Love's Labour

As I wander through the Irish countryside I can only think of why I'm here. Family commitments seem too distant to worry about. Hah! They don't even know where I am. I'm never this impulsive, but something just consumed me. I'd always felt an attachment to this land. I never thought the reason would be so fantastic and bizarre. I'm assuming you sought me out for a reason. I don't know whether you're a reporter or not but try to sit and listen. Save your questions for when I'm finished.

I had just moved into my first apartment. It needed attention badly. I'd just finished decorating. Blue sponged walls, deep purple sari curtains with delicate gold patterns. Antique furniture contrasted, but strangely complemented by metallic millennium designs. Satisfied, I went in search of the finishing touches. Antique stores became my haven. All the owners knew me. That picky woman with the hippy clothes, engulfed in an almost exotic, attractive energy. It's beautiful my eyes were drawn to a petite sword in the corner. The craftsmanship was centuries old but the condition of the sword and its price suggested otherwise. Heheh, that sword!

Attracted by it's alluring aura, I picked it up. The blade appeared to be silver, yet it was lighter than aluminium. Along the centre of the double edged blade run a deeply etched spine bordered by flame patterns. The cross bar of the handle curved just as a woman's hips and in the centre perched a large circular ruby. Above the ruby on either side, two diamonds were placed. The handle itself was the sculpture of a noble dragon. It fitted perfectly within my small hands. Very feminine I thought to myself.

I persisted for almost an hour trying to discover the story of this stunning artefact, but no one in the store could tell me. I researched endlessly, sending pictures, information to history professors and the like. No such luck. No one had seen the sword before. I got laughed at so many times for persisting with a hoax. But I knew it wasn't. There was something familiar about this sword, but I couldn't explain it.

I checked out every single ancient historical book in the library, even mythological books, though I don't know why. I started with ancient Rome. Lucky I had reduced shifts over the next few weeks. The one thing I love about being a rookie, they give you just enough hours to get acquainted with the job but they don't trust you with the big cases until you've proven your worth. I'm a first year forensic police officer by the way. By the end of the week the mountain of books was slowly disappearing and I knew just about everything to do with Rome, but no sword!

Greece, the next empire to conquer. I was learning to survive on minimal sleep at this stage, my shifts starting to pick up as the fire season started and they needed us to find the little fire cretins sparkin' up the bush. Amazingly, I still had time to research, but again no sword was found. Not even a mention in the mythology. I was hoping it matched the sword of a God or Goddess, solving the two mysteries in one: not only would I have found it's origin, but proved legends do in fact stem from truth.

Flicking mindlessly through the books, it dawned on me that this sword was not of earthly origin, especially not of Persian origin which was my next choice. It was too light and well crafted. I walked over, curious as to whether there were any markings on the sword that may help me. Reaching out to the blade, I felt a sharp but slight pain. "Son of a bitch!" I cried out loud. Blade had been preserved. I withdrew my hand, intrigued by the blood patterns forming down my finger. "Strange" I muttered as not a trace of blood was present on the sword, rather in a small puddle below where I nicked myself.

Last stop, Celtic mythology. The craftsmanship was similar on some of the swords, but nothing identical. Same style of etchings, but none with curved cross handles. So light too, perhaps it belonged to a faery. There was something familiar about these stories though. Why? I was pretty much tearing my hair out at this stage. Weeks of research amounted to nothing. Arrgghhh! My workmates thought it was rather odd I was wasting my time, but I didn't care. They were loving it. I'd throw little historical tidbits into conversation. Relate all our cases and evidence to some queer little event in history. Hehe, spiced up the boring cases. Geez I'm strange!

Strange land. Everything's exotic and lush. Completely removed from Australian land. Was this an oasis? Was this even real? No it couldn't be. Giant flowers scattered themselves randomly along the landscape. Belles of the ball in their brilliant gowns. Serene. Did that person have wings? Gorgeous shimmering followed some people, dark auras surrounds others.

"Bitch, how could you jeopardize the line like that?" Dissociated voices floated past me. Pain, grief. Tears streamed uncontrollably. I spun around manically trying to find the voices. Nothing. I clutched my stomach in pain as I fell through the earth. Darkness set in. I looked down at my hands. Blood. Everywhere. Darkness settles. I forced myself awake, kinda surprised to still see my room, just my room as I decorated it. Except for the shining beacon against the wall. The sword glowed. My very own light saber.

Weeks of sleepless nights started to take their toll. I couldn't write, work or even play cricket with my friends. Frustrated beyond belief I stared at the sword propped up in the corner of my room, begging for answers. Where are you from? Why wont you let me rest? Riddled by strange visions, I bought a one way plane ticket to Ireland. Didn't book accommodation or anything, just the ticket.

Weapons laws prevented me from bringing the sword, and after the airports had stepped up security, why would I even try? Armed with only a photo and a small bag of clothes I began my quest. Waiting for my taxi I bought a small map, nothing special, and marked out every single small town in fluorescent pink pen. My good luck pen as it were I used it whenever I went through exams and study notes and it always brought me success. Travelling through every town. This is gonna take me fucking ages!

My first stop was a small town outside of Dublin. Shankill. The beginning of a bizarre and lengthy pilgrimage. I was the most excited I have been in years (which is saying something 'cause I love my job). New adventures in a new country with no real purpose other than to explore. Independence. I stayed in a lovely little bed and breakfast in the middle of town. Once I'd dumped my stuff in my room (I didn't even bother unpacking first), I set out on the town. I asked charming old women and men if they'd heard any legends about my sword. Nothing. As I was walking down the street, I noticed a sign pointing towards a small historical building. Shankill Historical Society. Well, I suppose this the best place to start.

"Excuse me?" I called to the aging man admiring some Celtic artwork. "I was wondering if you could help me."

"That's what I'm here for dear," he said softly. He had that dreamy Irish lilt in his voice. "Now, what can I help you with?"

"Do you have much on mythology? I found a sword and I was wondering," I fumbled around in my bag, "If you'd seen anything like it." I handed him the photo.

"Hmmm, it is interesting," he deliberated "But I've never seen anything like it before."

"Not even in mythology? Artworks?"

"Sorry, if anything, I'd say its a forgery."

"Thanks anyway," I took the photo back and scratched my forehead in frustration. Rats, blood. May as well have a look around.

I had to move on. This town was killing me every second I was there. There are no answers here. I'd only been in Shankill for a few days but the room looked like it'd be ransacked. Books, clothes, notes, maps. They were all strewn along the floor. I managed to cram my life back into the two small bags I carried. Piece by piece. Took for-fuckin-ever too. I checked for the essentials: wallet, train ticket? All accounted for. Time to move on.

Shit I was stiff after that train ride. I look like a frickin' marshmallow wearing all these layers! Still, it was cold. The bonus was that if I fell, there was that much wadding around me I wouldn't hurt myself. I was in my own padded cell! I stretched as I waited for the bus into town. Kilquiggin. I'd now memorized the maps. Well pretty much anyway. Normally I'd walk as the motel was only a ten minute walk away but my bags were deceptive. So small but heavy you'd think they're filled with dark matter. It was too late to hunt today anyway.

"I love you! I dont want you to ever forget that, even after I die."

"Believe me, I will not!" Dissociated voices rang in my ears. Darkness faded and the exotic utopia appeared. Dazzling illuminated by shimmering auras. Black voids of dark auras scattered as randomly as the giant flowers. A black void vaguely human in shape materialized in front of me. Its face was concealed by its aura.

"Bitch!" it yelled out in a masculine voice. "How could you jeopardize the line like that?" Was it talking to me? Pain, grief. Tears streamed uncontrollably. I reached out to the being, trying to stop myself falling through the earth. Hopeless. Sharp pain consumed me as a fell. My hands clutched my stomach. I glanced down. Blood coursing out everywhere. Red hands. I quickly caught the land around me as it faded. Shed, human world and a man standing over me. Darkness consumed me.

I woke with a start. What the fuck was that about? Where do I keep going? That sword. That sword. I was back in my dinky little motel room. A strange light was emanating from my backpack. It was almost ethereal. An array of colours: blue, purple, green, yellow and pink. All alternated as I watched. Trippy. I slowly pushed back the covers and tip toed across the icy floor. Who tiles floors in Ireland? I mean really... As I walked closer to my bag, the light intensified, as if drawing my energy towards it. I ripped open my bag - desperate and curious. The ethereal rainbow exploded into the room. I swear, people must have thought I was letting off fireworks! The light circled around me. It was blazing from the sword photo. What's the deal with this thing?

"The feeling's getting stronger. I'm definitely closer." I muttered to myself as I packed my camera and notebook into a small backpack. I briefly glanced over the map on the besides table. I can walk to the museum from here.

I can go through Dunbar way, it cuts five minutes, I trudged through the dreary back alleyway. Nice little town otherwise. "Cli-ishcl-ish" staggered footsteps were muffled slightly by small puddles. I turned sharply. Nothing. What the fu... "Cl-ish, clish, clish" "Who's there?" I shouted as I spun back around. Oh this is fucking ridiculous. Silence. Nothing again. "This is getting really fucking old" I shouted to my invisible attacker. I started to turn back where I was headed. Clunk, clunk, cluncluclucluc... I wasn't fast enough. "Yeearrghg" a squeal sounded as I fell hard against the ground. Pain surged through my body. Crunch! My forehead snapped into the concrete. Fuck! He rolled me over onto my back. I struggled against his weight. My vision blurred. I must have hit the ground hard. He reached to punch me in the face. I quickly seized his hand. He looked surprised to say the least. "Weren't expectin' that were ya fucktard!" I summoned all my energy. I could feel it surging. "No!" I commanded. He instantly lifted off me, forced backward. He slammed into a nearby skip. Goddess! Mind you the power did feel amazing!

All my yelling must have been louder than expected. I darted out of the alley, not even caring to glance at my attacker's face. I can't believ... Thud! I crashed into a random guy. He had his hands on my shoulders but I wasn't worried. He radiated soothing energies. Love, compassion. I couldn't help but think he wasn't some random guy. I'd seen him somewhere before.

"Are you okay miss?" he asked in a darling Irish accent.

"Ah, ah...yeah, I'm fine," I lied. In all honesty my head throbbed and my heart was ready to jump out my throat, along with my brekkie.

"I heard screaming, then saw that dick go flying across the alley. I must say, you possess more power than any mortal."

I laughed. It's all I could do.

"You look familiar, have we met before?"

"No, but I get the same feeling," my head was starting to clear. Finally, coherent sentences.

"Fate works in mysterious ways! Obviously my ancestors wanted us to meet for some reason. My name's Curtis by the way." He extended his hand

"Alex," I replied. "You've probably worked out I'm not from around here."

"Not in this life anyway. Where do you call home?"

"Newcastle, in Australia"

"I figured as much," he laughed, "You're definitely not English!"

Something about this man. He kept making me laugh.

"So what brings you to my village?" I was nice and warm in his parents' café. Gorgeous coffee warmed my hands.

"I'm looking for this actually," I slipped the photo out of my notebook. "Well...not it itself, any info on it actually."

His brow furrowed as he studied the picture. Worried looked cute on him. "I"ve never seen the sword in any history books, but its definitely familiar. I think I"ve dreamt this. This; and some faery woman."

Good, so I'm not the only one who's delusional. "That's why I'm here. I've been having strange dreams about it."

"I'll come with you. We've been brought together for a purpose, the least I can do is honour it."

"I love you! I do not want you to forget that, even after I die." He said softly. A beautiful Irish accent. Tears in my eyes, I glanced up at his face. Worn skin was blackened by furnace soot. His green eyes stared back at me. His handsome face grew concerned

"Believe me, I will not" an Irish woman responded. Was it me? The sooty shed faded into the background. The exotic utopia appeared. Dazzling groves illuminated by shimmering auras. Dark creatures with black auras trudged through the beauty. A dark being, his face partially concealed in shadow walked towards me.

"Bitch!" he yelled out "how could you jeopardize the line like that?" He raised his hand to hit me. I dodged. Tears streamed uncontrollably. I reached out to the man, trying to stop myself falling through the Earth. Hopeless. I fell. The being reappeared in front of me, my love behind. The dark man plunged a sword into my abdomen. I clutched the blade. Sharp pains engulfed me. I glanced down at my stomach. Blood everywhere. My love screamed senseless words. The blackness of his shed pulsed outwards. Darkness consumed me.

Tha...that was Curtis. Dirtier, but Curtis. I stumbled out of bed and grabbed the photo. A plethora of colours burst out of the sword, soaking into me. Blue, purple, green, yellow and pink. I felt my feet lift off the ground. It was probably just as well, those tiles were freezing. The colours spiraled around me, forming serpents.

A small dark cabin. One room. I was sitting on a make-shift bed. My pyjamas had reduced to a leaf green cloth dress, just modest enough to cover me, but easy to move in and quite obviously sexy. The smith wandered towards me. He was cleaner, not to mention shirtless. Thank the Goddess it was summer! He gently sat beside me. I curled up beside him, using the wall as a backrest. He kissed me passionately. He cupped the back of my head in his hands. The kisses intensified. Lips, chin, neck, breasts. His lips lingered at my neck. He gently gnawed on my flesh. I undid his trousers as he moved closer. I shifted underneath him. His calloused hands slid up my leg. Delicious. Ticklish...

"Morning Alex!" Powerful arms wrapped me in an embrace from behind.

"Oh! Hi Curtis" Lips, chin, neck, breasts.

"Ready?"

I checked my bag. "Yep, we leave in fifteen minutes."

Welcome to Curragha. A fine veil of mist hung over the town. It was neat but rustic. I feel it. I peered into my backpack. The photo was glowing.

"This is the place!" Even Curtis had an excited inflexion in his voice. "You know, we're not in any hurry..."

"Want something to eat from over there?" I pointed to a small pub.

"Naturally."

"There's a town information centre across from the post office. Do you want to start there?"

"Might also pay to ask some of the local antique dealers." The photo was glowing in front of us but no one seemed to notice.

"Two burgers and chips." The barman placed down our orders. "Hey," he caught sight of the photo "How did you get a hold of that?"

"I found it in an antique store back home. I've been trying to find out its history."

"That was a Danaan sword. Legend has it that a beautiful maiden Fae had it crafted for her by a local blacksmith. Her and the smithy had fallen in love. Her brother got mighty pissed so the smithy crafted the sword for her protection. Hang on a moment." He toddled off.

We ate in silence until the barman returned. "'Ere you go," he tossed an open book onto the table. "This should tell you everything."

I skimmed through. "Her brother cast her to be mortal after he found out. She protected herself but was ultimately killed by her own sword. Her brother was later banished. The sword was completely personalized. The ruby and diamonds symbolized her womb and ovaries. The dragon was her guardian. The flame patterns on the blade represented her passion." Curtis grabbed the book off me.

"Ah, sweetie, take a look at this." He pointed to a sketch.

"Oh my god!" A leaf green cloth dress, just modest enough to cover me. "It's...me."

"Let go of me! You cannot control my life. LET GO!"

"Let her go." The blacksmith pleaded. I grabbed my sword off the bench as I was dragged past. I slashed at my brother. He instantly let me go. I kept the tip level with his throat.

"I love you! I do not want you to forget that, even after I die."The smithy said softly. A beautiful Irish accent. Tears in my eyes, I glanced up at his face. Worn skin was blackened by furnace soot. His green eyes stared back at me. His handsome face grew concerned.

"Believe me, I will not" I responded. The sooty shed faded into the background. The exotic utopia appeared. Dazzling groves illuminated by shimmering auras. Dark creatures with black auras trudged through the beauty. My brother walked towards me.

"Bitch!" he yelled out "how could you jeopardize the line like that?" He raised his hand to hit me. I dodged. Tears streamed uncontrollably. He grabbed me and knocked the sword from my hands. I reached out him, trying to stop myself falling through the Earth. Hopeless. I fell. He reappeared in front of me, my love behind. My brother plunged my sword into my abdomen. I clutched the blade. Sharp pains engulfed me. I glanced down at my stomach. Blood everywhere. My love screamed senseless words. The blackness of his shed pulsed outwards. Darkness consumed me.

I rolled over, accidently stirring Curtis. I gave him a quick kiss. I don't want to leave this place.

"Stay." He whispered.