TUS NUA - ch 18

TUS NUA – ch 18

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

(*)(*)(*)

Finola stood aburptly. “Mia, use a portral. Go get your mother. Hurry.”

When Finola sounded this urgent, Mia knew to hold her questions. She hurried to the middle of the room, tossed her orb in the air and disappeared as it descended and enveloped her.

Dara and Tauri came from the kitchen. “Finola, we felt it too. Would you like us to call Alistar in case he’s needed?”

“No need, dear, he’ll know if he’s needed. But please put the kettle to boil. Soothing tea will be needed.” She turned and stood near the door.

The young women around the table, looked questioningly at Finola but didn’t ask. They’d already gotten to know Finola’s sixth sense, even if they didn’t understand it. All too soon, they’d all know what was about to happen.

Midnight purred, “Dara, I usually don’t speak to anyone but Mia, but this is important. She’ll need a soft, fluffy robe.”

Dara bent and picked up the feline and gently kissed the top of her head. “Oh, Midnight, you wonderul little ball of love. You’re quite right. I’ll take care of it. Tauri? Did you hear that? Can you take care of the tea while I get a robe and slippers?”

Tauri called out to her sister, “Go, my stor! And hurry!”

Within seconds, a portal opened and out stepped Mia and her mother who carried her medical satchel. Morena approached Finola. “How much longer?”

As Finola opened the door, she replied, “The carriage is coming up the drive. I’ll need help getting her in our little infirmary.”

“No, mo ghra. That’s why I’m here.” Finola spun quickly and saw Alistar standing behind her.”

Shaking her head, she smiled. “Oh, dear cousin. I should have known. Here comes the carriage.”

Morena wondered, “I’m curious as to why she chose a carraige rather than a taxi. Surely a taxi would have been faster.”

Alistar leaned a bit, kissed Morena’s cheek and supplied his own opinion. “Perhaps she knew it would be less conspicuous. After all, if you’re afraid and in a hurry, who would take notice of a slow-moving horse-drawn carraige?”

Morena nodded, “You have a point. Oh, I see the carraige. It’s closesr, now. Finola, I’ll go into our infirmary and, oh, heck and what? I don’t even know, yet, what I’ll need. But, I can at least set out some soft cloths and a basin of warm water.”

Finola closed her eyes for a bit. “Mo ghra, you’ll need more than that but here’s the carriage. Alistar will bring her in.”

Mia walked with her mother. “Mom, I’m going to help Alistar, then I’ll be in.”

Dara handed Morena a soft, fluffy terry robe with matching slippers and said, “Take these inside. I’ll put some food on the stove.”

Mia walked outside with Alistar and as he opened the door to the carriage, her eyes opened wide. Calmly she said, “I’m Mia and your herer at Tus Nua. You’ll be safe here. This is my cousin Alistar. He’ll take you inside.”

The girl looked at the tall handsome man and tried to shrink into the cushion. Mia placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “It’s ok. He won’t hurt you. None of us here will hurt you.”

Alistar raised his hand slightly and silently cast a temporary spell on the girl.

He whispered, “This house is blessed to help those in need. The heart, soul, and mind, we feed. We offer safety and do no harm. If you’ll allow me, please touch my arm.”

She raised her eyes to his and he saw the pleading tears begin to swim behind her lashes. Slowly and a bit hesitantly, she lifted her hand and touched his arm.

Ever so gradually and gently, he placed one arm under her legs and his other under her arms. “There, now, my dear girl, we’ve got you. You’ll be safe here. Finola is waiting inside.”

The girl relaxed and placed her head on Alistar’s strong shoulder. He heard her whisper, “Teagan. My name’s Teagan Murphy.”

He carried her as though she were a delicate glass vase through the house to the infirmary where Morena and Finola waited to take care of her.

“She told me her name’s Teagan Murphy. She’s terrified and badly hurt.” He turned his attention to the young girl. “Teagan, this is my cousin, Finola and her niece, Morena. Morena’s a nurse. Finola is, oh dear, don’t be alarmed, but Finola is a witch. They’ll both tend your injuries. I’ll be outside if you need me.”

She nodded as he turned and left the room, his demeaner a bit rattled. Walking to a dark corner of the gathering room, he raised his eyes and asked, “God, Goddess, should I assume she was sent here for me? If so, please guide me.”

He no sooner said those words, when he felt what seemed like a warm cloud pass over him. He didn’t quite know what he was to do, but he know without a doubt, that he’d soon know.

Back in the infirmary, Morena delicately cleansed the dirt on Teagan’s face, arms, and legs. Softely she said, “When you’re ready and if you’re able, we have a shower in that corner. But first, I’d like to examine you and fix what I can. Please, Teagan, tell me what hurts.”

As the girl’s body trembled, she timidly said, “They tried, but I fought. I got away but they ran after me.”

“Okay, honey,” Morena replied. “No one can hurt you here. It isn’t allowed. I’ll explain that later. You have the beginning of a badly blackened eye. You were clearly hit very hard. What else hurts? Were you cut anywhere? I don’t see any blood but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a slight prick. Please let me help you.”

Teagen closed her eyes as she pulled up her t-shirt and showed Morena the small “X” that was sliced above her left breast. The cut was slight enough to only cause pinpoint bleeding but, it was still there.

“Teagen, I’ll attend to this first. Within a week, you’ll have no scar whatsoever.”

The girl looked at Morena and asked timidly, “You can do that” Really?”

Morena looked at Finola but answered, “Yes, we can.”