A Witch's Life Read online

  “Do you believe they will behave as domesticated equines because of your spell? Do you simply expect them to chew merrily through the seaweed on your request?”

  This time Alainn turned and openly glared at the horse.

  “Do you have any other wise suggestions? It is perhaps because of you the mer-people have put their faith in me. Now you question my every move and doubt my every action. I assure you, I am open to most any other possibilities if you might offer them to me.”

  The magical steed shook his head and then looked away.

  “Be exceedingly cautious, Alainn. Kelpie hair is perilously sharp-edged. My father once sent three mermen to attempt to rescue me and one lost his hand simply by touching one of them. He died soon after from mortal blood loss.” Coventina warned.

  “And the others?” Alainn couldn’t contain her curiosity though was most certain she didn’t actually care to know the outcome.

  “One was dragged beneath the water by the kelpies. They viciously fought over him, mangled his body and devoured him. It was most gruesome to witness. His entrails were tossed upon the rocks and left there forever so long as a warning to others, I believe. The third was not harmed. His purpose was to alert my family of what would transpire should anyone else attempt to free me.”

  “Your father and sister seemed to have omitted those apparently unworthy details when asking to enlist me in recovering you from Mac Lir.” Alainn wryly stated.

  “I do not wish for you to endanger yourself in attempting to free me. I have been here all these many years and have mostly accepted my fate. I do not desire anyone else to be harmed in such attempts. My father is king of the mer-people and his wise counsel has governed our kind for centuries. He longed to come rescue me some time ago, but his legions have prevented him from placing himself in peril... else I am certain he would have come for me himself.”

  “Aye, I concur. Your father would have gladly come to see you released from this imprisonment. I sensed his great love and fretfulness at all the time you have been parted and endured such bitter separation from your kind.” Alainn needed to offer consolation to the aggrieved young mermaid.

  Alainn slowly turned and once more drew nearer to the sleeping kelpies, but then stopped mid-step. If their hair was truly sharp enough to cut off a hand, then surely it would capably slice through seaweed. She prayed the hair from a darkly charmed kelpie would cut through equally darkly charmed seaweed.

  She placed her hands before her, focused on the kelpie nearest her and gazed at his wild, lengthy mane. She set her mind on one thick hair in particular that stuck out further than the others. With her mind, she employed her powers and magically tugged on the hair although she drew no closer to the beast. The others watched as it was slowly pulled from the kelpie and were much relieved when the creature remained sleeping. The large sharp hair remained afloat midair and Alainn summoned it closer to her and directed it toward the seaweed tether, mindful to move it slowly lest it graze the mermaid’s tail. They were all pleased to see it capably saw through the seaweed, first one tether, then the other.

  It was obvious Coventina forced herself to remain subdued although her delight at being free and able to move about was certain by the gleeful smile upon her lovely face. She slowly swam from her position and nearer to Enbarr. Alainn tiptoed backward in distancing herself from the sleeping kelpies, but when she began to lose her footing on the slippery rock surface, she slowly rose in the air and hovered above Enbarr and the mermaid. All the while she was thinking, “Nothing is ever that simple or goes that smoothly for me, even with my magic.”

  Chapter Three

  The water suddenly became darker and the waves lapped forcefully against the rocky shore. Even the previously glistening crystal walls took on a darker hue and it was frighteningly clear impending peril would ensue. Alainn’s eyes skirted the cavern to where the four kelpies remained asleep under her spell. It was obvious they were not the source of threat.

  “Mac Lir?” Alainn questioned the mermaid.

  She nodded her head and looked all around her, but made not a sound. Her eyes were filled with fear as the water grew steadily stormier.

  “Wish us away from here immediately!” Enbarr whinnied once more sounding more like a horse than a magical creature.

  Alainn grabbed hold of Enbarr’s mane and Coventina’s hand, all the while closing her eyes and attempting to envision the fairy realm, to ensure they were carried back there straightaway.

  When nothing happened Alainn’s eyes grew wide with fright and she attempted once more to send them away from the cavern. The water was now swirling and frothing and Coventina’s hand was being pulled from her own. In her fearful state Alainn could sense her powers growing with her fear but, as in the past, her magic also became more unpredictable and more difficult to manage when she was under duress. She and Enbarr floated higher above the water and Coventina was slowly pulled atop the waves, now hanging precariously by Alainn’s hand.

  “How long are you able to be removed from sea water?” Alainn managed above the sound of the heightening wind.

  “I am uncertain. Not long. I have, of course, sat upon the rocks, but always near enough to the sea that part of me was within the salt water.”

  She noticed the stormy water had risen dangerously and now splashed against the walls of the cavern. The entire space had grown dark and as she glanced down at the sleeping kelpies she feared for them as well. Although they were sea-creatures and there were many uncertainties surrounding them, they were similar to mermaids and required both water and air. Even now the creatures were being pulled below the water yet remained asleep because of her previous spell.

  “Waken kelpies, all four... now, waken, but harken to the sound.

  Listen to my voice, heed only what I say, for I am now your sole master and you must obey.”

  The four sea creatures awoke at once as Alainn had commanded. They appeared frightened and confused, whimpering like newborn foals.

  “You are no longer under the dark charm of Mac Lir. Swim out to sea.

  Be gone. Be free!” She ordered.

  They stared at her obediently and nodded. They each dove beneath the water as Alainn grasped tighter to Coventina’s hand. Enbarr positioned himself below the mermaid and when she was safely upon his back, Alainn, too mounted the mystical creature.

  “If you cannot wish us away from here, Alainn, then we will need to swim to safety. Hold tight to my mane and take a long, deep breath.” Enbarr requested with authority.

  She did as he instructed, but as they dove beneath the water a powerful wave overtook them and wildly hurled them against the wall of the cave. Alainn sputtered and gasped and tried to right the dizziness she felt after her head solidly struck the wall. She saw Coventina, seemingly unconscious, being pulled into the angry waters. Enbarr shook his head visibly disoriented as well and at the moment clearly incapable of flight.

  It was then they heard the booming and enraged male voice that shook the waters further as he angrily spoke.

  “Who dares to enter my cavern this night when my time is limited and my deeds not a few? I have no time to confront such menial vexations. There are souls to ferry to the underworld!”

  Alainn stared up into the furious contorted face, even still clearly recognizable as a god. In her confused and dizzy state as she stared at him she thought he appeared not entirely as a solid figure, but almost liquid as the water around him, and his voice sounded much like a gale blowing in from the sea. It echoed and quivered with each word.

  “An irksome woman and a damnable horse are the source of my present misery?” he asked in disbelief. “How were you able to gain access to this magical place and sever the charmed seaweed? Where is my mermaid?”

  “Your captive prisoner? Do you not think ten years is a long enough sentence... A decade spent apart from her family and those who hold her dear not an unforgivably cruel punishment?”

  “Who by the gods are you, woman? Who would dare
question my actions? Where is the mermaid? I demand to know what you have done with her?” His voice now contained an element of panic and heightening madness in not knowing the mermaid’s location.

  “It is my hope she is back with her family and her twin sister.” Alainn rubbed the large bump on her head and pulled herself to a sitting position noting Enbarr remained dazed as well.

  To Alainn’s dismay, she saw Coventina had been washed up against the rock wall and at the moment she wasn’t moving. Alainn didn’t sense that Coventina had been killed when she struck the wall, but she was injured and unable to move. She would soon need to be immersed in salt water in order for her condition to improve. Not wanting to draw attention to her, Alainn pulled quickly her gaze from the location and continued to converse with the infuriated god.

  “You’ve said you have numerous duties this night, sure you might better attend to them rather than consuming your limited time with a simple woman and a horse.”

  “Ahhh, you think yourself a clever one, do you? You aim to trick me. A simple woman would never have been capable of detecting or entering this charmed location. A mere human could not cut through the magical seaweed. What powers have you? Are you somehow connected to the gods?”

  He drew nearer to Alainn and his long white beard trailed nearly down to his waist. His face appeared lined and elderly yet his body in noticeable contradiction was toned and muscular. She also noted how enormous he truly was. He was surely a head taller than Lugh. Lugh was the immense god who had once been assigned to be her guardian. She found herself wishing Lugh might come to her aid, but at present Lugh was banished to another realm. She had sent him there herself weeks ago. Now she longed to be able to transport him back to her this instant. She dwelled upon that thought.

  Mac Lir stared at her accusingly. “What association have you to Lugh?”

  “Just my misfortune,” Alainn whispered under her breath, “I happened upon a god with the ability to hear my thoughts!”

  Enbarr shook his head again and snorted as he attempted to stand. This temporarily distracted Mac Lir from the fact she hadn’t replied to his inquiry, but when he glared at the horse his furious gaze caused light to exude from his eyes. It sent the animal crashing down upon the rocks once more.

  Alainn immediately and perhaps unwisely reacted to the horse being dealt with so severely. She retaliated by directing her anger at the god. She glowered at him, her own eyes blazing. Her hands rose of their own accord and to her complete amazement, she sent the god pitching through the air to land hard upon the rocks himself. Mac Lir quickly recovered and stood up in astonishment as he stared into her eyes.

  “You are not simply a woman by any stretch!” He pointed at her accusingly. “You are surely the one who freed the dragons and the hellhounds in the realm of the gods. You are the woman of legend, Alainn from the line of Aine.” His voice boomed so loudly Alainn’s ears protested the din. She placed her hands over her ears and turned from his stare, but he pressed on.

  “Do you deny it?”

  “I am Alainn, aye.”

  “Do you presume because you freed the dragons and the hellhounds you can simply allow my mermaid to be set free without grave consequences?”

  “Coventina is not your mermaid! She belongs to no one! You’ve held her against her wishes for many years. It is far past time to set her free.”

  “I much enjoy gazing upon her beauty. You’ll not deny me that pleasure.”

  “You are a contemptuous, unconscionable brute. Because you are a god does not give you the right to imprison her. And how immoral are to to keep her chained because you simply care to occasionally look upon her. That is ludicrous!”

  Alainn was relieved when she noticed Coventina had begun to move and she willed her magic to inconspicuously send gentle healing waves of sea water toward the ailing mermaid. She dared to draw nearer to Enbarr to assess his condition. As she placed her hand upon the horse, he awoke and shook his head once more before speaking.

  “Have you managed to rile another god, Alainn?”

  “So it would appear.”

  “And not simply a horse either,” the god declared.

  “Aye, you’ve now caused injury to Lugh’s horse. I hope you are willing to deal with his wrath.” Alainn considered this god’s arrogance was much reminiscent of how she’d found Lugh on every occasion they’d been together.

  “I do not fear Lugh or any other.”

  “Do you not fear the certain ramifications of the dead being left to roam the earth while you shirk your duties of ferrying them to the underworld? I would suggest that is not something to be taken lightly when that is to be your sole purpose.”

  The god glanced around and a palpable tension filled the air.

  “Return my mermaid and my kelpies and I shall allow you to leave without harmful consequences, you and the horse.”

  “She is not your mermaid, nor are the kelpies yours any longer.”

  “What’s that you say?” He bellowed and the entire cavern filled with angry waves of fierce size and strength. Alainn felt herself being overtaken by a massive wave, and pulled beneath the stormy waters, but not before she noticed the satisfied smirk on the insolent god’s face.

  Chapter Four

  Alainn awakened, once more sputtering and gagging on briny seawater, but this time she was vexed to find herself in the arms of Mac Lir. He was carrying her to another chamber deeper within the cavern. Alainn was further dismayed when she found she couldn’t aptly sense the location of Enbarr or Coventina. She glanced about and concluded this chamber was apparently reserved for those who didn’t dwell within the water. The walls here were also formed of crystal, but there were several markings etched upon them. They appeared to depict the passage of time and there were a good many. She estimated some marked numerous years. Many seemed to be recently carved and others were barely visible surely diminished by the years.

  There was an ample bed, one lone chair, and a table already set, ready and waiting for her or for someone, at any rate. Alainn dared to imagine how many females Mac Lir might have held captive in the many millennia he had lived. She angrily stared up into his rugged lined face.

  “Ahhh, so you have finally awoken.”

  “Where is Coventina?”

  “Do not fret so. She is well enough. I have generously granted her freedom as you suggested. In truth, I had long since tired of her. She had little spirit left and I grew weary of her tears and constant pleas to be returned to her family. I seldom came to look upon her recently. I should perhaps thank you then for I shall be glad to done with her.”

  “And what have you done to Enbarr?”

  “I’ve done nothing to him. Although the last I saw of the creature the kelpies had him in their possession and I’m quite certain he’ll be their dinner this night.”

  “You would deliberately risk Lugh’s enragement?” Alainn’s voice caught in her throat at the possibility of Enbarr meeting such a gruesome end.

  “It has been said Lugh has not been seen or heard of in so many weeks. I fear he may have met with misfortune, not that I shall mourn him in any manner. We were often at odds.”

  “What is it you intend to do with me?” Alainn dared to query though she was relatively certain she knew his intentions.

  “Well I do need a female creature of beauty to replace the mermaid. You’re remarkably beautiful, so you, lovely Alainn from the line of Aine, shall be my newest treasure.”

  Alainn squirmed in his arms, but couldn’t break free. This apparently amused him for he chuckled at her ineffective movements and squeezed her tighter.

  “Do you know why Lugh has not been seen in some time?” she began. “He is in another realm because I banished him. I think I might like to banish you to a far less desirable place for all of eternity. Perhaps a desert... aye, a hot, arid desert surely thousands of miles from the nearest sea.” She threatened.

  “And what then would become of this world if no one ferried the souls of the dead
away?”

  “I’m certain the gods would enlist another to maintain your duties.” Alainn chided saucily, but turned from his unsettling gaze.

  “Ferrying the dead is not an undertaking most are willing or able to achieve, and I should like to inform you, woman, of the unimaginable melee that will ensue if my tasks are not completed. I sense you possess the ability to see spirits and specters so you would surely notice the hideous chaos before any other human. Within mere days, the dead would walk the earth in numbers even a woman with magical premonitory visions would be unable to comprehend.”

  He was correct in that assumption and she struggled in deciding what must be done about her conundrum. She turned her mind’s eye to Enbarr and through her abilities she was relieved to see he remained intact and had not been fodder for the kelpies. She did, however, sense the kelpies were nearby, but not darkly charmed. Her spell had held and they remained under her power.

  Her knowledge of kelpies was admittedly minimal, but if her memory served her correctly, she had heard kelpies were actually shape-shifters. Alainn called to them and summoned them to come to her, not as kelpies, but as something altogether different.

  When Mac Lir turned to determine what the sound behind him was, he stood stock still and his stormy blue eyes filled with terror. In his fear and uncertainty, he allowed the struggling Alainn to drop from his arms. She used her magic to prevent herself from hitting the rocks, and floated far from his reach. The god turned to watch the four large black hellhounds following him.

  “Stay away from me,” he hollered.

  Alainn well knew Mac Lir’s children had all been turned into swans by his jealous second wife. She was aware they were often pursued by the only natural predator in the realm of the gods, the hellhound. Mac Lir apparently not only despised them, but he feared them as well.

  “I will kill you all!” Mac Lir declared and soon a large spear appeared in his hands.

  “If you kill them you’ll be killing the kelpies,” Alainn insisted, “For under my spell they have shape-shifted into hellhounds.”