As if he could read her thoughts, Sean said, “We’ve prepared them well, Ashling. They’ll do their best and so will we.”
“True and true,” she said, as she put her hands over his. “It’s time.”
Ashling raised her hands high above her head and began reciting the incantation that would open the portal. Almost immediately Sean saw the air in front of them begin to swirl in a circular motion.
Within minutes, the center of the circle opened, and they could see green hills in the distance. Initially, it looked like the hills were shrouded in a gray fog, but as she pushed her powers deep into the opening vortex, the distant green hills of Ireland became clearer.
Ashling felt the terrible strain on her powers as the portal opened to a four-foot circumference. “Now Sean,” she said in a strained voice.
Quickly, the painful pull on her powers began to ease. Sean’s powers still amazed her whenever she felt the incredible depth of his magical strength.
Working together, Sean and Ashling pushed the portal opening until it was a swirling ten-foot circle. When Eamon was satisfied with the size and strength of the portal opening, he gave the order for their warriors to advance.
No matter how many times he’d witnessed it, Eamon was still in awe of his daughter’s powers to open a portal. It allowed them to travel thousands of miles in a few short minutes. He was grateful that Sean was helping her since his formidable powers took much of the strain off Ashling.
Eamon watched with great pride as the columns of their best warriors hurried through the portal. When Eamon saw Sean and Ashling about to pass through the portal, he turned and spoke with one of the trusted council members. Although the council member couldn’t hide his surprise, he smiled and nodded in agreement with his old friend.
* * *
In the night skies over Idaho, another portal was opening. Instead of a soft white vortex, this portal was as black as a dark, stormy night. Within moments, hundreds of huge, powerful, misshapen beasts passed through the portal. Once through the portal, they marched onto the hilltop a few feet below. Right behind the columns of warriors, ten fearsome dragons rushed through the portal and began circling the hilltop in the cloudy afternoon sky. Leading the swirling dragons was a massive, powerfully built, black dragon. Despite its size, the black beast moved with the grace and speed of a hawk.
The impressive and terrifying black dragon elegantly swirled downward and landed softly on top of the hill. A streak of light, similar to a lightning strike, flashed for a few seconds. When the light disappeared, Grainne was standing where the dragon had been moments before. She didn’t really need the lightning strike to complete the transformation, but she couldn’t resist the dramatic touch.
It was an isolated valley with only one old road providing access in and out. Even so, Ashling had placed a concealment spell over the valley, to hide their presence from any foolish humans who might try to interfere. She didn’t want any bystanders watching when Grainne unleashed her vicious attack.
“You all know why we’re here,” Grainne said. “The last of our sworn enemies are hiding in the valley below. When I breakdown their defenses be ready to attack quickly and without mercy.”
The horde of monstrous warriors pounded the staffs of their spears onto the rocky surface in unison, acknowledging their understanding and approval. It would have been a terrifying sight if their enemy had been present to see the terrible blood lust in their dull, gray eyes.
Without another word, Grainne returned to her dragon form. Ten dragons quickly appeared at her side and they flew off together. The dragons and the monstrous troops were united in their desire to destroy their old enemy.
* * *
Ashling’s portal opened in the forest on the west side of the remains of an ancient castle. They wanted the concealment of the thick forest as a staging area for their attack.
She tried to place the ruins she was looking at, but they didn’t seem to fit any of her memories of the ancient ruins of Ireland. While they looked genuinely ancient. something about the ruins seemed unnatural to her.
“I’ve not heard of or seen theses ruins before,” Ashling said quietly.
“Are you telling me you know every ruin in all of Ireland?” Sean asked.
“That I do, Sean. The history of Ireland has long fascinated me. I’ve had a long time to study them closely.”
“Okay, I’ll take your word for it, since you are much, much older than me,” Sean said.
“You left out the important part of that statement,” Ashling said.
Sean smiled and said, “I didn’t leave it out. You interrupted me before I could say that although you are as old as the hills, you actually look younger than me.”
“Thank you. Although I could have lived without the ‘old as the hills’ part,” she said, smiling.
“Good to know,” Sean said. “So, if it’s not a real castle, why would Grainne have put it here?”
“It’s good cover, I suppose,” Ashling said. “If anyone ever did happen upon her home base, they would only see another old pile of castle ruins. They wouldn’t be likely to look any further.”
“It makes sense, although it seems like it would just draw tourist to this area,” Sean said.
“Did you not see the no trespassing signs?”
“Nope, where are they?” Sean asked.
“I see three of them from here. I’m guessing there are more on the other side and out front,” Ashling said. “I’ve no doubt that she owns all the land within fifty miles in any direction.”
“I guess that makes sense. Even if they did trespass, all they would see is old ruins. What’s inside seems to be protected by some seriously powerful magic.”
“I can feel waves of dark magic circling the valley and we’re still nearly a half mile away,” Ashling said. “That means we’re going to
