The Ancient Fire (Triple Goddess Series Book 1) by Ellen Read

Author:Ellen Read [Read, Ellen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Easy Reads Publishing
Published: 2024-01-29T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

How she didn’t fall off Gealach in the riotous crush of horses, men, blades and spears, Bree didn’t know. She could only believe the unicorn’s magic looked after her, just as Diarmuid had said.

Bree cut a swathe through the throng, heading straight for Badb. Áine followed her, as did Hilde. Bree was surprised to see Seraphina fighting her way through as well. Seraphina was on foot. Bree vowed she’d protect the young woman.

True to its name, Cara fíor proved to be a good friend. No blade stood a chance against it. Arrows came close and, at times, when Bree deflected their trajectory with her sword, she was certain it was Cara fíor directing her hand.

Seraphina fought well. Bree kept an eye on her, impressed by her seamstress’s agility. A leap aside, a spin and kick, downed many an enemy.

Hilde stayed with Bree. The centaur’s arrows cut the air around her. If anyone came too close, Hilde raised her forelegs and brought her hooves crashing down on her targets.

When they were immersed in the midst of the battle, Bree shouted to Áine, ‘We can’t all push through Mór’s entire army. Better you just fight where we are.’

‘What are you going to do?’ her aunt asked, shouting.

Gealach reared. ‘I have to reach Badb,’ Bree called back. ‘We can’t have her dropping her fear over everyone.’

‘You’ll never reach her,’ Áine cried. ‘Bree!’

Niamh flew off Bree’s shoulder. ‘I’ll help. I’ll use my sleeping dust,’ she said. Without a further word, the fairy flew ahead of Bree and sprinkled a silvery dust over the enemies in front of them. Men and horses staggered into each other.

Not wasting a moment, Bree flicked Gealach’s reins and the two of them pushed through, with Áine, Hilde and Seraphina on their heels. Men in dark armour, their hair long and lank, scars twisting their faces into grotesque masks, fell aside.

Niamh flew back to Bree. ‘I’ve used my sleeping dust,’ she buzzed in Bree’s ear. ‘Most will only feel tired, not go to sleep.’

‘That’s enough,’ Bree told her. ‘Thank you, my friend.’

Bree stared into a low sun by the time she could see the hillock. Scathach was nowhere to been seen. Nor was Mór, but Badb clung close to the base of the mound, as if she was cursed by her own fear to fight.

Bree noticed Badb move out of the hillock’s shadow.

Gealach reared and then leaped forward. Hilde helped to clear a path with her arrows.

Badb spun on the spot, her grey garb and dark grey hair becoming one, until she shape-shifted into a small ominous cloud. It grew by the second.

Seraphina threw a spear at Badb. It fell through the cloud onto the ground. Hilde sent three arrows, one after the other in quick succession. They too flew through the dark swirling mist that was Badb.

‘Stay back,’ Bree commanded.

‘Macushla,’ Áine cried out as if she was in agony. ‘What are you going to do?’

‘Keep back.’ Bree and Gealach leaped forward, closing the gap between themselves and Badb.

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