Chapter 11 The Banshee

Chapter 11   The Banshee

Because she was an O’Neill, she heard it and she knew what it was.  The faint wailing in a distance beyond the lake made Maire flinch.
The moon was just appearing through the trees in the east, its cutting edges crisp against the black sky.  The princess pulled her hooded cape close as she rose to follow the sound.  It wasn’t that she relished the sight of the wretched one, but she feared that her keening may be an omen.

The cries became louder with Maire’s every step, and even as she moved away from her serene spot by the lake, she had regret.  The shadowy figure which had interrupted her conversation with Isolde had also disappeared.  It had been a weird series of events, leading her to believe the gods had something curious in store.
*********Tony’s post



It started out like a low wail…but rapidly it grew, to a long shriek-like scream.  It was the kind of sound that grates on one’s nerves ..shaking the will of lesser souls.  Thorfinn found his hand on his sword, drawn without realizing it.  A menacing snarl emitted from his tightly drawn grimaced mouth. 
“What evil is at work here?” He asked of his traveling companion.  But the gentle man of the cross gave no answer.  Just a quickening of his strides. 
Thorfinn watched him draw forth his cross, as they entered deeper into the darkened wood.  The cry had stopped at last, but the young warrior’s mind was not eased by that in the least.  The air grew heavier, as sharp thorn-like berries seemed to fight each other, for the privilege to snag at his clothes.  They fought their way nearer.
‘Have a care Father!” Thorfinn uttered softly.  But the slight-figured man paid the warrior no mind.
Quite suddenly, a cry of anguish split the night.  This scream was a woman’s voice.  That was the last vestige of restraint for Father Cinaed.
“Maire!” he cried.

For the first time in many a moon, Black Thorfinn knew the taste of fear.  The Princess, who’s beautiful visage, so sweetly haunted his dreams, was just ahead.  And somehow in danger!  He roared an oath and began to bullrush his way to her voice.

In moments, Thorfinn burst into the small clear rung by the menacing lake.  There, he found her!  Her eyes meeting his, she rushed to him at once.  His broad arms cradled her to him.  As his heart throbbed with the sheer rush of emotions at her safety, and her beauty.  Her soft face nuzzled up into his neck and Black Thorfinn searched out, and then found the reason for her terror.  He knew that he would also never leave this woman unprotected in anyway, ever again.

He raised the tip of his sword slightly,  “Be gone you evil thing!  Your Darkness has no power here!”

Her shrieking laughter instantly proved the folly of his words.  It pierced his skull, like a thousand blazing shards of glass.  He cried aloud in pain! 

Just like it began, it ended.  It took Thorfinn a hard moment to collect his wits.  His concern for Maire was eased now, by the look she gave him.  She was okay.  Her small smile steadied his soul, as he stared into her eyes.
“Look!”  she spoke to him.  Thornfinn turned to see Father Cinead in a heated discussion, with the vile apparition, that only a moment ago, had been terrorizing them to their core.  It held no concern for him now though.  No meaning. Nothing did like  the feel of this extraordinary woman, seeking safety and comfort in his arms.  He would relish this single moment, for all of his remaining days.