Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2010 05:44:23 EDT
From: BertMcK@aol.com
Subject: Riders of Tuatha, Chapter 1 of 22

RIDERS OF TUATHA
by Bert McKenzie
Copyright 2010

Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance to any real
person alive or dead is coincidental and unintentional.

RIDERS OF TUATHA is a sequel to a previous novel by Bert McKenzie entitled
THE CRYSTAL THRONE.  This book stands on its own, however to gain a better
understanding of the Tuathan universe and an insight into some of the
characters, it is advised that you read the previous novel.  It can be
found in the Science Fiction or Fantasy section of Nifty stories.


CHAPTER I

     Adjusting to life in Tuatha came about almost too easily.  The long
golden days blended magically into the star filled nights with a mystical
progression that filled his soul to bursting with contentment.  The
greatest difference that Scott could find between the world of his birth
and the land of Faerie was the element of time.  He had always thought of
time as a fixed element, the orderly arrangement of seconds, minutes and
hours stretching by at an established rate like the grains of sand falling
through an hourglass.  Here things were different.  A day could last a
lifetime and a night could be forever.

     Perhaps the difference was not in the actual length of time, but
rather in the acceptance and treatment of it.  In the short span of years
allotted to humans they tried to cram in as much living as possible.  There
was never enough time to do it all.  With the Tuathans things were much
more relaxed.  If something was not done this hour, it could always be
finished in the next; or the next day or year for that matter.  Nothing was
left undone forever, but the people likewise did not obsess over the
ability to accomplish things.  That is not to say they were lazy or
procrastinated unduly.  They simply made time to enjoy their world.

     The novelty of his new existence was certainly more exciting than
managing a curio shop in the Midwest.  Scott was an average sort of guy, 5'
10" tall with average good looks, a handsome face, steel grey eyes and
thick brown hair cut just above the shoulder.  However he had fallen in
love with a very unaverage person, a mysterious stranger who had broken
into his house and who he had then followed quite by accident into this
alternate world.  As fate would have it, his lover turned out to be the new
king of the land, the high ruler of all Tuatha, and leader of the fair folk
as they called themselves.  Being gay, Scott had often been called a fairy
by red necks and homophobic heterosexuals.  Now he laughed at the thought
of what those same people would think if they were to meet the real
fairies.  The image of fey little creatures wearing gossamer and dancing on
tiptoes among the flowers of an English garden did not remotely fit with
the raw strength and masculinity of a fairy warrior standing six feet tall,
with broad shoulders and powerful muscles, wearing chain mail and swinging
a silver long sword.  He once spent a laughter filled night with his new
friends describing the human concept of the stereotyped fairy.  In Tuatha
prejudice was almost nonexistent because there were no such things as
stereotypes.  Each person was celebrated for his or her individuality.

     After some inner turmoil, primarily on the parts of Scott and Robin,
his lover, the high council affirmed and crowned Robin king of all the
land.  The only concern about his sexuality was a question of succession to
the throne.  And even this was finally decided by the council in choosing
to let Robin name his successor rather than forcing it to be determined by
the random coincidence of heredity.  Everyone seemed pleased with the new
king and no one seemed in the least concerned that Robin's consort was a
man.  There was only just the tiniest bit of discontent in some areas that
Scott was human rather than Tuathan by birth.

     He thought of all these comparisons between his two lives as he soaked
in the warm waters of the royal bath.  True to its elfin nature, the
bathroom, even though it was located off the king's chambers high in the
white tower, looked more like a forest pool.  At one end of the room a
small waterfall cascaded down over an alcove of rough hewn stones, making a
natural shower.  The icy water splashed down continually, fed by streams
from high up in the Crystal Mountains against which the castle stood.  The
stone floor beneath the shower dipped gradually down forming a small pool
approximately five feet deep.  Drainage for the overflow kept the pool
constantly filled with fresh circulating water.  The remainder of the room
was filled with large flowering plants and verdant greenery which carefully
screened off the built in chamber pot.  A small golden chain hung beside
the rocks near the waterfall.  This was the only thing that made the frigid
mountain water bearable.  Pulling the chain caused the water temperature to
increase.  Scott had no idea what the heating source was, nor how the tiny
chain diverted it to the water, but in a matter of minutes the shower and
pool could be steamy warm depending on how far it was pulled.  Robin seemed
to prefer the cold chill, saying it brought new life to his body, but Scott
enjoyed the luxuriant warmth.

     Robin had been called to a special council meeting earlier in the day
and might well be there most of the night.  Scott had spent the morning
wandering around the white tower, trying to familiarize himself with his
new home, and now lounged in the pool soaking his tired muscles and
thinking about what lie ahead.  Try as he might he could not imagine the
future.  The present seemed so ideal that he was certain he would soon wake
up to find it had all been a dream.

     As he lay back, eyes closed, he detected a subtle difference in the
sounds of the splashing water.  In a matter of seconds the temperature
seemed to drop to arctic proportions. With a yelp, Scott splashed to the
steps at the end of the pool.  Hearing a rich laugh he looked up to see
Robin standing at the edge holding a soft, fluffy towel.  The fairy king
was totally naked and looked like Michaelangelo's David come to life.  The
curly hair on top of his six foot frame was back lit by the light of the
setting sun coming in through the windows of the next room.  Scott quickly
climbed the stone steps and Robin reached down, wrapping the towel around
his dripping body.  "You just about froze me to death," Scott said,
shivering as his lover helped rub him dry.

     "No, I shall make a real Tuathan of you yet," Robin laughed.  They
held each other tightly, their lips meeting in a soulful kiss.  "Now, let
me wash the cares of the day from my body and I shall join you for a late
supper on the terrace."  Scott released him and Robin stepped from the edge
of the pool to sink down under the rippling waters.  Scott reached for a
robe he had placed nearby and padded softly through the inner chamber and
out onto the terrace.  It was a wide veranda bordered by a low wall, set
high on the side of the tower.  A table had already been prepared with
slices of fresh fruit and melon and dishes of steaming grain.  The Tuathans
although not vegetarians per se, rarely ate meat.

     Scott relaxed into one of the chairs and enjoyed the view of the
palace painted with elongated purple shadows by the setting sun.  He turned
and looked up to see Robin standing in the doorway, his golden body a
statue of perfection, the fading sunlight causing his muscles to stand out
in relief.  The fine dusting of translucent hair on his arms, legs, chest
and crotch reflected the light, causing his body to sparkle as if imbued
with magic.  Scott smiled at his beautiful lover.  "Put on some clothes,"
he said.  "Someone might see you."

     Robin walked over to him, pulling him up from the chair and embracing
him firmly.  "I want someone to see me.  You," he replied.

     They gazed deeply into each other's eyes.  "I see you," Scott said
softly.

     "Always and forever," Robin replied and lifted Scott off his feet to
carry him back inside, their dinner left deserted on the terrace.

     Each time they made love, Scott felt as if he would die of the sweet
pleasure.  Sex with Robin was much more than just a physical act.  Their
joining was truly that, a merging of two bodies, minds and spirits.  When
they climaxed it was a unification of one being.  As they held each other
closely, stretched out on the reclining platform, Scott leaned his head on
Robin's firm chest and listened to the strong pounding of the alien heart
inside, and thought of how perfect their union was.

     "We have not yet eaten," Robin said softly, shaking Scott's shoulder
and then tousling his thick brown hair.

     "I'm already full," Scott replied, drifting off to sleep, securely
held by strong arms.  Robin adjusted himself to be more comfortable and lay
back, looking at the stars as they passed the opening to the terrace,
filling the room with light.  While holding his sleeping lover from another
world, he meditated, concentrating on how good life in Tuatha could be.

                               * * *

     Scott awoke the next morning and pulled a rough, woolen blanket up
over himself.  A chill morning breeze was blowing in the terrace doorway.
He rolled over, reaching for a warm body beside him and realized that no
one was there.  The one thing that bothered Scott was the fact that his
lover never slept.  None of the Tuathans did.  Sleep seemed to desert them
around the onset of puberty and only returned when they were very ill or
very old.  Scott realized that Robin spent several hours each night in
meditation, a practice the fair folk found much more refreshing and
satisfying than sleep.  And often times he was still lying there holding
Scott and waiting for him to awaken in the morning.  But it was still
disconcerting to think that while you slept your lover might be out
conducting business and deciding affairs of state.

     This morning Scott heard sounds out on the terrace.  He rose and found
a loose fitting robe lying at the foot of the reclining platform.  Slipping
it on, he then went into the bath to relieve himself.  Having quickly
washed and cleaned, Scott returned through the inner chamber to the
terrace.  Three places were set at the small table, and Robin's cousin
Ellenia was serving up their breakfasts from a silver chafing dish.

     "Good morning, my lord," she greeted him as she looked up.  "Robin
should be back in a moment to join us.  Forgive me if I disturbed your
privacy."

     Scott had first met Ellenia when he rescued her from the clutches of
an evil sorceress who had kidnapped her.  They had held a special fondness
for each other ever since.  She was radiant this morning, dressed in a soft
blue gown that clung to her thin figure, accentuating her firm breasts and
setting off the golden highlights of her pale blond hair.

     "You certainly are looking lovely this morning," Scott said, greeting
her.  "What's up?"  He detected an almost audible hum of happiness
surrounding her.

     "I have come to tell you some news," she replied.

     "Then out with it."

     "No, we must wait for Robin," she answered.

     Scott leaned close to her and whispered as quietly and
conspiratorially as possible, "Tell me now and then I'll pretend I didn't
know when you tell us both."

     "If you plot secrets behind me, you had best learn not to talk of them
in my presence," a deep masculine voice said.  Turning quickly, Scott
beheld his lover standing in the doorway, dressed in a pastel blue tunic
trimmed in gold, his hands behind his back.  He tried to pretend to frown,
but was not very good at disguising his true feelings.

     "And where have you been, lord?  Our food grows cold," Scott said as
Robin crossed to him.

     "I have been seeking something to brighten your morning," the young
king replied, producing a bouquet of wild roses from behind his back.

     "They're beautiful," Scott said, taking the flowers in delight.  "And
so are you."  He leaned forward and kissed Robin gently on the cheek.

     "Come, let us to our meal," the king said as they sat at the small
table.  Scott was again amazed at the physical resemblance between the two
cousins.  Robin was of course, much more masculine, taller and broader, but
they both had the same pale gold complexion, the same thin frame, the same
pale blond hair color, and the same intense green eyes.  They could have
been fraternal twins.

     "So what is this news?" Scott asked as Ellenia poured glasses of cold
spring water.

     She paused and looked at the two men before answering.  "Lord," she
began, addressing Robin, "I have need to ask for your acclaim."

     "My acclaim? For what?" he questioned.

     "Clive has asked for me to bind with him."

     Both men broke into happy smiles.  Robin had known Clive since their
childhood together in the great wood to the east.  Clive was a wood elf,
and as was characteristic of his race, was about six inches shorter than
Ellenia, with a nut brown skin color and dark brown hair.  Physically, he
was quite a contrast to the girl he intended to bind.  But Robin heartily
approved of the match.  "Now, perchance you shall teach that wild woodling
some proper decorum," he laughed thinking of how Clive and his friend Rood,
the captain of the palace guard, were always getting into some kind of
trouble.

     Scott reached over and squeezed her hand. "I'm so happy for you," he
said.

     "I am fair happy for myself," she replied, laughing.  The three then
began their meal in earnest, laughing and sharing joyous thoughts for the
future.

                               * * *

     The next several days were fully occupied in preparations for the
royal event.  It was planned to coincide with the high holiday of
Midsummer.  Although Ellenia had no actual title or standing according to
Tuathan heraldry, as cousin to the high king her ceremony became almost as
important as if the king himself were binding.  Scott was pulled into
helping with all the plans for Ellenia since she really had no other
family.  Meanwhile, Robin being Clive's closest friend, worked with him to
give what assistance he could.  Decorations were hung, food was prepared,
and the entire castle was standing in readiness to celebrate with the young
couple as they began their lives together.

     Rowana and Melcot, two of their closest friends who had celebrated
their own binding just a brief time before, prepared the celebration of
unity to be held on the eve before the joining ceremony.  The main hall of
the green tower was festooned with flowering garlands.  A sumptuous meal
was spread on wide trestles placed below the boughs of the small trees that
grew from the floor of the hall.  A fountain of sparkling water and fruit
juices was placed in the center of the room to fill the cups of the guests.
And of course, plenty of empty space was provided for the singing and
dancing that was part of any elfin celebration.

     The evening began calmly enough with the crowded guests making merry,
enjoying the food and drink.  But as the night wore on, the frivolity
gained momentum until the wood elves were using the garland decorations
like jungle vines and swinging on them from balcony to balcony in the
galleries overlooking the great hall.  This finally ended when Maynar, a
comical little member of the merchant guild decided he too could join in
this aerial fun.  The garland snapped under his weight and deposited him
head first in the refreshment fountain.  Tuathans did not generally wear
undergarments, and the sight of him, upside down in the drinking fountain,
his tunic falling down to cover his head, did much to sober up the other
guests.

     As the middle of the night approached, Rowana announced that she had a
special surprise for the couple.  Being from the merchant guild by birth,
she was privileged to sample a variety of odd and wondrous things from many
far away places.  She led Clive, Ellenia, and a few of their closest
friends to a secluded garden behind the tower.  In the center of the garden
was a small bird bath.  As everyone looked on, Rowana filled the small font
with pure spring water which she had standing by.  Then, opening a small
and intricately folded piece of parchment, she sprinkled its contents onto
the surface of the water.

     "This is the dust of foresight," the girl said as she brushed her
thick red hair away from her face.  "It comes from far to the east and is
made with very strong, old magic.  When floated on the surface of spring
water it becomes a magic mirror which can reveal the future.  You need only
to look into the water and think of one you love."

     "What if the future holds bad things?" Scott asked.  The others all
laughed at his human pessimism.  No one could conceive of evil in this
mystical land, in a romantic garden under a sky filled with stars on
Midsummer's Eve.

     Ellenia and Clive joined hands and stepped forward.  They looked down,
gazing at the reflective surface of the tiny pool.  As they watched the
stars mirrored on the water began to spin and then faded from view.  The
pool seemed to light up with an inner glow and began to project a rapid
series of images.  Ellenia and Clive held hands as the old priest wrapped
the binding cloth over their arms.  Ellenia was then riding a tall white
horse along side of Clive, mounted on a black one.  A forest glen was next
to appear in the water, and Ellenia and Clive meeting a large group of wood
elves.  And then an image appeared of Ellenia large with child.  A tiny
baby came next and was rapidly replaced by the picture of a young boy, then
a young man wearing the regal robes of a king.  Finally, the pool again
darkened back to the reflected stars in the overhead sky.

     "What saw you?" Rowana asked them eagerly.  To everyone but the couple
the pool hadn't changed.  It simply held the image of the clear night sky.

     "Oh, it was wonderful," Ellenia cried hugging Rowana.  Clive was
smiling and chuckling proudly to himself.  "We shall have such a wonderful
life together," Ellenia said as she turned back to her future mate and
leaned down to hold him tightly.

     "The time is still right," Rowana said.  "Would anyone else care to
try this magic?"

     "What of us?" Rowana's mate, Melcot asked as he stepped forward
through the assembled friends.  He was quite a bit taller than most of the
other elves, being of the highborn, and his bright yellow blond hair
gleamed in the moonlight.

     "Very well," she said holding out her hand and taking his.  The two
looked down into the waters.  The stars faded away and were rapidly
replaced by a continually changing sequence of images.  The two of them
rode side by side on tall horses.  Then Melcot appeared alone, dressed for
battle and riding with a large company of armed men out across the castle
drawbridge.  Next was a scene of Rowana wearing golden chain mail and
girded with a short sword and bow.  She was mounted on the back of what
looked like a golden horned unicorn.  Finally the image of the two was one
lined with age.  They were walking side by side down a long corridor, both
with flowing white hair.  The pictures faded and again revealed the night
full of stars.  The two looked up and smiled at the crowd.

     "My lord," Rowana said to Robin.  "Would you and your consort care to
look?"

     "I don't think so," Scott replied, rapidly.  He could not shake the
odd premonition of seeing something bad.

     "Come, my love.  It is only our future.  You cannot fear what is to
be."  Robin took his hand and pulled him to the small font.  The two gazed
down at the reflected stars.  The image of the night sky slowly clouded
over and dissolved.  Instead of the bright vistas of Tuatha, the image
portrayed was that of the human world from which Scott had come.  He saw
the outside of the curio shop that he had owned.  As they watched the
storefront exploded in a giant fireball.  The picture then shifted to an
image of his friend Jennifer from back home.  She had been his best friend.
Someone grabbed her from behind and pushed her into the back of a dark van.
Next came a scene of Jennifer bound and gagged, lying on a dirty mattress.
A large, shadowy figure of a man reached out and ripped her blouse open,
exposing her breasts.  He then bent over her while she struggled in the
bonds.  This image was replaced by one of Scott apparently trapped in a
burning building, coughing and choking while bright tongues of flame leaped
up from all sides.  Finally the picture changed to one of Robin.  He was
naked and appeared to be locked in a metal cage of some kind.  His skin was
cut and striped by long bluish colored gashes as if he had been flayed with
a whip.  The scene dissolved into the reflected night sky again.

     "Well what did you see, my lord?" Melcot asked excitedly.  Robin
reached down, gripping the side of the small, stone bird bath and shoved
with all his might.  The shallow top slid from its pedestal falling to the
ground with a loud crash and splashing water all about.  Everyone jumped
back in stunned silence.  The king turned and strode through the crowd and
out of the garden.

     "What happened?  What was it?" Rowana cried as Scott ran after him.