Passing Through

Ireland is a nation of rich history and diverse peoples. They preserve their ancestry in their legends, myths, and faith.

This will be a continuing story of a young woman's journey to the land of Fae. Taking place in the late fifteen hundreds, I wanted this tale to teeter on the brink of myth and reality.

This is part one, and I'll update it every week with more.....

Kathleen awoke to the bells chiming in the tower. The sun had not yet risen in the east, but she knew she needed to dress and prepare for the day before it lit the Earth.

On her fourteenth birthday, Kathleen willingly entered the Convent of Saint Bridget. The beautiful, brown-haired, green-eyed saint always intrigued the young woman when she saw her image in the local chapel.

Coming from an illiterate peasant family, Kathleen didn't have many prospects in life. However, her mother always told her to straighten her shoulders, hold up her chin, and walk like a queen on Earth.

"You know our people come from the queens of the past," her mother would whisper to her as she kneaded the bread. "They rode to war on horses. They bore their chests in defiance of the Romans. Yes, our people are queens. We're soldiers. Don't be talked down to."

Yet Kathleen always felt there must be more to the legends of her bold ancestors. She felt an undying urge to connect with them and wondered if God might help her. Perhaps all she needed was the aid of the All Mighty, and she could see her ancestors for real.

Therefore, she shaved her head and chose the robes of a nun. Her mother and father wept at her decision since they had pinned their hopes on their eldest daughter's incomparable beauty.

"She would've made a handsome, rich lad very happy," she overheard her father sigh one night. The following morning she would officially enter the convent. Her heart skipped a beat as she thought of the event.

While she understood the life of a monk and nun was difficult, she didn't fear it. She would dedicate her soul to God and in return she'd gain the power and strenght of the queens of old.

Perhaps, she thought to herself, I'll even meet the fierce and vengeful Maeve. Her dark eyes, blond hair, and deathly scream are the things I marvel at.

Her mother, although disappointed, rebuked her husband. "Nah, Damien, you've got it all wrong. She wasn't meant to make some lad happy. She was meant to make herself happy. I doubt that God will keep her warm at night, though."

"Margaret, you speak blasphemy!" Damien exclaimed.

"Ah well, let's see if he keeps you warm tonight, old man," her mom retorted angrily, and the conversation ended. Kathleen couldn't help but giggle at the couple's strange arguments.

While God might not keep her warm at night, she didn't need Him for something like that. She had plenty of wool and blankets to do the trick. What she needed was a miracle.

And she knew that this was God's specialty...

Her people have been reduced to mere shadows of their former selves. Finally, she'd discover what made the women and men of old so powerful. So great. So magical.

She's been a member of the convent for over a year now. While it was difficult and regimented, she came to love the simplicity and direction. Everyday she grew closer to God. Every day she grew closer to her ancestors.

She finished dressing and bathing and made her way to the chapel. Every morning she'd pray for the same thing...

Miracles. Ireland needed Miracles.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.........

******************************************************************************

Thank you so much for reading the first part of my continuing story! This story is meant to be a cross-over legend for a WhatPad story I've been publishing since last year!

It's titled: The Pardon: Stallion Jack O' Willy. Here's a link: https://www.wattpad.com/story/294446368-the-pardon-don%27t-run-stallion-jack-o%27-willy?utm_source=android&utm_medium=link&utm_content=story_info&wp_page=story_details_button&wp_uname=EmilyMarieConcannon&wp_originator=QLLkVLbj3Y9dkOe83q3uGStJlH%2BHR5Ghq%2B5ear2r6TBZi87WXyVh53P8ktmkom08q%2BCksVpFkF4rQMwPf7b9IjS6FzFRvdC2gQ55pZTIFWB7Rkff04%2B8hnovUYwkDY%2BX

Sorry, the link's so long! Anyway, will Kathleen meet the strange Highway Man? Will she explore the Fae? Find out as Saint meets Devil :)