“When are you blessed with one, your powers will be combined in them,” she explained. “We did not know if, like the ancient ones, those of the bloodlines would mate with priests or priestesses, or if they’d mate with each other. To carry on the powers to the next ones.”
Thinking on the fertility ceremony she’d seen, Ran did not want to consider how the gods mated with humans. Or the price of those joinings.
“So many of our practices have been lost to us,” she said. “We are learning even as you and the others do. With William and Brienne, his powers rose when she was endangered. Hers rose upon meeting him. But we did not know if each pair will be connected in that way.”
“Why do you not know more? Are there no records?” Ran knew that the Church had records and written texts from centuries ago. As did the kingdoms and other governments.
“Ours was a tradition passed down through stories and prayers. Truly, seeing what Soren’s grandfather created was the first time we have seen all of it in one place. Marcus believes we should begin the practice of recording our ceremonies and prayers on parchments or tablets.” Aislinn looked around the camp once more.
“I am certain he is simply busy with arrangements,” Ran said. “I know you have many tasks, so I won’t keep you. I just wanted to know if there is anything I should know about the ceremony. I worry about Ander being able to chant the prayers.”
“He has been in the hands of the evil one for days. I pray that he is strong enough to withstand what is done to him.”
“And if he cannot finish it? Marcus said that beginning and not ending the chant will bring about the destruction of the stone circle and all those inside it?” Ran asked, knowing that was what Marcus had said. “So, I thought that you could teach it to me. If Soren’s attention is on Lord Hugh, I can instruct Ander. I think it would be better. . . .”
“None of the rituals are the same. Oh, we begin in the same way, calling on the Old Ones to protect us from evil, but then each circle has its own chant.”
“How do you know which one it is?”
“I heard it when I entered, when Brienne and William joined us inside the circle. This time, they were revealed to Einar who was supposed to teach them to us when the time came. At least he taught them to Soren, who can pass them to Ander.”
Ran had a bad feeling then.
“So there is nothing I can do to be ready?”
Aislinn reached out, her green eyes glowing and the color of moonlight blazing around her, and touched Ran’s arm where the mark lay.
“You are Waterblood. You are ready. You are bonded to the Stormblood now. Act as one. Rely on no one but each other. Accept his strength, forgive his weakness.” Aislinn squeezed her arm. “Be one with him.”
Her blood surged at the prayer of this powerful priestess of the Old Ones. The sea was in her and she was with the sea. She held the powers of water within her.
“Your eyes,” Aislinn said. “They are the sea! The goddess dwells within you!” The priestess released her and knelt before Ran. Bowing her head to the ground, she whispered something. Raising her head, she smiled and nodded at Ran.
Shocked by the priestess’ actions, Ran made her way out of the camp and joined with the sea. It was different now, she did not look out at the sea, she looked inward at it. She was the water. She flowed. She sustained.
The merging with Soren had caused some change in her power and in herself. She was much stronger with him. Her trust was the price of this change and her pride the cost.
Flowing around the island, she did not go to Orphir, but to the lake. Leaving behind the fear from her last encounter, she moved through the bay, past Hamnavoe and through the thin connecting channel. In the lake, she slid along the bottom looking for the circle.
It was there!
Under a thick layer of silt and debris from thousands of years of waiting, the circle was there!
Some stones stood while others had fallen. Eight stones in the middle. More in a wider circle around them. An altar stone to one side of the center of it all. Bigger than Stenness. Wider than Brodgar. A huge complex for worship and then a gateway to another place. As she moved over it, she felt the power simmering there. But the power stuttered as something beneath it pushed against it.
Sister, you will not succeed,she heard herself say.
I will be free,Chaela said from deep under the circle.
We put you there and you will remain,she told the goddess who’d been like a sister to her. Nantosuelta’s heart and spirit hurt at the actions they’d been forced to take.
You think you are more powerful than me. You will pay for your betrayal,Chaela said, screaming and pushing against the barrier that held her within the prison of the void.I will be freed.
No matter the cost, you will not,she promised the evil one her sister had become.
Ran streamed back to sea and around to Orphir. Rising from the sea, she walked across the beach and confronted her sister’s minion who watched her with widened eyes. Oh, aye, let him worry.
“Take me to Svein Ragnarson,” she ordered. Changing to her human form, she repeated her demand. “Take me to my father.” Her voice sounded different to her and echoed in a strange fashion.
