Waves in the Wind Read Online Free PDF

darkness,
    from within the rath of the Sidhe.
    Light where there is no light,
    light where darkness prevails.
    So, the earth revolves,
    three times three darkness rules.
    The sun, at the hand of Belenos returns,
    bringing new life within the Tree.
    The bole of the Tree stands steadfast,
    resisting all forces for all time.
    Fifth of seven chieftains,
    from its branches all living things reborn.
    * * *
    A line of torches snaked down the side of Knockaulin as students returned to their dormitories. Someone jostled me in the darkness. It was Laoidheach.
    “So Ossian,” he whispered, “tell me. What was it the Master was saying?”
    “He spoke of the darkness,” I muttered, “and repeated the words of the Dagda. You heard him.”
    “Yes, I heard him, but what was he, or the Dagda, saying?”
    “Don’t you know?” My feet were feeling their way in the flickering torchlight, down the steep, narrow trail. “You are a bard and should understand such a song.”
    “Yes, I am a bard trained to sing such things. That doesn’t mean I always understand them, for the gods often test us with their ridiculous riddles.”
    I almost laughed, but the solemn events on the hill dictated otherwise. “Very well then, the Dagda was saying the earth rotates, and the sun—”
    “Yes, yes, I know. Without the sun everything dies. Go on.”
    “The Dagda further spoke of a Tree, meaning the Tree of Life where the bole is the never changing center of the universe.”
    “I knew that too.”
    “Somewhere Mother Earth has ruptured spewing smoke and ash into the sky. That is the cause of the darkness.”
    Laoidheach grunted. “Oh. I see. What was meant by the light in rath of the Sidhe, and something about three times three and the fifth chieftain?”
    “The light from within the rath of the Sidhe represents the Light of All Knowledge, meaning the Lordly Ones understand everything. I confess three times three meant nothing to me until the mention of the fifth chieftain. You see, there are seven chieftain trees, ash being the fifth. So, the meaning is…”
    “Nine months!” he gasped. “The Dagda was saying we face nine months of darkness!”
    “Yes, I’m afraid so.”
    “May the gods have pity upon this land.”
    * * *
    A fortnight passed, anxious days of unrelenting darkness. Word came that I had been called for an audience with Master Tóla, so I climbed the path up Knockaulin. The immense sacral fire now burned incessantly and cast an eerie glow to guide my way.
    I rapped upon the door of the Master’s sanctuary and entered upon hearing his muffled response. He was seated in his customary position though his eyes betrayed the weariness within him. That he spent his days in constant prayer and divination with the gods, we all knew, though I would not have the temerity to speak of it.
    He nodded. “King Túathal Máelgarb has called a synod at Tara to discuss the darkness. He commands that leading Druids and Christian priests from across Eire attend. Your father and I will be among them. Each of us may bring one aide and Earnán will be siding me. Your father sent word and requested that you serve in that capacity alongside him.”
    I wanted to shout and leap into the air, but remained properly silent, my face calm. It was an amazing thing. Together with my father, I was going to Tara, the Royal seat of the High King of all Eire, Túathal Máelgarb himself.
    The Master reached beside him and handed me a neatly folded red and white striped bundle. “You will wear this, the robe of a First Order Druid. Here, take it.”
    My hand trembled though I knew there must be a mistake as I accepted the robe. “But Master Tóla, I am merely an acolyte. At the very least it requires ten years of study to attain the First Order, while I have but eight.”
    A tired smile filled his eyes. “Not always. You are still a student here, but as of now no longer an acolyte. Yes, commonly the red robe requires ten years of study though it seems we have