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

“We’re not going to wait, Sean,” Ashling said. “We’re going to attack while she is gone on her wild goose chase.”

“So we’re that certain that she will attack?” Sean asked.

“She’ll be there,” Eamon agreed. “She’s been waiting for this opportunity for centuries. Grainne wants to destroy us so badly that she’ll never let this chance pass her by.”

“I hope we’re ready,” Sean said.

“We’ve got to be ready, Sean,” Ashling said solemnly. “Our time for preparation is at an end.”

“May the Creator of us all be with us,” Eamon said. “Let’s gather our people together and do what must be done.”

“As you wish, Commander,” Ashling said.

Eamon smiled sadly and said, “I’ve always preferred Father over Commander.”

“As do I, Father. Sadly, the time has come for you to put on the mantle of commander-in-chief. This calling must take precedence over all others,” Ashling said.

“Aye, what you say is true and so it will be. Still and all, I don’t have to like it,” Eamon said with a sad smile.

Chapter Seventeen

May your neighbors respect you,

Trouble neglect you,

The angels protect you,

And heaven accept you.

~ Old Irish Saying ~

Everyone working at Grainne’s large Northern California headquarters was doing their best to stay out of her way. On her best days, she could be amusing and even charming with her staff and followers. Considering her reputation as an evil warlord, it often surprised them when they saw her more pleasant nature.

Since she returned from visiting Cassiday in outer darkness, Grainne’s good side was nowhere to be found. She’d been woefully impatient, surly, and short-tempered with everyone around her. While her bad moods had come and gone before, everyone thought she’d be thrilled to have finally pinpointed the location of Rundimahair.

Grainne did seem to be excited about finding her greatest enemies’ location after centuries of searching in vain. But there was something about her incursion into the realm of outer darkness which had left her depressed and very short-tempered.

While she did realize that her behavior was unproductive, and might even be counterproductive, Grainne was struggling to shake off the fear that clung to her like a bad smell. Even though it had been a week since she’d visited Cassiday in outer darkness, the thought that she might end up there would not leave her mind. In truth, she’d prefer to cease to exist, in mind, body and spirit, rather than spend a single day in outer darkness.

“Carla,” she snapped impatiently. “Have you located Rundimahair yet?”

“Not yet,” Carla replied. “I’ve located the coordinates, based on what you gave me. The problem is, there doesn’t seem to be anything there for miles around. It all appears to be farmland and rolling hills.”

Carla was her top tracker and her talents were unsurpassed. Grainne had outlined everything she’d learned from probing Cassiday’s mind tracks. She’d been confident that Carla would be able to locate her enemies quickly.

“I assure you it’s there, Carla,” Grainne said in a sugary sweet voice. “It’s obviously hidden by their formidable magic, but that magic must be wearing thin after all these years.”

“You’re right about powerful magic at work in the area. It’s so powerful that I couldn’t see through it. I can feel the magic, although it’s a variation I haven’t come across before.”

“That shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise since they are protecting their lives and families with that magic,” Grainne said sarcastically.

“I’m not really surprised,” Carla said calmly. “I expected something powerful would be at work to hide them from us. The problem is, I can’t work past it. I was about to suggest that you and I go onsite together and see if we can find a solution.”

Carla’s calm professionalism helped Grainne to get a grip on herself. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I like the concept,” she said thoughtfully. “My only concern is that they’ll feel our presence and be forewarned of our imminent attack.”

“That’s my worry as well,” Carla said. “The problem is, we don’t have any other option. You’re the only one who has the powers to not only see through their defenses but also how to get past them.”

After a few moments of consideration, Grainne said, “I think you’re right. Go get some rest because we’re leaving at midnight.”

Carla nodded, while quickly grabbing her cellphone as she left the room. Once she was gone, Grainne muttered softly, “You’d better be right about this, for both our sakes.”

* * *

“We’re on,” Ashling said suddenly.

“We’re on what?” Sean asked.

“Grainne took the bait,” Ashling said, smiling.

“How do we know that?” Sean asked.

“Could it be because I am a woman of unsurpassed magical ability?”

“I’d buy that,” Sean said, smiling.

“It could be,” Ashling said, returning his smile. “But in this case, we have someone on the inside.”

“You mean we’ve got a spy in their midst?”

“We used to have several,” Ashling said, as she stood and stretched. “But Carla is the only one left. Fortunately for us, she is also the closest to Grainne. I was reasonably sure Carla would be involved because she is the best tracker they have. She wouldn’t leave the search for our hidden city to anyone else.”

“So, if we have someone inside her organization, doesn’t it stand to reason Grainne may have a mole among us?” Sean asked.

“It’s very rare, but we’ve found a few over the years,” Ashling said. “We usually discovered them when they try to get information to the outside world. It’s impossible to get a message out while inside of Rundimahair. Anyone who leaves, for any reason, is tracked closely. Fortunately, we intercepted them before they could betray our location.”

“What happens to them when they’re caught?”

“What do you think, Sean? We’re talking about the survival of our people. A traitor deserves and gets a quick and sudden death.”

“When was the last time that happened,” he asked thoughtfully.

“I executed the last one over a hundred years ago,” she said.

“That must have been difficult for you.”

“Indeed it was, but I have no regrets.