Waves in the Wind Read Online Free

ahead in your studies. That is also why you were the first chosen from our remaining group to build his sacred fire.”
    The realm of learning captivated me from my very first day at Dún Ailinne, and I eagerly embraced each new opportunity to acquire knowledge. Therefore, it was true I was well ahead in my studies, but I found his comments overstated. “I have no special talents, nor is my mind stronger than yours. My father prepared me well for the school here and the gods have since smiled on me. That is all that separates us.”
    “Hah. You disregard your exceptional abilities, but have it your way.”
    There was no cause to discuss it more. Besides, the thought of warm barley cakes in the dining hall now captured my interest. A freshly oiled sealskin cape hung on a peg, so I took it, draped it over my head and scampered across the wet compound toward the privy.
    I was almost there when I was stopped by a student of about twenty years named Earnánwho I knew only slightly. He wore the red-striped robe of a First Order Druid and served as assistant to Master Tóla. “Ossian, the Master calls for you. He waits in his sanctuary, so you must hurry.”
    My stomach growled a disappointed response, but to keep the Master waiting was unthinkable. I hurried to the privy while wondering at the purpose behind the Master’s message. Rain fell in sheets as I picked my way along the slippery, muddy path to the top of Knockaulin.
    I rapped on the door of his sanctuary and entered at his beckoning response. Stooped over his table scanning a manuscript, he glanced up to growl, “You’re late! And drop that old cape where you are before you drip water across my floor!”
    I did as ordered and walked over to him. Of course, I wasn’t late, but I bowed. “I beg your pardon, Master.”
    “Do you know what day this is?”
    “Yes, it is the day I was to build my first sacred fire.”
    He cocked an eyebrow and growled again, “No! It is the day you shall build your fire.”
    Amazement swept through me as rain drummed overhead.
    “Now,” he continued, “you will travel a half-day’s walk due south where you will find a grassy knoll. It is there you will build your fire. You remember the correct mantra?”
    “Of course!” Immediately I regretted my mistake and cursed my stupidity at allowing myself to become disconcerted. I bowed low before him. “My apologies for my rudeness, Master Tóla. I intended to say, yes, I know the mantra.”
    His eyes blazed. “Is there something more you wish to say?”
    “Again please excuse my disrespect, Master. Rain falls in torrents, there will be no dry fuel for a fire. Provided I could find dry wood, there will be no possible way to maintain a blaze on an open hilltop. Perhaps you will consider delaying my mission until a more suitable day?”
    “Impossible. There can be no delay. This day was not chosen by me, but by the Lordly Ones. You must go today. Listen carefully; today you must create a fire that burns that which cannot burn.”
    His words passed me as my heart sank, knowing there could be no further appeal or expectation that I might be successful.
    He continued, “You realize you will only succeed if a vision comes to you from the gods during the fire ceremony?”
    I nodded though his question mattered little. There was no hope for a vision. Unless the rain stopped soon there was no hope of building the fire.
    “Do not look so forlorn. Remember the words of Epicurus, ‘The greater the difficulty, the greater the glory in surmounting it.’ Besides, you should feel honored for the gods are testing you. Indeed, I cannot recall the gods challenging an acolyte with a more difficult trial. To succeed you must maintain confidence in yourself, keep your mind clear and apply the knowledge we instilled within you. Now, if there is nothing more you wish to say, it is time you begin.”
    * * *
    The rain proved unrelenting. Large trees bent before the howling wind, their leaves flying