Today we welcome Aine from Ireland in the 6thcentury.
Welcome, Aine. Since most of our readers are English speakers, please tell us how to pronounce your name.
My name is not unusual, but very well. ’Tis AWN-ya.
Thank you. In the beginning of the story you steal a book. Since books are so widely available in the 21stcentury, tell us why you did that, if you don’t mind.
I had to. Well, at the time I thought I had to. You see, the book was believed to have great power and it belonged to my betrothed’s clan. I believed my mother’s clan needed it more since the owners were wealthy and my mother’s people were very poor. There were many who believed the book could bring about a better harvest and make the cattle more fertile and healthy.
That sounds a little odd to us here in our time.
Is that so? But you do believe that prayers to our God are powerful, aye?
Of course.
Well, then you understand, I’d say. Although I did not at first. Thus my journey with the book to find Brigid.
Brigid? Tell us about her.
Well, in her book, BRIGID OF IRELAND, she saved me when I was a little girl. I lived with an abusive father. I had a skin disease, leprosy. Have you heard of it?
Oh my, yes. Although I’ve never seen it. You are looking at me funny. Remember we live in different times.
And leprosy isn’t common? That’s wonderful. Well, as you can see, my skin is perfectly flawless now. That’s because after my mother sent me off with Brigid to protect me from my father, Brigid prayed over me and I was healed! I knew she had abundant power, so because I was feeling trapped inside the clan I was to marry into, and I wished to do something for my mother and her clan to help them, I thought if I took that book to Brigid I would be safe and could do some good.
But you were wrong?
I was wrong and I was right. That book had power all right, but it was not what I had thought. The words in the book were what was powerful, and Brigid? She had some challenges to overcome as well and I seemed to set them in motion. Who would have thought the ruler of the clan who owned the book would go to such lengths to get it back?
Overall, were you glad you went to Brigid?
Indeed. What a wondrous place Cill Dara is. (That means Church of the Oak) There was a bit of trouble there—sure, a lot of trouble—but nothing God and Brigid could not eventually overcome. You see, her old nemeses came back for her, plotting revenge, but also a mysterious poet she had known long ago came to visit. And what happens to them is not what I expected. I’ll say no more about that so I don’t get into trouble with the author.
Was there anything else you were wrong about?
I wasn’t going to mention it but since you asked, aye there was. My betrothed. Again, I cannot say too much.
So, about that book. I’ve heard that it chose who needed to hear its words. Did you know that when you stole it?
I did not. I will tell you the truth: it scared me.
I understand. You can’t spoil the plot. Thanks so much for dropping in on Novel PASTimes, Aine.
My pleasure. If this is what books are like in the future, I’d say they are just as mysterious. One thing I do understand is if people don’t read PAGES OF IRELAND, my story won’t be told so I hope you all will go read it. The words in that book may very well be meant for you!
Cindy Thomson is the author of eight books, including her newest novel, Enya’s Son, based on 6th-century legends (releasing this summer.) Researching her Scots-Irish roots launched a writing journey that has lasted nearly two decades. Being a genealogy enthusiast, she has also published articles in Internet Genealogyand Your Genealogy Todaymagazines. Most everything she writes reflects her belief that history has stories to teach. Cindy and her husband Tom live in central Ohio near their three grown sons and their families.
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