Ailis, Part 2

Chapter 7: Ailis, Part 2

After the ceremony, when the festivities had already been well on their way, Ailis danced playfully around. She weaved and bobbed around practically every member of her village, bringing a smile to each of their faces as she passed. Ailis knew her people loved her, and she loved them. She loved seeing joy spread across their faces.

The festivities hadn't gone long before most everyone was drunk with song or drink. Ailis stopped to watch a moment. Domhnall lifted his bride up and twirled her, the two laughing together before her feet touched the ground again to then hop in the traditional dances of their clan. Ailis smiled to herself and went on dancing between the people, happily embracing her innocent behavior.

The sun headed to the foot of the western sky, and it was growing dark. Fire blazed and dancing limbs continued near and around the flames. Enticing smells of cooking food filled the nostrils of the whole village. Ailis didn't notice the dull growl of her stomach being sirened to it, as she grabbed hands with and was flung to and fro by various dancers. While this was happening, some of the men who were on the outskirts of their land arrived, and one of them hurriedly made his way to the chief. While Ailis was bouncing and swinging her long womanly skirts around her calves, she glanced his way. His face looked warmed with drink, but after the man finished speaking and stood back as if to wait for an answer, a dark cloud hid it in shadow. Ailis stopped dancing and became worried. She realized the man speaking to her father was the same man who delivered concerning news before.

Suddenly, strange men on horseback came through the trees at the edge of the field. The people grew alarmed and reflexively guarded each other as the strangers drew near. They spoke in a language Ailis couldn't understand. Only some of the men and her father seemed to comprehend what was said. Her father took his place as leader of the clan and confronted them. One of the strangers, a heavy-set man with eyes that set inward on his face, harshly replied. Another exchange took place, and the heavyset man's voice grew louder as he briskly gestured toward Domhnall's new bride. After that, everything was a blur. The strangers leapt off their chargers with weapons in tow. The clansmen pulled Ailis backward, falling further and further behind as she came in contact with them. Her father quickly disappeared from her view. The clan had taken a defensive stance, and the ruckus of men fighting roared in her ears. She itched to be a part of it and help her father and brother. They held her tightly back, set on protecting her.

Just when Ailis was about to escape their grip, she heard horrid screams and gasps. The fighting halted. She managed to pull free and push past to get to where her father stood. Ailis stopped in her tracks, and her throat tightened. Her father was injured, staggering backward slightly but managed to keep his footing. Below him on the ground was Domhnall, with his bride draped across him. Neither of them moved. Ailis stepped closer, and in the glint of the torches saw her new sister's dress, stained with blood. She looked to her father, horrified. He didn't flinch. The whole clan seemed frozen as they gazed at the tragedy.

The strange men circled them, and they were outnumbered as well as lacking sober warriors. Ailis was looking at the dead before her again, crying, and felt ashamed and furious that she hadn’t been able to help them. She shot a look at the heavy-set man, whose sword was drawn and pointing at her father. They spoke again in that unknown language, but in more hushed menacing tones than loud ones. Her father finally looked up from the bodies while holding his side, and nodded in agreement to him. The stranger screamed at him with a demeaning tone. The chief spoke quickly this time. Satisfied, the man chuckled and spat at the dead. His men slowly backed away from the clan, taking provisions in bags as they went. When they reached their horses, they left as quickly as they had arrived.