Sands of Time
Munn sat on a large flat rock at the side of the still pool. Leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his chin on his hands, he gazed at his reflection in the turquoise water. Discouraged was he. He tried and tried to find the right string of sounds and images to release himself from this dreadful place.
But here he still was—a failure.
He’d let down his clan and his chief.
“Ach,” he cried. “What to do?”
The tranquil water turned turbulent before his eyes. His reflection shattered and vanished. A whirlpool appeared where his image had been, foam swirling on the surface. He fell back in fear. However, his curiosity got the better of him. He leaned forward once again, to look into the water.
The pool calmed and turned an inky black.
Unable to see his likeness any longer, he thought to run away. Instead, he froze in place when the water again swirled. The murkiness cleared, the water became translucent. From the depths in the center of the pool appeared a bright white light. It spun, rising toward the surface, then expanded and changed. Soft blues and lavenders mixed with the white, slowly swirling, coalescing into the image of a woman.
Munn stared in awe at the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Her face shone bright with an iridescent glow, mesmerizing to behold. She rose from the water, her magnificent raiment clinging to her sumptuous form, clothed as she was in a spun silver diaphanous gown. She was superbly fashioned, tall and lissome, her skin a pale opalescence. Her glorious silky hair, a brilliant white gold, caressed her shapely curves, falling to her feet in glimmering curls. As she moved, her hair and skin glistened with a fine dusting of silver powder.
Entranced by her dazzling blue eyes, Munn couldn’t glance away. “Who are you?” His words came out a croak.
“I am known as Oonagh,” she said, her eloquent voice, a song to his ears.
Her music ran over him, soothed him, lulled as he was by her glamour.
Oonagh gazed upon him and slowly raised her arms to the sky. A searing breeze blew off the hot sand, disturbing the tranquility of the oasis.
Munn’s trance broke. He shook his head, his daze clearing as he peered at the woman before him. His breath caught in his throat, his whole body trembled. He knew of her. She was the High-Queen of the Sithichean, her power absolute, as she took tribute from the lesser queens.
Fear seeped through his veins. What did she want of him?
“Little man, be calm,” the queen said. “I am here to free you from the enchantment of Princess Caitrina.”
He wanted to jump for joy. Oh, to be free. “She had nae right to send me to this horrid place. I must be off to warn the MacLachlan.”
“Soon.” Oonagh presented him a beguiling smile. “There is one thing, my little man, before I release you. You must pledge allegiance. You must perform a service to me.”
Munn inhaled a quick breath, his delight vanishing. He was in serious trouble. She possessed the power to do unbearable things. What would she expect of him?
He wanted to run, to escape the enthrallment of her piercing blue eyes. He didn’t dare. “Aye,” he said in a whisper.
Oonagh narrowed her eyes. “You will vow to me, on your honor, and that of Clan MacLachlan? You will perform the task I name? Obey my command above all others?”
Again, Munn answered in a trembling voice.
“Aye.”
“Kneel before me.”
He fell to his knees at the dainty feet of the queen and bowed his head. After a suitable time had passed, he raised his gaze. A jeweled scepter had appeared in Oonagh’s delicate hand. She pointed the golden instrument toward him.
“Here, little brownie. Place your hand on the Scepter of Truth and vow your troth to me.”
Munn stared at the scepter. He didn’t want to touch it. He didn’t want to make a pledge of fidelity to the queen. But what else was he to do?
He placed his hand on the large round tip of the scepter. Pain shot up his arm as if lightning burned through his veins. He tried to pull his arm away, but couldn’t.
“It is my will you keep the MacLachlan and his lady from the future apart. You will keep them from sharing the most intimate, ancient and carnal of dances. This you must pledge.” Oonagh sang, using her fae power along with the persuasion of her melodious voice.
Bile burned in the pit of Munn’s stomach. “Aye. I pledge,” he said, relieved when the pain eased. He believed himself lucky to get off so easily. That was until the queen’s expression changed, and he knew a terror like none other. Her sensual smile flashed pure evil.
“Failure will condemn you to an eternity trapped within the Sands of Time.”