Read Online Waves in the Wind by Wade McMahan - Free Book Online Page A

of morning. We could truly see, not in full daylight, more like the waning moments of twilight preceding full darkness.
    The spring in Laoidheach’s step reflected the lightening and for the first time since that fiery night on the side of Knockaulin his voice came to life. “So, think you the darkness may be ending?”
    Our rapid pace proved tiring. Months of inactivity brought on by the darkness left me gulping for air. “We may only pray,” I gasped, “the wound in Mother Earth is healing. Remember the Dagda’s song, though.” I gasped again. “We face nine months of darkness but only five have passed.”
    Laoidheach chuckled. “Maybe we… Look, someone comes.”
    Two men approached. My Druid’s robe and death’s head staff revealed my status so they stepped to the side, bowed and allowed me to pass. I slowed my pace and bowed in return, offering blessings upon them.
    Perhaps it was the newness of the twilight setting, but many people traveled that day. In every case they stopped and bowed as I came to them. As a boy, I had seen my father treated with such deference, but this was a new experience for me. Each person we met greeted me as “Wise One,” and I was amused to find myself discomfited in my new role. It would take time to feel at ease inside the skin of a Druid.
    At last we neared my home. I gained a bounce in my stride as the country we passed through grew familiar. I visited my home only three times during my eight years at Dún Ailinne. Two years had passed since my prior trip. Despite the heaviness still weighing upon my heart, I anticipated the joy of seeing old friends and loved ones.
    Three armored warriors rode toward us. As they drew near I recognized two faces from Rath Raithleann, men who accompanied my journey to Tara. We mounted horses to ride double behind two warriors while the third galloped ahead to the village to announce our arrival.
    So it was that a short while later we rode into Rath Raithleann to find the people gathering to welcome us. Among the first I noticed was my elder sister, Ceara. I leaped from the rear of the horse and gave her a cautious hug, for she held a babe in her arms. Two small boys huddled within the folds in her skirt.
    “Welcome home, brother.” Her dark eyes glistened as she stood on tiptoes and kissed my cheek.
    I hugged her again, knelt and was re-introduced to my nephews, who had grown a great deal since my last visit. Their large shy eyes peered at me from behind her skirt.
    Laoidheach alit from his mount and stood beside me. I rose from where I was kneeling to find my father standing beside him, his hand rested upon Laoidheach’s shoulder.
    My father’s eyes held a greeting, but something more—they demanded an explanation for our unexpected presence and the death’s head staff in my hand.
    I bowed. “May the gods’ many blessings be upon you, father. I bring news of a great tragedy though I believe it would be best that we speak of it privately.”
    His raised hand swept ’round to indicate all those gathered about us. “You have returned to family and friends and are free to speak your news here.”
    Now hundreds of faces crowded around us as word of my arrival contined to spread throughout the village. They stood muttering questions among themselves at the import of the news I brought.
    I held my staff above my head, calling for silence, and raised my voice so all could hear. “Three days past a large body of Christian zealots attacked and destroyed the school at Dún Ailinne and the holy shrine atop the hill of Knockaulin.”
    A gasp went up, and I gestured to Laoidheach before continuing. “My friend and I were fortunate to escape the school with our lives, for the Christians massacred all the others.”
    Again, a gasp rose among the crowd, and the beginning of angry whispering. I waved my staff again, begging silence, and a large lump grew in my throat. “Our leader, Master Druid Tóla, wise and holy man that he was, knowingly