Fairy Godmothers

Fairy Godmothers

Ray McCarthy

Books by Ray McCarthy

Talents Universe

The Apprentice’s Talent

The Journeyman’s Talent

The Solar Alliance

Starship Chief

The Master’s Talent

The Legal Talent

The Mission’s Talent

Tellus’s Last Talents

Celtic Otherworld

Under the Stone of Destiny

Carrying the Shining Sword

Seeking the Flaming Spear

Hero Genesis

No Silver Lining

Exiles and Rooks

Fairy Godmothers

Conspiracies and Rooks

The Fay Child

Artists and Rooks

Dwarves and Rooks

Goths and Rooks

Jewels and Rooks

Tom Óg and the Firebirds

The Wooing of Marion

The Ending of Marion

The Ensorcelled Maid

Four Kids, one Foxe

Geena and the Prince

Trader’s Isle

The Seven Talismans

The White Fire Stones

Fairy Godmothers

Ray McCarthy

Celtic Otherworld VII

Alice (Eilis) had previously agreed to be a godmother for Órlaith. Now the baby has quickened and a geas is triggered. You can’t invoke a fay blessing for a baby without invoking a fay curse first!

Everything you wanted to know about the Fairy Godmother, the Wicked Witch, Flower Fairies and Fairy doors.

This book can be read on its own, though seventh in the Celtic Otherworld series. The events take place during the last parts of ‘Exiles and Rooks’. The sequel to ‘Exiles and Rooks’ is ‘Conspiracies and Rooks’. It’s the fifth book with Alice as the main character.

The cover is a detail from ‘Lady of Shalott’ by John William Waterhouse.

Copyright conditions: All Rights Reserved, purchases may be archived securely or converted for personal use to other ebook formats. Uploading or sharing copies is violation of copyright even if the file was obtained without cost.

Copyright © 2017, 2021 Ray McCarthy, M. Watterson

Revision 1.29

Smashwords eBook ISBN: 9780463051238

Amazon ASIN: B07GD1YR59

Title: Fairy Godmothers

Author: Ray McCarthy

Also published by Corvids Press

Corvids Press epub ISBN: 9781801020763

Large Print ISBN: 9781801020206

Hardback ISBN: 97818010200060

Large paperback ISBN: 9781801020343

Medium paperback ISBN: 9781801020480

Pocketbook ISBN: 9781801020626

CC Audiobook ISBN: 9781801021449

BIASC: Fiction / Fantasy / General

About 53,130 words

Celtic Otherworld

Contemporary travel to Otherworlds is mentioned in Celtic myth and legend. Meet the Tuath Dé, Sióg, Aés Sidhe, Elves and Faerie. Also set in Limerick, Ireland and Wychavon, England.

Court Grave, Lough Gur, Co. Limerick

Manannán Mac Lir led the Tuath Dé away to the Otherworld over 2500 years ago. Except for them it’s been more like 600 due to the time-slip. The Portals were often at Court Graves, Raths and other ancient Irish sites. Today Tuath Dé culture is a crazy mix of Mediaeval to Nineteenth Century styles. Now the Magi Council and the Druids of Ollathair have wakened the Sleepers, the Morrígna, – Badb, Macha and Neamhain – and the rest of Manannán Mac Lir’s Aés Sidhe Warband.

https://www.corvidspress.com/

Visit the site to make comments, corrections or visit the blogs. The link, text and QR code are all the same location. Use your phone’s QR scanner if reading on paper or an old ereader with no HTTPS support.

Notes

In some cases modern and old Irish has been used. The Tuath Dé, Bronze age Celts, spoke a proto-Celtic language, likely related to the oldest Q-Gaelic or pre Fifth Century Old Irish. There is no assurance any usage of any language is correct.

The Tuath Dé (Lárnian) and Fay (Teanga Sióg) languages are not Irish (Gaelic), however Irish spelling and pronunciation may be used, especially for Tuath Dé or Fay names like Irish ones. Other species names are pronounced as per normal British English transliteration.

Contents

Chapter 1: How Could You?

Chapter 2: Faerie

Chapter 3: The Advisor

Chapter 4: The Island

Chapter 5: Nemaron

Chapter 6: Tutors

Chapter 7: Specialists

Chapter 8: Susan

Chapter 9: Tests

Chapter 10: The Naming

Chapter 11: Catching Up

Chapter 12: Second Thoughts

Chapter 13: The Response

Chapter 14: The Council

Chapter 15: Reactions

Chapter 16: Kate’s Idea.

Chapter 17: Obligations

Chapter 18: Delegation

Chapter 19: Hospitality

Chapter 20: Testing

Chapter 21: Consequences

Chapter 22: Binding

Chapter 23: Obligations

Chapter 24: The Will

Other Books

The Celtic Otherworld Series

The Talent Universe Series

The Trader’s Isle Series

Chapter 1: How Could You?

Alice’s phone chimed quietly and vibrated on the desk. She picked up what looked like an oval baton made of hazel and opened it.

Come home soonest, she read. Oonagh will organise a flight in a Royal jet. P.S. Don’t forget it’s still winter here.

It was from her adoptive mother, Neamhain, formerly one of the Morrígna. She sighed. That doesn’t look good, she thought. She hoped that it didn’t mean she was staying there long. She didn’t like riding in the rain.

Alice went to the games room and the four were there, Kate, Duncan, Susan and Reggie. They were discussing the University of Limerick, known as UL. It would soon be the start of the second year as it was now August in the Old World.

I’ve been called home by Neamhain, said Alice. Anyone seen Flinn?

We’ve got messages not to leave the palace, said Reggie.

Sent by Lady Deirdre, added Kate. Do you know anything about a security alert, Alice?

No, just that only authorised field agents are allowed to visit the Old World.

I think Stefan mentioned that Flinn is one and that’s why he’s still away? suggested Duncan.

~

I got a letter from Morien, Eilis, said Neamhain.

Alice winced. It was never good when mum or Donal called her by her Gaelic name. She said nothing but stared at the fire.

You listening?

Yes, insisted Alice, is it something to do with me, or do you correspond?

We never have, said Neamhain. She sent it to Donal and I as we are your guardians, for all practical purposes, parents.

I’m a little surprised that Morien wrote to me, said Alice, we’ve said all there is to say. She thought it very ominous that Morien should write. Though she couldn’t imagine what it might be about.

There are a lot of people you could have asked, if you hadn’t wanted to ask me, said Neamhain. Donal, the High Queen or her councillors. Or even Flinn mac Haggan. Possibly Manannán as he’s unaccountably fond of you. You have no excuse for such stupidity being privileged in having such high ranking connections.

Um, you’ve lost me, said Alice. What does Morien say I’ve done that’s so stupid? How would she know? I may have done some minor silly things at Uni last term, but surely only Flinn or the fosterlings would know? Well maybe Lady Niamh. Morien couldn’t know.

They’ve said nothing, explained Neamhain. I imagine Flinn dealt with it, or Niamh?

It wasn’t any big deal, said Alice. Really this must be something I’m seriously ignorant about. Are you cross? I’ve not seen you like this. Alice was puzzled.

You do know about the perils and obligations of doing anything for a human, especially if magic is involved?

Oh yes.

So what possessed you to agree to be Fairy Godmother for Órlaith and Kevin’s forthcoming baby? How could you be so thoughtless?

I knew the fairy part was just Órlaith making a joke, said Alice. The Church has godparents, That’s what we agreed. Flinn made no objection in the morning.

Oh Alice! sighed Neamhain. You can’t be that kind of godmother, actually even going to church at all is stretching point for any of the Fay. It’s for humans. You can only be the fairy kind of godmother. Strictly speaking it’s a ‘good fairy blessing’, fairy godmother is only a traditional term.

You’re going to explain why I’m really stupid. I can’t see how Morien knows or why she’d write about it?

There has to be a Fay curse if there is a Fay blessing asked for a baby by a human, said Neamhain. Generally the curse is by someone known to the Fay person giving the blessing. Morien sensed your acceptance of giving the blessing when the baby quickened.

I thought she had reformed?

Perhaps she has, said Neamhain, however someone suitable, well appropriate, has to give the curse, it doesn’t need to be an evil person. The curse has to be given first at the naming ceremony. Then you can give the blessing. If you tell each other the curse or blessing, then the magic doesn’t work, you’d be under a geas to give a different curse or blessing. You need to get a licence from the Faerie court to perform the blessing and probably to get training. The Aés Sidhe and Elves normally never do this, it’s a Faerie thing. Morien was raised in Elfland and Faerie, being of both, so she no doubt is well qualified to give the curse.

Can’t I pull out? said Alice.

No, you’ll find you can’t, you agreed, you are under a geas.

Some days I hate the complications and consequences of being a Fay and the magic, said Alice. Are you very cross with me?

Well, um… Neamhain paused. I think Donal is. My view is that Órlaith knows what you are. It’s her child, I suppose Kevin’s too, that will bear the consequences. This time the Faerie won’t be able to sit on their flowers and smirk at you.

I figured out doing butterflies, at least I think I have, said Alice. I’ve not tested my idea though.

That went badly last time. You were stuck as cloud of butterflies. You should plan to go via Elfland, the King will organise it. Remember you and Morien are not permitted to meet till the naming ceremony so stay at the palace or visit Princess Lizrial while you wait there.

There’s more? suggested Alice.

Co-incidently, yes, sighed Neamhain. You heard everyone was called back for security reasons, not just you?

Yes, I wondered about that.

You are actually forbidden to go to Earth, the Old World, not just Ireland. So are the others. It’s not a decision lightly made.

Something bad, but not like the Rughlyeghians or the Cloud?

You promise me you’ll leave sorting this to an appointed team? Manannán has been working on it. Flinn wants to help, but he’s coming back here once UL is tidied up.

I’ll be good. Do the others know that they are getting taken out of UL?

It will be recommended to them, insisted Neamhain. Oonagh thinks they will make the right decisions when they hear about your troubles.

So tell me.

Two Fay killed your half sister Catherine and her husband Pat. It’s as well Tony and Marion were gone. Marion saw it with some of her rook familiars that she sent to watch her parents. We don’t know exactly what their plan is, but they are very anxious to find you.

That’s terrible, gasped Alice. Have we any idea who they are? Was it Garnock and Bialinos that were allies with the Evil Enchanter Elcamar and his twin Ealcmhar? I wish I knew which had been my father.

The descriptions don’t match Garnock and Bialinos. Manannán thinks there were Dark Elves that worked with them. He’s investigating. Neamhain stared at Alice. You won’t do anything at all?

I guess should attend Tony and Sorcha’s wedding and give them a present instead of Catherine and Pat as they are dead. It’s not just the obligation, I’d have liked to do it. Oonagh thought I might have to go to the wedding anyway, because Pat and Catherine believed Tony and Marion drowned.

I’m sorry we had only a ward on the place and by the time Manannán and the others got there the bungalow was burnt out and the renegades gone, sighed Neamhain. Can the others be told about Catherine and Pat, Alice?

Yes, certainly staying on at UL is too risky. Alice wondered if Manannán would tell her more, but he was an expert at saying nothing, misdirection and outright lying.

Stay here till it’s clearer if you should visit Marion and Tony, urged Neamhain. Donal and I have missed you.

Chapter 2: Faerie

She’d written before she’d decided to come to Tony and Sorcha’s wedding so the radiogram was with Órlaith and Kevin waiting to be wrapped and then delivered to the bakery during the ceremony. It had been generously paid for by diamond dies. Alice glossed over the details of the naming day that would take place when Órlaith’s child was born. She arrived with Kevin and Órlaith late the night before the wedding from the College portal.

Alice tried it out as Sorcha had gone to bed to read till Órlaith and Kevin would be going to bed in the adjoining room. I’m an ignoramus about technical stuff, but it sounds good and better than the earlier ones, no winding?

The early wind-up ones are still sold, because they work on batteries, explained Órlaith, though using different tubes. This one is mains only due to how the motor works.

Alice went straight back to the College after the service. She was able to travel to Caherknock as more than six hours had passed. So she could see Susan and Prince Nemaron on her way to Elfland and thus to Faerie instead of returning to Caherbeg. She couldn’t face actually talking to Tony or Marion. Alice realised that after this visit she had no longer missed Magh Meall or thought of it as home. She was anxious to get back to her dual home of Caherknock and Caherbeg. She wasn’t looking forward to staying in the Faerie world.

Susan, asked Alice, it puts me under a big obligation to you, but can I borrow your magic bag for my visit to Faerie?

I’ll give it to you, insisted Susan.

I can’t be having that sort of obligation!

Well, then I’ll sell it to you?

You can’t be selling magical artefacts, explained Alice, especially of unknown provenance. Not unless you are wanting to entrap someone in some cunning fashion. If I want to keep it, I’d have to swap something of equivalent magical value.

Well, then try it out. Susan thought about it. Um, loan me your magical necklace meantime and then there is no obligation. Maybe I might like it, it’s the same as the necklace you gave Kate?

That was a copy of this with fake gems and stronger magic. This has real gems and it’s not as magical as Kate’s necklace. It has a ward that signals to Neamhain and it screams loud enough to make a human deaf for a while if you are attacked, or someone tries to remove it. I’ll transfer it to you and make the ward signal Queen Oonagh?

Then there will be no obligations, Alice? asked Susan.

All right, I agree.

I think it will be nice having a matching one, I’ll keep it if Kate doesn’t object.

~

Alice knew the King of Elfland could communicate to Oberon and Titania, though she now knew that those were humorously assumed names, those kind of Fay being pranksters. For what ever reason her own Ard Rígan, Queen Oonagh, couldn’t write to the Faerie or use a direct portal, nor would anyone explain why.

What is it this time? Reileanthos King of Elfland chuckled.

I’m sure you know, said Alice. She’d never seen him so amused.

Princess Lizrial said you and Morien are giving the blessing and curse at a Tuath Dé naming ceremony?

I’m afraid I didn’t realise what was being asked and Órlaith ni Cormac didn’t understand either.

Didn’t her husband know?

I don’t think Kevin Aldiare would know. I didn’t know. I was hoping there was some way out of the mess. Anyway she said fairy as a joke, she just wanted me to be a godmother, that’s all I agreed. I told Flinn the next morning and he raised no objection. I realise now that’s not an option for any of us.

"I’ll have Keeper Milaniran research the possibility of cancelling it or being purely a godmother in the human sense, perhaps Princess Lizrial may research it too, you can ask her, she’s expecting you. I expect a reply soon from Faerie. You can’t