Rundimahair: A new hero for a new adventure by Larry Forkner (dark books to read .txt) 📕

wondering where he was. Even though time worked more slowly in Rundimahair, Sean would need to spend some time at his home and work in Portland.

The truth was, she was missing him a great deal more than she could have imagined. Her long hours of work helped pass the time until he returned. She struggled against the notion that she needed Sean in her life, but she could no longer deny that she was developing strong feelings for him. Ashling kept telling herself it wasn’t a good idea to become too attached to him, but so far her heart was ignoring her warnings.

She drifted off to sleep, wishing Sean would be there when she came down for breakfast in the morning. Her thoughts of Sean gradually shifted to the search for his ancestors, while she fell into a deep, dream-filled sleep. In her vivid dreams, Orlagh’s story began to come to life.

* * *

Orlagh had lived in ancient Ireland nearly two-thousand years ago. Her people were descended from the Sidhe, an angelic race sent to earth to assist, guide and comfort humans through the challenges they would surely face due to their mortality.

For thousands of years, the Sidhe lived peacefully in the mountains of Ireland. Because of their nature as immortal beings, the Sidhe were not visible to humans unless they wished to be seen.

Their home was in the high peaks of Mt. Carrauntoohil, the highest peak in all of Ireland. The entrance to their city was under the calm waters of what is today known as Devil’s Spy Glass lake. It was impossible for mortals to locate the entrance since it was ten feet underwater and protected by powerful enchantments. The Sidhe also had a variety of magical shields which frightened away any local citizens who might venture too near the lake.

The Sidhe were experts in the use of what mortals came to call white magic. They used their powers to benefit mankind, helping them develop skills and invent tools, which allowed them to progress as a society. They also taught mortals that living as families was the surest road to happiness.

Though the Sidhe remained invisible to mortals, they often walked among them. While mortals slept, their immortal guides would plant thoughts and ideas in their minds. Often the idea had to be planted several times before it took root and began to grow. Many of the great inventions of mankind grew from suggestions the Sidhe planted in human minds.

During the days of Orlagh’s youth, there began to be a division amongst the Sidhe. A mighty man among the Sidhe—named Donal—revolted against traditions the Sidhe had lived by for thousands of years. He was tall, agile, and well-muscled, as well as exceptionally handsome. Donal had also been blessed with the gift of eloquent, persuasive speech.

Donal, who was a direct descendant of Danu, used his gifts to draw some of the Sidhe to him. He began a campaign to make himself leader of the Sidhe. His secret ambition was to replace their current leader, Faolan.

Many of the Sidhe were distantly related to Danu since she had been a part of the Sidhe in ancient days. While a few were aware of Donal’s kinship to Danu, most were unaware of how pure the blood line was. That bloodline gave him the same desire to rule over the Sidhe as Danu once had.

In the beginning, he kept his ambition to overthrow Faolan secret from others, because he knew that Faolan was beloved above all others by the Sidhe. He had been their leader since the very beginning and taught harmony and love for each other as guiding principles. Because of Faolan, the Sidhe had lived in harmony and stayed true to their calling as spiritual guides to the human race.

As time passed, Donal secretly convinced more of the Sidhe to follow him. He taught them that they were never meant to be servants of mankind. Donal’s goal was to rule over humans and establish himself as king of the Sidhe.

Contention grew among the Sidhe, and many were misled by Donal’s flattering words and promises of great power. He assured his followers that they were meant to be great leaders who would force the human race to serve them and obey their every command. He promised his followers that this would be for mankind’s greater good, since the humans would be forced to obey the laws which Faolan had given.

Those who remained loyal to Faolan informed him of Donal’s subtle treachery. For the good of the Sidhe, and mankind, Faolan removed Donal from the leadership council and forbade him from preaching against the council’s teachings.

While he pretended to abide by Faolan’s ruling, Donal secretly gathered his followers and revolted against Faolan’s leadership. It was a terrible battle that was unlike anything the Sidhe had ever experienced.

The bitter, brutal rebellion lasted for many years. Eventually, Donal and his followers were defeated and cast out into the mortal world. While they were free to roam amongst the humans, they soon realized that they could not take the life of a human, nor could they rule over them.

From that day forward, Donal made it his mission to cause as much misery and sorrow as possible among mortals. His passion was to persuade them to ignore the teachings of Faolan and think only of their own power and wealth.

The followers of Donal persuaded mankind to think only of their desires and pleasures, while the Sidhe sought to persuade them to love one another and work hard for the common good. This great battle for the souls of mankind continues to this day.

While Donal, Faolan, and their followers were immortal, they were all eventually called back home to their Creator. Whether that was a joyous day depended upon whom they chose to follow.

Fergus and Eamon, along with all residents of Rundimahair, were direct descendants of Faolan. Like their ancestors, they were here to persuade mankind to live up to their great potential.

Donal’s ancestors strove to cause