14 April, 1746
The
morning was cold when Yokami materialized on the Highland soil of the Scots.
Cutting, frigid wind buffeted his imperial robes as he walked toward a giant
monolith split almost in two by the force of an ancient earthquake. The
downpour of rain shrouded the early morning sunshine. Snow-capped mountains
appeared grey and hostile in the fog and the cloudburst. His thoughts were of
Bishamon and whatever chaos he was creating back at the Imperial palace.
In
the distance, a tall woman dressed in a long drab homespun dress walked through
the heather, seemingly oblivious to the rain and the cold. Over her arm, she
carried a basket. Her long blonde hair was wound up in a bun from which
tendrils had escaped to curl around her face. The bite of the chill wind made
her cheeks the colour of roses. Praise to the Masters, she was beautiful.
Fading
to invisibility, he tucked the Sword of War, wrapped in ceremonial silk wraps
as befitting its importance, under his arm. The blade was warm against his
side. The woman bent over to pick some plants and added them to her basket,
when the purr of his Katana vibrated along his back, signalling its welcome.
The woman’s head shot up abruptly, then she stared in his direction. Although
she could not see him, she squinted like someone trying to peer through peasoup
fog. Shaking her head, she shrugged and returned to gathering the plants.
Footfalls
nearby summoned the Katana from the scabbard to his open palm. He flicked his
wrist and extended the blade. The Sword of War tingled and vibrated through the
silk wraps pressed against the side of his chest.
A
tinkling voice laced with laughter came from behind him. Looking over his
shoulder, he took a couple of seconds to recognise and take in the sight that
was Epona, the Scottish Goddess of horses, dogs, healing springs, and crops. He
smiled and relaxed as the Katana returned to the scabbard. Seated on a
sidesaddle, positioned on the back of a black Friesian mare, she extended her
hand. “Well met, Lord of the blade. To what do the Celtic Gods owe the pleasure
of your visit?”
Lowering
the sword, he bowed his head onto her outstretched fingers. “Well met, my
Lady.”
The
smile died on her face when her gaze tracked to the wrap of silk under his arm.
The mare pranced as agitation overcame her mistress. Glaring at him, she
hissed, “You would dare to bring the blade of treachery to our lands? Why? The
Sword of War has no place here.”
Yokami
nodded and acknowledged her concern. “You are correct. This sword is an
instrument of death and destruction. It has taken many lives. Too many souls
have already been lost, because of its love of bloodshed and power.”
Her
eyes lingered on the wrapped sword, then she stared unblinking at him and
nodded. “It is right that you would rid yourself of such a weapon, but why
bring it here to the Scottish Highlands? Do we not have enough strife already
with the wretched English and their greed for our land?”
Joining
both hands palm against palm just under his chin, he bowed his head in
reverence. “I mean you and your race no harm, Lady. My intention was to hide
the sword here in the past, in a place hidden for all eternity. I intended to
drop it down the crater and let the Earth take it back to base metals.”
The
corded muscles in his back and neck relaxed slightly when a small smile lifted
the corners of her lips. Confused, he cocked his head to the side and frowned.
“Have I amused you, Goddess?”
“I
was watching you before you realized I was near.” She inclined her head in the
direction of the blonde woman. “I see you are a man who appreciates beauty.”
He
nodded and followed her gaze. “She is indeed beautiful—a puzzle, but beautiful”
Epona’s
brow wrinkled. “A puzzle? What do you mean?”
The
sword in the scabbard sang as it flew to his palm. Lifting the blade, he raised
it slowly to the outstretched position. “Watch.”
The
audible purr from the Katana caused Epona to gasp as she flinched and startled
her mare, who danced on the spot. Stroking the long black neck in soothing
lines, Epona looked to Yokami and frowned. “The sword recognizes Marie
MacDonald?”
Lowering
the blade, he returned it to the scabbard, then placed a hand on the forehead
of the beautiful black mare. “So it would seem. What do you know of her?”
Epona
returned her gaze to the young woman, who was now making her way back down the
hillside. The purple heather seemed to stroke her ankles as it swayed in her
wake.
“Angus,
her husband, is of the blood of our ancient Horsemen. His clan has bred and
grown Friesians for eons. The breed was a gift to Scotland from our Gods. It is
our greatest hope that his genes will pass to a girl child, a daughter of the
Highland horsemen. You see, for the Scots, it is only female children who are
born with the Sight. We hope for a daughter who not only hears and talks and is
one with our Friesian bloodline, but who also has the skill and courage to
promote them as the best this world has ever seen. As our Gods intended—the
pride of Scotland.”
She
tapped her index finger lightly on the side of her mouth, as if deep in thought.
“Perhaps your sword recognizes Marie because she is of pure warrior blood. Her
clan is fearsome and undefeated in battle. Each child born to this clan is
practically birthed with a broadsword in their fist.”
Yokami
flinched, as adrenaline surged at her words. His jackhammering heart seemed to
be trying to erupt from his body. He swallowed the quaver he knew was in his
voice, then spoke. “She is warrior born?
Of the sword?”
Bio for
Kathrine Leannan
I
smell rain before clouds gather across the sky. I feel the dawn before the sun
paints my world the colours of the earth. It is the flit of gossamer wings
above my head as I walk through the garden that warms my soul and makes me glad
that faeries exist. The universe is my mistress and my strength. Things that
growl in the shadows or snap at my ankles in the night are my dark friends—the
source of my creativity. I, am Kathrine Leannan
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