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.
guardianM3: I'm sorry that this chapter has taken so long to write and to post. I hope you all will enjoy it.
Chapter 6: A Wolf and a Raven
Cathbad and Macha stood within the hallway facing one another, one filled with suspicions and the other surprisingly calm for one who faced being turned into a toad or a rat.
"Cathbad," Macha said calmly as she met the Druid's penetrating gaze.
"You have been keeping secrets from us, Macha," Cathbad replied.
"Yes. I am certain that everyone has secrets that he or she wishes not to reveal until the time is right. Sometimes the time comes sooner than the person desires."
"That is true," The Druid said as he nodded his head and then continued, "but, I believe now is the time to tell King Conchobar of your full purpose of being here in Kells."
"Yes, I shall tell you what I can, but I believe we have a more pressing concern than that. Nemain was here and she wanted something in that room." Macha pointed at the door behind her.
"Hmm. That room is used for storage and most of it needs repair," Cathbad said as he walked around Macha and opened the door. The room had a pile of broken pots, several torn baskets, a cracked mirror, a few chests and a ripped tapestry.
The King, the Mystic Knights and Cathbad were all in the throne room while Macha stood outside awaiting the word that she may enter.
Macha did as the King had asked and entered the room when one of the guards said she could enter. Conchobar, Cathbad, Garrett and Rohan all looked at Macha warily wondering if their suspicions of the girl proved to be far worse than they had imagined.
Deirdre and Ivar had similar expressions on each of their faces struggling to trust this girl who had befriended them quickly and wondering if she was sent to deceive them.
Angus' face was blank from any emotion but deep within his heart was being wrenched from one side to the other. Half of his heart was being tugged to one side by his mind telling him fiercely that this girl may not be a friend and the other half of his heart was being pulled by something unknown telling him to trust her.
Macha bowed her head with respect and as she raised her head, her green eyes bright with determination and faith in the ones whom she stood before. "When you had asked me earlier why I was in Kells I did not lie. There is a prophecy of a great evil arising in Kells that will spread beyond this island and the sea surrounding it. My mentor and friend having known of the prophecy knew that the day would come and when she had the vision, she sent me here to prevent the prophecy from becoming true."
King Conchobar nodded his head accepting Macha's words, but he remained suspicious of her. "What of the magic you used against Nemain? You did not mention that you wield magic."
Macha bowed her head apologetically to the King and the others. "I can only this magic granted to me only of dire necessity; otherwise, I have only my mind and my fighting techniques to combat with evil."
"We still do not know whether you hide secrets within truthful words," Ivar replied.
"Faith must be earned. I understand your concerns. So, I shall say this and make this vow on my life and that of my mentor and friend, Fedelma. I vow that I shall protect all the innocent who dwell here and that I shall not allow this darkness to rise, and if it should arise, that it shall not spread beyond this island even if it means my life," Macha said these words with strength and courage that seemed to flow from her and into those around her, giving them strength and some faith in the girl.
"I accept your vow, Macha," Conchobar said with a nod of his head and gave Macha a welcoming smile.
"Thank you, your Majesty," Macha replied with a deep bow.
"Now, we shall here from Rohan and Garrett about their meeting with King Fin Varra."
Rohan and Garrett went to stand in front of the king.
"King Fin Varra had mentioned that he had sensed the awakening of power that he was also certain that Cathbad had as well," Rohan reported as he nodded to Garrett to tell the rest.
"King Fin Varra told us about a Scroll of Wisdom that will lead to this power that Conchobar and the Fairy King had sensed. The words that he spoke were these:
"Within a carving of wolf and raven,
There lies the Scroll of Wisdom.
Restore the fractured sight of one and all
And find the power that rules all Kingdoms."
Once Garrett had finished the riddle, the Druid's face became pale.
"Cathbad…" Macha said as she looked at the Druid.
The Mystic Knights and the King looked questioningly at Cathbad and Macha wondering about the dawning looks on both of their faces.
"Now we know what Nemain was seeking in that room," Cathbad said.
"Cathbad. Macha. What do you know?" King Conchobar asked.
"We know the answer to the riddle," Macha replied with an apologetic bow to the king. "Come and be shown the answer to the riddle."
The King rose and followed the Druid and Macha with the Knights following them. Macha and Cathbad lead them to the room that contained the broken objects that had yet to be repaired. The Druid and Macha allowed the King to enter first. They all stood in the room as Macha pointed at a cracked mirror. "The mirror is the key in the riddle."
The Mystic Knights and the King looked at the mirror. The mirror was encased in dark wood with carvings of a wolf and a raven in opposite corners.
"This cracked mirror will lead us to the Scroll of Wisdom?" Angus asked bewildered as he stared at the dusty and ancient mirror.
"Yes. This mirror must hold the Scroll of Wisdom or directions to its location," Macha replied.
"How are we supposed to repair the mirror?" Rohan asked. "King Fin Varra's riddle never mentions how it must be done."
"Do not worry, Rohan. We shall find a way," Angus replied as he clapped his friend on the shoulder.
Macha frowned as she looked from the group back to the mirror. "Perhaps it is better that the mirror remains broken, for than no one shall be able to find the Scroll of Wisdom that will lead the world to a land of darkness."
"Macha, do you believe that this scroll shall lead to that darkness?" King Conchobar asked.
Macha's brow furrowed in thought as she turned to look at the King. "Yes. This great power is said to rule all Kingdoms does not mention being ruled by light."
"We must keep Nemain or anyone from this mirror," King Conchobar said firmly.
"Yes, My King, but it will prove difficult. The power that the scroll leads invokes Nemain's greed and she shall do anything to retrieve it," Cathbad warned.
"Then we must destroy this mirror!" Angus said as he stepped past Rohan and headed toward the mirror. Macha stopped him by placing her hand on his chest.
"Angus, the mirror is most likely protected by magic to keep from being destroyed. Who knows what harm it may cause if such a thing were to happen," Macha said.
"You make a good point, Macha. All right, than what shall we do?" Angus asked.
No one answered Angus' question as they had all succumbed to their thoughts of what to do with the mirror and how to keep it out of Nemain's hands.
The Castle of Temra was filled with soldiers that could still feel the sickening and dispirit that had grasped firmly onto hearts at another lost battle against Kells. The soldiers remained dutiful in their duty despite this feeling but their faith was beginning to wane.
Torc and Nemain were once again in the large and dark throne room. Both of them were thoroughly angered at their own failures.
"I am sorry, my Queen. We were unsuccessful at capturing Macha or seizing control of the Castle of Kells," Torc said with his face parallel to the floor and as he remained kneeling before the seated Nemain.
"That does not matter, Torc. That girl kept me from getting what I needed to find the Scroll of Wisdom."
Torc shot up his head quickly and looked at Nemain with curiosity. "What is this 'Scroll of Wisdom' and is it within the Castle of Kells?"
"Yes, Torc. I sent you and the Temran soldiers to cause a distraction so I could seize the object that leads to the Scroll of Wisdom. I did want you to capture that girl as well because her being here at this time cannot be a coincidence," Nemain said as she sighed deeply with displeasure.
"What is in this Scroll of Wisdom, my Queen?" Torc asked.
"Power, Torc. The power to destroy Kells so that no one shall remember that such a kingdom had ever existed." Her eyes darkened and a gleeful, yet cruel smile came onto her lips.
Torc remained silent as he images of the crumbling ruins of Conchobar's castle and the complete destruction of Kells altogether. Also within this daydream was the destruction of King Conchobar, his Druid and the blasted Knights that had deterred him and Temra from victory.
Before either could speak again the sound of footsteps carried across the room as, someone entered. Expecting a message from one of his soldiers, Torc stood on his feet and turned to face the owner of the footsteps. Torc's face became livid as he stared at a complete stranger.
"Who are you?" Nemain asked once the stranger had come into the light.
"I am Anian," He said with a playful yet cold smile that did not distract from his handsome features. His hair was like the pure gold coloring of a buttercup and his eyes were a beautiful blue of a darkening sky. He wore rich and lavish clothing with a chain of mail covering him. He had hanging from his belt a sword with a beautifully crafted hilt made from gold encrusted with varying jewels.
"Why are you here?" Nemain asked her eyes narrowing as she looked into the young man's eyes.
"I am an ally and I am here to serve you," Anian said simply as though he were discussing the soft flow of a stream.
"You are nothing more than an intruder in this castle!" Torc unsheathed his sword and ran at the intruder.
Anian did not move his hands to his sword nor did he try to attack but simply sidestepped the rampaging man. Torc ran right past the man surprise adorned his face as he stopped and turned to look at the intruder with bewilderment and mistrust.
"You should learn to control that temper," Anian said to Torc and then he turned his back to the Captain and faced Nemain. "Now, Queen Nemain, I wish to offer you my services," Anian said as he bowed gracefully before the sorceress.
Nemain raised her hand signaling to Torc that he should desist in trying to attack the stranger. Torc, for some unknown reason, felt as though thick vines had seized a hold on him and that he could not move.
"Why do you wish to be in my service?" Nemain asked looking at the young man with mistrust and curiosity.
"It appears that the servants and soldiers that you possess have failed you many times. I am not a failure. I wish to work for you, Queen Nemain. You have power beyond a mere mortal as me."
"I see that you have charm but is that the only skill that you have?" Nemain asked.
Anian smile was filled with dark secrets. "I have more skills than you could possibly know, Queen Nemain."
"Bring me the Mystic Knight of Fire," Nemain commanded.
"I shall not disappointment you, Queen Nemain," Anian bowed and left the room.
Torc was able to move again and with this, he ran to Nemain. "Do you trust that boy?"
Nemain turned her face from the direction that Anian had left and looked at Torc with a worried frown. "I am not certain, but there is something odd about that man and I want you to keep an eye on him Torc."
Torc bowed and left the throne room. Nemain remained deep in thought wondering why and how trust in the young man had seeped into her mind. She was also uncertain why she had asked Anian to bring her Rohan.
guardianM3: Please let me know what you all think.