Carthy Family Secret Book 1 of 4 Part 1: The Beginning

By K. M. M.

Secret Note to the Reader

This book is the true Carthy family secret. It is the first part of book 1 of 4, and it is the first collection of stories in my pursuit to reconnect my family’s delegated posts of the world known within as the whole of the Green Isles.

In reading this, you will know the true Carthy family secret.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9781532057496

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Copyright © 2018 K. M. M.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-5750-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-5751-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-5749-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018912895

iUniverse rev. date:   11/06/2018

CONTENTS

Grandfather’s Tale Justin’s line Cluster L

Chapter 1   Introduction to my Dream

Chapter 2   Grandfather’s Story

Chapter 3   The Change

Chapter 4   Oiloll’s Story

Chapter 5   The Family Promise

Chapter 6   The Finding

Chapter 7   Blarney Fortress

Chapter 8   Rendition

Chapter 9   Blarney is Lost

Chapter 10   Was this a Dream?

Carthy Terminology for Outsiders

Terms referring to the Crystal Isles:

Terms referring to the Sons of Cormac

Codes of Carthy

Markings and Symbols

Written text coded

Example letter:

The Great Green Isle Patrick’s line Cluster N

Part 1   The Great Isle

Part 2   Return to the Great Isle

Part 3   The RED ISLE

Part 4   Cornelius’ Story

NOTE TO MY READERS

T his book, Carthy Family Secret, Book 1 of 4, Part 1 is the beginning of my pursuit to reconnect my family’s delegated posts of the world known within as the Whole of the Green Isles.

Each story was intended to be a separate book but due to my need to complete them and get them to you, I have combined them into four books. In addition, I have added a Part 2 to Book 1 and Book 4 that hold Information and Stories that will educate you on the World Within.

This book is the first of the four.

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GRANDFATHERS TALE

A Family Secret Revealed in a Dream

By K.M.M.

Editor: Kimberly O’Brien Young

For My Daddy

Justin H. McCarthy Jr.

His eyes hold the history of our ancestry.

They glisten with the richness of the lives that have gone before us.

We are honored and proud to be of their line.

His arms hold the strength of our family.

They are powerful and solid yet they are a place that we can call home.

We are happy and content to be of their kind.

He taught us to stand tall among the many.

He taught us to be glad with life’s simplest joys.

I am honored and proud to be of his line.

CLUSTER

Justin’s line Cluster L

Diamond Forest

CHAPTER

1

Introduction to my Dream

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I hold a memory in which I overheard a story about a family secret. The teller of the story was my grandfather Justin H. McCarthy Sr. and he was telling the story to my eldest brother Jim.

In some ways, I believe this memory to be only a dream, as to this day I do not recall ever meeting my grandfather. He, I have been told, died the summer before I was born. Yet this memory of him sitting beside my brother Jim and explaining our family’s secret is as real to me as any of my own true-life memories.

My grandfather was a solid framed man with a firm jaw and a gentle smile. He had dazzling blue eyes that brightened with each word he spoke. In this memory of him, he appears tired and slow. Nevertheless, he sounded determined to pass his story on to my brother Jim, who sat captivated in his gaze.

Jim is for true, a round faced chubby cheeked redhead with matching bright blue eyes like our grandfather. He was three years old in this memory, I know this because, as this memory begins I could hear my grandfather asking Jim a question.

How old are you now my boy?

I’m three. Jim answered clearly proud of himself.

Jim’s mention of his age makes me question whether this memory is a dream? You see my brother Jim turned to the age of four, the day before I was born. How could I remember Jim at age three when I was not yet born? This bit of knowledge from Jim’s own lips, is what I struggle with as I understand this memory. Is it a genuine memory or is it a deep irrational delusion I have made up?

To add to the discrepancy, my next remembrance of my big brother Jim was the moment he was pushing my face down into a puddle of murky sludge! The sludge had collected in the back yard of our home in Endicott, New York. Jim was eight years old and I remember being four years old. It was the first time my mother allowed me to go outside by myself in the snow and play with my older sister Noreen, who was five.

In this recollection, Noreen was crying from inside her overstuffed pale pink snowsuit as she tried to pick me back up without falling into the gunk herself. Jim then stood over us laughing as my recollection of him faded.

Why would I remember Jim at three years old and then not again until he was eight? The questions of what I believe I have seen, and experienced make me doubt the reliability of my mind’s memory and trouble me deeply. None the less, I have been haunted by this scene of my grandfather and brother so often throughout my life I must attempt to explain it in hopes of making some kind of sense of it, if only for myself.

As I cue up this memory of my Brother Jim sitting with my Grandfather Justin H McCarthy Sr., I see: a cloudy edged moment like an old-fashioned snapshot, only it moves before me and there is a sound about it that hums softly. My grandfather and my brother are sitting next to each other on the front marble steps of a cottage home. Jim is sitting a few steps higher than my grandfather is and their heads are nearly the same in height.

The screen door behind the pair snaps shut and I hear my grandfather begin his story.

CHAPTER

2

Grandfather’s Story

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A s my grandfather leans towards my brother Jim. I can see a slight grin appear on my grandfather’s face as he begins …

Well my boy, do you want your old pop to tell you a secret?

Jim bobbed his head in a way that I can only assume was a ‘yes’ as my grandfather continued his story.

My grandfather’s grin faded into an amazed look, his gaze intensified upon Jim’ face as he spoke in a compelling whisper.

Now Jim, what I am about to tell you is something our family has kept secret from the world for a very long time. This secret only Clan Carthy’s, like you and I, can hear. It’s important you remember this!

Jim settled down and leaned in close to my grandfather. His eyes grew wide as he listened carefully to grandfather’s words.

You can keep the family secret, can’t you? Grandfather asked as his hand drifted over the neck of a large tan duffle bag that sat between his legs. He clutched it firmly in his fist as if he were checking to make sure it was still there.

Jim nodded his head slowly twice.

Well, that’s good, because it will be up to you, our family’s inheritor, to keep the secret and protect our post. When it’s time, you too must pass it on to your son or grandson, just as I am passing it to you.

Grandfather then glanced back over his shoulder. His eyes narrowed and his facial expression developed into an annoyed stare as he noticed me standing behind the screen door.

I am startled in the moment as the fear that I have heard something I was not to know filled my being. The scene then goes dark for me but I can still hear my Grandfather as he continues his story.

In the time of the beginning, and I mean the beginning of all things, there was Magic! Magic that became the spark of all life. It swirled through the heavens and space generating worlds including this Earth we stand upon. The people of Earth know this but what they are unaware of is what our family has kept hidden from them for generations. We must continue to keep this knowledge concealed to protect what I am going to show you, for if we fail the people known as members of the Isles will be doomed.

Grandpa cleared his throat slightly. As magic created life, life and creation sometimes encircled magic, capturing it inside its grasp. Holding it like a delicate bubble filled with smoke.

What Grandpa? We have magic? Jim’ whispered.

No, my boy, unfortunately in our world the magic has for the most part escaped us. The majority of the magic was used up during the creation of Earth. Some of it evaporated back into space traveling out into the vast heavens to create life and planets once more. We here in this world have only the embers of magic left but there is something that I am holding that holds the purest magic. That is why we McCarthy’s have vowed generation after generation to protect this. I speak of the Secret of the Isles.

At that moment, the darkness I had been shrouded in slips away and again I could see my Grandfather and Jim sitting on the steps.

Grandfather then pulled from the tan duffle bag that sat between his legs an enormous pure white crystal with several smaller white and orange pristine crystals surrounding it. The base of each crystal was encased in a blue rock that sparkled with traces of gold. The top of the crystals and full lengths stood up and sparkled in the sunlight.

There are fifty-five Crystal Isles to be exact that we have grouped into thirteen Cluster. Each crystal Isle is different and houses a portion of the world within known as the Green Isles. Within these crystals magic has survived. Grandfather explained as he placed the large Crystal Isle into Jim hands.

Wow, it is beautiful Grandfather. Where did you get? Jim inquired in awe.

Our ancestor Florence Jr. of Dunmanway had been entrusted by his father Florence Sr. with five of the Crystal Isles in a cluster known as ‘The Diamond Forest.’ They have been kept safe by our family here in America ever since Florence’s son Cornelius with his sister Catherine carried them here hidden in a wooden trunk in 1852 on the ship called the Constantine.

Jim gasped, That’s like 100 years or something!

Oh, it goes back a lot farther then that my boy, a lot farther than that. However, what we know about the very beginning is somewhat hazy. I do know that it all started with a man who went by the name of Oiloll. And later in Oiloll’s life just before he died he told his son Cian the truth about his life, where he had come from and why he had traveled to Cork to die.

CHAPTER

3

The Change

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D uring this part of my dream, I could see my grandfather and Jim sitting nearly head-to-head and almost eye-to-eye. The sight of them sends a queer shiver through me as if a wave of cold air was suddenly released over me, and for an instant, they are a reflection of each other. They have transformed into the same man. Their bodies were altered so much that there is no difference between them and I could not tell which one is my brother and which one is my grandfather.

The moment passed quickly and I find myself standing on a hill. A vastness of trees, foliage, and unusual rock formations lays before me. The Earth at my feet was cool and lush. I could feel the grains of soil between my toes and I was energized by touching them.

Suddenly I was light, and free. My body vaporized into tiny drops of moisture that hover just beyond the misty scene of my brother and grandfather who were no longer sitting on the marble steps of the cottage.

They were still in front of me but they were no longer similar to each other or themselves. They were older, much older. My grandfather’s hair is longer, grayer and thinner on the top. His face has aged; thick carved wrinkles branch out from his eyes and reach across his forehead. He seemed weak and tired. His clothing was extremely odd to me. He looked like he is dressed in a long green costume like that of one of the Three Kings from a Christmas nativity play. The gown richly embellished with gold embroidery that obviously indicates the elderly man was of wealth.

My brother’s form was now much taller and stronger. He held my grandfather’s form with a sturdy grip. Their heads still turned towards one another and their words were still meant to be heard by only each other but I in a mist and air, could hear them as clear as if they are speaking to the world.

As I listened to their words, I realize they are no longer my grandfather and brother; they were memories from the past. My grandfather’s form was that of Oiloll, the man of my Grandfather’s story and Jim was now Oiloll’s son Cian.

CHAPTER

4

Oiloll’s Story

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O iloll’s voice echoed in my ears, it is strangely weak and I draw to his desperation.

My Son, he whispered, I must tell you … I must explain … everything to you. It is important that you understand what I need you to do. I am too weak, too old. I have waited too long to come back and make things right. I was so wrong … his voice breaks.

Father don’t, not now, you should rest. We have traveled so far, it is late, and you are tired, Cian urged.

No! Oiloll shouts angrily. I am not tired, I am dying, and you must listen before it is too late for me to set things right. It is important that you know it all, that you understand what happened from the beginning. Where I came from, what I did and what you and your sons must do for me.

Yes father. Cian answers.

Oiloll took a deep breath and then began his tale.

The land I come from is surrounded by a dreadful sea. The waters there are perilous to our kind making transportation off the isle impossible unless you have strong magical powers, which I do not. The isle I speak of is the Isle of Carthy; it sits as land within this Crystal.

Oiloll explained as he struggled to pull to his side his old odd shaped carpetbag. He opened the bag and tried to pull out the top of a tall green crystal. It was larger than the old man’s two hands and it took the help of his son for it to be removed from the bag.

Cian’s eyes grew wild as he held the crystal in his hands. He said nothing; he merely sat back and allowed his father to continue his story.

When I was a child, the Isle of Carthy became inhabited by the most violent Ubil Clan ever known. Ubil members were those who did evil magic and they were feared throughout all the lands. Before I was born, the Isle of Carthy was peaceful. My mother, a good-natured soul, told me of days filled with song and children dancing in the fields of flowers they called Christy Toes. The smallest members of the Isles, known as Eties, lived spreading cheer. Our kind known as Feldens enjoyed collecting Missy Grass to press. Life was simple and unmarked by evil, the magic of the land was clean and used for only goodness. Then it all changed when they came, the evil Ubil. They came from a far northern isle known as The Blue Isle of Sorrow, a Clan that called themselves Sherideens of Spalding. The Sherideens used the clean magic of Carthy to do evil magic. Before long the peaceful members of Carthy were being kidnapped, cruelly tortured, mutilated, and murdered.

My mother feared for my safety and worked tirelessly to find a way for me to escape the island, because it seemed that all the land of the Carthy Isle was overrun with Sherideens. The Sherideens had attacked the Rickstown and Kyle town on the isle we were on. They had taken all the tiny Eties, collecting, killing, drying, and grounding them up for their magical dust, giving them more magic power. It seemed that once they gotten all the Eties, they then came for our kind, the Feldens. We Feldens within were given gems in the palms of their hands, the gems called Palm Gems give us our luck. The Sherideens wanted the Palm Gems and beheaded our kind to get them.

Oiloll moved his left hand and placed it before Cian, and then he pulled off his glove, revealing the palm of his hand. There in the center of his hand was a large green emerald stone that sparkled and glistened with a little glow from within.

Cian gasped. Father, I have never … seen … such.

That’s because I have never shown anyone. But you can now understand why my mother was afraid for my life. She knew they would come for me and she had to get me off the Isle of Carthy. However, to leave Carthy and travel to a distant isle seemed even more risky for our kind because the sea is dreadful just beyond the shore of the isle. The Isle of Carthy sits far above the normal sea and to travel away from it, it takes you to a death-defying drop only members with strong magic can survive, and I so young, limited in my learnings, I could never survive the fall. My mother, herself strong in magic and skilled in such things could survive but she would not risk my life in such a way. So it seemed there was nothing we could do to escape.

For many passes, years to you, my mother and I hid in Jamestown, deep within the coral hollows of the coastal caves with other members of my kind. I was schooled there in the art of potions, wand works, and swordsmanship, even though a sword was not much use against the strength of the Ubil magic. My mother’s only hope was to give me at least a fighting chance.

Later we fled to Florence where my mother had heard of an old knowledgeable Lassie they called a Kathrie, who had ancient documents containing spells. My mother hoped to find the missing lines to a spell she had heard once when she was young. She believed it would save me. So, we ventured there only to find the Kathrie was gone, her home was undisturbed, and her ancient books were still upon her shelves. My mother believed the Kathrie had left Carthy in a hurry to get away from the Sherideens just as we wanted to. That is why she had left her home as it was. In doing so, the Kathrie had given us hope that we too could leave. My mother, a Kathrie by birth, knew how to read the documents but it still took her many days to find the words she knew would finish the spell that would save me.

It seemed however, that the very day my mother found the lines she was looking for was the very moment the Sherideens found us. I don’t know how they found us, but they did and there was nowhere to hide. My mother sacrificed herself for me, to give me time to cast the spell upon myself. I was still so naive I had no idea what my mother was doing for me. I spoke the words of the spell, sprinkling my head with a bag of magical dust known as saddle dust, just as she had told me to do. As I spoke the last word, I was propelled upwards flying far above my mother and the attacking Sherideens. I was still holding the bag of Saddle Dust as I sailed into the open vastness above all. My last glimpse of my world was that of my mother falling backwards, her wand flashed green as a bolt of energy engulfed her.

The next thing I recall I had landed face down in a dark musty emptiness. The soil beneath me smelled strange, like nothing I had ever smelled before. It was damp and stale; the fragrance of it swelled in my nose and filled my lungs. It was all I could do to just breathe, let alone think. My mind was filled with the most horrible thoughts that kept playing round and round in my head, spinning endlessly. My mother had died before my eyes, the world I knew was gone, and I was now alone, frightened and surrounded by a feeling of nothingness.

I did not know where I was. I did not know what I should do next. I struggled to my feet and stood in the dank darkness trying to collect my wits. What should I do, where should I go? I didn’t have an answer. I only knew I wanted to go back to help my mother. But I did not know how. I did not truly understand where I had come from. Then I noticed a twinkling of light slowly appearing at a far distance ahead of me. The longer I stood there the stronger it seemed to get. Soon it was giving off enough light for me to get my bearings. My eyes searched the space and I realized I was in a cave; a damp limestone cave with a tiny stream trickling through it. Beside me laid a huge crystal. The base of the Crystal was encased in stone. I would later learn the crystal was an emerald and the rock at its base was a bright blue stone call Lazurite. Still I knew the moment I picked it up, it was where I had come from, and I knew the crystal held the Isle of Carthy. I don’t know how I knew but I did. In my hands, it sparkled faintly in the frail light. Its beauty blinded me from my senses. Oh, how it blinded me. My concern for my mother faded from me and I was consumed with the desire to control the Isle. My body tingled with hatred and all I wanted was to run from that cave.

CHAPTER

5

The Family Promise

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O iloll cried out. He threw his head into his hands and cried, It was somewhere here that I stood and held my homeland Crystal Isle in my arms. The cave is somewhere around here but it all looks so different now, so much bigger and I cannot find it,

Oiloll sobbed as he pointed at a strange rock formation covered with rich green plants.

Father, it is alright I will help you find it. Together we will find it, and all my sons will soon be here to help. If you hadn’t run off so suddenly from the camp they would be here now. Cian said, for he and his sons had come with Oiloll to help him find the Cave. It had taken several days and they had not found it yet. So, on this day Oiloll was dying, he ran out in hope of finding it before he died, but he still had not.

I do not have any more strength to search, my son, I thought I did but now I am spent and there is little time to wait for your sons. You alone must help me; you alone must listen and understand my urgency to find the cave; my urgency to return the crystal to its rightful place. Oiloll’s face grew desperate. And then you must promise me, Cian that you and your sons will protect the place in which it belongs with your lives.

Oiloll grabbed Cian by the collar of his tunic and held it. Promise me, he whispered.

Father of course, I promise, I promise we will protect it.

Oiloll released his son and collapsed to the ground.

Father! Cian shouted as he watched his father’s lifeless body rebound from the impact of the ground. Cian bent over his father and pulled him into his arms.

Father please, do not die.

Oiloll gasped, his eyes sprung open and he began to breathe.

Cian! Oiloll huffed between awkward breaths. I was wrong to take the crystal from the cave, I was so wrong to have disturbed the balance here.

Father please don’t talk, you should try and rest.

No, there is no time. He choked. You must listen.

Oiloll pulled himself up to a sitting position, his face showed his pain as he continued.

When I stood in the cave holding the crystal I was filled with anger, so much anger. Anger I had no control over, I can’t explain it. I was not myself and in my anger I did something that I now realize was terribly wrong.

What did you do, Father? Cian asked breathlessly.

I stole the crystal from its dwelling place. I ran from the cave, clutching it under my arm. But even more horrible than that, I slaughtered the protector of the dwelling, Oiloll confessed.

Protector! What protector? Cian asked turning his head in a most odd way.

There was an enormous bright green, eleven toed dragon lying at the mouth of the cave. He sprung on me as I attempted to escape. I had no weapons to defend myself. I tried a spell that would have worked if I had still been inside the crystal but the magic I uttered did nothing in this outside world. I had only a sachet half-filled with magic saddle dust left over from my cowardly escape from Carthy. Having nothing else, I threw it at the beast hitting it square in its scaly green forehead. The sachet burst open and the dust covered the beast’s head, shoulders, and front legs. Almost instantly, the dragon froze and stiffened into rock. It’s once shiny green scales were now gray, only its eyes remained unchanged. They sparkled like two giant yellow orbs filled with liquid fire. Cautiously, I approached it and looked into its eyes. I could sense the magic that surrounded it; I could see the wizardry of spells swirling in its eyes. It had been spellbound to this place, to this crystal, to protect it and I had killed it. I had slaughtered the protector and now there is no rightful defender or guardian. I was so wrong to have done what I did. Oiloll explained

Now I hope you understand why I must find the very place where it came from. I must put it back and set it right. And then you, your children and their children must stand as the protectors and guardians; it is what we must do for the wrong I have done. I have no right to bind you to my wrong but if I do not, the future inside the crystals and the world of my forefathers, your forefathers is doomed.

Oiloll lowered his head, the shame of his actions flooded over him and he sobbed. All I have accomplished in this world, I achieved selfishly. The anger of that moment served to propel me ruthlessly though my life, eating away at my soul and turning me into the very thing I had run away from. It was as if the evil from the Isle seeped out from within the crystal and filled me.

No father, that is not true, you have done great things, and you are a great man. The people of this land would not have made you their king if you did not deserve to be, Cian said.

No, my son, I took what I wanted and set forth my hand upon this land with an evil dominance. A force that now chases me in my weakness and plots against me to gain possession of this most sacred item. Oiloll said as he clutched the green crystal in his arm.

Lughaid Mac Con? Cian asked.

Yes, your brother is filled with my anger, though I tried to keep it within myself, it escaped me. And now he is what I was, and I am clear of mind to do what I must to set things right. That is if I can find the cave and you will help me to keep it from him.

Grandfather.

Several new voices filled the air and suddenly Oiloll and Cian were not alone. Cian’s sons had finally caught up with them and joined the two men encircling them.

Is this why we left the north so suddenly? One of the sons asked as he knelt beside Oiloll.

Yes. Oiloll admitted lowering his head. Lughaid Mac Con has attempted to seize the crystal. He wants to destroy it and absorb its pure magic. I cannot allow this to … Oiloll gasped, his body jolted with a quiver and then his eyes closed.

The group of men moved in closer to Oiloll and I could no longer see his frail body. Cian then emerged from the group holding the crystal in his hands. The other men turn and face him; they lower their heads and the scene around them changed.

CHAPTER

6

The Finding

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S uddenly I was no longer outside among the rich foliage. I was now inside what looked like a small, dusty hunting lodge. There were uneven stones on the floor and rocks form the base of the building. The walls and ceiling were made of wood and all along the walls were tools for digging. On the far side of the one room lodge was a large hearth, burning fiercely with a flame so hot I could feel it drying my vaporous form. The light of the fire was blinding and I could not see the face of the man’s voice that now shouted loudly through the air.

We have found the cave. Come brother. It is not far from here, the voice echoed.

A swirl of colored lights hit me, and I was propelled from the heat of the fire into the cool of darkness. My eyes were still blinded, this time from the lack of light but I could still hear the man’s voice calling out before me.

See brother, this is where the beast once stood, all that remains are his feet. You can count the toes, eleven, just as Grandfather said.

Yes! A second man’s voice confirmed.

Come Cas, there is more. The first man beckons from beside my vaporous form. Then suddenly the first man lights a torch and I can make out his face. He is one of sons of Cian. I remember seeing his face alongside his dying grandfather, Oiloll. This son is young and strong, he has long blonde hair, his eyes shimmer in the close radiance of the fire and I cannot see what color they are. But his face is very similar to the man he is calling to, Cas.

Cas is taller and older. He has long gray hair and in the more distant glow of the torch, I can see he has bright blue eyes as he looks through my misty form to his brother. Lead the way, Kerry. Cas says.

Once we broke through the wall of rock, here, the cave was revealed to us. Kerry explained.

The light from the torch allowed me to make sense of what is happening around me as the brother’s maneuver through the damp cave. They are moving away from me, going deeper into the cave. I follow.

Ahead of us was another lit torch. I could see the light from it blazing and I realized that it is held by another son of Cian who is standing in the center of a wide cavern. He is standing alone; his face is licked with flame. He is motionless like a statue, his eyes are wide, and there is a strain of worry over him as if the ground he stood upon was cursed.

The brothers I had been following suddenly stop and stand up right. Both turn with astonishment as they look at their surroundings. I then turn and looked for myself at the walls of the musty cave but I was so overwhelmed that I cannot hold my place in the dampness. My vaporous state becomes uncontrollably weightless and I ascend to the calcite-covered ceiling of the cave where my perspective was like that of a god.

Below me in the vastness of the cave walls was an awesome sight. Dazzling in the flame of the torch are hundreds of finely developed crystals. There were emeralds, rubies, opals, diamonds and many more rare minerals all in pristine symmetry with the base of each crystal set down in a stunning blue rock, with the tops of most crystal standing upright. The blue rock, lazurite glistens and seems to gently sway as if it were alive, like a sea of solid rock that flows around the bases of the crystals. Yet the blue rock held its form and did not stray or drip from its position on the unusual shelf like foundation in which the massive crystal and lazurite creation exists.

I was struck by the impressively delicate world below me and I was filled with a sense of calmness and serenity. There is silence as I drink in the importance of the moment and I wished for my dream to end knowing this place was safe.

But suddenly the stillness is broken as Kerry, steps forward. His actions are swift and direct as he moved in towards a small gap at the edge of the massive blue rock where the blue rock is uneven and broken. On the edges there is a portion that seems to be missing and only the rich damp Earthly soil remains.

In Kerry’s hands he carries the emerald stone that Oiloll, their grandfather had removed and stolen from the cave. The very stone they have sworn to protect and return to the cave.

When Grandfather Oiloll told us of this cave in which he had taken the Emerald crystal from he never explained to us that there would be so many more here! Cas expressed in shock.

It is possible he never knew that such a world like this existed and now that we know that it does, we must insure the protection of not just this one, but The Whole! Kerry said as he held their Grandfather’s Crystal forward. He then pointed it towards the empty space: the single break in the brilliant blue stone. Do we all agree that this is the place, here, in which it belongs?

Yes. the brothers agreed.

And do we agree that our vow to protect this one stone is now extended to include The Whole of the Isles? Kerry asked.

Yes. the brothers agreed.

With that, Kerry placed the emerald into the gap. Instantly a rush of energy and light gushed from the space, first sealing it and then exploding forward extinguishing the torches and hurling the brothers to the floor of the cave.

The energy then flexed upwards ripping through my molecules and propelling them through the cave. My being was stretched throughout the world of the crystals. Each tiny shard, each shiny mineral, I touch and in that moment I know every island. I know every city, every town. I know their members and their history. I understand the importance of protecting the crystals and I was given the understanding that I was a Kathrie, one with connection to the world inside.

CHAPTER

7

Blarney Fortress

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T hen all was still and I felt as if the dream was finished. I felt as if I drifted off to a deeper sleep but the calmness of the moment did not last and I was wearily awakened to another foggy-edged scene.

This time the cloudy edged moment was ancient and dusty. I was in a room, an old wooden walled room that looked like a banquet style hall from a bygone era. There were huge furs hanging heavily on all sides of the room. An antler and bronze candle chandelier hanging from the ceiling. In the center of the room, under the chandelier was a long and narrow birch wood table.

There was a fire burning at the far end of the room in a marble framed fireplace with the carcass of a deer slowly roasting over it. The deer’s juices were dripping into the flames causing a scent of burnt flesh to saturate my nose.

The room was filled with men, but I did not recognize any of them. For a moment, I believed that this was not related to the story my Grandfather was telling my brother Jim. It didn’t seem connected to Oiloll and the crystals. After a moment my assumptions were swept away when the man at the head of the table rose and began to speak.

The man whose face was gentle, skin was pale, seemed familiar to me? He had a look about him that was similar of someone I felt I knew? His clothing was of a period I did not recognize. He had a long tunic, brightly colored with a golden cloak draped over it. It was pinned with a pearl-headed brooch at his shoulder. I would swear he looked just like my father. But this man was much too old to be my father. This man’s hair and beard were platinum white with tiny sliver highlights. Still he had those familiar bright blue eyes of my father and grandfather. Eyes that I know well, and they brightened as he spoke, there was however a seriousness about his words, and it worried me.

Brothers of Clan Carthy, I Dermot, King of Cork, son of Carthach and descendant of Oiloll, am humbled by your swift attention to the matter at hand in this year of 1177. he began. Much in the past days has occurred to place worry upon our vow, our promise to our forefather Oiloll, to protect the crystals. Ever since the third century, our lines have secretly protected the crystals here at Blarney. We have established boundary patrols throughout Cork to stop intruders who wish to seize our post. With the help of the descendants of Cian, sons of Duhallow in the Northwest, sons of Reagh in the southwest and sons of Kerry along the border of Cork and Kerry we have been able to keep our vow. In addition, we have surrounded the cave that houses the wondrous world of the Crystals with this mighty wooden structure which supported us through the invasion of the Normans just two days ago spent, but brothers look around you. The structure was nearly breached during the Norman’s attack and we must now face the reality that this structure may not be enough of a stronghold in the future.

What then should we do? a younger man uttered without restraint.

I propose the construction of a solid stone fortress that extends to include the entrance of the cave, a wall and tower should be placed in four corners, and a castle like structure should stand in the place of this wooden fortress. A slender man sitting at the table to the right of Dermot said with a commanding voice.

Dermot turned to the slender man and nodded his head to him. My son has a very good point but is there anyone else that might have a suggestion?

I say we should remove the crystals from the ground and lock them up within the wall of the fortress. came another voice from across the table.

Break the Crystals into manageable portions and assign each of us who hold a true Carthy line to Oiloll, a section of the crystals. Each head of the line will then be in Charge of protecting their share with their own rendition of strategy. Strongholds can be built throughout Cork to aid them and then as a whole we can continue our vow and yet ease the stress in this one given location. Said a man who stood to the left of Dermot.

Thank you brothers for your suggestions but I must admit I consider my son’s proposal to build a stone structure and reinforce the grounds here at Blarney, to be our best defense at present. As for the suggestion of removing the stones from the ground, I believe that is hasty and ill-advised at this time. Although the call of a Rendition of strategy per line should most certainly be considered as our last resort to protect them and it shall not be dismissed from our options. It is something we will plan and plan hard. Dermot said with a slight nod of his head towards the group.

The group of men at the table agreed with Dermot as they all nodded their heads, he continued to speak.

Still I fear we are overlooking the true answer to our dilemma. It has become clear to me that we cannot tolerate another possible invasion. We must do all that we can to discourage such hostilities. By this I mean we MUST befriend all those whom are essential to our protection, even at times forsaking our own. he said lowering his head shamefully.

The men in the room became agitated and they began to question their leader.

What do you mean, Dermot, forsaking our own?

We must extend a hand of friendship to all, even our enemies. Those of the family in great positions of power, it will be essential that you understand why we must do so and I must beg you all to overlook and forgive such actions when and if they occur. Dermot explained.

But our enemies? The group called out in shock. A roar of conversation began to build but Dermot clapped his hands and stifled their objections.

Yes brothers, our enemies. We must become skilled in the art of weaving our tongues, so that all who hear us hear only what they wish to hear, while we remain neutral.

The men in the room go silent and I felt myself spinning. Within seconds, I could see below me the wooden fortress growing in width and height while changing into solid stone. In addition, a stronger fortification of walls branched out to the west and to the east. At the end of the walls, towers spring up, and to the south was a gateway.

The air around me grew cold and I was suddenly on the roof of the massive stone Structure. The structure is a reinvigorated Castle and from where I stood, I could look out over the vast expanse of the castle grounds. Two men stood below me. Both had the same familiar bright blue eyes of my father and grandfather. One of the men also had my grandfather’s distinct smile and he is young, clean-shaven with shoulder length strawberry blonde hair. His clothing is that of the Renaissance period and it becomes clear to me that several hundreds of years had passed before me since I saw Dermot speaking to the men inside the wooden fortress.

The second man is older and taller. His face slightly winkled around his blue eyes and his long brown hair braided down the back of his head with a hollow golden ball tie at its end.

Both were dressed in tight fitting leather jackets and traditional Irish Truis type pants.

The younger man leaned over the edge of the castle wall and shouted down to another set of men below.

Ready the hoist and pull. The young man shouts.

I watched as a giant slab of marble is raised to the roof of the castle and slid into a ready-made shaft. It was placed as if it were a crowning touch or a special ornament meant to be seen by all.

I then heard the men in conversation. Although it is low like a hum in my ear, I can clearly understand their words.

A Scotsman’s peace stone on Irish soil, I never would believe such a thing. Your father, Cormac Laidir, surely knows how to calm the Irish foe. The younger man says to the older.

Aye, my father’s tongue, your grandfather has danced many a sweet plot of assenting favor. But it was our ancestor Cormac McCarthy, King of Muster that supported Robert the Bruce of Scotland at the Battle of Bannackhom over one hundred years ago. In doing so, he sealed the two families in a relationship of harmony. Thus, half the Royal Stone of Scone was presented to the McCarthy’s and now it will sit on top of our newly constructed stronghold, Blarney Castle, as an ornament of peace, Luck for the Castle and for the Crystal Isles a gentle kiss of protection. The older man explained with a thrusting pat upon the marble stone.

With his final word, I felt myself spinning again, although slowly … .

CHAPTER

8

Rendition

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M any years were passing before me. The vision I saw was like that of an old black and white time-lapse movie. The scenes of the Blarney Castle were similar to pictures that clip by one at a time and there is only a slight change in each one as the Blarney Castle aged. To me it seems the castle is quiet and unhampered by war in 1646. I sensed that the Crystal Isles were intact and safe here below the castles structure. I also sensed that Clan of Carthy had been successful in securing and protecting them.

I felt calm and sleepy once again. Floating and peaceful. I hoped for the vision to end here in this feeling of solitude, but it did not! I was dropped like a weight into the next heated scene.

I was back in what looked like the banquet hall and yet it was surely not the same one from the wooden fortress? This one seemed smaller and clearly made of solid rock. There was the same long and narrow birch wood table, set in the center of the hall but it is marked with age and most certainly well worn. Above the table the antler and bronze chandelier had been replaced with a three-tiered iron rack, jammed with candles and a blazed with light. The fur skins that had hug on the wooden walls were gone and, in their place, hang intricate tapestries with scenes depicting the sea. There is a beautiful marble faced fireplace at one end of the hall but no fire burning. The aroma of something sweltering lingers in the air. There were so many men squeezed into the hall I could hardly see all of their faces.

The man at the head of the table stood. His face was drawn and pale. His hair was white and his eyes are as blue and clear as the sky. They sparkle and again I was reminded of my father and grandfather. I am certain that the man is of my Irish family’s lineage, and yet his clothing stood out as an English 17th century design. It seemed custom-made, with intricate details on the velvet jacket and matching breeches. It screamed nobility. It was quite obvious to me that this nobleman was the leader of the group in this room.

When he spoke his voice was coarse, and tired as though he had done much negotiation and verbal maneuvering. I sensed it was to no avail, judging by the forlorn and serious tone he now spoke with.

Sons of the Great Oiloll from Carthy, I, Donough, Lord Muskerry, hail thee. For more than one thousand years, our family has maintained our promise here at Blarney. We have kept safe the Crystal Isles in their native soil. A task we have accomplished, together. I do not need to remind any of you of the delicate circumstance we now face. But with the knowledge that Lord Broghill and his Cromwellian army, well equipped with the new formidable weapon they call the cannon, sits ready to attack us tomorrow. I beg you brothers to agree to my plan. It is our only hope to uphold our promise. We cannot allow Lord Broghill to take possession of the cave. Donough paused for a moment and steadied himself before continuing. Broken, there are 13 clear cluster sets of Crystals Isles.

Broken! a voice breaks the heat of the moment.

Yes, they are broken, An enormous red-haired man answers as he stood beside Donough. The enormous man then lifted his chin as if he is looking for someone to confront him, but no one else spoke. There is complete silence in the room.

Thank you, Charles. Donough said as he placed his hand on the enormous man’s shoulder and motioned him to sit.

Yes Father. Charles replied as he sat back down while his blue eyes remained firmly inspecting the crowd of men.

It is a desperate day, and all we have left is our call for Rendition! Donough stated with apprehension.

The room gasped. No, that is a last resort.

Have we no other way to keep this from happening?

I’m afraid our gift of Blarney has worn out its ability to disguise our true selves and we are now with no other choice but to split up the Crystal Isles into groups of clusters that can be easily transported away from here and hidden. Donough uttered as he weakly sat down in his chair.

The men around the table began to talk between themselves. Their tone seemed uneasy with the decision to remove the Crystal Isles from the soil of the cave and break them into groups of cluster sets.

Quiet brothers, can you not see how my father has fought to do all that he could to prevent this. He has side-stepped so many a foe, well he has protected us, but there is now no other choice but to remove the Crystal Isles and hide them as far away as we can. Charles stated firmly.

It will only be for a short time. When all is well again, we will return the Crystal Isles back to the cave. Once all has subsided, we will give you a sign to return but if it lingers longer than one year we will set now a meeting to take place on this date next year at St. Finbarr in Bantry. Donough conveyed to the room.

The roar in the room continued and neither man could seem to calm the horde. Then suddenly a voice cleared the roar and all went deathly silent.

Calm your tongues! the voice declared.

For a moment I did not know where the voice had come from but then I saw her. She was like a vision floating down the wooden stairs. Her gown is a rusty brown taffeta, simply styled with a pulled in waist and tight fitted sleeves. She was the first and only Lassie in my vision. My mind raced. Who is she? Why have I not seen any other women? But before I could make sense of it she turned to me in my vaporous form and she saw me. She alone saw me. Her eyes were angry with me; her lips moved as if she wanted to speak to me but she did not. Instead, I heard her in my mind.

Why are you here? Only first-born daughters are Kathries and only Kathries are allowed to see this! she barked at me.

She was right. I am not a first-born daughter, I am a second. I am my father’s second daughter in a line of three. These are visions for my elder sister, Noreen, who is asleep beside me. I was confused, am I seeing what is meant for Noreen to see and I am not supposed to know. I was fearful of the woman’s anger, I was afraid of what I will learn but still I remained in the room and watched as the woman took control of the men.

Sons of Clan Carthy, I, Justina, daughter of Donough and Kathrie of The Whole, I am in need of your alliance once more. Thirteen Cluster sets of Crystal Isles now lie in your hands for safekeeping. As you, all know from the beginning when this plan of Rendition, our last resort, was established we had linked each cluster to one of you, the sons, or grandsons of Cormac Laidir, King of Muster and builder of this Blarney Castle. Listen well, as I call to you to come forward and accept your Cluster set and confirm your post as Inheritor or Devotee. Once in hand, you will be expected to travel as far away from Blarney as you are able and follow your plan of rendition. You are to hide the crystals and live quietly while you wait for the time when we can put them back together. Do not draw attention to yourself or to them. If necessary, you will train your sons to guard and protect the crystal with their lives.

Each of you will need your eldest daughter to remain with you and your sons as you guard your Cluster set. Your daughter will then become the Kathrie for your post. Part of my power will pass to her and with my power, she will be your visionary of the future, as well as your ability to communicate back to me. Once you are settled in your new home and all is well, I will be able to sense your position and when necessary communicate through your daughter. I and the other additional Lassies of the Family will travel to Bantry where we have already begun a sanctuary at St. Finbarr; it is protected by the Roman Catholic Church and those in robes there are bound to our secret by blood. In Bantry, we will store all the knowledge of our family’s secret. It will be sealed and kept undisclosed until the time when we can return here to Blarney.

Justina waved her hand and thirteen young boys appeared each struggling with an enormous burlap sack. Slowly she called out each name of the sons of Cormac. After each new name was called, a descendant of that son stepped forward and collected his sack as well as confirmed his vow to protect it. There was an un-calming silence in the room when she finished with her task. A nervousness that even filled me, it was like the end of something huge; the feeling that you would never see your parents again; never see your home again. They were agreeing to leave their lives behind in order to save a world within the crystals. A world some had only heard of, they were giving up everything for a vow, a promise made by their ancestor Cian over a thousand years ago. Yet, none of them fought their path, they simply parted ways. I watched as the room grew empty and then dark.

CHAPTER

9

Blarney is Lost

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T here was a pause, and within that silence, I started to feel as if the dream was concluding, that the end was near, this had been the final scene. Just as I was ready to drift off to sleep, a thunderous noise crashed through the silence. I hear the sound of footsteps, screams and the excruciating sound of metal clashing and grinding together.

I knew with certainty that the English army leader Lord Broghill, with his cannons had broken through the last of the defenses. He was now threatening to overthrow the castle. My heart beat rapidly, and my mind raced with thoughts of the crystals and their safety. Did my family have enough time to get away? I prayed that they did!

The sound started to die off. It grew quiet again. I Felt that I was once again floating and at peace.

I was surrounded by flickering lights, and what I saw next was like flashing black and white snapshots. The snapshots were like still photos of what had taken place, and they quickly rushed past me. In the first set of still photos, I can see Lord Broghill. He was victorious in his endeavors, and had broken through the castle’s defenses. He now sat in the very hall that once held the Clan.

The next set of still photos, I could see Broghill and his men as they were tearing through the floor of the castle. As the photo’s clip by, it showed the men as they stripped the wood, plank by plank. It was clear that they were desperately trying to find something. The end result was the wooden floors of