THE MORRIGAN CHRONICLES

I SAT UP in the bed, pushing the soft blankets back. A white down comforter and matching thousand thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. I shook my head, astonished that I knew that. Emrys never ceases to amaze me.

Making my way to the bathroom I turned the water on for a hot shower. Understanding and knowing about the new advances still couldn’t keep me from marveling at them. It’s the difference between knowing unicorns are real and actually seeing one for the first time. Amazing. The bathing experience was wonderful. Honeysuckle body soap with a loofah. Loofah, what a funny word. Shampoo and conditioner scented of flowers I’ve never smelled. Lotion that made my skin as soft as my hair. It was luxurious.

Clean and dry, I stood naked in front of a full-length mirror. I had rarely seen my reflection before. I am able to command magic somewhat, but I’ve only seen myself a few times, and never my entire self. I walked over to the closet knowing there would be clothes in there. I went through each item: jeans, dresses, sweaters and blouses. There were enough clothes and shoes in this closet for ten women. I decided to put my leathers back on.

Lacing up my boots, I felt myself again. Strapping on all my sheaths I secured my assortment of knives and swords. A dagger in each boot, medium swords crossed on my back and my long sword down the center. The hilts of my swords fanned out behind my head. My long red hair hung over one shoulder, almost to my navel. Using the smallest hint of magic, with a flick of my wrists, the hair went up into an ornate braid that circled my head.

My stomach grumbled, reminding me of my hunger, when there was a knock at my door.

“It’s me, beautiful,” the voice came through the thick wood.

Opening the door, I saw my Emrys with his wide warm smile. He couldn’t help but tease me. “My, my, my you are an image to behold. Your beauty is the kind that men write poems about. That countries go to battle over. That…”

I rolled my eyes. “Keep it up and I’ll make you marry me.”

“Oh, hell no. I don’t know what you do to men but I’ve seen the aftermath. I want no part of that.” He laughed, smacking me on the back.

I grabbed him in a hug and couldn’t let go. “Oh Emrys, I’m so glad you’re here. I couldn’t make it through this without you. I’m so sorry you had to be alone for so long.”

I pulled my head away, not letting go to see his face. He smiled and kissed the top of my head. “Morrigan, I clung to this day. I knew I’d find a way, and that I’d see you again. That’s how I made it through. That’s how I know we will make it through this next set of trials. We ain’t letting these fools take us down.”

I understood this vernacular was more in line with the times but it made me smile nonetheless.

Treasach, Alastar and Aine walked in. I released Emrys and grabbed all three at once, pulling them to me. “I love you all so, so much. You know that, right?”

We clung to one another for several minutes and finally Alastar pulled away, giving me that twinkle in his eye. “Oh no, what did you do now? Are you getting banished already?”

Laughter filled the room. The kind that came from the heart. That filled the heart. Its warmth permeated throughout. I savored the moment, reminding myself to treasure this and remember it in darker times that would surely come.

Treasach leaned down, kissing my cheek. “Father wants to meet with you and the Teulu in the library in an hour. Nine o’clock sharp. Apparently we begin training the humans today.”

“We just got here. I don’t know why we can’t spend a day getting accustomed,” Aine chimed in.

“Your father is right,” I said, wiping a stray hair from her face. “The sooner we begin, the better. Besides, staying busy will do us all some good.”

“Well whatever we’re doing, I can’t do it on an empty stomach. Let’s eat!” Alastar said, already walking out the door. That boy is always hungry.

We ate and chatted through breakfast noting that the Tuatha sat on one side of the large dining hall as the humans sat on the other. They stared in wonderment. We barely paid them any attention. I did notice Neil sitting off from the rest looking only at his food.

“Emrys.” I threw a piece of potato at him to get his attention. “Neil is going to lead the humans. Why he is sitting apart? He looks left out. As their leader shouldn’t they be clamoring for his attention?”

“Doesn’t know them, I suppose. And they don’t know him.” Emrys threw the potato back at me. “I uh, well uh, he was in South Dakota, of all places when I found him. On his way to work, I believe. An attorney. I verified who he was and spelled him. He didn’t really ‘come to’ so to speak, until after he blew the sacred horn three times.”

We stared at him. “Are you fraking kidding me?” I couldn’t help but laugh. “Poor kid. He’s got to be the most confused person here.”

I took another bite of fried potatoes and onions. “Think he’s up for this?”

Emrys grinned. “That’s your job, dearie. You are charged to make damn well sure he’s ready for it.”

I stopped chewing. Emrys, Treasach, Alastar and Aine laughed hysterically. I’m a great warrior and I trained all three of the King’s children. They can attest, I am not known for my patience. Training Tuatha is one thing. Training a human, a human that has never been in battle, hell —probably not even a fight, was already grating my nerves.

Treasach wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes. “Better get to the library. Don’t want the King pissed at you.”

I put a string of curse words together so foul that even the furthest sitting Tuatha turned to look at me in shock. I was not known for manners or etiquette but I shocked even myself at my level of crudeness.

The King’s children laughed harder at my insults as Emrys and I rose and headed for the library.

We made our way into the large room where the other Teulu had already gathered. Figures, wouldn’t want to offend the King by being late. I shut the door behind me as the clock finished striking nine. Right on time... barely. My own mini-defiance at being tasked to train Neil. I’m not fond of humans and didn’t like nor trust them when we fought alongside Arthur and his Knights. As it turned out, my instincts were right.

The King commanded the room. I’ve been on his good side and his bad many, many times. No matter what side of the line I was on with him he always trusted me, and I him. I trust him with my life and would give my life to save him. That said, I’ve been tempted to rip his head off a few times and today was one of them. I made my way to his side and stared blankly ahead as he spoke.

“My fellow Tuatha, we must first give thanks to Emrys. He has gone to great lengths to awaken us and provide us with such a fine place to reside and train. We begin training today. Emrys will begin training the Druid descendants. They will be but a shadow of the Druids that we called friends. That we called family. But they have Druid blood nonetheless, and will be able to help. It is upon him to get them as strong as they can be. Each of you and the warriors under you will begin training a group of humans. It is your responsibility to have them skilled in hand-to-hand combat and swordsmanship. The modern weapons will do nothing against the foes we face. Taking heads is always assured. These are not skills that they are familiar with, so begin with the very basics. Morrigan is tasked with training Neil and Neil alone. He needs to be ready to lead the Knights and command them. He is the true King of Erin and there is power in that. We have about one year until Samhain, which is when Emrys and Morrigan will travel to the land between twilight and night. Once there, they will be in that realm for one year. In that time, Brian will take over Neil’s training and James will continue overseeing the training of the humans. By that time, Emrys, you will need to appoint the strongest of the Druids to oversee the training in your absence. That gives us two years total to get the humans we have ready for battle. You have your orders.”

The King signaled that this was the end of our gathering by raising his head higher and stiffening his spine. This also signaled that there were to be no questions. Only obedience. We began to file out, me last. I cut my eyes to his, the turquoise color laced with fire when he finally met mine. He gave me an impish grin and softened his face. He whispered, “Morrigan… please.”

And that’s all it took to melt me. “Of course, my King.”