Emily's House (The Akasha Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF Page B

night together?” broke in Fanny.
    “Yes,” replied Hindergog.
    “Wait. If you know this, then you were spying on them,” I said.
    “Yeah, that’s gross man. You were spying on them while they were making out,” added Jake.
    “I cannot expect you human children to understand, but Saorla knew that I saw all of her life. There was nothing she hid from me. She wanted me to see her fall in love.”
    “So she and Cathaír were in love?” I asked.
    “Yes, very much in love,” replied Hindergog.
    “Hindergog, that night, did they. . . you know. . . make love that night,” asked Fanny?
    “Yes, they did,” answered Hindergog.
    “Holy crap!” said Jake. “That was totally against the rules, wasn’t it?”
    “Yes, young sir, it was. But for my mistress, for my fair Saorla, it was the loveliest night she knew in the whole of her life.”
    “You never told anyone, did you Hindergog?” I asked.
    “No, no I did not,” replied Hindergog. “My dear mistress deserved to have that one secret. And I have never told anyone until now.”
    “But why tell us? I mean, it’s a beautiful story and all, but what does it have to do with danger to their world or, with me?” I asked.
    “That is a fair question child so listen well as I continue and you will see why I chose to reveal this to you now,” Hindergog answered.

5. Cathaír’s Bad News
    A full twelve moons after the ban-feis, Cathaír rode hard and fast to the Sacred Grove to meet with my mistress. In those months, Saorla’s vision had proven true. Invaders entered upon the land of Tara. The army was large, their fighting tactics fierce. The King’s own armies and even Tara’s fearsome rogue bands of mercenaries had been unable to protect Tara’s borders. Soon an army had surrounded the High King himself.
    Cathaír rode through the night from the Hill of Tara to the Sacred Grove and brought with him unwelcome news. As was custom, Saorla met with Cathaír in the Great Hall.
    “Saorla, it is with a heavy heart that I bring you news of a march coming toward your Sacred Grove right now. Their numbers are many, Saorla.”
    “I know, Cathaír, I know.”
    “You have seen the army coming?” asked Cathaír.
    “Yes, dear friend, remember I foresaw this over twelve moons ago.”
    “That’s right.”
    “The visions are strong and keep me awake at night.”
    “Your priestesses are well trained and well armed. You have Madame Wong, an army in her own right. And of course there are the Fair Sídhe and Lianhan Sídhe to assist you. Your women warriors are fierce, Saorla, but I fear that even the famed women warriors of the Order of Brighid will not be able to fend off so many a number.”
    Saorla said nothing to this. Instead, she poured herself more tea. She so loved hot tea. She would miss tea and the company of her close friends.
    “Saorla, you suddenly look so sad.”
    “A moment of weakness.”
    “It isn’t weakness to feel – to be human. You know what is coming. Much blood will be shed. Many will lose their lives.”
    “Yes, Cathaír, and that is why I have no time for the human frailty of my emotions. My Order must be able to rely on my steady leadership.”
    “You are a strong leader, Saorla.”
    Saorla poured Cathaír a cup of tea as well.
    “There is more news too. This you may not know. There has been a great betrayal.”
    “A betrayal? Of whom?” asked Saorla.
    “Of High King Ruaidrí,” replied Cathaír.
    “Ah yes, the plot against him that I saw so many moons ago. But I have not seen a vision of this happening recently. How have I not seen this?” wondered Saorla aloud.
    “I suspect that magic is involved. It is Cormac, son of King Brion.”
    “Cormac. Yes, he has an axe to grind. He has always blamed Ruaidrí for his father’s death. So he is after revenge, is he?”
    “There is more. As you told me many months ago, the leader of this invasion, he is different from the ones before. He calls himself Dughall, and he is after more than