Fate's Hand: Book One of The Celtic Prophecy by Melissa Macfie Read Free Book Online Page B

takes me in the back of the store and thrusts this robe into my arms, blathering on about waiting so long for the next guardian.”
    Brenawyn made a face, “What?”
    “Well, I guess you had to be there. So, she takes me out to the front again, and switches the sign that was hanging on the front door to ‘closed.’ Then she tells me, hushed-like, that it is the ceremonial robe of the last Druid high priestess.”
    Laughter bubbled out of Brenawyn’s throat, as she looked at the robe behind her grandmother, “That’s a fancy story. You should let the reporters that cover the event tomorrow have that story. The tourists would love it.”
    “Well, no, I’ve never been tempted to tell anyone until now, but that’s not the end of it, though. Rosalyn waited for some reaction from me, but she looked confused that I didn’t give her one.”
    “Good story, Nana.” Brenawyn said.
    “Oh, I’m not done. There’s more. I guess because Lughnasadh is just a few days away, it has put what she said in my mind. Well, according to the story, on Beltane, after the rituals had been performed and the eternal fire relit, the high priestess and the Shaman of the Order would humm mmm. You know.”
    “What? You mean have sex?” Brenawyn asked astonished. “I thought that only a part of the King Arthur legend. Though, if my memory serves, it was the high priestess and the King of England that did the deed.”
    “Uh huh, to ensure the continued fruitfulness of the nation. Yes, where do you think the authors got the idea? Only in their literary vision it was more dramatic to have it be the King for the superstitious blessing for the continued health and wealth of the nation instead of two devoted followers of a religion to ensure the continuation of their dogma.”
    “Wow, you were right, though. It is barbaric and yet… um, romantic is the word, I guess, to have two people so devoted, if not to each other, but to a similar cause.”
    Glancing at the robe with new interest, Brenawyn turned to leave, then remembered, “Oh Nana, I have a few questions about the rest of this list.” Unfolding the list from her back pocket Brenawyn approached her grandmother. “What specific stones do I need for each of the positions in the circle?”
    “Oh, that’s up to you. The stones used are unique to each person that casts. Go out and pick any five that appeal to you,” shooing her out the door. “Go take them off the shelves.”
    “How will I know if I pick the right ones?”
    “Dear, whichever you pick will be the correct stones for you.”
    With that, Brenawyn exited the office and walked into the showroom of the store. She first stopped at the sectioned bin piled with a variety of polished stones. She loved to touch them; many felt warm, as if alive, while others were cold. Running her hands across each, she closed her eyes, but hadn’t a clue as to which ones to pick. She walked toward the case against the far wall that housed the larger stones and geodes; each was displayed with a card listing their properties, with variations of cleansing and balancing energies on each marker.  She knew instinctively that the descriptions would do her no good. She opened the cabinet, feeling drawn to touch them. She handled each in a reverent way, but discarded most immediately, placing them back with care. Others she placed on the velvet covered countertop, unsure as to her final choices. She narrowed it down to seven, and stood back and considered them.
    Reaching for the amethyst first, she ran her fingers along the smooth edges, mesmerized by the crystals within. She placed it as the first in a new configuration at the top of the velvet mat, knowing in her mind that she would pair it with air. She then turned to place the blue tourmaline with water on the left, bloodstone with earth on the right, obsidian with fire towards the bottom, and finally placing the tiger’s eye with spirit in the center of the mat.
    She was startled when her