Chapter 33

"Do you know how important a good education is? When I was growing up more than a few women had to lie back and think of England after they caught the eye of an American soldier."

Marie sighs as her mother goes on the same rant again, a couple of weeks ago she'd have shouted back at her and started to cry. A couple of weeks ago she'd gone to 'A Celtic Day' to say goodbye. A couple of weeks ago she didn't have anything to live for. She glances at the calendar as her mother continues to bemoan her not being on her degree anymore, just 6 more days. 6 more days till she can ask the goddess that she fell in love with because of the passionate way that Morgana talked about her. 6 days before she can try and become a battle crow.

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Dora makes her way home for the first time in nearly two months. Stepping out of the mist briefly on the doorstep, she uses her key as it doesn't feel right to just appear inside the house. As the door closes behind her, Andromeda drops her coat and pulls her into a hug.

"Nymphadora, you're home, are you ok? What have you done to your face?"

"Hey mum," Dora replies softly, "this is my base form. Did Madam Bones talk to you?"

"She did, but it didn't explain anything."

"Are you in a hurry?"

"I was about to head to my shift at the hospital, but it can wait."

"Well the first thing is that the gods are real, as in they weren't just powerful witches and wizards."

"Our oldest histories, dating all the way back to Rome, say that they were."

"That's the second thing. The Romans invented Christianity to separate themselves from their gods. I don't know the full story, and it's unlikely anyone will unless they find one of the Roman gods and ask. That brings me to the last thing, and why I've not been around." Dora takes a deep breath, "I'm a chosen of The Morrigan, a Battle Crow. The reason why I've not been around is I've been helping her set up a mundane school so that the first year Hufflepuffs can join her son in getting a mundane education. She has also been training me back… actually just into shape, and teaching me Celtic magic."

"So why are you here today?"

Dora shrugs, "We finished the paperwork, including the facilities we're going to be using for the practicals. We're going to be using the February exam rotation, so our school year starts in January rather than September. That means I've got free time for a while, so my first visit was to the DMLE to resign."

"It's about time, you know I didn't agree with you joining the Auror's. What are you going to do now?"

"I'm going to be Morgana's teaching assistant and secretary. Once I'm properly in shape again, for real this time, I'm going to apply for a Hit Wizard licence."

"Nymphadora! That's worse than being an Auror, you know that."

"Mum! I want to be able to protect people, and I don't have time to do it as an Auror. Being a Hit Wizard is the next best thing."

"I don't want to have this argument again, what were you saying about this being your base form."

"You caught that. Yeah, the Romans developed a spell to separate a persons magic from their body so they can't use glamours. It turns out that being a Metamorph is just a natural talent in Glamour. So I've never actually exercised my base form before I was forced into it."

"Why would they do that?"

Dora shrugs, "Probably because their enemies used Glamours to great effect?"

"Well, when is she going to lift it?"

"She isn't, I need to work out how to counter it."

"Oh Dora, do you want me to check our records for one?"

Dora shakes her head, "No mum, I want to work it out myself so that I never have to do this again. It's taken me months to get into this level of fitness, and it will take me longer to get to peak fitness. When I was using my Metamorph abilities, I was only improving the glamour not myself."

"Well, we'll support you as long as you are doing what you want. Even if I don't agree that you should be doing it sometimes."

"Thanks Mum. Would it be ok to come back for dinner?"

Andromeda laughs, "Of course, of course. Will you be wearing these clothes?"

"Why?"

"I was going to get the camera out so I can get a picture of your fathers face."

"Mum!"

Andromeda kisses Dora on the forehead, "I've got to go to work love."

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"Harry! Harry! That dog looks really unhappy."

Harry looks up from his homework as Ephis appears next to him, "What dog?"

"The three headed one I told you about at Samhain."

"To be honest, I was so worried about Marianne that I forgot."

"Well, see now."

"Ok, ok, I'm coming."

Harry follows Ephis through the mist and steps out into the a room with a massive 3 headed dog that's pacing a room only slightly larger than twice the size it is. Seeing Harry appear, it crosses the distance in a single bound and starts licking him with all three tongues. Protecting his head with his hands, Harry laughingly says, "Ok, Ok, you're happy to see me."

Ever so carefully, Harry stops suppressing his magic, allowing Brigid's domain to tell him about the dog in front of him. The first thing he gets is that the species is a domesticated breed. The second thing is that the dog's stress levels are massively high[i], and there are signs his muscles are starting to lose some of the mass they need.

With a sigh, Harry squirms to his feet and pulls the two of them into the mist. There he leads the dog, slowly, to his domain. When they arrive, he lets his magic run free to allow his domain to provide for the Cerberus. As he does, the sound of insects fills the air, followed by bird song. Then rabbit burrows open up in the earth and rabbits poke their heads out. In the woods new-born fairies start to explore their surroundings, flitting from one flower to another. Finally, a large ball appears at his feet, easily twice the size of his head. Over the next hour he plays fetch with the dog while it explores the meadow, only stopping when Daphne arrives next to him and collapses to her knees at the weight of his magic.

"Daphne, are you ok?"

As the magic recedes, Daphne struggles to her feet, "I'm fine… We were worried about you."

"Sorry, I lost myself in seeing to the dog's needs."

"What dog?"

The two of them are bowled over by the Cerberus, who drops the ball and then starts to groom them both, "That one."

"Where did you find him?" Daphne screams.

"3rd floor corridor, Ephi said he was unhappy."

"Why bring him here? Eurgh."

"The room was far too small, he was pacing and whining when I arrived. As soon as I appeared he started licking me. I then allowed myself a Brigid moment, after that I couldn't leave him there."

"Well, you've missed dinner, and it's time for our lessons."

Harry laughs and throws the ball off into the forest, "Is there anything you want help with, or are you ok working on your own?"

"Actually, I'd like to run something past you."

"Ok, let me get Susan into the mist and we can talk."

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Airmed looks at the intractable child who is accompanying her grandmother. Have mortals really changed so much since she turned away from the world?

"Morrigan, you of all people should know why I'm here and not on the mortal world."

Marianne puts her hands on her hips, "Stop using that name, can't you see how much it hurts her when you say it like that."

"Then what should I call her? You heard her earlier, she didn't protect my people."

"I heard her say that she was nowhere near your people when they were killed. How is that her fault?"

"Because she sees fate, she can see when people are fated to die."

"Ok? How does that help? As I've never seen mum2 look so sad until today. Have you ever considered just what that means or are you to stuck up your own arse to see how much it costs her?"

Morgana reflexively says, "Language Marianne. I have no idea where you learnt that phrase."

Marianne smirks, "School. On the subject of school, how can I understand you?"

Airmed looks at her like she's a child, "I want to be understood so I am, I want to understand so I do."

Marianne nods, "So magic then. Does that work on people without magic?" Airmed's mouth drops open and she doesn't say anything, "Mum, I'm feel better now. We can go and look for a healer that will help Mum1. It's a shame Harry's a boy, as he healed me with Brigid's power."

"Wait, what's that about Brigid?"

Morgana says sadly, "After you left, she made a bargain with the Christians. She would become mortal and they would leave her people alone. They accepted and made her a saint in their religion, then converted her people anyway. My son by blood has inherited her domain. Ok Marianne, we're going."

"Wait, in Donn's name just wait, you can't say that my favourite aunt is dead and just leave."

"Donn's dead too. He killed himself." Morgana takes Marianne's hand and starts to walk into the mist.

Just as they're fading from view, Airmed curses and runs after them.

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Marie shivers as she walks up the path to Morgana's front door. Taking a deep breath, she rings the doorbell before fishing out a box of sea salt and a bottle of Irish mead. After a moment, a woman with hair the red of good clay opens the door.

Marie inclines her head, "Good evening, would I be able to speak to the owner of this house? I bring an offering of salt and mead."

"Who are you to ask after my Grandmother like that?"

Marie swallows hard, as her Celtic isn't particularly good, "Apologies. I am know as Marie Buchan."

"Fine, follow me."

Marie follows the woman through the house and out of a door in the kitchen that seems to just appear. Her eyes widen and she almost stumbles when a portal appears in the gateway at the centre of the courtyard they arrived in. Walking through, she follows the woman as she barks something at the guards, too fast for her to understand, and they both step to one side. Once inside, Marie can see it's the same roundhouse as before, and Morgana is seated next to a young girl she recognises from the news.

Morgana looks up as Airmed returns from the mortal world, where she had been watching TV. Seeing Marie and what she is holding she can't help but shake her head, "Oh you silly, silly girl. You don't have to do this."

Marie inclines her head, "Great Queen, I seek guest rights and I bring a bounty of salt and Irish mead."

Morgana smiles, "Come sit, you are always welcome at my table. We were to eat shortly and your salt will be well seasoned with dinner. You know, you don't have to do this."

Marie nods with a smile, "I know, but I want to. However that is serious talk, and this is a time for relaxation. Marianne, I haven't seen you since you were, what 6 or 7?"

Marianne looks confused, "Um?"

Morgana nods, "It would be about that long, yes. Marie has been coming to my Celtic lessons almost as long as I've been running them. She left the area for University over 3 years ago now."

Marie nods, "I wanted to become an Archaeologist like you. How's Harry doing?"

"He's gone to a private school where they're teaching him more esoteric material."

The conversation continues on mundanities and small talk until the meal is over, and one that is watched by Airmed even though she doesn't participate. Eventually, Morgana can no longer extend the meal.

"Marie, please don't ask me to do this. I've lost too many friends attempting the same thing."

Marie stands up and crosses over to kneel beside Morgana, where she hugs her lightly, "I know, but this is something I want. It's not a spur of the moment thing, and I've had time to think about why I want it too. In your stories about The Morrigan, she always seems so sad at the things she couldn't do. Of the choices she had to make where there were people she had to abandon in order to turn the tide of battle somewhere more important. Even as a teenager I wanted this, so that you no longer had to shoulder the burden alone. I'm sure that's true of every one of your friends that underwent this trial.

"I also realised that I can't live for me at the moment, but I can live for you. I don't know if you realise, but I've been a worshiper of yours for years now. I suppose that lacking magic, my prayers and offerings wouldn't go far though."

Morgana sniffs, "I had no idea."

Marie nods, "I'm not the only one. I think most of the regular crowd at least pay homage to you, certainly none of them are Christian anymore."

Morgana nods sadly, "We'll need to be outside for this, and it's traditional to go skyclad."

Marie nods and starts to disrobe, while she's doing that Morgana sheds her own clothes.

"Granddaughter, I need you to protect the child of my heart as her magic is not yet grown enough to withstand my unveiled presence."

Startled, Airmed bows her head, "I will guard her as if she was my own child grandmother."

As Airmed stands behind Marianne, she asks, "What's going on?"

Crouching down, Airmed replies, "Marie is going to ask your mother to become one of her chosen. If she had an adults magic this would be a simple thing, as an exchange of oaths and Morgana pushing some of her power into the supplicant would trigger the change, and their magic would do the rest and keep them alive too. For a mortal like Marie, she doesn't have any magic so we have to supply the magic ourselves. I was able to mix my blood with herbs and lessen the impact it had on my chosen. Grandmother doesn't have that option, so Marie will have to drink deeply from Morgana and avoid throwing it up again. If she can't drink enough each day, then Morgana's blood will kill her faster than it can transform her." She pauses as she thinks of something, then swallowing continues, "The cruellest part is that as soon as they take their first mouthful of blood she knows if they will fail. But she can't know if they will succeed."

Marianne looks wide eyed, "Is there anything we can do to help?"

"Marie can't understand me yet, but you could warn her about the blood."

Marianne doesn't hesitate, she runs forward and grabs Marie's hand as she's leaving the roundhouse, "Marie, Marie, this is important."

Marie turns around, "What is important?"

"Airmed was just saying that if you don't drink enough blood you will die. I don't want you to die, so drink as much as you can, and then some more, and don't throw it up."

Marie looks up at the goddess and her eyes widen, "Thank you for the advice Airmed."

Airmed waves a hand, "Thank me once you've survived."

Once they make it outside, the guards have fled and Morgana is shedding the glamour she wears constantly. Even with Airmed shielding her, the feeling is suffocating to Marianne. Marie, standing in front of her, doesn't seem to feel any of this. As Morgana sheds the last of her concealments, the mist that lies across her domain lifts completely, allowing an unobstructed view of each and every burial mound and weapon. In the distance the forests that border the field can be seen as a ripple against the horizon. Overhead, the full moon illuminates the scene in a soft silvery blue light.

Marie kneels down on one knee, "Great Queen, I submit myself into your service. I wish to take the trial to become one of your chosen. To stand by your side and share your burden. To be your voice in the world and go where you can not."

Morgana smiles, "That was very well said. But now I must ask my own questions. Do you of your own free will swear yourself into my service, to become one of my handmaidens?"

Marie's voice is firm as she replies "I do."

"Will you take up your sword against those who oppress, defend those who are weak, and comfort those who are injured?"

Marie looks up at Morgana and clearly says, "I will."

"Will you accept my mark, and the burden of seeing fate it brings."

"With all my heart."

"Then drink of my blood and be reborn."

Morgana places a cut on her breast and allows the blood to spill as she pulls Marie up. While Marie is drinking as much blood as she can stomach, Morgana dips her finger in the blood dripping down her side and starts painting a swirling design onto Marie's skin. As she completes each line, it sinks into the skin leaving behind a woad imprint.

Marianne looks up at Airmed, "What's she doing?"

"She's painting on clan markings. I didn't know, none of us did. She was always the Great Queen, above us all. Or The Dagada's jealous wife."

Marianne shakes her head, "She's not jealous, her husband cheated on her and mum's told him that he won't see her in his bed until he provides a second wife or a dead body."

"Why didn't she say something to the rest of us?"

Marianne shrugs, "I don't know, I'm only 11."

Together they return their attention to Morgana and Marie, who is now no longer able to stand on her own, but is still attempting to drink even while most of it is spilling out of her mouth before she can swallow. As Morgana completes the last line of the clan marking, Marie's eyes roll to the back of her head as her head lolls to one side. Gently, Morgana picks her up and carries her into the round house before placing Marie into her own bed. Then she turns back to the other two, "I didn't tell any of you because you need me to be the Queen and your mother. There were those that knew though."

[i] /signs-dog-crate-too-small/