Eire of Hostility

  *********

  Near noon of that cool, bright Wednesday, Liadan hovered around the property of Simon Rike, which she considered partly hers as well since her new haven rested adjacent to his back lawn.

  Earlier, an older man - named McCoy, by the sign on the door of his truck - pulled onto the property with a horse trailer and was promptly greeted. The two men led a tall, white horse out of McCoy's trailer and over to the stalls. Afterward, he and Mr. Rike went into what Liadan thought of as the 'bad building'; that ironworks shop was filled with hand-wrought iron, and she could barely come near it.

  In the few times Liadan had gleaned any thoughts from Rike, she began to get a sense of him. He was a formerly solitary fellow, but had lately begun wishing for some social interaction. The problem was that old fears and lack of public skills left him uneasy. Rike still enjoyed his privacy, however, and he was sometimes found far out in his fields at night on long strolls.

  Otherwise, the man was usually to be seen in some type of labor, whether firing his iron or any of a number of minor chores around the house and property. He was a worker, and content with his toils; Liadan respected that.

  Most of the thoughts gleaned from Mr. Rike's busy mind were bright, hopeful, and imaginative. Mr. Lynch and his lady Kate were foremost in his mind, while secondary personalities played their own fond roles… chiefly a woman named Alana. Other thoughts, while few, were dark indeed, and mostly had to do with the fae as a whole. Rike wasn't discriminating in his loathing; even the recent encounter with Ragnar of the Red Rock was tainted with violent wishes.

  Deeper in the man's mind, Liadan found that he had been an abductee, and possibly cursed; a foul combination. For all of his peccadillos, she didn't think they warranted such punishments.

  While removing some rot from Mr. Rike's picnic table, Liadan saw another vehicle drive onto the property. Brody Lynch stepped out, heard the clanging of hammers from the 'bad building', and went to meet with the other men within. It wasn't long before Mr. Lynch stepped back out and made his way over to Rike's house. Just from a quick gleaning, the big man also seemed to have a number of topics swirling around in his head.

  Curious, Liadan wiped her hands on her apron and melded through the walls of the stone home to learn more of what was on Mr. Lynch's mind.

  Liadan found Lynch in the spare bedroom, which was still filled with unopened boxes. His initial thoughts were on finding select pieces of Rike's work for consideration by a woman named Moira. After finding a buried steamer trunk, Lynch's mind turned toward Kate, always his Kate. He dug through Rike's smaller work and jewelry, constantly wondering 'what she would think of this one', or 'would that look good on her'. Ah, Miss Kate had him by the hairs.

  Lynch's own creativity led to ideas of incorporating his cousin's skill with his own stone pieces, and many possibilities began to vaguely form. All the while, a strong band of pride and respect for Rike's proficiency with metal could be seen in his bright aura.

  The next big topic that stirred in Lynch's head was yet another newcomer fae named Macklin. That one had apparently offered vows, the most important of which was to protect Kate's sister, Jane. Lynch had notions that Macklin was either very curious about even simple things, or that he has some affliction called A.D.D.

  In either case, Lynch admired the fae's manners and temperament, plus the fact that Macklin had done Jane some great service already. He wondered - should Macklin become a common sight - what sort of cover story he could create for the likeable fae.

  Mr. Lynch carried a box full of his cousin's creations out of that room and into the kitchen. While he helped himself to a bottle of juice from the icebox, his thoughts turned to Rike himself. There was concern about his adjustment in a new place, as well as a stronger worry about his cousin's mental well-being and if semi-seclusion was healthy for him.

  Lynch took a few minutes to empty a box of cups and dishes, and stacked them in a shelving unit. As he did, he wondered if the ranch was going to be too much work and responsibility for a single person to handle. Liadan sat on the toaster and took a moment to consider if Mr. Lynch's concern's held water.

  She let her tiny form appear in-realm when the big man had his back to her. "How do ye fare today, Mr. Lynch?"

  He jumped and spun around as if stung. "Holy shit, Liadan," he exclaimed, "don't do that! You nearly scared the piss outta me!"

  "I apologize, Mr. Lynch; that wasn't me intent."

  She watched him take a deep breath before he said, "Didn't I mention before that you can just call me Brody? The other sounds too formal."

  "That ye did, sir," Liadan replied with a dimpled smile, "but I'm of the habit of courtesy."

  Brody conceded with a nod. "So what are you doing out this way? I mean, good to see you and all, but I just wasn't expecting to see you here."

  Liadan licked her thumb and rubbed at a spot on the toaster. "As the fates and someone's crafty planning would have it, me haven is hereabouts."

  "Oh, crap," Brody said with alarm. "Are we... I mean - is my cousin moving in here ... Uh, are we invading your space or something? I'm guessing you were probably here first."

  Waving his worry off with a casual hand, Liadan replied, "Ye need not trouble yourself with another thought about it. I find it good that Mr. Rike has come to take possession; his fondness for the property enriches its value to me, it does. And, that besides, me haven is well hidden. Now," she went on as she wiped her thumb on her apron, "I can tell from that crease ye had in your forehead that ye might be having other worries about your kin, as well."

  "Well, of course I do. He's my friend and the only family I've got; what did you expect?"

  "I'd expect ye not to fret so. Mr. Rike is made of tougher stuff than ye might give him credit for; he takes some comfort in solitude, he does. And, as I said, I have a place nearby and would be happy to see to any minor chore he missed, although he's thorough. As for your thoughts of him being lonely, I can say that he plans on taking in some horses or some such. Does that settle ye any?"

  The tiny fae saw a crooked grin appear on Brody's face before he said, "I think you just tipped your hand a bit, Liadan. Have you been getting into Simon's skull?"

  With a solemn shake of her head, she replied, "Not in the way ye might be thinking, sir. I merely glanced at a few thoughts that were at the top of his mind, no more. We do share a space, he and I, and getting to know his measure seems only prudent, don't ye think?"

  Brody shrugged. "That makes sense. So he's really happy here, right?"

  "Oh, to be sure," Liadan said with a nod, "although he's working on an excuse to beg off your invitation to join in on the bingo gathering this evening."

  Chuckling and shaking his head, Brody replied, "That's fine, I guess it's not his thing." He looked off for a moment before he met her gaze again. "Uh, this might be a weird question... Damn, how do I ask this? You've said that you've been around here for a while, right?" When Liadan nodded, he asked, "So, if you know about a lot of the people around here, then you probably know who Jane McCarthy is? Kate's little sister?"

  "That I do, but not personally. I heard the lass singing old Irish ballads at one of your public houses not two nights past; a truly gifted voice, she has."

  "You don't know the half of it," Brody muttered. "She's recently, uh, met up with some Fair fae named Macklin, or just Mac when he meets anyone out of the loop. Even though the only other Fair fae I knew was Devlin, I stayed open-minded. He seems like a good guy... fae, whatever. I remember you saying that oaths made by your kind held some type of power, like it was backed up by more than just your honor."

  She nodded. "That they do."

  "However that works, he made a promise to me and Kate that he meant well. He also made some vow to Jane to watch over her. Those things are good to hear, but I really don't know much about him." Brody put his hands in his coat pockets. "I don't know how many fae are running around out there, but you wouldn't happen to know him, would ya?"

  "I
can't say that I do, sir. But that he made such oaths, especially the one to Jane, should give some account of his heart."

  "Why is the promise Mac made to Jane more important than the other?"

  Liadan cocked her head to the side, at first expecting Brody to understand the ramifications that were plain to her. "Mr.... Brody, to go back on a vow is to face the consequences of its reversal. If this Macklin swore an oath to be Jane's protector and then knowingly acted against that oath, then he would be submitting himself to the lack of self-defense. Only fate and the elements would know what that might mean exactly, but I would hazard a guess that he would lose any worthy friendships as well as any martial skill or fae gift that he considers protection. He would be defenseless, alone, and easy prey."

  Brody's eyes widened. "Well, hell, I had no idea. That's some heavy shit."

  "Ah, but there's more, ye see, and this next part be just as vital." Liadan scooted off the toaster and stood on the soapstone countertop with her hands clasped casually behind her. "It might be making a difference how it was worded, but this Fair fae still made a vow to watch over Jane. Unless he gave some time factor or set of circumstances, then Macklin has committed himself to the young lady until her time comes to an end, he has. Excepting tragedy, be prepared for him to be nearby for a very long time."

  Leaning against the opposite counter, Brody pulled a hand out of his pocket and absently rubbed his chin as he stared off, digesting Liadan's words. "Well hell," he said softly. He shifted his eyes back to the tiny brownie. "Okay, wait a minute. From what I can tell, Mac seems like a fairly young guy. I don't know how that works out in the Lore, but here, as you probably know, sometimes kids go off half-cocked." Brody saw Liadan cock her head to the side with a frown, so he reworded his slang. "I mean, uh, they act without wisdom. So while I'm glad that Jane's got someone looking out for her, I don't want Mac stuck in a situation he can't get out of. Is there anything he can do?"

  Liadan pursed her lips. "Unless Jane releases him from his oath without any prompting, then no - he will be dedicated to her welfare for the rest of her life." Pausing for thought, she said, "I have questions of me own, if you would, sir." After he distractedly nodded, she asked, "Is Jane so truly taken with Macklin that she would wish this? And also," she added, "why would Jane need such protection?"

  Brody shook his head, bewildered. "Hell, I don't know about that first part, Liadan. Jane is only seventeen, so it could turn into the real deal, or it could just be a crush, or maybe she's just fascinated with the fantasy of it all."

  "Or whatever event drew them together was dramatic; many folk would be making more of simple feelings in that circumstance," Liadan offered.

  "Your guess is as good as mine," Brody sighed, then checked his watch before he addressed the second question. "Jane has a gift, and from what we were told by Macklin, it's very special. It's the kind of thing that some fae might come after her for." He glanced at his watch again and then grabbed up the box of Simon's wares. "Tell ya what; me and Simon have an appointment to keep right now, but when you come around Sunday night Kate and I will tell you all about it, okay? I wouldn't mind your take on all this."

  "That sounds a fine offer, and I'll visit with you then. Now get about your business," Liadan said with her dimpled smile, "I have me own chores to see to, and I'll not need you men in me way."

  After one quick step to exit, Brody stopped and turned back to her. "Oh, hey, about that... If Simon's story is true - and I believe him - then he's been to your Lore. From the reaction he had recently in meeting a fae, it backs up his claim. I guess it means he can see you." He hesitated with the uncomfortable words to come, "As far as I can tell, you have as much right to go where you please as anyone. But, Simon... he's still pretty pissed about what someone did to him, and I don't blame him. But he may see you as a potential threat no matter what. So, maybe, you could kinda, I don't know, keep out of sight until we can all talk? Is that fair to ask?"

  With a gentle tone, Liadan replied, "No offense taken, sir. If that be the case and Mr. Rike's eyes have viewed me realm, then I'll keep me self scarce until we can have that chat. I've watched the man practice his skill with throwing a blade; I'll not want to draw his ire. Nor do I want to put me self in a spot where I might have to hurt a human."

  "I appreciate that. Hey, how about I have him over Sunday night as well? We can get it all figured out then, okay?"

  Liadan nodded. "That'll be fine, sir. Now, if ye don't mind," she said with a smirk that dimpled one plump cheek, "ye just tracked grit on me clean floor. Scoot."

  As he started to leave, Brody glanced back once with a strange grin on his face. After one more wavering step, he paused and laughed to himself.

  With a stern glare, Liadan crossed her arms and said, "Finding humor with me words of counsel, are ye now, Mr. Lynch?"

  Turning back to her, Brody answered, "No, no, don't get me wrong; it's not that at all. Your advice and your friendship mean a lot to me. Please don't take this the wrong way, but," he explained as his grin reappeared, "it's just that, I don't know... it's freaky, talking to a tiny magic woman who kinda reminds me of my grandma."