Mystic Knight of Spirit Part 6

The day was heading into night, so she decided to camp at the base of the mountain as she had some nights ago. She’d almost forgotten how long she’d been away from Kells. She missed her friends terribly, but most of all she missed Angus.
Breaca sighed as she laid down to sleep, hoping that Angus was waiting for her. She assumed he would be. Smiling, she slipped into a deep slumber.

The next day brought clouds and heavy winds. Breaca studied the map she was given. The next marking was far to the southwest. By the map, she figured on several days travel.
Suddenly a thought occurred to her. So far all of the stones have represented some part of nature. The first stone was found under a large, ancient tree. The second under an outcropping of rock. The third in a lake. And the fourth high up on a mountain. As she thought about it more, she realized that each represented one of the Mystic Knights. So far she had found forest, earth, water and air. Next, she thought, will be fire.
What about spirit? Could Maeve have already used that one and destroyed it? She wondered. Seven stones total. Could there be seven Mystic Knights? She remembered the looks on the faces of the Mystic Knights when she came to their Kingdom. Then there was Garrett. Breaca hadn't even met him.
She started her trek toward the next marking, wondering if there could be another rune stone, possibly where she gained her armour. She pondered the idea of taking a look through the maseoleum after she retrieved the current rune stone.

She travelled for several days. She managed to choke down most of the dried meat she had bought in the small village. She was thankful that by this time, she had reached a rather large town. At least here she would be able to sleep in a bed and have a hot meal. The thought appealled to her more than she had ever realized.
No one paid much attention to her as she entered the outskirts of the town. Breaca took a look around where she stood. She saw many houses, and some other buildings, she assumed must be shops. She had never seen a town like this before. There was nothing like this in Kells, at least she didn't think there was. She had never noticed any shops in the town outlying the castle. Then again, she assumed that anything the villagers might have needed, the King would provide for them.
Another difference she noticed with this town, was that there was no visible castle. Apparently it wasn't part of a nearby kingdom.
Breaca started walking through town, hoping she would be able to find an inn or tavern. Several small open buildings lined the way, most of which had people milling around outside them. She noticed a blacksmith, a livery stable, and other outdoor types of establishments.
Finally, she found an inn. As she entered, the patrons became quiet. She felt like she had in the first village she had come to. They all looked at her, then slowly they turned back to their meals and drinks.
"Can I help you?" A man asked from behind her.
Breaca turned to see a man standing behind a long counter. He was dressed very plainly, but was clean shaven. One wouldn't expect one to be very clean and dressed so poorly, but he was.
"Yes." She smiled, pleasantly at him. "I was hoping to get a room for the night and maybe a hot meal."
He smiled broadly at her. "Well you've come to the right place." He then gave her the run down on the costs for the rooms and food. She fished around in her pouch and pulled out a gold coin. He watched her carefully as she laid it on the counter.
"Will this be sufficient?"
He nodded and told her that she get a whole week in the inn for that.

"Actually, I would also like to buy some rations for long distance travel. With the coin cover that as well?"
He nodded again. "Sure, I can get you enough rations for a month, a room for tonight and a hot meal, just with that coin."
She smiled at him. "Thank you."
They finished settling up the fees for the room and meal. The innkeep informed her that the rations would be ready and waiting for her in the morning.

After a delicious meal of stew, bread, and cheese, she made her way up the small flight of stairs to where the rented rooms were. She located the one that matched the marking on her key.
It was not the most enticing room, but she decided that it was good enough to sleep in, at least for the one night. She dropped her gear on the floor, making sure that she kept the rune stones with her. Breaca had decided at the beginning of the trip that she would, under no circumstances, let the rune stones out of her site.
Taking a look out the window, she saw that the town was actually not as big as she had originally thought. It was larger than the village she had entered in the forest, but smaller than most of the villages of Kells. It had several buildings, some of them quite large. The main difference she noticed, was that the villages she had seen in Kells all were comprised of huts, whereas the towns and villages here seemed to have buildings. It seemed kind of odd to her, but then again, she was in a completely different land.
Breaca shrugged and decided to get some sleep. She still had a lot of travelling ahead of her. The location of the next rune stone was still further south from where she was.
She had travelled southwest for some time, until she had reached this town. By the map, she couldn't quite tell where to go. The marking for the stone was in a large circular pit. Breaca was afraid to think what else might be in that pit. She shuddered. She knew that fire was the next element in her search, but she prayed to Dagda that the stone wasn't kept in a large fire pit. Though, she thought, knowing my luck, it is.

The rising sun woke Breaca up before she had wanted. She had several days journey ahead of her and wanted to get as much time in that comfortable bed as she could. She sighed. The thought of being in her own bed, in her own rooms, in Kells, with Angus kept with her. She wanted to be home so much, but she knew that finishing the quest was the most important thing at that moment.
As she dressed, she checked her bag. All of the rune stones were where they should be. She wondered momentarily whether Cathabad had known that the rune stones corresponded to the Mystic Knights. He hadn't said anything to her about it, so she assumed that he must not have known. She began to wonder again about a rune stone of spirit.

Breaca dropped the key on the counter. The innkeep smiled and thanked her as he handed her a sack.
"Here's the rations you wanted. Dried meats, fruits, some fresh vegetables, bread and cheese. I also have a large water skin for you."
She accepted the water skin and sack with much thanks. "One more thing, kind sir. I am looking for a place that may be near here." She pulled the map from her leather sack and showed him the last place she needed to go.
The innkeep looked at it for a moment, then told her, "Well, I think the place your looking for is the Fire Pit of Creshin. It's a dangerous place, lass."
"Fire Pit of Creshin?" She thought for a moment. "Where is it and how many days journey?"
"A few days to the south. Probably three or four total." He scratched his face as he spoke to her.
She thanked him kindly, handing him another gold coin for being so helpful, which he gladly accepted.

Breaca took her leave of the town, heading south, following the directions given to her by the innkeep. She hoped he was right about what she was looking for, but she had no way to know until she got there.
Fire pit, just what I didn't need, she thought.

Her journeys south took her through forests, grasslands, and rocky plains, passed streams and shimmering lakes, through sunny days and rainy days. She passed small farmhouses and little communities, but no large towns. The trip was much more lonely than the last one.
By about the 4th day, she could see a large, rocky, mountainous protrusion. She figured that this must have been the rim of the fire pit. The lack of vegetation and the heat also clued her into the fact that this must have been the area she was looking for.
It was late in the day when she arrived at her destination, so she decided to make camp. She had a small dinner then went to sleep, thinking about all that she had to do the following day.

After searching around the rim for several hours, she found a narrow path leading up to the top. Carefully, she climbed the path, avoiding loose rocks and missing places in the path. Upon finally reaching the top, she stared down into the pit. She could feel the heat from the fire on her face. Flames reached up to lick at her boots. She could feel her skin singeing from the heat. She knew she had to find the stone fast.
She determined that in this case she would probably need the help of the spirit here.
"Spirit of Fire, are you here?" Breaca called loudly.
She heard nothing. Maybe the spirit hadn't heard her. Or maybe the spirit didn't want to hear her.
She asked her question again. Without warning, a flame shot out of the pit toward Breaca. She jumped to the side, barely managing to stay upright. Grumbling to herself, she pulled her weapons. If this is how he wants it, fine, she thought.
Another tongue of flame came toward her. She swung her sword at it, thinking that if this was part of the spirit, she might be able to deflect it. Sure enough, the flame bounced off her weapon and to the side.
"Spirit, I am not here to harm you!" She yelled into the pit.
Apparently the spirit didn't care. More flames came at her. She deflected as many as she could, some hit her armour and burnt her arms. She yelped in pain. She could feel her skin burning from where the flames had hit her.
She watched as the flames began to form into a figure. The figure turned to her. In one of its hands, she could see a weapon. The weapon was created completely of fire, as was the creature.
The fire spirit came toward her, swinging its weapon madly. Breaca didn't have anywhere to go to get away from the spirit and its weapon made of flame. She tried to dodge to the side, but instead fell. Much to her surprise she managed to hold onto her weapons.
The flame sword came toward her. She swung her sword up to defend herself. She could feel the pressure against her weapon. Her arm began to tire. She wanted to kick at the spirit, but she knew that she would just burn her foot. The pressure was becoming too great. She had to do something. And fast.
She swung up with her other sword and sliced into the body of the flames. The figure stumbled backward, away from Breaca.
She jumped to her feet. Raising her weapons about her head, she called out, "Spirits hear me!" Black mist began to swirl around her. In moments, she was the Mystic Knight of Spirit. She stood with her weapons crossed over her chest. Her white eyes stared at the fire spirit.
"Who are you?" The voice of the fire spirit shook the land, but Breaca stood her ground.
"I am the Mystic Knight of Spirit." Her voice was filled with anger. She was outraged that the fire spirit would attack her. "I have not come here to harm you."
"Then why are you here?" Fire flashed around the figure.
"I am seeking the rune stone kept within these fires." Breaca stood, staring at the fire spirit. She was not going to give up. She needed that stone.
"Why do you want it? The rune stone is not for just anyone."
She smiled. Her smile appeared almost evil, in her current state. "I am not just anyone. I am a Mystic Knight."
"I heard you. Just because you are a Mystic Knight, doesn't mean you deserve the stone." The spirit's body shifts. She couldn't tell whether it was the way the flames moved or if it was actually the spirit moving. She had never encountered anything like this before. The other spirits were kind and helpful, but this one was set on being difficult.
"How do I show you that I need the stone?" She was getting a little tired of this spirits game. "I need that stone to complete my quest and save my Kingdom. What else do you want?"
"Save a Kingdom?" The spirit appeared to think for a moment. "What Kingdom?"
Breaca sighed. She was becoming impatient. "The Kingdom of Kells."
He shrugged. "Never heard of it."
"The land of Kells houses an entrance to Tir-Na-Nog." Breaca sheathed her swords, since the battle had turned to a discussion of her worthiness.
"Tir-Na-Nog? I have heard of it." The spirit turned away from her. He appeared to be thinking about the situation.
Breaca waited. She didn't really have the time to stand here and debate the ethics of the use of a rune stone with an angry fire spirit.
"I have decided." The spirit turned toward her. In its hands was the rune stone. "You may have it."
She held out her hand. The rune stone landed in her palm. It was hot to the touch, but Breaca ignored the pain. She slid it into the sack at her waist.
"Thank you." She pulled her weapons again.
The spirit watched her as she raised them over her head and called, "Spirits move me."

She stood at the base of the pit. She could see the fire spitting upward, trying to touch the sky. She knew that the fire spirit was not happy letting go of his rune stone, but he knew that it was necessary.
Breaca silently thanked Dagda. She needed to get back to the fairie mound. Deciding to travel the quickest way, she once again raised her swords.

It was nightfall. Breaca stood in front of the fairie mound. She didn't know if she should intrude on the night-time rituals of the fairies or not, but time was of the essence. She reached out and touched the small doorway once again. Just as before, she was bathed in green light.
She stood in the throne room of the fairie kingdom once again.
She bowed before the king. "Your majesty."
"Why do you bother me? I gave you what you wanted." The King was flustered.
"I apologise, your majesty. I have something to ask and I felt that only you could answer my question."
The little king sat taller, obviously proud of the fact that she thought so highly of him. "Ask then."
"I have found the rune stones, but wish to know something about them. Each one I found corresponds to a part of nature, as do the Mystic Knights." She explained.
He nodded. "You wish to know if there is one that corresponds to you?
She smiled. "You read my mind."
The little king looked pleased with himself. "There was one, but if it was not on the map, it was not in this land. It may be in your land or may have already been found."
Breaca nodded, fearing that Maeve either already has it or has already used it.
She thanked the little king for his help, then took her leave of the fairie world.

Breaca stood outside the fairie mound. It was time to return to Kells. She checked the sack at her belt one last time. All the stones were in place.
She took a deep breath and entered the stone circle. She withdrew her swords and raised them over her head. Suddenly she remembered that she was still in her Mystic Armour. Deciding that she didn't want to frighten her friends too much by appearing in the castle in her armour.
Quickly she parted her swords. The black mist swirled around her, returning her to her normal form. Now to go home, she thought as she put her swords together.
"Spirits move me."

The Mystic Knights stood in the throne room. It was late in the morning, they were all tired. Temra soldiers had been causing trouble throughout the night. Attacks on villages, attacks on the castle, attacks on patrols. It seemed it would never end.
"Cathabad, what do you advise?" The King asked.
The Druid shook his head. "Let us hope that Breaca returns with the rune stones soon."
Angus had been thinking the same thing. He missed her terribly, even his friends could see that. He had confided in Rohan about his feelings for her. His friend thought he was taking things too quickly, since they hadn't known her very long. But Angus didn't care. He was in love with her. He knew that. Though something had been bothering him since she had left to look for the stones. He had told her, right before she left, that he loved her. Much to his surprise, she didn't respond. The thief frowned. He had opened his heart to her and she had said nothing in return. He knew that it was an awfully big step, but still she should have said something. Suddenly he thought, Maybe she doesn't love me. He mentally slapped himself. You're moving too fast, fool, now you've scared her.
Angus groaned.
"Angus?" Rohan asked his friend.
"Nothing. Just thinking."
Rohan smirked, then looked at the princess. She sat in her small throne next to her father. She looked so beautiful, sitting there in her court dress, her hair shining in the morning sun. He knew he had to tell her how he felt about her. Even Angus had managed to open up to someone, granted it was someone he hardly knew, but nonetheless, he had spilled his heart out to her. Rohan decided that after the King was done talking to them, he would steal Deirdre away for a few.
The King was talking to them about the raids on the villages, when a black mist came swirling through the window nearest the throne.
Cathabad jumped back against the wall. Rohan pulled his sword and moved in front of Deirdre and the King. The other Mystic Knights drew their weapons as well.
The mist swirled faster and faster until it began to take on a shape. Breaca appeared before their eyes, her SpiritBlades crossed over her chest.

She looked at the inhabitants of the throneroom.
"Well, thank you for the kind greeting." She smiled broadly, as she took a glance around at her friends. They all stood with their weapons pointed at her, ready to defend.
She could see them all sigh with relief, when they realized that there was no threat.
Angus was the first to speak. "Breaca! You're back!"
She smiled at him, as Cathabad rushed forward. He grabbed her arm. "Come everyone, to my workroom."

The Druid pulled Breaca into his workroom, followed closely by the other knights and the King.
"You found them?" The Druid asked her.
She nodded, as she removed the sack from her belt. They all watched in excitement as she removed the rune stones, one by one, and laid them on the table.
"They're beautiful," Deirdre breathed.
Breaca smiled. "They are also very powerful. Each one corresponds to one of you. Fire, Earth, Air, Water and of course Forest."
Cathabad looked at her. "What about spirit?"
Breaca shrugged. "The fairies of that land know nothing of a rune stone of spirit. They informed me that either there isn't one or it is in this land somewhere."
Rohan looked at the stones, intently. "Maybe Maeve already had that one."
The Druid nodded.
"Which one is which?" Ivar asked curiously.
"I am not sure which is which." Breaca said.
Angus moved closer to her. "How did you find them?"
She related to them the story of her time over there. Cathabad looked through his scrolls, hoping to find something that would explain to him how to use the stones against Maeve. The others listened intently to her story.
Breaca finished after a lengthy amount of time.
"Amazing," the King said.
Breaca could see the looks on their faces, were those of envy. They had wanted to be the ones to complete such a task. But she had been chosen. She was pleased with the outcome of her quest. She had completed it and had managed to come out, for the most part, unscathed.
"I must work." Cathabad said, suddenly.
They all made their way into the hall from the druid's workroom.
The King congratulated Breaca on a job well done. She smiled, as the King left. Deirdre winked at her as she followed her father to the throneroom.
"Ivar and I have to watch the front gate." Rohan patted her shoulder as he and the Moorish knight left.
Breaca and Angus were left along in the hall. She turned to him.
"Angus, can we talk?"
He smiled broadly and accompanied her to her rooms.

The chamber was just as she had left it. Her bed was made and the windows were open to let in the fresh air.
Angus closed the door behind him. "What do you want to talk about?"
"A few things, actually," she said as she removed her weapons.
A tall mirror stood on the far side of the room. She stared in horror at her reflection. Her armour was dirty, as was her hair. There were burns on her arms and chest from her argument with the fire guardian.
"Oh my." This was the first time she had seen herself since she had left to search for the stones.
She whirled around to face Angus, who was still smiling at her.
"Why didn't you tell me I looked so horrible."
Angus approached her. "You don't look horrible, just a little dirty. Remember you were on an important quest. There aren't baths at every turn." He reached to move a lock of hair from her face. He was very relieved that she had returned safely.
She looked at Angus. He was touching her hair. A ripple of excitement passed through her. Suddenly she found herself wondering if he was going to kiss her again.
The thief smiled. "If your so worried about how you look, would you like me to have one of the servants draw you a bath?"
Breaca looked a little stunned. "Are you offering to wash my back?" Her eyes widened. She couldn't believe she had just asked that.

Continued