Legend of the Three Sisters
Those first days on Amnor were hard. Weary from long days travelling across the waters, torn by the whips of their masters, starving and thirsty, the first of our people climbed the plateau to find the citadel of Armengar. Now there was much work to do. The island needed to be searched for food. Crops would need to be planted for the winter months. The citadel was old and neglected and would require some effort before it would be a home. But tired as they were and finally free, the people had no wish to do more than was necessary for their immediate survival. Now Heramacles saw the dangers in not preparing for the future but was faced with a dilemma. They were hard workers all of them, but they yet needed the guidance of a master. Someone would need to lead. Heramacles did not wish such a burden for himself, but he recognised that if he did not take it, his people would be dead within a year. He had a duty to do to make their freedom a lasting one. The people accepted his leadership without question and did as he directed. Food was brought in and stored, seeds were planted. But Heramacles remained troubled. The people worked because he told them and they were unused to refusing an order. They did it for him, not for themselves. Then one day a young woman told him a secret that would change everything.
Aoibhe was nervous about what she had to tell. She knew there was still much to do and she did not wish to add further burden, but the truth would soon become obvious. She was with child and would give birth within a matter of months. Heramacles was not angered by this as she had expected. On the contrary, he kissed her on both cheeks and told her it was exactly what the people of Armengar needed. It was soon announced that the first truly free citizen of Armengar would arrive shortly. The people worked with a new purpose and fervour to give this child the best home they could. Aoibhe was no longer allowed lift a finger and was well cared for while everyone waited expectantly. Her belly grew and grew and many joked the child was so well fed inside, it saw no reason to leave.
Finally the day arrived. Her labour was long and arduous, but thanks to the care of her people, Aoibhe was strong. Late in the night a tiny infant girl was placed in her arms. Aoibhe stared at her in wonderment. It seemed odd that she had grown so large to have such a small child. The pains began again and the women around her whispered. Within an hour another baby girl began to cry. This time Aoibhe could hear the cheers from the people in the citadel as the news of the twins was passed out to them. When her third daughter was born, the very room shook for joy as Armengar welcomed the new arrivals.
Life was indeed a happy thing for Bánín, Dearga, and Dúbhach. Aoibhe soon married a man who could not have loved the girls more if they were his own. Indeed they were much loved by all of Armengar for they were born free and gave hope for all the children of Armengar to follow.
Bánín was a kind hearted gentle girl. If ever an animal was injured or left motherless, it was Bánín that tended to it until it was strong. She had a natural gift for healing and would sit with the women for hours learning to administer wounds with bandages and the herbs of the forest.
Dearga was the curious one. She wanted to know everything about everything with such a passion, and it was said that odd things sometimes happened around her when her emotions rose. Broken toys would mend themselves in her hands, her mother would suddenly become distracted from scolding her. There were whispers of the great magics some of their previous masters had been seen to use. Somehow this child was touched by it too.
Dúbhach was the toughest of the three. She loved to be outside running around and playing games. Now back then the people of Armengar were not so well trained as warriors. Indeed there were only a small number of weapons between them. Aoibhe's husband had one such sword and Dúbhach was fascinated by it, pleading every day to be allowed use it despite its weight being unwieldy in her small hands. She carried with her everywhere the small wooden replica he had made for her.
Now in this time the Calebii war had yet to begin. The citadel gates were always open and the people moved freely about the island. The forest we know as Coill Oirtheach was far more expansive than it is today and it was filled with many plants and animals we have since forgotten. It was a fine hunting ground and fed us for many years as we learned the ways of farming. Still, it was no place for children and the three sisters were never allowed leave the plateau. They were no more than twelve years old when they decided it was time they had an adventure. Bánín wanted to see all the different herbs she'd heard so much about, Dearga just wanted to see it for herself, and Dúbhach was eager to take their father's sword for she listened to all the stories of the wild beasts that lived there. That night they slipped out of their beds, tiptoed past their parents' room, crept outside all the way to the citadel gates. Soon they were running between the two walls, exhilarated by their first taste of disobedience. It seemed like no time at all before they were in the forest of Coill Oirtheach. It was darker than they expected but they marched bravely onwards.
It didn't take long for them to realise they were lost. Bánín had them stray from the path after a rabbit she thought was limping and try as they might, they could not find the path again. Dearga wanted them to stay where they were and wait for morning and their parents to come but Dúbhach insisted they keep moving and find the way themselves. They were very close as sisters. They shared everything and never fought - but this night looked set to be different. Emotions were rising very high as they began to bicker over what to do and who to blame. They continued deeper and deeper into the forest and only when out of breath they stopped to take some water and realised they were not alone.
The bushes moved and large yellow eyes peered out at them.
Thinking it might be hurt, Bánín stepped forward but this made the creature come out from hiding. It was huge! Much larger and more vicious than the wompus' we know today. It was bigger than the three of them together, was covered in black and grey hair, and had great big yellow teeth rotten with flesh. A long tail whipped behind it and its claws were long and going straight for Bánín! Dúbhach stepped in front of her sister holding the sword out in front of her, but it was heavy and awkward in her hand and with a whip of the creature's tail, it went skittering out of her hands. The creature's eyes narrowed to slits and it readied itself to attack the three girls. They clung to each other shaking wishing they'd never left the warmth of their beds and the safety of the citadel. Just when they thought they would be this nasty creature's dinner, Dúbhach felt a hand take hers. She looked around at her sisters but it was neither of their hands she had hold of. No one else was there. A gentle breeze blew over her, soothing her. The hand pulled at her gently and somehow Dúbhach knew it was safe to follow. She only went a couple of steps to the sword on the forest floor. She picked it up, but this time when she held it, the strange hand moved around hers, moving it into a better grip until the sword felt... right. She turned to tell her sisters but that was when the wompus sprung! Dúbhach charged in and her arm was guided as she swung the sword before her, dodging, striking - it howled in pain as its tail went through the air separated from its body. When the blade went through its shoulder it pushed Dúbhach away and ran as fast as it could back into the woods away from them.
Bánín and Dearga were amazed by Dúbhach's story of the hand that guided her. Who could it have been? Were there invisible people in the forest that no one knew about? Excited, they set about finding their path to get home as soon as possible and tell everyone what they had discovered.
An hour passed and still the path eluded them. They were growing scared once more so Dúbhach strapped the sword to her belt and took hold of both their hands. None of them heard the giant bird swoop down on top of them! Bigger even then the wompus and covered in green and brown oily feathers, it had gigantic claws that took Dúbhach by the shoulders. Bánín let go but Dearga clung onto her sister determined not to let her be taken away. She tried to catch hold of a tree with her other hand or her feet but she was starting to rise off the ground now too! Her magic! She could try make the bird drop them - but it only ever worked when she held out one of her hands - and that was the hand that held onto Dúbhach! They would soon be too high that if the bird did drop them they would surely die and that was when the wind whistling faster and faster through the trees took voice. It spoke to Dearga to be calm, to feel the power of the land, of the air itself around her, to let it go through every part of her - to not restrict it with habits or fears. Dearga did her best to listen and soon she felt the tingle of energy all through her - but all the more present in the fingertips of her other hand! She pointed at the bird, closed her eyes tight, and shouted above the wind that it should drop them! The bird released them at once, and so startled was it by her voice that it screeched in fear and flew far away. Dúbhach and Dearga drifted gently to the ground on the wind as Bánín came running toward them. Dearga told them about the voice that spoke to her and they thought the invisible people must live in the winds themselves.
They continued on their way, growing more and more tired for it was long past their bedtime now and they had had a busy night. They could barely keep their eyes open as they walked and walked through the trees. The dangers of the forest are many. Dearga was ahead of her sisters but her eyes were heavy and she did not see how the ground dropped away from under her under she was tripped over a root and fell head first down the slope! The thud when she landed hard against a rock was sickening and brought her sisters back to full awakedness. They picked their way down to her just as fast as they could. Dúbhach cried at the blood that was spilling from Dearga's head but Bánín remembered all she had been taught and remained calm. She had her bandages and she wrapped up Dearga's head - just like she'd done with many hurt knees and elbows of the younger children in Armengar. But the bleeding didn't stop like it should and Dearga wouldn't wake up! She looked around her for something she could use but it was too dark to see more than stones and muck and tree roots! When she looked back at Dearga, she jumped in fright. Leaning over her was a beautiful woman in a dress of blue and green that looked like leaves swirling in the stream. Her hair was as red as flame and her eyes were a kindly green. She placed a finger on her lips and Bánín felt her calm restored. The lady didn't speak but pointed to the bandages and indicated that Bánín should undo them. She pointed next to a small plant growing close to Dearga's head. Bánín picked it from the ground and rubbed the leaves in her hand and spread them on the bandage, as the lady showed her to do. Very slowly and carefully, the lady showed her how to wrap the bandage back around Dearga's head. Bánín did everything exactly as she saw. She had no sooner finished tying the bandage when Dearga's eyes opened. Bánín looked back to thank the woman but she was gone. They knew now it had not been invisible people that protected them on their adventure but still they did not know who this lady was.
Still ,they did not know their way home. They decided to ask the lady to come back and help them find their path. They held hands, squeezed their eyes shut and thought about the gentleness of her touch, her soothing voice, and the kindness in her eyes. They asked her to come back and help them one more time and when they opened their eyes... she was there and she smiled at them.
"Who are you?", they asked.
"I am Amnor, this land your people have found. I am the trees, the rivers, the wind, the rocks. And now," she stepped forward and kissed each head in turn. "I am you, you, and you and every child that follows you. As each of you are me."
"Can you help us find the path back home?"
Amnor smiled. "This is your island. It's right under your feet."
They looked down puzzled, but sure enough they were standing on the very path they had searched for. When they looked up, Lady Amnor was gone but lights and many worried voices were approaching from ahead. Hardly a minute later Aoibhe had her arms around all three of them.
It is said that the girls spent much time in Coill Oirtheach after that, speaking with Lady Amnor through the animals and trees. Bánín became the finest healer, Dearga excelled at using her magic to help everyone, and Dúbhach - well the Calebii soon came and Dúbhach was at the front. Even as they grew and had children and grandchildren of their own, they always took the time to go just the three of them into the forest. Always they returned home safe and sound until when day, when they were old and weary from life, they went together to their favourite place on the whole island and were never seen again. Their children searched the forest but it was as if the wind had taken them away. Still, it is said that even now, no one can lose themselves in the forest for the winds do whisper and the streams do show the way, and the path is always right under your feet.
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