Moon's Rite

Ireland

We touched down in Ireland and I stretched as I followed our strange little group off the plane. I hummed a soft tune as I took a look around, then struck out. I had never actually been to the Enclave. It was not someplace that just anyone got invited to, and you had to be invited. We were going to be breaching all sorts of unwritten rules if we wandered up to the gates. We certainly couldn't just waltz in and expect to ever come out again.

I needed an in. Since the Elves were too secretive for any but a select few to know personally, I'd have to find someone really special. I just wasn't quite sure where to find them. We caught a taxi to the closest bit of civilization and I waved our rag tag group on, letting them take care of anything they liked while we had a minute. I was sort of counting on luck. The entire country was steeped in it. I just hoped I got the good rather than the bad.

Although, a large portion of that good or bad depended on what one did with the lucky opportunity they were presented.

Logan and Peaches were hungry, so we started there. Tony and Tabitha spotted a quaint little book shop that looked like it had been set up back before either world war. They happily sauntered off to inspect the place. Zach informed me he would ask around in the local pub before taking off, as well as reminding me to eat.

I waved him off and smiled after him. Then I was turning to Vladimir, standing next to me and shifting uncomfortably as he took in the place. I scanned the little metropolis as well. The quickly falling twilight was sending most people inside. "See anything useful?"

Vladimir jumped, then worked through the carefully enunciated English to answer me. "No."

My gaze settled on a short, red haired, elderly gentleman. He sat on a little stool set up at the end of a bridge under a streetlamp, playing a fiddle and singing raunchy songs. Or, raunchy if you could keep up with the heavy Irish accent and the odd turns of phrase that took double entendre to the next level.

I nudged Vladimir with my elbow and aimed for the old man. He had magic practically dripping off of him. I was going to guess Fae of some sort until he gave me indication otherwise, and a Native Fae was sure to know someone useful to getting into the Enclave.

I glanced down into the beat up old hat sitting at the man's feet, collecting coins. He wasn't doing too badly. I dug into my pockets and finally found some change leftover from when I had bought dinner before going to my class. I dropped the American coins into the hat to mingle with the Irish ones. Next to me, Vladimir pulled a single Russian coin out of his pocket, looking a little embarrassed. I was certain it was all he had on him in regards to change. But he dropped it into the hat and stepped back even with me, shoving his hands into his pockets.

The song came to an end and the old man propped the end of his fiddle on his thigh. His eyes had a youthful twinkle under bushy gray brows as he regarded us. "An American Lass and a Russian Lad. Quite the strange pair. What brings ye to the beautiful country of green?"

I smiled. "Searching for Elves."

The old man laughed. "Youngsters like you are typically huntin leprechauns when they come here. Perhaps the fair Fairy Folk and their midnight celebrations."

I shook my head. "No. Though if one of them can get me in touch with the Elves I'd be much obliged."

The old man waggled a finger at me. "Ah, best not be obliged to any Fae, lassie. They'll squeeze you for all you're worth if you're not careful."

I raised a brow. "Really? I'll keep that in mind then. Does the same go for the Elves?"

He laughed again, shrugging. "Can't say lassie. Don't typically go looking for favors from them." He leaned forward on his stool, eyeing me carefully. "What is it that you want from them? Cause you know, to get to them is no easy task. First you have to go through the gatekeeper and his questions three. Not to mention the perilous journey across their domain. The great beast guarding the castle. And if you can make it through the labyrinth of the castle to the court proper, then you have to deal with the Elves themselves."