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I Come From The Water
39: Of the Old

39: Of the Old

(Amice POV)

Lave is here! I am so happy! I was even able to hug her! I have waited too long to be able to see her again. The only reason that I did not leave to go find Lave is because of the Lady. Though it does irritate me that she has not given me a name to call her other than 'Lady'. If she had not insisted that Lave would in fact show up, I would have left no matter how hard it is.

However she is an interesting person. My eyes narrowed taking in the maraud of colored cloth she dresses herself in. According to my Mom the way someone dresses tells a lot about a person, and from the way she dresses I would say she is a priestess of something. Her dress is very similar to some of the nature priests and priestesses I have seen when my Dad takes me out to his home town. This is however a secret from Mom.

Lunch was quite and good. It is sad that Lave sat as far from me as she could, but I am happy she is here. I was afraid of what the Church would do to her. They are not very nice to 'foreign' influences. Though I am not surprised about her escape. The holding cells of the Church really aren't that great. A well placed shove and the bars just fall down. Really you would think they would fix that.

During my stay here the 'Lady' has explained many things to me. I am no longer able to say that Lave is human. Especially if she made it here just fine. However this is fine. It is more fun now that I know she isn't. Though I would like to know what she is, but that seems rude. I will ask later when the time seems more appropriate.

Once lunch was cleared away the 'Lady' sat back down and turned to Lave. “It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Cacht.” So you did have a name to give.

~~~

(Lave POV)

My eyes narrowed when the woman said what she is. A slave, but to who? Another interesting thing is that she chose to say it in Gaelic. I did not think that this language could be found here. “I see a Cacht, is it. To whom do you serve?” The women's smile deepened.

“I serve all. That is my job as the last priestess of the Old.” She said with a bow of her head. “May I know the name of the Mistress.” I scoffed. Of course a servant from Old, because why not. It would make since that they exist even in this world. The servants of Old have always been a mystery. No one knows who appoints them, but they are there to serve those of magic.

I took a sniff of the air confirming the sent. A very human smell mixed with a sharp tang of blood magic. The contract I assume. They all have this sent. “The last priestess?” I asked to confirm that she really served the Old.

“In this world yes.” Her reply clear as she looked me in the eyes. She is young. My sight taking in the tattoo and cloths. She might be the youngest one I have seen. No more than a hundred.

I hummed at her response my eyes never leaving hers. I am curious just how well informed this young one is. “I am Mor Murchú, The Hunting Dog of Scáthach Cove.” The Cacht's eyes widened. A sharp wood scraping sound came from beside me making me glance over. Amice stood there with twinkling eyes watching me. I paled.

“Is that your real name Lave?” She asked while leaning closer. “What does Hunting Dog of Scáthach Cove mean?” Her sparkling eyes freezing me in place. I felt that if I moved she would jump. It is amazing she has kept quite for so long.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“A-Amice it would be best if you sit back down.” The Cacht said while trying to calm her down. I can not tell if the stutter was from fear of what I would do to the girl or the girls actions. Honestly speaking I believe I am developing a fear of this girl.

Amice pouted but agreed sitting closer to me than before. A shudder ran up my spine as her eyes watched my every move. This child reminded me so much of a predator that I was hard pressed not to react.

“I had not realized that a Scáthach Cove member had come here. My I ask what your mission is? If I know I might be able to help.” My eyes narrowed again. So she is a true Priestess of Old.

“... It is not so much a mission as a mistake.” I said slowly. “I can only assume that I fell through a rift and ended up here. I wish to go back. This world is not for me. Coventina was not very forthcoming on information on how to get back. So I have come here to ask you a way across the rift.” Now here is the thing with talking to a Priestess of Old they don't believe in chance. This can go two ways. Hopefully she is more easy going and will believe that it was a mistake and not some 'Devine Mission'.

“Ah, it is not a mistake.” Sigh, of course she will go with the later. “If you have shown up in this world then it was meant to be. There is a prophecy...” Of course there is a goddess damn prophecy! “... that the age of the Old will come again. One of blood and magic will come and help those out of hiding. They will bring back the fear of the supernatural. The time of Humans will end.”

“That could be anyone. Of blood and magic is the standard for most, if not all, magical beings.” A said annoyed. This is why I hate talking to anyone that is from the Old. “I mean what about you. You are a being of blood and magic. Why don't you bring back the fear of the supernatural. Honestly you would be a lot better at it as you are directly related to it. You are from this world, and you are a Priestess.”

The Cacht chuckled. “There is no way that I could do it, as you already know. I am bound to this island. However the Scáthach have always been the fulfillers of the Old's prophecies. The 'Hunting Dog' if you will.” My eye twitched in annoyance. Why is it always like this? All I wanted was one day off and I get pulled into another world. I want to get to the ocean, I pick up an emotionally unstable leach and get captured by some self important Church. I want to find this 'witch' I fight some cowardly fake rainbow fish. I want to go home it turns into some divine mission.

“How would I even go about bringing back fear of the supernatural. Are there any of the Mystic left out there? How would I find them? As this is not my world why would I help?” My last question being the most important. I may not have had the best life back home but it was mine. I don't need to start all over again. I mean I didn't mind at first but this holy war thing is putting me off. Plus I really liked being a mercenary.

“Umm, who are the Old?” Amice asked. She tilted her head in curiosity, a bright smile on her face. Her innocent act is good, but I don't believe her for a minute.

The Cacht frowned slightly as she glanced over at Amice. However something flicked across her eyes and she smiled. "Why don't we start from the beginning." She said. "There is no reason to argue and I'm sure you would enjoy a bit of story telling." Her eyes locking with mine as if asking for permission.

I scoffed. As if she needs permission from me. As a priestess of the Old she cannot be harmed or really stopped if she so wishes. Lets hear her story with any luck I might learn a bit more about the Old.