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 16: Hearts
"Solve this riddle and the doorway and the keys shall be revealed."
"Blood of legends,
Strength of an acorn
Sight of the world.
Seek what those have sought
Cold as winter even in summer's sun
Blacker than night, center of all
See beyond the reflection of stone,
Where a wolf prowls and a raven flies
With a stone of spirit and cauldron of heart
Together opens a passage to the dark world."
Nemain paused after she had read the riddle out loud. "This is quite a riddle. Especially having read it a dozen times already." Nemain complained as she looked around the Druid's study noting the potions on the shelves and several unique ingredients that she wished she had in her possession.
Cathbad cast a wary glance at the witch before he looked down at the table where the Scroll of Wisdom lay. "Yes, just as you have complained a dozen times as well." Cathbad replied as he read over the riddle again.
"We do not know what 'Blood of legends' is or 'Strength of acorn', but we do know that 'Sight of the world' is the Crystal of Sight which you have in your possession." Nemain said impatiently.
"Yes." Cathbad said distractedly as he realized something about a part of the riddle. He could not believe that he had never noticed it before.
"What is it Druid?" Nemain asked as she turned her head to look at him.
"The 'Strength of an acorn", I believe it refers to the Amulet of Life. The amulet has an acorn on it." Cathbad said.
"Wonderful, where is this amulet?" Nemain asked.
"It is in Macha's hands." Cathbad answered.
"Wonderful." Nemain said sarcastically as she turned back to the riddle. "I believe that the mirror is involved in this riddle."
"What makes you say that, Nemain?" Cathbad asked as he looked over the riddle again.
"The part with the wolf and the raven and that it is talking about a reflection. It must be the mirror." Nemain said as she pointed at the words and tapped the scroll with her sharp nail.
"I believe you a right, Nemain." Cathbad agreed with a nod of his head.
"Of course I am right. Now all we have to do is find out what the 'stone of spirit", 'blood of legends' and what 'Seek what those have sought/Cold as winter even in summer's sun/Blacker than night, center of all', means." Nemain said slowly as she allowed the words to become imprinted in her mind as she tried to figure out what the words could possibly mean.
"Hmm." Cathbad said as he walked over to the wall that held his scrolls.
"Have you discovered the answer to the rest of the riddle?" Nemain asked as she walked over and stood next to Cathbad.
"Do you recall the story of the Knight who had gone on a quest to find the heart of a dark dragon that had been hidden from a sorcerer?" Cathbad asked as he turned around and began to look through his collection of scrolls.
"Yes, but was does that have to do with this riddle?" Nemain asked annoyingly as she tapped her long fingernails on the table.
"Do you recall what he had found?" Cathbad asked as he grabbed a scroll and began to unroll it.
"He found a stone that he believed was the heart of the dragon because it was dark and cold almost like…" Nemain spun around to look at Cathbad. "You don't think that is what is in the riddle, do you?"
"I believe it is and this scroll reveals the location of the stone." Cathbad laid the scroll on the table and began to read through the story. Nemain leaned over and read along with the Druid.
"Yes, here it is!" Nemain said excitedly as she pointed to a line on the scroll. "The Knight used the stone of spirit, which must be the one mentioned in the Scroll of Wisdom, to locate the heart of the dark dragon."
"Yes, and that he gave the stone of spirit to someone he knew would protect it; the King of Tir Na Nog!" Cathbad exclaimed.
"So, that fairy king has had the stone of spirit all this time that shall lead to the dark stone. I should have known!" Nemain spat as she turned away from the scroll.
"We must speak with King Conchobar about this at once!" Cathbad said as he gathered the two scrolls and headed toward the door. He stopped and turned around when he realized that Nemain hadn't followed him. "Are you coming, Nemain?"
Nemain sighed. "Very well as long as the Mystic Brats leave me be."
Cathbad stepped aside to allow Nemain to pass. He followed the sorceresses to the throne room and saw Ivar rush into the throne room. Fear filled Cathbad as the Druid rushed past Nemain and followed Ivar into the throne room. The Druid knew that something had happened to Angus and he hoped that the reformed thief could be saved.
Ivar stood before his fellow Mystic Knights, Cathbad, King Conchobar and Nemain, telling the story of what had happened with Macha and Angus. When he had arrived at the part, when Angus had sank into the black sand, Deirdre had gasped and Rohan had slammed his fist onto the table.
"Anian has kidnapped Angus? Are you certain it was not Macha who has set a trap for Rohan?" Deirdre asked.
"No, it was certainly Anian who has taken Angus." Ivar said as he looked at Rohan whose eyes were burning when Macha's name had been mentioned.
"We must retrieve the Cauldron of Heart now before Anian discovers its location." Nemain interrupted before anyone could ask Ivar any more questions.
"What about Angus? We certainly are not going to leave him in Anian's hands, are we?" Rohan asked King Conchobar urgently as anger flashed in his eyes.
"I'm certain Agnes…" Nemain began.
"His name is Angus!" Rohan said angrily as he took a couple of threatening steps toward the sorceress.
"…Angus will be fine. Anian will keep him around, for a while, at least. More importantly, the Druid and I have solved the riddle within the Scroll of Wisdom; part of it anyway. I believe we should worry about Anian getting his hands on the Cauldron especially since he probably already knows where it is." Nemain said as she looked around the room.
"How would he know where it is?" Deirdre asked.
"Anian has had Mider and some of his fellow fairy friends spying on all of you. I guess I forgot to mention that." Nemain said.
King Conchobar was about to say something to Cathbad, but the Druid had already raised his hands into the air and spoke an incantation. They all heard a rumbling noise and then it was silent.
"I believe that now we shall not be overheard by any small creatures for a little while." Cathbad said as he cast a glare at Nemain.
"Nemain is right; we must retrieve the Cauldron of Heart and search for the other objects in the scroll. Anian will not harm Angus, not while we have what he wants." King Conchobar said looking firmly at Rohan. Conchobar turned his attention to Cathbad and Nemain. "You may reveal to us the answer to the riddle."
Cathbad and Nemain quickly told them about each piece of the riddle as well as the story of the knight that was seeking the dark stone.
"Father, Ivar and I shall go after the Cauldron of Heart." Deirdre said firmly once Cathbad and Nemain had finished.
"Very well. You already know the location and the dangers that lie there." King Conchobar said as he nodded his head but Deirdre could see the look of concern shining within her father's eyes.
"The climb up the mountain shall be treacherous but I am far more concerned about what lies within the mountain, protecting the Cauldron of Heart." Ivar said.
"We shall be able to face the dangers placed before us, Ivar. We are Mystic Knights after all. Come, we should be going before it begins to get dark."
"Perhaps, you both should wait until the morning, the sun shall set soon." Garrett suggested as he cast a worried glance at Deirdre.
Deirdre raised her chin and looked into Garrett's eyes. "Ivar and I shall make it to the mountain before it is dark and when dawn comes, we shall ascend the mountain slope and go inside. This shall give us plenty of time to retrieve the Cauldron of Heart and return, in daylight."
"Then, we shall be able to retrieve the stone of spirit from King Fin Varra to locate the dark stone." Ivar said.
"Safe journey and don't forget the lights that I created for you. They shall certainly aid you within the darkness of the mountain." Cathbad said wisely as Ivar and Deirdre left the room.
"Cathbad." King Conchobar said urgently and then he looked at Nemain. "Nemain. We need to prepare for whatever lies ahead, as well as rescuing Angus." The King looked pointedly at Rohan and then he looked at Garrett. "Garrett, I want you to ready the soldiers. Rohan, you shall remain under guard, we still do not know what Macha has planned."
"There is one thing about the riddle we have not solved, Conchobar and that would be the 'blood of legends'." Nemain said.
"Then solve that part of the riddle as well. We need to be prepared." King Conchobar said as he rose from his throne. "We must keep Anian from this power!"
King Conchobar left the room first, and the others followed, but when each of them stepped into the hall, they all went to carry out King Conchobar's orders, except for one who had a different plan in mind.
Macha had quickly made it to Temra castle well before the sunset. She had been able to sneak into the castle walking through the open gate as several Temra soldiers were leaving to relieve the guards posted outside the castle. She had used her magic to become invisible for a few minutes, but as she searched the castle, she had to be careful not to be seen.
She had searched the dungeons thoroughly but hadn't found a trace of Angus. She had then proceeded to search the rooms above the dungeon level, avoiding two guards who had nearly stumbled upon her.
She entered a long room that had high windows and a tall ceiling. There was a dark doorway at the other end. She cautiously began her trek across the room and when she had reached the center of the room, she sensed something behind her. She ducked and moved to the side, avoiding a ball of fire. She turned around to face her attacker.
Anian winked at Macha and grinned. "Macha, you should know that this room has only one entrance." Anian said as he pointed behind him. Macha didn't have to look to see that the doorway behind her had vanished.
"It seems that you have been quite distracted lately. I wonder why that has occurred." Anian said mockingly as he walked several steps toward Macha.
"Where is Angus, Anian?" Macha asked her voice sharp and cold.
"As you have already discovered, he is not within the walls of Temra castle." Anian said with a smirk.
Anian waved his right hand. Mist rose from the floor, forming into a dozen wolf-like creatures that walked as though they were men. Each creature clutched at a long sword, their claws shining like their weapons.
"Your illusions do not frighten me, Anian!" Macha yelled as one of the creatures leapt at her, swinging its sword in an arc and striking against Macha's arm. Macha gasped as she felt the sting of the blade slicing through her skin. She raised her hand to her arm and felt where the blade had cut her.
"These are not illusions!" Macha said alarmingly as she stared at the blood on her hand. She glanced up at the creature whose teeth gleamed as it smiled at her. She knew that the first strike was just to prove to her that what she faced was indeed real.
"My, my, it appears they are not." Anian said amusingly. "It shall be quite entertaining watching you fight for your life Macha, especially knowing that you may never see the Mystic Knight of 'Dirt' ever again."
Macha brought her staff up and clashed against the sword of the creature that had cut her.
"Ah, yes. I almost forgot. I do not wish to create a mess within this room." Anian said as he raised his right hand into the air and snapped his fingers.
Macha felt the floor beneath her disappear as she fell. She looked up and saw that the creatures were following her down. She looked down and when she saw the ground, she curled into a ball and went into a roll. She stood up and held the staff horizontally before her. Blue light lit up the cavernous space and Macha realized that she was in the Temra Catacombs.
The creatures landed and ran toward her, snarling with their swords raised into the air. Macha swung her staff at one of the oncoming creatures, sending it crashing back into two of its fellows. Two more creatures swiped at her with their claws but she had leapt to the side out of harm's way.
She jumped into the air and kicked two other of the creatures, sending them to the ground. One creature came at her from her side and scratched her arm with its claws. Macha held back a scream as she grabbed a hold of the creature's arm and used its weapon against another that was coming at her. When the sword went into the creature's stomach, Macha released her grip on the sword and brought her staff in an arc, blocking an attack from behind.
Macha continued to fight the creatures as the sun began to set. She had received several wounds from the creatures each aching painfully as she fought. As the last creature fell, Macha fell to her knees, coughing and trying to catch her breath. She wiped away some blood that had fallen into her eyes from a cut on her forehead.
After several minutes, she rose to her feet. She ignored the wound one her right leg as she limped out of the catacombs. She had no doubt in her mind that Angus was certainly not within the walls of Temra castle. Anian had been right about her, she had been distracted, causing her to lose focus.
Macha stepped out into the moonlight. She stopped and closed her eyes. In her mind, she pictured Angus, with his dashing grin and his unique charm. Her eyes shot open, gleaming like green fire in the moonlight as a triumphant smile came onto her face. She took a step in the direction that she knew Angus would be because she could feel his heart by following her own.
guardianM3: I hope you all are enjoying this story so far. I may change the title. Suggestions are always welcome! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, so far. Please let me know what you think about everything so far. What has happened to Angus? You shall find out in the next chapter!