Knox of the Bloom

Chapter 18 - A Fickle Mistress

They arrived at shore the following midday. The boatman bade them little heed and took up his oars, pushing them off and away, becoming lost in the gathering mist. The flames still shone in the distance, and eerie silence to the lapping waves, every sound distorted among the ancient stones.

The Isles of the Druids are many, but the first soon came into view. They came upon the shore and Eriu saw a man and woman stood there, awaiting their arrival. She thought she recognized the woman.

"I am Aird, Eriu," she smiled, seeming to read her thoughts. "We have met before, in what seems a lifetime away now."

"I remember. You spoke to me in the hut when I took the elixir."

"Yes. You have grown since then, in body and spirit."

"Thank you. This is Knox." Eriu moved aside to let Knox stand closer. The boatman was pushing off without a word.

"I'm glad to meet you, Knox of the Bloom." The woman nodded kindly to Knox, the tall, thin man was less forthcoming, his eyes narrowed, and he gave a brief nod, before turning and striding up the hill, disappearing beneath a stone archway.

"Forgive Skral. I fear the Druids are growing more possessive of their powers the colder it gets."

And cold it was, for a frost covered the ground and clung to the columns of rock surrounding them. The walls above them were of stacked slates, with juddering totems clanging in the wind hanging from the high columns.

"Aird, I've to ask before we speak further. . ."

"Yes, Eriu, what is it?"

"How did I. . . How did I get to the mainland? I was speaking with. . ."

"Aengus. He put you in a trance, but you vanished before his very eyes. It was the will of the Gods, Eriu, you have been truly blessed. Come, please. This way."

Aird led them up the hill, and they turned a corner coming upon a raised platform. There were seats around it, with many people occupying them.

"Please, take a seat," said Aird.

Once seated with Knox beside her, the woman Aird left. A tall man, who Eriu remembered as Lir, stood and took the platform.

"Druids of the land, welcome."

A few said words of greeting, most did not.

The man was tall, with green braids for hair, well-built and green piercing eyes that settled on Eriu.

"We meet here to witness a blessing. Eriu has been blessed by the White Lady, she has been chosen."

Eriu blushed as everyone turned to look at her. Knox shuffled in his seat, putting a protective arm around her, and she lifted her chin and met Lir's gaze, and the man smiled.

"We witness the Godess Eriu return to us in the company of wolves, as foretold in my vision."

"My name is Knox," spoke up Knox, "And if you wish to know me better, I'll hear your name first."

"Hmm, the wolf has fangs, it would seem. A fair statement, young Knox of the Bloom. My name is Lir, and I, like Eriu, am a Druid, but not as blessed, it would seem." He smirked, and Knox went to grab his dagger, but Eriu stopped him. She stood up.

"I'll have mo gra not taken lightly, he took the heart of a Fugrah and commands respect. And if you'll not show it to him, then you dishonour me."

Lir raised his arms. "Please, do not take my comments as jests. I merely am impressed by him."

Knox shuffled once more, and Eriu saw him blush and smiled.

"Enough word games, Lir," spoke Skral, standing up. "We wish to have the vision already. It has been too long."