"Papa, did you just speak to me mind to mind or has my worry for you addled my brain?" *Your not addled, yet, Gheal. It is time for the truth of things to arrive. Tonight your learning begins. Tell her Connor.*

Whilst the mental talk happens, Connor gets to his feet and straightens himself out. He gives the older man a wry look. *I should have known you would know how to mental speak, Sir. Why you would hold back is beyond my comprehension.* Papa laughs for a few seconds before getting a serious look. "There are things ye will learn as well Lad. The Prophesy has parts that were not told to ye. Both of your lives are about to change in ways I can only hope will not destroy you." He stands and begins walking towards the hidden chamber. "Come, time runs short and there is plenty to be done.

Scrambling to follow him, Muirgheal stop him by grabbing his arm. "Papa, what are you going on about? Are you feeling ill? Why did you tell me to hurry?". Patting her hand affectionately, he simply smiles and continues to the hidden door.....

Entering the 2nd chamber, Muirgheal is shocked at just how big it is in comparison to the rest of the house and its hidden location. "Papa, what is this? Why have you not told me of it before? Oh what a pretty little pond."

"Do not touch the water Gheal. Tis magic infused. Whilst the servants continue preparing for the ritual, wander about. Get yourselves familiar with it in here. You're going to be spending more time here as of this night." Papa said with a rueful grin.

As Connor wanders about the rest of the room, Muirgheal is transfixed with the pond. As she leans over the edge, she gasps in surprise. She looks down upon the scene of a lone rider riding hard over lands she realizes is the outer edges over their lands. "Papa, come look. There is a man approaching. If he keeps that speed up, I fear for the safety of the poor beast!"

Papa hurries over to see what she is talking about. "What are you going on about Girl? Tis nothing there but the water."

Turning with wide eyes to face him, she says "But surely you can see him?" "No Lass. These waters are mage blessed for different reasons. Not sight."

Turning back to the little pond, she stares intently, wondering at who it could be approaching. She sees his mouth move, arms yanking back and suddenly the horse slides to a stop and rears in agitation at having been pulled to such an abrupt halt....

While she stands transfixed with the rider, he turns slightly in the saddle and seems to stare straight into her eyes. A slow smile crosses his lips before they move. Gasping, she realizes that he has said her name.

Backing away quickly, still staring at the water, she sees him nod his head and then kick the horse into a run again. A feeling of apprehension over powers her, making her feel slightly dizzy. Sitting on the pond edge, she looks and only sees water. "Papa, I do believe we shall have company within moments."

"Aye, we will. Tis time to prepare you. Go with Maggie and put this shift on. You need not put anything else on." Papa himself stares at the water, puzzled. Thinking she should not of seen the rider. Things may go awry if she sees more then she should. Picking up a large pitcher, he dips it into the water and hands it to Maggie. "Make sure cover every inch of her with it. I'll have Racheal bring the 2nd for her hair." Maggie takes the pitcher "Lets us go, Gheal, tis time for ye to be as a water nymph."

Muirgheal follows the older woman, her mind racing with curiosity. Squealing when the cold water is slowly poured over her after she has striped, she hears laugher from several people and grumbles under her breath. Meanwhile, the animals get the same treatment. After the brief moment of laughter, the others in the room start to chant. A tingle rises throughout her body as Gheal stands shivering.....

After she has been completely bathed in the water, Racheal helps her into the shift and they walk out from behind the screen. Fear begins to shroud Gheal's mind. Looking at her father, she walks over to him, shivering no longer from the water. "Papa, why do I feel so strange? I feel as if slow lightening is striking at my entire body. I fear I may faint from the swirling going on within my mind as well. Help me Papa."

Putting a comforting arm around her, the old man begins to murmur louder. As her knees give way, Connor steps over to support her on the other side. A moment later, black weaves its way through her and she falls faint.

"Take her to the alter. The women will take care of getting her ready for the armor." Papa says whilst glancing at the door. Even though he had not seen what his beloved daughter had, he knew the rider was close. Entering the building with a stride the bode no stopping him. "Be quick now, He is at the steps."

The women in the room move to line up Muirgheals limp body properly on the alter. The Dragon flutters over to lay at Gheal's head, nearly wrapping his body around it. Shylah gracefully leaps up to lay at her feet, the cub in her mouth. She nudges him into place under her right hand. The cub, confused but realizing somehow that he needs to stay silent and only purrs while nuzzling the limp fingers dangling near his cheek. The horse stands in the middle of the room, pawing lightly at the stone floor.....

4 of the women line up in pairs on each side of the alter. Seconds later, a dark figure strides through the door. His cloak covering something he carries in his arms. Heading straight to the alter, Connor reacts. "Stop, you shall not see her in that state!" He places himself between the man and alter.

A smile crosses the strangers lips, and he turns ice blue eyes to the other man. "You'd best clear the way. Tis the only warning you will get." As he goes to pass Connor, Connor once again places himself between the man and alter. "I shall not. She is in unfit dress for anyone but the women to deal with". Before he can finish his sentence, he finds himself laying on the floor, a sword tip at his throat brings a single drop of blood to surface. Staring dazed, he grows silent.

Thrusting the sword back into its scabbard, the man again turns to the alter and strides to the women. Once there, he removes his cloak and Papa hurries to grab it.....

Turning to stare at each woman, he nods and moves to stand at Muirgheal's head. Chanting in an ancient tongue that no one understands but him, he raises his arms slowly. The women follow his lead, repeating his chant and actions in unison.

A swirling lighted wind begins dancing beneath Muirgheal and her eyes whip open to stare upwards, unblinking. A strange glazed look comes to them. She opens her mouth and a mist spins out, surrounding her. Slowly she is raised to standing position and then in to the air.

She begins the chant in a voice not of her own. Each time she says a particular word, the Stranger unfolds an article of clothing from the bundle he had laid out. The mist streams down to grasp the items and brings it back to Muirgheal's body. As each article of clothing is added to her body through the magic, she glows brighter and brighter. As the last of the outfit is put upon her body, Muirgheal is turned to face the Stranger and she softy says "Mire-chath" (battle fury). As the words fade from her mouth, she is lowered down to her feet as the magic wave fades as does her glow.....

Transformed to a complete new look whilst at the same time quite similar to her usual attire, she stares unwaveringly at the man facing her. Raising her arm, the 2nd sword that was attached to his hip slips out of its sheath and flies to her hand.

Silently she stalks the couple steps to him and with an elegant strength born of only the true Sabran's, Muir's birthright, she nimbly leaps off the alter and the women stop their chant.

The Stranger looks her in the eye and asks "Do you know who you are Mi Lady?"

"I am Muirgheal, Domina of the Trinity Prides, Sabra Cugra (wild cat), Sabra Druegan (dragon) and Sabra Òigeach (horse)."

As she says each Pride's name, that animal approaches her and lies at her feet in a circle, silent and watchful.....