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Chapter IV - Isolde, the Fair Earth Maiden
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For your gentility, sensitivity, and kindness toward the land and all its creatures, we, the benevolent púcaí, have decided to grant you a unique gift.
Isolde, the Fair Earth Maiden, your firstborn child will have the power to shape-shift, as we púcaí do. When she is of age, your child will choose whatever creature she desires, obtaining the power to shape-shift into that creature as she pleases.
However, she will only retain this power if used for good. If used with malevolent intent, she will lose this power for the rest of her days in the mortal realm, and then she will live in the spirit realm as a malevolent púca for all time.
Protect your daughter, Isolde. Teach her your ways. Keep it a secret amongst all men. This is a great honor, if used wisely.
She thought of the púcaí's words as she walked.
She thought of how young she had been.
She thought of…
She once thought of him with ocean waves cascading on the shore of her heart, and now she thought of him with a heart all dried up.
"Oh, great púcaí," she spoke in her native tongue of Gaelic, lifting her tall slender neck to the trees, "each day my daughter grows to be more and more malevolent." The wind rustled in response. "I have tried to raise her to be kind and gentle—and sometimes she is—but she is becoming more and more like the man I once loved dearly, yet love no longer. He has spoiled the lass. And I notice new things about her—her contrary and manipulative ways."
Isolde stroked a tree branch. "Púcaí, if there is anything you can do to help my family and me in this great time of sorrow, please, I beg of you, do."