KNEE-DEEP IN WATER

During the night after all have retired to bed, a breeze suddenly rustles the curtain of the sleeping child's bedroom window. Then magically, the crystalized dragon starts to glow an eerie red light. The light rays streams over the child's face like tiny fingers giving off heat which made the child's eyes flutter, then suddenly snap open. The child sits up and sees the dragon float in the air. Vair gets up to take a closer look, then the little dragon moves into the hallway silently. The child now in pursuit runs through the hallway, down a side staircase and an outside door, undetected disappearing into the dark, following the little red dragon light into the woods.

In the wee hour before dawn, Nieve gets up to get some water. She passes Vair's room as she did everynight to see the sleeping prince, her eye throws a quick glance into it and then she starts to walk then stops, her mind registering a different picture. She walks backwards a few steps and.... Vair's gone! Oh Lugh!" She drops her drink then checks everywhere--the window bolted, checked all doors and closets. She panicking first going to to Deirdre's room thinking he went to sleep with his mother. She slowly open's the princess bedroom chamber, and saw no Vair. She rouses Deirdre with a frantic look, "Vair's gone my lady! He's gone!" Deirdre jumps off her bed, puts on a red velvet robe decorated with gold embroidery on the shoulders and collar, tying the belt, runs to follow Nieve, through the Castle hallways, calling "Vair! Vair!" The royal guards following the sounds of the princess and handmaiden, rushing to their sides. Deirdre tells them to search for her son, she fearing the worst. All guards start to scramble the hallways. The king sleepily comes to the doorway of his chamber, and sticks his head out seeing the commotion. The guard tells him that his beloved grandson is missing--abducted! The king's eyes widened and now wide-awake, goes back in gets dressed, rushing to join the search.

Deirdre stops, thinking maybe.."Ivar's room?" She dashes pounding his chamber door. Ivar jumps up to cover his nakedness grabbing, his blue, floor-length, silken robe opening the door to Deirdre's face," Is Vair with you?" Her breathing quickens from fear because she intuitively knew the answer from looking at him.

"Vair? Missing! My Lugh! How? When?"Ivar shocked and Deirdre fills him in and Ivar hears the commotion in the hallways, guards running and searching in every direction. Ivar tells her he'll be outside as soon as he dressed. When he opens the door, Deirdre is nowhere in sight, but he could hear her loud panicking voice among the others, the whole castle up shouting "Vair!"

Meanwhile deep within a cavern on a thick, mist-shrouded island, Numain looks into a large glowing white crystal, from her throne chair, another spoil from Temra. She gloats sitting back in the seat of power once Maeve's glory--the chair where she thought she was the queen of all sorcery! "Hmmm, hmm.."laughs Numain,"You see Maeve, it is just as I foretold, you could never outdo me! You thought it was all for the taking, including my Lugad! Now my dear sister, you are right where you belong and me...I have very big plans myself, without your interference, now it will be ME who shows YOU what it means to be a sorceress.

The search for Vair has now gone through the villages. Villagers wrestled from sleep with Kell guards searching through huts, farms, pushing bales of hay anything to find a trace of the young prince. Rohan and Angus bolt up from their beds as Kell soldiers come in,"Hey! What in Dagda's name? Angus with humility,"Oh No! I'm not guilty! I didn't take anything, I'm not a thief anymore!" He panicking as the soldiers look around. Rohan and Angus are told to calm down and filled them in on what has happened.

Great Lugh! Vair! Ivar and Garret they're out searching? Why didn't someone summon us right away!" Rohan and Angus pulling their shirts, belts, boots on hearing all the details of the search efforts. "Poor Deirdre!" Angus looking at Rohan truly scared and concern.

Angus, we better get Pyre he can cover more ground by air. You're coming with me!" Rohan and Angus tells the Kell officer to inform the king what their role in the search will be, and they make tracks running to Pyre's lair.

Back in the Castle, the king, Deirdre, Ivar, Garret and Cathbad come up with a strategy to set up a reward for anyone having information.Cathbad had a dream about a drageen loose in the Castle and he dismisses it because he thought it might have been symbolic of the memory of when Ivar and Garret brought the drageen to the throneroom creating damage and havoc, but now he feels it has to do with a little dragon. Garret jumps up,"I'll check the nearby caves, Oh Dagda! What if Vair went into a dragon's lair?!" Looking back at Deirdre, wishing he didn't say it aloud, worrying her. He thinks to himself,"That's it, putting your foot in it, that will go over great with her when are you going to learn to keep quiet. Look at Ivar, he can take such liberties, even involved in Deirdre's personal affairs, knowing how to always come out looking like a hero! That's why she doesn't pay any attention to you. Luckily for me, Ivar is not an option!" Garret watching him.

Ivar remains behind putting his hand on her back rubbing it, trying to comfort her,"It will be alright, we'll find him. I promise you." He feeling her sense of fear and anxiety. He wanted to hold her but the Kells would not approve, especially her father.

Aideen flew in and comments,"What's all the excitement about Vair! I couldn't hear anything everyone shouting Vair's name!" Then one look at Deirdre's eyes and the king's, she felt and saw everything."Oh no! Vair is...missing? Mider and Numain or maybe even...Maeve!" Aideen's eyes widened. She looks around and she doesn't see her favorite warrior,"Where's Rohan?" Aideen looking at Ivar. Ivar tells her he's with Angus on Pyre trying to do an aerial search for Vair.

Ivar and Deirdre close their eyes as Cathbad takes them into relaxation, "Clear your minds, breathing deeply just think, concentrate on him!" Deirdre you go first," The old Druid instructed.

Deirdre speaks, "Owl hooting loudly, see shrubs moving fast row of tree trunks--I see a nemeton--sacred grove marked by a pillar, I hear a trampling of twigs and Vair's baby voice giggling,"Where are you going, wait I can't run that fast! Wait! A..a..aaah!" Deirdre's eyes popped open screaming,"Vair! Oh Dagda! Something happened to him, like he fell!" Deirdre started to cry her chest heaving her father bolts to her side hugging her tightly, she holding onto him.

Ivar tries to keep steady, keeping his focus but it was difficult hearing Deirdre's cries. He never heard her ever this emotional. He knew he had to do something. Forcing his concentration finally he got an image--first it was black, pitch dark, then there were two walls with water dripping, then a shelf jutting out, breaking up. Lots of dirt, then a circle shape of light above. He moves towards the circle of light, outside broken large slabs of sandstone then trail uphill clearing cairns in the distance,"Passage tombs with spiral markings with sunlight hitting above entrance. "Why do I keep getting Tuatha de Danaan in my head that's, that's King Fin Varra. Large mound area near Tir na Nog!" Ivar shouts mine shaft or pit in the ground, underground! He's underground! Give me more surrounding the pit--stone slabs, mound burial cairn--sunlight hitting it, daylight then scanning horizon is to the left Fairy Ring of Stones to the right, mountains of the Ice Lord, the center large mound must be..."Wait! I think I hear him! Hearing this hysterical cries and choked up sobs Vair! Vair! Listen I'm coming okay? Hang on! It's me Prince Ivar!" Telepathically comforting him. He hears,"I'm scared..come get me!" I need a fix on him! I'll keep talking to him. Deirdre and king are excited.

"Oh my goodness, Aideen exclaims,"It's New Grange in the Boyne Valley a series of passage tombs, burial cairns and a nemeton sacred grove with the abandoned well for pouring water into ceremonial ladle--holy water to purify the souls within the tombs. It's outside Tir na Nog." The fairy bobbing her head and Ivar feels it sounds right. He instructs Aideen,"Okay Aideen, fly there hurry, see if you see, hear or sense him. Time is running out before darkness comes, we'll need to find him!" Ivar warning her.

"I'll go there and to Tir na Nog, maybe King Fin Varra will know something!" The fairy flew out,"Don't you worry princess, we'll find Vair!" Her wings fluttering towards the window, Ivar says hurry back to her,"We need to know! then Aideen was gone."

Rohan and Angus flying above the woods are very down and frustrated, "Nothing Rohan, he's so small, it's like looking for King Fin Varra, remember?" Angus talking while Rohan keeping his eyes pealed for the young prince. Rohan scanning from the air, "It's no use, it's like looking for a needle in a haystack! Ole Pyre, you did your best, but I think we should head back to the Castle, maybe there's news or better yet, they found him." He saying a prayer to Dagda for Vair's safe return.

In the sacred grove, nemeton Aideen surveyed the trees--the fairy triad of oak, ash and thorn--are homes of many fairies. Trees growing near or on burial mounds were considered to be very powerful. She called telepathically to the trees and suddenly the trees glow brightly with magic doors appearing Aideen entering. Inside, Aideen hears the fairies whispering among themselves, "Underground Fairy! What? Why? What's going on? Tir na Nog? King Arborteura, summon the king! One of the green-winged fairy guards commanded.

In a little acorn suspended descending from the top of a tree, a fairy king wearing a gilded green crown--with gold leaves for a robe and a long brown braid in the back of his head,"I'm King Arborteura, state your business!" The king looking down at Aideen and examining her closely, which then she states, "I'm Aideen of King Fin Varra's kingdom, I'm here looking for some information concerning a missing child of royalty. He is the prince of Kells --humans under King Conchobar. The child we think may have been abducted either by Maeve or Numain and Mider. We were told that the child might be in the vicinity of New Grange, near some kind of pit or mine shaft. Adult humans are too big to fit into some of these places and they cannot shape -shift, so they are unable to get into the small places that a child would.

Prince Ivar a human has used his special seeing remote-viewing and he narrowed it to this area somewhere near the large mound. Wasn't there an abandoned well around here?"Aideen asking the king.

The Tree King uses the gold twig staff on a huge hanging oak-leaf, mirror which suddenly shows the mound area in question. Then an abandoned well appears then the image takes them into the pit, pitch dark, lower...lower.. then finally we see a little head, whimpering talking to himself to Prince Ivar.

Aideen shouts,"It's him! It's the young human Vair! Oh thank you, King Arborteura, I will have someone come to give you a token of appreciation. She flies back to Kells' Castle, seeing Rohan and Angus along with Garret all surrounding Deirdre. She sees Ivar talking to Vair, and being so comforting to the child telepathically. Ivar sees Aideen and comments, "Okay Vair we're coming now, hold on. We are on our way!" Aideen she nods, "He's in the pit, abandoned well, King Arborteura, the tree fairy showed me.

"Let's go!" Ivar grabs a heavy rope, and all the Mystic Knights head out for New Grange. Rohan grabs Ivar and Deirdre calls Pyre again flying them to the site Aideen leading the way, while Angus and Garret take the Dragon -Bow land cruisers, carrying the other essential equipment for the rescue. Garret takes the king as his passenger, the king's royal guardsmen follow behind by galloping horseback. All rush against time, to get Vair out.

Pyre lands and Ivar, Deirdre and Rohan bolt to the hole calling him but it was hard to hear because he was so far down, so Ivar used telepathy again and tells him they are above him. Rohan and Ivar look around to find what they can see use to go to secure lines. Finally two strong tree trunks secure the rope. Some Kell soldiers, arrive with the king, Garret and Angus. The soldiers get ready as Ivar ties the rope around his waist, Rohan grabs his shoulder,"Ivar this dangerous for just one person to do, let's think this through." Ivar hears crumbling rock sounds, Ivar calls Vair telepathically, he cries the wall is falling down,"Come get me!"Ivar hears the panic, he knows his life is on the line--his destiny literally, will be hanging by a thread. "No choice I have to," he seeing Deirdre's face. Ivar announces,"I'm going its too narrow for others and we need as much strength on top--to pull the weight." Ivar lowers himself as Deirdre runs over, her eyes saying it all, "Please bring my son back to me safely, be careful." She watching his eyes as it disappears below the surface of the well. She knows what Ivar is risk- ing--his destiny--his future throne, the fulfillment of the Lemurian prophecy. She says a silent prayer," Please Dagda!"

Ivar is lowered further and further into the blackness,the stench of stale water hits his nostrils. The rope swings gently and Ivar sticks his boot on the wall to slow the descent and keep the rope as straight as possible. He hears crumbling sounds underneath and knows this could be his final resting place for all eternity. He hears Vair whimpering, he calls out ,"Vair, it's me just a little further. Finally he sees a head--dirt falling and rocks raining down from Ivar's rope and foot movements. He takes a deep breath when he sees the narrow shelf Vair is on. Ivar tries to steady himself, seeing it crumbling next to him. He reaches the same level as the shelf, stretching his arms beckoning the scared child to him, but the shelf was breaking up and Vair screams and cries moving away from Ivar's reach. He panics,"No Vair,this way to me. I promise I will not drop you. Jump!" But still the child is frozen with fear. Ivar musters all his strength to keep calm although his heart is in his mouth,"Okay Vair, I'm your friend right and friends don't let each other down, but I'll be even better than your friend..."the words just seem to come out before he thought out what it was he was saying,"I'll be there for you always, you can even think of me as your pretend father. Okay Vair? I'll be your father Vair, jump hurry into my arms. Hurry Vair!" Ivar scared to death as half the shelf falls away. Then in a split second, a pair of arms were clutching him around his neck. Ivar had to hold him tight and tug the rope with the extra weight.

"IVAR!?" Rohan screams down hearing the sound of the fallen shelf.

"Pull up Rohan, hear me? Pull up!" Ivar screaming up to him then feeling the hard tug of the rope and a knot in his throat formed holding Vair whose head now buried into his armpit. Little by little, the rope inches its way up. It felt like an eternity as Kells guards, Rohan, Angus and even the king pulled the rope, bringing Ivar and Vair up--but suddenly the light of the outside world came closer and closer. Finally the face he left on the descent, was there when he got to the surface--Deirdre's eyes gleaming, tears streaming down. A loud cheer is heard through the woods, "VAIR!"

Ivar hands Deirdre the child, who wouldn't let go of Ivar's neck at first, until he heard his mother's voice,then turning his tear-stained face grabs his mother clutching her tightly. Deirdre falls on her knees, hugging and kissing Vair and then grabs Ivar who sitting at the edge of the pit untying the knot, taking him by surprise, kissing him hard on the lips like the night in the grotto. Ivar shocked at the intensity from her--in front of her father, Kell soldiers and the other knights--Angus' mouth dropped,Rohan and Garret exchanged looks. The king caught his daughter's reaction but made allowance after all, she was just showing emotional gratitude, he just saved her son! That's all it meant. The king would have kissed him too for what Ivar did, saving his grandson and also his daughter, from a coma and certain death a few years back. He owes Ivar several times over.

Deirdre holds Vair, rocking him but still looking squarely into Ivar's eyes. She starts to cry intensely herself breaking down, rocking and kissing her son. Ivar not understanding--the level of Deirdre's emotional state--tries to read Deirdre's eyes, but she finally looks away.

Vair calms down with all the knights and grandfather touching him and talk- ing to him. He turns around and sees Ivar being patted on the back by everyone including the king,"Well done, Ivar. You've saved my grandson. How can I ever repay you for all you've done for Kells!" The king truly giving way emotionally as Deirdre did.

Ivar modest, "All is well for Kells, let's go home, what a day!" Ivar bushed, emotionally and physically drained but proud. He heads towards the Dragon Bow, deciding on the one Angus had driven saying to him,"You don't mind Angus? I've had enough of highs and lows for one day!" Angus nodding, "Yep, guess you earned it! Here's the key!" Throwing it to Ivar then heads to Rohan and Pyre.

Garret's cruiser carried the king, so Deirdre looked to Ivar, and he grabs the little prince on one side and leads Deirdre with his other hand to the Dragon Bow cruiser. She then puts Vair on her lap and Ivar leading the others like a royal celebratory procession back to the Castle-- Numain watches perched on an oak tree branch,"Yes Princess, all is ready, be ready to ..feel.. ..the pain!"

Later after hearing Vair's strange account of the little dragon in his room, Cathbad vows never to ignore any image his mind shows him.And this display of sorcery now traced to Numain, Mider and possibly Maeve, made King Conchobar post guards in front of every door of each family member of the royal household.

Soaking his aching body in a warm tub, Ivar lays his head back closing his eyes--replaying his descent--hanging onto the rope trying to coax Vair to him. He saw the shelf disintegrating and then quick as a flash, Vair was on top of him. He never even sees the child's face and how he felt holding this little body and taking him up to Deirdre...Wait! Ivar's mind popped on a similar image, his dream! The dream he had on the ship before arriving to Kells, a blue toy box given to him while he was suspended on a rope! The happy surprise--rescuing Vair! Ivar thought how prophetic his dream was to the reality of the situation.

He remembers Deirdre's face after Vair's rescue, staring at him, then crying uncontrollably. "What was all that about?" He had wondered. "She never broke down like that before." He relaxes and just about to drift when just then the door creaks a bit and opens, Ivar's eyes snap open, it was Deirdre. She a bit embarrassed, "I'll..come back later." Just about to leave when Ivar felt this urge to catch her while she is vulnerable, commenting,"No Deirdre, come in it's not like we are strangers!"Referring to the grotto, glancing at her. She thought a second, then not wanting him to think she is intimidated, she stays. She sits by the tub as he leaning over on its rim, his head on both his arms asking,"Well, what's on your mind Deirdre, you haven't talked to me since I got here, not like we use to. There's so much about our destinies that been on my mind, ever since I went home. So many changes have taken place--revelations about my kingdom, family and me. Vair's harrowing experience has had a profound impact on me, so young to go through all of this alone. Vair is just so...so..incredible. He's got so much life, spirit, bravery and character. He's so like you..it's so funny! I would have like to have met his father. Vair truly needs him, you know and I do have the resources Deirdre, if you want them, I can help you find him and bring him back to Kells. Vair would be thrilled, I know it. If he knew about Vair, I'm sure he wouldn't waste anytime getting back to the two of you. Tell me about him Deirdre, where is he?" Ivar attempting to read her eyes to see what more he can learn or sense about the man.

Deirdre looks down at her lap and said, "He's a warrior, tough and gentle believes in himself and his destiny. He made me laugh alot and cry alot too. We could talk about anything. Someone with intense hidden passion and sensiti- vity. He came to Kells and literally changed my life. There were just so many things in our way--Garret, Father's constantly parading other suitors for me and just fear that things would not work out between us. We came from two different worlds but I did want to try but he left on a ship Odyssey Llyr, four years ago during Alba Arthuan (winter) and that was that, until five months after he left, I was carrying Vair. I truly didn't know what to do. I was scared alone and the situation with him changed."She then lifting her eyes to Ivar who then remarks,"But surely your father could have sought him out!"Ivar surprised to which Deirdre replies,"No, he didn't know him and I didn't tell him anything except that he left by ship from Kells. I truly didn't know what to do, but carry on with my destiny--Vair. I love him so much, he's my life! I don't know what I would have done if I ever lost him. I..know you care about him and he's crazy about you, Ivar. The others don't understand, I mean even before you rescued him. I've never seen him follow or spend time with any Kell menfolk, like he does with you. You brought him so much joy and happiness, thank you Ivar."She slowly touching his wet arms sending a surge of energy throughout his body. They suddenly on some unknown cue, their faces inch closer and closer, and then they kiss the way it was in the grotto. She stops because she remembers he is married now,"I...I've got to go!" Deirdre bolting to her feet quickly, heading towards the door, looking back once into Ivar's face, then turns again leaving.

Ivar lays back down again in the tub and wonders what is their destiny leading them to, everything is just so unclear. He returned to Kells to follow his shared path with her but now, "I don't know..with Vair, everything changes. I feel once I find his father, perhaps then I will know what to do with my own destiny. Ivar resolves to investigate Vair's father's departure from Kells, maybe he can find the port of calls or final destination. He nodded yes to himself,"Vair needs both of his parents!" Ivar finishing his bath.

Deirdre comes running from around the corner, smacking right into Angus who was searching for her,"Whoa Deirdre, Sorry! Cathbad told me to find you, he wishes to give you counsel on something privately. You..look pale, are you alright? No..Deirdre, something is wrong!" Angus seeing her try to avoid him and his question.

She says half-heartedly, "I'm okay Angus. Just..tired that's all..from everything I've gone through today." Half-smiling, trying to compose herself.

"I know, unbelievable, so happy Vair's alright. Ivar really saved the day!" Angus giving Deirdre the thumbs up. He asks curiously, "Speaking of Ivar, where the devil is he anyway? Haven't seen him since we got back!" Angus looking about.

"He's soaking in the tub!" Deirdre walking away from him as quickly as she could from him, leaving Angus dumbfounded twice in one day, first seeing her kissing Ivar, now she with him while he bathes? Angus does a double-take with his head following her down the hallway, then remembering, the grotto...still naggging his own hidden envy, and imaginations.

Ivar dressed in dark, blue-violet harem pants and a loose, light-blue/silver patterned-shirt with bell sleeves, now revived from his bath heads out into the hallway. He also runs into Angus, who seemed disturbed by Deirdre,saying to Ivar,"What is going on with Deirdre? She seems so out of sorts just now!" Angus puzzled looking strangely at him.

Ivar remarks,"She's been acting very strange, running very hot,then cold , close then distant. It has to do with Vair and I think I might have grilled her too much about his father. Vair needs his father Angus, the boy is starved for attention. I just don't understand this. He has so many Kell heroes to look up to--you, Rohan, Garret, the king, why is he always end up following just me? What do I do differently from any Kellsmen?" Ivar inter- rogating Angus.

Angus looks at him, "We don't know why either. Everyone at the Castle has talked about your relationship with Vair, he's crazy about you. Some Kells talk that Vair thinks YOU are his FATHER now!" He giving Ivar a look of serious concern.

"I know, I said something I shouldn't have to him when we were in the pit. I had to act fast to get him off that shelf that was crumbling before my eyes and I needed him to jump to me quickly so before thinking about it all, I told him that I would be his pretend father, not knowing he took it literally! I sense this that's why I need your help. We're going on a secret mission, you and I. No one else can know,"Ivar whispering in his ear."

"Me? You? A secret mission? No one else? Okay what are we going to do?" Angus excited listening to the details of Ivar's secret plan to find Vair's father.

"Hmm..hmm.."Numain laughs as she relishes manipulating events that will keep the Mystic Knights busy and distracted, "the princess is in for a big surprise! Hmm..hmm"Numain sitting back on her throne, closing her eyes,"Let the game begin!"

King and Cathbad are talking when suddenly they are interrupted by a child's squeal of delight. They look into the courtyard from Cathbad's window spying Ivar playing with Vair, swinging him around, hanging him upside down tickling him. Vair squealed more with a bright, laughing face. The king turns to Cathbad commenting,"Cathbad..what do you see when you look at them?" He raising his eyebrow questioningly.

Cathbad gazes down taking a deep breath then comments, "Your Majesty, I see a little boy who is in need of a father, and a young man that needs a son. Ivar's grief for the loss of his own son's life has transformed him into a surrogate parent for Vair, each fulfilling each other's needs." The Druid looking slowly back at the king, Conchobar watches uncomfortably, as Vair and Ivar bond, two princes from two different races, worlds..so close together. Other Kells as well watches as Vair horses around with Ivar in utter joy, thinking how strange it is that the royal prince of Kells is never like this with anyone else. Another pair of eyes follow the royal pair-- Vair's mother--watching and wondering, what if.

Angus arrives announcing,"Ready Ivar, when you are!" Ivar tells Vair he'll be back soon as he can because he had to go and do something. He calls Nieve to take Vair off his hands. Vair wanted to go with him but Nieve grabs him up and takes him inside wailing loudly in protest, with Ivar watching remarks, "Don't cry Vair with any luck we'll find your father and you won't be crying anymore!" He nodding to Angus, who senses the prince's real love for the child. The two of them go out of the castle's gate in search of a vanished warrior.

Angus and Ivar arrive on the western shore, the military post is filled with idle soldiers, a bit more relaxed since Temrans were vanquished. The young field officer Dylan, looks up from his report and smiles,"Prince Ivar and Angus, glad to have you here!"Getting up shaking the prince's hand, then Angus. He continues, "Prince Ivar, on behalf of all we Kell soldiers, thank you for the supplies and more men along the shoreline we had gotten because of your talk with the Chieftains. We would never have been able to make it through! The officer sitting back down, "You need some assistance in getting ship records. Seamus here,..", the officer introducing them to an older soldier,"..has been our lookout and recordkeeper of all ships in and out of Kells for years. Yes, the Odyssey Llyr left Kells four years ago. It did not originate here, but from Albion(Britain) then it stopped up in Alba(Scotland). From the passenger list we obtained, there were only five passengers that got on from Kells--three who were women and a child, the other were men--one who disembarked on Alba --Isle of Skye, the other went to Oileain Arainn(Aran Islands). Yes, that's all from here, from Kells! I hope this helps you Prince Ivar." The officer smiling warmly at the prince.

Ivar nods commenting,"This is good, because it narrows it down to two passengers Angus, you can take the one that went to Aran Islands, less time for you and I will take the one in Alba. While I'm away cover for me, telling them I had my kingdom's business, to attend to. I know Vair's father must be at either place or a lead, I feel it!" Ivar gazing at Angus with assurance, handing him the name he is to investigate.

The princess and the Royal court members sit at the dining table with a very despondent Vair, who is waiting for Ivar's return. Deirdre tries to make Vair understand that Ivar has royal duties as a prince and that he will return to Kells. A chieftain dining with her and the king, revealed that he overheard from a field officer from the western outpost that he had gotten a visit from the prince and Angus, searching for information on the Odyssey Llyr four years ago. Deirdre hears the name and her heart skips a beat thinking,"My Lugh! Oh No! What is Ivar doing? He's trying to uncover the identities of the passengers thinking he will find Vair's father. This can't be happening, not after what I've been through. Angus is with him? What am I going to do? "She trying to remain outwardly composed, but her mind racing what will the investigation turn up. The princess and the king exchange looks of concern.

Several days later, during the evening hours, Angus returns to the hut where Rohan awaits, cleaning it. Angus looks around and notes,"Gee Rohan, I should go away more often, the place looks really clean!" He smiles putting down his personal knapsack, nodding several time with approval at Rohan, who miffed, "I had to find out that you were off on some mission with Ivar from Deirdre? Thanks alot Angus! I think you could have left me a note or something!" He throwing a cleaning rag at him, missing Angus' head.

"Hey! There was no time! Ivar wanted to go and get back fast before anyone got wind of what we were doing. You say...Deirdre..told you? Uh-Oh! How the devil did she find out?"Angus annoyed that their secret mission was no longer a secret.

Rohan sits down at the table, peeling a potato,"A chieftain was told by the field officer of your visit and intentions--Odyssey Llyr--the boat Vair's father was on. Well? "Rohan's eyes searching his, then Angus pounding his fist,"Nothing! Wrong guy and I might have gotten him in a bit of trouble with his wife! The last I saw of him, she was chasing him with a cooking pot! Poor fella!" He laughing loudly remembering. He continues,"Anyway it couldn't be Deirdre's lover--too bald, fat and definitely not a king's choice from the looks of things, he didn't have too much gold to spend on a princess!" Angus falling on his bed, leaning back with one knee up. "It has to be Ivar's man!"

"Not likely!" Ivar comes marching into their hut."So not him either Angus? I just had a feeling it was a ruse, the little minx! It would be like Deirdre to find a way to cover herself!" Ivar very annoyed to be taken in again by female trickery.

"So? What was that man like?"Angus curious and relishing Ivar didn't get his man either.

Ivar sarcastically remarks, "Oh well..he was just PERFECT for Deirdre. If he would have been her lover, she would have killed him on the first night! The gent was at least twenty years older than the king, and moved like a pregnant mule!"Ivar grinning at both Angus and Rohan, who break out into raucous laughter.

Angus becomes quiet and says,"Well Ivar..I have to confess now, I knew it was neither of them..you see..it's me! I'm Vair's father, I just went along to make the ruse credible to you so you wouldn't suspect me!"Angus saying in a serious tone, looking squarely at him. "I didn't have much to give, you know ..being a former thief and all..I didn't want to be a bad influence on him.. you know..and what would the king say?"Angus bowing his head down regretfully.

Ivar stares at Angus in silence, absorbing everything that was said, then looked at Rohan, who was silent looking to the floor,then back at Angus and then said slowly,"You...you Angus! You...Vair's father?"Ivar becoming silent once again, then looks into Angus' eyes,"I'm not falling for that one, Angus!" Ivar nodding his head once strongly, leaning forward with arms folded across his chest.

Rohan busts out laughing then Angus grinning maliciously,"You had to stop and think, eh Ivar? Almost had you! But hey, you could be Vair's father! UH-OH!--GROT--TO! Angus bringing up a memory Ivar truly wanted to erase but couldn't and knows Angus is still waiting for him to fess up to an affair which he almost pulled out of him on a military cargo ship, years ago. Angus further commenting,"You know..now that I think about it, Vair's name stands for Victory of Air, Deirdre Mystic Knight of Air,but...it you jumble the letters a bit it also just happens to spell I-V-A-R--Hmm"..faking a gasp, Ivar?..then Angus releases a loud "Hmmmm"... glancing at the prince,then raising his eyebrow at him.

Rohan interrupts laughingly,"Just one problem with your theory Angus, a matter of Ivar's skin color!" He laughing at Angus who then looking back at Ivar, who is smirking at him,then Angus comments,"I know."Pursing his lips.

Ivar responds,"Ha!..Ha! Very funny Angus, now can we get down to the question at hand. We now know Deirdre is covering for someone in Kells, a nobleman, whom she certainly has gone to great lengths to keep secret, even from me and I used to be her confidante! It can't be Garret because the king would have approved,.. so who was she seeing four years ago?"Ivar arching his eyebrow, fingers rubbing his chin wondering.

"Well let's see, Vair's birthday is Samhain, let's count back nine months four years ago. I never saw anyone suspicious close around Deirdre, eyeing our princess, except for the four of us that is, and she is an eyeful! "Angus quipping and teasing both Rohan and Ivar. All faces smile slyly.

Ivar sighs,"Perhaps we're not meant to know."Ivar shrugging his shoulders then remarks,"Perhaps I'd better turn my attention back to my Chalice. While I was with my Shamanka, she taught me how to activate it. I cannot reveal it to anyone outside the homeland, but it has to do with the gems." Numain watching and listening to Ivar in Rohan and Angus' hut through a special amethyst crystal ball, then comments, "No Ivar, you will not regain your chalice. I've grown quite fond of it, picking it up and holding it in her lap. She continues,"We'll be keeping you and the Mystic Knights so busy, you won't be able to locate it or me, as she puts a spell on it:

SILVER CHALICE...
IN THIS, MY STONE PALACE...
KEEP YOU WITH ALL MY MIGHT..
OUT FROM PRINCE IVAR'S SIGHT..

A magenta glowing aura forms at the lip of the cup, then pouring downward, like an overflowing drink, covers the entire surface of the silver chalice. It's energy cloak is suddenly penetrated through by a green mist, an energy more powerful that that of the sorceress, emanating from the chalice, Mider's laughing voice "Not enough to stop me, Numain! A suggestion I thought you'd like to hear, you could take up vengeance by making trouble in Kells, using the child himself, to expose the princess' secret. Wouldn't that be delicious fun!", a child exposing his own mother!" Mider laughs devilishly, with Numain nodding slowly and a small smile appears, in agreement.

Vair wanders into the kitchen, the servants give him a sweet cake and try to comfort him from his loneliness. He listens to a heated argument between two Kellsmen discussing changes in their villages which one of them vows to petition the king, and then storming out. Vair asks a young servant boy, "What's 'pition'?"He looking up at the boy, who then tries to explain to him if someone wants something so badly and the change is good then you write a letter to the king asking for what you desire and that it has to be signed by Kells' people. But sometimes the petition comes with a price, something has to be given up by the petitioner."

The little boy struggles to understand by saying,"If I give up something, like a pony, then I can get the other thing?"Vair asking the older boy, who answers,"Er..something like that, I guess." The servant shrugging his shoulders looking at the others in the kitchen, who didn't understand Vair's interest.

Cathbad searches looking in one of his sacred books to decipher the Lemurian amulet symbols, ones that he had remembered, when out of the blue--an unsummoned vision overtakes him--a falcon flying, stopping at a branch eyeing a little bird chick in its nest, crying out. The mother bird with a red crown returned to the nest, eyeing the falcon cautiously. The bird chick tries to leave its nest but the mother bird blocks its way. The vision fades...and Cathbad feels very uncomfortable understanding its meaning and the Druid knows it will not be glad tidings for Kells.

Nieve looks for Vair who once again seems to have pulled a disappearing act. Deirdre and Nieve frantic again, think the worst has happened, a repetition of the pit fresh in their minds, but this time it was a false alarm. The little prince shows up in the throneroom, to the relief of everyone. He marches in holding a piece of parchment paper and announces, "I'M HERE TO P'ITION' THE KING!"Vair yells loudly, shocking the entire Royal Court including the king and princess. Vair continues,"I want this and I'm giving up my pony for it!" He bobbing his little head several times confidently, creating a room filled with laughter from the spectators including the chuckling king and Cathbad.

"Well..well,petitioning me? Must be very serious indeed!"King Conchobar laughing and grasping the rolled-up parchment with his little grandson's demand from him.

Deirdre is mortified and embarrassed by Vair's brazeness, and not amused "Vair! You should not talk to your grandfather like that,and you do not petition the king!" She giving a motherly chastising with her finger.

Vair gets huffy and states,"I want this so I'm doing this!I'm giving up something, my horsey!" He yelling and stamping his little foot, looking at his grandfather and Cathbad. "Well young man, let's see what your important demand is." Cathbad looking at the king unroll the parchment, reading it and the smile leaves his face, looking up seriously at Vair in silence. Then he takes a deep breath, showing Cathbad then Deirdre, who reads the words written by an older person but a clear indication the want of a child. Deirdre felt every word, not knowing what to say to her son and looks down at the floor.

Angus, Garret and Rohan are present and saw the disturbed expressions on the faces of both the king and Deirdre. As usual Angus being the bold one, snatches it out of the princess' hand and reads it, really angering Cathbad, "HOW DARE YOU ANGUS!" Angus looked at little Vair, then showed it to Rohan and Garret making them uncomfortable after reading the contents. Angus then walks over to the little boy and then hugging him saying,"I know how you feel Vair, but sometimes there are things that we just can't have, no matter how much we want it!" He patting child's head.

Just then Prince Ivar walks in as little Vair runs out crying from the throneroom. The Royal Court through whispers found out the contents of Vair's demand, and then all look at Prince Ivar in total silence, then down to the floor. Ivar felt his presence suddenly made everyone uncomfortable, so he searched his comrades of the Mystic Knights for a cue, which then Angus walks over and shows Ivar the parchment upsetting Deirdre, Cathbad and the king, motioning him to stop but too late Ivar read the words:"I, VAIR, PRINCE OF KELLS, WANT PRINCE IVAR TO BE MY NEW FATHER! I AM GIVING UP MY PONY FOR HIM!"..Ivar wouldn't look up at anyone, bit his lip to hold back his own emotions, then suddenly bolted out of the throneroom.

Deirdre charged up to Angus getting in his face screaming,"HOW COULD YOU ANGUS, WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU! DON'T YOU KNOW HOW BONDED IVAR AND VAIR HAVE BECOME? HE LOST HIS OWN CHILD YOU KNOW!"She highly emotional herself.

Angus looks directly into Deirdre's eyes,"He lost a child true, but he also found one as well! Didn't he Deirdre!" He intimating more than he should have to her, which Deirdre stood there staring back at him, not commenting but questioning the last brazen remark. Throwing the petition down, looking at Cathbad,"Guess you didn't see this coming, eh old Druid!"Angus shaking his head, throwing a look at the princess, then storms out of the throneroom, leaving everyone in the room wondering what Angus meant by his display of anger.

Continued