Another place; Another time

4: A strange message

                  

In the middle of a small, dark, black-stoned coliseum stood a woman. Her hair was black as night; her pale skin shone softly. She wore a long, backless, haltered white dress that hugged her slim figure. A pair of large crow wings rested on her back. Her eyes were closed; her hands clasped against her chest.

     Suddenly, a clear female voice rang out and echoed against the stone pillars, "Can you hear me?" The woman's mouth remained closed, but somehow Hedi knew the voice belonged to the strange lady. "I know this is a difficult request... but please, come to this world. Tir Na Nog," she continued, "is in grave danger." Flashes of light surrounded the mysterious woman, before she vanished as quickly as she appeared.

     Hedi stood still, staring blankly at the spot where the woman had been. She often had weird dreams before, but none compared to this one. It made no sense. Who was the beautiful lady? Why did she need Hedi's help? How did she get into the girl's dream? Hedi hoped she would find an answer as the coliseum blurred, and she slowly drifted back into consciousness.

     Night soon became day, and a stream of golden sunlight broke through the window pane. The light shone onto the bed on which Hedi lay. It illuminated the curves of her face and caused her to stir. She shifted onto her back where she used her arm to cover her eyes from the light. Groaning, she slowly stretched out her joints. Hedi relaxed into the mattress before she realized where exactly she was. She stumbled out of bed. Launching herself towards the window, she pried it open and a cool morning breeze hit her in the face.

     The sunlight from the east lit up every surface and made the day sparkle. Birds of all type and color flew around nesting on adjacent trees. They sang and chirped at each other, adding to the noise of the village. From her window, Hedi could see a clear blue river. Across the river, a blacksmith was hard at work. He saw her from the window and waved. Hedi returned the gesture. On the road behind the blacksmith's hut a young shepherd boy with blonde hair and tan skin lead his herd of snow white sheep up the hill. A sweet song came from below as Nora made her way to the empty clotheslines humming an oddly familiar tune. Hedi turned and saw a light blue dress had been laid out for her on the dresser. With a quick brush of her hair and a change of clothes, she made her way downstairs and out of the inn toward the blonde.

     "Hello Nora." Hedi said cautiously as not to startle the woman. Nora looked up from her wet laundry to smile brightly at the girl.

     "Good morning, Hedi! Gosh, it's a beautiful day. You slept well, I hope?" Hedi nodded slowly before remembering the dream she had that night.

     Nora noticed her hesitation. She tilted her head slightly and gazed at Hedi with concern. "Are you alright, dear?"

     Hedi opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Nora abandoned her basket of laundry, then strode over and gently took hold of the girl's arm.

     "Come," she murmured softly, "walk with me." The pair walked side by side past the inn and into the small village. They took the path next to the general store. It headed further up a hill. They continued up the path until they came across a large graveyard. An old oak tree towered over the tombstones from the center of the area. Nora guided Hedi over to the trunk, where they sat; Nora's arm was still wrapped around Hedi's. They relaxed in silence for what seemed like hours. Nora was the first to speak.

     "My parents are buried here." she stated solemnly. "Piaras raised me. He's a good man." Hedi glanced at the blonde woman. Nora's eyes glittered with tears. Surprisingly, she seemed to shake off the sadness and smiled at her young friend.

     "Alright," she said cheerfully, "how about you tell me what's wrong." Hedi thought for a moment before responding.

     "Well, last night I had this dream. At least, I think it was a dream, but it felt so real." Nora nodded silently, encouraging the child to continue. "There was this strange, beautiful woman; she spoke to me, only she never opened her mouth. It was like she projected her voice into my head."

     "What did she say?"

     "Something about visiting a world called Tir Na Nog, and that it's in grave danger." Hedi turned to the blonde woman. "Who was she, and what did she mean?"

     "What did she look like?"

     Hedi described the woman just as she saw her in the dream. Nora's gaze drifted off into the distance. "Do you know her?" Hedi asked, following her companion's eyes. Nora shook her head.

     "Not exactly. There are stories, legends really, that could tell you. Duncan knows. He knows everything. He's been here ever since I can remember." Nora turned to Hedi. "Why don't you go ask him? Meet me here when you're done. I'll be able to show you around town." She hugged the small girl, then stood and made her way back to the inn.

     Hedi got to her feet. She followed the path out of the cemetery. Taking the right, she passed a cottage and ended up behind the chief, Duncan, surprising him greatly.

     "Dear girl! You should know not to sneak up on people; it gives them quite a fright!"

     "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to. I only wanted to ask you a few questions."

     "Of course, young Hedi, ask away."

     Hedi told the man about her dream. She explained the woman, and how she had no idea what the dream meant. Duncan listened intently to the child's story. When Hedi was finished, she asked the chief if he could explain it. Duncan sat her down on the steps to his porch, and began to speak.

     "I believe the woman you saw was Morrighan."

     "Morrighan?"

     "Yes. Morrighan, the goddess of war, vengeance, and crows, was the first of three Badhbh Catha goddesses. She's known as 'the goddess' to those who speak of her."

     Hedi was confused. "Why would a goddess need my help?"

     "That, my dear," Duncan replied warmly, "is a very good question. You see, Morrighan hasn't been heard from in years. She was the one who created the Soul Stream, the area that connects all of Erinn. She and the god of the Formorians, (the foreign race created to cause chaos upon Erinn), Cichol, used to be friends. Their friendship was torn apart by a difference of opinions and wars. During the Second Battle of Mag Turieadh, she grew weak. Using the last of her strength, she sealed away the last onslaught of the Formors. She was believed to have petrified before vanishing; no one's seen or heard any signs of her return, until now."

     "Until now..." Hedi repeated. She still didn't understand. "Why me?" She asked Duncan. "Why me, and why now?"

     Duncan was puzzled as well. "I sense something big is about to happen, Hedi, and I believe you will play a part in the outcome." He paused before continuing, "There is, however, someone who may be able to help you if you wish to assist Morrighan." The chief handed her a bundle of blue herbs from his side pocket. "Take these to the Altar of Druids deep in Sidhe Sneachta. Give them to the bear. Don't worry, he won't harm you. You may learn something."

     Hedi thanked Duncan and took the herbs. Confused as she was, she headed back the way she came. By the time she got back to the tree in the graveyard, the sun was positioned at high noon. Nora had set up a picnic under the shade. She waved the young girl over to her. Hedi smiled and joined her friend. She caught Nora up on her conversation with Duncan as they ate peacefully among the dead.