Legacy

Aislinn stumbled as she exited the offices of Bryan, Steinman and Stark. She reached for the wall to steady herself as the large yellow envelope slipped from her bag.

“Are you okay?” She looked into his dark eyes, as his hand touched her shoulder. She nodded. “I don’t quite believe you,” he said, handing her the package. “Perhaps a cup of coffee or a glass of water would help?”

She nodded with gratitude and followed him into the café adjacent to the building. He made his way to a table away from the bustling entrance and seated himself with a full view of the café. He motioned to a passing waitress. “Do you think you could get us started with water, please?” His voice was polite but commanding. A moment later the waitress arrived with the water. “There, this should help.” Aislinn drank the water down.

She breathed deeply. “Thank you. I am not sure what happened. I just lost my footing.”

“I think it was more than that. Were you coming for the estate attorneys?” Aislinn nodded. “Losing someone is very hard. I am sorry for your loss.”

“I knew my aunt was getting on in years…it had been so long since I had seen her, and you know…. You always…well you think they’re going to live forever…there’ll always be time…She told these amazing stories dragons and wizards. A faerie realm full of magic and wonder.” She laughed. “I’d summer with her at her cabin I loved being there. It is because of her I’ve always wanted to write. To get those stories onto paper… to provide some guidance into adventure for others…. A temporary escape.” She looked at the package on the table.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know.”

“You do know what it is, don’t you?”

“I think so. I hope so.”

“Take care.” Was it a whisper on the air or in her head?

She looked around, took the butter knife from the table, and sliced the envelope open. Her eyes widened at the contents, then a smile crept onto her face. She reached in, pulled out the small black book and ran her fingers over the cover. She knew this book. It is the one thing her aunt had promised her.

“A book? It must be special.”

“It is to me.”

“What is it?”

“Not here,” she heard the whisper again.

She looked up. “I am sorry. I… appreciate your help…. but…I need to go.”

“Are you sure? Maybe I can help you more?”

The voice again, this time it came from her mouth. “No.” It felt sharp and rude. “I mean thank you but no.” She paused. “Thank you.” She moved toward the door, turned back for one last look at the man but could not see him through the crowded café. A slight shimmer caught her eye as the pathway to the table clear. He was gone.

Aislinn shook her head. “I am tired.” She made her way onto the street and looked at the sky. She noted the dark clouds moving over the city and pulled her coat closer as she felt the air chill.

Aislinn hailed a cab and directed the driver to take her to her hotel. She sat back, closed her eyes and thought about her aunt. She heard the voice again and sat upright.

“Sir, wait take me to Camshronach Books instead.” A few moments later the cab pulled up in front of an old bookstore. She paid the cabby with a smile and turned to enter the old store.

The slight chiming of the bells as the door opened transported her back to childhood when she would join her aunt on her trips into the city.

A woman appeared, her red hair held some strands of snow indicating age, but her eyes and smile were those of a maiden. “How can I help you?” She stopped. “Aislinn?” She smiled. “Oh my, you are all grown.” She stopped; the light disappeared from her eyes. “Elsbeth is gone?” Tears began to form in Aislinn’s eyes. “I am so sorry my dear.” She reached out for her hand. “She loved you so much.”

Aislinn lowered her head, her guilt over not seeing Elsbeth flowed over her in a wave of unbearable heat followed by the cold of winter. The woman pulled her into her arms and the warmth of love spread through her.

“Come, sit and have some tea.” In the back room, settled on the table sat a steaming china tea pot with two matching cups. Aislinn looked at her, and she smiled. “I am always prepared for company.”

“You are Maira, right?” She nodded. Aislinn smiled. “You were always the center of her stories. Your name I mean.”

“She was my good friend, and we shared much history.”

Maira poured the tea. Aislinn set the package on the table. “Breathe.” She heard the voice again.

‘You are safe here.” She pushed the package toward Maira and watched as she opened the yellow envelope. The two women watched the contents spill onto the table. Two bundles fell to the table, one-hundred-dollar bills wrapped with currency straps stating they were each valued at $10,000. The book landed next, and an envelope of fine linen stationary fell atop the book.

“Would you read it to me, please?” Aislinn carefully opened the envelop.

“My dearest Aislinn. There is still so much for me to tell you, so many stories but if you are reading this it is your turn. It is your turn to follow the stories and bring them to the world. This money will take care of any expenses with regard to the cabin. It is yours now to use for your writing. You will need it. I hope as you read this you are with my friend Maira. If not, get yourself there as soon as possible. She will know what to do and how to help you through the rest. With love, Elsbeth.” She quietly folded the letter and placed it back in the envelope and waited.

Aislinn was quiet. Her mind first went to the cabin and her memories of the pristine property she loved. She raised her eyes to Maira. “What is the rest? And what help do I need?”

Maira leaned forward. “Have you opened the book?”

“I started to… it didn’t feel safe where I was.”

“Smart. There is no other way to begin than to just begin. You remember the excitement of your aunt’s stories?” Aislinn nodded. “Take the book. Open it.” The pages were blank. Maira began speaking in a language Aislinn did not know. The guttural sounds of an ancient tongue quickly became songlike in her ears.

Her vision blurred. The blood in her veins pulsed like the drumming of marching soldiers. She was surrounded in darkness and then a bright light blinded her.

Aislinn shivered against the cold. The frost covered the ground and her breath hung in the air. “Archers at the ready!” Aislinn heard the command from a distance. She could still not see clearly. The booming voice became subdued but still clear. “We will hear their request for surrender. Then, let loose the arrows once we are clear.”

Aislinn’s vision returned as the sun broke the crest of the mountain, she found herself watching four riders from each side move toward the center of a field. One rider raised a gauntlet covered hand in salute and proceeded ahead of the others. A slight figure encased in leather armor advanced to meet him.

“What terms of surrender do you request?” Caidon commanded. The figure raised the visor. “You?” Caidon sneered.

“Of course, it is me,” responded a soft female voice. “We will not surrender. Caidon, please end this now.”

“Do not presume to command me my lady. You gave up the right to ask anything of me when you chose to oppose me.”

She shook her head, “then let us end this. You and me. No more need to die.” Caidon sniggered. “Your word Caidon, if I best you in combat, your men will return to their homes and families.” She spoke loud enough for the quiet air to carry her voice to all present.

“And when I best you?”

She smiled. “If you best me the Daoine will pass beyond the Mist. You’ll not have to worry about my people again.”

“Let it be so.” He turned and rode back to the three kings. “No matter what happens, loose the arrows and take as many of them down as you can.” The three kings shifted in their saddles.

Maira returned to her companions. “He will not honor his word. He will command his archers to fire regardless of who is victorious. Prepare for the worst. Shields up.”

Coanloach helped Maira into the formal breastplate bearing the crest of her family and symbol of her place in the Circle. She knelt asking for a blessing from the God and Goddess.

She stood and removed the amulet f she wore, kissed it and sighed. She handed it along with a small black book to Eilidh. “A girl will be born today in Taliesin Forest. Be sure she receives these tokens.” Eilidh promised she would see the sacred items to the girl herself.

Maira mounted her horse and placed the helmet firmly upon her head. “It is in the hands of the Gods now.” The entire assemblage, noble, squire, soldier, priest, and priestess knelt in salute to Maira as she rode to the center of the field.

Caidon met her there. They circled each other on horseback for what seemed forever but in truth was barely a minute. They dismounted, drawing swords and shields.

“Do you really want to go through with this? You know you have no chance of defeating me. I know your every move before you make it.”

“Do you see where I have another choice?”

“Join me!”

“I have longed to hear those words, from those lips. Rather than feeling the warmth of love and joy, I feel only the black ice of hate and agony. You have betrayed and defiled our love!”

“That is not true! I have always loved you!”

“And your treachery is your proof?! Greed and selfishness fill your heart and soul now. You are not the man I loved.”

For a moment he hesitated, “I do love you.” He smiled wickedly. “And I know you love me.”

She shook her head. “Defend your love! As I will defend mine!”

Their swords did not sing as they once had, but merely sounded as steel meeting steel. They had trained together, fought together, and knew each move the other would make. It was more a dance than a battle. The fight seemed to go on for hours, but the true time was unknown. Maira knew the weight of sword and armor would bring them both down before either would concede to, or defeat, the other. The swordplay must come to an end.

Caidon took at aim at her heart, as though he had heard her thoughts. He lunged; Maira did not evade or deflect the attack. She mirrored him. Caidon saw his sword pierce the breastplate. As he looked upon the face of Maira, she smiled up at him. He felt a pain in his heart and a warmth spread across his chest. The pain of her blade thrust into his heart. The warmth of his own blood being spilled. The swords melted into the flesh of the man and the woman who loved each other even in death. The swords vanished as the two fell into embrace.

A final kiss. A flash of light. Darkness.

Aislinn sat upright and looked around. She was firmly placed in the chair opposite Maira in the back room of the bookstore. “Wait... what...” she caught her breath. “What happened? Where did they go?”

Maira slid the book across the table. “You tell me.” She took a sip of tea.

A final smile. A flash of light….