Emily's House: Book 1 of the Akasha Chronicles

Chapter 11: Battle for the Sacred Grove

Chapter 11: Battle for the Sacred Grove

 “Now what, Macha?” asked Dughall.

“We must find the gate,” she replied.

“There is nothing here but vines and trees,” replied one of the soldiers.

“It is an enchantment, you imbecile,” sneered Dughall. “All of you, earn your keep and hack away these plants,” he barked.

“I would not do that if I were you,” interrupted Macha.

“And pray tell, why not dear Macha?” asked Dughall.

“Because those vines and trees are not ordinary.”

“Yes, yes, they are under a spell. I know. So we will break that spell,” said Dughall.

“It is not just a spell. The vines and trees are enchanted and in service to the Sacred Grove. They will defend themselves. You cannot break the spell by cutting them,” said Macha.

“Macha, I have over one hundred men here with axes, maces, swords and hatchets. The magick of the sisters of this grove is no match for the magick of steel. You heard me. CUT!”

The soldiers hesitated. After seeing one of their own come back from the Lianhan Sídhe addle minded, most of them had become believers of the magick of the Sacred Grove. But their fear of Dughall was greater than their fear of the magick, so they began to hack away at the vines and trees thickly covering all of the walls and gate to the Sacred Grove.

At first it seemed to work. The vines were dispatched and fell to the ground. But within seconds, the vines not only regrew themselves but also became even thicker. The trees, too, seemed to grow larger. Before they saw it coming, vines wrapped themselves around the men, axes and hatchets and all. Within minutes, all of the soldiers near the thicket were totally engulfed, swallowed alive by the living thicket. Their screams were loud and agonizing, all sounding at the same time. Even Macha covered her ears.

As their screams faded, the vines and trees returned to normal. The remaining soldiers stood still in their tracks, dumbfounded by what had just happened.

Dughall was beyond angry.

“Okay Macha, we will do it your way. What magick do you suggest we use to get through these evil branches?” asked Dughall.

“We need a spell to break the spell,” she said.

“And so say it. Say the spell,” Dughall hissed.

“I do not know the spell,” Macha replied.

Dughall’s hand moved to his sword, and he was just about to slice the little faerie in half when the Dark Wizard stepped forward. “I can recite the spell,” he said. “But it will take time to gather the information needed to determine the right spell.”

“You have five minutes,” snarled Dughall.

Cian walked the perimeter of the thicket. He picked up leaves that had fallen and rubbed them between his fingers and tasted them. He held them to his ears. He stood quietly along the perimeter with his eyes closed for several minutes.

Dughall’s patience was at its end. “Your time is up old man. Say a spell now or so help me, I will run you through.”

“If you live a thousand lifetimes, it will not be long enough for you to learn patience, Dughall,” Cian replied. The old man closed his eyes, circled his arms wide and held them above him as he cited the incantation.