Days 329 - 334 (307-312)

Day 329 (307):

A bit after dawn, the swords woke us, informing us that someone was coming near us. We were relieved to sense that it was Walnut, the treant guardian of this area. He, too, was glad to see us. He sat with us as we made breakfast and told him our activities since parting with him. He was pleased. He offered to find a way to undo the general's curse to not only release the spirits but also make that field usable to the forest again. As the expert, we asked Walnut the best route to the sea and Sarah's merfolk relatives. He traced a route back through Snathdubh and a well-traveled road to the fishing villages. He assured us that any town would provide transport to the grotto. Leo, with his new toy, bid us safe travels and flew off. We broke camp and said good-bye to Walnut.

Even though it was still winter, the weather had improved considerably. The land seemed healthier, cleaner, and more alive. Bird song, animal noises, and hearty insects sounded in the surrounding forest.

Snathdubh entered our sight around mid-day. The black sheep did not run from us. The "wall" now had two "gates" and a third was being opened. The Magistrate saw us and waved us over. Still somberly dressed, he was smiling, however.

"Welcome back, Sisters. Your letter and other reports have given us hope again. Also, the curse will be lifted. Unknown to most, the King these humans didn't know, married a Lost City woman, thinking she was all human. Their descendant is on his way here to forgive them and let them pass over. With them gone, Walnut has promised our herds first crack at a field ungrazed in centuries. He doesn't promise a few wild grazers won't have munched on it, but no large scale grazing. We hope for a dramatic increase in wool yield from that field."

"Any word on Sim Durach? We are a bit concerned about him. The lich's influence may be hard to shake," Gretta inquired.

"Stuff and nonsense," came Sim's voice from around the wall.

We were torn. We were glad he was safe, but, considering how we parted company, we didn't know how he would receive us.

"Soon as that sgreataidh lich was destroyed, I woke up from my nightmare. You girls did me a favor, destroying my research. It was the first cut to separate he and I. As I pondered what to do with myself, that tie continued to fray. His punishment for failing to kill you took all but the last thread. I am sorry we parted so badly. I have abandoned that place. The Magistrate has put me to work as a teacher. Be as all that may, where are you headed?"

We told him and the Magistrate. They both began rattling off names of people who would be "happy" to sail us to the merfolk grotto. We listened politely and thanked them.

We ate at the Blue-Eyed Ewe, gladly talking with Calum, Tormund, and the rest of the family. We left Snathdubh in the early afternoon.

The animal life was markedly increasing as we took the road Walnut told us to take. The spirits that stayed had returned to harmless haunting. By night fall, we had found the spot where we had camped before and encountered only one spirit that caused that punch-in-the-stomach feeling. She, like Jamas, had been wrongly executed for a crime she did not commit. Sarah gave her death rights, adding a plea for the gods to see her innocence. That worked and the woman was freed to cross over. We went to sleep feeling happy with that little victory.

Day 330 (308):

Hints of the spring that was a month away made out traveling more pleasant than when we had arrived. While the spirits were not attracted to us, those we did cross paths with seemed to smile at us or stop their haunting while we were in sight of each other. The traveler's shack was easily found and was just as we had left it. A swift moving storm let us know that we were wise to stop here even before nightfall. Our companions had to hunt in the dark after the storm has passed. Slightly wet, they were happy with their catches.

Day 331 (309):

Once again, we removed all signs of our presence and replaced the wood we had used. We left about an hour or so after dawn.

It was not long until we found where the roads branched. Walnut's directions followed one of the larger roads. Apparently, word of the lich's defeat had not returned traffic to these roads. The weather, too, could be keeping people home. Our map shown no settlements between Snathdubh and the fishing villages. Granted, horses could travel this road twice as fast as us, so the trip from one to the other, for them, was no more than three days while we did not expect to get there for a few more days.

After our mid-day break, I felt a huge knot of emotions ahead of us. Anger, fear, pain, plus more rolled between the trees and down the road. Concerned, we ran toward it. Rounding a small bend, we found the source. A couple dozen leprechauns were trying to hold down a full-grown griffin with ropes and a net. The griffin was fighting hard to get free. To the side, another dozen or so leprechauns were nursing a variety of wounds. Someone saw us and shouted. Gretta interpreted that they wanted us to help. We raced over. Sarah went straight to the wounded. Our companions went to the griffin. Their chatter calmed the griffin greatly, letting the leprechauns slack the ropes and allow the griffin to stand easily. Gretta spoke to the eldest to get their story, even though Alice and Anna told us the true story.

Their "boss" was paying them very well for a "trainable" griffin. This one, a female, was "pregnant" and they wanted her to "give birth" in the boss' home stable.  Between storms, they had found her, tracked her, and, finally, captured her.  A cage wagon was waiting to wheel her to his ship and on to his island home.

Gretta returned to us, confirming the tale my sisters received. One of the leprechauns ran to get the "boss". We discussed the situation, getting input from the griffin through our companions. Their information did not fit with what she was telling us. Their boss was about to be very disappointed.

An odd feeling crept up my spine. Evil, deviousness, a cold calculating entity was approaching. Behind a leprechaun, a richly dressed creature strode towards us. It appeared to be a large cat-like being, walking like a human, speaking words of praise to everyone for a job well done. The griffin did not like this being and only our promises of protections kept her from trying to escape. It looked at us, visually appraising us.

"Greetings, young ladies," his male voice flowed with honeyed charm, "Thank you so much for your aid. These men were having a difficult time holding this beast."

"We only stopped her thrashing to prevent her and them from being seriously injured," I told him, "We are not sure you have the right to keep her."

Anger flared for a second before he assumed a diplomatic stance, "My dear, I do not wish harm upon this glorious creature. I just want her babies to train so I do not have to keep a ship just to go to shore. After their birth, she will be set free. Will that suffice?" 

I didn't want to call him on his obvious lie, so I told him, "I believe your information is faulty."

"What?" he shouted, genuinely shocked.

"Our companions have spoken with her. She is not pregnant. Her babies hatched last spring. She will not mate for another year or two. You've wasted your time and effort."

He did not hold back his anger. He raged against the leprechauns, blaming them for the mistake. While he ranted, we seven spoke to each other. Only I saw the cat-like being he was. The rest saw a human male. From them, I learned that the leprechauns also saw him as human. He stopped to catch his breath.

"Sluagh math," I called to the leprechauns, "he deceives you. He is not human and not good by nature. Also, he does not plan paying you a copper."
The "boss" was caught off guard. 

Holding Vanity, point down, I commanded, "Reveal!"

While nothing changed to my sight, the reactions from the rest told me they saw his true form. The griffin was released. The leprechauns attempted to capture him, but he spoke a spell and vanished. They chided themselves for being so easily fooled. It helped little to tell them only Set, the griffin, and I knew he was disguised.
Even though they had nothing to haul, they spoke of going to the coast anyway to warn others of their deception. They asked if we would like a ride. We accepted and helped them load their wagons. The cage was disassembled. Over five wagons, we and the leprechauns spread ourselves out to not overburden the ponies that pulled them. Set chose to walk after the wagon groaned from his added weight, plus they traveled slow enough that he had no trouble keeping up.

The leprechauns chatted with us easily, even though, with heavy accents, it was a bit difficult to understand them at times. Before nightfall, they found a previous campsite. Having our own rations and our companions hunting for themselves eased their concern about food. We erected our shield because of clouds that darkened the night sky. The leprechauns appreciated not waking up soaked.

Days 332-333 (310-311):

The next two days were an easy routine. Set found a wounded deer and helped them take it down and bring it to the camp. This really perked them up.

We entered a fishing village in the early evening. Just like Port Willis and River Helm, ships monopolized most of the town. Here, though, fishing took up the rest. The leprechauns directed us to a good inn as they left to report their former "boss". Even though the name was in leprechaun, the village housed many races and the inn was similarly mixed. 

As we sat and ate, we politely inquired about ships and captains willing to go to merfolk grottoes. The innkeeper, a human male, said he would check for us.  Our companions did not cause any looks or problems. As we went to our room, the innkeeper handed us a list of ships to check on. We thanked him and retired for the night.

Day 334 (312):

Sunrise caused the village of Maraiche to erupt into action. From our ocean facing window, it seemed that the whole village rolled into the water. People walking or riding flowed down the streets to the docks. From there, boats and ships disappeared out into the blue water. 

Even with all of those gone, there was still plenty of activity. We went to the common room, which was also active. Seeing us, the innkeeper called for "the pail". Shortly after we sat down, a large pot was placed on the floor next to us. Inside it, fish parts comprised most of the contents. The rest was difficult to identify. The four dove into the pot and began chomping away. We ordered a simple meal.

As we ate, a pair of human males, both hardened by life at sea, walked over to us. They gave us all severe looks before either spoke.

"Got word ya want to go ta them water-folk. You gals don't look like the usual bunch. So, which of you believes your long-lost pa is a magically altered fish man who knocked up your ma?"

We exchanged confused looks. Some silent moments passed before he spoke again.

"Alrigh' then, who believes their run-away ma left you to return to the sea?"

Again, we were confused. 

The two men stepped back and whispered to each other. These situations where, apparently, common themes others told them to gain passage to the grottoes. They were trying to come up with other tales they had heard told by others seeking the homes of the aquatic races. Finally, they pulled up chairs and sat with us.

"Lassies, whate'er troubles yer runnin' from, the fish folk nay be the answer. Surely yer families miss ya and are sorry fer what they did."

"Sirs," Sarah interrupted, "undoubtedly, you have heard excuses, lies, falsehoods, and untold tales from people seeking the merfolk homes. Let me give you the truth.  I am one-quarter mermaid from my mother's side. I only wish to visit my great-grandmother and any other relatives I may have. This is a gift from her," she laid her shell pin upon the table, "If you cannot accept this as truth, then leave. We shall find one who does."

The men looked at Sarah's pin and paled. Not only did they believe her, they recognized the design. They rose and told us to remove the "Dana's Pride" from our list. Nearly knocking each other down, they raced to the door and left.

"That was odd," Lisa noted, "They acted like we showed them the mark of death or something."

"Close, m'dears, very close," came a remark from a bent and haggard leprechaun, "The family who wears that pin has sung many a ship to its last rest. They claim from the river mouth to nearly Stephen's Cove. Any who sail that area without due tribute do not see their destination."

Sarah began to tear up. It was hard for her to accept that her family was so cruel. Lisa addressed the old one.

"What is their tribute? What great price do they demand?"

Seeing our worry, he began to laugh, "M'darlings, it is not like that. Their price is a pittance, a bit of inland trinkets one canna' find in the sea. Usually it is pirates and poachers who donna pay. They get blown to far off places, marooned, with a busted-up ship. They don' kill none as far as I know."

Relief washed over us all. Sarah's family was not cruel nor evil, but punished as was just. We showed him our list and asked who would be our best bet. He examined it closely, muttering under his breath. He ticked off name after name. When he returned it, only three names were not marked through. 

"If they won't, find me again. I have one other option," he said cryptically.

We thanked him, finished eating, and headed out to find these ships. 

Maraiche was not as noisy as Port Willis, but just as busy. The docks were a flurry of motion. The ships on our list were easy to find. The first, "Ocean's Fury", was nearly exclusively manned by humans. The captain almost agreed to ferry us until he saw Set. Refusing to "sully" his ship with Set's presence, he demanded we leave his sight.  The second ship, "Typhoon", was a mixed crew and very busy loading and unloading. We asked to speak to the captain. A half-elf male, a bit heavier than most, glared at us. His expression did not improve when we asked to go to the grotto. He began rattling off a dozen reason why his ship could not take us. We walked away as he continued talking. The third ship, "Waves of Glory", was also a mixed crew. This one was captained by a gnome. He was willing to take us, but began listing his "fee" for each passenger, counting our companions as well, meals, beds, plus docking and, what he called, "bodily safety".  Soon, it became obvious he planned to extort every coin we carried and more. We turned from him when he suggested that our swords were "adequately valuable" enough to cover the cost of our passage.
We returned to the inn, upset and disappointed. The innkeeper saw our gloom and disappeared for a while. He returned with the leprechaun from this morning, who gave us sympathetic looks.

"Oh, Sisters, not a one? Tell me, what happened?" he asked as he sat with us.

We told him. His genuine shock told us he had not expected such behavior. He assured us that they would be punished for their attitudes toward us all. He asked us to stay one more night in Maraiche and said he would get us to the grotto. We thanked him. He left.

As it was just before mid-day, we used the time to refresh supplies and replace worn clothing and gear. Many merchants tried to buy our cloaks, our companions, and our swords. Some threatened us when we would not sell. By afternoon, a constable was assigned to us to handle the "ruckus" we were involuntarily causing. He apologized to us for his town's "lack of scrupples" several times. The constable even sat with us at dinner, deflecting both complaints and propositions. He gave the town's lack of "true ladies" as the reason for us behavior. He and two others stood guard in the inn should any try to disturb us as we slept.