the possibility of further questions from the woman.

  Alainn pulled the chemise over her head and turned to see Killian staring at her in a curious manner.

  They had shared a fervently passionate time of love-making after they had wakened this morning, and as Alainn washed and dressed, Killian donned his garments as well. Now as he gazed at her, she questioned him.

  “What is it you wish to ask of me?” She recognized his inquisitive expression.

  He shook his head and turned away as he retrieved his sword and placed it in the scabbard.

  “Killian, what is it?”

  She was surprised when she saw his cheeks color slightly and he cleared his throat.

  “I have no question.”

  “Then what?”

  “A simple observation.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “Your breasts have changed, surely only recently, they are fuller both to the eye and to the touch. Your monthlies have also been entirely absent since we returned to Ireland.”

  “Aye, but it is as I have explained. The physicians in London said my injuries were of such a severe nature my womb was surely destined to remain forever and irreversibly damaged. They said my monthlies may never return, or if they should it may take considerable time, and that they would surely always be scant or persistently irregular.”

  “And how does that explain the fact your breasts have blossomed recently? You forget, Alainn, I have previously observed your changing body when you carried Cian. Are you certain you do not carry a child?”

  “Sure I would most certainly know if I carried a child, Killian.” She flushed as she spoke. “I am a damnable seer. With Cian I sensed almost upon conception that I carried your child. I also felt movement unusually early. My breasts were undeniably swollen, but also painfully tender, and my stomach was nearly instantly putrid. I felt faint and light-headed and spewed almost constantly. With the girl-child, even though I only carried her for a short time, it was precisely the same.”

  “Aye, sure you know more than I regarding such womanly matters.” Killian appeared only slightly disheartened that his hopes were dashed, and he soon posed another query. “You don’t believe the injury you incurred might simply have caused your symptoms to be entirely changed when you carry a child?”

  “It is sorry I must disappoint you for I know you hang on to the optimistic possibility, but I do not carry a child, Killian,” she said as her voice quivered and tears welled in her eyes.

  He went to her and gazed down into her tear filled azure eyes.

  “One day it will be so; I will not believe the hopeless predictions issued by the physicians. I may not be a seer, but I won’t accept that to be a certainty.”

  He kissed the top of her head and though he spoke no further on it, he smiled a confident smile as he closed the door behind him.

  “Both your husband and the midwife believe you are with child and yet you will not dare to consider the possibility? Why are you unwilling to believe it might be truth?” Shylie spoke as she appeared before her.

  Although Alainn had come to care much for the young spirit girl and usually welcomed her presence, both her wit and her humor, today she did not wish to contend with the spirit who was often given to discuss personal matters with youthful flippancy. Alainn avoided the question entirely and continued to pull her gown over her head. As she attempted to fasten the lacing she surmised the gown was indeed considerably tighter across the breasts than when she’d worn it some weeks ago.

  She could not be with child. She would know...of course she would know. Her powers and intuition would surely not fail her in such an important matter. She wouldn’t allow herself to believe it might be true. She simply couldn’t dwell on it for it left her mind filled with many unwelcome possibilities and much uncertainty.

  “I am a witch and a healer, Shylie, I assure you I would know if I carried a child,” she said with much annoyance, and this time she disappeared leaving the spirit in the empty bedchamber.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  “Perhaps you might simply take up with Riley and the both of you could spend your days entirely filled with drink,” she sniped unpleasantly at Danhoul as he sat bleary-eyed beneath a shade tree, with a jug of whiskey in his hand.

  “Aye, well Riley does stop drinking long enough to shag any number of servant girls each day,” Danhoul dryly replied to her criticism as he gazed off into the distance and he took another hearty swig.

  “Shag?” she asked curiously.

  “Aye, it is a word that is used in the future.”

  She shook her head at the odd term and briefly considered asking Danhoul more about the future he had visited, but instead she voiced her opinion on other matters.

  “What has caused you to turn to drink? Since we returned from England you have acted entirely peculiar. You are sullen and despondent and you are at the drink often. Do you enlist the drink to keep the pain at bay? Has the pain in your head and the unsettled stomach now become more persistent even when we are not parted?”

  “Aye, well you do make my head ache most fiercely with your disapproving tone and your obvious temper. For once I am empathetic in your cousin’s regard with your constant nagging.”

  “You’re acting the part of an arse, Danhoul. I have suggested Killian no longer refer to you as a boy, but a bothersome unruly boy is precisely how you appear at the moment.”

  “What has you so noticeably riled this day?”

  She lowered herself to sit by the tree as well and glanced at Danhoul as she spoke.

  “I have many quandaries on my mind. As soon as Killian is able to name and instruct Edward as Mac’s replacement for captain, we are to set off to Scotland.”

  “And are the clansmen not opposed to having an Englishman as head of the guard?” Danhoul posed.

  “Killian said they seem to have accepted the notion. They respected and heeded Mac who was not of Irish descent and they seldom question Killian’s decisions. It is supposed if Killian believes Edward to be the
best man to head his army, then it is apparently so. Killian knows what Edward risked to aid him back in England. He reasons if he was willing to risk his life then, that no other man could be trusted so entirely now. He and his family have settled and are well-pleased to spend the rest of their days in Ireland. Even George has found an Irish girl and been wed.”

  Danhoul simply nodded in agreement, but did not speak. The silence became strained and Alainn began speaking again to dispel the awkwardness between them.

  “I am eager to set off in search of my father and although I well desire to locate him, and I would like to properly thank him for assisting me on the night of Samhain and preventing me from falling prey to the demon, apparently it is the intent of the gods for him to be found as Aine has informed me he will also be needed one day. If he is able to move from different realms and times and create portals of his own, I am unclear why it is believed he is in Scotland, yet my powers tell me it is so. But I am also hesitant to make the journey for when we find him, then perhaps we will be closer to when I must become a searcher myself. That would suggest a time when I must be parted from Killian which will never be my heart’s desire or my choice.”

  Once more, Danhoul simply nodded as though he didn’t care to discuss this or anything else with her at the moment, and he took another hearty swig from his jug.

  “’Tis clear you must make the journey with us if you cannot be far parted from me, but if you are filled with drink you will be of no asset to me and certainly do yourself no favors in being consumed with drink. You know that well enough.”

  “My drinking will not affect my ability to act as your guardian in any way,” he assured her.

  She continued to voice her many concerns and all that weighed on her mind for although he seemed disinclined in responding, she felt the need to speak with someone and she didn’t care to burden Killian with such matters for he had much to contend with before they left on their journey.

  “I am fretful for Mary for her birthing time is mere weeks away and she is adamant she will remain within the tower and not return to live with Riley, but he has recently ordered her to return to bear his son in their castle. I fear she will have no choice but to abide his wishes. Although I am certain Grandfather would dissuade such harsh punishment, Mary could spend time in the dungeon if she does not obey Riley for it is considered criminal, sometimes even treasonous if she is suspected of an adulterous relationship, even though Conner hasn’t lain a hand on Mary. I know they are deeply in love. Riley doesn’t even care for Mary, but sure his damnable pride would never allow her to see their marriage ended, especially when she carries his son. Mary has few options and Riley clearly has the upper hand. The laws always favor males regarding the circumstances and it infuriates me.”