Dragon Fang Moon

By Carroll E. Stewart

"I am what is known as bi-sexual. Most dragons are. I can also shift too human. Most dragons can.
I like females just fine, but I like males just fine as well and for this phase of my life, even more.
I make an attractive human male. When I wear my dragon markers as human, my blue and green hair, along with my blue and green eyes, on 21st century Earth, this always gets me noticed. By gents and ladies, alike.
I do not date my subordinates, whether they are under my command in a war zone (yes, I am also a warrior and I am terrifying) or the staff in my pub, human or Fae. (The Land of Fae...please...the king of Fae is the reason I am here on Earth.) Not ever do I look twice at my subordinates wishing that I did.
To keep me from declaring war on my king, I own the pub, The Traitor’s Gate, located in Dublin. I am presently working on my second Michelin star so I have no time for war! It is all about me working behind my twelve burner steel beast; my kitchen always striving for excellence, and that next award-winning dish! This keeps me busy and not plotting a rebellion. Because our Fae king, he is a puking coward poured over rice pudding! And perhaps I have set fire to the royal residence more than once or twice.
I sound solid and committed, do I not.
Sadly, perhaps a war is brewing and I have a new employee that is making me just this side of nuts! Is that an attraction spell that she has been laced with by one of my enemies? I know not but I will find out.
Her name is Bee-Bee. She speaks the Gaelic and the primitive Irish and the locals enjoy hearing about her life in Oklahoma and her studies at Trinity. From snatches of conversations I hear, apparently, she is studying to be an expert in the codicology and paleography fields.
She intrigues me, very much so...and I find myself wondering how she would feel about dating her boss? And if she likes that aspect well enough, how would she feel about having sex with a dragon?"
So wonders Eitilt the dragon, about Bee-Bee, the little Yank that now owns his heart...
Perhaps this is something that neither wanted, but once found, they did not ever want to let it go.
Not everyone gets a happily ever after and not all bed time stories come true. But for two pure of heart and strength of will, they have found that their bodies entwined brings back memories of a time when dragons were kings and their Wynd Ryd’r ruled the skies with them.
Eitilt's formal dragon greeting: "Welcome to The Traitor’s Gate. Know in your heart and be secure in your blood and bones that my home is your home; my food, your food; and that as my honored guest, your life is protected with mine. And if we should all fail, our last gasp given in the glory of battle, we shall live forever as song and verse."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carroll E. Stewart
• Release date: Sep 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9780997140514

Carroll E. Stewart

I am a graduate of Oklahoma State University. I have a degree in Theatre and an opinion about everything. I have a strong, undeniable faith in God and attempt to keep Him in my heart at all times. Some days are better than others.It has been an honor and a privilege for thirty-six years, to be my beloved husband’s camp follower. I would follow him through hell and back because I know he would bring me home safely, or die trying. There have been eighteen house-hold moves in twenty- seven years, three were over seas. I have traveled in forty-seven different states. I have tasted my way around the world, literally. Veni, Vedi, Visa. I came, I saw, I did a little shopping. Hey, someone has to keep the economy rolling. I am a U.S. Army wife and damn proud of it.I do not believe in coincidence and that word does not exist in my vocabulary.I think of myself as a domestic entertainment chef. There is no recipe to complicated or day of the week that is not worth celebrating.One of my favorite pastimes is to visit tea houses and then review them on my blog site. On the flip side of that, I love coffee. “Really, you roast your own beans! I’ll be right over!”...the spirit transcends the body...Myers-Briggs: I 60% ; N-80%; F-93%; P-88%

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Dragon Fang Moon

Carroll E. Stewart

Published by Carroll E. Stewart

copyright: Carroll E. Stewart 2020

ISBN: 978-0-997-1-405-1-4

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All trademarks are the property of their owners and are acknowledged by the proper use of capitalization throughout.

All photographs and those that are photo-edited are my own.

I have no BETA, editor, or other such charming person. All mistakes are my own.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1--Eitilt, On Being Celibate

Chapter 2--The Dragon House Croí na Sun. Visions of The Youngest Son

Chapter 3--The Royal House of Ryland: So Speaks The Heir

Chapter 4--Lady Gael

Chapter 5--Ley Lines: We Are the Righteous Path…

Chapter 6--Portals

Chapter 7--The Traitor’s Gate

Chapter 8--Lady Gael and 11th Century Ireland

Chapter 9--The Jewel Moon

Chapter 10--As I Drink From Grief’s Wellspring

Chapter 11--The King’s Farewell…

Chapter 12--There is No Place Like Home

Chapter 13--The House That Runes Build

Chapter 14--Mistress Trudy, The Rune’r

Chapter 15--The Death of the Child

Chapter 16--Parent Stones, The Guardians

Chapter 17--The Seventh Daughter of the Seventh Daughter…

Chapter 18--The Virgin’s Blush Moon

Chapter 19--Blinding White Light

Chapter 20--The Bloody Reasons…

Chapter 21--Clean up on Aisle Seven

Chapter 22--Grafton Street, Dublin, Ireland

Chapter 23--Lower Salt Hill

Chapter 24--Vous Et Nul Autre

Chapter 25--Dessert First Will Spoil Your Supper

Chapter 26--A Light Unto My Feet

Chapter 27--Brothers to the Bloody End, Part 1

Chapter 28--I will Give Everything I have…

Chapter 29--Breaking the Fast

Chapter 30--Dress for the Job You Want, Not the One You Have

Chapter 31--Or the Goblins Will Get You if You Don’t Watch Out!

Chapter 32--Who Does Your Windows?

Chapter 33--We All Need an Auto-Biographer

Chapter 34--Politics and Shady Lane Deals

Chapter 35--The Altar Stone

Chapter 36--Thomas Street

Chapter 37--You Do Not Know Jack…

Chapter 38--The Blaze of Desire and the O of Love

Chapter 39--Shelter Here with Me…

Chapter 40--The Hand of Fate

Chapter 41--Bar Keep!

Chapter 42--Fish and Chips

Chapter 43--Broken Promises

Chapter 44--The Fjords

Chapter 45--The Fruit of My Loin’s

Chapter 46--Home Again, Home Again

Chapter 47--The Caw of Love

Chapter 48--Shades and Ghosts

Chapter 49--Licensed to Carry

Chapter 50--Licensed to Kill, Eitilt at His Finest

Chapter 51--Fae on Fifth Century Earth: Locked and Loaded

Chapter 52--One in the Chamber

Chapter 53--Target Practice

Chapter 54--The Charmed Human

Chapter 55--Am American in Dublin: Ready, Aim, Fire…

Chapter 56--The Safety is Always Off

Chapter 57--Jorja on Self-Reflection: Holstered Weapon

Chapter 58--Double Tap to the Heart

Chapter 59--Packing Heat

Chapter 60--We Are To War

Chapter 61--The Traitor

Chapter 62--When the Bullet Hits the Bone

Chapter 63--On Time, On Target, Dublin…

Chapter 64--The Moon of Corvus Minor

Chapter 65--Right Between the Eyes

Chapter 66--Push the Walk Button

Chapter 67--Two Heads are Better than One

Chapter 68--The Master Assassin’s Tower

Chapter 69--The Meeting

Chapter 70--To Have and to Hold

Chapter 71--A Game of Hearts

Chapter 72--The King of Eire

Chapter 73--Teach an Chroí an Mhic

Chapter 74--Welcome All Who Enter Here

Chapter 75--Rainy Day Friends

Chapter 76--The Pearls on Grafton Street

Chapter 77--The Clerk

Chapter 78--The House Over The Hill

Chapter 79--Do Not Call

Chapter 80--The Portents of War

Chapter 81--Truth or Dare

Chapter 82--Padd, Dearest…

Chapter 83--The Spells of the Sevens

Chapter 84--The Truth of Shadowed Time

Chapter 85--The Bone Yard

Chapter 86--Washed in the River

Chapter 87--Long Live the King!

Chapter 88--Why Trudy, You Look Like Death Warmed Over

Chapter 89--The Children of Teach an Chroí an Mhic

Chapter 90--King’s Justice

Chapter 91--Epilogue, The Gate

Acknowledgements

In Gratitude

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Dragon Fang Moon

Chapter 1—-Eitilt—- On Being Celibate…

You earthlings would call us Fae. I must chuckle at that. I have seen the books and the darling dolls and the romantic notions that surround us. Heroes, villains, photographs, story books…a movie or two. At times all I can do is roll my eyes and shake my head. Romance is not dead, just do not look for it among the Fae.

Oh my…my name is Eitilt and allow me to introduce myself. I am the oldest son of the noble dragon house, Croí na Sun. The Heart of the Sun. I am a dragon, shifted to a human persona, presently living in Dublin, working for my second Michelin Star. I own the pub, The Traitor’s Gate and I have a flair and a passion for cooking...and for staying alive.

There are many flavors of Fae but the two major ones, that would be those of a warring mindset, come in two major categories. Royal and noble. Fortunately for you, we do not reside on your planet but a place we call HomeWorld. You earthlings think that you like to war? You have not one fucking clue. Because we do like our wars. And we have been known to eat those of our enemies that have fallen.

There are those among you who have the gift of sight. You really are not crazy when you see that pixie pissing on your cat or perhaps a soul washer admiring your laundry line.

For instant-on, travel, we us Portals and Ley Lines to come and go. Yes, they really do exist.

As you can see, I am a treasure-trove of knowledge and practical wit. And my attitude and aptitude are the legends of two worlds.

There are things you should know about me. I don’t have sex with beings I can’t see. I don’t have sex that often with beings that I can see. It is not that I enjoy being celibate. It is just that being joined leaves you very vulnerable. I speak from experience and I am still standing and one or two partners are not. Killed by me? Well yes…or they would be writing their memoirs and not me.

There is now one friend in particular that will not be writing his. He is Fae and wishes to be on a spiritual rampage, I believe he is calling it. What the fuck? Call it what it is…doing drugs of the illegal sort and not outliving your usefulness.

Mannie, the fae afflicted with the harpy shit crazies, called me last night. Said he had scored some special tonic. Ground vampire fangs. This is truly an eye rolling, what-the-fuck moment.

Can I talk him out of this? Sadly, no.

When he called, he informed me, The more caffeine you mix it with, the faster it acts. The GPS on my phone is on. Come and get me in the morning! I am sure it is all going to get weird! I cannot wait!

I found what was the blood mess of Mannie this morning.

The phone still works.

Shifting too dragon, I flamed everything to ash.

Damn it, Mannie!

So here I am, staring down the winter holidays and I am short a dishwasher. I like cooking for the holidays but I need a full staff.

Well drat…

…and double drat… the holy days have started in both the human and Fae universe.

Samhain is celebrated in my HomeWorld. We were the ones that brought it to Earth. A week before Samhain we celebrate The Downward Spiral. The Dragon Fang Moon in Fae aligns with Draco in this universe and together they begin a downward dance toward the horizon and they do not re-appear until the beginning of our New Year.

The heads of the noble and royal houses and their oldest sons are to be on Earth the first night of The Spiral so that they might swear fealty to our king…gag, sputter, guzzle my drink...barkeep, pour me another so that I might puke my guts out on our king.

So here I am, color me the responsible oldest son and pissed off!

On Earth, I am standing on The Hill of Uisneach, the seat of High Kings and the center of magic in Ireland. We are here to swear allegiance to a certain Fae king who is a fucking moron and a disgrace to putrefied maggots eating defecated shit everywhere.

Someday I shall overthrow him and pick my teeth with his flambéed bones. Not that I want to rule. I just want him dead.

I am early to this sacred site. The fires will not start until dark, right after the rain, begins. The mist cloaks my signature. Useful.

I swear allegiance to no one and that makes me, perhaps, a renegade. But I am careful enough to mark myself on this plane of existence. I do this to show that I was here and that I am not afraid to tread on this sacred ground. For this place is sacred, a holy place to Fae and human. Do not ever think that it is not! From time-to-time I patrol here and dispose of any that thinks to desecrate this place of honor. I have caught Fae and human alike thinking to rut on top of this mound so that they might produce a king. Shudder at that thought as they profane one of the most sacred places in any universe. Shudder at the thought of what I do to them to make my point to just get-a-room.

Oh, just so you know, the king, Rowan, is afraid to tread here. He will not be present, himself, but will send a representative. Probably Padd, his lawyer. Fucking cowards poured over rice pudding. Do you see what we have to deal with? You think you have it bad. Hah! We have a cowardly king who wants nothing more than to rule the universe…not just the HomeWorld, but yours as well…with his ass kissing lawyer as his court jester.

Pulling down the front of my pants, I piss on a rock, while cursing my king and wish him much joy in the bowels of Hell, where he shall reside when his miserable life is over. Hopefully by my hands.

Shaking my penis and tucking it back into my pants, I zip up and consider this a good day’s deed. I am the elder son of the noble house, The Sun, and I have checked in.

Chapter 2—-The Dragon House Croí na Sun. Visions of The Youngest Son

My name is Aed. I am dragon in my bones and I present as human at all times, meaning I cannot shift to dragon. Everything really does revolve around the gene pool, thanks to a human ancestor, that has denied me my physical dragon persona. So, there is no shifting to the fierce beast for me.

I am a Fae Master Assassin-in-Training. I know I am paranoid, possibly schizophrenic, so I will be perfect for my Master’s job when he retires.

I am not from a Fae royal house. Please, as an assassin, my job is often to kill those fucking assholes. And I do so with stealth, style and sneakiness…sometimes. I can also go-for-broke on your ass on your own doorsteps with your neighbors watching.

A noble house is where I call home, which is a step down from a royal house and has a lot more charm and leeway to it. Plus, we are just far funnier and more agile than the royals and smarter. I cannot stress that enough. We are smarter. And since dragons are neutral when the HomeWorld is to-war, I am often courted and left gifts to which I add to my treasure horde. I may not shift to dragon, but I certainly do think like one! And treasure is always desirable.

I am my Master’s apprentice. It is my job to be of help to him in all ways possible. I train not only myself, but others of the realm as well. I have seen many come and go out of his tower. So, I know my peers’ strengths and weaknesses. My Master knows everyone else's and he instructs me in their follies and foibles. He wants to ensure that I survive so I am privy to all manner of bad habits and irresponsible grooming routines.

For the present, I am being hunted. ’Tis part of my survival training and sharpening of my skills. And as long as I keep thwarting those from the Assassins Guild, I am an assassin-for-hire; until the Master Assassin retires and I take his place. Only at that time will my guild stop hunting me.

Many will tell you I have left a trail of bodies on my rampage across the universe. And maybe I have started wars with my fellow countrymen here on this planet…. Earth.

For an age, I have been chasing the sun across the fields and pausing to catch any type of reflection in the frozen waters that crawl silently after me.

For this moment, the glimpse of this heat filled star nourishes me.

So that I might kill and provide for the smaller Fae so they can eat. We are not vegetarians and we require and enjoy meat! There is an expression here on Earth that is figurative, not literal. They eat their own young. Meaning in your given profession, the tier above you can make your life so miserable that you quit, instead of pushing on to the next level.

On Fae, this would be literal. Some like their meat cooked, others, raw will do nicely.

Because evil abounds and because it does so enjoy tracking me, I do not go hungry. And the smaller Fae, neither do they. They call me Friend Aed.

As an assassin-in-training on the run, I have come down out of the frozen wasteland of Fae back to 21st century Earth. I like Earth. Not many of my guild brothers and sisters can tolerate this atmosphere. Not enough sunlight, they complain. In actually, there is, but because I spend time, here, they value their lives and stay on the HomeWorld.

My walk about has taken me past this tree every morning on the way to my brother’s pub in Dublin, and I have been watching the subtle changes take place.

Thirty days ago, a double homicide was committed just a few steps away. Two men butchered each other with knives. They had tried to remove each other’s major organs and failed miserably. Their blood spatter testified to that. Both had stumbled with the last of their strength to the base of the tree, cursing each other and died.

I believed that the good that had bled into the tree would hold the evil in check. According to the physical damage done to the tree that now presents, itself, there was no good in either of them. I cannot risk the well-being of the innocent. The responsibility is now mine to act as guardian to this place. Good must always trump evil. So, hello Dublin, I am looking for a room-to-let.

Chapter 3—-The Royal House of Ryland: So, Speaks the Heir

Earth is a somewhat dull and dismal place but always good for a chuckle. Of course, when the Fae (Fairy) moved in here, it became just a bit less human and a playground for those who have the will to make it so. Because there are things, we can do here, that are strictly forbidden on the HomeWorld of Fae.

There are now my countrymen that live here that are not to be trusted. They harbor all manner of ill will to Fae and human, alike.

My father is Rowan, King of the Fae. My name is Roland, Heir Apparent. I am a charming, good-looking Heir Apparent. As opposed to many of my other siblings. I have red hair and blue eyes. A rosy complexion with a scattering of freckles. Tallish. Not giant tall but not squatty troll short, either. No, definitely not short! But not freakishly tall, either! I cannot stress that enough. I am average in height, like my father.

I had the good sense to look like my father and I try to emulate him in all ways. I have even been known to wear that ugly peacock blue color that he adores and I hate. I do this because he normally does not taunt-to-kill his heirs that strongly resemble him. Well, maybe once…I had an older brother from a previous marriage. And believe me, I do not judge Father for that. I think that was prudent planning on Father’s part.

Ronald was all about a take-over; a sneakier bastard had never lived. His last words were that I bore false testimony about him as he cursed me to an unrighteous death. I did not lie before the court! I told them what was being planned…perhaps it was by me, and I planted my thoughts on paper in my brother’s house, but I knew the elder thought such as myself! And he trusted me! What is that about? To let me wander about his home, that is just sheer folly! And look what I did. I condemned him to his death. He deserved his fate!

In this world, Earth, I visit from time-to-time and have a place to abide. To partake of life, here, I must have money. I have a lovely home but with it comes expenses. I do not work…none of my associates do. We are all of royal birth and the coin of the realm should just be handed to us. Sadly, on Earth that does not happen.

So alas, I must take in boarders.

There is a vampire that lives in the basement of my home. He is a good tenant, a good neighbor. Quiet during the day, minimum screaming at night and he never leaves blood trace.

And damn it all, he pays on time and he pays in gold bullion. I have a real fondness for gold bullion.

But now, I have a nagging suspicion that I am going to betray him. Vampire fangs are the current rage in aphrodisiacs here on Earth. Grind them to powder, mix it into a hot toddy that involves caffeine and you have staying power of the sexual sort.

Of course, Jessica, a gorgeous human of whom I am enamored and cannot say enough pleasant things, says a Michelada, which is Dos XX and tomato juice (spicy is better) is a go-for-launch as well.

My heart doth quell within my breast and gives me pause…but I fear the worst. My oh- so-lovely vampire tenant…I am going to miss him. He can have tonight. Tomorrow he is going to be a tonic.

Chapter 4—-Lady Gael

I am the last child of King Rowan’s line, until he takes another mate. I have numerous brothers and sisters, some legitimate, some known as by-blows, all who would have to die before I would be crowned, so I am ignored.

For which I am most grateful…for I have a secret!

I am a single royal nature. Not a double royal nature. I am a royal, from my mother’s side and a noble, from my father’s. Only my mother and myself know this. If the King knew, I would be dead. Because being a single royal nature, that means that Rowan is not my father.

Kudos to my mother.

All know me as a witch, which I am, and a princess of the Fae realm. I let them think what they will. King Roland is acknowledged as my father and he changes his heirs and bloodline with the same ease a river runs south, cascading down from a high mountain…that faces south, with no large boulders or small stones to slow its progress. He destroys his enemies with the same thoughtful, willful, merciless destruction he bestows upon his family.

I am no fool. And I try to practice not being foolish or a target.

I have trained with the Master Assassin and his apprentice, as have all in Fae. That is how it was discovered that I am gifted with a blade. Apparently, I am not that gifted because Roland still lives. I went for the kill stroke and missed.

So, I reside on the 11th century time line of Earth, which keeps me out-of-sight, out-of-mind.

I walk with ease the ley lines of Earth that I now call home. I often wander the lines. Twenty-first century Earth is interesting. I am not a stranger here as I enjoy purchasing the wool for knitting.

Many find that I come here to shop peculiar, as they come here for the sex.

The human mating ritual is an odd sort of joining and way of reproducing. Humans can mate for love. Something so fragile and easily misplaced. And the woman has no control over her body. It produces a child if the male and female do nothing to stop it.

In the 21st century, there are some interesting ways of getting around birthing a child.

My degenerate half-brother just embraces what is easiest. I have seen proudly displayed in front of his home along the curb, numerous cigarette butts and something that is called a rubber. You see, he thinks he is advertising for his next conquest. I shudder at the thought.

And he leaves the liquid of his manhood in this rubber showing any female that walks past that he has acted responsibility and did not fertilize the human egg. He also advertises this to anyone of Fae that passes by.

Do not fertilize the humans! We all know this is forbidden. Magic is not to be set loose, here.

These rules, cheerfully, they are not mine to enforce and not for some to keep.

When in Fae, I stick to my guild of fellow witches and practice my gifts, which are few and mostly not needful to our king.

Today I am in Fae, practicing throwing the clouds out to the sea and then calling them back. Padd, the king’s lawyer is present. When I have been out-briefed on my lack of cloud knowledge and told to study more, Padd listens intently and then leaves. Within hours my head mistress sends me away to study in a quiet and secluded spot. Anyplace not in Fae.

I am an embarrassment and can take a hint.

So here I am, at my home on the sea in 11th century Eire. I have been banished, for a time, from the land of Fae. The head mistress telling me she will contact me personally when I might return to the guild house. This is not unusual. I do not know the true reason for my being sent away, or even if there is one. My guards were banished with me. I have set them all free, to wander where they please with instructions on how to use the ley lines. I would rather have their gratitude than their servitude. The locals, on Earth, call them vampire. How quaint. I call them friends.

Leaving my 11th century home, I wander 21st century Earth, using the ley lines as my means of transportation.

I am especially fond of Ireland. I am here on the steps that lead you to The Hill of Uisneach. This mound is magic heavy. Rightly so.

Ages ago, The High King of Fae declared his sister Witch, a word we did not know, so that he might rule absolute without correction and removed her from his council. Death by burning is forbidden in the land of Fae. So, he brought his sister, Uisneach, here to burn and her magic drained from her and into the ground. When you walk here, you are blessed to encounter her goodness that seeped into the soil.

Whenever you encounter a fairy ring---be it rocks, trees, or an achingly beautiful circle in nature, be aware that a lady called witch was wrongly accused…and her life was brutally sacrificed here.

Do not sorrow for them. They are not lost; their lovely voices continue on.

I could stand forever looking out into this vista of green but humans have set up a hut further up the track, overlooking this sacred place. They will light the fires and worship here, tonight on this sacred spot, on this sacred occasion. Just as their ancestors have done for millennia.

Wandering down the hill, a foul odor has caught my attention!

What is that smell? It comes from a rock against that fence post. That is a repellent odor and one I am not familiar with. I believe it is piss! Who would do that to this sacred area and why? At least they showed enough respect to piss at the foot of the hill. I understand that a dragon guards this site. I suspect he will have things to say about this. Gladly not to me.

Chapter 5—-Ley Lines —-We Are the Righteous Path…

…and you can walk us if you know how. We are so old and our magic so strong, that we know we were created by The Light. That we had our beginning when this planet was spun out of the void.

We were created as a system of roads and lie straight with a divine purpose and are so ancient, the Old Ones from the Heavens played their game of tag-ball upon us.

We run in horizontal and vertical and sometimes parallel lines and where we cross each other, this is a junction point and creates power hubs or portals, on Earth and in Fae as well and many other places that holds a magnetic field.

For humans, their personal magnetic field and that of the ley track are simpatico. Your dreams are more vivid if you sleep on or close to the track. Humans will have visions. Hear voices, either echoes of the past or a telling of the future. The dead will be seen or those yet unborn.

The humans’ ancient ancestors knew these unseen tracks and walked these straight paths and marked them for others to follow. You will see standing stones or the paths aligned with the mountain top in front of it.

When humans walk this path, the time passes swiftly and the road rises up to meet you and keeps you company and your journey soon ends without mishap.

The Fae uses them for travel between worlds and to keep one with the Old Ones, whose bones can still be seen in Fae and on Earth. None are sure just what exactly that means but they think this is righteousness. Fools!

You practice righteousness!

When traveling our line, if a trek is started with another person, you may walk and talk and exchange pleasantries. You may see another Fae on this line, but since they did not start the journey with you, they cannot enter your time line either by body or voice.

Your magnetic vibration does leave a signature on our paths for a bit after you have completed your walk. And you can be tracked for a brief period.

During dangerous times, many stick close to home and work what magic they have to ward their homes and loved ones and stay off the tracks. There are many things that can hunt you, not all of them are living! And when you step off the track, they can as well and your safety is not assured! The ancients, both on Fae and here on Earth, understood our blueprint.

Now only a few possess this knowledge. We are not secret; we have just become disused and forgotten. But for those that know our ways, we are easy to navigate and can take you anywhere but we do not allow you to tread into your past or your future time lines, so you cannot meet yourself.

We teach lessons, here, so this is not a place to run from yourself. Instead, learn from your mistakes, take responsibility and move on.

Lady Gael is a good example of abiding by her craft and listening to the voices on the wind. She walks from Fae to her home in 11th century Ireland and sometimes farther into the future. She does seem to enjoy 21st century Dublin. We are delighted when she comes our way. It is always good to see friends. She passed this way earlier. And now Aed walks this way as well. To be so blessed by two old friends.

Chapter 6—-Portals

We Portals are built of massive stones and are easy to spot as we jut up into the sky. And sometimes not so easy as you must take steps down into the bowels of the ground.

But there is no mistaking what we are…a doorway, a passage built of stone. An entrance that can carry you to your known destination or an unknown if your bearings are scattered and your thoughts incomplete. We are specific in purpose and a short cut if you have no time to walk the Ley Lines. But you must know your destination and how to hold the navigation points in your mind.

If not…you can be dumped into the bowels of hell or left insane, screaming in a dimension from which you are not returning. Lady Gael is traveling with us today. We know not why she is not taking the Ley Lines. But we always welcome her company and the blessing she leaves behind for us.

Chapter 7—-The Traitor’s Gate

Welcome friends to eating and drinking establishment, The Traitor’s Gate. If you speak kindly to the owner, he just might let you sleep in one of my four towers. Please pay no attention to the ghosts.

I am many things and I am not any of what you think I am.

First and foremost, I was created when this planet came to be. I have seen the passing of the ages and wonders too numerous to mention.

I am not magic. I defy magic and all good reason. I am that place that Father God’s family would come after a day of creating. Once in a while, everyone needs a drink and a friendly atmosphere to have one.

From my earliest of times, I was simply known as The Gate. Good folks came and went and the bar was always well stocked and cheese fondue was very popular. Brown bread with butter was another favorite. As well as chocolate soufflés. Not enough can be said about the hand cranked ice cream and fresh strawberries, blueberries or peaches that can be added to it.

Then came the rebellion in Heaven. When those posers fell, (idiots abound), they all passed through my doorway out onto Earth.

Here was the last taste of Father before they were pushed out, born if you wish, onto this planet, where they wail and curse mightily because they no longer live in The Light and to have energy, they must feed from each other. (Woof….just ugly! And no poser is willing to sacrifice themselves so that another can live! So, it gets really ugly!)

Which is why to this day, evil just seems to stay away from my door. My door has stayed in the collective evil conscience, be it human or spirit, that this is a place to avoid.

So, they give me a wide berth.

Which is a blessing, for I am not plagued with customer’s arguments, spoiled produce, or people spitting on my sidewalk out front.

I am indeed blessed. All sorts of God’s family still pass through and have a drink. Sometimes seen, sometimes unseen. The Angle’s share, I laugh out loud about that, can go missing. On occasion, the entire bottle of Jameson has been emptied. We do all have our favorites!

I am still true to my original dimensions. It is just that when Father God puts on His engineering persona, things can shift about a little, for the good.

I am, on the main floor, all homey goodness. Wood walnut paneling and lovely fireplaces and a place where the soul can relax and be at peace.

However, once you start up those stone steps that takes you to the towers, things change up a bit.

The human mind is an amazing thing. It has adjusted to seeing my four smallish spires sticking out at the top of this building. Yet, the living quarters inside are roomy and spacious. Those who have noticed how one-plus-one does not seem to equal two, if they know the particulars about me, just call it all an optical illusion. Because otherwise, there would be something not of this world at play, here, and they would be correct.

To the humans and the magics that live here, I am a beacon of hope and a place of sanctuary. They do not understand that, but here they rest easy.

I serve a purpose. And that purpose is the will of my Creator. Not many can grasp that concept. But in time, you will.

Chapter 8—-Advice About Portals from Lady Gael

Training to travel though a portal is not required for me. I am my mother’s daughter and feel all passions for my sparse talents more greatly than others. Both a blessing and a curse.

Assassins have this Portal travel gift also, which is an assassin criteria. It is not important to them why the Portal works, they only need to believe that it will work for them…if they do not have that faith, well, those doubters end up lost in a dimension to never return.

Dragons…well, they do as they damn well please. Their magic is such that they give not a damn about being lost or found. They just blow their hot, breathy air from their mouths and noses and they find their way home.

For others…the safest way to travel a portal…have a Rune Caster write a spell. However, Rune’rs are monitored so you could always write your own. Tricky.

Or if you have the balls and no brain, Parlay with the dead to be your escort…which I do not advise.

Chapter 9—-The Jewel Moon Portent for Lady Gael

Mother had told me that I would favor 21st century Dublin. That it was charming. I always find it to be so. I need a new sweater and there is a lovely wool shop on Grafton Street that I frequent. Eight-ply wool! Oh, how warm I shall be!

You would think that for a daughter of a king I would lead a bit more glamorous life. The only gift that was given to me by the king is that I am allowed to use the title Lady before Gael.

Yes, you would think that being a daughter of a king would come with a few perks. For my older siblings, I think maybe it does. But I am not for sure because there have been many wives and many children. My father does not trust any of us (and he is oh right in so many regards to this) and from time to time purges the traitors from his own family. (Traitor is a loose translation of what that word actually means. In the king’s dictionary, it would be anyone he thinks might someday disagree with him.)

My mother is his present wife. She is a royal and the 7th daughter of a 7th daughter and is a witch that is greatly respected. I still do not understand what she is doing with Rowan and not my real father.

For a witch, I enjoy the solitude that comes with walking the lines. I can practice my magic there and it does not disturb anyone as I walk these paths to and fro.

I am odd that way, I prefer my own company to that of my guild. They do not understand my love of Ireland or that the quiet feeds my soul. The endless chatter that goes on in a guild house can be something not desired and all that abide, there, suspect the quiet!

I have just stepped out of a portal at my home that overlooks the ocean in 11th century Ireland. Mother had a good eye to my future when she picked this spot. I can fish, farm a bit and pick nature’s abundance.

All looks to be in good order. Nothing is disturbed and the Old Ones’ Bones that we gathered to ward my home, are not giving me a warning.

The Bones are, however, terrible flirts. It always makes me chuckle when they want to chat me up!

I greet them all and going inside, I take down a basket and go out to the woods to pick berries. The black ones are ripe and I can see where the bears have been foraging as well.

There is a slight shift in the air current and I can feel him approaching me before I see him.

Aed, I paused and turned as the shadow took form and was silently striding toward me. For an assassin, House of the Sun, you are a long way from home. Unless you are here to kill me.

Lady Gael, he replied and was beside me. For one of the royal house, where are your guards? And it is not your life I seek but I bring a warning. The Jewel rose a week, ago. I have been searching for you.

The witch’s moon, and a sharp, cold claw dug my heart from my chest! A sacrifice was made when such a moon rose. The life of a witch taken to appease the old evil ones that would rise and destroy our world.

Who? the terror lifted me off the ground.

Your mother, was all I heard as my cries of pain and despair left me void and collapsing upon the ground.

Chapter 10—-As I Drink from Grief’s Well Spring

Sorrow so strong, I am weary! I gasped out as I sobbed.

Walk with me, his voice was gentle.

Helping me to my feet, his arm went around my waist and I leaned heavily upon him. I want to go this way, I whispered, the tears staining my face. Horror at that thought of being without my mother was eating at my soul. I needed what only the Old Ones could give me. Hope.

Where are we headed? he asked, intrigued.

The Bone Yard, I replied through my tears. I need to see my future, I managed to get out past the sobs of despair.

Then let us portal out, he replied, still supporting me. We stepped into the void and then it was void no longer.

You always know when you step through into Fae. The very air is different and the Portal physically pushes you out; you can feel the pressure against the back of your body moving you into the present dimension.

With both feet in Fae, we are standing in the Bone Yard.

Walking to the Portal of the Unforgiven, I placed my hand on it, not noticing anything else around me. I don’t know how long I stood searching out every crack and crevice on the portal that arched into the sky over-looking the Old One’s Bone Yard, admiring it as it shadowed the Fae sky of home. Admire for this moment was all I could do. My mother had burned so I would be banished. It was just a matter of the king remembering to do so.

Not ever again would I hear my mother’s voice. See her smile. Walk with her in shadowed time as we stroll hand-in-hand.

Earth is now my home and never again would I see the Fae Dragon Fang Moon rise or hear my mother’s laughter. I was born under such a moon and when it rose, my magic was at its strongest.

My heart is broken, perhaps also my spirit. My mother is dead. I would find on what time line on Earth Rowan burned her and honor that place.

My beautiful, glorious, wonder filled mother! She would now be remembered in our history as a witch that had burned. Not that she was my mother or the Queen.

You don’t plan on jumping into Portal Unforgiven, do you? I heard Aed’s voice in my ear. I have smelt it belch sulfur from time-to-time and even now you can hear it chewing the lost and forlorn. Those that thought to use it without a plan. Their bones crunching makes for a most satisfying sound, making all who hear it hungry.

I already spend time with putrid flesh and selfish, stingy, snot dripping wretches. I thought you had met my family, I spit out. No, the thought of seeking an endless path does not appeal to me, I turned to him. I was just… I paused, just assuring myself that my journey does not take me to desolation. Because from such a journey, I nodded towards the opening, there is no returning…no opportunity for revenge.

Revenge? his eyes take me in. "You are skilled with a blade and you have surprise on your side because no one expects you to be so vicious. But to work your way past the guards and to the king?

Your mother burned as a witch. No one will be inviting you back into the castle."

I am looking for where… I felt my eyes tearing up.

Come, was all he said and putting his hand in the middle of my back. HIs steps were true and steady. I knew when we engaged a ley line.

We traveled the ley. When he stopped, we both stepped out of the energy stream and we walked until there was a field with a blackened tower.

She died in an enclosed space… I sobbed. She was not even allowed to burn out in the open…beneath the sky…her magic returned to the earth... the tears rolled down my checks. He baked her in an oven! I wailed, the pain engulfing me.

She walked here, through the woods, Gael. Her eyes taking in the wonder and beauty. The change of the leaves and the small animals stopping by to wish her well on her journey to Home. There was singing in the trees and on the wind carried the whisper of the mist. She was not alone.

I could hear the gentleness in Aed’s voice but did not care.

I will tear this depraved piece of madness down, I shrieked. And create for her a garden, I added as tears continued to make tracks of grief on my face.

Rowan has scheduled a memorial service for her in Fae. On the Plains of Heritage is where we are to gather. He expects you to be in attendance.

And if I am not, I seethed.

You will be. Come, let us begin casting aside these stones from the tower. We will build a henge to honor your mother. She was a 7th. This henge will be of seven stones for her and her six sisters.

Thank you, Aed. My heart aches. My hands need to be busy.

Come, he took her hand. Your garden will not grow magically over-night. It will take two.

They worked side-by-side moving the blackened stones to a place in an open field. As they worked Gael found that it helped with her grief to be in the company of this man who was forthcoming and spoke to her the truth of her situation and the liabilities and responsibilities that were to come.

Once the rocks were in place, Aed dug up small saplings with his sword and placed them in a circle around the rocks. When all were in the ground, they stood back to see what else was missing.

Do you… I began, wiping my tears on the back of my hand. Do you think she rests well?

Yes, he nodded. She will honor your henge with her peace and serenity. Those humans that stop here, she will bless them with children and a smoke free chimney. Their water will always be sweet and their fire forever burning in their hearths.

Thank you, Aed. This means so much…to be able to say my good-bye, the tears started again.

The wind picked up. With any type of luck, it would stir the night stars and cause the rains to begin.

Turning my head, a bit, I let the wind ruffle my hair. The breeze was not speaking to me which was odd. I was hoping for a whisper of her voice. A whisper of her love floating on the stars that would reach out to me.

Our circle was perfect. When the last stone was put in place, in my heart I thought my mother would reach out to me. Instead, there was a booming hollowness. Thunder without the lightning and the rain.

Her soul walked in righteousness. Mine was filled with hate and now the thought of revenge. No one would honor me and at this point and time and I did not care.

Time to go, Aed said. Come, let us wash in the stream and be gone. I can feel the chiming. My master has alerted me. The ceremony will begin shortly. Let us walk the line and we shall continue this conversation there.

Should I change?

No, he said. Let the king’s lackeys dress for court. You are in mourning. The sweat and ashes are most becoming.

It did not take us long to walk to Fae. We walked out off the line and onto the field where the memorial stood for my mother.

The king is making his way to you. I will just step over here. Do not worry, I can hear all but he will not see me. If he makes to move against you, you will not get to destroy him. That will be my task and a pleasure to do so.

Chapter 11—-The King’s Farewell…

Your mother’s memorial, Rowan said, pleased. My love for Engl is poured out here.

His voice spoke of business. No tenderness.

Love…? I whispered.

The Jewel, rose, he smiled wistfully. You were to be the sacrifice. Engl offered herself, instead. You owe me. You are to spy on Roland while he is on Earth.

Your heir? My voice quivered in disbelief. On Earth?

Well, I would not need you to do it here, his voice held disdain.

"You are my youngest, a child of a burned witch. Your life now holds no value. You have no possessions, no future, no family. If you fail me, Roland may sharpen his teeth on your bones.

Now, the ceremony is going to start. After it has finished, I want you gone from my realm."

Leaving me, I seethed about the entrance stone. Mother portrayed just as a big bosom…his desire. Given enough time, I would replace it. I would begin to count the days until I would smell Rowan’s rotted flesh gutted by the ravens and his blood, drink for the crows.

During the ceremony meaningless words are spoken by Rowan. Standing next to him is his heir who says nothing, just smiles at everything his father says.

The dragon, Eitilt, hovered above us. He is the heir to The Heart of the Sun. I do not know him personally, but my mother mentioned him one day and spoke highly of him. He is acting as a sentinel, I told myself, to honor my mother. A testimony as to who could be trusted. Just who here, I wondered looking out over the crowd, could be trusted? I was so intent on watching the dragon that I did not know when the king stopped speaking and left.

Roland sauntered past me, his joy girls chattering as they accompanied him. He was making much of the jewelry they were wearing. It was all the jewelry that Rowan had given my mother.

Rowan wants me to spy on Roland, I told Aed with a heavy heart when we were the only two left on the plain.

He wants you to start a war, Aed smirked.

Me? Start a war? Then I shrugged. There were so many things I did not understand and my mother was dead. That I did understand and my heart was lost to me. Does it matter? I will have to go and see Roland. Alone.

If you won’t take your guards, take your blade. Make sure you piss on his rock. First thing, as proof that you have been there.

The laughter died in my throat. You think Rowan will physically check? He never travels afar.

Aed’s eyes blazed. He will for this.

Why? I was so lost.

War is coming.

War? Are you sure?

Yes, that is why you must chat with Roland. To start the war.

I am to plunge the land of Fae into Civil War? I was having a hard time believing what I was hearing. Now I had a hard believing what I was going to say. Aed if I paid you, would you kill Roland for me?

Aed regarded her carefully. It was not every day you were asked to kill the heir to the throne. If her reason was good enough, he would certainly consider it. What is between you and Roland? I am guessing some very bad blood.

Dragon Moon, I muttered. Heavy silence greeted me. Like a predator, he stood perfectly still. So, he was waiting for the rest of the story. Ages ago, under such a moon, he tried to rape me. I had my blade and a sure hand. Father knew and did nothing. I scarred his throat but did not take his life. If only I had been a bit taller.

Aed laughed. You were indeed something to watch during the knife training with my master. If I did not know any better, I would swear you had dragon blood. Your body and feet moved with the supreme purpose of the killing blade, the knife an extension of yourself.

He was watching her every move. She wasted no movement in senseless gestures. All was with a purpose, even in her sorrow.

While you were chatting with Rowan, I did a little sniffing around. Roland used the portal just outside the Valley of Bones, the Castaway, Aed stated.

That portal is the easiest to walk into, she said thoughtfully. And if someone has Rune’d the path for him, you just walk until the cross lines glow for you to step out. And that glow will be there for whoever is following behind.

That could be me, Aed smiled. He is a threat to you and you have hired me to kill him. It will be easiest to track him from there.

Really? I…I don’t know which amazes me the most. That you have agreed to kill the heir or that you walk in the Old One’s bone yard. It makes most folks nervous, she looked at him with a bit more respect.

"I often shelter there when I must be in Fae. No one comes looking to kill me there. My guild avoids its paths.

And as for walking the ley lines, I actually prefer The Priest walkway inside the Bone Yard. I enjoy that path very much. You get the opportunity to watch the time line change as you progress. It is very educational."

Yes, she nodded in agreement. I grew up teething on those bones. The Old Ones, they are not very tasty but they do impart certain knowledge. A calling to what is… her voice trailed off. Really, would you kill him for me?

He just shrugged. "I can start tracking him for you. I am sure that is where he