Mystic Knights Fan Fiction - Spirit of the Land
Spirit of the Land Chapter 2
Aisling eased herself off the horse, trying to hide the pain the wild ride had caused her.
"My thanks, great one." She said, laying the palm of her hand on it’s nose. "I shall remember your kindness."
The horse shook its head, unwilling to leave her, knowing of the pain she tried to hide.
"You answered my call for aid, you need help me no further." The horse moved closer, touching her left shoulder just enough to cause her to wince in pain, but not hard enough for the pain to last more than a moment. She held up the pouch the mystic knight had given her. "This will heal my wounds, and this part of the forest is not safe for you."
She waited for a response. She couldn’t hear it clearly, but knew what it was trying to say.
"It’s safe for me. My brother will protect me." Reluctantly, the the horse nodded, and left to rejoin its herd.
Aisling turned, entering the forest, hearing the sounds of the wolves’ hunt before her.
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"And the people of Atlantis were so thrilled to have their princess returned to them that they had a great feast. In my honor, of course."
"I’m sure they did." Angus muttered, knowing that Garrett wasn’t listening to him. How many times could Garrett tell that story, anyway? Not that it mattered. He had to think of a good excuse for why he didn’t have Cathabad’s herbs before the druid found him.
"Naturally, as I have an obligation to serve and protect Kells, I had to leave before talk of marriage between Lynette and myself became serious, so as not to cause ill feelings between our kingdoms."
"Of course you did." Angus spotted Cathabad at the end of the hallway. "Ah, Garrett, let’s go this way." Angus pulled Garrett into a side corridor before the other knight could protest, and—hopefully—before Cathabad could see them.
"Angus, what—"
"Nothing! I just haven’t been down this way in a while."
"But we were going to the—"
"Angus! There you are!" Angus groaned and turned to face the druid.
"Well? Where is it?"
"Aah…where’s what?"
"The purple loosestrife! Where is it?"
"The purple loosestrife. Right. Well…"
"Didn’t you get it?"
"Well, yes, but…"
"Angus!"
"I did! I just…don’t have it anymore."
"And where is it now?"
"Well, there was this girl…"
"Angus!"
"She needed it!"
"Angus! I want that purple loosestrife by the end of the day. Understand?"
"Yessir."
"Good. Garrett!"
Garrett, who had been sitting back, watching the exchange, stepped forward. "Yes, Cathabad?"
"Go with him, make sure he does what he's supposed to do."
"Me? But…"
"Did you have anything better to do with your time?"
"Well…"
"Excellent. I expect my herbs by the end of the day. Good day."
The two mystic knights watched the druid go, and then Garrett turned to glare at Angus.
"Wha-at? It was for a good cause." Garrett continued to glare at him. "Aaah! Come on, lets get this over with."
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Aisling pushed against the furry head attached to the rough tongue that was licking her face.
"Sister. Sister, wake up."
"I am awake."
"Are you well, sister?" The growling voice persisted, as the tongue licked her face again.
Grudgingly, Aisling conceded and opened her eyes to meet the golden brown ones of the wolf. "I am fine, brother."
He sniffed her disdainfully. "You stink of humans and horse and…I know not what the other is. But there is also blood, which is not an unpleasant smell, but I fear it is yours. You should bathe."
Aisling eased herself up, remembering what had happened when she had tried to bathe before.
"I stink of humans because I am human."
"Your scent is different. And you smell of many humans. Although, one smells of the land itself. Not dirt, but…something else."
"I was with humans of late. One must spend time with ones own kind, and they are my kind. It is also natural for me to smell of horses, as humans use horses for transportation, and I had need of one this day."
"Humans should use their legs for transportation. What of the other smells?"
"The one is purple loosestrife, a healing herb. And the blood is mine, but I am well."
"Your movements say otherwise."
"A soreness, that is all." She stretched. "Perhaps I will bathe after all."
"A wise decision."
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"Angus!"
"What?"
"You just stepped on purple loosestrife…again."
Angus looked at the ground beneath his feet. "I did, didn't I."
"Angus, there's hardly any left here, certainly not as much as Cathabad needs."
"Yes there is." Angus looked around. "Ok, so maybe there isn't."
"Do you know of another place where we can get some?"
"One."
"Where?"
"Several miles to the east."
"Well then, lets go."
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"Someone comes."
"What? Where?" Aisling stopped, listening, and heard the pounding of horses' hooves. "How many?"
The wolf sniffed. "Near a score. They smell of sweat, leather, and metal."
"Go."
"What?"
"They cannot see you."
"And I will not leave you."
"We know not who they are, and humans do not like wolves."
The wolf growled, but conceded, slinking back into the trees. Aisling stayed where she was, waiting for the Temra soldiers to come into view. There were seventeen of them, and they instantly surrounded her, leaving no means of escape. The leader moved before her.
"Aisling of Galway?"
"Who is asking?"
"Torc, leader of the queen's army."
Aisling’s eyes searched the faces of Torc’s men, not surprised to find one that she had known since her birth. Conlonn’s eyes would not meet her’s, and she knew that he had betrayed her secret.
"And what would you have of me, good Torc?"
"Your queen desires an audience. And Queen Maeve is not one who will be denied her wishes."
Continued
