Chapter Seven
By deDanaan
Enlightenment
Makoto and Kieran made their way to a secluded spot in the local park. The same park where Sailor Jupiter had come across the unconscious strangers lying on a scorched patch of ground. Mako sat on a bench, obscured from public view by a copse of trees, and gestured for Kieran to sit down beside her. He complied, slightly self-conscious because he was totally alone with her. Makoto turned and addressed him, uncertain of where to start.
"Okay....." she trailed off, many questions vying for precedence in her mind and on her tongue. Where to begin? "So, let's get this straight. We've bonded?" she arched her brows at him and he smiled.
"Yes." he answered simply. "Do you mind if I take your hand?" He watched her blush and found himself smiling. She was beautiful with the added colour in her cheeks and he had to resist the urge to reach out and gently trace a finger down her cheek.
"Ano...no, I don't mind." she replied quietly, offering her hand to him and trying to hide her embarrassment.
"That's good." he looked deeply into her eyes as he took her hand gently in his. "It's much easier this way." She was puzzled for a moment, wondering what he meant, but after a few seconds the furrows in her brow disappeared. They were exchanging thoughts again, but this time she wasn't receiving a jumbled mass of images from him. This time it was a directed, organized flow.
Makoto learned everything about his past--who he really was and where he was from. If she hadn't had previous experience with the strange and unusual she would have found herself disbelieving.
Images of Kieran as a young boy flowed through her mind first. A small, tousle headed, red-haired boy with tears running down his cheeks as he faced the taunts of the other boys on the hurley field. "Kieran's a monster!" they called, their clamouring voices totally overwhelming. She felt his hands tighten on the hurley bat and knew his knuckles had been white from the intensity of his grip--never mind that it had happened years before.
"He doesn't know who his father is!" came the sing-song cruelty.
"Bastard!" yet others chorused.
"Half-breed!" Would it ever end? His memory of the taunting was so intense that Makoto felt involuntary tears slip down her own cheeks as she sympathized with his plight. No, it was more than sympathy. She could feel every last morsel of pain that had coursed through his young mind. Was this bonding?
She journeyed with him as he grew older and watched as he was accepted into the ranks of his mother's peers. His mother was a master musician and more...she had the ability to weave wondrous magic with her song and he was following in her footsteps. The music was intoxicating. It filled a void in him.
He grew older still and his mother remarried yet again, presenting him with two more sisters. Then something happened that would forever change the course of his life. Kieran was suddenly the object of great scrutiny. The elders of his people were excited. He was one of the chosen. One of the prophesied saviours of their race. He was about eleven years old then and didn't really understand everything that was going on around him, but he was glad the other boys had stopped bullying and teasing him. Suddenly he was important and cherished by people other than his mother for the first time in his young life.
Kieran now stayed with a stern older man most of the time. This man had been his stepfather for a while and was father to his sister, Aislin. His visits to his family became less frequent and more treasured as he was subjected to hour after hour of training. A lot rested on his inexperienced, narrow shoulders, but he revelled in it. One by one other chosen were revealed--all younger than him--and he grew from a lonely, solitary figure to a cherished member of a group. For the first time outside of his family, he felt like he had value. He felt like he belonged. He revelled in his new role as one of the Sadar and ceased to chafe against the yoke laid upon him by the adults.
As puberty hit, he filled out and sprung up impressively, becoming one of the tallest men in the land. The last remnants of teasing died out in the face of this. Even the most callous bullies--those who hadn't cared that he was one of the chosen--finally realized he was a force to be reckoned with and ceased tormenting him.
Makoto learned about the threat to his kingdom and the prophecy that said the chosen would journey to a world from the Tuatha deDanaan's past to seek out a group of female warriors. She finally understood. The Senshi were the ones being sought by Kieran and his friends. Each Sadar had a corresponding Senshi with whom they could bond, and through the co-operation of both groups a terrible evil spanning both worlds would be vanquished.
The images suddenly stopped as Kieran released her hand. She looked up at him and managed a smile as he reached out to wipe the trail of tears from her face. What he had shared with her was overwhelming and she needed a few minutes to digest it all. The Sailor Senshi were known of in a dimension other than the Negaverse? This was amazing.
"You're one of the men that came through that portal the other day." she said, after clearing her throat.
"Yes, that's right....we came through a portal, but how would you know? We don't remember anything except waking up in one of your hospitals."
"I was witness to your arrival." she answered, standing up. "Come with me." she held out her hand to him and he stood up and took it. She led him to the area where the portal had left its mark on the earth. He looked at the scorched ground and she told him of her experiences, tightening her grip on his hand. As she softly recalled the events of a few days ago, he found himself experiencing what had happened from her point of view. He understood her apprehension, her unconscious elation at being thrust into action again. He saw the faces of other young women through her eyes and knew that he was looking upon the other warriors she fought alongside. He felt what it was like for her to link powers with the other Senshi and use the teleport spell.
He found himself smiling at her. "So that was how we reached the hospital." He couldn't wait to tell the others.
"Will you come with me?" he implored suddenly.
"Where?" she asked, looking up at him. He was about a foot taller than she, and she was captivated by that fact. He was one of a scant handful of men she knew that was taller than her.
"To meet my friends," he replied, "if that's okay with you."
"The ones who escaped from the hospital with you?" He nodded and she fell into step beside him. "Okay. But you're going to have to do the same thing for me. I don't want my friends to think I'm nuts if I tell them what's going on."
"No problem. I think that the sooner we can unite our two teams the better."
"Especially if this enemy is as scary as it sounds." She didn't like the impression she had gotten from him of the evil they would soon be facing. "What exactly do you know about them? You must have some idea of what it is, otherwise why would you have come all this way to find us?"
"Well," he began, "Garnet Sadar is convinced that our traditional enemies are no longer working on their own." Makoto frowned as he continued, "Garnet Sadar thinks that our enemies, the Fomori, have teamed up with your traditional foes in an attempt to defeat both dimensions."
"Kuso!" Mako swore softly, almost under her breath. The Negaverse teaming up with someone else--it really was bad. "Okay then, what are we waiting for?" she prompted, her newfound concern making her suddenly impatient. "Let's go!" They began to walk quickly, hand in hand, towards his apartment building, sharing memories, ideas and opinions constantly even though they were both silent.
Ami and Fintan hadn't spoken a word to each other in the nearly twenty minutes since she had agreed to go with him and talk. They were both too busy with their thoughts to mind the silence, though. She pulled up short outside a small cafe that was open for breakfast and Fintan almost ran into her, lost in thought as he was.
"Are you hungry?" she asked, as he looked questioningly at her.
"As a matter of fact, I am." he replied, adding, "I haven't eaten yet this morning."
"Let's go in here to talk." she told him. It's quiet now as it's after nine -- and I can vouch for the food." He smiled at her and opened the door.
"After you, Milady." he invited, gesturing inside with an exaggerated flourish of his arm. She couldn't resist smiling back as she stepped into the cafe ahead of him.
Ami had picked a booth in the quietest corner of the cafe and they sat browsing over the menus and sizing each other up. Ami decided Fintan looked like a serious young man and he in turn decided that her face lit up beautifully when she smiled.
"So, Gorman-san," she began, breaking the ice, "what's this bonding thing?" Just as he was about to answer, the waitress came to take their orders and Ami found herself impatiently waiting for his answer. When the waitress left -- finally -- he answered her question.
"Bonding is when two souls combine into one." he informed her. It sounded so ridiculous, Ami found herself stifling a laugh, but she soon sobered as she regarded his serious mien. He wasn't joking, not in the least.
"Would you like to elaborate?" she found herself asking, sounding hollow, knowing she knew the answer but didn't want to admit it. She watched him shrug easily as he gathered his thoughts.
"Well, my people believe that...." he was cut off in mid sentence by her.
"What do you mean 'my people'?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Who are your people?"
"The Tuatha de Danaan" he replied, matter of factly.
"Can you explain that in a language I understand?" she asked, needing further clarification. She was familiar with quite a few languages, but the one he was using wasn't one of them.
"It means 'the People of Danu'." he elaborated. "Danu is our mother, years back, and we've been known as her children ever since. We've got quite a history on your world."
"What do you mean, 'Our world'?" she asked him, a suspicious tone creeping into her voice.
"Are you familiar with the mythology of what used to be the Celtic Kingdoms?" Ami felt her heart skip a beat. Rei was right. The strangers were Celts and the man sitting across from her seemed to be one. She shook her head, playing dumb, and he continued. "Many centuries ago, my people lived and loved on an island of this world." he regarded her seriously, hoping that she was paying attention and was happy to find that she actually was. "We became the stuff of myth here, revered like gods ourselves, although we were nothing compared with Mother Danu."
Ami found herself fascinated with his story, remaining silent as he continued. "Today that island is known as Ireland, but when we lived there it was known as Eriu."
"Eriu?" she found herself asking, curious as to its origins.
"Eriu, after one of our numbers. A magnificent woman, greatly admired by all." he clarified yet again. "Which is the derivation of the island's modern name--Eire, or Ireland."
Ami sat there with her mouth open. She had a hard time believing what she'd been told, what with the fact that a real flesh and blood 'original' Celt sat in front of her supplying her with this information. She had so many things she wanted to ask tumbling through her mind, seeking precedence, that she had no idea where to begin her questioning. She decided to keep silent for the time being and see where he would go next.
"Anyway," he continued, steering the subject back to what it had been, "back to the Soul Bond. You and I are now Soul Bonded." she looked askance across the table at him and he elaborated. "There are people who are destined to bond. Not many, mind you, but there are enough that stories have sprung up over the centuries about them."
"Like who?" she blurted out, curious.
"In Ancient Ireland there was CuChulainn and Emer, for one example."
"Who?" she asked, never having heard of them.
"I'm sure there are more examples down through human history." Ami found herself nodding--she knew there were, both real and fictional. Fintan continued, "The Soul Bond is a joining of hearts and minds. You are no longer alone, but half of a new entity. In our case, because we both have hidden talents, the new entity is quite powerful and unique." Her heart skipped a beat as he talked of hidden talents. Could he know her secret? If what he said about bonding was true, he did, because he had access to her mind, just as she supposed she had access to his. That thought stopped her and she looked up at him to find him smiling.
"Give me your hand." It was almost an order but she complied, curious, reaching over to place her hand in his outstretched one. All at once a host of unfamiliar thoughts filled her head. She was almost overwhelmed, but suddenly his voice was there inside her mind, "Be strong, Princess Mercury." She relaxed immediately, even though she had been startled by how he had addressed her. "But, but.... how is this possible?" she stammered. He regarded her with that same smile on his face, humour dancing in his lilac gaze.
"It's the nature of the Soul Bond." Again his lips had not moved, but his voice filled her head. "We are now one, Ami, let me share everything with you." He brought his other hand up to cover hers completely and Ami gasped as she began to experience his life from the memories that came washing over her.
Ami saw his life unfold before her, experiencing it from his point of view, knowing his feelings as she came to know him from his memories. He valued knowledge as much as she did and much of what she experienced of his life involved learning--not learning in the sense that she knew it, but definitely as effective--late night discussions with wise men and philosophers, learning the natural order of things and all about the elements. She wanted to have him share her memories and know her in the same way, but wasn't sure how to go about it. "Gorman-san, how do I share my memories with you?" she asked.
"Will them at me." he guided. "It's easier when you are in direct contact. It's why I asked you to give me your hand." She was suddenly acutely aware of her hand in his and butterflies began in the pit of her stomach. He experienced her discomfort and laughed gently, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "Share yourself with me." She blushed at the intimacy and concentrated on sharing herself with him.
Fintan's eyes widened as he experienced her life. He saw her growing up bullied and disliked because of her intelligence and drive for perfection. He understood the loneliness that was her constant companion up until the day she met her friends, the other warriors the Sadar were searching for. He found she had a quiet, sly sense of humour. She was often highly amused by the things that went on around her, but rarely showed it, preferring to present a stoic face to the world. Fintan smiled again. He was sure it would be very interesting to be inside her head. Very interesting indeed.
They were startled by the sound of the waitress politely asking to be excused as she set down two plates of food in front of them. They dropped their hands to their sides and busied themselves with their napkins, murmuring apologies and thanks as she turned to go. The woman bowed in acknowledgement and moved on to tend her next table of customers.
Ami and Fintan ate in silence, their knowledge-hungry minds enraptured by their telepathic and empathic exchange. He watched a blush creep across her cheeks as she realized the full implication of their bond. They could not hide from each other--there would be no secrets between them, every thought laid bare, an open book for the other to read. Ami suddenly dropped her chopsticks and sat back, closing her eyes and taking deep breath.
"I can handle this....I can handle this." she reassured herself, all the while doubting it.
"Yes you can, Ami." Fintan's voice was in her head, but she welcomed it as it was comforting and lent her strength to accept what was happening to her. "We will anchor each other."
Naimh's packing was interrupted by a knock. "Come in!" she called, not bothering to look round to see who had come to visit her. She had a good idea that it would be one of two people--either one of her parents--and waited for them to speak.
"Naimh, Mavournin, can I have a moment?" came the melodious question. It was her mother. She stopped what she was doing and turned to face her, a slight smile playing at the corner of her lips.
"Of course you can, Mother." Aislin walked further into her daughter's room and made herself comfortable on the end of the bed. Naimh continued filling her bag as her mother spoke.
"I just wanted to let you know that I'm proud of you, daughter, and that I hope you'll show everyone my confidence in you isn't misplaced."
"I'll show them what a daughter of Aislin can do. I'll prove to them that I'm worthy of the mission I've been given." Naimh stopped folding her clothes and turned to her mother.
"What does father think?" she asked, hoping her mother could tell her something.
"He's proud, but he's upset."
"You think so?"
"I know so." Aislin stood facing her daughter, arms folded across her chest. "You may be a descendant of the Dagda, but you are still his little girl, no matter what happens."
"And that's the whole problem, isn't it?" the younger woman retorted.
"Yes it is, but you must remember that I've given up one child to this cause already, while your father has only you to give up."
"But he trained Kieran and the others."came the rebuttal. "He of all people should understand."
"And he does, in a way, but that doesn't mean he likes it." Niamh looked askance at her mother.
"That's what I don't get. I mean, he's trained five men for a life and death situation, but he can't handle me getting involved. Even if I am his only child, it doesn't make sense."
"Whoever said being a parent meant being sensible?" Aislin asked. Niamh shook her head. "He'll have to accept your mission, even if he doesn't like it. I just ask you to be careful and show him his faith in you isn't misplaced. That's the best way to show him how you've grown." Aislin held out her arms to her daughter and Niamh flung herself into her mother's embrace.
"I love you, Mavournin."
"I love you too, Mother. You've always given me the benefit of the doubt." She hugged her mother tightly.
"Ah, but wasn't I once young myself?" the older woman murmured into her daughter's hair.
"Do you have any messages you want me to bring to Kieran?" Naimh asked.
"Just that he bring the both of you and the others home safely." Aislin replied, letting her grip on her daughter loosen. Niamh nodded that she'd deliver the message. "You'd better hurry and gather up your things. It's almost time to for everyone to meet at the standing stones."
"I just need a few minutes more and I'll be ready to go."
"I'll be waiting with your sisters in the great hall. We'll walk with you to the hill." Aislin told her as she went to leave.
"I'll be right there." Niamh replied, and redoubled her packing efforts as the door shut behind her.
Rei had been unable to concentrate all morning. It had gotten her into trouble with the sisters more than once during her classes but she couldn't help it. It was lunchtime and she was sitting alone under a tree on the school grounds, her bento box open in front of her but its contents untouched. She kept replaying that morning's encounter over and over in her head. Why was she unable to get him out of her mind? Granted, he was very handsome but that wasn't it. He had a presence, something she couldn't put a finger on. And there was that business with the ravens. What was that? How had he known their names? And when they had shaken hands something had happened, but she wasn't sure what. She just knew that it had felt strange, like she suddenly was a part of him and he of her. Why else would she be unable to stop thinking about him? It had spooked her so much it had caused her to run out of the temple with barely a 'by your leave' to her grandfather. "I've got to go back there. I've got to face him if he's still there, so I can get on with my day."
Rei put her lunch away and made her way to the school office where she made the excuse that she had to leave early. The secretary gave her a funny look as if she knew what Rei had just told her didn't ring true, but answered that it was okay and that she'd let her teacher know she'd be absent for the rest of the day. "Are you sure you don't want to go see the nurse?" she asked as Rei turned to leave, noticing that she seemed pale and unusually quiet.
"No, I'll be fine, thanks." the young priestess replied in a subdued voice. She gathered her books from her locker and walked home slowly, noticing not one thing that was going on around her.
Rory had enjoyed his morning of sitting and discussing religion and philosophy with Rei's grandfather. The old man had a quick wit and could discuss any number of subjects at length. He had been suspicious that Rory hadn't produced a pad of paper and a pen to jot down notes, but Rory assured him it wasn't necessary and repeated everything back to the old man word for word. The priest had been impressed. Very few in this day and age possessed such a gift. Rory explained that he came from a place with a grand oral tradition so a good memory was a prized possession. They had just launched into a spirited debate about shamanistic religions when Rory's attention was caught by Deios and Phobos calling out a raucous greeting from their perch on top of the arch. The old priest looked up in the direction of the Torii, which could be seen from where they sat in the garden, and cocked his head--a puzzled frown creasing the centre of his brow.
"What's Rei doing home so early? Something must be wrong." He stood up in one fluid motion that belied his age and turned to his companion. "I hope she's not sick."
Rory nodded in agreement. He too hoped the young priestess wasn't sick, but was feeling nervous at the prospect of seeing her again. The whole while he'd been talking with her grandfather, he'd been replaying the scene from earlier that morning over and over in his head. Was she the Guardian of Mars it had been foretold he'd bond with? He stood up and followed the old priest as he made his way to the doors of the building. There was the sound of something heavy being dropped to the floor and the old man called out in greeting.
"Rei, is that you?"
"Yes, Grandfather!" came the reply from somewhere within the temple.
"Is everything okay?"
"........." Rei opened her mouth to reply, but nothing came out. What would she say anyway? She sighed and began to walk in the direction from which her grandfather's voice had come. "This shouting is useless, not to mention that it's making my head hurt." As she turned the corner, she met up with her grandfather and Rory. On her return she had grilled Yuuichiro and he confirmed the young researcher was still deep in conversation with the old priest in the temple gardens. But even though she knew he was here, Rei was surprised at how she reacted to seeing him again. "Amaterasu, my knees are trembling."
"You look pale, Granddaughter, are you ill?"
"I need to read the fire," she began, "and then I'll be able to speak to you." She turned and looked at Rory. "Please don't leave, I'm sure I'll have to speak to you too."
The image of a raven surrounded by a nimbus of fire flashed in Rory's mind and he jerked, startled. His bull dream was true--she was the one, he was sure of it. He stood with Rei's grandfather and watched her retreat down the hallway towards the sacred fire.
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see what she has to say." the old man said, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly. "Would you like some tea?" Rory nodded and the priest gestured for him to follow.
"Anyone home?" Kieran called as he held open the door of the apartment and ushered Makoto in ahead of him. Silence greeted him. "I guess not." he shrugged at his guest before closing the door behind them. He held out a hand for her jacket and hung it up beside his own before inviting her into the living room.
"Nice place you've got here." Mako commented as she looked around.
"Yeah, we lucked into it."
"I'll say. How's the view?" she asked as she went over and stood at the patio doors.
"Rory seems to like it." Kieran replied. "Haven't spent much time looking out the windows, myself--of course, I've been busy meeting beautiful women with amazing secret powers." Makoto couldn't help smiling at that.
" I guess we've got to kill some time before your friends come back....It would be best to wait here for them, right? All of my friends are in school until late this afternoon, so it would be pointless to go looking for them."
He nodded. "I'm sure they'll be back soon. In the meantime can I offer you a tour and something to eat or drink?"
"Sounds good."
"Which one?" he asked, arching an eyebrow at her. "The tour or the refreshments?"
"Both." she answered with a laugh. "Now quit being silly and show me around."
"As you wish. But I'll have you know I'm not silly."he said with a wink before offering her his arm. She took it, shaking her head--Kieran Glas was incorrigible.
Ami and Fintan finished eating, paid their bill, and left the restaurant. They stood for a few minutes on the street wondering what to do next before Fintan spoke up.
"Will you come with me to meet my friends?" he asked her. She nodded and, as he led her in the direction of his apartment, he continued. "This is great, Kieran will be happy to know he's not the only one who has bonded."
"One of your friends has bonded too?" Ami asked, incredulous. "With who?"
"The only person he can--the guardian of Jupiter, of course."
"Of course....." Ami's mouth hung open. She was tempted to take his hand again so she could find out everything in a split second.
"It was purely accidental, though--a chance meeting. They'd bonded without even realizing it. Quartz Sadar, who is our true seer, figured out what happened and told him."
"Quartz Sadar? Is he the silver haired man in the hospital?"
"The very same. One of his talents is that he can see the truth in everything."
"That would explain how he knew who we really were when we paid him a visit." Fintan nodded and Ami asked, "Who is he?"
"His name's Lorcan and he's the son of our High King, Nuada. He's also the leader of the Sadar."
"And the other man in the hospital with him?" Ami watched as Fintan's open face became closed and a frown settled on his brow.
"Topaz Sadar is my brother, Connor. He hasn't regained consciousness since we came through the portal to your world."
"I'm sorry," she laid a gentle hand on his arm. "Will he be alright?"
"He's the toughest person I know next to Agate Sadar, it'll only be a matter of time before he comes round and we can get down to business."
"Seems to me that business has pretty much been taking care of itself, don't you think?" The thought popped into Fintan's head and he looked over at Ami to find her smiling broadly at him.
"I guess I'd have to agree with you on that one." he answered.
Rei knelt in front of the sacred fire, trying to clear her mind so that she could focus on what it would reveal to her. She couldn't get Rory out of her mind and berated herself on her lack of discipline. "C'mon, Rei, as a priestess you're supposed to be beyond this! Concentrate!"
She found she was able to empty her mind of everything other than the dark haired young man. No matter how hard she tried she kept remembering how he had looked as he stood under the Torii with Deios and Phobos perched on his forearms. Just when she was about to throw her hands up in the air and give up, she found images beginning to appear in the fire that was dancing a few feet away from her and let out a gasp.
There in the flames was Rory, with four other young men. She didn't recognize any of the others at all until she studied them more closely. She suddenly recognized the patterns on two of the belts worn around their waists. One was a starburst and the other a stylized dog. Rory was one of the strangers from the park? She noted the pattern on his belt buckle with surprise--it was a zoomorphic bird. Could it represent the raven? If it did, it would explain why that image kept popping into her head whenever she thought about him.
Rei then saw images of herself and the other inner Senshi dancing in the flames, intertwining with those of the men. As the vision faded and she was left only with questions, she knew she had to talk to Rory. She had a feeling that only he could help her divine the meaning of what she had just seen.
"Here you go," Kieran said as he handed Makoto one of the steaming cups he was carrying. Mako drew the cup up under her nose and inhaled its scent, trying to discern what it was.
"Smells good. What is it?"she asked.
"Mulled wine." he replied. Her eyebrows shot up and he continued, "It's good for what ails you on a cold, blustery autumn day." She took a sip and looked up at him.
"You're right, it's really good. So that's what was taking so long. I'm impressed." And she was. She'd been expecting instant coffee or a soft drink--something along those lines. They sat across from each other at the table drinking in companionable silence but still speaking to each other through the telepathic link their bond had established.
"Am I just imagining it, or is our link getting stronger?" Makoto's question popped into Kieran's head.
"You're not imagining it. According to our mentor, Kalpernus, the longer you are bonded, the stronger and more powerful the link becomes." came Kieran's telepathic reply.
"Is he bonded?"
"No, bonding is very rare. But he has studied the few bonded couples in Tir na nOg, so he knows what he's talking about."
"There are other bonded couples? Other than the Senshi and Sadar, I mean....."
Their telepathic rapport was interrupted just then by the sound of a door being opened. They both looked around to see who was there. Makoto was somewhat startled to see Ami being ushered over the threshold and into the apartment.
"Ami-chan!" she cried, jumping up to greet her friend. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here with Fintan," she turned to indicate the tall blond man with spiky hair standing behind her with a bemused look on his face, "it seems that just like you have a bond-mate, so do I."
"See, I told you I wasn't lying." Kieran added.
"I knew you weren't." Mako retorted, a look of exasperation crossing her features before she turned to address her friend. "Oh, Ami-chan, I'm so glad that I'm not alone in this. I was so worried everyone would think I was nuts when it came time to tell them."
"Usagi would believe you, no matter what."
"And that's my point--she'd be the only one. No-one else would believe me. If you hadn't bonded with him," she indicated the man standing behind Ami, "you'd have been the one to resist the most, what with your scientific and logical ways of thinking."
"I agree, but that's not what has happened." Ami replied, turning to Fintan. "Fintan, I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Makoto Kino." The tall blonde man and Makoto bowed to each other in greeting. "Mako-chan, this is Fintan Gorman."
"And this is Kieran Glas......Kieran, this is Ami Mizuno, the guardian of Mercury." Ami looked up at Mako, startled at her introduction and Makoto went on to reassure her. "It's okay, Ami-chan, just like it probably is for you two, Kieran knows everything about me and I know everything about him."
"Pleased to meet you, Ami.......so now that we've all been introduced, what next?" asked Kieran.
"I say we round up the others and get down to business." replied Fintan. "Feel like going to fetch Lorcan and Connor?"
"Sounds like a plan. Even if Connor is still out of it, he should be where we can protect him if they come."
"They?" questioned Makoto and Ami in unison.
"Our enemies." Fintan clarified for them.
"How are we going to get two grown men out of the hospital without anyone noticing?" Makoto wanted to know.
"How did we get out without anyone noticing?" Kieran answered her question with one of his own. "It's possible, we've just got to be careful."
The tall dark-haired general was stalking through the palace corridors. He had been summoned by the king and was making his way to the audience chamber, a grim look on his face. He would be meeting his counterpart from their new allies, but he wasn't thrilled by these developments. Were they so weak that they had to form an alliance with beings from another dimension? Could they trust this Negaverse? What were their goals with this alliance? He stopped at the doors to the audience chamber and was saluted by two guards. He returned the gesture as he waited for them to swing the doors open so he could pass.
"Ah, here he comes now," Balor, King of the Fomori, commented to the pair standing to his right as Saoirse walked into the chamber. The king hadn't even taken his eyes off the plans and maps laid out on the huge stone table in front of him. "Saoirse, I want you to meet Lady Covellite and her aide, Hessite." The general bowed to the woman but nodded towards Hessite as he was unsure of the man's stature.
"Now where were we?" Balor questioned, introductions neatly out of the way.
"We were discussing military allotments and our mutual responsibilities in regards to this joint effort of ours." Lady Covellite replied.
"Saoirse, what do you think of this proposal?" Balor asked his general as he thrust a scroll towards him. Saoirse read over what was written up and nodded.
"Seems fair enough to me, my Liege. This will be a true joint effort?"
"It is the best way for us to accomplish all our goals. You and Lady Covellite will be partnered. She is highly regarded by her King. Together you will direct your soldiers and gain a foothold in both dimensions."
"Understood." Saoirse and Covellite said in unison.
"Good! I'll leave you now to your planning. I trust that I don't need to remind you that we want results fast." Balor straightened up from his study of the table and fixed them both with a stare that imparted the urgency of their task before turning and leaving the room. Saoirse was glad the king didn't have the same power as his ancestor of the same name when it came to his gaze, or they would have all been burnt to a cinder where they stood.
"I do hope we can be friends, General." Lady Covellite addressed Saoirse. "It will make working together that much more pleasant." He gave the woman an appraising stare. She was decked out in finery, not one hair on her blonde head out of place. She didn't look like an expert tactician or military mind. She looked like she should be sitting in court, all empty headed, but very pleasant to look at.
"I'm sure we will." he replied curtly. "Now, shall we get down to planning?" Lady Covellite laughed delightedly at his response, her grey eyes dancing as she took a measure of the man in front of her.
"All business and no pleasure? Ah well....As you wish. Hessite, bring me that box of scrolls there." she directed towards her aide. The man bowed and complied, setting the open box down on the table in front of her.
"These are some of my ideas." she explained, picking up the the first scroll in the box and unfurling it to share what was written there with her new Fomori partner. As he leaned over to read the scroll he pushed his long hair back over an ear to keep it out of the way. Lady Covellite noted with interest that the general had pointed ears.
Lorcan was sitting up in his hospital bed, bored out of his skull. He had feigned unconsciousness yet again this morning when the doctors had come to check on him. He sat looking over at Connor, wondering when the man was finally going to wake. He hadn't thought the shift force damage would be so extreme, yet he had only to remember how bruised his own body was to understand why Connor was still out for the count. Coming through the portal first must have been brutal.
The door to the room opened and Lorcan panicked for a moment, hoping that it wasn't doctors. He did not want to have to answer their questions. He relaxed as Fintan stuck his head around the door. "Hey Lorcan, how are you feeling?"
"Fine, why?" Lorcan noticed with puzzlement that Fintan had not yet stepped into the room.
"How do you feel about surprise visitors?"
"You found her?" Lorcan asked, excitement creeping into his voice. Fintan nodded and stepped aside, ushering Ami into the room. She blushed as she met his gaze. "Hello again, Princess Mercury." he greeted.
"Please, call me Ami."she replied, stepping forward to take his hand in greeting.
"Are you up for another visitor?" Kieran asked as he stepped into the room, hand in hand with Makoto.
"Things are really coming together, aren't they?" Lorcan asked rhetorically as he turned to greet Makoto. "Hello, Princess Jupiter."
"Hello, Seer," she returned. Lorcan raised an eyebrow at Kieran.
"She knows?" he asked.
"Of course she does. We're bonded, or have you forgotten?"
Lorcan's response was to burst out laughing. "No. I just like to get a rise out of you. Did it work?" He looked over at Kieran who was clenching his fists and grinning stupidly all at once.
"I'm not going to answer that." came the reply, before the tall red-head decided to change the subject. "Anyway, we're going to bust the pair of you out of here."
"It's about time."
"Has Connor regained consciousness yet?" This time the question came from Fintan. He had moved to stand beside his brother's bed. Ami let go of Lorcan's hand and moved over to stand next to Connor, stopping to read the monitors that were hooked up to her bond-mate's brother.
"His vital signs are all normal." she told Fintan, speaking out loud so the others would be included in the conversation. "I've no idea why he hasn't come around yet."
"So it shouldn't be harmful to move him?" The tall, blonde Celt queried.
"I don't think so."
"Okay, then what the hell are we waiting for?" Makoto and Kieran asked in unison, cracking their knuckles. The other three looked at them, puzzled, questioning the synchronicity of their actions before beginning to laugh.
"Alright, so we're very alike!" Kieran protested, a sheepish grin pasted across his face. "Never mind that, we've gotta get out of here--Fintan and Ami, you can take care of Connor while Mako and I will take care of Lorcan." Everyone agreed and before long the two remaining 'John Does' were liberated from their hospital prison.
Rei came out of the room that housed the sacred fire with weak knees. Just what would she say to the man sitting with her grandfather having tea so politely and nonchalantly? She knew there had been something compelling and out of the ordinary about him before she had read the fire, but now she wasn't sure how to address everything she knew. What would she do?
Rory looked up as Rei came into the room where he sat drinking green tea with her grandfather. He was dismayed to note that she looked pale.
"Are you alright, Rei?" her grandfather asked as he studied her.
"Yes." came the monosyllabic answer.
"Did you find the answers you were looking for in the fire?"the old man inquired.
"I got some answers, but they posed many more questions. Would you mind if I talked to our guest alone, Ojiisan?" Her grandfather shook his head and stood up. He didn't mind. He had suspected all day that there was something special about the young foreigner. He seemed very grounded and had an aura that told of strength, power and serenity. Serenity was something his granddaughter lacked. Maybe some of Rory's would end up rubbing off on her. One could only hope. Rei and Rory watched in silence as the old man left the room, pulling the screen shut behind himself as he went.
"Who are you?" Rei questioned, rounding on Rory as soon as her grandfather had left.
"I've already told you. My name's Rory Mc Ruadman."
"I mean who are you really?" Rei responded shortly. "Why do I see a raven in my mind's eye every time I look at you?" Rory's mouth dropped a little and Rei continued. "Where are you from? Where did that portal in the park that you and your friends stepped through originate?" Rory's mouth dropped even more and his mind reeled as he searched for an answer that would be both truthful and believable. He decided it would be easier to answer her second question first.
"The portal brought us here from Tir na nOg."
"As in the Celtic Tir na nOg?" she asked, disbelief colouring her query.
"The very same." he answered.
"But isn't that just a legend?"
He shook his head. "No. It is very much a real and vibrant place...." Rory's explanation was interrupted by a melodic chirp that startled Rei and caused his own eyebrows to shoot up in surprise. He rummaged in his pocket and produced an ornately wrought buckle in the shape of a raven. "Excuse me," he began apologetically, "but I have to get this."
"Do you want some privacy?" Rei asked, absorbing that Ami had been right about the purposes of the devices.
"It's not really necessary--you already seem to know who I am, pretty much." he replied. Rei watched as he pressed on the red gem in the centre of the knotwork. "Go ahead." he said as a holographic image of a red-haired man was projected from the gem to shimmer in the centre of the room. Rei stared open mouthed as the hologram began to speak.
"Fintan and I have found our bond-mates."
"That's good news. Where are they?"
"Here at the apartment with us. We've also 'rescued' Lorcan and Connor from the hospital. Connor's still out for the count, I'm afraid--the others are with him right now." The hologram turned its head and looked in Rei's direction. A slow smile spread across the man's face and as he bowed towards the dark haired priestess, he continued, "You've been busy too, I see."
"Not half as busy as you. I'll be right there." Rory pressed the gem again.
"Bring your friend." the hologram said with a smile before disappearing.
"What the heck was that?!?!?!?" Rei asked, impressed and awe-struck all at once. "Just what kind of technology do you possess?"
"That was Kieran." Rory answered with a smile as he stood up and put the buckle away in his pocket. "And it's magic, not technology. The buckles have spells built into them. They allow us to transmit our essences so we can communicate. It's almost like an amplifier for astral projection."
".........." Rei was speechless.
"I've got to get going. You're welcome to come along too if you like. It'll be the best way for you to get your answers." She nodded--there was no way she'd miss this for the world. She was going to find out as much as she could about these mysterious Celts and report back to the others.