Alanna stared at her phone in confusion. "Daideo what did you say?" She asked. "I said that Mamó wants you to come home. The land calls you back little one." He replied. "Grandfather I am in university right now. I cannot leave." There was a brief pause and she heard her grandmother saying something in the background. "Ostara is coming up. You can come then we will have your ticket waiting for you." He paused expectantly. "I, I will be there grandpa. Alanna said. "Yes we will see you very soon. Slán abhaile" He replied and disconnected the call. "Slán." Alanna managed just before the disconnect.
She stared blankly at her phone. That memory or vision or whatever it was seemed to be far more visceral than most. She lay back on her bed and stared at the ceiling her mind 1600 years away. She found herself brushing her hand against her abdomen and thinking about that woman's last moments. Who was she? Was she real or part of her delusions. Alanna rarely had delusions. Sure her schizophrenia displayed itself as memories but she never experienced magical blood ivy before. She thought back to some of the more recent memories in which she had been the same man. In fact, she had seen the same man for most of her life and looking the memories he seemed like he would be her somewhere around her mother's age. His soldier uniform looked like ones from movies her friend's parents watched. She looked down at her hands and clenched her fists. She saw him die too. A piece of metal shrapnel from an explosion pierced his armor at the abdomen. He died just like that woman. It was slow and painful but neither wept from their own pain. The soldier wept for a love he would never see again and the woman wept for the land without its god. "Am I doomed to die in a similar way?" Alanna asked quietly.
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The next few weeks seemed to go by rather uneventfully. Her mind had a bit of clarity that she had never felt before. She had a sense of purpose and was actually quite excited to travel back to Ireland. She missed her grandparents and found the land to be one of the most beautiful places she's been, even with all the rain. She found herself smiling more as spring break drew nearer. Her classes, discussions, and essays all went smoothly and she hoped that her mind would hold out.
The 15 hour flight into Knock was a bit nerve-wracking as they hit turbulence several times over the Atlantic and Alanna was grateful to have solid ground beneath her feet. It was a cool yet comfortable 10 degrees and the still wet tarmac gave proof that one of the few March showers had recently blown through. It brought a happy smile to her face and she walked to her ride share with a bit more pep in her step.
The drive south was just under an hour but it really was the perfect drive through the country. The Emerald Isle lived up to its name with the green hills and sparkling in the occasional beam of sunlight that made its way through the slightly overcast sky. The petrichor scent was hanging in the air and everything felt right and true and just like home. Alanna laughed at the though. It had never felt so true before. She had always loved this place but for the first time ever she felt home.
She arrived at a small cottage where an elderly couple awaited her with smiles on their face. They were both in relatively great shape for being in their sixties. Her grandfather had a large reddish silver beard that reminded her of the pictures she saw of her father. He had a relatively large frame that dwarfed both her and her grandmother. Her grandmother had Curly brown hair and the most beautiful clear emerald eyes she ever saw. She was thin and clearly still quite active but had an inner strength that seemed to permeate her being. The cottage was fairly traditional except it had a more modern wood shake shingles and dormers with large windows to allow the sunlight through. The family greeted each other with a hug and kiss on the cheek and Alanna couldn't help but scent them deeply. She missed this. It had been far to long. "Come A leanbh. We have toast and tea from breakfast. I am sure you are hungry and tired from your trip."
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Her grandmother said and led her inside to a warm and cosey room with an open hearth and a burning log at its center. A small tray with tea and black toast sat on a round table that had three small chairs placed around it. Alanna removed her sweater and started to remove her shoes when she realized her grandparents had not. She was so used to doing it at home it had become habitual especially with her Japanese mother requiring it. Her fathers family did not seem to share that particular custom. They sat at the table where she was served tea and toast and she both sipped and nibbled while her grandparents stared lovingly at her. "She looks so much like him." Her grandmother said to her grandfather. His smile was genuine when he looked at her and nodded. "You are a beautiful flower blooming on your own." He said. "Tell me. How have you been?" Her Mamó asked with concern etched upon her face. "Oh I am ok grandma." School is just a lot right now and I am a bit more stressed out. I will be ok though." Alanna said smiling. Her grandmother frowned slightly then looked at her husband and gave him a subtle nod. He rose from the table and moved toward the still open door. "I will just get another log for fire Anna." He said then walked outside.
Her grandmother smiled knowingly and reached out to caress her hands. The overly physical affection was not something she received very often and it made her happy. Yet, she was curious about the look her grandmother was giving her. "I wish we could have raised you here. Shane and I would have loved to have had you and to explain so much about our family." Alanna looked confused but smiled anyway. "Well I would have loved to live here. I don't really have complaints about Ohio. There is not a whole lot to do in Marysville but Columbus has been a lot of fun. We moved there when I was so young I don't really remember Japan but mom says I would have hated it given my wilder nature." "It is good to explore all of your roots but yes you did inherit quite a bit from your father." Her grandmother said with a knowing smile. "That is actually why you are here. I know about the issues you have been having." Alanna frowned. "I have had a few more episodes than normal the past few years but I am managing. I won't let this disability ruin my future.
"Oh child." Anna said and moved to wrap Alanna into an embrace. "You are not crazy these are not delusions. This is not something medication can take away. It is just you. A part of you that is trying to make itself known." She paused when the frown took over Alanna's face. "I know it is hard to believe but you are part of this land and this land is a part of you. The ancient druids were many things throughout these lands but here they were the ones that delved into the sciences and taught us the ways to better society. They were also the keepers of the oldest lore and the last true heroes." She paused to make sure she had Alanna's full attention then continued. "They taught us all the importance of the soul and its journey through all its different lives. The bodies we inhabit are just shells for the spirit and each spirit lives and dies thousands of times. Only those deeply tied to these lands can pull from this pool of memories. This was one of the requirements to be a druid. They taught us because they carried with them several lifetimes of knowledge. Whatever you think you are seeing isn't a delusion my child. It is your past and it is time for you to accept and understand that past.
Alanna stared in disbelief at what she was hearing. Her mouth opened and closed several times before she clamped her lips shut. What could she say to any of this. It was madness. Yet a part of her believed even if it was crazy. Her grandmother seemed to genuinely believe what she was saying. She also kind of wanted to believe it so that she wouldn't be crazy anymore. She would just be remembering things and that was quite normal after all. She was staring at her grandmother but her mind was a thousand miles and 20 years away. "I am not asking you to believe me without offering any sort of proof. Tomorrow you will come with us and we will show you a place that few know exists and of those that do none would enter. It will help you understand both our ways and yourself. For now rest until tomorrow. We will have some stew and potato farls for dinner. and your room is the same as always." She stood up and kissed Alanna's cheek then walked out to find her husband.