Keepers of the Moon

Chapter 16. Song of the sea

Indigo

We flow with the tide

Breathe in and breathe out

with the push and pull of the Moon

We are guided

by the light inside our hearts

 Go now into your world of slumber

Dive far into the deep

But do not drown

in eternal sleep

Let the waves wash away

all that you have once known

 Time will pass you by

The river flows endlessly

But always back home

I am here

Forever waiting for you

I am the sea

 I am your home

I am eternal

The words were ethereal. A song that resonated deep inside my soul. It calmed me. The soft voice floating through my mind sounded familiar. I could almost grasp at the fleeting sliver of memory. But a face never came. Just a feeling of steadiness. Like a rock standing in rough seas, unmovable.

Unwavering.

My feet were standing steadfast on that rock. A solid foundation upon which I rebuild my life. The seas around me cried out in pain. The swell crashing with angry waves, banging against my foundation. But the song was strong, my rock solid. With time the seas calmed, the waves became quiet. Until only a mirror remained.

I was there.

Right in the centre of that mirror, breathing in the cold, salty air. It filled my lungs with life. It brought back my body and I could hear my heart beat. It was getting stronger with each passing breath.

I felt alive.

Then the song stopped and suddenly my foundation gave way. I was falling, through icy waters and dark depths. I was fighting to stay afloat, but my body sunk fast and my lungs burned. This couldn’t be happening! Where was my rock? Where was the song upon which I build my life? I tried to breath but only water filled my lungs and filled my limbs with ice-cold blackness.

I woke with a start. My heart was hammering inside my chest and I was panting. My body felt as if it was still in slumber. Not yet ready to wake up. All my limbs felt numb and I was weak. I looked around in panic, but my eyes couldn’t adjust to the low amount of light around me. The only thing I could see where two fierce, bright green eyes. They were tender and filled me with a sense of strength. But I was still in agony as the memories flushed back in. Frantically I ran my hands over my chest, trying to find the gaping hole that was now my heart. But my hands found no hole, only a small scar. The skin was warm to the touch and still sore. Had I imagined it? Was it all a bad dream?

I knew it wasn’t.

I had the scar to prove it. It was just off to the left of an older scar.

The one I got in Nova.

The one that I survived too.

This was the second time.

Fear coursed through me. How did this happen? Why was I still alive? I should be dead, I felt the life flow out of me. It didn’t make any sense.

‘Calm down, sweetie. You’re going to be alright.’ Again that soft, silky voice which exuded love. I did feel some of my fear waning, but my breathing was still irregular. Still in shock. I looked around, but was captivated by those green eyes. They had the colour of fresh green grass and the forest surrounding Geailaí castle. They reminded me of home. I regonised them now.

It was Mo Bhean.

She smiled a wary smile at me as she saw the realisation dawning. With her legs crossed and her hands on her lap, she gazed at me. She looked utterly small in the dark room, childlike. She took in a deep breath and urged me to follow her example. The intake of fresh air did help slow down my heart, bring back some strength to my body. Though I felt more tired than I’d ever felt before. I just wanted to sleep.

Forever.

‘It gets easier over time.’ There was an apologetic smile on her face. She looked very pale, her freckles almost like ink on her skin. As I took her in I realised that she had lost quite some weight, her collarbone was uncomfortably visible in the torn hospital gown she was still wearing. Her arms were covered in scars, scratches and dried blood. Though she didn’t strike me as someone who was in pain. If anything she looked fine, despite her appearance.

‘What does?’ My voice sounded raspy, too high and weak. As if I hadn’t spoken for weeks. My stomach growled in pain and my throat hurt. I needed water.

‘Dying.’