Secrets Of The Marsh

By Paul McCann

The sound of snapping and snarling echoed through the clear morning air.

Suddenly beneath a blanket of mist a group of Irish Wolfhounds uncovered themselves with wide open jaws and long stretching legs, running like a flame through the dry forest the wild dogs chased their prey into corners and as

Their victims lay motionless, a presence of the kill protested in vain.

 Marsh creatures emerged out from their holes and looked on helpless as wild geese and other small animals tried to fight off their savage attackers.

 Thousands of eyes watched as the Wolfhound packs devour the waterfowl.

 The sound of a horn blew and scattered the Pack of wolfhounds as from the edge of the forest a group of Wolf Women emerged holding fiery logs in their hands.

“We must wait until the time is right “

Said Lizer who stood as the leader among the group.

 “When will that be “ asked Mias  the tallest of them all.

“When night falls ”

Came the reply from Lizer. 

As Lizer collected wood the others lit a fire on the marsh.

Placing wild geese on the embers they fed themselves on the Wolfhounds kill.

After they had eaten they sat around the fire, matching brute strength in arm wrestles and showed their great ability to leap over the flames of the fire.

 Suddenly a few wild pigs came running straight from the forest towards the Wolf Women, as the pigs hurtled towards them Lizer held up her hand and commanded the pigs to lie down. The pigs all came over and lay down at the feet of the Wolf Women.

 Then as the dark cloak of night threw itself over the marsh, every noise overspilt over the marsh and filled every crack and ledge with wonder, and over the rocks the wind whispered.

“At last the time has come “

Said Lizer .

 A tall dark stranger walked towards the Wolf women . A light shone around the head of the person who drew near.

 “ Do you wish to step back from this place “
Said the stranger.

Lizer looked into the face of the visitor that shone like the sun.

She covered her eyes and said,

“Master of the marsh, I am told that you have powers greater than mine”.

  “Wolf Woman, leave this place for it belongs to me “

But the Wolf Woman had great skill and cunning and told the stranger,

“It is known all over the land that the fear you place over the marshlands

Takes the shape of Wolfhounds and that the mist is nothing but a trick.

I have fire from the forest so it is you that must leave this place “

  Even the Wolfhounds must keep their distance from the forest dwellers.
What is that horn you blow “
Asked the stranger.  

It is not the horn, but the hands that hold it and the breath that blows it “

  At last I see “

The stranger took a few steps back.

Lizer and the wolf women circled around the stranger who lifted his cloak and tossed it into the air. It feels to the ground like a stone and shattered into. Pieces. Suddenly a strange mist crept over the marsh and clung to the air. 

 Beyond the marsh on the edge of the Forest a path opened up between the trees and the lowlands. Large creatures walked down the path and shook the ground with every step. The women of the Forest never moved an inch.

  “We have no fear of your tricks and if this is the limit of your powers, we have nothing to worry about. Your illusions have no place here.”
Said Lizer

As a number of Wolfhounds ran over the marsh.
So you fear us then “
Said Lizer .

  “Here I am at home, you are trespassing. I am the master of the marsh. And I could destroy you all in an instant".
Said the stranger.
“Maybe so, but then I know that you have a secret”
Said Lizer

He stomped his foot and his face stopped glowing.

“Please you must understand.’

‘Lizer pulled the dagger from her shoulder strap and threw it at the dark figure The stranger fell to the ground and his body turned into a marsh snake.

Lizer and the other women spread their thick wolf skins over the snake.

“You are now in our keep “ Said the Wolf Women .as they bundled up the skins and threw them on the fire.

  “Where there is nothing to fear, you cannot control. We found your secret master of the marsh and now you must leave this place “
Said Lizer .

The flames from the fire spat out a Hugh ball of light that spread itself over the forest and returned back to the Wolf Women.

A light shimmered around Lizers head and a voice from the marsh said,

  “You are victorious over the keeper of the marsh because of the truth you

Have spoken. Wise Wolf Women, you are the select ones that I congratulate. You must remain here, and become like a river of light.”

The entire marsh was illuminated and transformed into a green pasture.

The path into the forest became a river that cut through the horizon.

A voice echoed from the river of light,

“ Without fear, truth will survive. With this knowledge you have the power to control and become rulers over the all the land .The story here begins with you. Goodbye “

  Trees sprung up around the women who began to sing in harmony.

Their singing was heard over all the land by men who where so entranced by the songs that they blindly followed the sound where they remained with the

women as long as the truth remained.

From that day to this singing has been heard all over the land .  

  The End