Wicked Rage of the Moon: Book Three of the Airendell Chronicles (30 page)

“I am and I need to feed.  So I will bid you good day and go home.  Mordir should have enough antibodies to begin treating you.  I wish you good luck.  I hope you find what you are looking for.  But understand we have no idea of the long term consequences.  You may very well be undertaking a course that might mean your end,” Morna cautions.

“I know that, and part of me would welcome it.  I tire of the struggle,” Octavius says.  “Madam, after you rest I want to speak with you again.  I have information about your sister that you really need to know before you make a move against her.”

“Very well.  We have a Paternal Bond hearing at two this afternoon.  You can come to our home at eight tonight,” Morna says.

“I would prefer to speak to you before the hearing.  I would hate for you to make a decision and move against her without this knowledge.  I know that you would regret it,” Octavius says darkly.

“Perhaps you should tell me before you begin the treatment.  What if the treatment is harmful to you?” Morna says softly.

“I won’t start the treatment until I review more of the data.  I am too much of a scientist to go ahead without further study.”

Morna chuckles at that and says, “Come see me this afternoon then.  Mordir, would you mind bringing him to see us?”  Mordir nods and Morna smiles.  “Thank you friend.”  Morna walks over and does a healer’s read on Rodrigo.  “Rodrigo, I think we were successful.”

“I am certain of it,” breathes Rodrigo.

Morna nods and asks, “You will come with them and let me get another read?”

“I will,” Rodrigo promises before he rises quickly and hugs Morna.  “Sorry, I just…”

Luca chuckles, “I get it.  Don’t worry.”

Luca, Morna, and their two oldest sons walk home peacefully.  “Are you three not running because of me?”  Kylor asks.  “Kyle has taught me the iron-lion.  I could keep up, sort of.”  He laughs at himself.

“Nothing like that, son.  We are just enjoying being with our boys.  Kylor, tell us about Octavius.”  Morna says quietly.

“I started studying with him about three hundred years ago.  He is a skilled healer.  He is talented dealing with chronic conditions, and infectious diseases.  For obvious reasons he doesn’t do any kind of surgery, wound care or emergency medicine.  He teaches would be healers with magical potential.  I understand that even Mordir did an internship with him.  He also has a science academy.  He recruits students from all over the world.  He is also a very moral man.  A large part of the curriculum deals with public service and using science to truly benefit mankind.  Kyle could do much worse than attending the academy, if he were interested in such a thing,” Kylor says.

Morna looks at Kyle and says, “He seemed to be interested before Aiden fell ill.  Then everything went to hell in a hurry and we never thought about again until today.  Honestly, I was trying to figure out a way to finance it before Aiden fell ill.  I had checked the academy out, it has a wonderful reputation for producing world class scientists.”

“I was very interested Mom.  Once things calm down, I may find that I am interested again.  If everything goes okay,” Kyle says quietly.  “But right now, I want to make sure my family is okay first.”

“Mother, I could move to Rome and keep an eye on him, if you would like.” Kylor offers.

“There’s a gateway there, he could commute from Airendell for that matter.  But it might be a good idea for you boys to get to spend some quality time together.  Kylor you and Kyle could always commute to Airendell for your Spell Weaver training.”  Morna says with a laugh.  “Look boys, if it’s something Kyle wants to do, and we find it’s a good fit, we can make it happen.  We will work out the logistics.”

“Can we afford it, Mom?”

“Kyle, your Father has been very good at investing our funds.  You could attend any university in the world that you want.  And even if that weren‘t the case, we would figure it out if this academy is what you really want.”

Kyle grabs his mother and hugs her.   He’s holding her tight and doesn’t seem like he will let go anytime soon.  Morna’s heart is filled to overflowing with love for her son as she happily hugs him back, and kisses the top of his head. 

Finally, after a couple of minutes he releases her and steps back.  He blushes a little and looks at Luca and Kylor shyly.  “Sorry guys.  It’s just so much has been happening, and Mom is the only constant in it all.”

Morna feels utter shock at that statement, “Kyle, change is all I have done for the last six hundred years.”

“No you haven’t Morna.  Your body, your situation changes, but you don’t.  Not really, not where it counts.  You always love those you love.  Your love for your family and Guild is fierce, strong, and constant.  That never changes.” Luca says softly.

CHAPTER EIGHT - Visitors from the Neophasic Dimension

Upon arrival at home the two youngest children rush outside to meet them.  “Mom, we have guests” Aiden informs her happily.  Morna and Luca can tell the children are excited beyond words.  “Three of the witnesses are here already.  They are here to meet us.  They said it is their right as witnesses to meet the children before the hearing”

“Which ones?” Asks Morna

“Tarvish, Taranis and Hector,” Nora says happily.  She smiles hugely and says, “Taranis brought eight others with him.”

Morna and Luca look at each other in surprise, “Who are they?” Morna wonders aloud, but her heart is racing… Excitement is building in her body and she turns eagerly to enter the house.

“They are very, very special people Mom.  Come on!”  She urges pulling her mother by the hand.  Morna looks at Luca who can only shrug and follow along behind.  When the group walks into the main study eight young people stand eagerly to greet them.  Morna looks at them and faints dead away.  Luca catches her and instantly moves her to the sofa to lie down.  He looks around at everyone in the room, “What the hell is going on he demands?”

Taranis comes forward and says, “Lord Lucian, easy lad.  She’s fine.  She has to assimilate her knowledge from two different dimensions.  She should come around in five minutes or so and be able to explain it all to you.  Be patient.  No one here means her any harm.” 

Luca nods, he has known Taranis since he first came to live among the Spell Weavers.  Taranis is an honorable being.  He is the Celtic version of the god of thunder.  He is a staunch and able protector of mankind.  More importantly, he is a true friend.  Luca trusts him completely.

Luca performs a healer’s reading on his mate and is satisfied that she is not in any pain or danger so he turns his attention to the new people in the room.  He knows Tarvish, Taranis and Hector, but the others are strangers to him.  He knows that the man who looks to be thirty five and is wearing a kilt of the MacQuahae sept is Tarvish.  Tarvish steps forward to shake Luca‘s. “Good to see you Lucian.”  Luca nods and takes in the changes in Tarvish.   

The Highland Jumper clan leader looks older than Luca remembers.  Tarvish is relatively short compared to the others in the room.  He is about 5’9” and very stocky, not fat, just very thickly made.  His arms and legs are powerful.  He is obviously an ancient warrior.  Luca has no problems imagining the man wading his way through his enemies on the battle field wielding a broad sword or battle-axe. He has actually seen the man in battle against the English back in the times of Robert the Bruce, and knows that he is fierce during combat, but sweet and gentle in temperament when off the battle field. He has short black hair and short, but scruffy beard and mustache.  But his eyes are the most astonishing thing about him, they are coal black but they shine with power and goodness.

“Lucian, you are wondering why I have aged so much?” Tarvish asks.  When Lucian nods, Tarvish says, “Our clan has been under siege for one hundred and eighty years.  Morna’s enemy is trying to fortify her forces with our people.  I am afraid that some of them have already come against you and yours.”  When Luca nods again, Tarvish continues; “I am sorry for that brother.  I have no control over them.  They are renegades and truly not part of our clan.”

“We suspected as much,” Luca says quietly.

“Morna’s enemy held me for many, many years.  Until Morna freed me fifty-nine years ago.  That time in captivity aged me.  I was tortured and experimented on. The Highland Jumpers began with me, so the Dark One thought I was the key to dimensional jumping.  I was in hell until your mate saved me,” Tarvish says with deep feeling.  Tarvish looks down at Morna and says, “She’s gonna come around in about two minutes, and she can tell you the rest.”

Luca nods and looks back at his mate and then looks to the other people in the room.  Aiden and Nora are standing with the eight young people in the room.  There are four males, and four females.  Four of them look to be in their early twenties, and then the other four appear to range in age from sixteen to six years old.  They are obviously all related, probably brothers and sisters.  His heart skips a beat because they look like Morna.  Luca looks closely at the young people and notices the positions of his daughter and son.  Aiden is standing in front of the older males, and Nora is standing in front of the older females.    The older ones have their hands on the shoulders of his children.  Nora is flanked by two children, twin girls who look to be the same age as her.  Aiden is flanked by a young teenage boy, and an older teenaged boy. A small ember of fear for his children starts to niggle at Luca’s heart.

Aiden smiles and says, “Don’t worry Dad, they mean us no harm.”

Morna starts to stir and mumbles, “They are safe, Baby.  Help me sit up.”  Morna looks at Kylor and says, “Son, I need blood, two bags, please.”  Her voice is urgent and Kylor quickly leaves the room to get the sustenance his mother needs.  Luca is terrified because she is shaking almost uncontrollably.  “I will be fine in a minute, Luca, don’t worry.  Give me a few minutes to collect myself and then I can explain.”  Morna says weakly.  Luca looks back at the eight young people and it is obvious that they are very worried about Morna. 

Kylor returns with the blood in a tall glass and Morna drains it quickly.  She sighs and leans back and closes her eyes for a moment.  Luca is relieved to see her shaking has stopped and her color is returning.  When she opens her eyes two minutes later she looks much recovered.  She gets up and walks over to the young people and hugs each one individually, and then as a group.  They are all surrounding her, it’s obviously a very joyful reunion for them all. They are all smiling and Morna is kissing their faces and squeezing their hands.  Her delight at seeing them is obvious.

Luca is feeling more and more confused by the second… suddenly understanding dawns, and he smiles; “More family?”

Morna nods and comes to him and grabs his hand, she looks at Kyle and Kylor and says, “Come meet your brothers and sisters.”  Kyle and Kylor look at each other in shock but follow their mother.

The eight siblings are standing in a row and Morna goes to the first and says, “This is Rebecca, she is the oldest, fifty-seven.  She looks a great deal like Morna’s original incarnation, except that she is almost six feet tall. 

The next jumper is smiling happily when Morna strokes his cheek and says, “This is Michael, he’s fifty-five years old.”  Michael is about 6’3”, and has the body of ballet dancer.  Very powerful, long and lean.  Michael kisses Morna and says, “Ma, we have missed you.”  Morna smiles and pats his cheek.  “I have missed you too, baby boy.” 

Morna moves on to the third person in the line and pats his cheek, “This is Robert, and he’s fifty-two years old.”  Robert is about six feet tall and built like a body builder.  He picks Morna up and hugs her fiercely.  “Love you, Ma!”  Morna pats his cheek too. 

Morna moves to the fourth person in the line and wraps her arm around her waist and says, “This is Cirona, she’s fifty years old.”  Cirona wraps her arms around Morna, “God, Ma, we feared we’d never get to come to you.”  Morna pats the woman’s cheek and smiles.  “We are all together now.  And we will make damned sure it stays that way.”

Morna walks over to her youngest children and laughs happily when the two teenagers throw themselves at her.  She’s hugging and kisses their faces and giggles when she looks at Luca, Kylor and Kyle; “This is Kevin, he is the same age as Kyle.  And this little monkey is Anson, he is the same age as Aiden.”  She gives Aiden a good squeeze and moves on to the little ones.  “The twin girls are, Nalla and Nerri.  They are the same age as Nora.”  Morna spends a few more moments hugging the children and then says wearily, “I need to sit.”

At that moment Aideen speaks from the doorway, “Mother, what is going on? How is it that we have eight more siblings?”  She had come in at the beginning of the introductions.  Aiden had called her from the Healer’s Hall and told her there was a wonderful surprise waiting for her at home. 

Right now Aideen is feeling very confused and angry.  Agnar comes up behind her and wraps his arms around her and says, “Watch it love.  Don’t judge.  I am sure it’s not what you are thinking.”

Rebecca steps forward and says, “Ma, may I explain?  You look like you need to rest some more.”  Morna nods and Rebecca smiles at Aideen and says, “Sister, our mother made a great sacrifice in an attempt to save the race of dimension jumpers.  During her last limbo Valgullveig temporarily escaped the hold of the Dark One and found Mother.  She brought Ma to Tarvish and the three of them came up with a plan to save our kind.  Ma basically consented to acting like a brood mare for our clan.  I and my seven siblings are the products of that charitable act.  We have seven different Fathers and one Mother.  We have the ability to jump dimensions like our Fathers, and we all have Mother’s magic.  We all have the magic of the talismans, just like Kylor, Aideen, Kyle, Aiden and Nora.  We all have varying talents, just as you do.”

Aideen looks at her mother in shocked disbelief, “You screwed seven other men?  Knowingly?  Because if you were in your ascended form you knew who Daddy was… Mother how could you do that?” Aideen demands angrily.

“Ladybug, I didn’t
‘screw’
anybody,” Morna says tiredly.  “I conceived your brothers and sisters of Highland descent through artificial insemination.  There are no other men for me when I remember your Father.  Why can you not get that through your head?  Why do you have so damned little faith in me?”               

Aideen looks shocked and then embarrassed, and finally very, very sad and ashamed.  Morna watches the emotions flick across her daughter’s face and holds her open arms out to her oldest daughter.  Aideen hesitates for a second and then runs to her mother.  “I am sorry, Mama.  I don’t know what makes me believe the worst of you.”

“It’s okay, Ladybug.  Unfortunately, you have seen me cause your Daddy a great deal of pain over the centuries.  While it wasn‘t deliberate, I did hurt him.  Naturally you have been angry with me for doing it.  I understand, I just hope someday that we can well and truly put it all behind us.”  Morna says tiredly. 

She looks up and Kyle is standing before her with another glass of blood.  “Thank you sweetheart,” she says as she accepts the blood.  She sighs and drinks half of the blood and then looks at Luca.  He has been silent through all of this and his face is totally unreadable.

“Luca?” She whispers uncertainly. 

Luca shakes his head as though to clear it and then smiles at his mate; “Sorry, Love, I was just trying to wrap my head around the idea that you have thirteen children, soon to be fourteen.” Morna stands and he comes to her and wraps her in his arms.  He kisses her gently and searches her face.  “Feeling stronger?”  She nods but he knows that she is still exhausted from the healings and from remembering her other family.  He urges her to sit back down and he sits beside her. 

Morna finishes her blood and looks at Luca, “Madigan has shown me that you and I will have two more children after him.  I will have a total of sixteen children before too long.  Wow!  I
am
the one the prophesies speak about.”  Morna whispers in an awed voice, she then laughs.  “Your grandfather is right, you are married to a brood sow.”

“Hardly,” Luca snaps irritably. 

Everyone in the room turns when they hear deep rumbling laughter from the doorway.  Odin and Thor are standing there looking incredibly happy.  “Heimdall filled us in.” Odin says as he strides over to his granddaughter.  “Baby Girl, you are even more amazing than I ever dreamed.”  He kisses her cheek and walks over to Tarvish.  “Heimdall says you contacted him asking permission to use the Bi-frost to come to our realm.  I appreciate the courtesy Tarvish.  I know that you all could have easily jumped into our realm without our permission.”

“Nay, Lordship!  I would never do that to you.”  Tarvish says with a smile.  “It’s just bad manners.  I would only do that to an enemy, and Asgard is not our enemy.  I hope to count you and yours as allies.  We still have a huge battle ahead of us.  We must destroy the Dark One, soon!”

“Tarvish, you know that we can’t until after Madigan is born.  The prophesy says he is three years old when he strikes the Dark One down,” Rebecca says quietly.

“But we can free my sister before then,” Morna says quietly.

Morna, Tarvish and her highland offspring spend the next hour telling about the plan to strengthen the Highland Jumpers to escape the control of the Dark One.  Morna had borne four children during her last limbo period between Audrey and Deidra.  And then she bore the other four concurrently with Kyle, Aiden and Nora. 

“Ma can exist on two planes at once, but only when she is sleeping here can she be awake with us the Neophasic dimension.  That is where we have lived since our birth,” Rebecca explains.  “This morning, her two bodies merged into one.  We knew it was time to join her.”

“What is the Neophasic dimension?  Morna was talking about it in her sleep.  I have never heard of it before now,” Luca asks.

“It’s a dimension that exists between this one and the other eleven planes of existence.  It’s very similar to the Spiritual Plane on which I fought the first Stone Cannibal.  It is the one dimension where Valgullveig is free from the control of the Dark One.  It is the one dimension where the Dark One has absolutely no power.  I am afraid my Highland Jumper babies are in danger by just being here in Asgard.”  Morna says quietly.