The Morrigan Sisters

Part 9

I walk through the refuse left behind by the battle after the last Cruithni had fled or was slain. There are fallen warriors everywhere, both Cruithni and Dáirine. Iwan and some of the archers run from body to body, checking for survivors, tending to the wounded. Nemain and Babd are perched atop a tent, surveying with beady eyes. They wait for all the living to clear before escorting the fallen spirits away. I should be with them, but I am searching. Rogan was not among the warriors to regroup at the top of the hill.

He is out here somewhere.

"Aife!" Iwan calls. "Over here!"

I fly. I don't know how I do it, but between one heartbeat and the next I become the raven and fly over my broken obstacles and then drop to the ground beside Iwan. It feels more natural than breathing.

And so does my pain. I fall to my knees as I see the man laying on the ground. "Rogan, no."

A deep wound runs from his neck to his ribs, and although Iwan presses tightly on it, crimson seeps through his hands. It is like being that frozen form again, unable to move, unable to breathe. My hands shake when I cradle his face, tears burning my eyes.

"Rogan, my love," I whisper. His breath is so shallow, his eyes glassy with pain. "I am so sorry..." The flap of wings sounds, and I feel Nemain and Babd crouch beside me in their human forms. I look at them. My voice is weak. "How could this happen?"

They just look at me pityingly.

A sob chokes my angry words and I press my lips to Rogan's face. He is so cold. The faint glowing that comes from his soul is flickering, like the dead leaves. Again, I look to my sisters. "Can't we do somethin'?"

Nemain shakes her head. "He's nearly gone."

"A..."

I look down. Rogan's faraway eyes are fixed on me. "Aife..."

"Rogan! I'm so sorry," I sob, my voice choking out until only a whisper. "I'm so sorry."

The red outline fades, and is gone. A small orb floats out from his chest and simply hovers in the air. The body in my hands is still, and I feel hollow as I stare at the orb.

"Tis his spirit," Nemain says, but I am so distant, like I am dreaming, and all of this will be gone once I wake up. "He waits fer ya. We'll show ya our next step, sister."

Numbly, I nod. She and Babd stand and walk away, the orbs beginning to float after them. I make to follow, but Iwan's hand touches my arm and I stop. "Aife, I am sorry. He was a good man, an' I know 'e loved you."

"Please," I say, standing although the air seems unbreathable and the weight on my chest unbearable. I pull on my hood. "My name is Macha."

---------------------------------------------------
Thank you for reading!

This short story has been published, among others, in an anthology titled New Legends: Caster, Castle and Creature, which is available online for purchase, as well as in major bookstores.

Please don't forget to vote!