CHAPTER 22
My first task was easier than I thought it would be. I brought up my plan again, and instead of the argument that ensued the last time, the group was quiet. They reluctantly agreed, we had lost too many people from our side, and it was time to do something drastic.
We started by spreading the word to the wood nymphs, and through the city dwellers and country fairies. Anyone with any knowledge of the whereabouts of Taliesin, would they get a message back to the Intercessor, it was of uppermost importance.
The days past and we had no news, he had disappeared and no one knew where he was. We had heard of a tribe of Jewish fairies who also had the gift of prophecy. They were called the Mozikeen and were thought to have descended from Adam and Eve after they were removed from the Garden of Eden. We sent word and asked for their help. They sent back that they had discussed it, but it was not their fight yet, and they did not want to become involved or bring unwanted attention upon themselves. It was back to plan A; and the search for Taliesin continued.
We were losing hope and then we had a breakthrough that lifted our spirits. A clan of Merrow-folk, mermaids from Ireland, sent news that Taliesin had taken up home in some caves near their home. They had told him the Intercessor was asking for him, and he was now on his way to see me.
Even though we were not sure he would agree to what we wanted, or even that the spell would work, we were overjoyed.
More good news; the battle at Manchester had been long, and well fought. We succeeded in taking over the town and all our friends returned safely. Troops were left to help the mortals who were still coping there.
Unfortunately, we were told Cailleach Bheur had found out about Taliesin and had sent Dagdar to slay him. We only hoped he had left Ireland before Dagdar had got there. We realised that was how we had won Manchester, the enemy troops, left on their own, could be defeated. Without Dagdar on their side, we could win the war; Taliesin had become our only hope to bringing an end to all this. The mortal folk of Great Britain had done so well, but they could not last forever in these conditions and eventually the Witch would have whoever was left, as her slaves.
We were woken by a commotion one evening. I rushed downstairs to find most of our group already there. As some of them moved out of the way, I saw Seth, the gardener, standing with a rather tall, very thin man. He had a long, pointy, grey beard and looked extremely dishevelled. He looked at me and said; ‘so you are the new Intercessor, not what I expected at all, so unimpressive and so…….short!’ This was the last thing I expected to hear, and stood with my mouth open, looking rather dumb, for a few seconds. I realised all had turned to look at me and tried to regain my composure. ‘Well we have established you are rude. Now would you like to tell us who you are and why you have come here?’
‘My name is Taliesin, and apparently, you wanted to see me on a matter of great urgency, so maybe you can tell me why I am here.’ The sigh of relief that went the room was clearly audible, I apologised, welcomed him, and we moved quickly to give him a seat and some food and drink before resuming any conversation.