Disclaimer: "Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog" and its' characters are owned by Saban and whoever else was involved with the creation and production of this show. Any new characters and story lines that come into play are of my own creation. No copyright infringement is intended. This is a fanfiction intended for entertainment purposes only and no money is being made off of it.
Chapter 3: Spy
The Temra castle had not changed much since Maeve had been banished and Nemain had moved in. The castle was still dark with the lingering sense of evil. The silver chalice that Mider used to enter the mortal world remained on the table off to the side of the throne room. The changes that Nemain had brought upon the castle were more scrolls filled with ancient magic and history.
"So, a stranger rescued the princess from Tyrune's wrath?" Nemain asked the Temran soldier kneeling before her.
"Yes, my Queen," The soldier replied.
"How interesting," Nemain said and waved her arm signifying that the soldier should leave her. The soldier stood up and bowed to Nemain before he left the room.
Torc stepped out from the shadows. Once Queen Maeve had been banished, the general of the Temran soldiers had vowed to serve Nemain. Nemain didn't know what Torc's reasons for doing so were, but it didn't worry her. She suspected that the man wanted to get revenge on the Mystic Knights or that he wished for the destruction of Kells, but for an unknown reason. Even though the man had failed Maeve numerous times, he was a clever warrior and a leader and that is why Nemain decided to keep him around.
"Yes, Torc, do you have something to add?" Nemain asked as she fluttered her fingers in the air like a hummingbird's wings.
"Why do you think this stranger is interesting? This stranger will probably cause trouble for us…for Temra," Torc said.
"It is interesting because earlier today I sensed something powerful stir on the island. I wonder if it is this stranger," Nemain said and then cocked her head sideways slightly as she studied Torc. "Send a spy to discover who this stranger is and why he is here."
"As you wish, my Queen," Torc said as he bowed and then left the room to carry out Nemain's order.
Nemain stood and walked over to the table that held the silver chalice. "Mider, come forth, I wish to speak to you."
A dark energy erupted from the chalice and rose as a little dark haired person. "What do you want, sorceress? Have you called to discuss our deal?"
"Not now, Mider. What do you know about the tremor of magic that occurred earlier this day?" Nemain asked slightly impatient.
"Yes, strange wasn't it? I'm sure that fool of a king felt it too," Mider said with a sneer.
"Mider, I want you go to and seek some answers about that power."
Mider looked up at Nemain. "Very well, Nemain. But don't forget about our agreement!" Then he vanished in a flash of green light.
Nemain turned and headed toward her room full of ancient scrolls and began reading. She hoped to discover the source of that power and to harness it for her own dark purposes.
While Deirdre and Macha talked, the boys had decided to get in some practice since they didn't know when Temra would attack again.
Deirdre, Macha, Rohan and Angus watched as Garrett and Ivar fought each other. Ivar had blocked Garrett's swing on his left side. Then Garrett had tripped Ivar and knocked the quarterstaff from Ivar's hands. Garrett helped Ivar to his feet and they shook hands.
"Does anyone else wish to try?" Garrett asked with a smug tone looking toward his fellow Mystic Knights. Before Rohan could accept his offer, Macha had picked up the fighting staff and stood in front of Garrett.
"Maybe it is not a good idea. After all it would not be fair, since you are injured," Garrett said hoping that she wouldn't protest, but he wasn't always that lucky.
"Are you afraid that someone who is injured, especially a girl, is going to beat you?" Angus and Rohan snickered as Garrett frowned. "The only injuries I have Prince Garrett, are some mere bruises and cuts and neither of those affect my ability to wield a quarterstaff." Macha finished as she looked at Garrett with eyes that said she was not backing down.
"No. There is no honor when one fighter has disadvantage in a sparring match," Garrett said hoping that Macha would accept his words.
Macha raised her head a little higher as she stared down Garrett. "My teacher taught me that the only disadvantage a true warrior has is allowing fear and anger to take control. Besides this is just friendly sparring, not a battle." She came to stand before Garrett, one end of the quarterstaff sitting on the ground. "Shall we begin, Prince Garrett?"
Garrett reluctantly nodded his head. "Very well, Macha. Ivar, please tell us when to begin." Macha and Garrett stood in different stances ready to strike.
"Begin," Ivar said.
Garrett and Macha circled each other slowly. Garrett was the first to attack, swinging his quarterstaff like a sword but Macha blocked the blow with her own quarterstaff.
Macha kicked the center of the quarterstaff that Garrett held sideways in front of him, and the quarterstaff flew into the air. Macha jumped to grab the staff and then spun around, wielding the two quarterstaffs like swords. She placed the ends of two quarterstaffs on either side of Garret's neck. "Now, Prince Garrett, do you believe what I said earlier?" Macha asked her face expressionless but her eyes were bright.
"Yes," Garrett replied curtly, and when Macha had removed the quarterstaffs, he went to go sit next to Ivar.
"Who is next?" Macha asked as she scanned the sitting Knights. Angus rose and came forward. "I'm glad you have accepted my challenge, Angus," Macha said as she handed him one of the quarterstaffs. "Ivar, if you would please tell us when to begin?" Once Macha and Angus stood in their fighting positions Ivar told them to begin.
The spy had ridden to Kells quickly and had slipped into the castle without being detected. He wore the clothing of a Kells soldier. He stood with the Kells soldiers as they watched the stranger. The spy was surprised that the stranger was a girl. She fought with every member of the Mystic Knights and bested all of them, except for Rohan. Rohan had been able to disarm the silver haired girl right before she was about to disarm him.
The spy, as well as the Mystic Knights, was impressed and curious about the techniques that the girl used.
The spy listened and learned that the girl's name was Macha. The spy remained for a few hours and watched as the Mystic Knights were instructed by Macha about a few of her techniques that she had learned. The Mystic Knights learned quickly and paired off with each other, Angus was paired with Macha, as they practiced the techniques.
The spy decided that he had seen enough and he didn't want to wait around long enough for someone to discover that he didn't belong there. He left the castle without any trouble and headed back to Temra, practicing in his mind what he would say to Nemain.
guardianM3: Please review to give me suggestions, your thoughts, etc.