Mystic Knight of Spirit Part 1

The day started out as another typical day in Kells. The sun was shining brightly and a soft breeze blew. Deirdre only wished that today would have stayed the way it started. When she entered the throneroom, she knew that everything was going to change.
“Angus was what?” Rohan asked the King, a look of disbelief on his face.
King Conchobar sighed. “Angus was arrested earlier this morning for stealing. He is being held in the dungeons.”
Rohan shook his head. Deirdre couldn’t believe it either. Why would Angus suddenly started thieving again? He was a Mystic Knight. The people trusted him.
“Maybe Maeve has something to do with this.” Ivar spoke up.
The King nodded. “Yes, I thought of that as well. Angus may have been a thief at first, but I was positive that he had changed.”
“No, Maeve has nothing to do with this.” Cathabad’s voice broke into the conversation. “I believe that Angus was acting completely on his own.”
The Princess looked at the druid. “Why would Angus want to steal again? All he has to do ask for something. He knows that.”
Rohan looked at her. “You know that Angus hates to ask for anything. Especially from you or the King. Angus prefers to do things on his own. He always has.”
Ivar was deep in thought.
It seemed completely unlike Angus. Just because he had been a thief in the past, didn’t mean that he would go back to that lifestyle. Angus may have been a bit rude and brash, but he had a good heart and was a loyal man. This new thievery made no sense to anyone. Especially Rohan. Rohan had known Angus since they were children. He knew his friend better than anyone.
"I'd like to talk to him, Your Majesty." Rohan asked, politely.
The King nodded and instructed a soldier to lead Rohan to where Angus was being held.

Angus paced back and forth in his cell. He knew he shouldn't have gotten caught, but he hadn't been paying attention. He had been too interested in the fact that he had pulled his little masquerade off. Angus smiled to himself. He had always known that he could do anything when it came to thievery, but he had never imagined stealing from a noble.
He laughed to himself. Suddenly he realized he wasn't alone. He turned and saw Rohan looking at him
"Uh, Rohan. Hi." Angus rubbed the back of his neck, trying to avoid his friend's eyes.
"What do you think you're doing? Why did you rob that noble?" Rohan was holding the bars to the cell.
Angus shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I just thought I could pull it off. It's been so long. I wanted to see whether I still had it in me." He sat on the bench in his cell
Rohan rolled his eyes. "Angus, you are a Mystic Knight. You're supposed to uphold ideals. Instead you've become a thief again and are back where you started."
Angus sighed and looked at his hands. The very same hands that stole a small bag of gold from a noble woman. He suddenly felt so ashamed of what he had done. Before hand he felt kind of proud that he still had the ability to pull it off. Obviously though he hadn't pulled it off, otherwise he wouldn't have been sitting in the dungeons of the Castle of Kells.
Angus growled. "What the hell, was I thinking!"
Rohan looked at him. "Didn't I already ask you that?"
The thief looked at his friend. "Tell the King and the noble that I'm sorry and I won't do it again."
Rohan shook his head. "I covered for you the first time. This time it's up to you to take care of it."
Angus sighed and watched as Rohan left. He knew he'd messed everything up and this time he was going to pay. The King was going to have his head.

Deirdre had spent quite sometime trying convince her father and the noblewoman Angus had pickpocketed, that Angus meant no harm. Unfortunately for her and for Angus, it wasn't working. The King continuously reminded her that Angus was once a thief and therefore would always be a thief. Deirdre came back with the argument that Angus was a former thief and a Mystic Knight, therefore someone else had to be controlling his actions.
"Sorry, Princess. He admitted that he did it."
Deirdre spun around to see Rohan standing in the doorway. "What? Angus confessed?"
Rohan nodded. "He said he wanted to see if he still had it in him."
Deirdre sighed and covered her face.
The noblewoman turned to the King. "I want the maximum punishment on this thief."
The King explained to her that the couldn't just kill a Mystic Knight. Angus would be talked to and then he would inform her of their decision. The noblewoman huffed her disapproval and departed the throneroom.
King Conchobar sighed quietly. He knew that Maeve was going to enjoy this. She would find anyway she could to use this against him and the Kingdom of Kells. He only wished that Angus had been acting under some sort of spell. But now he had lost one of the Mystic Knights. There were now only three. He needed those three to keep the peace in Kells as best they could. It was hard enough before Angus decided to make a career change, now it was even worse.
"You needed to keep a better eye on him." Deirdre told Rohan in a rather loud voice.
"Me? I may be his friend, but I am not his keeper." Rohan shot back at her.
"Well, I though the two of you always hung out together. You should have been with him." Deirdre crossed her arms over her chest. Her eyes were icy and her expression angry.
Rohan turned away, taking a few steps away from her. He couldn't believe that she was accusing him of letting Angus get into trouble.
"Deirdre, Rohan, stop arguing. It benefits nothing for the two of you to start arguing about Angus."
Deirdre looked at her father, then decided to take a seat next to him.
Rohan asked if he could be excused, so he could have a word with Cathabad. The King nodded.
Rohan bowed and left, making sure to watch Deirdre as he did. Her expression toward him was still icy.

Rohan entered Cathabad's chamber to find Ivar already there. Ivar nodded at his fellow Knight.
"Ivar, you cannot just leave. This is a very bad time. We need you here." Cathabad looked unhappily at the Moorish Prince.
Rohan looked sharply at Ivar. "Leave? Why do you want to leave?"
"It's time I returned home. My people need me." Ivar sighed.
Rohan shook his head. "Ivar, we need you. Everything is going to hell. We need you here. We need your help."
Ivar sat on a small wooden stool. "I came here to retrieve my family's chalice. I have done that. It's time I return home."
Rohan couldn't believe what was happening. Angus was imprisoned for theft, Ivar wanted to leave for his home, and Deirdre was angry at him. Suddenly everything was falling apart. He didn't understand what could possibly cause all the anger and strange behaviour, but he knew that it couldn't continue.
Ivar stood and said that he needed to think as he walked out of Cathabad's Chamber. The Druid told Rohan that something terrible was afoot, but he couldn't quite tell what it was. Rohan nodded and agreed. Things seemed to strange.
Cathabad announced that he needed to have some time to think as well. Rohan left his chambers and headed out to spend some time by himself. Maeve was not up to anything at that point in time, so there was nothing else for him to do. He decided to go to his hut and take a nap.
Cathabad approached the fairy ring. He had only been to Tir-Na-Nog once before and that was with Rohan. He had never been by himself, so not knowing exactly what to expect, he slowly placed his hand over the stone. A thin red light came from the centre of the stone, completely surrounding the Druid.
Before he knew it, Cathabad was standing in Tir-Na-Nog, the land of the little people.
A little elderly man smiled and greeted the old druid.
"Greetings King Fin Varra. I hope you do not mind the intrusion."
The Fairie King stood and walked around for a moment. "No, of course not. What can I do for you?"
Cathabad explained to the little King that there was much discontent in the Kingdom of Kells, the Mystic Knights were suffering through troubles and the King was doubting his ability to rule.
Fin Varra shook his head. "I was afraid of this. This has happened before with others. You must bring them back together, Druid. You must before Maeve finds a way to take Kells and Tir-Na-Nog." He shook his little walking stick at the Druid.
Cathabad agreed, but informed Fin Varra that he did not know how.
Fin Varra thought for a moment. He smiled, then said, "There is an ancient scroll that tells of the coming of a sixth Mystic Knight. One who will pull the Knights together in their time of need."
The Druid stared in disbelief at the little King. Another Mystic Knight? As far as he had ever known, there were only five, four in this Kingdom alone. But a sixth knight...
"Where can I find this scroll?" Cathabad's eyes brightened with the thought of introducing a new Knight into the Kingdom.
Fin Varra shrugged. "That I do not know. I know only this, the Knight will present themselves when the time is right. This Knight will be strong and mysterious, wishing only to strengthen the Mystic Knights and the Kingdom of Kells. This Knight will also be willing to sacrifice all to make things right."
The Druid nodded. "I must return to Kells with this information." He thanked the little King and took his leave.

Cathabad thought about what Fin Varra had said on his way back to the Castle. Another Mystic Knight could be just what this Kingdom needs. Not only would it set things right, but it would also bring an end to Maeve's treacherous ways. All that was needed now was to find this new Knight. He didn't know what to look for, whether or not this new Knight was male or female, would make this very difficult. Fin Varra had said that this Knight would present themselves when the time was right. But that time was now as far as Cathabad was concerned.
He sighed. He would just have to wait and hope that he could make the King see the need to try to keep the Mystic Knights within the Kingdom. Hopefully by the time he returned to the Castle, Ivar would not have already made his way toward his homeland. He needed the Knights to stay together no matter what.

It was getting near evening meal time when Cathabad returned to the Castle. He had hoped to catch the King before his meal, but was moments too late. The Druid decided to wait until after the meal was finished to discuss the news with him.
Cathabad settled in his chambers to scribe in his books the events of the day. He wrote not more than a few lines before there was a quite knock at the door. He bade them enter. One of the King's soldiers stood in the doorway.
"Sir, there is something that requires you attention."
Cathabad furrowed his brow. If only he could have a moments peace. Suddenly it occurred to him that this 'something' could be the Knight he awaited. It's too soon, he thought.
The Druid followed the young soldier out of the castle to the front gates. Outside stood a woman, unlike any he had seen before. She was tall for a woman, but not overly tall. Her body was slender, but well muscled. She was clothed in black leather armour, very different from any he had seen around Kells. She had crossed on her back two thin, curved swords. But to the Druid her face was the most striking part of her. Her hair was black as a raven's feathers, except for two wide red streaks that framed her face. Her skin was very pale, almost like milk and her eyes were as blue as the ocean.
For a moment he stood transfixed. He knew this woman was not from Kells.
He approached her. "I was told that you require my attention."
She looked at him, then smiled. "You must the King's Druid. I am Breaca, warrior of Crannaght. I have come seeking you."
He nodded and told her that he had been expecting her. He then informed the soldiers not to say a word of her arrival to the King. He would tell them all when the time was right.
Cathabad led her into the castle and to his chambers. He offered her a mug of water, which she gladly accepted.
"I was told of your coming. Though I did not think you would arrive so soon, I am most glad you are here." The Druid seated himself in a wooden chair by his large worktable.
She nodded. "A small fairie told me I was needed. Since I have no where else to be or to go, I came straight here." She looked into her mug of water. "I am sure you have heard of Crannaght and it's destruction."
The name sounded familiar to the Druid. He thought for a moment, then remembered. "Yes, I remember. The island kingdom far across the ocean that was destroyed one day many years ago, by a mysterious storm."
Breaca nodded. "There were few survivors. Most of them died when they reached the shores of the nearest land. Some survived long enough to find shelter and food, but were killed by natives who did not appreciate strangers on their land. I was lucky. I survived long enough to accidentally find a fairie mound."
Cathabad nodded. "There you were granted your weapons and told where to find your armour."
She stared at him in amazement. "Yes, I was granted these two blades. The SpiritBlades. From there I travelled to the Underworld and fought many undead creatures till I proved my worth. I gained the SpiritArmour. I am the Mystic Knight of Spirit."
He did not realise that the new Knight to their Kingdom would not be like the others. She was very different. A threat to Maeve. Someone that could bring Maeve to her knees.
Cathabad heard noises below in the throne room. He walked over to the small window that looked out over the King's throne. The dinner was breaking up. Now was the time to tell the others.
He informed her that he would return shortly, then left.
She smiled to herself as she prepared to be brought in front of the King of Kells and the other Mystic Knights.

"Your Majesty, I must speak with you and the Knights." Cathabad said before anyone had a chance to depart the room.
The King looked at the Druid. "Can this wait till morning, Cathabad?"
The Druid shook his head. "No, this is very important. It requires immediate attention."
Deirdre sighed and took her seat by the throne. The King seated himself as well. Cathabad took a look to make sure the other knights were there. He had momentarily forgotten about Angus' imprisonment. Rohan and Ivar stood in their customary places next to the King's throne.
"Angus must be present, Your Majesty. This involves all of the Knights, thief or not." Cathabad's expression was very serious.
The King directed Rohan to retrieve Angus.

Breaca looked out the small window that overlooked the throneroom. She had never seen any of these people before, but felt a kinship toward them. This must be what is felt between the Mystic Knights. She wouldn't know she had never been with any others before. In fact before she was told by the fairie about the plight of Kells, she had never known that there were other Knights. She had always just assumed that she was the only one.
She watched as the King yawned, the Princess looked bored, the dark one looked impatient and Cathabad paced. After a few minutes, the one who appeared to be the leader of the Knights returned with the thief. She smiled. They looked like an amusing bunch.

Cathabad looked up as Rohan and Angus entered.
"Good, now I will tell you why I have asked you all here."
The King sat forward in his throne. When Cathabad called them all together it is generally not to be taken lightly. The Druid was known to have some very powerful visions. Maybe somehow he had an answer to what was happening with the Knights and with Kells.
The Druid began his tale by telling them of his terrible forebodings about the squabbling between the Knights. Rohan and Deirdre made it a point to look at one another.
"I began to get worried, so I spoke with Fin Varra. He told me that long ago there was an ancient scroll that told in times of discontent one would arrive to bring all together."
The King looked at Cathabad. "What do mean? Who is this person?"
Rohan suddenly remembered the last time Cathabad started rambling about someone coming to Kells and changing things. That time it was Garrett, who had long since returned to Regart, his homeland. Garrett had turned out to be another Mystic Knight. The Mystic Knight of Forest to be exact. He wasn't particularly liked, regardless of the fact that he had been quite helpful.
Rohan stared at the Druid. "Are you saying there's another Mystic Knight? A sixth?"
Cathabad nodded. "Yes, there is. That Knight is here in this castle."
The King could only stare at the Druid. "And this Knight is here to pull Kells back together?"
The Druid smiled and said, "The Mystic Knight of Spirit."

Breaca knew this was her cue. She pulled her swords from their sheaths on her back and said in a firm voice, "Spirits hear me."
Black mist began swirling around her, starting at the points of her swords. Slowly the mist moved down covering her whole body. Instead of her standing there in her armour, the mist transported her to the centre of the throne room.

Everyone stared at this strange phenomenon.
Rohan pulled himself together and drew his weapon, preparing himself.
Slowly the mist began to take the shape of a woman. The mist dissipated as the woman stood in front of them. She was like nothing they had seen before. She was clad in all black leather, with bits of blackened chainmail. Her hair was raven black with two red streaks framing her face. But the most unusual thing about her was her skin. Even Cathabad was taken aback by her appearance. Her skin was black as coal and her eyes were white as a newly born lamb.
She stood with her arms crossed in front of her, her swords curving over her face. Slowly she raised her swords over her head, keeping them crossed. Then in a swift move she pulled them apart. The mist began to circle her again, this time returning her to her normal form. She sheathed her weapons.
Bowing before the King, she said, "I am Breaca, warrior of Crannaght, Mystic Knight of Spirit and I am at your service."
"Rise, young knight." The King stood and approached her. "I am pleased to have you in my Kingdom. Your allegiance is greatly appreciated."
The other Knights stared at this strange woman. None of the truly trusted her, but they knew that Cathabad had the gift of true sight. They knew that if this had been a trick, he would have seen it and never would have brought her into the castle.
The King yawned, then excused himself. "It has been a long day. I need rest, as do all of us." He turned to his daughter and kindly asked her to show Breaca to one of the guest rooms where she could rest.
Deirdre nodded and showed her out of the throneroom.

The King looked at Rohan. "I put you in charge of keeping an eye on Angus tonight. He may return to your hut." Angus smiled, but the King quickly warned him. "This is not a permanent arrangement. We are all tired and I see no point in forcing Rohan to return you to your cell."
Angus' smiled faded away. He knew he had messed up and that he would be punished for it. Rohan turned to leave, pulling Angus out of the throneroom with him.
King Conchobar then turned to Ivar. "I do hope that you will consider staying long enough to hear what Breaca has to say."
Ivar thought for a moment. He truly missed his homeland, but he figured that a few more days would not make much of a difference. He nodded and said that he would stay a while longer.
Slowly the throneroom emptied out. The King went to his chambers to sleep, as well as the Druid. Though none of them would sleep well that night.

Deirdre showed the new Knight to a small but comfortable looking room.
"I hope this will be to your liking." Deirdre said as she opened the door.
Breaca nodded. "This is more than adequate." She walked in, then quickly turned. "Thank you for your kindness, Princess." Breaca bowed to Deirdre.
The Princess was astonished. She had not expected that from another Knight.
Quickly she walked over to the strange woman. "You don't need to bow." She placed her hand on Breaca's shoulder. "We are all friends. We may not know each other well enough yet, but Mystic Knights are friends." Deirdre smiled at her.
Breaca didn't quite know what to say. In her kingdom, she would never have been permitted to be this close the a princess, much less have the princess say they were friends. The dark haired warrior stared momentarily at Deirdre. She suddenly apologised.
"Nothing to be sorry about. Our lands customs must very strange to you." The Princess smiled. "My father will speak with you tomorrow about everything. Until then rest."
They bade goodnight to each other before the Princess left. Things were going to be much different in this Kingdom, Breaca knew it. But she welcomed the change. Her homeland had become so strict. One could not do or say anything without being afraid that the ruling class would hear it and punish you in one form or another. Kells was much different. She was shown hospitality and kindness, and they didn't even know her.
She smiled as she lay on the soft bed. She knew she was going to like it in this Kingdom.

Morning came before Breaca was ready for it. It had been many years since she had slept in a soft bed. For once she had actually been able to get a good night's sleep.
She climbed out of bed and stretched. Strolling over to one of the windows, she watched as the guard changed for the morning at the front gate. She had never been a soldier, only a warrior. In Crannaght a warrior was an entirely different occupation that a soldier. If you were a soldier, the protection of the King was at your service. But she was a warrior, she had no protection, no possessions, other than those she had with her, no land, nothing. In her home, a warrior was nothing more than a hired sword.
Breaca sighed. Sometimes she missed her home, longed for the familiarity. But she knew that she could never go back. Crannaght no longer existed. There was nothing left but a barren island, with ruins of what was once a great castle. Maeve had made sure of that.
Maeve was a petty woman. Breaca knew that from experience. The sorceress had travelled to her homeland one time, looking for an alliance. The King told her that no alliances would be made. Crannaght preferred to stay neutral. The sorceress became angry and departed the island. Nothing was heard from her in many months, so the King had come to the conclusion that she had given up in her hope to make a treaty. Breaca knew now that the King had been a naive man. Maeve conjured a great storm in the sea. A storm that swept across Crannaght, destroying everything in its path. Many tried to escape, but most were killed. Breaca and a handful of others made it to the fishing boats on the eastern shore. They braved the treacherous waters for days, until finally landing on a rocky shore. The survivors were all hungry and thirsty. Some gathered up their strength and went in search of food and shelter. They never returned. By the end of the second day, they were ambushed by unfriendly natives. For some unexplainable reason, Breaca was the only one to survive.
The images still haunted her. Her friends and strangers alike were slaughtered in front of her. She tried to defend them, but nothing mattered. They gave themselves up to the natives with no fight. She fought. She wanted to survive, to see what this new land would offer.
A knock at the door brought her out of her thoughts. She spun around as the door opened. Deirdre stood their smiling at her.
“Father and the others would like to talk to you now.” She saw the look on Breaca’s face and walked up to her. “Are you all right?”
The strange warrior nodded. “Just remembering my home.”
Breaca strapped her swords to her back and followed Deirdre to the throne room.

Continued