Title: Celtic Myst: Cupán of Flúirse
Author: M.L. Foxx
Genre: Fantasy
Book Blurb:
Forged by the gods, the Cupán of Flúirse is born under the thunder of Taranis, fashioned with symbols of the elements to bring peace and abundance to the de Danann clans.
Element of the air, Amergin is a faithful protector and guardian. Through the years, he’s guided the other elements and reigned over times of peace, prosperity, and royal births.
However, the witch Mourdra, is plagued with jealousy over the clans. They hold dear all she desires…and has been denied. The fire dragon and Klenidalf, an evil wizard are tasked to do her bidding, to plunder the clans…and steal the Cupán of Flúirse.
Aibell Brid, heir of the de Danann clan will need more than courage to find the lost relic of her clan. When the time comes, will she be ready to face her greatest enemy? With protector and guardian, Amergin, she plans for battle, honing her skills, preparing for the day she can reclaim the Cupán of Flúirse.
Amergin knows that knowledge is power and strength is in numbers. But he must also trust in the words of Gaylord the Great when he speaks of: A prophecy, a final epic battle, and a mystery revealed.
Amergin will know when the time is near. With Aibell and a force of brave, trusted souls, they will face the witch, destroy her dark forces and reclaim the Cupán of Flúirse. To fulfill the prophecy, the Cupán of Flúirse needs to be returned to its rightful place, the Tomb of the Tuatha de Danann. However, through the centuries the location has been lost.
Amergin is again entrusted with the responsibility to guide the de Danann’s to fulfill their destiny. On their mission, Gaylord the Great foresees they will encounter three foes in order to reach their destination. To find the lost tomb, they must travel in darkness in increments of three. They must survive battles with their nemesis and make their way across Inis Fail on foot and horseback in six dark moons.
Amergin discovers sometimes the most important quests sought in the future, must be accomplished in the past.
Excerpt:
It all started thousands of years ago, before the measurement of time....
I am Amergin, a druid and I am a descendent of the original wise one that placed the elemental power of the lands in the hands of the Tribe of Danu. I'm a wizard charged with the task of providing wisdom and protection for the descendants of the Tuatha de Danann.
And I have a story for you. One of good against evil. One of great love that spans centuries. And above all, one of courage.
~~~~~
Mourdra had not always been an evil witch. At one time she had been a healer. She had been a young girl when she met Mac Lir de Danann. They had fallen in love and planned a future together. Until the day he met a young Faerie who stole his heart away from Mourdra. The two married and had a young son.
Mourdra was determined to seduce their heir. But history repeated itself and she was rejected again. From that day on she vowed to destroy the de Dananns.
Mourdra, the evil witch on the hill, had been a menace since. One of her creatures would swoop in—I would not call them horses more like flying deamhans—to devastate the crops. Her minions constantly terrorized the village with fires.
My liege, Fionn de Danann, called the warrior counsel to the war room where we stayed all through the night. Though I had been appointed by the Gods to watch over and guide the descendants of the great de Danann’s, the warriors were wont to think they knew best.
So it was, that after much discussion and argument on how to defeat the witch with her evil magic, the warriors turned to me, Amergin. I conferred with the Runes about the path the clan should follow.
My suggestion of a talisman, created by the Gods, was first met with silence, then the warriors broke into guffaws. I drew upon all my wisdom and patience that night. Warriors often think with their brawn and not their brain and the night I speak of, was one such time. I let them bicker amongst themselves until I could take no more. I flicked my wrist. A bolt of lightning zinged about the chamber, bounced from wall to wall.
That got their attention.
I was quite astonished that I had the gall to interrupt Fionn, the de Danann, during a counsel. I reasoned that was what the Gods and Goddesses had asked of me. So with their eyes trained on me I said, “All of this quarrelling is not finding you answers. My talisman will be forged by the Gods and Goddesses. The Cupán of Flúirse will be fashioned with symbols of the elements and bring peace to the lands. It will bring abundance of crops during harvest, and protection to our clan.”
There was silence at first, then the warriors begin to voice their strong objections. Fionn de Danann brought his gavel down on the table, marking the wood for many harvests.
Great pride filled my chest to near bursting that night. For it was the beginning of a relationship of trust between myself and my liege. Before that night he had only tolerated my presence. Because his ancestor, the Tuatha de Danann, had decreed that Fionn adhere to my counsel.
Upon agreeing to my plan, the warriors and clan were thrown into a whirlwind of preparation for the talisman creation ceremony. It was my duty to gather the symbols and prepare for the ritual. The great event was set for the full moon. The royal home, had been built into the side of the cliff for protection from Mourdra. The event would be performed in the clearing above the Rathcroghan.
The people were excited and hoped there would be no more strife or attacks from Mourdra. Yet, I had foreseen that though the talisman would bring abundance of crops and protect the royal home. There would be a new peril.
I spent many a night leading up to the ceremony pondering the benefits of the treasure. A balancing act between good and evil. I determined with the Cupán of Flúirse there would be far more benefits brought to the clan. If I had not determined this, the cup of abundance would not have been created.
The de Danann must be informed.
Mourdra would desire the talisman. And she would not be the only one. The Fomorians, an enemy of the de Danann’s since I could remember, would not want the talisman. Their objective would be to destroy it so no one would possess it.
I remember the fear in my heart when I requested a meeting with my liege. At this time our relationship was still a tentative one. Looking back, I see that he was impressed I had sought him out to warn him about danger.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
If you could dress up as anything or anyone this Halloween, what or who would it be and why?
A witch: Because I like them, and fairies and all things magical.
Explain why your featured book is a treat to read:
It’s a 5000-year span of family, adversity, love, and rallying together to conquer.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon (US or Canada) gift card.
Open internationally. You must have an active Amazon US or Amazon Canada account to be eligible.
Runs October 1 – 31
Drawing will be held on November 1.
Author Biography:
Mary Martinez also writes as ML Foxx. This is her first jaunt into Fantasy and Sci-Fi, she loves it. It gives her freedom of choice. In her ML persona she also loves to go to the movies and you got it… Watch the Avengers, Dead Pool, among others. Something her hubby doesn't really enjoy but humors her fantasy side. You’ll see more books soon…
Mary and her husband are also enthusiastic college football fans. They have season tickets to the UTES, University of Utah Football and they tailgate every game. They love tailgating so much, that they were married at a tailgating in 1999.
GO UTES!
Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMLFoxx
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlfoxx6/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/foxx_ml
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mlfoxx6/boards/
This sounds good! & I’m not sure I’ll dress up this year!
I like the excerpt! I've decided not to dress up this year.
Thank you, M.L., for sharing your book in our Trick or Treat Book Bonanza!