Celtic Rain
by Isabelle Stewart
Chapter 5
Across the mountains, in the land of Laois, there formed a castle that was carved into the mountain and hidden deep in a crevice on its side. The granite and limestone that the castle was carved into glowed in the moonlight reflecting of deep black with crimson red streaks throughout. Dug beyond the face of the castle keep was a throne room, banquet halls and chambers in the candle and torch lit darkness. Many passageways led down deep into the mountain to dungeons and torture chambers beneath. The only sections that were exposed on its granite face were four spiraling turrets, two balconies and a chimney protruding from each side.
To the side of the castle keep, a large waterfall flowed and carved its way down the mountain. A drawbridge set in the front of the castle lowered over the deep a natural gash formed by the water. When the castle had been built, Lord Faolan's many greats grandfather had been in charge of building the path that was cleaved into the mountain that the drawbridge lowered across and also the tunnels beneath that had not been naturally formed by the underground streams.
Unseen by the guards, and through one of the hidden passageways carved into and through the mountain, a foul black mist crept its way past the dungeons below and up to the main part of the castle.
Above the dungeons and in the throne room a scribe sat in a corner and was making a written account of the tongue lashing Lady Paili was giving Damon. She was furious that he returned alone and without his mission completed. Standing in front the marble steps that led up to an ornate and oversized golden throne she gave him a treacherous look.
Damon took another step back behind one of the smaller thrones that were flanking the throne ready to translocate to a secret passage if she decided to send him to the altar. He let out a relieved breath when Lady Paili walked up to him giving him a kiss on the cheek and whispered in his ear.
"You are lucky, brother, that you have a power that is of use to me. I believe only a flogging is what you will receive. However, I do not wish to be denied seeing a sacrifice at the altar. I have found a suitable replacement for you." she released him swept her hair behind her shoulder.
Paili snapped her fingers and they both turned as a concealed side panel to the throne room opened and a man flanked by two guards was brought through.
Damon's relieved look suddenly turned horrified as he recognized the man being dragged in. The guards dropped him at the foot of the stairs to the throne. The General struggled to get to his feet.
"No sister, you cannot kill the one man who could lead our army to victory. Others do not have the tactical skills and knowledge he does."
"Silence brother. There is another and I will do as I please." She looked at the beaten and bleeding man before her. Not feeling any regret at what she was about to do.
"General Daigh. It was your plan that has failed in killing the descendant or to bring back word of Lord Faolan."
She turned making a grand sweeping motion with the flowing emerald skirt of her dress. Paili stepped up to the large golden throne and sat down. She pointed a jewel encrusted scepter at General Daigh.
"Guards! Take him to the sacrificial altar. General Daigh will graciously take the place of my brother who failed. I no longer need his services."
As they lifted the General to drag him to the altar a black mist swept in. Paili heard a familiar dark voice in her head. She tried to resist but it forced its way through all of her defenses.
