( for those who like stories- and/or I hope you enjoy the pics that inspired it!)
The Siren’s Bones Chapter 2
Fiona, sat down on a log exhausted, her voice hoarse from calling her daughter’s name. Where could the girl be? Her eyes narrowed as she saw a storm coming in from the North. She knew the child loved stormy weather. Even as a toddler she had always found a way to escape the confines of the cottage where they lived close to the loch*. The girl could be as wild as a wave flinging itself against the shore, and as mysterious. Then there were her eyes. Those eyes reflected the deep heart of the ocean and seemed to shine with the light of a submerged moon.
Fiona’s husband, the Captain, named their baby daughter Muireal* which well suited her, and as years went by she had grown into a bright eyed, inquisitive creature. Nevertheless, during those early years they knew something was not quite right with her. In spite of the constant chatter of the two older boys who included her in their games and told her stories, by the age of five, Muireal had still never spoken a word though her hearing and comprehension seemed unimpaired. There were times she would suddenly stop whatever she was doing and intently stare out to sea with her little head cocked as though she was listening to something that was inaudible to everyone but her. In the morning light as Fiona put out the wash she sometimes saw her standing on the dock in quiet attention.
Wind from the South (by the Chieftains, beautiful Celtic piece!)
Yet, there was nothing dull or slow in her affect, and neither the country doctor nor, for that matter, an expert associate from the city were able to find a cause for her silence. Their official diagnosis was that the child was mute possibly due to some shock received, either before or after birth, though what that could have been no one would say and so it remained a mystery. Muireal quickly learned to speak with her hands using a type of sign language but when Fiona looked into her daughter’s beautiful eyes she felt that in them lay the true communication trapped just below the surface of a dark green sea.
The slightly webbed fingers of her delicate little right hand were never a hindrance to Muireal as she picked up stranded star fish, tiny crabs and other gifts from the rocks and tide pools. She hung wind chimes of gannet skulls and seashells at the garden gate. She was a collector of small bird bones and like a spaewife* of old she would often take them out of her little pouch and throw them, examining their fallen positions as though she were scrying. Afterwards in her own private ritual she would stand up and raise her fingers as if in blessing or perhaps it was just to feel the direction of the wind.
One day the Captain brought home an ancient bone flute from his travels. Muireal was infatuated with it and insisted on keeping it in her pocket as she went about her daily chores and explorations. Soon after, on moonlit nights the hollowed bone began to sing unknown melodies from some far shore. Everyone within earshot would stop and listen when she played but the haunting sound gave Fiona a strange unease. Muireal’s future was a worry to her now that she was getting closer to the bloom of womanhood. Some of the villagers and fisher boys were afraid of her and Fiona was also afraid, not of the child, but because she, herself had carried a secret all these years. It was while her husband had been away at sea and before her daughter was born that something very out of the ordinary had occurred.
still more to come!
Chapter Three
This may need a bit of revision or editing but here it is in raw form and in time for Monochrome Madness
*Muireal is a Gaelic name meaning bright sea
*A loch is both a sea inlet or a lake, in this case an inlet. In Scotland they are also called Firths which comes from the Viking word Fjord.
*a spaewife was a fortune teller or witch in Scottish folklore
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
Absolutely no editing is necessary. Wish my first drafts were as perfect as yours. Can’t wait for more! 🙂
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oh I am very honoured Emilio! Thanks so much!
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Great development of the plot. The nature of this strange, beautiful little girl is becoming more intriguing by the minute – and you manage to finish on a mini cliffhanger! I have to read the next chapter now.
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🙂
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Mmmh… interesting, very interesting Moon. I’m so happy to have started reading now as you have all “The Siren’s Bones” chapters together (or till ch 7, that is if there are more to it).
I will have to tell you that the story had me captivated and I forgot there were photos to it. I had to check the photos after finishing the story. 😉 But you know the photos are always amazing. 🙂
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I’m honoured!!
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I’m sure there would be many more simmering in your brain pot.;) And perhaps you can publish these into a book someday. 🙂
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that seems a bit daunting lol. but who knows!
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I think, I understand that “daunting” feeling a bit. Writing stories are toilsome and to come up with endless possibilities is – scary. I’ve too, been busy with some writing projects and my brain feels so tired, already. 😦
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oh I know! 😀
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I have now realised that I had read and commented on the third chapter,I am fascinated by the second part and anxiously wait to see what Fiona’s secret is.Her silent daughter with the reflective eyes and the fabulous Gaelic name seems that she will be part of the secret.You have mysteriously interlaced the threads of the story,Cybele,your photos intensify the plot and the Celtic music is just right for getting me in the mood …
PS:Tomorrow,I’ll re-read the third part before I go on to the fouth …
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I am so pleased you are enjoying the magic and the melancholy of the tale Doda!!- and the touch of mystery. Take your time.
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I consider melancholy an aesthetic emotion and such an intimate confidant ….
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I love your description and heartily agree!! 🙂
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The tale is enchanting, and the music accompanies it perfectly!
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so glad you are enjoying it! thank you!
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My pleasure!
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btw my pen name is Cybele but I am also Hanna!
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Nice meeting you!=)
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thanks so much Sharon!!
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We’re in for a treat with this story… you certainly have me hooked, although I already feel sad. I get the feeling Mureal’s will not be a happy ending, in the tradition of these old stories. But its beautiful, and I can’t wait to ewad more. And how I love the image at the top of the story! How on earth did you do that? I love your vision, and your skill in bringing it to us.
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so happy you are enjoying the story- yes it’s a bit melancholy like the writer :D. More soon coming. oh that image is actually a composite using textures and layers etc. I love how it turned out too- atmospheric I hope!
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Very atmospheric! You are a very talented lady!
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🙂 ❤
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How beautiful Cybele.
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so pleased you like it Maria! How are you? More prayers sent!
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more, more………please. a few lines is never enough? 🙂
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I’m so pleased!! Thank you – more to come!
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😀
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Nice work, Hannah – very atmospheric 🙂
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many thanks for reading Huck!
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Stunning write, Hannah – somehow I missed this post….And I loove your mysterious image! Fab!
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so happy you read it!! Thanks Sue for a lovely comment!
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I just love your take on things!
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🙂
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Lovely, haunting, and captivating, Cybele! You end the chapter on just the right suspenseful note.
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Many thanks Patti!! More to come!
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Great. 🙂
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I’m totally dying for the next installment, Cybele. You have me enthralled.
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so very pleased to hear that sarah! I’m honoured. Many thanks!
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Beautiful Cybele, your heroine reminds me of the heroine of my selkie novel, who also has webbed fingers…Looking forward to watching this gorgeous story unfold 🙂
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oh boy Andrea, great minds think alike. I did not know you wrote a novel about that! I must check it out!! Honestly I did “not”
plagiarize lol!! This is a short story so I will finish it before reading yours!! Thank you for reading and your lovely comment as always!
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It isn’t published yet Cybele, so you may be able to read it one day but not yet! I’m waiting with baited breath to see what your heroine’s webbed fingers mean for her!
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I will look forward to it btw, I meant I did “not” plagiaraize!! argh 😀
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Waiting the next chapter Cybele, excellent photography!
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thanks Della!! More coming soon!
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We all want MORE 🙂 Fantastic Hannah .
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Yayy!! thank you Poppy!
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You have got me gripped. Spellbound.
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I was waiting for your approval Peter! Thank you! More to come!
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I’m looking forward to the next chapter, Hannah. And lovely images, as always!
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many thanks for reading Pam!
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I’m so awaiting your next post to learn the secret! You certainly know how to weave a magical story. And, as always, your gorgeous pictures just enhance it all!
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I’m so happy you like it Linda!! Thank you for a lovely compliment. I will have to get going on more!
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Loving this story 😀 “Wild as the waves” is such a beautiful line!!
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so pleased you like it Sarah!
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Just love it! I found myself floating away with the girl and the birds in your beautiful image too 🙂
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oh thank you Sarah!!
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Absolutely my pleasure 😀
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Oh it’s not fair that the story didn’t end 🙂 Can’t wait for you to continue.
Beautiful pictures, as always.
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Thanks so much for such a supportive comment Anita!!
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You do enchant me with your writing! Am I rude to say, “Hurry up! next installment please!”
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thank you Kerena!! I’ll try!!
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another magical tale in the making!
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Wonderful! I can’t wait for the next chapter!
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so pleased you are liking it Deborah!! thank you!
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Superb! ……..I’m looking forward to the next installment.
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so happy you came by and commented!! More to come!
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More story. Love it. More please.
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so pleased you like it!! I fixed a few grammatical errors and added a new pic. I often post without going over things! Thanks Sherry!!
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Looking forward to finding out about the secret!
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stay tuned!! 😀 Thanks Kate. I actually went over it to correct a few grammar errors etc. I always do things in a hurry!
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I hate finding those irksome errors in my posts, too. At least we are aware of them. Some bloggers either don’t know or don’t care.
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yes, I really need a proof reader lol!
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Oh… This is brilliant
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thank you Raj!!
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