Rundimahair: A new hero for a new adventure by Larry Forkner (summer books .TXT) 📗

crash into that ravine? Sure, and it’s true that you’ve been a major pain in our backsides since you showed up out of the clear blue sky, but that’s beside the point.”

“What is the point, Ashling?”

“The point is that we hold all life sacred. It is the most precious gift we’ve received from our loving Creator, and we would never willingly take someone’s life.”

“What about that dragon?” Sean asked.

“Dragon? What dragon are you jabbering on about ya’ silly mortal?”

“I vaguely recall an ugly flying reptile soaring through your kitchen. The dreadful thing could breathe fire and had made a serious mess of your kitchen. If I’m not mistaken, you blew it to smithereens in a shower of sparkling, colored stars, or something like that.”

Ashling rolled her eyes and said, “You weren’t supposed to remember that part, which just proves my point. Only someone with powerful, latent magic in their blood would have ever recalled any of the memories I removed.”

“Maybe so, but I’m just saying that you were willing enough to take that gross thing’s life away,” Sean said, smiling.

“May the good Lord preserve me from persistent fools,” she muttered.

“That’s not an answer,” he replied stubbornly.

“For a man with magical, Irish blood flowing through your veins, you’re sure and true as dense as a fence post, Sean.”

“I don’t think insults will help–” Sean started to say before she cut him off.

“If the shoe fits then wear it, you big eejit!” Ashling shouted.

Sean stared at her in surprise now that he was seeing her temper up close and personal. He wasn’t sure why, but he just started to laugh.

“Oh, and what’s so funny then?”

“For such a fine looking and dainty woman, you’ve got a fierce temper,” he said, still chuckling.

She looked like she was going to take that temper to the next level, but somehow managed to rein it in. Ashling took a deep breath and said, “I’m afraid it’s true that I inherited the fiery temper of the Cahir clan.

She looked so frustrated and contrite that Sean stepped forward and put his arms around her. He felt her stiffen briefly, before relaxing into his arms. After a moment, she put her arms around his waist and said, “Ah Sean, I couldn’t be sorrier if I tried.”

“Don’t worry about it, Ashling. It’s been an emotional discussion from the start. It’s not like we’re talking about the weather here. We’re talking about things that didn’t exist in my life until I met you.”

She pulled back a little, looked up into his eyes and said, “I’m sure you rue the day you met this hot-tempered Irish girl. By the bye, I didn’t slay that crazy little dragon, although he well and sure had it coming. I just banished him back to the realm he came from.”

“So, you would never take a life under any circumstances?” Sean asked.

Ashling rested her head on his shoulder and sighed heavily. “I wish I could say I’ve never taken a life, Sean. The truth is that I have taken the lives of those who were trying to destroy our people.”

He kissed the top of her head and said, “Then it was self-defense. Even the bible tells us we can defend ourselves and our loved ones. I see no fault in that.”

She was quiet for several moments until he heard her weeping softly. Finally, she said, “What you said is true, Sean. Still and all, I wish it could have been otherwise.”

After a few minutes passed, she stepped back and wiped her eyes. She stared at him intently, before finally saying, “I wish there were another explanation for what happened to you Sean. Believe me when I tell you that my Da and I looked for any other explanation for the past few months.”

Sean held her gaze and slowly began nodding his head. “But you couldn’t find one?” he asked.

Ashling shook her head and said, “It isn’t just the accident, Sean. When I laid my hands on your head, I knew in my heart you had magic in your veins. What I didn’t realize is just how powerfully our magic runs through you.”

“If you say it’s true, then I believe you. Tell me this if you can. How could I have not known about it until now? I’ve not had any other experiences like this until I met you,” he said.

“This type of magic can lay dormant your entire life, Sean. Someone like you, who lives in the human world, could have easily lived and died without ever knowing what you were truly capable of.”

“Unless something triggers it?” he asked.

“Or the Creator of us all decided he needed you in this fight, Sean.”

“What fight are you talking about, Ashling?”

She hesitated for a moment before saying, “I think we’ve covered enough for one day, Sean. Let’s save further enlightenment for another day.”

He started to protest, but then realized he really didn’t want to know more right now. Sean smiled and said, “Good call, Ashling. What you’ve told me gives me more than enough to think about.”

“I agree, although there is one more thing I must warn you about.”

“Why don’t I like the sound of that?” he said warily.

“Trust me when I say knowing this will make your life much easier.”

“So you say,” he said, smiling.

Just as Ashling was about to explain, the door to their room suddenly burst open. Actually, the door was smashed into pieces which were flying all over the room.

“Get back, Sean!” Ashling shouted, as she used some of her magic to divert the chunks of door flying at them.

Sean was about to comply when two massive, misshapen creatures charged through the space where the door had been moments before. They were both at least seven-feet tall and built like gorillas on steroids. Their muscles were bulging, and they both radiated a deadly menace as they rushed him.

The ugliest of the two freaks pushed Sean to the floor and charged Ashling. It felt like he’d been hit by a battering ram, as he struggled to catch his