Rumble in the Woods

Rumble in the Woods
In the Mag Mell

Ciaran arrives in front of the stone cottage. He scans his surroundings and contemplates calling out Quinn’s name. He hesitates, wondering if it is better to have the element of surprise when it comes to Alroy. Ciaran steps closer to the cottage. He carefully plots his path avoiding any leaves or sticks on the ground that could crunch beneath his feet and give away his presence.

The cottage appears empty. A large hole splitters the ceiling and floor of the main room. Furniture lies broken on the floor and the fire keeping the room warm is slowly dying out. Ciaran carefully inches around the hole in the floor, making sure to avoid the splintering wood. He checks the room on the right first. He sees the empty crib in pieces and the turned-over rocking chair. He notices the scorched wood around the crib. The window in the room is open and a chilly breeze blows through it. The wind picks up some of the ash from the floor and swirls it around him. A heaviness settles in his heart.

Next, he checks the bedroom. The sheets from the bed litter the floor. A massive chair sits pushed against the wall. The fabric on its arms is torn and the stuffing is visible. Ciaran returns to the main room. A hollow pit in his stomach causing him to regurgitate nothing onto the broken wood. He straightens himself and stares out the large window at the back of the house.

Through the window, Ciaran can see an image emerge from the woods. It appears massive, but as the figure draws closer, Ciaran makes out two separate images. He sees that one is carrying something in its arm. Closer still, he now can clearly distinguish the two forms from each other. He bellows out, instinctively as he realizes the sight he is observing is Alroy dragging Quinn from the woods by her neck. Alroy tucks their baby in his left arm. Quinn struggles to reach the baby but Alroy pulls her away.

The sudden cry draws Alroy’s attention to the cottage. He squints to try and make out the person standing in the window. He wonders if it is The Cailleach or Dian Cecht. Or has a third person joined their little party? No matter, he thinks, he will deal with whomever it is later. 

The brief distraction gives Quinn an opportunity. She breaks free of Alroy’s grasp but before she can grab her baby, Alroy smacks the back of her head and sends her flailing toward the ground. Ciaran gasps at the sight of Quinn hitting the ground hard. He stumbles backwards and struggles to regain his balance as he teeters near the edge of the hole.

Quinn screams out in fury and pain. For the first time, the infant riles and begins to wail. He squirms in Alroy’s arm making it hard for him to hold onto the baby. Alroy adjusts the child, then turns his attention back to Quinn on the ground. She has turned herself onto her back. Alroy approaches her, his free arm outstretched to grab her. Suddenly, a sharp pain emanates from his genitals and radiates up his body. He flinches and doubles over, dropping the baby on the ground.

Quickly, Quinn scurries to grab the baby. She lifts herself off the ground and tries to run towards the house. Alroy grabs her ankle as she makes her escape. His grip sends her sprawling back towards the ground. She twists her body, trying to avoid falling with the baby beneath her. Quinn accomplishes hitting the ground with the child at her side. Ciaran watches the scene unfold before him. Waves of emotion overtake him. He runs out of the house, swiftly closing the gap between him and Alroy. As he reaches Alroy, the behemoth of a man wrestles Quinn to her feet. He does not see the fist that Ciaran connects to his jaw.

Alroy shakes his head and turns towards Ciaran. His grip on Quinn tightens and she winces, trying hard to stifle a cry. Ciaran takes the opportunity to strike Alroy again. This blow Alroy catches in his free hand and holds Ciaran in place. Ciaran struggles against Alroy’s hold. He swings his free arm frantically, trying to connect to the trunk of Alroy’s body.

Alroy lets out a cruel, deep belly laugh, “Try as you might, little brother. Your arms are still shorter than mine.”

Ciaran desists the flailing. He takes in a ragged breath. A smirk lights his face, “But my legs are not, big brother.” With the words, Ciaran draws back his leg. He lands a kick hard against Alroy’s side. The giant stumbles and loses his grip on Ciaran. However, the impact causes him to fall back on Quinn and the baby. Quinn tucks herself around the infant, bracing for the impact of the ground and the huge man on top of her.

When Quinn strikes the ground, she waits for Alroy’s body to crush her. The impact never comes. Quinn turns her attention upwards to see Alroy regain his footing. He roars at Ciaran and surges towards him. Grabbing Ciaran in a bear hug, Alroy squeezes and taunts his brother.

“Nice kick, little brother.” He hisses in Ciaran’s ear. “Like to see you get out of this one.” Alroy squashes Ciaran closer to him.

Ciaran gasps, struggling to calm his breathing in Alroy’s grasp. He feels Alroy’s arms tighten around him. Fighting against Alroy’s hold is proving futile. Ciaran ceases his thrashing. He has little time before he blacks out. He is of no use to Quinn unconscious. 

With Alroy’s attention on Ciaran, Quinn gathers up the infant and slowly returns to her feet. Swiftly, but trying to not make a sound, Quinn sneaks towards the cottage. She glances back to see Ciaran struggling in Alroy’s arms. She fights every pull in her not to turn around and help Ciaran. Saving her child comes first. Once Quinn knows the baby is safe, she will return to the fight to help Ciaran. Without looking back again, she makes her way to the house.

The brief moment of stillness allows Ciaran to collect his thoughts. He stomps down on Alroy’s foot. When Alroy’s grip lessens from the shock, Ciaran ducks out of his grasp. The action is quick and Ciaran is already lightheaded. Ciaran stumbles forward. He catches himself before he hits the ground. On all fours, he inhales deeply. The breath causes him to cough and choke. Alroy regains his composure. He stares down at the wheezing Ciaran. His large fist descends on the back of Ciaran’s head. Ciaran crumbles to the ground as the darkness takes over.