Chapter Three: The Boy

Chapter Three - The Boy

Mad laughter rose up from the opening of the lichway. Through the mist Aodhan could make out Mirna's figure, bent over in mirth. Frozen, Aodhan could only listen to her demonic giggles and try to calm his heart before it burst. Making up his mind, Aodhan gathered the last of his strength in his legs and sprinted towards that giggling.

He knew it wouldn't work. Once inside the lichway, the only way to go was forward. As expected, once he got to the head of those white stones, he hit something invisible but as solid as a wall of brick and bounced back, somehow remaining standing. Panting hard, Aodhan blinked the blurriness of tears from his eyes and paused, astonished. Mirna was smirking at him on the other side, just a foot away, but she wasn't quite the same girl as before.

This, Aodhan realized with growing horror, was her true form. That carrot-red hair had become white, her skin the color of dandelions. Her height now exceeded Aodhan's, her limbs long and unnaturally thin, her arms hanging almost to her knees. Her teeth, plainly exposed from her feral grin, were pointed, thin as sewing needles, and innumerable. The eyes were black and lightless. The beauty had become a beast. Aodhan shuddered hard, backing up a step. He couldn't believe he had been attracted to this creature.

"I thought you were supposed to be smart. You should know there's no way out once you're in." The creature licked its lips. "Well, since you look like a sweet, little, stupid lamb right now, I'll tell you something for free. My advice usually costs a limb or a liter of blood, so count yourself fortunate."

Aodhan felt his head become light from a mixture of rage and terror. "Who said I wanted your shit advice?" he suddenly burst. If she had still looked like the sweet, innocent girl, he would never have dared to curse in front of her. Now, he didn't think the word was nearly strong enough to explain this feeling of wretched helplessness and anguish.

He had sworn to stay as far away from this evil place as possible for the rest of his life. His nightmares for the past decade had featured this exact event. It made him hope that what was happening right now was a nightmare as well, but his dreams were never so vivid. He wouldn't be able to feel the kiss of the spirit's misty forms against his skin or see the creature's green tongue flapping in its mouth.

"You'll be very sorry if you don't receive my advice," the creature said. "If you don't listen, I guarantee you'll be dead the minute you set foot in the Tir Na Nog. Still don't want my advice?"

In response, Aodhan turned around and covered his ears, though this was just for show. These creatures were crafty, every word designed to confuse, but not to listen might be an even bigger folly.

Seeing his stubbornness, the creature huffed out a breath. "Little lamb, do you think this is a game? The only reason you survived last time was - never mind."

Aodhan spun around unconsciously hearing this and saw the creature grin triumphantly. He had been tricked, but why did he still feel like the creature had said too much on accident? Its face was an even paler yellow, as if it was scared.

"Why did I survive last time?"

The creature scowled. "I said never mind that. Focus on how you're going to survive this time. Listen closely." The creature heaved in a breath and pointed behind him at the green pendant still laying among the feet of spirits. "That charm is how you're going to survive. You must wear it at all times inside the Tir Na Nog. If it leaves your skin for even a second, you will be ripped to shreds, your bones will become our jewelry and your blood will be our wine. Understand?"

Aodhan glanced back at the little dragon. So it did have some power. He thought for a while, but decided that if it had protected him before, then the creature must not be lying. He picked up the charm and slid it over his head, mindful of the burning gaze locked on his back. Despite being on the cold ground for so long, the pendant was as warm as his own skin, seeming to hum along with the lichway once it settled against his collarbones. He swallowed back the lump in his throat but didn't go back to converse with the monster any longer.

The only way to go once you're in the lichway is forward.

Ignoring the spirits parting around him, Aodhan strode forward, looking rather confident while his insides tied into knots. The forest, the Tir Na Nog, according to that creature, loomed ahead of him like a giant beast, dark and heaving breaths with every gust of wind. As he walked, he felt like there was more than one pair of eyes on him and shuddered hard, biting his lips until they bled.

In his head, he mentally apologized to his mother and sister. The sun was nearing the horizon, about to drench the land in darkness once more. They must have alerted the whole village by now, and once that creature went back, dressed in its fake skin, it would probably only stir up more trouble. He could only send his thoughts to them and hoped that one day he would be able to see them again.

At the end on the lichway, he paused, staring into the dark of the forest. Even if the sun shined brightly, it still wouldn't be able to pierce the heavy canopy of the trees. Aodhan strained his eyes to peer into that darkness, but everything was shrouded so completely, it was useless. Holding his breath, Aodhan stepped into the forest.

The whispering of the spirits in the lichway was left behind and the forest seemed as if it was holding its breath alongside him. For the first fifteen steps, he wondered if there was anything alive at all.

Something shifted before him. Aodhan froze. A shape detached itself from the darkness and came closer to him. The pounding of Aodhan's heart was so fast the edges of his vision became blurry. The figure wasn't human. It approached on more than four spindly legs, scattering the fallen leaves, but was still indistinct in the shadows. Aodhan's first instinct was to run, but the only way he could go was deeper into the forest, straight into the arms of other awaiting creatures. He could only hope the charm around his throat would actually protect him.

A strange, echoing chittering came from the beast, and Aodhan didn't know if it was his imagination or not, but his bones began to vibrate and ache in response to it, locking him firmly in place. A horrible thought came to Aodhan. Perhaps this was how it. . .captured food. A musty, dark scent rose up from it as it approached, reminding Aodhan of a slaughterhouse, of old and new blood comingling.

The creature was now within a few feet of Aodhan, but the darkness was such that he could only make out black fur, spindly legs, and a bulbous body covered with blinking lights.

Oh. Those were its eyes. Aodhan drew in a sharp breath and closed his own eyes, cursing the creature that used to be Mirna for lying to him. Charm or not, he was about to be eaten and there was nothing he could do about it.

Suddenly, he felt the charm heat up as if in response to his thoughts and the chittering halted abruptly with a final, surprised chirp. Eyes still closed, Aodhan's brows clenched together as the musty blood smell was replaced by something more pleasant, the scent of dark, wet earth.

When several minutes passed and he still hadn't been devoured, Aodhan dared to open his eyes. He was alone. The beast had retreated to whatever hellish place it came from. Unconsciously, Aodhan lightly stroked the dragon pendant, as if thanking it.

Once feeling had returned to his legs, Aodhan continued, stepping carefully through the underbrush. There wasn't anything resembling a path, so he had to make one himself.

As he walked, nothing else came to disturb him, and his eyes began to adjust to the darkness - or so he thought, but the further he went, the more he began to think it was getting brighter. Could it be morning already?

However, this wasn't the case. Resting against a tree for a moment, Aodhan paused in astonishment and noticed lanterns strung in the branches over his head. They glowed blue instead of orange and with a twitch of his lips, Aodhan realized that inside them were captured Will-o-the-Wisps, their gentle whispers blocked by the glass cages that trapped them. It seems he was getting closer to some kind of village. Aodhan gnawed on his lower lip. But was it safe for him to go in? The charm protected him from the sidhe living on the outskirts of the forest, but wouldn't it be too conspicuous for a living human to just waltz into one of their settlements?

He was still puzzling over the situation when a youthful voice came from right behind him.

"Are you going to An Uaimh Bhinn?"

Aodhan whipped around, every hair standing on end. Sitting on a low hanging branch on a tree just behind Aodhan, swinging his legs nonchalantly, was a little boy. He couldn't have been more than twelve or thirteen, his features rather precious. Despite himself, Aodhan immediately felt his guard lowering. He had to remind himself repeatedly as he approached that nothing was as it seemed, and of course, Aodhan was definitely the only living human in the Tir Na Nog. This boy could be any sort of devious monster.

"An Uaimh Bhinn?" he asked, stepping up to the boy's tree.

"It's the city just ahead. Are you going there?" The boy stared at Aodhan with eyes black as stone. Aodhan noticed a white, raised scar curling around his throat and disappearing into his black tunic, quite a horrifying sight on someone so young.

Aodhan turned to stare pensively at the lanterns leading off into the distance, unconsciously chewing at his lips again. "I haven't decided yet. What do you think I should do?"

The boy tilted his head, not expecting this question. "You care what I think?"

"Well, you've been there before, right?"

The boy inclined his head.

"Then I care what you think."

A smile curved the boy's lips briefly but faded as soon as Aodhan noticed it. "You should go. Better than sticking around the edges like a rat. The best way to blend in around here is to pretend like you belong." His eyes fell to the charm around Aodhan's neck. "Besides, someone with the favor of our lord like yourself won't be allowed to go unnoticed for long."

Aodhan's fingers flew up to touch the pendant. "Your lord? Who is your lord?"

The boy smirked. "Our lord is our lord. He's not one easily described."

"So this charm - means I have his favor?"

Hopping off the branch, the boy nodded. "I could smell it the minute I got within ten feet of you." The boy passed Aodhan, following the lanterns. Dazed, Aodhan stumbled to catch up, feeling his head spin.

"Smell it? Smell what?"

"Oh right. A human like you probably wouldn't be able to distinguish it from any of the other smells out here, but rest assured, you reek of him."

Rest assured? How could that be in any way comforting? I don't want to smell like some creature.

Unfortunately, this creature's scent was the only reason he was alive. So no matter how much he wanted to rip the necklace off and chuck it into the trees, he stilled his hand.

"Oh? And where can I find this lord of yours?"

The boy turned to give Aodhan a strange look. "Why would you want to find him?"

Truthfully, Aodhan didn't know if he wanted to find someone so powerful just their scent could scare away something as terrifying as that many-legged creature from before, but he figured that if he was willing to protect Aodhan, maybe he would know how he could escape the Tir Na Nog.

Then again, Aodhan had had this charm for a few years now, so who knows if this mysterious lord even knew it was in Aodhan's possession. After all, it was sold to him by a random merchant. It had come into his hands purely by accident.

But Aodhan figured it was his best shot at getting out of here. If anyone could help him, it would be a lord.

The boy seemed to read his thoughts and laughed. "Best of luck to you. I don't know where you could find him."

"He doesn't live anywhere?"

"No, he has a palace. But it moves. It never stays in one part of the Tir Na Nog for very long."

"Oh." Aodhan paused for a moment in his steps, allowing the boy to get farther away. Noticing the distance, he shook himself out of it and scurried after him once more. The boy never looked back at him, but Aodhan thought he might have heard a muffled snicker. "Then, do you know what he looks like?"

"That's even harder to guess," the boy said. "He has many forms. Sometimes he looks around your age, sometimes he becomes an old man. Sometimes he even looks like a child or even a woman. No one's quite sure what his natural appearance is."

Frowning, Aodhan tried not to be annoyed. What was the point of having so many appearances?

"But," the boy continued, "they say there's one surefire way to tell if the one you're talking to is him or not."

"Really? What?" Aodhan felt a bud of hope begin to blossom in his chest.

"Apparently there's a tattoo on his tongue."

The hope withered and crumbled into dust. How would he ever be able to check that? Moping, he absentmindedly sent some leaves scattering. The lanterns were placed at more frequent intervals. They must be getting closer to the city. "A tattoo of what?"

"His signature symbol. I'll draw it for you sometime. Not just anyone is allowed to wear it either. You have to be considered very special for him to mark you. No one has ever heard of anyone having such an honor."

Drowning in despair and pouting shamelessly, Aodhan moved to stand next to the boy instead of behind him, allowing himself to relax in his presence. "What's his name?"

The boy slowed to a stop and stared at Aodhan with his mouth in a thin line. "A word of caution, human. Don't casually ask for names in the Tir Na Nog. Names have power. Sidhe only share their true names with one person their entire lives, some never share it at all. Instead ask, 'what should I call you.' Much more polite." He continued walking, the tense atmosphere around him dissipating. "As for our lord, most call him Lord Maeron, or just lord. There's only the one so everyone will know who you're talking about."

"Ah," Aodhan hummed, noticing that voices could be heard ahead along with the typical sounds of a bustling town, along with the gentle sound of a flute. They walked comfortably in silence for another few feet.

"So, what should I call you?" Aodhan asked the one beside him, hands behind his back, looking very well behaved. In contrast, the boy walked with his arms comfortably at his sides, steps even and confident, like he was gliding, yet his gait was full of power.

The boy eyed him, lips curling. "I'm Kian."

Aodhan smiled. "I suppose I'll have to come up with a fake name, then?"

"It would be wise."

"Then call me. . ." Aodhan tilted his head, thinking. "Call me Sayv." Sayv was his middle name, so it shouldn't count as his true name, should it?

The boy laughed and shook his head, seeming to find Aodhan ridiculous. "Alright. Sayv it is then."

Aodhan blushed a little, remembering how his mother had wanted to name him that if he was a girl, so he could be her 'Sweet Sayv.' He was going to take it back and come up with another name, but once he opened his mouth they had reached the edge of An Uaimh Bhinn.

Aodhan was about to dart in, eyes wide and shining, but something shot out in front of him, a dark green blur and he yelped. Kian grabbed his sleeve and pulled him back.

A squat, lumpy creature blocked the path. "Password?"

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