The Trials of Tuatha De Denann

Prologue

17th century

          In the beginning a man went on a hunting trip where he fell asleep atop a fairy mound. The consequences for doing so tormented the man as now he had the power of foresight, however the cost was too much foresight, giving him the haunting image of his own death. The man was to be drowned in a boiling cauldron of tar, a substance that could drown magic and trap his spirit inside forever.

          Kenneth Mackenzie fell asleep on a fairy mound at the age of 17. His life consisted of fear, as he knew events would take place. He always tried to stop what would happen but as fate stated, time wanted to happen and would catch up either way. Kenneth on his journey through discovering his powers caught the eye of a fair maiden. Janet was her name and she was of the age 18 living in a village near the Cormac Mac Airt castle. Janet quickly became enchanted by Kenneth. The two married and later gave birth to a beautiful daughter with fiery red locks.

           Shaylee Mackenzie was a very curious girl, tending to get herself in trouble. At the age of two she followed a black cat to a bridge said to be infested with trolls and then again trying to catch a butterfly almost stepping into a fairy circle. At the age of 3 the Mackenzie's went to the Festival of Lugh in Buchanan castle. The Lairds of each household and the royals were all invited to join in on the festivities. The day they arrived, Shaylee wandered off to play with the children. The adults began preparing for the feast by hunting and cooking. Jokes and laugh shared around the courtyard, music could be heard playing all day long as the children danced.

           Kenneth went with the hunting party and upon return discovered the large cauldron he so feared. Kenneth searched for his close friend Farquhar Mackintosh. Kenneth knew his death was coming and he could not condemn his family because of his mistakes. He made a deal that Mackintosh could have his family jewel for the safety of his family. He found Shaylee, picked her up and walked briskly to their chambers.

           Worry was evident on his face when he entered the room confusing his wife.

          "My dear, are you alright?" She questioned.

          Unsure of how to tell his family goodbye he sat down on the bed holding his head in his hands, frustrated by the situation; not wasting anymore fear on death by instead focusing on a plan that got his family back to Ireland.

          "The time I have warned you about has come. But it's not only me they want." He said in a hushed tone. He looked Janet in the eyes and grabbed her arm. "You and Shaylee have to leave now, Farquhar will take you home and there you need to take all you need and leave with him to his home." He looked defeated and remorseful to abandon his wife and child for death but only wished to give them their best chance at getting away from the evil that was to come. He began packing up the few things they brought quickly.

          "I would ne'er leave you to face this alone. You are mental if you think I e'er would." She argued. She stood and walked over to her husband. Janet could not fathom the idea of knowing her own death being right around the corner and to be alone to face it. She only wanted to fight death but Kenneth knew it to be futile.

          "If you and Shaylee do not leave you will have condemned our daughter to the same fate. I have guaranteed your safe passage. Now leave before it's too late." He said as he finished packing. He looking into Janet's eyes pleading with her. She sighed and kissed him for the last time. Shaylee only 3 looked to her parents with a small smile on her face as she played with her father's silver dagger. Her parents laughed at her sneaky ways. She was so stealthy she could sneak up on a leprechaun.

          Janet went over to the child holding her along with the bag. She raised her cloak to hide her face and wrapped her arms around her child. She looked back at Kenneth and slipped out the door into the night. She was to meet Farquhar in the woods at dawn 5 miles from the castle. Night had fallen and so the festival began. She walked in the dark with her daughter and their bag of food and blankets.