The Chieftain's Daughter Page 3

  Kneeling down beside the pool she attempted to summon Killian’s image, for as lovely and mystical a location as this was, her true purpose for being here was to reassure herself that her husband, Killian, was not in peril. As she knelt closer she noticed sudden reflective movement in the water and she gasped. She heard an unsettling and eerie howling fill the cave. She turned toward the sound and her eyes skirted the area. On a ledge not far above her head stood a beast, the like she’d never witnessed before. Its head was large and shaped like that of a dog, but the animal was immense, surely bigger by far than any wolf Alainn had ever seen. It made no attempt to come near her, but it kept on howling loudly. She had wanted to discover what types of animals might be found here, but she wasn’t certain she cared to make acquaintance with this clearly unpredictable creature.

  Alainn had heard the many myths and legends of hellhounds. The tales were common and many believed that hellhounds existed in Ireland some centuries ago. Perhaps here in the realm of the gods they continued to do so. She half expected it to leap from its perch, pounce upon her and tear at her throat but, instead, it simply continued to howl and keep its eyes intently staring at her. She wasn’t remotely sure what to do next for she felt any sudden movement might cause the animal to become aggressive. She looked up at it careful not to meet its eyes when she saw a shadow on the wall beside her. She glanced toward it and was startled to see another of the canines had jumped on the ledge directly across from the other. It joined in the loud eerie howling which echoed of the walls of the cavern and made the hairs on her neck prickle.

  Her knees began to ache with kneeling upon the hard stone, but she continued to sit there barely daring to breathe lest she startle the canines. Always in the past she had been capable of taming the wildest of beasts, but that was back in her world, and with animals she knew much of. These creatures, presumed to be hellhounds, might be completely untamable and most likely capable of supernatural feats. In little time more of the beasts appeared on the overhead ledges and Alainn found herself surrounded by no less than thirteen of the creatures.

  A pack of hellhounds.

  Chapter Four

  The sound of their loud incessant howling was beginning to gravely affect Alainn’s ears and she wondered how long they intended to keep on with their unsettling baying. The disturbing thought crossed her mind that even on the slight chance they didn’t actually mean her any harm; their noisy howling would surely draw attention to her presence. She could only dare to imagine what other dangerous and frightening creatures might exist in this realm. She was certain she didn’t care to dwell upon that notion.

  Perhaps she could simply wish herself back to the castle, but with her heart beating wildly and attempting to keep her eyes focused on any movement, she wasn’t confident she would be capable. Her arm continued to sting fiercely with the burn that Lugh had caused and slowly she dared to submerge it in the water of the bubbling pool for she was certain it consisted of healing qualities. Each of the creatures turned their eyes upon her even with that slight movement. Alainn attempted to predict what their intentions for her might be and to weigh her options.

  She could possibly speak to them in a calm, steady voice and make them understand she was no threat to them and clearly not even much of a meal for that many of them to share. She could attempt to put a spell upon them or tame them by way of her magic, but if they were mystical beings, would her magic actually have any effect on them? She was contemplating all of this when she felt a slight nudge against her hand that remained dangling in the water. A fish, she questioned? But then she noticed the water had begun to swirl and froth. She ever so inconspicuously pulled her hand back and slowly dared to stand. The entire pool turned a deep blue. For the moment, the hellhounds seemed preoccupied by whatever was present in the water.

  Alainn’s eyes bulged and her jaw dropped as she hesitantly stepped backward. An enormous creature was emerging from the depths of blue and had huge black eyes on either side of its massive head. Its neck appeared to have no end; it was unbelievably long and thick. Alainn continued to back up until she was trapped against the cold wall of the cave.

  Chapter Five

  The water beast further rose from the depths and its head now nearly touched the roof. Alainn was almost certain she was viewing a mighty sea serpent.

  The hellhounds had ceased their infernal howling and a few of them had actually begun to whimper as the immense creature appeared to nearly fill the entire cavern. They each moved from their positions and gathered close to Alainn as if she would be capable of protecting them from this enormous and surely menacing beast. It threw a quick glance at the canines, but focused most of its attention on Alainn. One of hellhounds rubbed its enormous head against her hand and she absentmindedly petted it all the while intently watching the water creature. It made a loud trumpeting sound as though it were in pain and Alainn only then noticed the bloody mark upon its long neck. As she tried to determine what might have caused the gash, she noticed a large object protruding from the wound.

  Alainn held her hand out to the creature, attempting to call it to her and immediately it bent its head down toward her so close the water droplets falling from the creature landed on her and thoroughly soaked her garment. The sea serpent seemed strangely docile or perhaps it instinctively trusted Alainn as a healer. It moved closer to her and she gingerly touched its neck in reassurance of her good intentions. The beast did not appear to object so Alainn continued to move her hand closer to the gash. Upon closer inspection, she realized the object stuck in the sea serpent’s neck was a massive tooth. Not allowing her mind to dwell upon what creature might lay claim to such a gigantic tooth, Alainn began chanting magical words and sending warmth and healing through her fingertips. She dared to lull and charm the beast and finally, with some difficulty due to its sheer size, she capably removed the tooth from the wound.

  She was disturbed to learn in actuality it was only part of a tooth for it had broken off. She sealed the wound with her hands and a magical healing enchantment. The creature opened and closed its eyes in a manner Alainn recognized as an expression of its gratitude. She smiled at the huge creature as it moved backward into the water almost gleefully and it made a sound that was clearly joyful. It splashed about playfully, once more soaking her and the hellhounds in the process. The canines shook the water from their shaggy coats as they, too, playfully nudged Alainn and each other.

  Sighing deeply at the most fortunate outcome, Alainn suddenly noticed the ground beneath and around her had begun to quake. The hellhounds terminated their play and once more whined and pushed closer to Alainn for protection.

  “Now what?” she whispered aloud as the ground continued to shake and an opening in the wall grew wider as the rocks crumbled and fell. Fearful the entire cavern might fall down upon them, Alainn contemplated wishing herself and the hellhounds to another location. The beast in the water made another sound and this time it was not one of pleasure as it spotted the gargantuan beast that appeared from within the next chamber.

  This creature was brownish-green in color and it appeared to be the largest lizard Alainn had ever dared to imagine might exist. She had heard tell of such beasts that apparently lived thousands of years previous. This creature appeared to come forth from the earth and it bellowed loudly at the beast in the water. As it widely opened its mouth, Alainn could see that there was a partial tooth in its mouth and immediately she knew who was the responsible for wounding the sea serpent. The earth lizard lowered its head, scuffed the ground, and fiercely snorted before it began to charge at the water beast. Alainn put her hand up in protest and shrieked.

  “Stop that this instant; she is already wounded!”

  She was startled to see it obey her command for it stopped in its tracks and turned its attention and its enormous head toward her.

  “I didn’t intend for you to charge me, at any rate, but you needn’t harm the serpent further.”

  The water creature trumpeted yet a
gain and tossed its long neck forward in protest of the other beast’s presence. The earth lizard opened its mouth once more to reveal a damaged tooth, and it moaned loudly, evidently in great pain.

  “Oh, now I understand, the two of you have been involved in an ongoing battle then. Well, come here; let me see what I can do.”

  The earth beast listened to her command and Alainn reluctantly put her hand in the mouth of the enormous creature. She was pleased to find the tooth was partially detached. However when she put both of her hands around the giant tooth and tried to pull it out, it wouldn’t budge. She attempted it three times, but to no avail. The beast made such a pathetic, forlorn cry she knew she must give it one more try.

  Alainn was stunned when the water beast forcefully nudged her and caused her to be tossed against the earth lizard and then to the ground. The sudden movement knocked the tooth from the beast and, as Alainn stood brushing herself off, the creature appreciatively licked her with its huge, slimy tongue. It left an oozing green substance on her skin and it clung to the burn upon her arm. Strangely enough, the burning seemed to be alleviated by the gooey slime.

  “Thank you, I think.” She chuckled as she watched the burn on her arm become less red and angry.

  The sea serpent bent closer to her once more and she gently rubbed some of the healing substance on the wound on its neck. It allowed her to do so without resistance and within moments the two enormous beasts affectionately nudged each other as if they were friends and not the enemies she had believed them to be.

  “Now, if you’ll just be still for a moment, water beast, I’d like to do what I’ve come for and look within the pool to see how my husband fares this day!”

  The beast appeared to understand her and it moved far to the other side of the large body of water and obediently fell still and silent. As she waved her hand above the water and began to attempt to summon Killian’s image, she once more heard the loud flapping sound which disturbed her concentration.

  Looking upward, she wasn’t able to locate the source of the sound. And before she had time to further dwell upon it she heard another unusual noise. This was surely the sound of hissing...very loud and distinct hissing. There were no snakes to be found in Ireland so Alainn had never ever seen an actual snake. She had read about them, seen images of them, and also heard of their distinct hissing. After viewing the two creatures that remained within the cave, she was fairly certain she would not care to fall upon a snake that was anywhere near as large as these two beasts. The sea serpent and earth lizard both turned their large heads toward the direction of the sound and then looked back at Alainn as if she should decide what must be done.

  “I do not wish to make acquaintance with an enormous snake no matter how seemingly pleasant the two of you may have turned out to be!”

  The hellhounds growled and snarled, but slowly moved forward to stop short before a location not far from where the earth lizard had emerged. They, too, looked at her in anticipation of her next move and they actually began wagging their tails.

  She shook her head and stood, once more distracted from her original purpose. She followed the canines and was startled to find an invisible barrier blocking their path. She placed her hands upon it and imagined what might be preventing them from moving forward. Almost immediately four walls could be seen, four translucent walls that formed an impenetrable chamber surely made of a peculiar type of crystal. Alainn continued to touch the beautiful stones and soon the image of what was secretly encased inside the chamber could be seen.

  She gasped aloud once more, for it was, again, a creature that was surely only straight from her imagination or from ancient myths. It was huge, and reptilian in nature, but a bright red color and its eyes were large oval slits. It stared unblinkingly at Alainn and when it hissed and snorted she saw that smoke escaped its large nostrils. It attempted to move closer to her and to the hellhounds that surrounded the chamber, but when it unintentionally touched the side of the encasement, it shrieked and pulled back as though the very touch caused extreme pain for the creature.

  “Who would entrap you within these walls and why?” she asked aloud as she viewed the creature.

  The beast turned its large oval eyes toward her and it was clear he was observing her as carefully as she was him. She noted he was covered in large plates that were possibly huge scales. He had distinguishable ears as well, which set it apart from the other two beasts she had already encountered. She nearly fell backward when she heard the creature within the walls actually speak and in a language she was capable of understanding.

  First there was a hiss and then a deep sigh of resignation and then actual words came from the beast’s mouth.

  “It was the Fomorians,” he clearly stated.

  Alainn’s eyes widened as the creature spoke on.

  “Many millennia ago when the two races of deities the Fomorians and the Tuatha De Dannann waged war with one another, the Fomorians won the final battle. They banished the Tuatha De to the underworld and entrapped any mystical creatures that had banded with the Tuatha De. I was placed within this Fomorian crystal prison along with the many other beasts you have seen within this magical realm,” he explained. “But I must ask; how is it you have been allowed to enter the chamber for no gods or deities are allowed to pass through the veil that surrounds the passageways?”

  Alainn cleared her throat and swallowed hard. “I am not a god!” she said in a small voice.

  “Then what being are you?” The animal stared at her and repeatedly blinked its huge eyes.

  “I am a woman, a human.”

  The creature narrowed its large eyes and dared to move closer to her yet steered clear of actually touching the walls.

  “How could a human enter the realm of the gods?”

  “I was brought here by Aine.”

  “Ah, so Aine still lives, she has survived the great war, though I suppose she was never in allegiance with either side.” He spoke more to himself than to her. “But to what end, why has she allowed you to be present in the realm of the gods?”

  “I am her descendant, and I am here for she believes I am in need of protection.” She offered.

  “So, you are not truly human?”

  “Aye, sure I am human.”

  “But you must possess great magical abilities else you could not enter this cavern. The Fomorians charmed the entrance, no gods or any other creature from this realm can pass through the veil. Not one being has been allowed within or been capable of locating this place in eons. So because you are not a god, but a human who is capable of strong magic, you could pass through the veil of binding. You are a witch then?”

  “Aye, it has been presumed to be so,” she replied.

  Alainn stood there still, staring at the mythical creature before her.

  “And what is it you are to be protected from?”

  Alainn sighed. “Because of my abilities, there are apparently dark forces that have taken an interest in me and what I may be capable of.”

  This quieted the beast as he seemed to need time to contemplate this information.

  He finally responded. “Always, no matter the realm of the gods or human, or the time, ancient or present, there will be dark beings that choose to prey on the powers of others, to take them for their own to do their bidding. And never is it done for the betterment of any world; always it is to encompass evil. If Aine believes you are in imminent peril, then best you stay here and be surrounded by the protection of the gods.”

  “But my life and my only love are in the human world... and truly what life would it be to live here when my heart is elsewhere? I would be no less imprisoned than you are now, fire beast.”

  “There is truth in your words, but perhaps not wisdom, they are seldom intertwined. Tell me, magical woman, what name is it you have been given?”

  “I am called Alainn.”

  He dwelled on that for a time before he responded and he looked deep into her strikingly blue eyes.

  �
��I have heard of you.”

  “How is it possible that you would have heard of me when you have been imprisoned for all this time and I have lived but seven and ten human years?”

  “I have heard of a human woman with magical abilities, that one day you would exist and that your name would be Alainn, you are the first in the line of three such supernatural beings.”

  Noticing the expression of displeasure and uncertainty on the woman’s face at hearing this, the clever and insightful dragon changed the topic.

  “Alainn, I see you have already met my brother and sister.”

  She looked back at the sea serpent and the earth lizard.

  “I did not know they were your kin or that they were connected,” Alainn admitted. “Why is it you speak when they seem incapable?”

  “Why do you have arms and not wings?” He oddly reasoned.

  “All people have arms and if I had siblings they would all speak.”

  “But humans possess defined qualities as well. Some possess brawn, some intellect, some swiftness, some intuition. We are not so very different.”

  She shrugged and looked back at the other two, smiling as they gazed at her with obvious fondness.

  “Well ’tis little wonder you are at each other’s throats, literally!” she stated. “If you have been locked up together for such a very long time.”

  “They do tend to battle each other from time to time. My sister can escape within the depths of the water and my brother can wander the boundaries of the earth and the extensive caverns, but still they have been forced to endure each other’s company for too long. However, it is me trapped within these confining walls and my other sister who is tethered above, who have suffered the most through the many millennia!”