Children Of Myths, Act One: Scotland

Two Matriarchs

TRIGGER WARNING: Mentioned/Implied sexual harassment and gore

In Cruachan Aigle, every member of the Cult had begun to worry. Although they had planted dozens of pillars since Beira Cailleach's death, the losses were not to be underestimated. The Witch knew this very well and for this reason she had retired in her sanctuary where she could connect to any pillar, even to speak with her followers if desired.

"I'm sorry, My Lady..." a male voice rang in the woman's head "We didn't predict she would come this far. Not that even a slave would escape..."

Even if he could not physically see her, the adept felt her stern gaze upon him. He immediately changed his tone "Do not despair, my lady. I promised I would redeem myself, and I intend to. I'll try a different approach to bring her there or otherwise imprison her."

"You are one of my most loyal followers, you have served our cause for years and I trust everything is under control. Do not let me down."

"Yes, my lady. It will be done."

The Witch sighed and ran a hand under her mask. That little girl was proving to be a much more annoying thorn in her side than expected, but if everything went according to plan, she would join everyone else and there wouldn't be any more problems.

"My Lady...?" A maid entered, looking disturbed and distressed "My Lady, you are requested in the main hall."

The Prophetess blinked and asked if there were any other soldiers who had come to report, but the handmaid pursed her lips and shook her head slowly. "Please, before the elder Finfolk and the Matriarch start mauling someone. She's furious"

"... Damn. Take away all handmaidens and younger soldiers immediately."

She cursed under her breath and repeated the order to every guard in the underground fortress as she made his way into the throne room: a serpent-patterned hollow in black ice and a giant statue of Crom Cruach of the same material just above her throne.

She sat down and then waved in the much unwanted guests.

A group of adult Finfolk, in their human disguise, marched into the hall led by a woman with long black hair with a lock hanging between her eyes. The face was indeed beautiful and fine; however, her eyes had a black sclera and white iris, and one could glimpse the needle-like teeth under the lush lips.

"You wretch!" she thundered "How dare you send MY children to die without questioning me?!"

"Always polite, Matriarch Nessa"

"Shut up, Lilyanne!" The Matriarch changed into her monstrous form, her straight hair had become more like seaweed and marine slime, her beautiful face was now unrecognizable, and the tuft of hair had become a luminous bait like that of deep-sea fish.

"Give us a good reason not to tear you to pieces right here, right now" she growled, ready to jump on the Sorceress, but was stopped by an icy wall that rose between the two.

"Lord Crom suggested that I send your sons to capture that little girl, given the critical situation."

A male Finfolk looked up at the sea serpent statue above the stone-hewn throne. "I wonder why he tells His plans to a common mortal and not to us, His own Court. Or at least Nessa, who's the first who invoked His help among us"

"Because I found the Eye and I've been working for almost a century for His return" Lilyanne raised an eyebrow from under the mask "It doesn't seem to me that you, apart from that time many years ago, have done anything worth noticing... Except your private duties with the prisoners."

The whole bunch of sea monsters was tempted to attack her. However, Lilyanne had the Eye, the Staff of Beira, and an army. They didn't have much choice...
The Witch descended from the throne with a calm and sedate smile, well satisfied to have brought them back into line.