Solstice - The Goddess Awakens
Prologue

(Ireland 3,500 BC)

Brigid glided silently through the familiar forest, which was now wrapped in a silver blanket of snow. Her footprints were the only evidence that she had passed through. Of course, they could lead her pursuers straight to her, but she couldn’t worry about that now. It was almost dawn and time was running out. A thin wind whispered through the densely-packed pines and conifers, muffling the gentle crunch of Brigid’s feet and the sound of her accelerated breath as she sped towards hallowed ground. Her guardians would be waiting for her there.

She could see it now as the thick copse of trees began to thin out. The granite temple stood aloft a small hillock like a sentinel, its quartz face illuminated in the metallic moonlight. Thick flakes of snow continued to fall in torrents, settling like petals on Brigid’s flame-red hair before melting. It was risky, careless to carry everything with her tonight. Yet, it was her duty, and hers alone, to ensure that the secrets of the House of Dé Danann were preserved. She understood this made it worth the risk.

Reading her thoughts, the precious cargo that she carried over her shoulders in a goatskin bag began to awaken, recognising that it was almost home. The stone amulet that rested around her pale neck pre-empted the danger. The delicate object began to gently pulse, emitting a piercing orb of blue light. The colour of lapis lazuli, the bright beam swelled until it encapsulated Brigid’s entire body in its warm womb. Instinctively, Brigid reached for the hilt of her sword. Pulling it out of its sheath, she ran her steely gaze over the cold blade which had been hers since birth. An Claidheamh Soluis – the Sword of Light. Her steady hand moulded perfectly around the ornate hilt which bore the symbol of her tribe. The triple spiral. The symbol of life eternal. Brigid extended the Sword of Light in front of her, catching a glimpse of her own pallid face and eyes of emerald green in its cold gleam. She looked older than her eight and ten years. Her duty, however wilfully she’d accepted it, had clearly taken its toll. Brigid inhaled slowly. Dropping her eyelids, she channelled the scalding adrenaline that coursed through her veins. She’d performed this magick countless times before, but never with so much at stake. A circuit of sacred energy poured from Brigid’s body into the receptive sword. Her shut lids detected the light as a pure white flame travelled up the length of the glimmering blade.

A loud snarl tore through the darkness, momentarily shattering the silence. Crouching at the forest’s edge now, Brigid adjusted her position slowly. The dim flame of a torch punctured the black depths of the forest, casting shadows on the glistening snow as it made a steady pace towards her. With just enough time to get the Cube and Oracle to safety, she broke cover, bolting through the knee-deep snow towards the circular stone temple two hundred yards ahead. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

The cold air cut the back of her throat as she came to an abrupt stop at the mouth of the temple. Fixing her amulet against the triple spiral on the large granite capstone, Brigid waited as her anxious eyes followed the thin amber flame coiling around the deep grooves in the stone. Brigid glanced over her shoulder, her eyes searching through the darkness for those who pursued her. Finally, the large edifice groaned open, permitting the young goddess to enter.

Safe now that she was inside, Brigid allowed her sword to illuminate the way to the inner chamber, where she found the four guardians waiting. She could taste the fear. Perhaps it was hers. Perhaps it did not belong to her faithful servants.

Three recesses lay before her in the large cavernous vault. Her footsteps rang off the narrow walls as she came to a standstill at the north inlet. There was no time for pageantry, tonight she would have to be swift. Bobbing her head forward, she beckoned the guardians towards her with a wave. Dipping her hand into the leather bag, Brigid plucked a large crystal cube from its depths. Releasing her hold, it defied gravity as it rotated on its side, suspended in mid-air as if by some magical force. There was a soft whisper of metal on metal as Brigid once again removed Soluis from its scabbard, the tip still hot with light. As the translucent crystal cube continued to slowly rotate, Brigid reached out and touched it with the point of her sword.

‘What lies within, reflects without.’ Her majestic voice reverberated off ancient stone and crystal quartz. As she spoke the hallowed words, warm amber light spilled from the vessel as it obediently shifted and broke apart, until all that remained were five unique crystalline forms.

‘Luna, come forward,’ invited Brigid, her voice revealing no trace of her trepidation. ‘I give to you the dodecahedron. Protect it.’ The young girl with flaxen hair and pale blue eyes bowed as she gracefully stepped back into line while the older of the two women took her place in front of Brigid.

‘Rocha. You are a wise sage and your many years have taught you much. To you, I entrust the icosahedron.’ Removing the intricately cut crystal, Brigid guided it into the old woman’s weathered hands before addressing the young man who stood trembling in front of her. He was the youngest of the group and as she looked into his dark eyes, Brigid could see the fear that coursed through them.

‘Manus,’ said Brigid gently. ‘Take this octahedron. You understand that you must protect this with your life?’ The young man nodded gravely, taking his place alongside his fraternity. Finally, the eldest of the guardians was summoned forward. He was Brigid’s most loved and trusted counsellor. He had been like a father to her throughout her short life. It would be hard for her to leave him, but destiny offered her no choice. ‘Delphius.’ The name caught in her throat like a barb. ‘To you I entrust the House of Danu’s most sacred items. You must have the tetrahedron and Cube. Also, please take these.’ Brigid slid a long silver chain over her head and placed the amulet into the worn and callused hands of Delphius.

Her vibrant eyes scanned his face, a face where each wrinkle and each crease housed millennia of wisdom. ‘The spirit of my people will protect you wherever you go. Keep this amulet with you. Always.’ After placing the chain over his head, Delphius then slid both crystals inside his elk-pelt cloak. ‘Fear not, my druid,’ soothed Brigid, in response to the anguish in his eyes. ‘We will meet again. You will know me and I will know you.’

For the first time there was an edge to Brigid’s voice. ‘I trust you still have the Oracle, teacher?’

Nodding his head, Delphius tapped the side of his saddle bag, all modes of speech having abandoned him.

Gathering them into a close embrace, Brigid once more stirred Soluis. ‘It is almost dawn and soon the first rays of our sacred sun will saturate this dark chamber. I will leave a sign to all those who come seeking knowledge and hope in the dark age that is to come. It will be an eternal sign. As eternal as the rocks in which we now take shelter. It will be a sign that my people will return. As the House of Dé Danann retreats to our Far World, we must give way to the dark aspects of this vast universe. But know this, our light will once again radiate.’

Brigid effortlessly slid her sword through the air in a circular motion, carving a triple spiral on the back wall of the stone chamber. ‘This,’ she announced proudly, ‘will be evidence that we lived and that we will return to our sacred Brú. Each solstice the universal light of the divine will expel the darkness, illuminating this sacred and magickal symbol. But you must go now, my faithful followers, for our enemy is close at hand. A time will come when this Cube can be made whole again. Until then each of you is bound by our sacred treaty to keep its pieces safe from those who wish to destroy it.’

Bowing, one by one the guardians exited along a warren of tunnels. Delphius was last to leave.

‘Goodbye, Delphius. For now,’ hushed Brigid, as she pushed her sword into his reluctant hands. Closing her eyes, Brigid stood in the enveloping darkness. Alone and unarmed, she waited for her nemesis to enter.

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