Ta-Ami E-Book

Draconibus Irelandi

• Herausgeber: BookRix
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Beschreibung

A tale of how Leprechauns may have come into existence in Irish folklore, and a story of a lost race of space Aliens looking to settle and live a peaceful life 

Leseprobe

Draconibus Irelandi

Ta-Ami

Arrival

20 years in composition and 2 weeks in the writingBookRix GmbH & Co. KG81371 Munich

Title

Ta-Ami

Book I

Author Draconibus

PROLOGUE

The year was 1850 the great plague and potato famine was coming to an end in Ireland at last. The potato crop failure that had caused such widespread devastation throughout the isle was at last finished and all the attending illnesses associated with it were dying out. Many folk were sorely tempted to leave and immigrate to the new world in America and many had. Not only to escape the blight but to start new lives with a chance of a fresh beginning. They said a million or more folk had died in illness and hunger, a figure so staggering that Podraig could not comprehend it; his counting was judged well by all standards. But as a shepherd, his counting was limited to the few sheep he had to keep and watch over on the small hill farm owned by his father Seamus. Who had been lost only a year ago to the Cholera? A disease the doctor had told him he had caught in the local market town while down trying to sell a few sheep to buy other provisions for the family. Podraigs father Seamus had seemed a giant of a man, out on the bleak hills with Podraig during lambing time. Sometimes with the late snow burying the sheep, under snowdrifts that were higher than a man while they were giving birth. The animals had to be cared for and Seamus on one occasion had carried a sheep back down the mountain to place it in the barn near the homestead to be looked after by Podraigs mother and Sister Aileen and Moira. How could such a man have succumbed to the disease so healthy one day and dead as near the next? Well life went on chores had to be done sheep had to be looked after, all the day to day things still mattered. Podraig had thought about immigrating with his mother and sister to the new world. America they called it many of the local lads had done it some earning fortunes and returning to live like lords, others never heard of again. But Podraigs mother would hear none of it she wouldn’t leave the home she had brought her children into the world in and the home she had shared with his father for so long. No America was for others and not her. Sitting outside the lean to hut used when he was up on the high meadow Podraig was enjoying the evening it was still bright and the day had been mild for the time of year. Podraig was sure he was seeing shooting stars in the skies away above Scotland, lots of them. Then something else this was bigger, getting even bigger by the moment it looked like a fireball now it was so close, and Podraig could see the immense size of it heading straight for him afraid for his very life he ran for the side of the old cliff to take shelter as best he could. The fireball was gigantic now and passing just overhead the heat was blistering, the old lean to seemed to erupt in fire as it passed then fell into the valley with a loud explosion that took Podraig off his feet and stunned him for several minutes. Recovering his senses Podraig was up and running towards the valley over the hill, many of his sheep had been grazing there sheltering from the night air and dew. Cresting the hill and looking down on a scene of carnage, he noticed the fireball had ploughed a great gash in the ground down to the bottom of the valley and settled into a small shallow lake. Most of the water had boiled off and extinguished the fire leaving an immense structure sitting hissing and rapidly cooling in what was previously the centre of the lake now no more than a large puddle. Not sure what the thing was Podraig hesitated about going any closer to it. Then noticing that sheep lay all around the hillside dying mutilated and dead, this was enough to galvanise Podraig to action maybe he wasn’t to sure what the thing was but sheep were sheep and if any could be saved then he must do what he could. Overcoming his fear of what the great object might be he roamed closer and closer to the thing checking for signs of life among the sheep nearest to it. Finding none that could be saved Podraig was distraught, so many dead, his only form of income to keep and feed his mother sister and himself, what was to become of them? It would take years to build up the flock again. Sitting on a small outcropping of rock and lost in a deep pit of despair Podraig failed to notice a part of the structure had just opened up. Something or someone was coming out the opening. My God protect us what are you? Fairy folk? Leprechauns or what?

The few beings that had started to emerge from the opening were collapsing on the ground; some black evil looking smoke was escaping from the door behind them.

Podraig didn’t hesitate these folk whoever they were needed help and Podraig rushed to assist them as quickly as he could. The carrying of them was a simple matter with his large weather worn hands he could lift as many as ten of them at a time but more and more poured out the door trying to escape the evil fumes and smoke belching from inside.

Podraig looked around the ground and found a large piece of silver metal that had cooled rapidly and fallen off the immense craft, using this to carry them he placed as many of the stricken folk from the craft as he could and carried them to safety away from the heat fumes and smoke.

How many trips back and forth he made he could not count, but with every trip more and more were saved other openings had appeared as well and Podraig rushed to the ones that looked most in need of help, some of the escaping folk were fit to walk on their own these he left to fend as best they could.

Exhausted Podraig lay on the ground, heaving and coughing from the smoke he had inhaled from the burning craft. All around him on the ground lay the Little Folk as he thought of them for they were very small compared to Podraig.

With his limited knowledge he could think little else other than they were Fairy Folk.

After half an hour or so Podraig felt he could breathe again the smoke was still in his lungs but now he could breathe without coughing and retching. Looking around he could see many of the Little Folk weren’t moving sadness came over him like rushing in like a wave breaking on the shoreline.

For sure these unmoving folk had passed into the next life. A few of the Little Folk all dressed in white were moving among their brethren, and those that had lain unmoving before the visit seemed to come back to life. Many of the group were carrying strange items putting some sort of mask on the faces of the fallen and soon after they were up and about.

The Magic of it amazed Podraig so much he didn’t notice some of the folk about his feet. Stepping carefully back he leaned closer to the ground to hear what they were saying, but try as he might he did not understand a word said.

That’s when it happened for the first time, Podraig staggered as if he had been punched from behind as he lost balance his mind was still on the little folk " Don't fall on them " Came the thought. Lying full length on the ground Podraig could make out the small tinny sound of someone speaking. Very musically, lying there gathering his thoughts he realised the words were coming from the little folk and now he could understand them.

Meeting the Ami

g the first of the beasts to die. More of the Ami attempted the same, though several fell to return blows from the beasts, at last all of the beasts were slain. Kevin Harris and the few Ami still able to walk came down to the bloody site of the battle.

“These are Asov I presume, bloody hard to kill aren't they and dog ugly boy am I glad we didn’t run into them in the tunnel”. Kevin was still trying to recover from his own exertions at the pipe house.

Looking now at the beasts or Asov as the Ami called them lying on the ground they were slightly smaller than the Kevin as he had noted when they came from the tunnel mouth, and more powerfully built. With a face more like that of a wild boar, without the teeth sticking out of the mouth. And so heavily armoured that Kevin wondered how they could walk let alone fight in such equipment. The strange armour didn’t have the look of metal and wasn’t brightly coloured. Kevin shuddered at the thought of having to defend him self from such a thing armed only with the blades the Ami carried.

Commander Soste tallied up the living and walking wounded only thirty-four of the original fifty that had started out on this survey and mapping expedition. And by the look of at least two of them they wouldn’t last the day even with the help of a mage. And Soste knew all to well that Harris was no Great healer.

So he applied mercy strokes from his short blade for two of the fallen Ami, for none would be left to the Asov. Only to well did Soste know how they treated any left alive after a battle! Some Asov prided them selves in the fact they could keep a prisoner alive for so long, but in so much pain they cried and begged for any death.

Kevin was stunned to immobility by commander Soste’s action, “we dare not leave them behind Kevin these Asov are crueler than you can ever imagine”. Soste turned away and ordered a few Ami to organise a burial detail and dispose of the Asov bodies slain in the fight.

The Asov

Arinis Leader of all the Asov clan’s in Scotland stood in a rage. Few Asov would wish to be close at this time. The news that the leading element’s, Those who had followed the Ami’s into the pipe had been drowned, among them his two crèche brothers Analis and Hecus this did nothing to reduce his anger. Though the fact that both had been a threat to him in his role of commander well not any more he thought.

Though tithes of sibling’s and family mattered little to the Asov nation, as a whole they were of some little account.

In the near guttural language of the Asov an old one approached talking with authority. Arinis swung around to see who challenged his rule, instantly crouched and ready for battle. But as he recognized the one who spoke he seemed to relax his battle ready stance and dropped his head in a more subdued manner. “Old one had any other spoke at this time I would have killed them before they had finished their words, but you ahhhh, now I have to listen to you berate me for my haste”.

Arinis motioned for aides to come and bring water and help him remove his battle armour. Tethus was the oldest of all Asov magicians and only he of all could challenge Arinis and live for his arts were mighty. And even Arinis feared them, as a child he had watched as the old sorcerer rendered a mighty warrior to nothing more than a pile of ash, at the whim of the ruling lord of his clan. Arinis had learned the lesson well enough to know never to challenge him. As powerful as the warrior had been Tethus had been quicker and more deadly with his magic. “Well mage what to do now, shall we Harry them or let them set trail for us and follow quietly in their tracks, then pounce and eradicate this viper’s nest of Ami”. The old Asov sat down supple for all his years and stared off into the distance as if caught in a trance. Knowing better than to interrupt him Arinis sat close by and refreshed him self, but all the time watching closely at Tethus.

After a few minutes Tethus stirred, all movement around him stopped. Even Arinis waited, “Though I can sense them I can not see where they are. Nor where they are going, this land obscures them from me as if a mist was about them I hear their call as if from a distance but am unsure of the direction“. With this Tethus blinked and looked at Arinis as if seeing him for the first time. “We are in great danger here Arinis my sight is blocked and my foretelling is gone though my other art’s are undiminished I can be of little help”. With this Tethus arose and walked off leaving Arinis thinking. Calling over his

Second in command an Asov of very small stature by Asov standards. Paduk by name, one Arinis protected for his cunning knowledge of warfare and strategy. “What think you lord, are all his art’s as good as he say’s or might this be a time for you to cast off his mage overrule of Asov kind”. “Paduk take my weapon and kill the mage. If you are sure his arts are gone report to me when you have done so, for on your advice I attacked the Ami’s when all was not ready as you suggested”. Replied Arinis “Lord forgive me, I was sure the Ami’s were trapped with no escape. As for Tethus even as depleted as I think he is he is still too dangerous for any but the greatest of warrior’s to attack and have any chance of success”. Arinis gave a mighty roar and as near a laugh as an Asov can give. ”Paduk is it any wonder I have protected you all these. Years your mouth can be more than a match for ten swords, yes Tethus is still strong in mage craft even here, I will neither match him myself nor allow any other to try but there will come a day. Marshall the clans we will enter deep into the forest and make a more permanent camp, set out the watch and break the trail“.

With this Arinis marched off leaving lackeys and Paduk to run in his wake.

Decisions

Kevin had rested while Harris with the help of another Ami had administered to the Ami’s lying injured. Spying Soste at a distance conferring with other Ami, Kevin made his way toward him. “What must we do now commander, which route shall we follow and where will we go. It won’t be very safe to stay in this area for long”. Kevin’s voice made Soste turn around. “Yes Kevin we were just discussing that very problem. And against my patrol leaders wishes I must consult you on your knowledge of this area. We must travel inland many leagues, but our first hurdle is this river we must cross it as soon as we can, for it bends away from our destination. As you can see just there a line of cliffs start and follow the river for a great length apart from the fact it will add a considerable amount to our journey. Many will never be able to scale the cliff on the other side even if we find a ford to do so”.

Kevin turned to see Harris approach. “Kevin in order to return you to your original size it will take a greater understanding of magic than I have. The only one that can possibly undo what I have done is the Corta. He is the master of all magic within our lore, and only he and his acolytes of the Cortacrek our main group of magicians stand any chance of success. So as you can see you must aid us in our effort to return to our Ta-Amihome where we live, for your own sake as much as anyone”.

Kevin stared hard at Harris then Soste. “Why the hell did you have to involve me in your internecine war with the Asov”? All Kevin’s anger and frustration's of the last few hours burst through as if a dam had burst. Many Ami’s close by drew weapons as if expecting an attack on either Harris or Soste. But at a flick of the commander’s head they stood down again sensing Kevin’s outburst to be of no real danger.

Softly Soste put his hand on Kevin's shoulder. “Kevin we choose to make our attack upon the Asov just nearby where you lay we missed you in the shallow pit where you lay. But as you attempted to rise we new it would alert any Asov watching the beach and Harris acted without thought even he did not know what was to happen”. Kevin’s anger subsided and realising his plight laughed out loud, as much a relief as anything.

“If I return home now my children would use me as a plaything, I would like as not end up living in my daughters dolls house”. Not understanding the full content of

Kevin’s speech, but accepting his mirth many joined in laughing with him at the humour of his predicament.

But even as he laughed he turned to Soste. “Tell me I must know our destination if I am to aid you, I think I may have an idea that will see you all safely home injured and all and let me meet this Cortacrek that they might assist me in returning to normal”.

Harris looked to Soste and said. “What difference now commander we need him? Ta-Amihome is near to a village you call Glenoe many days’ travel as we count it”.

Kevin danced a little jig, both Harris and Soste laughed, “Ok here is how we go about it, there is going to be some danger involved but I think we can do it”. Kevin started to draw a map in the soft earth near the river to outline his plan.

Soste was stunned if his interpretation was correct Kevin was going to lead them down the riverbank to the old bridge straight back to territory controlled by the Asov. Then across the bridge to his house where he said he had a form of transport that would carry all of them home injured and all with a minimum of effort and at least three times as fast as they could make time on foot aiding the wounded. Neither Soste nor Harris could understand what he meant.

But they could tell by his enthusiasm that there was a real chance here. Both walked a short way off to confer and on returning commander Soste in his most formal voice said. “Kevin with these words I put the lives of all here in your hand’s fail us not”. Soste ordered out the pathfinders ahead of the main body and Kevin gave them directions as to what to look for. Harris and others assisted the wounded able to walk and a few more seriously injured were carried on make shift stretchers that Kevin had helped design.

Asov searching

Tethus sat in his makeshift hut erected by his servant Asov oblivious to the sounds of industry coming from the main camp.

Unknown to all Tethus was still able to contact the rest of his Asov magicians in mainland Scotland by mind speech, a strange mixture of thought words and feelings. Safe in the knowledge that no one including Arinis could or would enter this abode unbidden, Tethus continued his contact, when all was completed he called for servant’s loyal only to him. By a strange magic he and his group of magicians were the only ones the servants were able to communicate with though they understood all Asov speech they could respond to no other. Unusually they were drawn from any clan at a young age they were included in the passage a rite, which showed the level of magic each potentate was able to achieve. A higher score meant training as a magician and the lower ones servants.

Tethus called his favourite a female Thalis he himself had found her, older than most potentates as her gifts had only started to show at a later stage in her development, Tethus had still hopes she would flourish and there was still the added fact she was female. With her ritual bow to Tethus she entered the hut. “Your will my lord a scout returns with news of the Ami group sighted on the beach and of a strange metal found nearby, I have told him to await your orders and report it to no one else”. Tethus nodded in agreement with Thalis’s arrangements “Our conclave of brothers has scried the signs. We are convinced this is where our old enemy Corta abides with the last of the true Cortacrek. And not to far away I think, soon there will be a final accounting, blood will pay for blood, and our people will be avenged. Keep a watch on the wily Paduk he could cause some mischief. If it were not for the patronage of Arinis I would have withered the bones of his body ages past. Bring me food and have a bath prepared I must regain my strength tell the scout that I will speak with him shortly”. Making a playful pat at Thalis he dismissed her while thinking of the pleasures she might bring later.

Lying in his bath Tethus began considering the last few weeks, the hazardous crossing from the mainland of Scotland, at the whims and mercy of the tide and currents he along with the rest had to stay confined within the wooden pallet that had been constructed to ferry them all. He shuddered to think what might have happened if one of the human vessels that regularly frequented the narrow channel had collided with the pallet, perhaps even forced it under the salt water sea, not only would all aboard have drowned, but as he well knew the salt water would have reacted like acid stripping his skin and burning him to the bone, either way drowning or burning it would have been a painful slow death. But all had gone to plan all the pallets had arrived safely on the shores of Ireland, all be it separated by some distance between the pallets.

Back to the bridge

Progress had been quick for the Ami party, most of the way along the riverbank was unhindered. The only real problem had been a rat scavenging along the bank. It had emerged from its hole in the bank just after the pathfinders had passed and before the main body of the group. A brief struggle later and the rat lay dead with no injuries incurred to the Ami warriors though Kevin had tried to avoid taking any part as the creature fought for its very life. Apart from that, the pathfinders gave early warning in good time there were no Asov patrols encountered. They now approached what Kevin viewed as one of the two danger spots on the journey, the old wooden bridge.

Darkness was at last beginning to overtake the party and in this there was some comfort, Soste had the pathfinders sweep the area and then cross the bridge in ones and twos in the twilight to do the same on the other side then stand guard and await further orders.

Kevin agreed with Soste that it would be best not to wait for dark before moving the main party across as they were slowed by the wounded, all settled down for a short rest.

Kevin spoke to Harris “this may seem crazy to you but I swear the sun isn't moving as fast as it should”. Harris chuckled “Yes you are right Kevin from your prospective and your present state you are privy to our laws and we live at a different rate to you humans. As a rule of thumb one human day would be the equivalent to seven of our days that is why the sun seems slower. We have about a half-day yet to wait before darkness so get some rest”.

Ta-Ami home

In a grand chamber deep in a hill near the village of Glenoe what appeared to be an old man sat upon a throne atop a dais.

A master of ceremonies Cried “Let all of the Cortacrek attend, the high lord Corta holds court”. All in attendance immediately turned towards the dais where the high mage sat.

“We have omens brought to us by our brethren that we cannot dismiss reports of visions from the highest of our order to the lowest. Many of them regarding the survey we sent out to the coastline several weeks ago, we feel they will return safe but with the loss of troops and that they bring a prize. But this prize will have a price and after much thought I have decided the price will be too much to pay.

To this end I have ordered Lord Gil to mount his best force of pathfinders and seek out the returning survey party and kill them to an Ami. My greatest fear is they bring back with them an end to Ta-Amikind. So is my word law let it be done, this court is at an end”. With that the assembled mages began to leave the great hall, but all were discussing the command of Corta many broke into smaller groups and left to confer with each other.

Kek Tase and Wiydif were the only mages to remain behind, when the great doors to the room were closed Kek sealed them with a spell, Tase cast another spell of cloaking, while Wiydif set about servicing the throne that supported Corta. Checking power cells and fluid reservoirs and connections

Being over one thousand years old he had been unable to move from the throne for three hundred of those years. Many of his old and worn parts damaged beyond the ability of the remaining Cortacrek to repair, indeed the knowledge of how to repair his malfunctioning parts or even how to replace them now lost with time. Corta summoned his co conspirators. ”As each of you know this will be my final resting chamber so delicate are my circuits that I fear to move at all now without damage, that the Asov are close now there is no doubt.

Each of you knows my memory cells must never fall into their hands. Nor indeed any part of me for in that lies a danger beyond your comprehension for Ami kind, it is suffice to tell you that I must be totally destroyed should this refuge be invaded. But I think as great a danger approaches with our brother Harris. Yet he has no knowledge of what he brings, perhaps it is no more than a concept a thought or an object. But be assured it brings a fundamental change to all we know Ta-Amikind would never be the same again if Harris and his party were allowed to reach Ta-Amihome. Now leave me when you are finished my servicing and see that my orders are carried out. Obliterate the survey party it must never reach these halls”. As one the three chorused “your will mighty Corta”. With that they departed resealing the portal after them that none could enter without their leave.

Alone now in his chamber was once again glad he never had the upgrade chip for emotions fitted, emotions would surely be a hindrance to the orders he had just issued. But still his logic software was aware that he had just condemned the survey party, and in some strange way he regretted it, if only he could have foreknowledge of what was returning with Harris, perhaps he could better prepare for it and deal with in some more logical manner. Was this regret were androids capable of building their own emotions, surely not. His semi organic brain could not cope with such a complex equation.

Getting the boat

Kevin woke from another fitful doze to the sounds of the camp breaking up with darkness now fully upon them the group prepared to move out.

As silently as they could they crossed the bridge Kevin could feel every fibre of his body screaming at him, those dammed Asov could be out there just waiting in ambush.

Kevin moved up to the head of the Column beside Soste and indicated the wall beside the path. “Tell the pathfinders to go along the wall till they come to an opening then we cross obstacle number two the main road from Larne to Ballygally”.