TUS NUA - ch 41

TUS NUA – ch 41

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

(*)(*)(*)

Neil asked, “I know you’re a powerful witch, but what if the spell doesn’t work? What if he moves and finds a new place to steal from and new boys to recruit?”

Alistar placed his right hand on his friend’s shoulder and replied, “The spell will work but with modifications. As you heard, he’ll be giving away the wealth he has accumulated by thievery to those who need it and will be forced to find work to support himself. While he’ll finally see the poverty of others, he’ll find empathy for them and won’t ever steal again. However, he’ll be allowed to benefit from any work he finds. He’ll never again be wealthy, but he’ll be able to survive in a somewhat comfortable manner as long as he’s careful with his earnings. If he’s not careful, well, then he’s no one to blame but himself. However, as I said, he’ll never steal again, nor will he find boys to steal for him.”

“Well, my friend, I guess that’s fine, then. I still would have like to have given him a thwarting for what he’s done.”

Alistar laughed and said, “It would have been very satisfying but there was no point and not as lasting as what he’ll feel for the rest of his life. Let’s now go back to Tus Nua. Tomorrow will be a good day. Sybil’s family will arrive in their new home, and I’d like to be there to lend a hand.”

“Ah, yes, and I wouldn’t mind seeing my dear friend again.”

Alistar grinned and as he slyly looked at his old friend and asked, “Which, by the way, causes me to ask. Why have you not asked her to accompany you for a meal at one of our local restaurants?”

Neil’s eyes drooped a bit and said, “Alistar, look at me! I’m nothing and have nothing that would encourage her. She always loved Finn and her heart and memories run deep. What would she even see in an old codger like me, anyway? Oh, and, my boy, don’t even think of trying to put a spell on her for my sake!”

Alistar now laughed loudly. “Neil, you underestimate my cousin. Spell Finola? We both know that would never work!”

Before they left Finola’s cottage, as they began walking down the stairs, they heard the front door open. At the bottom of the stairs, stood Finola with her clutched fists on her hips and tapping her foot. As they reached the last step, she looked into Neil’s eyes and said sternly, “And what, mo stor, makes you think I wouldn’t go out with you? Are you really that daft to believe that you’ve no worth to anyone?”

She turned to her cousin and asked, “Alistar, mo ghra, I’ve tried not to hear what you’ve done with Stillman but when my name was mentioned, it brought my attention. Is this man here, really the eejit he seems to be? Or am I just thinking he’s turned blind and deaf in the few hours he’s been here with you?”

Neil stood rigidly still and stared at Finola, his mouth sagged a bit, but he was too stunned to say a word, meanwhile, Alistar laughed heartily. “Cousin, I believe when it comes to you, he’s a bit of an eejit. I’m going to let the two of you fight this out here. I’m going back to Tus Nua. See you in a bit.”

They heard him still laughing as he opened his portal, then disappeared.

Finola looked at the shocked face of her longtime friend, then began to laugh. “Oh, Neil, mo ghra, you should see the look on your face. You’re not sure if you should be embarrassed that I overheard your conversation, be angry that I did, or embarrassed at the thoughts you were thinking. Let me put you at ease, mo ghra. My beloved Finn died many years ago and, while I miss him still, I no longer grieve. You and I have been friends for much longer than Finn’s been singing with the angels. He would be the first one to tell you that it’s fine for us to share our time – wherever that might lead – and while I could use my intuitiveness, I won’t. Not for us. Not now, not ever. Let’s go to a nice restaurant for dinner and see where our new lives might take us.”

Neil felt like he could weep at her understanding. He reached out and took her hand as he said, “Oh, mo ghra. Thank you but knowing you, your kindness, and your schedule, I believe our dinner will need to be put off until the weekend. You’ve a lot to do until then.”

“You’re so right. Let’s go back to Tus Nua. Dara and Sybil are making a delicious stew for supper and tomorrow, Dara and I are going to New York to bring back Sybil’s family. Yes, until the weekend, I’ll be busy but, in the meantime, I won’t pry into your thoughts so you can think ‘til your brain bleeds on where you’re going to take me for a nice fancy dinner.”

Still holding his hand, she opened her portal and took them back to Nus Tua where they found a bit of commotion.

Finola looked at Neil and saw confusion in his eyes. “Oh, with what happened at my home, I forgot to tell you. The garda rushed to compare the DNA samples of the bodies found in the woods to those we believed might be the girl’s parents. They’re a match. The garda (police department) is now unfortunately notifying the parents of their finding. The garda sent a poilin (one police officer) to Tus Nua where she met with Morena who took DNA samples from the wee girls. Hopefully, we’ll know soon if their grandparents are the ones we just found. While we’re celebrating a bit about finding the missing teens, we're still saddened about the outcome. Now, I’ve an idea I’d like to ask you to work on.”

She led him outside and began telling him of a new idea she had for Tus Nua.