To the Waters and the Wild by S. C. McGrath

Author:S. C. McGrath [McGrath, S. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction & Literature
ISBN: 9780991449323
Publisher: Seanachie Press
Published: 2019-06-11T06:00:00+00:00



Nuala, Deirdre, and Keelin sat cross-legged in a circle on the cold earth, their hands intertwined. Nuala was reciting a poem in the ancient tongue of The Dagda that spoke of lost heroes and gods, of liberty and peace. The poem was endless and Nuala’s chanting was discordant and eerie. Keelin did not enjoy listening to the ancient language of The Dagda, finding its harsh tone jarring to the ear. The spoken language of Eire, in contrast, had a lyrical, lilting beauty. She let her mind wander far from the cave and Nuala’s tedious recitation. She saw Brian walking along a cliff’s edge. He was singing but she could not discern his words. Instead, she felt an overwhelming sense of isolation and despair. Frightened, Keelin yanked her consciousness back to the cave and realized the chanting had ended. Nuala and Deirdre were looking at her expectantly.

“Did you not hear me?” questioned Nuala.

“No . . . I did not.”

“Then I will ask you again. Do you wish to enter the realm of The Dagda? Will you abide by and uphold the edicts of The Dagda? Will you protect the secrets of The Dagda?”

Keelin fought back the urge to scream, “No, I do not want such a life!” And then she thought of Caitlin and her uncle Eirnín. She thought of the young men who would fight and die battling the Romhanach. She thought of how her seeing, her power, would help them. “I do. I wish to enter the realm of The Dagda, abiding by and upholding its edicts and protecting its secrets.”

“Very well, then, we shall continue.” Nuala and Deirdre rose and walked over to where a large pile of kindling and peat lay in the middle of the vast cave, beckoning Keelin to follow. The priestesses lowered their heads and whispered a prayer of gratitude before lighting the ceremonial fire. Keelin wiped her sweaty palms against the fine linen of her skirt and watched the flames, the smell of the smoke blending with the musky dampness in this hidden sepulchre of earth.

Into the vibrant flames Nuala sprinkled basil for protection, celandine for freedom, and bluebell for truth. She tilted her head up toward the ceiling of the cave and closed her eyes. “May Keelin be protected by the gods, may she seek wisdom and find truth in the world, all in the name of The Dagda.” Then Nuala and Deirdre began circling the fire, swaying in a rhythmic dance, their faces feline and glowing in the amber light.

Keelin instinctively moved her body, following the graceful flow of the priestesses, engaging in a primitive dance as ancient as the gods. As Keelin circled the fire faster and faster, she could feel herself lifting off the ground, no longer using her body to move. Even the walls of the cave began to ripple and wave, as if the earth were following her movements. She was sweating now, lightheaded and tingling. She closed her eyes, trying to block the bizarre images, not wanting to faint.

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