Moiraland Vol. 3: Moiraland, #3

By Richard R Lockwood

In volume 3, Toby Maguire has risen to a noble position in Moira's realm, but is he any closer to her secrets? Will he ever understand what is really happening? Moira clearly enjoys tossing pixie dust in everyone's eyes, guarding her secrets with an army of stories, misdirection, and fanciful dramas. But doesn't she have to run out of dust eventually? 

"Moiraland" immerses you in an intricate tapestry of history, mythology, and technological power, flavored with the sheer joy of defying the limits. Witness the birth of a world where the past, present, and future, intertwine in fanciful and entertaining harmony.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard R Lockwood
• Release date: Jun 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215717172

Richard R Lockwood

Was born in Miami FL. Worked for the University of Florida until I retired. Been married to the lovely Cecelia for 40 years now, proof that I'm a lucky guy. Now living on the Nature Coast in Citrus County. Enjoy all kind of wildlife, especially reptiles and insects, so I'm pretty sure I'm in the right place. When I'm not writing I enjoy wood carving. Both of the heads beside me in the picture are cedar from the Chassahowitzka Forrest. I also love to walk my dog Bark Anthony. Probably need to go do that now. A Chronology of the Twins Alternate Universe novels and some thoughts and rationales - https://www.ricklockwood.net/Chronology.html My Books on Books 2 Read - https://books2read.com/ap/RaZ9Br/Richard-R-Lockwood  

Book preview

Moiraland

Volume Three

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1

The afternoon rides along the beach quickly became popular. His officers would have been fools to avoid a free recreation with their commander and as far as he knew he had no fools, despite Eamon’s annoying attempts at humor.

Donall had a new lady with him today, one of the daughters of a new citizen. Toby thought the Major might have been a little impatient waiting for Claire, who hadn’t shown an interest anyway. He didn’t worry about it, he wanted to show that things were normal, though Zefira’s absence was immediately noted by the group that gathered to ride his barge out to the stable. Toby wanted to talk with Captain Madigan about the likely move of 2nd Company to the main fortress, so Mrs. Madigan was the first to ask about her. Kiaran Madigan was a solid middle aged woman, she seemed to match her husband, both were practical and steady.

She’s gone back to Ireland to gather her horses, he replied.

I’ve asked my brother to send out my dogs, said Angus.

Toby was happy to follow the different line, They’d probably prefer 2nd Nest to the fortress.

I might prefer it as well, if you’re making the fortress the headquarters.

Maybe I’ll put the Major in charge with a headquarters company. Captain Murtagh will be here tomorrow.

Still going to park his company with us at 2nd Nest?

Until the 3rd fortress is ready, I’ll put up a couple more tents there tomorrow.

Well, we’re not crowded now.

Good.

They landed at the stable and made their way towards the waiting horses. Eamon McNally had no riding partner as well, since Zefira’s maid Abigail had returned to Ireland with her mistress. He guided his horse alongside Toby’s as they ambled down the beach. Two lonely men, eh, Colonel?

For a while, Captain.

Was she mad? Going off in a huff?

No.

Probably going for reinforcements, now that the whores have arrived.

Maybe so. Act normal, defending them would just raise suspicion. Must be half a dozen people listening. Have you found a spot for your treehouse?

More than one, Colonel. I was thinking, since we’re not building on Pike Island, how about a half dozen tree houses on that ridge?

If that’s what your officers want.

They may prefer a normal house. Seems to me a sensible man would have both, a house for the wife and babes, and a treehouse to escape from them.

That does seem sensible. Lieutenant McCullough will be bringing Captain Murtagh tomorrow. He’s coming back from Amsterdam mostly empty, I thought he might as well bring 3rd Company if it's ready.

Good idea, Colonel.

Donall took a call and then guided his horse over beside Toby’s. That was Muir, said the daily New Amsterdam flight just landed. There’s a man who wants an appointment, says he’s an agent for King Charles.

Who?

Sir Piers Crosby.

Sounds familiar.

A Gael who works for the English, said Eamon.

Most of us did, Eamon.

Not any longer.

He’s a Privy Councilor, said Donall, That means he gets to wipe the King’s arse.

Invite him to watch the kayak races this evening with me.

Aye, sir, Donall moved away to call Muir back.

Toby announced he needed to make a call of his own. I’ll tell Zefira how much we all miss her.

They gave him some room and he guided his horse closer to the dunes while the group went on. Pulling out his calling coin he sent Zefira a message, he missed her and had asked his father to assist her with any problem, including funds if she needed anything. After he ended that message he sent one to Dorothy, asking if she had any guidance she could offer about Crosby and his mission. When he ended that message he thought about it for a moment, wondering why he hadn’t been warned. Perhaps she wants to see what I can do by myself? Not much without the Lasses.

2

After supper he summoned Donahue to pilot the barge so he and his guest could relax and have a drink, then made sure Colman had something decent to serve them.

Crosby had a room at the hotel, now stretching into three sections of Queen’s Station. Toby intended to make the Tavern at Ferry Station the main hotel in the near future and get most of the visitors off his station, but so far had only found the time to set two big tents there. The runner had asked Crosby to be waiting atop the main hotel section and he was.

Crosby was a well dressed fellow in his fifties, Toby estimated, though Dorothy had told him the man was smart and tough as well. He had been a friend of Strafford and then an opponent and had been wily enough to survive the conflict with the formerly all powerful Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

Toby greeted him, offering a hand to shake as well as to steady him as he stepped aboard the barge. Welcome to Moiraland, Sir Piers.

Thank you, Governor.

What do you think of it so far?

A beautiful land, Governor, though the main industry seems to be making up stories.

We love our stories, said Toby as they took seats along the railing where they could watch the boats.

We’ve heard a few of them in London.

Toby nodded to Colman to pour them each a glass, I’m sure you have. Did King Charles like any of them?

One or two. I must warn you, your name is often mentioned, so part of my mission is to see if you’re a sorcerer.

Queen Moira has divine powers, any power I have comes from her.

I don’t expect to put much effort into that part of my mission, Governor.

There’s a more sensible part to your mission?

Crosby gave a wry smile, It’s part of your mission as well, Governor. As I understand it, Moira wants to give land out here to Irishmen who lost it unfairly.

True.

King Charles has several friends, myself among them, who wound up with Irish land, though it was all legally done, of course. Your new Ambassador has told us, if we wish to trade it for land out here, we can apply to you.

We are giving very favorable terms to our own Irish citizens, Sir Piers. Your English nobles cannot expect to be treated the same.

You’re giving them land for nothing but a quit claim. We are offering land for land.

Why?

To show our goodwill, and to avoid the foreign resident tax in Ireland.

It’s my understanding, as a general rule, we’re offering three acres here for one in Ireland. Of course, some land out here is worth more than other land, and we have no foreign resident tax.

Crosby nodded, The King has asked me to come out here and see if it’s worth doing.

We have areas set aside for the Irish. If you want land there, you’ll have to pay in silver, but there’s plenty of other areas, I’ll give you a map.

Thank you, Governor. It seems to me, if we do decide to trade, we’ll need agents to value each side of the trade, as well as solicitors to write contracts.

My lawyer likes being the only lawyer out here.

None of them like each other, in my experience.

I’ll loan you a courier balloon and a pilot from the ferry company while you’re out here.

That would be kind, thank you again, Governor.

Toby gave a small shrug, I’ve been asked to be helpful. We’re particularly interested in regaining church lands.

Will you give it back to the Papists?

Give might be too strong a word, Sir Piers. The Queen has already had some disagreements with the Church.

What a surprise, the daughter of a pagan thunder god, disagreeing with the Church of Rome.

We expect all these disagreements to be decided in Moira’s favor, but something to console the losers will demonstrate her generosity.

Well, the Pope can certainly cause no end of trouble if he feels slighted. What are we watching here?

There are two groups. One is doing laps around the boathouses in kayaks, though there is some racing going on. The other is practicing for the dragon boat races that we have every Sunday.

Looks like good exercise.

All of my men have to do something. In the morning the officers will spar, you don’t see them doing much here, though Major McFerra is steering a dragon boat.

Twenty years ago I would have been glad to join them.

Would you be interested in watching an artillery practice in the morning? I have some new targets I want to try out.

Crosby hesitated, I would be personally interested, as an old soldier, Governor, but my mission out here does not involve any military matters.

Our true strength lies in Moira’s divine power, Sir Piers. The artillery we use out here is just something to show our neighbors.

It is not easy to accept her divinity, Governor. It goes against a lifetime of faith, and a lifetime of charlatans attempting deceit, not that I’m accusing you or your queen of deceit, it’s just that it’s so common in our world.

I have witnessed many examples of her power, Sir Piers. I have the same struggle in my mind each time to understand, and each time I fail. I don’t know if it’s possible for a man to understand.

Well, I can understand artillery, I’ll be happy to attend.

It will be along the river Sifna to the south, probably around mid-morning. I have some other matters to attend to now. Corporal Donahue will pilot you back to your rooms when you like, but I must return to my office.

Of course. Thank you for a most interesting conversation, Governor.

3

Toby returned to his office and instructed Colman to leave him undisturbed for the night. The servant gave no sign of approval or disapproval, wishing his master a good evening before shutting the doors of the office suite. Toby sat at his desk and called up the artillery target models. After selecting several, he ordered their delivery to 2nd Nest and was given an estimated arrival of six hours, well before sunrise.

No mention of pixie delivery, he thought. The balloons can be ordered about, just like the wasps and barges and God knows what else. Is that because I know their true names? The pixies don’t want people to know the true name of their mountain so it will be safe from magicians, what would Crosby think of that? What do I think? I think people make up stories to explain their lack of understanding of powerful things. For sure the Lasses are helping us make up stories, but is that why? Saints above, I wonder how Anne is doing with her baby dragons? Da says I owe him a visit now, wonder when I can repay that?

A soft noise at the balcony doors, Caitlin swishing her dark robe as she doffed it and threw it on a couch, Am I interrupting, my lord?

Not at all, my lady. I was just thinking.

Good thoughts?

Some of them. I wanted to ask you a few things.

Why?

Toby gave a wry smile, You’re getting in your questions first, smart girl. First, the French accent, why?

My parents were Irish, my father was a music teacher and worked in France.

That explains the accent, and the musical skill.

Did I give away too much, my lord? I hope I earned a glass, at least.

Forgive me, I’ll be happy to pour.

He moved from his desk to the other side of the couch and served them both. Still a few steps in between France and working for Moira.

She gave a demure shrug, I wanted to be a professional musician, like my father. No one wanted to employ me at that, all they wanted to do was put their hands on me. After a Duke threatened to have my father arrested, I became what you see.

I suspect you have left out a step or two, but here you are.

Here I am. Am I a problem already?

I can see problems ahead. If you have a child of mine, Zefira will not be pleased.

When I become a countess, I will not live out here among the savages. Zefira will never know.

I’ll know. A son or daughter, I’ll be interested in them.

What do you think will happen, knowing that Moira is also interested?

That’s another puzzle. Why is the Queen so interested? She wants me to marry Zefira and have a dozen daughters, she wants me to have a child with you. Why?

Do you think I know?

Do you?

That charming perfect blue eyed smile, It’s one of my favorite secrets.

Toby refreshed their glasses. I sense you are bargaining with me. I already know one thing you want from me, what else?

Nothing, my lord, I want us to be friends, that will make everything else so much more pleasant.

Then tell me why?

You already know why. Think back to the first day, your first brush with Moira. Her Knights expelled you from King’s Castle in Limerick. Do you think they did not look at you, at all of you?

So, because I’m a big handsome lad...

Will it surprise you to learn that Moira has a way of looking at your mind as well?

How do you know that? Why wouldn’t she tell me?

Now you are asking about her secrets, my lord.

Toby waved that away and sat back in the couch, thinking. After a few moments, That explains O’Shea as well. He’s a smart lad.

I suspect he will have the same forces brought to bear upon his virtue.

Yes, Toby laughed, well, he can flee easier than I can.

She stood, Are questions over? Do I win again?

Toby stood as well, then held out his arms. As she came into his embrace, Questions are certainly over.

4

In the morning he read a note from Gunhild requesting an hour of his time after lunch. Sparring with the officers was good and he had a few words with Lieutenant Minnagh about his delivery of the Gentlemen’s Club boathouse. Apparently it had been a pleasant trip, but the girls had told him they had a few other things to do before they could open for customers.

The Officer of the Day was told to look out for McCullough arriving with 3rd Company, and told to direct them to 2nd Nest when they arrived. Toby had sent two more tent groups down there along with the artillery targets, he took Captain McNally and Liam O’Shaughnessy with him on the barge south.

He set up the two new tents a short distance from the other tents, explaining to Captain Madigan, You can use them as guest tents for now, but once the fortresses are done I’ll use them for another ferry station here.

I hear 3rd company is on its way, Colonel.

"They left Ireland