The water beast further rose from the depths and its head now nearly touched the roof. Alainn was almost certain she was viewing a mighty sea serpent.
The hellhounds had ceased their infernal howling and a few of them had actually begun to whimper as the immense creature appeared to nearly fill the entire cavern. They each moved from their positions and gathered close to Alainn as if she would be capable of protecting them from this enormous and surely menacing beast. It threw a quick glance at the canines, but focused most of its attention on Alainn. One of hellhounds rubbed its enormous head against her hand and she absentmindedly petted it all the while intently watching the water creature. It made a loud trumpeting sound as though it were in pain and Alainn only then noticed the bloody mark upon its long neck. As she tried to determine what might have caused the gash, she noticed a large object protruding from the wound.
Alainn held her hand out to the creature, attempting to call it to her and immediately it bent its head down toward her so close the water droplets falling from the creature landed on her and thoroughly soaked her garment. The sea serpent seemed strangely docile or perhaps it instinctively trusted Alainn as a healer. It moved closer to her and she gingerly touched its neck in reassurance of her good intentions. The beast did not appear to object so Alainn continued to move her hand closer to the gash. Upon closer inspection, she realized the object stuck in the sea serpent’s neck was a massive tooth. Not allowing her mind to dwell upon what creature might lay claim to such a gigantic tooth, Alainn began chanting magical words and sending warmth and healing through her fingertips. She dared to lull and charm the beast and finally, with some difficulty due to its sheer size, she capably removed the tooth from the wound.
She was disturbed to learn in actuality it was only part of a tooth for it had broken off. She sealed the wound with her hands and a magical healing enchantment. The creature opened and closed its eyes in a manner Alainn recognized as an expression of its gratitude. She smiled at the huge creature as it moved backward into the water almost gleefully and it made a sound that was clearly joyful. It splashed about playfully, once more soaking her and the hellhounds in the process. The canines shook the water from their shaggy coats as they, too, playfully nudged Alainn and each other.
Sighing deeply at the most fortunate outcome, Alainn suddenly noticed the ground beneath and around her had begun to quake. The hellhounds terminated their play and once more whined and pushed closer to Alainn for protection.
“Now what?” she whispered aloud as the ground continued to shake and an opening in the wall grew wider as the rocks crumbled and fell. Fearful the entire cavern might fall down upon them, Alainn contemplated wishing herself and the hellhounds to another location. The beast in the water made another sound and this time it was not one of pleasure as it spotted the gargantuan beast that appeared from within the next chamber.
This creature was brownish-green in color and it appeared to be the largest lizard Alainn had ever dared to imagine might exist. She had heard tell of such beasts that apparently lived thousands of years previous. This creature appeared to come forth from the earth and it bellowed loudly at the beast in the water. As it widely opened its mouth, Alainn could see that there was a partial tooth in its mouth and immediately she knew who was the responsible for wounding the sea serpent. The earth lizard lowered its head, scuffed the ground, and fiercely snorted before it began to charge at the water beast. Alainn put her hand up in protest and shrieked.
“Stop that this instant; she is already wounded!”
She was startled to see it obey her command for it stopped in its tracks and turned its attention and its enormous head toward her.
“I didn’t intend for you to charge me, at any rate, but you needn’t harm the serpent further.”
The water creature trumpeted yet again and tossed its long neck forward in protest of the other beast’s presence. The earth lizard opened its mouth once more to reveal a damaged tooth, and it moaned loudly, evidently in great pain.
“Oh, now I understand, the two of you have been involved in an ongoing battle then. Well, come here; let me see what I can do.”
The earth beast listened to her command and Alainn reluctantly put her hand in the mouth of the enormous creature. She was pleased to find the tooth was partially detached. However when she put both of her hands around the giant tooth and tried to pull it out, it wouldn’t budge. She attempted it three times, but to no avail. The beast made such a pathetic, forlorn cry she knew she must give it one more try.
Alainn was stunned when the water beast forcefully nudged her and caused her to be tossed against the earth lizard and then to the ground. The sudden movement knocked the tooth from the beast and, as Alainn stood brushing herself off, the creature appreciatively licked her with its huge, slimy tongue. It left an oozing green substance on her skin and it clung to the burn upon her arm. Strangely enough, the burning seemed to be alleviated by the gooey slime.
“Thank you, I think.” She chuckled as she watched the burn on her arm become less red and angry.
The sea serpent bent closer to her once more and she gently rubbed some of the healing substance on the wound on its neck. It allowed her to do so without resistance and within moments the two enormous beasts affectionately nudged each other as if they were friends and not the enemies she had believed them to be.
“Now, if you’ll just be still for a moment, water beast, I’d like to do what I’ve come for and look within the pool to see how my husband fares this day!”
The beast appeared to understand her and it moved far to the other side of the large body of water and obediently fell still and silent. As she waved her hand above the water and began to attempt to summon Killian’s image, she once more heard the loud flapping sound which disturbed her concentration.
Looking upward, she wasn’t able to locate the source of the sound. And before she had time to further dwell upon it she heard another unusual noise. This was surely the sound of hissing...very loud and distinct hissing. There were no snakes to be found in Ireland so Alainn had never ever seen an actual snake. She had read about them, seen images of them, and also heard of their distinct hissing. After viewing the two creatures that remained within the cave, she was fairly certain she would not care to fall upon a snake that was anywhere near as large as these two beasts. The sea serpent and earth lizard both turned their large heads toward the direction of the sound and then looked back at Alainn as if she should decide what must be done.
“I do not wish to make acquaintance with an enormous snake no matter how seemingly pleasant the two of you may have turned out to be!”
The hellhounds growled and snarled, but slowly moved forward to stop short before a location not far from where the earth lizard had emerged. They, too, looked at her in anticipation of her next move and they actually began wagging their tails.
She shook her head and stood, once more distracted from her original purpose. She followed the canines and was startled to find an invisible barrier blocking their path. She placed her hands upon it and imagined what might be preventing them from moving forward. Almost immediately four walls could be seen, four translucent walls that formed an impenetrable chamber surely made of a peculiar type of crystal. Alainn continued to touch the beautiful stones and soon the image of what was secretly encased inside the chamber could be seen.
She gasped aloud once more, for it was, again, a creature that was surely only straight from her imagination or from ancient myths. It was huge, and reptilian in nature, but a bright red color and its eyes were large oval slits. It stared unblinkingly at Alainn and when it hissed and snorted she saw that smoke escaped its large nostrils. It attempted to move closer to her and to the hellhounds that surrounded the chamber, but when it unintentionally touched the side of the encasement, it shrieked and pulled back as though the very touch caused extreme pain for the creature.
“Who would entrap you within these walls and why?” she asked aloud as she viewed the creature.
The beast turned its large oval eyes toward her and it was clear he was observing her as carefully as she was him. She noted he was covered in large plates that were possibly huge scales. He had distinguishable ears as well, which set it apart from the other two beasts she had already encountered. She nearly fell backward when she heard the creature within the walls actually speak and in a language she was capable of understanding.
First there was a hiss and then a deep sigh of resignation and then actual words came from the beast’s mouth.
“It was the Fomorians,” he clearly stated.
Alainn’s eyes widened as the creature spoke on.
“Many millennia ago when the two races of deities the Fomorians and the Tuatha De Dannann waged war with one another, the Fomorians won the final battle. They banished the Tuatha De to the underworld and entrapped any mystical creatures that had banded with the Tuatha De. I was placed within this Fomorian crystal prison along with the many other beasts you have seen within this magical realm,” he explained. “But I must ask; how is it you have been allowed to enter the chamber for no gods or deities are allowed to pass through the veil that surrounds the passageways?”
Alainn cleared her throat and swallowed hard. “I am not a god!” she said in a small voice.
“Then what being are you?” The animal stared at her and repeatedly blinked its huge eyes.
“I am a woman, a human.”
The creature narrowed its large eyes and dared to move closer to her yet steered clear of actually touching the walls.
“How could a human enter the realm of the gods?”
“I was brought here by Aine.”
“Ah, so Aine still lives, she has survived the great war, though I suppose she was never in allegiance with either side.” He spoke more to himself than to her. “But to what end, why has she allowed you to be present in the realm of the gods?”
“I am her descendant, and I am here for she believes I am in need of protection.” She offered.
“So, you are not truly human?”
“Aye, sure I am human.”
“But you must possess great magical abilities else you could not enter this cavern. The Fomorians charmed the entrance, no gods or any other creature from this realm can pass through the veil. Not one being has been allowed within or been capable of locating this place in eons. So because you are not a god, but a human who is capable of strong magic, you could pass through the veil of binding. You are a witch then?”
“Aye, it has been presumed to be so,” she replied.
Alainn stood there still, staring at the mythical creature before her.
“And what is it you are to be protected from?”
Alainn sighed. “Because of my abilities, there are apparently dark forces that have taken an interest in me and what I may be capable of.”
This quieted the beast as he seemed to need time to contemplate this information.
He finally responded. “Always, no matter the realm of the gods or human, or the time, ancient or present, there will be dark beings that choose to prey on the powers of others, to take them for their own to do their bidding. And never is it done for the betterment of any world; always it is to encompass evil. If Aine believes you are in imminent peril, then best you stay here and be surrounded by the protection of the gods.”
“But my life and my only love are in the human world... and truly what life would it be to live here when my heart is elsewhere? I would be no less imprisoned than you are now, fire beast.”
“There is truth in your words, but perhaps not wisdom, they are seldom intertwined. Tell me, magical woman, what name is it you have been given?”
“I am called Alainn.”
He dwelled on that for a time before he responded and he looked deep into her strikingly blue eyes.
“I have heard of you.”
“How is it possible that you would have heard of me when you have been imprisoned for all this time and I have lived but seven and ten human years?”
“I have heard of a human woman with magical abilities, that one day you would exist and that your name would be Alainn, you are the first in the line of three such supernatural beings.”
Noticing the expression of displeasure and uncertainty on the woman’s face at hearing this, the clever and insightful dragon changed the topic.
“Alainn, I see you have already met my brother and sister.”
She looked back at the sea serpent and the earth lizard.
“I did not know they were your kin or that they were connected,” Alainn admitted. “Why is it you speak when they seem incapable?”
“Why do you have arms and not wings?” He oddly reasoned.
“All people have arms and if I had siblings they would all speak.”
“But humans possess defined qualities as well. Some possess brawn, some intellect, some swiftness, some intuition. We are not so very different.”
She shrugged and looked back at the other two, smiling as they gazed at her with obvious fondness.
“Well ’tis little wonder you are at each other’s throats, literally!” she stated. “If you have been locked up together for such a very long time.”
“They do tend to battle each other from time to time. My sister can escape within the depths of the water and my brother can wander the boundaries of the earth and the extensive caverns, but still they have been forced to endure each other’s company for too long. However, it is me trapped within these confining walls and my other sister who is tethered above, who have suffered the most through the many millennia!”
“Your other sister?” she questioned and then heard the loud flapping above once more.
“The veil ensures my earth brother and water sister are kept within, but because my air sister and I can fly, we have been further imprisoned.”
“You can fly, how truly wonderful. I have always yearned to be capable of flight. How might I free the two of you?” Alainn asked without hesitation.
The creature eyed her suspiciously for the first time.
“Why would you feel compelled to free us?”
“No creature should be so imprisoned, ’tis sorely wrong! And I bare no loyalty to the gods, the Tuatha De Danann, or the Fomorians.”
“And what if when I am freed I do you unspeakable harm?”
“I do not sense you would do so.”
“And does your intuition never steer you wrong?”
“Seldom.”
The creature looked at her intently and seemed to be assessing her abilities. “If you are so inclined to assist me, I might instruct you on how it might be done. You do not seem adversely affected by the magical crystal. It is apparently only harmful to dragons.”
“Dragons?” Alainn repeated in disbelief. “You are a dragon; all of you are dragons?”
The beast before her looked at her with some annoyance and for the first time its voice held a hint of impatience. “You have premonitory abilities, yet you do not have the foresight to determine we are dragons?”
“Well, in my own defense, I have never laid eyes upon an actual dragon before and until this very moment I believed you were only creatures of myth. Though I am capable of magical abilities, I am human and in the human world, dragons do not exist.”
“Is that truth?” The dragon seemed saddened by this, and he spoke in a somber tone. “Perhaps it is so, then, but at one time dragons existed in every realm, even that of humans. I am long since out of touch of the human realm and every other, but for this dismal cave and these formidable crystal walls. Where then in the human world do you lay claim to be your home.’
“I am from Ireland,” she said her voice steeped in both pride and longing.
“Ah, the land of the endless enchanting green hills; I have a distinct fondness for that location. I often took much joy in flying above that magical land. Perhaps if you agree to free me, I might return there one day, after my brother and sisters and I first see to it each one of the Fomorians’ bodies lie mangled, charred, and blackened beyond recognition.”
Alainn noted the deep contempt and loathing the dragon held for its captors and though she understood the reasoning, she remained hesitant to free the beast.
“Tell me fire-dragon, if I free you what of the gods that still exist in this realm, will they be in peril as well?”
“Not if they do not interfere with our vengeful intentions, no harm shall befall them.”
One of the hellhounds grazed her hand and she could clearly hear its worrisome thoughts.
“And what of the hellhounds, would they be free from your wrathful ways?”
“We would cause no ill will to the hounds that have shared this location with us for so many millennia. It is certain if the Celtic god Arawan still lives, he will be searching for his thirteen hellhounds. He is their handler. They aid him in tracking down lost souls and taking them to the Otherworld.”
She wasn’t certain that would be proper inducement to free the hounds either, but she spoke further to the dragon. “If no harm should befall me or the hellhounds then, aye, I shall assist you, dragon!” she agreed.
He was about to further instruct her on how she might accomplish just that, when she instinctively placed her hand to the crystal wall and began to speak in the language he well knew to be that of the ancient druids. She continued to strategically move her hands along the crystal and she traced the outline of a large portal. That done, the portal began glowing brightly and soon the entire doorway burst into flames. She jumped backward to avoid the scorching heat. As quickly as it had begun the fire was extinguished and the crystal crumbled to the ground in thousands of jagged pieces.
The dragon within screeched distinctively and immediately burst forth through the now open portal. Its eyes glowed bright red and it shrieked loudly, rejoicing in his freedom and at stretching his wings and flying after having been prevented from doing so for an eternity. It flew upward, backward, and upside down. It flapped and squawked and roared disturbingly. Alainn watched on in fascination, which swiftly turned to horror as it widely opened its mouth and breathed a long stream of fire that nearly filled the cavern. She backed up to avoid the flames and fell over one of the hellhounds who were also obviously fearful of the newly released creature. It glanced back down at Alainn, flapped its enormous wings, breathed fire from both its nose and its mouth and dove wildly at a rapid speed directly toward her where she remained lying on the floor of the cave.