Waves in the Wind by Wade McMahan Read Free Book Online Page A

right, but these are not sensible times. Families tremble beside their fires and call upon their gods, the old and new, for salvation and the restoration of order.”
    There was almost a tone of futility in my father’s voice, but he was very tired. Perhaps that was all I heard. Still, I pressed him, for there was more I wished to know. “I must tell you the bishop’s story of Pharaoh sickened my stomach. Do you think the Christian god can do all he claimed?”
    “Perhaps, though we have seen no sign of it. The Christian god holds no sway here, the Lords of the Sidhe still rule Eire.”
    “Aye, but what manner of god do the Christians worship?”
    My father yawned and briskly shook his head. “Pardon me. Now, how do you mean?”
    “I think of the ten plagues the Christian god brought upon the people of Egypt because of Pharaoh’s stubbornness. You recall the final plague?”
    “No.”
    “All first-born children of Egypt died. Think of it—a god who killed an untold number of innocent children because of the actions of their king. What manner of god would do such a thing? And if he is a god who in his wrath kills children, what might he do to the people of Eire?”
    “Your thoughts are well considered,” he sighed. “Beyond that you speak to fundamental questions that must be asked of all faiths. I cannot answer your question, though I say again, the Christian god has little power here and I do not fear his wrath. However, the synod revealed the growing power of those who stand behind the god you described and I do fear we must prepare for their wrath.”

Chapter 6
    Flames of Rage

    “Ossian, I have something for you.” My father sat at the head table within the dining hall alongside the Master. He stood and removed a gold chain from around his throat that had been hidden beneath his robe.
    I disengaged myself from a group of students, walked forward, bowed and accepted his gift from his hand. It was a spiritual thing of great significance, one that would reveal my Druid’s status to all who saw it. A serpent ring; a solid gold body formed by three coiled bands joined as one, the crest a snake’s head featuring bold emerald eyes glittering in the candlelight.
    “It was your grandfather’s,” he explained as I slid it onto my finger. “I’ve worn his ring of the sacred serpent around my neck as a token of good fortune. Always it was with the thought I might present it to you as I do now during the celebration of your formal introduction as a Druid. May it always speak the truth of your dedication to the Lordly Ones and serve you well.”
    * * *
    My duties changed immediately. Though I was still a student, as a First Order Druid I was assigned to teach the basics of alchemy to the youngest acolytes. Upon making this assignmentMaster Tóla’s eyes gleamed as he told me, “Teach them to burn that which cannot burn.”
    I settled into my new standing and role while three months passed, each dark day much like the last. A day came, however, that while walking across the compound between afternoon lectures it seemed as though by accident a shadow moved among the nearby trees. I walked closer to investigate, and a short, cloaked man stepped into the fire-lit compound. Without comment he handed me a scroll.
    I unrolled the vellum document and hurriedly scanned the Ogham figures on it. It was a message from my father. The mystery deepened when I raised my eyes to discover the messenger had disappeared. Puzzled, I concentrated on the scroll.
    Be warned, my son. Word has reached me of treachery at the highest levels in the halls at Tara. King Máelgarb publicly proclaims to remain true to the gods, but fears the growing strength of the Christians and has formed a secret alliance with them. Christian priests continue to lay the blame for the darkness at the feet of Druids. Their followers plan depredations against our most sacred places. The King cowers within his stronghold like an old woman and has agreed not to