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

“If Grainne is as powerful as you say, then the sooner we get back to my training the better I’ll like it,” Sean said.

“The sad truth of it all is, there be no way to overstate the brutal powers that woman has at her disposal, Sean,” Eamon said. “She’s as bad as we’ve said, and much more besides.”

Ashling stood abruptly and said, “Come along Sean, we’ll get you settled in quickly and start our training again this afternoon. “After all you’ve told us, I’ve a sure and certain feeling that time may well be even shorter than we thought.”

Chapter Twelve

He who loses money, loses much;

He who loses a friend, loses more;

He who loses faith, loses all.

~ Old Irish Saying ~

Summer brought warm breezes and pleasant temperatures to Rundimahair. The skies were brilliant blue, with only a few wispy, white clouds passing overhead. The temperature was just right–not too hot or too cold.

Ashling and Sean were lying close together, in a hillside meadow, high above the town. They were resting after another exhausting session, designed to help Sean develop his knowledge and use of magic.

Training had occupied the vast majority of their time and energy, since Ashling had rescued Sean from the creatures attacking him in his Portland home.

As the months passed, they brought about permanent changes to the life Sean had always known. He could never go back to being a real estate developer, focused mostly on success and making more and more money.

He was slowly coming to understand who he truly was and what he might accomplish. Being successful and wealthy no longer consumed his time and interest. Sean knew there were much greater goals to attain to in his new life.

He had decided to break ties with his real estate business and sell his home in Portland. It was no longer a safe place for him to live, and he vastly preferred his life in Rundimahair.

To her great surprise and delight, Sean sold his business and home to Jennie. He knew she had the talent and drive to be successful. She had also taught him a few good lessons about integrity in business. Sean knew this was the right thing to do.

He’d explained that he’d met someone special, and they were going to be traveling extensively over the next few years. Jennie was very pleased that he’d finally met the right woman.

Now he was free to begin his new life without having to check in with his business or make excuses about his absences.

There was a tinge of regret about leaving the life he’d built in Portland. He knew it would fade quickly because of the great excitement and anticipation he felt about his new life in Rundimahair. There was no longer any doubt in his heart or mind that this is where he truly belonged.

“Earth to Sean, come in please,” Ashling said, as she rolled onto her side and tugged on his earlobe.

Sean surprised her by rolling onto his side and then rolling her onto her back. He smiled as he stared into her soft, green eyes. Before he could change his mind, he kissed her gently and then with more passion. She stroked the back of his neck with her fingernails and returned his kiss with equal passion.

After a few minutes of serious desire, Sean felt her hands gently pushing against his shoulders. Very reluctantly, he pulled back and sighed deeply.

“Time to get back to work,” Ashling said gently.

“You’re a slave driver,” Sean said, smiling. “A beautiful slave driver, but a slave driver nonetheless.”

“You think I’ve been working you too hard?” she asked. “This is nothing at all. In fact, I’ve been taking it easy on you, so I have,” she added, smiling, as she got to her feet.

Sean was quickly on his feet and embraced Ashling as he said, “I enjoyed that last workout the most.”

She laughed and said, “Who knows, there may be more where that came from, if you can transform into your dragon form at will by the end of the day.”

He let go of Ashling and spun around in a circle several times. “I’m trying my best; I truly am. I’ve already transformed twice this week.”

Ashling could hear the frustration in his voice, as he stuffed his hands into his pockets and sighed again. She knew he was giving it all he had, but she couldn’t let up on his training. His ability to transform into his dragon-self, might one day be the difference between life and death.

“I know you’re working hard, Sean. “You’re getting closer every day, so we’ve got to keep working at it,” she said.

“Yeah, I hear you,” he said.

Suddenly, an idea struck her and without a word, she transformed into her dragon self. She let loose a ferocious roar and blew red hot flames into the air. Seconds later, she leapt into the sky and began to circle high above him.

* * *

Sean was enthralled by the power and grace of Ashling in her dragon form. He watched, mesmerized, as she pulled out of her circles and dropped into a steep dive. Seconds before she would have crashed into him, she arched up and sped away.

An elemental force inside him was triggered as he watched her dive at him before pulling up and shooting back into the sky like a guided missile. She was truly beautiful in her dragon form. Her scales were the same green as her eyes, and her long, flowing red mane was breathtaking. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to be flying alongside her.

Sean felt the familiar explosion of raw power inside as he transformed to his dragon self almost effortlessly. Moments later, he was flying side-by-side with Ashling.

They flew companionably for several minutes before Ashling burst up and away from Sean. With blinding speed, she completed a graceful arch and nosedived directly at him. Sean launched himself upward, roaring his defiance, as he released