The Lost and the Veil (Part 3 Conclusion)
Part 3: Seeds of Magic
The Lost and the Veil (Part One): Where Has All the Magic Gone
The Lost and the Veil (Part Two): Gaia Schemes to Save The Lost
The Lost and the Veil (Part 3, Conclusion): Seeds of Magic - You are here!
Use the links above to catch up!
Recap: In a world much like ours, gods and creatures of magic observe and often involve themselves in the doings of humans. It is a world where the Balance between good and evil is threatened, a world where humans willingly sacrifice their purest expressions of joy and love (magic) for momentary thrills and gratification. It is written from the POV and experiences of the gods, creatures of magic and one child who has the power to help restore the Balance and save The Lost. A momentous battle that will determine the future begins in a small clearing outside Gaia’s cave when a rogue Leannan Sidhe seeks to trick a human child and take her magic.
The Five Rules of Magic (abbreviated):
1. [Humans & Magical Beings] Powerful practitioners can draw magic from any of the four elements: earth, air, fire, water. A much less used, and very dangerous method is to open the portal to summon it from one’s own spirit reserve.
2. [Humans & Magical Beings] Magic can NEVER be taken by force from another, UNLESS a powerful practitioner opens their own portal in an attempt to summon from their inner reserve. Once opened, this portal can be usurped by any nearby powerful practitioner of magic.
3. [Humans & Magical Beings] Humans can survive easily without magic. Near-immortal magical beings like Aos Si and Leannan Sidhe cannot. If all their magic is depleted, their physical remains lie dormant for one hundred years - only Gaia can decide whether to revive them at that time. During these 100 years, their spirit joins with the deep and abiding energy contained within the Source.
4. [Humans Only] A protective seal prevents any transference or loss of magic until ten years of age.
5. [Humans Only] Magic accrues slowly over a lifetime but more quickly during certain life altering events. Any part or all of it can be willingly forfeited at any time once one is of age. Few humans have the ability to directly summon magic from the four elements, and even fewer can draw from their own internal reserve and wield its power.
“What have you in your little bag of tricks, Abyzou?” Gaia managed to articulate despite her mouth being stretched to capacity with its fruity cargo.
“My bag of tricks is none of your concern. I have done nothing wrong!”
All the while, the disguised Leannan Sidhe crept closer and closer to Alvinia.
The sun was near to reaching its zenith, the lowest point in the Hawthorne tree’s power.
Dog and Mafdet began to walk the area deasil; Dog with his command of magic and Mafdet with the power of protection meant no living thing could enter or leave the circle, and this was probably good because a sizable number of Leannan Sidhe had gathered.
Just outside the circle stood three lone figures shrouded in darkness, collectively known as The Unholy Trinity.
After that fateful battle with Queen Treis and the Aos Si a few hundred years ago, this powerful and evil vanguard seized control of the Leannan Sidhe to function as CEO, CFO and COO in the governing body they established. They convinced the Leannan Sidhe that isolated, uncoordinated efforts were ineffective, and taught tactics to a select few while initiating strategies to bring about the downfall of humankind and subjugation of Gaia. The Unholy Trinity was directly responsible for the numerous declining societies of The Lost and they did not intend to stop until total victory was achieved over humans and the Earth.
CFO: “That idiot Abyzou was not supposed to initiate this - no doubt it was her insatiable greed for first draw magic that has put us in this position.”
COO: “We noticed her absence from the hell hole, and discovered the fool was dawdling around Gaia’s cave - a reconnaissance revealed she was trying to trap an underage child. Before we could stop her foolishness and retrieve her, Gaia arrived so I summoned our soldiers and had them stand ready just in case.”
CEO: “True it was not part of the plan to challenge Gaia now, but this may be the perfect time. The Queen has grown weak from lollygagging in the comforts behind the veil. The Sky God refused to take sides before, neither did that twit, Lady Moon step in - why would either do so now? Of course, busybody Gaia flits about meddling here and there, but She’s scared shitless to go against the Sky God. Just remember, She is the only one with real teeth here. I doubt there will be any outside interference; we are strong and should take advantage of this opportunity. I would see it play out!”
COO: “I will send word to all those in the area to report immediately! Gaia and Treise are knowns - we have measures in place to render their efforts useless…but that child…who is she, why is she here? And the circle is a problem…”
CEO: “It’s just a silly child of The Lost that hasn’t even reached ten years of age. As long as we don’t defy Him by threatening it, we should be fine. There are enough already inside to get the job done, and once Gaia’s power is nullified, the circle will fall. Remember, it is not our intent to destroy Her, just subdue and rule Her.”
CFO: “I calculate a huge store of magic is contained within this circle…when we prevail, this should be the largest bounty of magic ever collected in one fell swoop!”
The root of the problem with maintaining The Balance between good and evil had always been humanity’s free will; it was because of humans that good and evil even existed!
Since the beginning, great debates raged between all who had the gray matter to do so about the wisdom of the Sky God for having gifted this to humans. Those most deficient in magic tended to deny there was such a thing as free will but even amongst those who believed, there was no final and correct answer. Everyone’s point of view seemed to rest upon a singular notion…or faith, if you will: Is the soul of a human strong enough to bear such a burden and can the world survive their choices - yes, or no?
One might ask, if a human can lose all their magic, yet continue to dwell upon this earth, what is the big deal about it anyway? If you have to ask, you will not understand the answer, for it is likely you were drained long ago and only maintain miniscule amounts; you do not remember what it was like when you carried this powerful and sustaining force within you. Chin up, though! It will creep back slowly and begin to fill your empty vessel when you least expect it - whether during a sunset, a birth, a death, while you are on a hell-bent path of self-destruction - it will seek its spot in your soul. Of course, if you are true to the ways of The Lost, you will simply barter it away again before it can reach critical mass and do something truly amazing and worthwhile in your life.
Just outside the circle, lurking Leannan Sidhe had begun to creep closer and closer to the action in hopes of joining in when the circle fell.
They licked their lips and flexed their claws. None had seen true battle for many a century - indulging in paltry mind games with a race too weak and stupid to provide any sort of challenge had begun to bore them.
They shivered in excitement.
Abyzou had not anticipated this confrontation; she had only thought to secretly spirit the child away to drain her magic. She felt a bit begrudging that others now knew of Alvinia, which meant she would have to share that first, most satisfying sip of magic.
Abyzou was also surprised when the Unholy Trinity along with their most powerful generals showed up. Apparently, plans to confront Gaia had been in the works for some time… yet Abyzou had never been invited to scheme in the Leannan Sidhe’s War Room.
Well. Huh! This would be Abyzou’s time to shine and show them all a thing or two!
She flung her little medicine bag of poisonous herbs and fungi at Gaia and forsook her disguise as a young, innocent forager. Feeling bolstered by the presence of so many of her kind, she decided to make a move to impress the Unholy Trinity - Abyzou would capture the child to hold hostage and thus ensure Gaia and the Queen surrendered!
Leaping into a tiny portion of the Hawthorne’s shadow, Abyzou began to painfully stretch toward Alvinia and as she did, other Leannan Sidhe already in the circle reacted.
Clever pack animals that they were, they began to distract Gaia by gathering round her and blocking her view of Alvinia. They pelted Gaia with items they had collected - diseased and contaminated materials that had been trapped within the earth from greedy and mindless doings of The Lost. These abominations joined the already poisonous trappings from Forager’s bag and sunk into the ground. Such items had always worked to drain Gaia’s energy and in concentration, held even more power over her.
The Unholy Trinity was displeased to see Abyzou continuing her assault upon the child and issued orders to several overly excited soldiers already in the circle to stop the idiot. However, these were much too overly excited to hear or even be able to curb their own desires for chaos and destruction.
The idiot Abyzou did not hear their command - she was intently focused and aware of nothing but capturing the child to prove her worth.
The Queen of the Fair Folk found herself prone and trapped by several Leannan Sidhe that had thrown themselves atop her. They expertly pinned her arms and forced her face into what was now poisoned earth.
Dog and Mafdet could do naught but continue to secure the circle of protection that kept those inside and outside in their places. They performed their due diligence all the while keeping a concerned eye upon the dastardly turn of events.
Who could have imagined the Leannan Sidhe had grown so bold or could be so calculating in their attack?!
The very air had become thickened and sluggish with battle cries and foul emanations from the Leannan Sidhe.
The shallow rill’s life-sustaining water was just outside the circle, and possibility of fire magic was nowhere in sight.
Nothing external was left within the circle from which to draw and command magic…
Just before the weight of the Leannan Sidhe forced Treise’s face deeper into the poisoned earth, she caught sight of both Gaia and the child.
The child’s visage shone like a warrior queen of old, fierce and proud and Treise was reminded of herself during that long ago battle.
Mother was bent over and Treise could not read her countenance, but to see Mother treated so, awoke and enraged the sleeping warrior spirit of the Queen.
How dare they enter Mother’s realm and disrespect her!
How dare they lay hands upon the Queen of the Aos Si!
And how dare they attack a child under the protection of the gods!
The sun withdrew behind a cloud that became bigger and darker.
The cloud’s essence gathered until a thunderhead appeared resplendent with cracklings of lightning and wind fury.
A pelting rain let loose and tap danced over the backs of all gathered in this place.
Fissures in the earth began to form and fill with water. Growing rivulets sought the now faster flowing rill.
This was only a minor inconvenience.
The Leannan Sidhe steeled their resolve.
Gaia and Treise struggled, and Alvinia seemed to grow in size as Dog and Mafdet continued their circle, perhaps a little faster now.
Abyzou’s claw touched Alvinia, and a raucous cry of encouragement sounded from the near orgiastic crowd gathered outside the circle.
Lady Moon, though weakened by daylight hours and by the fact that she was waning after her recent fullness, found a small opening between the burgeoning clouds and positioned herself directly over the Hawthorne and child. Though not in the fullness of her power to manifest, she did possess a growing ability to remove, to take, to claim that which needed to be released.
It broke her proud heart to see her best friend humbled and it felt as though the demons had breached the heavens and pulled her down to kneel as well. She would be damned if she failed Queen Treise again and she would be double damned if she allowed anyone to treat Mother this way!
Lady Moon began to siphon and purify the foul and sickened air that had lain heavily within the circle. Breathing became easier and the fragrance lighter as the air returned to its natural state.
This was only a minor inconvenience.
The Leannan Sidhe steeled their resolve even more.
To fully showcase her prowess and ensure success, Abyzou decided to use a bit of internal magic for her planned snatch and grab of Alvinia. She knew nothing of plans or orders from the Unholy Trinity but was eager to show off and maybe be chosen to join the ranks of the few, the proud, the privileged.
As Abyzou’s claws touched the child, there was a bolt of lightning that set fire to the Hawthorne! It burned yet did not burn, just as the Burning Bush of legends told.
The Sky God had weighed in!
A powerful gust of wind wound round upon itself forming a graceful, yet formidable Si Gaoithe.
Who could have summoned this Si Gaoithe, thought Treise!? She had not. Certainly, Mother didn’t seem in a position to do so.
As the vile Leannan Sidhe squirmed atop her, she was able to steal a glance at the child’s face again. Alvinia’s innocence and courage shamed her so that the Queen’s mouth twisted into a vicious snarl as she let go a vast store of her own magical energy into the circle.
The Queen of the Fair Folk had opened the portal allowing her to draw from her inner reserve!
Her own safety and past efforts to maintain some sort of precarious peace of mind no longer mattered; she would aid Mother and save the child no matter the consequences.
Large drops of tears containing precious magic from the Queen spilled onto the earth and ran into the little rivulets making their way toward the rill. Each grain of earth and sand touched was cleansed and re-energized by the infusion of her magic.
But even as her tears spilled and flowed, the Leannan Sidhe atop her began to feed.
The Banshee who had born witness to all from the moment the Queen of the Aos Si stepped through the veil, wailed a deafening and mournful cry that shook the battlefield like an earthquake.
The fairy wind cackled in recognition of Alvinia who instantly moved inside her powerfully twirling center and once safely ensconced within, the two combined their magic to raise up the pile of thorns Alvinia had collected. Like deadly shuriken they flew and embedded in Abyzou who let loose a scream nearly equal to that of the Banshee.
Abyzou collapsed appearing more like an elongated porcupine than a fearsome agent of evil. Her magic was quickly drained by the power of the Hawthorne’s spikes and soon her body was reduced to nothing more than a snakeskin. Abyzou’s remains fluttered and gyrated in a macabre dance within the circle just as Dog and Mafdet ceased their revolutions.
The crowd of Leannan Sidhe that had gathered to watch sensed the tide of battle had turned and morphed into their natural snake-like forms. They began to make hasty exits. Thinking to take advantage of the swift current in the overflowing rill to flee, they leapt into it. Little did they realize that the rill’s water mixed with the magical tears of the Queen would never allow their escape.
Splashing and floundering, screaming and cursing, all were overcome and pulled asunder into tiny ineffectual pieces. It would be many a year before their remnants could consolidate and grow strong again.
A hush came over the clearing as Dog tenderly gathered up a fragile gossamer filament - all that remained of the Queen of the Fair Folk. Mafdet found herself with the more despicable task of securing the remains of Abyzou and hissed and scratched at it a bit before deigning to pick it up.
The Unholy Trinity began to withdraw from the scene and offered a slight nod of respect toward Gaia even as she rose like a giant harbinger of doom. Mother spat the apple seeds she had been storing in her mouth with such force, the sound was equal to that of a .50-caliber machine gun!
Her projectiles found targets in the eyes but especially in the tender bits of the straggling generals. These maimed Leannan Sidhe sobbed while mincing along well behind the Unholy Trinity who was speed walking in order to escape the humiliation behind them.
The rain let up.
Clouds dispersed.
The sun shone as Mother’s fallen seeds sent cleansing roots into the earth and soft, green sprouts that reached toward the light.
There had been a subtle comedic quality to Mother’s actions from when she first entered the clearing and squatted beside Alvinia. Now, no longer understated, slapstick in fact, she burst into laughter, held her belly and began to roll around on the ground!
Alvinia tumbled from the expiring Si Gaiothe and joined her, rolling and laughing every bit as much. The two began to wrestle like children released from a long day of school as Lady Moon looked down upon them like a disapproving parent. As Mother took on the persona of her favorite comedienne, Lucille Ball, Lady Moon, not really one for spontaneous laughter nevertheless managed a broad smile.
Alvinia was carried home by the new Si Gaoithe she had conjured herself and was briefly scolded by the children who had been seeking her in their game of Hide and Seek.
“Where were you? We looked everywhere!” they cried, hoping to learn of a new most excellent hiding spot.
Alvinia only smiled and said, “Let’s play something different!? Maybe we can play make-believe and build a world where magic rules and bad guys lose…”
* * * *
Deep in Gaia’s cave, beneath a particularly large and dark outcropping was an old trunk. It looked much like a pirate chest or even Pandora’s box, but it was neither. It was not beautiful yet glowed with an ethereal radiance emitted by the contents of its interior. Inside were hundreds of thousands of snakeskins and gossamer husks carefully stacked, layer upon dusty layer.
Mother, followed solemnly by Dog and Mafdet, carried the remains of the Queen and Abyzou gently placing them inside the trunk next to each other. She held no sadness for the Queen nor any animosity toward Abyzou - each acted in accordance with their natures and directives; life was good, and life continued. She did glance briefly at the heavens and noted that the Sky God was grinning fondly at her and returned his smile.
Alvinia would be back soon and there was much to do to prepare for her lessons.
First and most importantly was the making of mud pies and the throwing of them in each other’s faces. Then, the fairies within the Hawthorne wished to confer an honorary degree upon Alvinia and insisted on doing so from the top limbs of the tree - which meant a long series of extensive classes on how to navigate the climb and avoid thorns. Next, the Si Gaoithe Alvinia had summoned (who would always be the exclusive servant of its first summoner) scheduled a leaf fight to include tutoring in strategies, and tactics with a competition between Mother’s Si Gaoithe and Alvinia’s - winner take all. Already, the Aos Si were petitioning for a variance to be granted that would allow the first living human since the Sky God’s Son to cross the veil; Alvinia was to be welcomed as a visiting dignitary. Yes, the child showed much promise, and as the word spread of her victory and power, creatures of the magical world would see that promise fulfilled.
But for now, after a long, exciting day, perhaps Mother and Lady Moon could just enjoy some old movies of the Lost and eat popcorn together. Later, they could spy on the other side of the veil to see who might be in the running to assume Treise’s role. Better yet, they might scheme together to ensure that one of their choosing would be granted this honor - Mother already had some ideas on how to rig the election…
I borrowed heavily from Irish lore (Aos Si, Leannan Sidhe, Si Gaoithe, the Banshee). Mafdet is from ancient Egyptian religion and Abyzou is a female demon of ancient Mesopotamia, while Mother, Lady Moon, and the Sky God are iconic figures in pagan belief systems. I took many liberties in altering these magical creatures so that they could fit into this world I created - I hope such alterations did not seem to signify disrespect for anyone’s beliefs, because that was not my intent. I believe the overall message in the story is a worthy one and that the search for understanding that which is greater than ourselves, a worthy endeavor. Thank you as always, for reading!
Note: Alvinia is a name for girls that means “elf friend”.
In this world I created, and most likely in our own as well:
Masculine Energy = Logic, Order
Feminine Energy = Feelings, Chaos
No living thing exists solely on either side - each one is an eternally vacillating concoction of both.
Timeline for this world:
Year 000: There was naught but the Source. It held potential but no substance - nothing lived within it, and nothing existed outside it.
Year 00: The Source became self-aware, began to gain substance and in so doing felt loneliness for the first time.
Year 0: From the abundance and love within the Source, all that is spewed forth. The Source rejoiced in the magic of its own creation and splintered itself so as to fully experience each part of its whole.
Year 1: Gods and magical creatures came into being.
Year 2: The first human crawled from the primal ooze and was gifted by the Sky God the freedom to choose and for the first time, the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine found themselves at odds with each other.
Year 3: The entourage of the Sky God begin to argue among themselves as a group of them splinter away. These rebels loathe humanity and determine to destroy it. They travel to earth for this purpose, but the Sky God places a curse upon them so that they cannot kill unless attacked, and that for all their days they will need to consume the magic freely surrendered by humans in order to survive - they become known as the Leannan Sidhe.
Year 4 - Unk: The veil forms to protect the store of magic as war, dissention, and evil alliances play out on the human side of the veil - forces of good and evil vie for dominion over all that is.
Interesting links to Irish Lore:
About the Leannan Sidhe & Banshees: Emerald Isle. Note: I came upon an aspect of Leannan Sidhe that referred to them as having a near vampiric nature, beautiful muses who offer inspiration to artists in exchange for love and devotion; any such exchange leads to madness and death for the artist - this was my inspiration for creating the ones in this story.
About the Si Gaoithe: Tides and Tales
About the Hawthorne Tree: Celtic Tree Lore
Note: The Hawthorne is an example of a tree surrounded by pagan belief that crossed over into Christian legend whereupon Joseph of Arimathea brought the Holy Grail to the British Isles and slammed his Hawthorne staff into the ground in Glastonbury, where it took root.
The Completed Work of the Banshee’s Haiku
Far beyond yon hill Right beside the shallow rill The Hawthorne tree stands. Queen of the Fair Folk Brave champion of justice Mighty is her sword. Rain drips from the tree And transforms the Earth to mud - Soon, swords will rain blood. A war rears its head The Leannan Sidhe lurk Curled like eager snakes. Calamatous Day! Weep loud the loss of the Queen Who fell in the fray! The Earth has her now - Held so close to Mother's breast Hear the Banshee howl!
Did you miss reading the other 2 parts?!
The Lost and the Veil (Part One): Where Has All the Magic Gone
The Lost and the Veil (Part Two): Gaia Schemes to Save The Lost
One might ask, if a human can lose all their magic, yet continue to dwell upon this earth, what is the big deal about it anyway? ... It will creep back slowly and begin to fill your empty vessel when you least expect it - whether during a sunset, a birth, a death, while you are on a hell-bent path of self-destruction - it will seek its spot in your soul. Of course, if you are true to the ways of The Lost, you will simply barter it away again before it can reach critical mass and do something truly amazing and worthwhile in your life.
I must have read this line ten times. Wow, does it summarize the human ability to F things up. I think my most direct and memorable experience with magic was in the delivery room decades ago when my son was born, and I held out a finger and he squeezed in with his tiny hand, and I swear, a geyser of the purest love erupted from ground, drove through my body and literally flew out of the top of my head into the stratosphere. Go explain that feeling to someone who has forgotten!
I’ve enjoyed this series, and the real history you’ve beautifully weaved into your tale. I thought you’d invented the name “Leannan Sidhe”, which for me rings the sounds of Irish and East Indian. I would have never learned about this history without reading your work. Thank you Tracy.