Category : Books-Fiction

Sub Category : Fantasy

                          Chapter 10❂Emmet
                                   Ireland, 1915


      Was it a coincidence that tonight it was dark and raining? It felt like one of those cliché horror stories Emmet used to read late at night to his little brother. The wind moaned in a dreary tune and shook the windows while thunder roared across the sky and the rain beat down on the towns buildings and cobblestone streets. The lightning was scarce tonight, however, it would only appear in silent blinding flashes and that’s what worried Emmet the most. What worried Emmet more was Muirgen’s behavior.
      Emmet looked over at the Southern guardian, her posture was poor and her leg wouldn’t stop bouncing. Muirgen’s ponytail was a mess, twigs and leaves stuck out of her hair in random places the stray hairs that had come undone fell like icicles from her head. Muirgen’s plump lips were in a tight line and her voice held aggravation. Her eyes were dark and distant even as she explained the encounter with the creature. Her pale fingers clutched the glass of whiskey she was given to an hour ago, Emmet was sure it would crack.

      “So, it was a black creature with yellow eyes-“ Ronan started.

     “It wasn’t regular eyes, they were just pools of light and it had tears.” Muirgen explained.

     “Golden tears, yeah.” Cúchulainn said. “You said its mouth split and it screeched.” Muirgen nodded.

     “Are you sure it wasn’t a banshee?” Emmet offered, all their eyes shot to him. Muirgen’s eyes went from a dull ocean to one in a storm. He could practically hear the waves capsizing his boat. 

     “It wasn’t a banshee, Emmet.” She spat. “I’ve fought banshees, this was different.” 

     “How so?” He questioned. “Banshees can appear in any form. If you’re afraid of something it will play on that.” 

     “It wasn’t a banshee!” Muirgen screamed. 

     “If it was, it’s fine. Once a Banshee appeared as my math teacher. It felt good when I lit it on fire.” Emmet sighed and reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette holder. He placed one between his lips and lit it with his finger.

     “It reformed instantly. What Banshee reforms in a matter of seconds, Emmet? You didn’t see what I saw or felt what I felt. This was true fear. True emotion.” She scoffed and stood up. Emmet’s eyes instantly snapped to her movements.
      Though she was scared, she held herself with pride. Her back was straight even when she wrapped her arm around her torso. She sighed and pulled her hair out of her ponytail, shaking the twigs and leaves from it, and tied it up in a bun.

     “Muirgen, you’re asking us to assemble the other kings for something we’re not entirely sure about. Calling them because you felt ‘true emotion’ come on now, Rinny.” Ronan said. “Maybe you’re just over exaggerating.” Muirgen’s head snapped to her brother.

     “IT REFORMED INSTANTLY! What creature does that!?” She turned her back on all three of them.

     Cúchulainn blew out a breath and raised his eyebrows, he poured each of them a glass of whiskey, Emmet thanked him with a nod and sipped on his drink.

     “Nice going, Ronan.” Cúchulainn muttered.

     “Muirgen, I’m sorry.” Emmet said. She turned her head slightly in his direction. “You’re right, I don’t know what you just went through but I believe you.” She turned to face him, her face filled with relief. “You say it’s not a banshee? Fine, it’s not a banshee. Now let’s figure out what it really is.” He leaned back in his chair. 
     Ronan stared at Emmet with a bewildered look then shook his head. The king rubbed his eyes and sighed. 

     “Alright, I’ll call the kings. Cúchulainn, stay here.” Ronan ordered and stood up. 

    Why are you so fucking tall? Emmet thought as he squinted his eyes at Ronan. No one should be that tall. 

     “I’m a babysitter now?” Cúchulainn chuckled and sipped his whiskey. Ronan shrugged and walked out.

      “Muirgen, why don’t you sit? You need to rest, maybe some sleep will help you gather your thoughts and emotions.” Emmet suggested and blew smoke onto the table. Muirgen sighed deeply, her shoulders dropping in defeat, her muscles relaxed. 

      “Yeah, you’re right. Wake me when the first king arrives, will ya?” She asked him. Emmet nods and sipped his whiskey. 
      Muirgen walked over to the couch that sat under a large window in the room she laid down with her back facing them and slowly fell asleep. Emmet and Cúchulainn sat and drank. Neither had anything to say to each other so they welcomed the awkward silence. 

❁❁❁❁

      
      Ronan returned an hour later, he didn’t look pleased but Emmet was sure that was Ronan’s natural face. The sea king pulled his hair out of his low bun and ran his fingers through his hair, with something that sounded between a grunt and a sigh he sat down and tussled his hair. Emmet eyed the king as he leaned back in his chair with another sigh, he couldn’t say that Ronan wasn’t attractive. What with his long silky dark hair that matched his bushy yet styled beard. Like Muirgen, Ronan also had plump lips and long eyelashes and like his sister his frosty eyes could drag you in. At first glance their eyes looked the same but if you really looked you can see how different they truly were. 
      Muirgen’s eyes reminded Emmet of a frozen lake, icy and smooth but the twinkle in her eyes caused Emmet to feel joy. It reminded him of ice-skating when he was a child, chilly but warm as well. A distant memory but one he would cherish forever. Muirgen’s eyes reminded him of snowball fights with his brothers, building snowmen and forts with his dad when he was younger. Her eyes had so much depth that it made Emmet scared in such a good way. They were filled with emotion that it dragged him in yet the feeling he recognized wasn’t fear it was warmth. When he looked into her eyes it reminded him of drinking hot chocolate after playing in the snow and cuddling up by the roaring fire in his pajamas while his father spoke of stories about great Irish heroes and tricky fairies. 
      Ronan’s eyes terrified Emmet. He could barely look the king in the eye but he did because he was raised with respect. Ronan’s eyes seemed to bore into everything he looked at like ice fire piercing through pitch blackness. His eyes reminded Emmet of thrashing waves on the ocean surface during a hurricane while the depth in his eyes reminded him of the creatures that lurked below the waves. Hungry terrifying creatures that fed on the fears of sailors and the sorrow of their widowed wives. His eyes radiated power and demanded respect but Ronan’s charming voice and sharp and caring attitude didn’t invoke fear into his followers. It seemed that his people felt safe with Ronan as their king. He truly was the King of the Sea, for only the Sea could have that many emotions in one entity.

      “Are you going to tell me what you want?” Ronan asked. Emmet jolted at the abrupt question. The druids eyes darted over to Cúchulainn who had fallen asleep some time ago. The king of the wind had his head turned to face Ronan but Emmet could tell he was asleep by the slow rise and fall of his large back. He was like a sleeping bear. 

      “I don’t know what you mean, mo Rí.” Emmet admitted.

      “You’ve been staring at me for the past five minutes, Emmet.” 
 
      “I didn’t know I was staring.”

      “Don’t tell me you have fallen for me now. I know I’m gorgeous but I don’t think we have that kind of chemistry with each other.” Ronan chuckled. Emmet squinted his eyes at Ronan, the Druid bit his bottom lip to stop it from jutting out in annoyance.

      “Pity. I would have baked you cakes.” Emmet shot back.

      “I don’t eat cake. I’m more of a bread lover.” Ronan hummed.

      “Have you gotten in touch with the other kings?” Emmet asked, hoping to change the subject.

      “Aye, Barram was hard to get ahold of, little bastard. He’ll be arriving at dawn. Aralt will be arriving shortly.” 

      “How shortly?” Emmet chastised himself for that small quiver in his voice.

      “A few minutes.” Ronan said nonchalantly. Emmet supposed It was easy to be so aloof with other kings when you were the biggest and one of the strongest men in Ireland. 
      Emmet stared at his whiskey then downed it immediately. He didn’t want to face his father, he didn’t want to even think of him. The thought of his father, the king of the East, Rí Dóiteán, coming to the south. Emmet tapped the table restlessly until Cúchulainn’s large hand shot out and grabbed Emmet’s hand. The ginger king looked up at Emmet, his eyes still droopy from sleep.

     “Could ya stop? You shouldn’t wake a man when he’s trying to sleep. It’s rude.” He said sleepily. 

     “Aralt will be arriving shortly, Cúchulainn. Look lively.” Ronan said. 

     “Ahhh fuck. Aralt? Why not Barram first? He’s more fun to mess with.” 

     “You can mess with Aralt.” Ronan chuckled.

     “Not if his favorite little witch is beside him. That girl is fucking mad.” Cúchulainn grunted.

     “Aednat was raised by wolves and witches. She was found in the forest as a child.” Emmet added. Cúchulainn shot his arms out in the direction of Emmet and gave Ronan a matter-of-fact look. 

     “See? See? Emmet knows she’s mad!” 

     “I should wake up Muirgen.” Emmet said and stood up. He walked over to Muirgen and gently shook her.

     “Hmmm?” She hummed. Emmet couldn’t help but smile at the way she turned her head slowly towards him, her eyes still shut and her lips pursed. He could feel his cheeks beginning to burn.

     “Aralt will be arriving soon, Muirgen. I just thought I would wake you before he does.” Emmet titled his head. Muirgen’s face scrunched up in disgust.

     “Ó níl….” Muirgen groaned. “He’s the last person I want to deal with.” She sat up and stretched then looked out the window. 

     “You and me both.” Emmet muttered. 

     There was a rap at the door that made them all turn their heads. Emmet And Muirgen stood as Ronan opened the door. Then in walked Aralt and his Caomhnóir Aednat. Emmet And Muirgen both bowed to the Eastern king.

    “May you reign long and successfully, Rí mór dóiteán.” They both said. Aralt nodded to them in silence then turned his attention to the other kings in the room and spoke to them. 

      Aralt wasn’t nearly as tall as Ronan or Cúchulainn but he was taller than Emmet. He stood at six-foot-six and had a lanky body. However, Emmet knew that under those clothes his father was just as muscular as a well trained athlete. Aralt had a slight limp due to an injury caused by the Morrigan, therefore he walked with a cane. Emmet resembled his father in many ways, they both had piercing emerald eyes, bushy eyebrows, chiseled cheeks and sensual lips. The only difference between them was Aralt’s scruff and short combed back hair not to mention the slight wrinkles under the eastern kings eyes. He had a cold and judgmental stare, he always scowled and look disinterested in everything around him that didn’t have anything to do with money, inventions or his Caomhnóir.
      Emmet couldn’t blame his father for being so invested in Aednat. She was an oddity no one seemed to understand, or even wanted too for that matter. The only reason why most men went near her was because of her large breasts. She was small in stature, always wore a black dress with white cotton stockings and black wedged boots. Her pale hands always fidgeted to her sides, Emmet later found out it was because she carried so many weapons on her and realized she was doing an armory count. Her hair was a bed of wild curls that fell past her thighs and covered her face but behind those crazy curls sat even more crazed eyes. They were the color of jade and always darted from one place to the next, they were eyes of an untamed and cornered animal that would snap at any given time. Her lips would be beautiful, they were bigger than most, if they weren’t chapped and bloody from all the times she nibbled on them. She never strayed too far from Aralt, however, she was like his shadow. 

      “Take your hair out of your face, Aednat.” Aralt demanded without even looking at her. Aednat’s fidgety movements jerked to a stop when he spoke. The eastern guardian quickly brushed her dark brown locks from her face in a hurry. She huffed and smiled up at him, Aralt didn’t bat an eye.

      “Now That all the pleasantries are out of the way, you said you had something interesting to share, Aralt?” Ronan asked as he ushered Aralt to a chair at the table. 

      “Indeed. You stated that Muirgen was attacked by an all-black creature with golden eyes, I’m here to tell you that Aednat and I encountered one as well.” Aralt rested in the chair and slowly turned his injured leg. 

      “Nasty bugger almost ripped me fuckin’ arm off.” Aednat announced in her high-pitched witchy voice. “Aralt set the fucker on fire but it just came back, it did. Couldn’t believe my eyes at how fast it reformed. Swear it was sent from the Devil ‘imself.” She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. 

      “Sit down, Aednat.” Aralt ordered.

      “Yes sir.” She said as she sat next to him. 

      “Hair, Aednat.” Aralt said. With a huff the Caomhnóir tied her hair up.

      “Wait, when did you encounter this creature, Aralt?” Ronan asked.

      “Last night.” 

      “Why didn’t you tell the rest of us?” Questioned Cúchulainn. Aralt shrugged.

     “It was late, I was tired. I was going to contact the kingdoms this morning but we had another attack, then you called. They’re swarming on the eastern coast. I may have to evacuate my people.” Aralt sighed. Aednat pulled out one of her knives and turned it into her hand.

     “My magic doesn’t even kill ‘em.” Aednat grumbled. Emmet’s head snapped in the direction of Aednat, her magic was incredible Emmet learned a lot from her. Aralt looked at her with a scowl.

     “What did I say about mumbling, Aednat?”

     “You said: ‘No mumbling, Aednat. If you have something to say then say it clearly.’ Sorry.” She sighed

    “Aednat,” Emmet started. “What do you mean your magic didn’t work on them? You can control fire as well as my fa-…as well as your king can.” 

    “Yeah, well I lit it up. Aralt lit it up. They just kept coming back. It’s as if the creatures came back faster after you kill them.” She tapped her fingers on the table.

    “They don’t bleed either.” Muirgen said. “I impaled them with ice but no blood came out. It didn’t seem to be in pain either. It thrashed around because it was annoyed that it was restrained.” 

    “Interesting. Have they invaded your land Cúchulainn?” Aralt asked.

   “Not yet. Saoirse would notify me if anything were to happen.” The western king explained.

   “Barram hasn’t arrived yet?” Said Aralt as he brushed invisible lint off his dark green suit. Emmet always admired that suit. He sighed softly.

   “No. He won’t be here until dawn. We just have to wait.” Ronan sighed. 
  
   “Perhaps we should send a party to the human realm to see if we can find a connection.” Emmet offered. The kings sat for a few moments considering Emmet’s suggestion. 

   “We should wait until Barram arrives.” Cúchulainn said.

   “Barram answers to us. We are older and more experienced, the boy hasn’t even seen a battle.” Aralt scoffed.

   “He has a point, Cúchulainn. However, he still killed the king before him, so he does know how to fight. I agree that we should wait, maybe he knows something about this creature.” Ronan concluded. 

   Aralt rolled his eyes. “Anyone can kill someone, Ronan. Don’t give the boy so much credit.” 

   “I’ve killed so many people.” Aednat purred with a toothy grin. Cúchulainn grimaced And scooted away from her with a shiver.

   “Tá sí dÚsachtach.” Cúchulainn spoke to his whiskey.

    “She may be crazy, Cúchulainn, but she is useful. In more ways than one.” Aralt proclaimed. He patted Aednat’s head and rested back in his chair. 

     “I’ll go to the human realm with Aednat.” Muirgen said. “It’s been awhile since I’ve went.” 

     “I-I’ll go too!” Emmet rushed in. Ronan and Aralt both arched their brows at Emmet but Cúchulainn just chuckled. After a few more moments of awkward silence, Ronan cleared his throat.

     “We’ll decide once Barram arrives.” Ronan said.
  That was that. Emmet blushed from embarrassment and sank into the couch. Oh how he wished he could disappear, up in smoke like his cigarettes. He glanced over at Muirgen who was rambling with Aednat about their attacks. They both were strong women who knew how to lead. Emmet felt ashamed that he couldn’t be as revered as them but he knew that being a Druid was just as important. He dreaded meeting king Barram, he was his fathers underling and probably was just like him. There was nothing they could do but wait. Wait…wait…wait.