Call of the Morrigú

Call of the Morrigú Christy Nicholas Green Dragon Publishing Second Edition 2023 Copyright © 2017 Christy Nicholas Cover art © 2022 by GetCovers Internal design © 2023 by Green Dragon Publishing All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews, without permission in writing from its publisher, Green Dragon Publishing. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. All brand names and product names used in this book are trademarks, registered trademarks, or trade names of their respective holders. Green Dragon Publishing is not associated with any product or vendor in this book. Published by Green Dragon Publishing Beacon Falls, CT www.GreenDragonArtist.com All rights reserved. Pronunciation Guide Án radh – (un rathe) sixth level of Druid education Beltaine – (BELL-tain) May Day, a sacred fire feast Cana (KAH-nuh) – fourth level of Druid education Clí (KLEE) – fifth level of Druid education Clúrachán (KLOOR-uh-haun) – Irish fairy resembling a leprechaun Cúchulainn (koo-HULL-un) – ancient Irish warrior hero Biotáille aeir (BYO-tall-uh AYR) – air spirits Dos (DOSE) – third level of Druid education Draoi éigsín (DRAY eyg-seen) – a student of the druid arts Éirinn go Brách (AY-rin go brock) – Ireland forever Eostre (OS-tra) – Easter Filí (FILL-ee) – Druids Fochlac (FOCK-luck) – first level of Druid education Fulacht fiadh (FULL-uht FEE-ah)– an ancient burnt mound ruin Mac fuirmhidh (mack FYIRM-eethe) – second level of Druid education Mór-ríoghain (MORE REE-yin) – the Morrígan, ancient goddess of war, death, and sovereignty. Ogham (OH-am) – ancient Irish writing system Ollamh (OH-luv) – seventh level of Druid education Samhuinn (SOW-inn) – A sacred fire feast Sean-Bhean Bhocht (shan van vockt) – traditional Irish song, “The Poor Old Woman” Tír na nÓg (TEER na nohg) – Land of the Ever Living Tuatha Dé Danann (too-AH-hah day DAHN-an)– Fairies, ancient people of Ireland Úaim na gCat (OO-im nah GAHT) – Oweynagat, Cave of the Cat Chapter One To unite Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter under the common name of Irishmen in order to break the connection with England, the neverfailing source of all our political evils, that was my aim. —Theobald Wolfe Tone, 1791 October 31, 1796 Rathcrogan, County Roscommon, Ireland Finn the Tinker walked along the path on the black night while thick Chapter Two October 15, 1797 Strokestown House, County Roscommon, Ireland In a determined frame of mind, Reginald Latimer strode into the musty library to survey the hundreds of books piled on the enormous oak table. He didn’t know where he might fit all these new volumes, but he must at least sort through them. He owed his cousin,