Rundimahair: A new hero for a new adventure Larry Forkner (best ereader for pc TXT) 📖

Sean said. “After what Ashling went through last night, I felt this was the least I could do.”

“And don’t think it’s not appreciated,” Ashling said, as she came into the kitchen, still wearing her pajamas, robe, and slippers.

Sean looked up and smiled since it was as rare as a full eclipse to see Ashling dressed so casually. He was impressed that she was still a rare beauty, even without the makeup and stylish clothes.

“So, what did Cassiday have to say for her no-good black-soul self?” Eamon asked.

Ashling looked up in surprise, as she loaded her plate with food, and asked, “How did you know?”

“There’s only a rare few who could pull you into outer darkness against your will,” Eamon said. “I can still feel it’s dark presence on you now.”

Ashling slowly nodded as she began eating with enthusiasm. “A fine spread you’ve laid out for breakfast, Sean. Thank you kindly, my dear,” she said sincerely.

He beamed and smiled widely at her praise. “It’s just a little something to build up your strength, Ashling. I could see from your condition last night that it had been a terrible ordeal.”

“So, what did the old crow want?” Eamon asked.

“I have to say, I did not believe she still had the power to pull me into the darkness. Truth be told, it was almost more than she could bear. To hold me there for a few short minutes took a terrible toll on her emaciated mind and body. Despite all of the terrible things she’s guilty of, I couldn’t help but feel some compassion for her.”

“Aye, you’re a far better person than your stubborn father, my dear child. I can find no room for anything but disgust for that one. She turned against her own family, so she did. More than a few of them were murdered in cold blood by that she-devil. No, you’ll not be seeing me shed a tear for her. Whatever pains she is suffering were brought on by her own evil deeds.”

Ashling ate heartily while she listened to her Da. When he finished, she said, “I understand how you feel, Da, I really do. I’ll not be forgetting or forgiving either, but I can still feel pity for such a wasted life.”

“Will you tell us what she wanted?” Sean asked quickly before Eamon could let loose on another tirade.

“To put both of your minds at ease, let me start by saying that I scoured her dark mind so severely that she was crying out from the pain of it,” Ashling said. “I had to know whether she was speaking the truth, and I know her words were indeed true.”

“That’s good enough for me,” Eamon said solemnly.

“Me as well,” Sean said, putting his hand over hers.

“Cassiday knows better than any of us how desperate Grainne is to destroy us. She has a plan to use that terrible ambition against her. Cassiday is also certain that Grainne won’t be able to read her real intent because such discernment can only come from the light.”

“Aye, she can read the minds of many who are not pure at heart,” Eamon said. “But it may be possible for Cassiday to hold her thoughts deep in her mind tracks where Grainne would struggle to find them.”

“That is her hope,” Ashling said. She’ll hide her true intentions under layers of bitterness and hate that she has built up over the years. We’re hoping that Grainne will not try to look beyond those thoughts and pry any deeper. To find her true intent, she would have to destroy Cassiday’s mind completely. Of course she’s more than willing to do that to get what she wants, but she’ll want to keep Cassiday alive until she believes she’s actually found Rundimahair.”

“So that’s her dirty scheme,” Eamon said. “It’s a good one at that. Grainne will be so desperate to find us that she’ll jump at the chance. It may well allow Cassiday to deceive her. But eventually Grainne will see through the ruse and destroy her.”

“We only need her to believe she’s found us long enough for us to attack her largest stronghold. Our plan is to destroy her fortress while she is chasing an illusion,” Ashling said.

“And are we sure we know where to find her dark palace?” Eamon asked.

“May I touch your mind, Sean?” Ashling asked, pointing at his head.

“Be my guest,” he replied, although he was still nervous about other people searching through his mind.

“I’ll be gentle,” she assured him.

Ashling closed her eyes and quickly joined minds with her father and Sean. She took Eamon through the memories Sean had from his spiritual journey into the bowels of Grainne’s Ireland fortress.

When they were done, and she withdrew the contact that she and Eamon had shared, Eamon could only shake his head in wonder.

“Do you know how rare and wonderful a gift you have there, Sean?” Eamon asked.

“Ashling has told me it’s a rare gift. To me it feels strange but also wonderful to be able to travel as my spirit self. Somehow, it seemed to work better and keep me safer while in my dragon form.”

Eamon nodded and said, “That would hold true with what we know about our dragon-self. We are stronger in mind, body, and spirit in our dragon form. You’re a special young man, Sean. I’ve always known this. But I had no idea your powers would grow so fast and deep.”

“Perhaps so, but I’d still be shaking in my boots if I had to fight against Grainne one-on-one. When she sensed my presence in her castle, the first time I was there in spirit form, I thought for sure I was a goner,” Sean said.

“She’s a scary one, to be sure,” Eamon said. “I don’t know of anyone who could stand against her alone, excepting my own dear Ashling. Even then, I would never allow such a battle to occur. The one disadvantage Ashling would have is that she fights with honor and integrity as any great warrior should.”

“You’re saying Grainne may