( two chapters in one)
Fiona stepped aside, her mind reeling as Duff entered the house. He sat himself down at the table but didn’t touch the food. Instead, he reached into his pockets and began pulling out what looked like pearls, coins and other bits and pieces of flotsam onto the table. “These are gifts from the sea and from my travels.” he said. His eyes locked onto Muireal with a light of recognition and she returned his gaze trustingly. “She is truly beautiful!” he declared.
Fiona was greatly disturbed and placed her hand on Muireal’s shoulder possessively. “Why have you come back?” she asked anxiously. He looked at her. In his eyes a great squall was gathering and flashes of lightening flickered and faded. “I have come to claim what is mine.” he replied. Fiona realized with shock, that he was attempting to pay her for her care of the child as though she was only a nursemaid. She turned immediately to Muireal and sent her upstairs to her room. Muireal went reluctantly, looking back at both of them with confusion and fear in her eyes.
After the girl was out of sight Fiona spoke quietly, “You cannot take her. She belongs to us.” She tried to keep her voice steady. “Why have you waited so long?” she demanded. Duff stood up and looked at her with a quizzical expression and replied, “Time is not counted by the long or short in my world Fiona, we know only the rhythm of the tides under the sun and stars. It is a far better place,” In a surprisingly tender and almost sympathetic gesture he reached out and touched Fiona’s cheek. “Did you not know my nature from our first meeting?” he asked softly. “There is so much I can yet teach our daughter. Have not the wind and currents called to her through these years?” His hand on her face was warm and wet. It smelled like the sea and for the first time since that fateful night she again heard the ocean storm roaring in her ears and she was afraid.
No one noticed that the captain had come in quietly through the front door and that his pistol was drawn. When Duff saw him he drew away from Fiona and the captain fired. Fiona screamed as Duff staggered back toward the door holding his shoulder. He turned and fled toward the beach. The captain ran after him into the night but as clouds again covered the moon, Duff had disappeared. There was only darkness and the sound of the surf. The Captain returned and locked the doors. He put the pistol on the table and without a word went upstairs. He left his wife standing in the kitchen weeping, with her head bowed in chagrin. The powerful wave that had swept over the shore was sucked back into the deep and only silence remained. Alone in her room, Muireal lay weeping too. They all knew that no one would ever speak a word about what happened, but it would hang over them all like a suffocating night without stars.
______________________________
An t- Eilean Dorcha -The Dark Island
Duff was not seen after that though the captain continued to keep a vigilant look out. Every day and all day, he grimly patrolled the perimeters of the little farm from the pasture down to the shoreline. Fiona was glad the boys were away and not witnesses to any of it. A few weeks later, a seal carcass washed up on the beach. White bones shone in the sunlight as gulls swooped down to pick at the flesh that still clung to them. Muireal was very affected by the sight and kept watch over the body until the Captain finally cut it up into pieces and hauled the remains out into the loch.
Afterward she took to sitting on the rocks for long periods with her head on her knees, looking out to sea. She didn’t play the little bone flute. Her right hand appeared more awkward and in the light a glowing filament seem to thread its way through the web of her fingers. At night she appeared almost translucent. Fiona thought it was only a trick of light, like the halo that sometimes surrounds animals on cold northern nights.
She and the captain hardly spoke now and the profound stillness that had settled on the house continued on in an ominous and lonely vigil. Soon Fiona began to hear a buzzing inside her head like the crackling sensation of fear and elation that precedes the mysterious discharge of St. Elmo’s fire. She had an overpowering desire to scream and never stop but all she could do was wait helplessly and pray for a reprieve that might never come.
Chapter Six
*St. Elmo’s fire is usually bright blue or violet
more about the shape shifting Selkie or Silkie can be found here
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
Everything works well from the story to the picture and even the music. I loved the first and the last photos as they tell so much about our Muireal. And uh! the music almost tells that things are about to change and fall apart (I guess so…).;)
Very captivating story Moon. 🙂
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the feedback on this story has been wonderful and I do thank you for yours!
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Entrancing narrative,Cybele,the plot of your story becomes more and more gripping and the supernatural forces are obvious now.Duff’s world is outside of what we call natural world and Muireal’s semitransparent figure is not a trick of the light.The scenes that took place that night are dramatic,the atmosphere suffocating in the house now,and oh,that seal carcass … and the captain’s cruelty.Poor Muireal,she didn’t play her flute again … She has the same feelings with ordinary humans.The Gaelic music is playing,the folk song and your story touch my heart…. A couple of nights more and all will be finished,I’ll come back to the real world.Superb your photos with the starry skies and the majestic light.How beautiful our cosmos is through your perspective ….
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It is such a joy to me that you take so much magic from the story in all the details and feel the poignancy of the moments. I always feel so uplifted (and encouraged) after reading your comments!
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My comments come from the bottom of my heart as I become one with the characters …
You can sense my admiration for your great imagery and the way you plot and unfold the story.I have not forgotten you,dear Cebele,but the Brexit vs Bre-main historical moment took up most of my time … Soon with you again,I reckon that your next final chapters must be compelling … 🙂
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This is so magical!
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I’m pleased you like it!! thank you!
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checking for the next chapter;) (yes, I did get your message btw glad you liked it!)
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hey Romie thank you! Yes I do have chapter six up and chapter seven is in the works!
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Wow, your imagery and music just flow through the story. I can’t wait for more! Hope all is well. Sorry about the trouble you’ve been having. I’m going to have to break down and take some time to start backing up my stuff! 😛 Hope the rest of your week goes well, my friend!
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oh I still hate the new WP editor!! Thanks so much Linda, I’m so happy you like the story!
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Every time I finally figure out something on WP, they change it. Very frustrating! 😀
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Oh don’t I know it! 😀
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The final chapter coming soon? Was the story intended to be so short? It is enthralling and I would like to know more about Duff’s world, and what would become of Muireal later on. The seal . . . I’m still thinking about that and I’ll be very sad to find out Duff is just gone forever.
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thank you so much for your enthusiasm Peter! The last bit of the story may be in two parts.
The world of the shape shifting Selkie must be a very complicated one especially the human part where you must face the wrath of jealous husbands etc as apparently the male selkies were very amorous! By the way, there is a clan in the outer Hebrides who claim descendency from such a union – the MacCodrums who are a sept of the larger MacDonald clan. 😀
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I am still loving this story and can’t wait for the next chapter
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oh that is so satisfying!! Thanks so much Julz!!
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I’m spellbound by this story. Can’t wait for chapter six 🙂
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Thanks so much Sarah!! I’m pleased to enchant you – and honoured. More to come!
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I can hardly wait to read the final chapter! Wonderful storytelling♥
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So pleased you like it. Thanks Cougar!!
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Beautiful and so melancholic!
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thank you so much Katie! More coming!
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Great! 😊
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Another mysterious and captivating chapter, Hannah. Your imagery is beautiful!
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thank you so much Pam for such a lovely comment. It’s so encouraging and means a lot!
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I’m looking forward to the continuation 😊.
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a big smile from me! thank you again! 🙂
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Beautiful Cybele, I’m loving your selkie story 🙂
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so happy you are enjoying it Andrea! Thank you!
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Wonderful stuff, Cybele. And by the way, if you have frustrations with WordPress’s new post editor, don’t use it >>> I’ve never used it and am still working very happily with the old editor. The old editor really is good. A 🙂
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Many thanks Adrian!! and for the advice!!
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An enthralling story, Cybele. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
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I’m honoured that another storyteller likes it Louise. Thank you!
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Cybele am just hooked to your storytelling you have an awesome gift…
Waiting eagerly
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Many thanks for your lovely compliment!
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Cybele I am hooked….
Waiting for the final chapters….
You have a awesome way of storytelling…
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I am just thrilled by your awesome comment!! Thanks so much!
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You deserve it …. 😊😊
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aww thanks! 🙂
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😊😊😊😊
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Waiting for the new chapter
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Do read in … 😊😊
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Enthralling chapter! I’m so glad that you were able to rescue it, and that it’s a doubly long chapter. 🙂
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oh thank you Anita, yes wheww! I will know enough to back things up now! – and I’m no glad it wasn’t too long!! I always worry about that!! I’m so pleased you like it!
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🙂
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Reblogged this on Br Andrew's Muses and commented:
I can’t keep up with all my reading but these bonesare calling
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oh I am so pleased!! Thank you Andrew!!
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Great work
Cybele
You had me from beginning to end
Simply beautiful
As always Sheldon
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thank you so much Sheldon!
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Going to make us wait for the finale, I see. 😊
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robert are you seeing the chapter?
it’s vanished for me lol
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Totally enchanting …….and a steady climb to the final chapter – every step of which has been a thrill.
Chapter 5’s vanished from here?…….. luckily I read it when it was sent through to my email.
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yes I don’t know what happened but I had to redo it!! It’s all there now! Thanks so much Boudicca!!
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Yes, I see it fine. WEIRD!
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I had to redo it!! but it’s all there again! thanks Robert!
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