The Banished Bandraoi

First Things First

A loud clang jolted me awake from a dreamless sleep. I sat up and looked around, searching for my staff. I always had it close by; it was enchanted anyway. A male voice sounded from my right and I leaped out of bed, ready to defend myself. 

"Miss, please calm down. You hit your head pretty hard. You shouldn't be up so soon," he said calmly. A doctor. I could tell from his disgustingly grey uniform. I looked around again, more carefully this time. 

"How did I get here?" I asked, my voice a little shaky and very hoarse. 

"You were found in an alley. And you had a nasty bump on your head. How are you feeling?"

"Where is my staff?" I demanded, ignoring his question.

He shook his head. "There was no staff with you when you were brought in. Perhaps the person who brought you in took it."

"Who was it who brought me in?"

"I do not know. He wished to remain anonymous," he answered. "If you are feeling better, you can leave after I assess you."

"No need. I am fine. What day is it?"

"The first moon before gemred. Why?" The first moon before winter. 

I looked at him in shock. It was one month before the apocalypse that was to come. I needed to leave and get back to my hut. I needed to prepare.

I started walking out. The doctor stopped me and asked me where I was going. I had to think of a lie quickly.

"I... um... need to go feed my pet gecko," I said quickly as I increased my pace. Once out of the hospital, I looked around, trying to get my directional bearing. I set out heading South, toward the forest. 

I recognized the trees leading to my hidden hut. Increasing my pace, I did not want the darkness to find me outside. These woods were a dark and evil place under the cover of night. Angry and evil spirits roamed freely as long as they were cloaked in darkness. I made sure to go the long way, making extra turns around trees unnecessarily, in order to deter anyone who might have been following me. I had just circled a bunch of bushes when I heard the cries of what sounded like a child in pain. 

I wanted to ignore it but it lured me to it. Perhaps a child of one of the gods? They were always having children with the mortals. I walked through the bush and found the child; a little golden-haired girl, with her left foot, caught in a bear trap. I rushed to her side and tried to shush her. From the looks of things, she had been there for a while. I conjured some water into the pouch that forever hung on my belt and lifted her slightly so she wouldn't choke when she drank. Weakly, she sipped the water and I saw some life slip back into her face. 

"Where are you from, child?" I asked her.

"Ó Ceallaigh Manor," she whispered hoarsely. 

I shook my head. Another spoiled rich child running away from home...

I had to help her and get her out of here before nightfall. Otherwise, we'd both be goners. Luckily, I knew some tricks that would save her leg. "Look away orla. This might hurt a little," I said. She looked away as instructed and closed her eyes. 

I placed my right hand on the clamped ankle and whispered, 

"In the name of Dagda, Bridget, and Diancecht. 

The wound was red, the cut was deep,

and the flesh was sore;

but there will be no more blood,

and no more pain,

'till the Gods come down to earth again."

 The bear trap unclamped and snapped aside. The bleeding stopped and started closing up. She opened her eyes and stared at me wide-eyed. 

"You are a witch?" she whispered.

"I am a bandraoi... a good sorceress. I help people. But people don't know that. So maybe we could keep this our little secret?" I smiled down at her.

She smiled back and nodded. Thank the gods she wasn't going to blab about it... I hoped. I stood up to help her get home. Luckily, I knew the way to the manor. Everyone in Ireland did. It was one of the richest estates in the country. 

In a few minutes, with the help of shortcuts in the forest, we had arrived at the large gate. I hid away in the bushes as she went to talk to the guards at the gate to let her in. A tall handsome man walked towards the gate and hugged the little girl as soon as he saw her. The resemblance was uncanny; he was definitely her father. The girl turned to look at the bush I was hiding behind and caused her father to turn too. He sent a guard to come and fetch me. 

I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me; and knowing my mother, it was very possible. I walked slowly towards the tall man, my hair and skirt blowing in the wind. I willed the wind to be still and instantly it did. It was just one of the gifts from my mother.

"You are the one who brought my daughter back?" he asked, his voice deep and husky.

I nodded, my head bowed slightly, never meeting his eyes. "I am she."

"You are a peasant. And you wear the symbol of the Phantom Queen. Why did you not sacrifice my daughter? Or better yet, hold her for a ransom?" he inquired of my actions.

"I have no desire to cause pain, misery, or harm, my lord. I only did what was right by you, and by the gods. However, your daughter might need to get some medical attention to her leg. She was involved in a slight accident in the forest."

"Forest? What were you doing there? " He asked me.

"I live there, my lord."

"It is dark now. Come in and spend the night. The forest is not a place to be after the night sets in. Also, I will be able to repay you for the kindness you have shown my daughter, the only heir to my wealth."

He started walking back towards the house but paused when he noticed my hesitation. 

"What is it?" he asked.

"I am sorry, my lord. But I cannot come in unless you welcome me by my name. I am physically unable to enter," I answered, my head bowed. 

"Then what is your name miss?" he asked calmly, without a hint of annoyance in his voice.

" You will have me killed once you know my identity."

"I swear on my honor that I will not have you killed. Tell me your name." It was not a request anymore.

" Byrne Annan, only bastard daughter of Morrigan, birthed of pain, death, and c*****e of war." I waited for his reprimand and banishment from his estate. Instead, he said,

"Byrne Annan, daughter of Morrigan, the Phantom Queen, welcome into my home. Come in and rest your head and warm your feet at my fire. You may feed from my plate and bathe from my wash. You may enter in peace and leave with nothing that has not been offered to you."

I smiled and for the first time, looked up at his face. "Thank you, my lord," I said as I walked into the first home I had ever been invited to.