The Great Fury by Thomas Kennedy Page A

Oengus explained.
    Maedbh gave a snort. “A lot of trouble was gone through to get you here?” she said.
    â€œI have to find my uncle,” Oengus added.
    â€œWhy find your uncle?” Venus asked.
    â€œMy uncle may know where my father is,” Oengus said.
    â€œHow would your uncle John know this?” Venus asked.
    â€œMy father was also called Oengus. He committed a grave offence and was deprived of his name and his powers and sent to a place of punishment,” Oengus explained.
    â€œWho told you this?” Maedbh asked.
    â€œMy mother Danu.”
    â€œThe Goddess Danu?” Venus asked in astonishment.
    â€œThe very same,” Oengus said confidently, catching Maedbh’s eye. Maedbh looked equally astonished.
    â€œWhat did he do?” Maedbh asked.
    â€œAt the time he was acting God of Love and no one could resist him. He became very vain, or so I’m told, but still charming.”
    â€œYour mother, did he seduce her?” Maedbh guessed.
    â€œAnd she is his sister,” Oengus said with an embarrassed blush.
    â€œAnd you their child?” Venus said gently.
    â€œSo who is God of Love now?” Maedbh asked.
    â€œNo one, currently no one has the job of growing love in the universe,” Oengus said.
    â€œThere’s a lot of love about,” Maedbh contradicted.
    â€œYes but they say something has to be done for love is losing its momentum.”
    â€œSo you have to find him?” Venus asked.
    â€œYes, I must recover his sword. It is called the Great Fury. When I return it, it will become the sword of the God of Love.”
    â€œWow,” Maedbh commented.
    â€œAnd then?” Venus prompted.
    â€œI’ll be accepted into the world of Tir na Nhog, Danu’s world. I will no longer be a lost boy rejected by those who know me.”
    Maedbh and Oengus continued with their breakfast in silence while Venus gave the revelations some thought.
    â€œDo you have any powers?” Venus asked.
    Oengus looked at them both as if wondering whether to reply.
    â€œWell,” he began. “I’m told I have to be an apprentice and to learn about things. Specifically I’m to spend some time on earth.”
    â€œPowers?” Venus prompted.
    â€œFor a start I am to be the God of Inconsequential Things.”
    â€œWhat does that mean?” Maedbh asked, waving a spoonful of muesli.
    â€œDanu said it was like a gap year. I’m to study human ways and practice with small things.”
    â€œWill you go to high school?’ Maedbh asked.
    â€œI’m not in need of much education. I took a long time to get to sixteen. My mother arranged for a mountain man called Gentle Michael to give me lessons. He was small but he knew a lot.”
    â€œI once knew a leprechaun called Gentle Michael,” Venus said. “But Danu says I led a sheltered life in Kerry. I must live with humankind, both good and bad,” Oengus added.
    â€œWill you get a job?” Venus asked.
    â€œI have a job. I am an apprentice God. And I have a credit card for essentials.”
    â€œOK, so show us what a God of Inconsequential things can do,” Venus challenged.
    Oengus screwed his face with concentration. Then he grinned a wide warm grin. “I’m not great at this,” he said.
    They waited.
    â€œWould the fall of a lump of sugar from this bowl be an inconsequential thing?” Oengus asked.
    â€œI suppose so,” Venus said.
    â€œI agree, it would be an inconsequential thing,” Maedbh said.
    Oengus put his hand over the sugar bowl. Without him touching it, a square of sugar lump tumbled on to the table.
    â€œThere, that was an inconsequential thing,” he said.
    Venus gave a cat laugh and Maedbh grinned.
    Embarrassed, Oengus braced himself and took a first sip of coffee. It was bitter sweet and he was glad he’d added milk and sugar.
    â€œThis coffee will take a bit of getting used to,” he joked to hide