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Babd gasped. The light was pouring from what appeared to be a brown leather bag. Not a large bag. It couldn't hold more than a few apples, perhaps. But when her father reached into it and retrieved a long sword, glowing with the same energies that poured from the bag itself, she had to bit her lip to prevent herself from shrieking. How was it possible for a large sword to fit within such a small bag?

"Macha... that bag dad has been carrying around with him. Ever since he came back... came back without mom..."

"What about it, Babd?"

"It's enchanted somehow. Dad pulled a sword from it, there's no way... from a bag that size?"

Macha tilted her head. "Are you sure it came from the bag? I mean, perhaps you saw it wrong?"

Babd shook her head. "He pulled it from that little bag and it was glowing with some kind of magic. The same magic glow was coming out of the bag!"

A look of sheer terror fell on Macha's face. Babd furrowed her brow. But her confusion lasted only a moment.

"What are you two doing here!" Fionn's voice boomed, as both of his daughters cowered.

Babd shielded her face, afraid he might strike her. Wouldn't be the first time.

"Daddy!" Macha said. "It was her idea! Babd... she said you were up to something. Something with mom... she wanted to come to ask.."

"Come ask me what, Babd?" Fionn asked.

"She's never been gone with family this long, I was just afraid something bad..."

Fionn bit his lip. For a moment Babd thought she saw her father's usually impenetrable demeanor soften. Was that a tear in his eye? Something bad had happened... but what?

Fionn turned away for a moment. Was he choking down his tears? Babd had never once seen her father cry. Warriors don't cry. At least they don't let anyone see it if they do.

"Father," Babd said, softening her tone. "What happened to mom?"

Her father's shoulders rise and fall. He was taking a deep breath—something he often did when he was trying to calm his temper. Fionn turned and looked back at her. His eyes were watery, but he wouldn't allow his tears to fall. "Your mother won't be back."

Tears welled up in Macha's eyes. "Is mom dead?"

Fionn shook his head. "Not dead. Just... changed..."

"Changed how?" Babd asked.

Fionn shook his head. "There are forces in this world too strong for girls of your age to comprehend. Perhaps when you are older..."

"Dad," Babd said. "I can take it. What happened!"

"I told you," Fionn said, raising his voice. "Not until you're older. Now unless you want to spend your week scrubbing the cellars, you'll both go back to your room and never speak of this matter again."