Hey dear readers!
So I am back at work, the muse kissed me with the Tristan & Isolde stuff, thanks to Mr. Rufus Sewell I am back at work. What an inspiring man. Check out my other story "Life moves on".
I am determined to finally wrap this story up. Can't have you hanging any longer, can't I?
In this chapter, the Tower of Grace O'Malley plays an important role. She is a very interesting historical character. Therefore the soundtrack for this chapter is definitely "Óró Sé do Bheatha Bhaile" by SEO Linn, a battle song from that period. (You'll find it easily on youtube)
Additionally I have to point out, that, if you ever have the chance, go and visit Achill Island (County Mayo). For me it is a magical place, the nature, the elements, the ancient remnants and everything are really impressive when you are there.
Now, having said that, I hope you enjoy this chapter, there are at least 2 or 3 more to come.
Warm greetings,
Far
17. chapter - Of Pirate Queens and modern conveniences
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Grace O'Malley's Tower, Achill Sound, about 7.20 pm
The sky slowly changed, faint stripes of tender pink shades mixed into the blue and white colours that were blown away quickly through the steady wind. Even on bright days, the amount of wind floating across this coastal land was not to underestimate. Additionally, the clouds were lowering. Now the hilltop on the other side of the Achill Sound was wrapped in white dust and the air became even more humid. Max felt a light headache building up, because she had been in this wind all day long on top of this bloody tower.
This was probably one of the most boring tasks she ever had done in her life. Sitting on top of an old tower in the middle of nowhere, observing a seemingly dead small village on the other side of the Sound. Logan insisted that they would do it this way, since a foreign car would have caused a reasonable furor. That was to be avoided.
In search of other ways to observe the house of the Toolins in this secluded village, that only consisted of a couple of houses and a church named "Our Lady Queen of the Universe" - Max found that name odd for a church at the end of the world, but whatever... - Logan came up with the real tourist attraction on the other side of the Achill Sound, where tourists would not be uncommon at all. It was the tower that formerly belonged to Grace O'Malley, the queen of the pirates in the 16th century. At least, from up there Max had a good view of the Toolin house, that seemed to be empty and lifeless since they arrived this morning. Probably the family was a totally normal family and everyone was rushing to buy something after work and it would be a couple of hours until they came home.
But whatever...
a couple of hours before (late afternoon) in the nerd burrow:
Auggie was sifting through everything they had gathered. He remembered even everything Kieran's wife had told him about the article in "Salmon & Trout" about fishing near the Marconi station. Kieran was lucky to have such a mindful spouse. But all the intel still didn't make entirely sense, he felt that he was near something, that there was only a small detail that he had neglected, that would bring him around, that would help him come to the solution.
But he couldn't grasp it yet.
Kieran's wife opened the door and brought him some fresh coffee and scones. She reminded him to take a break. Auggie was really grateful. Since she had to do all the things with the children and everything alone in the household, he felt bad for her that she had additionally to tend to him.
But she seemed to find it pleasurably to occupy herself with his needs. Perhaps that helped her to take her head off the assassination attempt to Kieran and the repercussions for her own security and that of her children. At least, Auggie was not only a man, but a trained operative, that provided a certain additional security to the household in spite of everything.
Grace O'Malley's Tower, Achill Sound, a couple of hours later
It was totally dark by now. And this darkness here at the edge of the world was much profounder than it would ever be possible in Seattle. This darkness was only crossed by a small amount of lights. The seaside was totally dark, only one faint light of a ship could be seen, while at the landside there were no lanterns. Only a couple of houses sprinkled their doorlights across the landscape in their different heights around the hill. Their light couldn't really make a difference. In the distance, in the direction of Sligo, Max could see a lighter shade of the horizon and a car-light once in a while, where the bigger road connected Sligo with Ballina.
All in all she could cover a really big area from this position. She had to admit to Logan, that this tower was ideally for observing. Perhaps that's why they had build it there in ancient time, Max mused.
But if there was absolutely nothing to observe, what was the point?
Max snorted and decided that she would call it a day, and that Logan really had to make this up with a super yummy supper. Carefully she climbed down the tower. Only to find that Logan had fallen asleep in the car.
The short anger was quickly substituted by a tender feeling for him. Logan was so sweet while he was sleeping. In the light of her hand flashlight she observed the small vibrations of his nostrils and his beautifully disheveled hair. But finally she had to wake him. She knocked on the car window, and he shrieked, his glasses askew.
He asked: "You saw anything?"
"Aside from mooing cows, grazing sheep, empty houses and regular people coming back from work?" - Max sighed.
"Not even a glimpse. Nobody, the house must be completely empty. Perhaps they are in holidays." - she shrugged.
Logan answered: "All right, hop in, we will try it again later."
Castlebar hospital, about 7.59 pm
The visiting time was nearly over and they knew that any minute a nurse would throw them out. But Auggie couldn't let this occasion go. He asked Kieran about a couple of details, that had seemed to be of no importance, and they probably WERE of no importance.
Kieran rolled with his eyes. But he patiently answered Auggie's questions. That was the least he could do for him, after Auggie had informed him about what had happened in Cong Abbey. Kieran had to admit that for a second he was glad that he had been safe and sound inside the hospital.
