Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

O ne minute, they were standing in his dining room, and the second, they were outside in the grove where the fairy ring was located.

“Don’t do anything yet. I need to gather some oak branches. They were considered sacred and needed to break the curse. There is an oak tree over there.” She pointed and started to walk towards the tree.

Byron stood in a stupor momentarily before quickly catching up to her. “Are we really back in Ireland?” he glanced around nervously.

“Yes.”

“Impressive.”

She glanced over her shoulder at him and smiled. “I never thought so. See if you can find some acorns.”

Nodding, Byron started to scour the ground for seeds. When he found a couple, she was done gathering some of the twigs left around the tree.

Together, they walked to the fairy ring. “Now what?” he asked. He wondered if, when the threat was gone, would Angela be gone as well? He hoped not. He truly had started caring for her.

“Now, we go talk to them. First, put the stone back on the wall.” She handed him the envelope containing the stone. “Then, hold the acorns and twigs in your hand as we travel to their world. You will need to beg for their forgiveness and offer them your gifts. Hopefully, they will accept them and free.”

He took the stone from the envelope she had carried and placed it on the wall, keeping the twigs and acorns in his free hand as he turned back to her.

She wrapped her wings around him, moments before she pulled her wings back.

Byron didn’t think anything had changed, but when he looked around, he realized the ring was surrounded by a heavier, thicker forest he recognized from his nightmares.

She gave him a gentle push towards the ring.

“Hello?” He took an unsteady step. “Hello?”

He heard a flutter as several beings with gossamer wings encircled them. They all seemed to be glaring at him, and nervously, Byron held out the acorns and twigs. “I’m so sorry for not believing in you and stealing from you. I brought the stone back, and I offer these to you. Please accept my apology.”

The male who had confronted Byron before, stepped forward. Byron recognized four of the fairies that surrounded him but kept his focus on the man who appeared to be the leader. Somehow, he knew their names. The leader was Ruune. The women were Amber and Gem. The other male who was fighting in the grove was Goshin. As Byron looked around the crowd, he knew them all by name as if they whispered their names in his mind as he looked at them. He recognized Spritz when his eyes settled on him, as the one who gave him a sense of being chased, causing him to run in most of his dreams. He turned back to Ruune. “Please.”

“What makes you think we could ever forgive a thief?” Ruune asked.

“Ruune, at least listen to what he has to say. He did bring us offerings,” Amber replied as she moved next to the fairy leader.

Ruune crossed his arms as he looked at Amber before turning back to Byron. “Say your piece.”

Clearing his throat, Byron set the twigs and acorns down. “I thought fairies were just stories. I was ignorant. I didn’t appreciate them as more than just stories. Please forgive me. I understand now.” Hanging his head, he couldn’t bear to look at any of them.

“Not all believe in us. We haven’t made our presence known as often as in the past,” Spritz stated.

Ruune looked over at Amber.

Amber gave him a small smile and a brief nod. “His heart is true,” she conceded.

Stepping closer to Byron, who lifted his head at the approach, Ruune peered at the humble man.

“Forgiveness is a gift of the gods. You have offended us and blatantly abused our property.” His tone was scornful, Ruune continued with a slightly softer voice, “Spritz is right. We haven’t made our presence known in the past. We prefer the simpler way of life, embracing harmony with the grass and trees.” Sighing, he gave Amber and the others in the circle another look before he continued. “Prove to us you are worthy of our forgiveness.”

“How?”

“We would require of you seventeen acts of atonement.”

Byron remembered his tour guide mentioned that the Irish had a couple of numbers they considered sacred. Three since one of the gods had three heads. Five, for the five great roads, the five provinces, and the five paths of law. Seventeen was considered a mystical number, with things occurring after seventeen weeks or seventeen years. “What are these acts that you would like me to do?”

“For the next five days, we want you to do these,” Ruune held out his hand, and Goshin ran up, handing him a piece of paper. In turn, Ruune handed it to Byron.

Taking the parchment, he scanned what was required of him .

You must find three four-leaf clovers and deliver them to our sacred area.

Before you bring them to us, you need to find three horseshoes, spit on them, and throw them over your head for good luck.

Bring us five pints of mead and leave them in the ring.

Do three acts of unselfishness, but call out to the Fairies of the Emerald Isle when you do so that we know you did them on our behalf.

He wasn’t sure where he was going to find four-leaf clovers, or horseshoes lying about, but he hoped Angela would be able to help him. As if reading his thoughts, Ruune nodded. “You may employ the aid of your guardian. However, everything must be accomplished by the end of the five days,” He stepped back, and all of the fairies shimmered away.

Byron was alone in the grove with Angela.

Moving up to him, she silently asked if he was ready to depart. Once she was given his consent, she wrapped her soft, feathery wings about him only to open them moments later in his dining room.

He was quickly learning not to be surprised by this form of travel. After all, he was dealing with fairies and gargoyles. Byron waved the sheet of paper around. “I have no clue where to begin to do these things.”

“I will help.”

“I’d be lost without you.” Plus, Byron realized he would get to spend more time with her. She had eyes that bewitched him and touched his soul. She gave him a feeling of peace and calmness he had never experienced before, and he knew she was the best thing that had happened to him in ages. “Where do I begin? What should I do now?”

“Although your five days have begun, you might start with a good night's sleep. Since they have tasked you with several obligations, they will leave you alone until your tasks are complete or you fail to finish your trials. However, I will remain on watch while you rest.”

Byron nodded as he knew Angela was right. He hadn’t had a decent slumber since before he took the rock from the fairy ring and pissed off the fae. “You’re probably correct. We can start first thing in the morning.”

“First thing at sunset. I only come out in the darkness of night.”