Eire of Hostility

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  The following Monday morning found Brody in his sculpting workshop, its stone walls and shingled roof providing a warm shelter from the cold rain and harsh wind. His morning had begun with a simple breakfast, over which he and Kate perused the gratifying feedback of Rose Foundation bestowment recipients and organizations. While Brody read some of the letters that offered thanks or updates, Kate noticed that he absently rubbed the pliant yet durable woven wristband she'd given him as a Christmas gift; it warmed her heart that he cherished it.

  After Kate had given him a review of how her stock portfolio was faring, Brody gave her an affectionate kiss and then bundled up, hurriedly checked on the donkeys, and finally jogged to the warm shelter of his shop.

  He wanted to spend a little more time working with the few large blocks of new ores he'd ordered - varieties of both obsidian and serpentine stone. With the ideas Brody had gathered from Kate, Simon, and the internet, he wanted to add a wider selection for the online catalogue. He already had rough designs for animal heads, desk plaques with individual names written in a Gaelic font, small garden statuettes, more abstract sculptures, tablets with Irish phrases chiseled in, and personalized busts.

  With the large amount of malachite he'd ordered previously, more Irish trinkets - mainly four-leaf clovers and smoothed pieces with harps carved into them - could be shaped quickly. Simon was to receive some of the smaller works to form them into various pieces of jewelry and ornaments. From larger pieces of limestone, granite, and local rock, Brody had various other projects planned, including his valentine's gift to Kate.

  Another reason for the venture out to the shop, perhaps the primary one, was to have some solitude to process all of the information he'd received over the last few days. The night before, after Liadan and then Simon said their separate farewells, the couple stayed up late in front of the crackling fireplace while they discussed the many recent events. Brody had the feeling that Kate wanted some time to herself as well to consider options and outcomes that he honestly might not come to.

  Brody knew he didn't have Kate's rational acumen; his mind played checkers while hers played chess. Without it needing to be said, they both wanted space to come to their own conclusions, and then talk about them again over a meal or while they snuggled under blankets.

  The primary subject on Brody's mind was the warning that had been passed down from Aldritch. When Jane and Mac came over the day before last at Kate's invitation for afternoon tea, the whole story of their strange, unnerving day with their grandfather was told again by Jane. Kate had informed Brody almost immediately after she was told three days prior, and so was already aware of it, but got a different perspective.

  Neither Kate nor Jane would refer to Aldritch as 'granda'; they considered that a term of affection, and they had none for him. Hearing that only added to Brody's mistrust of their grandfather, whom he considered unreliable. While Jane had her doors to escape into, would the imposing fae only look after his daughter, Cora? What if she was left without defense? And for that matter, what about his own kinsman, Simon? Brody couldn't think of a way to keep everyone safe all at once and be rid of the threat forever.

  After scouring the internet for possible future aurora borealis sightings, the best guess for the 'fae invasion' was in early October. Kate and Jane were told that most normal folk wouldn't even be aware of fae battles going on around them; Mac stated without embarrassment that he was too inexperienced to confirm or deny that. It was quite clear, though, that the McCarthy women, Simon, and Brody would be susceptible to attack, especially since the invaders would presumably be told of them. They, the informed humans, would be considered walking breaches of Enigma, and would most likely be sought after for 'rectification'.

  Brody was resolved to stay; nothing was going to scare him away from his home. Defending himself and Kate against a fae didn't worry him much, as he'd done it once before against Devlin. But how was he going to keep her safe from a horde of the fantasy creatures?

  Brody thought that, other than direct lineage, Cora had no real involvement. Without inherent gifts or fae-sight (from having been in the Lore, like Simon and Jane), she posed no threat or interference other than what she knew. Privately, Kate also mentioned the look on her mother's face she saw that day: scared, confused, helpless, and worried for her children. It wrenched Kate's heart to see the formerly proud and resolute woman succumb to a situation beyond her control and comprehension.

  Even if it meant that Cora would revert back to her hard ways, Kate wanted to have her mother's memories taken away so that she would be free from danger come autumn. That decision was solely up to Kate and Jane, and they both wanted time to think it over.

  Three days earlier, on a Friday evening at Gil's pub, there was the Ballaghadaere version of brilliant craic. The place was packed, full of laughter and talk, interspersed with short sets of live music. Pulling two tables together, the McCarthy clan plus Brody, Simon, Alana, and Mac all enjoyed the evening's loud merriment.

  Jane introduced Mac around to everyone she knew; the young fae's bright eyes were filled with wonder and good humor for everything he saw and everyone he met. Cora was noticeably quiet and reserved, at least until Archie and Flynn began telling the group scandalous stories laced with bawdy humor. Alana wasn't as much of a social butterfly that night, and spent more time chatting with Simon. Brody shook hands with a number of people, some of which he was barely acquainted with; he caught Gil, Archie, and Flynn with knowing grins on their wrinkled faces on more than one occasion.

  A number of local musicians sat in to play tunes that night. The piano, bodhran, accordion and flute all sounded well together. Jack's fiddle and Jane's rhythm chords on her new guitar were nice additions to some lively songs. When Jane began to sing, though, her voice almost made the music sound bland.

  Later on, Jane fetched Mac's mandolin from her car and had him join in on a rendition of 'mo ghile mear', dedicated to Brody and Kate. The song after that featured string instruments; the skill and passion of the newcomer and his mandolin stunned and delighted the crowd. Everyone agreed that Mac played like a prodigy; most of them had no clue that he had hundreds of years of practice.

  After giving Jane and Mac their due praise, Kate brought up the topic of her parents' Christmas gift - a vacation in Greece. She strongly suggested that late September or early October would be the best time to go. Cora, knowing why Kate was nearly insisting on that time frame, was of mixed emotions. She didn't want to leave her children at such a dangerous time, even if she was powerless to help. Brody told Liam that autumn was a perfect time to go; it was still warm, but past the tourist season.

  Others joined in on the conversation, and supported Kate's recommendation. Most didn't know her real motive; they just thought it was a sound plan. Liam thought it was a great idea, and had his wife half-convinced by the time they said their farewells for the evening.

  Over Saturday's afternoon tea - what Brody considered a snack before dinner - more than one important topic was broached. After the solemn young fae and Jane told them of Aldritch's dire warning, he gave Mac a walking tour of his property.

  During the time that Mac was outdoors, Kate spoke to Jane privately about the power of fae oaths; she passed along the information Liadan had given to Brody about them. She wanted her little sister to fully understand the ramifications. Brody also used his tour as an excuse to make sure Mac knew what he had committed himself to.

  They all met again in the kitchen of his cottage to discuss it openly. Mac realized the weight of his pledge, and was more than willing to keep it. His words made it easier for Jane; she didn't want to appear selfish or possessive, and hoped he would stay near her by choice. With that settled, Jane and Mac stuffed Mix in the back of her car and zoomed off for more sight-seeing.

  On Sunday, just the day before and right as mass had begun, Liam asked Brody to have a pint with him after services. While Kate went to her mother's for lunch, he and the
sage, middle-aged gent strolled over to a quieter pub in the village. Thinking the reason might be to try and get him to go golfing yet again, or maybe even to talk about Cora's strange behavior, Brody was surprised when he began talking of Jane.

  Liam mentioned his idea of letting his youngest daughter take some time after her leaving cert in June to perform in pubs and music events around the island before going to Uni. He knew she was young, but was taken with Mr. O'Malley. The young man was mannered and a talent unto himself, but not much was known of him. If he proved himself a gentleman, Liam would allow the pair to travel about and turn some heads. But he wanted them chaperoned. With Brody and Kate's schedules being flexible, it was a hope that they might consider doing him that big favor if it came about.

  Last but certainly not least, Brody thought with a wry grin, happened just the night before. The dinner that he had invited Liadan and Simon to... Hell, he didn't know what to expect. He and Kate were nervous for their meeting; they were both afraid that Simon might try to stab the little fae, or that Liadan might somehow get offended and do some sort of bad magic.

  After a big steak dinner for three, the tiny fae arrived with a knock on the front door. As expected, the tension was thick. Even the dogs were on edge. To Liadan's credit, she stayed well away and offered to answer any questions Simon had. As a sign of respect, he stayed civil.

  Brody told both his cousin and the brownie of the 'invasion' to come; while discussing that, Liadan mentioned that any fae who fled would be forfeiting their havens and bridges. She would be staying. As she left, Liadan bid everyone a good night; Simon reciprocated with a nod. When he left for home an hour later, Kate said she noticed a lighter nimbus compared to when he arrived. Brody was simply relieved that there was no bloodshed. It was a start.