I am doing this at the request of jeh-jeh rocket. I hope all who read it enjoy it. Please a comment if you like. Thanks.
ETERNITY
PROLOGUE
In a frenzied rush horsemen thundered through the castle’s gates. They had no warning of the horrific scene that met their eyes. Many of the castle guard lay dead in the courtyard. The giant stallion came to a sliding stop and reared. Calling out the Warrior got no response. As his men spread out the Warrior scanned the courtyard.
“My Lord,” one of his men pointed toward the stables. The Warrior rode to its entrance. There he found his wife’s stallion, Azir, speared to death.
With fear racing through his heart the Warrior turns back to the castle doors. Going up the steps the stallion reared again battering the doors open. Charging through them the stallion came across the Great Hall. At his Father’s throne, the giant horse rears as the Warrior jumps off. With his cloidem-mor drawn he turns to the throne. Here he finds more dead or wounded. The Warrior goes to his Father, the King. A beaten King sits with his head in his hands. “What happened here, Father?” The Warrior stood in front of him.
“Shaun, Son, they slaughtered everyone. They took her,” King Fergus grips the Warrior’s shoulders.
“What?” Shaun growls in growing fear for his wife. “Where is Donnae?
"We were attacked. Over run we couldn't stop them. They took her! They took Donnae!" King Fergus wails. I know not who they were." Letting go of Shaun the King sits back down.
Without waiting to hear any more Shaun heads for the stairs. Going up the staircase he finds Sharif, his Father’s advisor, barely alive on the stairs. Shaun knelt, “Sharif, where is she?”
"My Lord, they took her," Sharif rasps out. "I know not who took her."
"Bloody hell! When she stood on the battlement watching me ride away I knew something was not right! She kept telling me something was wrong. As usual I did not listen. I should have stayed here. Now I have stupidly lost her!” Shaun storms.
"My Lady would have made you proud. She has a warrior's heart and soul. Truly your Queen, the Dragoness and your mate. She showed she is the Dragoness. My Lord, she is safe,: Sharif struggles to get the words out. He knew with Donnae missing hell would walk the land when Croí Tine Dubh awoke and found out.
The mention of the Dragoness has a darker consciousness in Shaun awake. The Dragon Lord Croí Tine Dubh stirs. His stirring could be felt throughout the whole castle. “Where is my Mate?” Scenting the air for her the dragon growls to his human self. No answer came. Realizing she is gone his growl became a snarl. “Find her!” Pausing for a moment Shaun shook his head letting his inner thoughts settle in.
"Sharif, hold on. Let me go see. Maybe they did not," standing up he heads up the stairs. In front of his chamber doors he finds Brian, his right hand man, almost dead.
"My Lord, My Queen is gone. Those bloody bastards took her,” Brian rallies himself at Shaun’s touch. Shaun helps him sit up. “She fought them hard. She is a true Celt warrioress. I heard their leader tell his men to slaughter everyone. She begged him not to. Cruelly he demanded what he would get if he spared them. With tears in her eyes she said she would give him whatever he wanted. That did not stop her from fighting them. She kept right on hitting and kicking until that bastard hit her.” Brian leans back gasping for air.
"Did the bastard hurt her. Do you know who these men were?" as he held Brian. The Dragon inside Shaun growls more.
"No, My Lord, but I was able to see a coat of arms on some of those men's shields . It is the coat of Feardorcha," Brian struggles to get it out. "I'm sorry, My Lord, I tried to save her. There were too many. We had no warning
"Are you sure, Brian," Shaun growls. “Was Donnae hurt badly?”
"I was struck down before they brought her out,” Brian began to cry. “When he carried her by me she was knocked out. I do not believe she was hurt. My Lord, I fear I am fading fast. Please save my Queen.” Gasping for air Brian began spitting up blood.
"Don't worry, Brian. I will find her I swear all who had anything to do with this will pay,” Shaun reassures him. Suddenly Brian grasp Shaun’s arm. A death rattle came out of his chest then he passes away. Laying him back gently Shaun went on in his chambers to find Marissa, his wife’s servant, badly injured.
"My Lord, they took My Lady. I could not stop them. She fought them like a warrior. That beast hit her,” Marissa cries “He knocked her out. I have no idea if she is hurt or not. He carried her out. I was able to watch out the windows before I collapsed. Somehow, they went too near the stables. Azir saw they had My Lady. He broke out trying to save her. They speared him to death. Thank God, she did not see that. Get them, My Lord. I will show you which one did this.”
"It is ok, Marissa. Rest here. I have to go get you some help and see about Sharif,” Shaun tries to comfort her. Nodding Marissa lays back to rest. Shaun went back to Sharif. “Sharif, are you still with me?” Shaun knelt beside him.
"I could not keep her from being taken but I have made sure she is safe. Fear not she will be returned to you. My Lord, bhfuil sí sábháilte. Gheobhaidh tú uirthi arís,” Sharif held up his wife’s necklace. “Bhfuil sí sábháilte. Gheobhaidh tú uirthi arís. Shaun, I tricked your Father into giving you Donnae. I switched her with another daor. I knew Donnae was meant for you. I did not want that pig to get her. I did everything to ensure you had your true mate, the one who could calm the dragon inside you. With him stirring there will be hell to pay for everyone.” With these words, the old warrior collapsed and died. His words about the dragon left Shaun puzzled. He couldn’t think about that now.
"I swear on your soul and this sword, Sharif, I will avenge you. I vow everyone involved in this will taste my blade,” Shaun swore.
Taking the necklace, he hears Donnae’s words clearly, “When are you going to see if this doesn’t stop one day I might be gone then what will you do?” Her words hit him full force. He knew just how foolish he has been.
“Why did I not listen?” Standing up his full rage resonated through Dragún Nead. A deafening roar split the air. “WHERE IS SHE!?! WHERE IS MY WIFE!?! DONNAE!!!”
The word 'daor' means slave in Gaelic.
The sentence, "bhfuil sí sábháilte. Gheobhaidh tú uirthi arís." means "She is safe. You will find her again." in Gaelic.