by Alan Fisher
“Look at the mess of you. You've more berries on your shirt than in your mouth,” Una said, laughing at her gluttonous brother. She sat down beside him and picked up the ale. She took another big gulp and once again let out a burp, this time playing it out for as long as she could. She smiled at Ena as she finished. They both laughed aloud and continued their commentary on the events below.
Later that night, after returning to Foye, Una lay restless in her bed. Despite a fantastic day she now seemed troubled, haunted by the sudden rush of thoughts, memories, and emotions she experienced after the brief connection with the boy. His parents were dead, that's why he was alone. She searched as hard as she could for the last memory of them or to find out what happened but all she could sense was a sadness for their passing. He had witnessed their death yet buried it away, choosing not to remember. These were the exact same feelings she herself felt each day since her own parents disappeared. This restlessness grew heavier and heavier until she couldn't stay in bed any longer.
“That poor boy is out there sleeping rough in his ditch. I need to do something...”
Una got up as quietly as she could. Ena and Finnegas were drinking and chatting in the kitchen, so she made her way to the middle of the workshop and looked around, still wondering what she could possibly do, until she noticed the Timpan Ena fixed on the table.
She rushed over and grabbed the case and crept out the door. This time her mind was focused, determined. She wasted no time following the same path all the way back to Tara.
Night had fallen and the August moonlight brought a peaceful calm to the city. Most of the revelers had made their way home, but some pockets of drunken laughter still echoed around the back alleyways. The quiet streets made it easy for Una to find her way unnoticed back to the boy. She approached his ditch carefully and could hear him wheezing through the few bushes disguising his nest. She ducked and maneuvered her way through the branches until she found herself standing over the boy. He was curled on the ground with the white throw wrapped around him. Una opened the Timpan case and sat it down. She then began to wave her hand over his sleeping body and whisper. As she spoke particles of light fell from her hand.
Take this Timpan, a simple gift,
Through which, your life it may lift,
Play your music fast and loud,
Watch how it will mesmerize a crowd,
Use their tributes to build your life,
Yet don't get greedy, it may also give strife.
Una turned and made her way outside. She closed her eyes and imagined the cave entrance on the Red Hill. Before traveling back to Foye she turned around and took one final look at Tara and smiled.
The Cooley Mountains
“I
remember my father taking me here, I must have only been five or six years old and complained the whole way. I was tired of walking and the wind was fierce. It was worth it in the end though. This view is breathtaking, look Taiko, you can see the great forest in the distance, my home is just on the other side of that.” Tomas walked over and stood on the highest peak of the mountain and pointed down towards the river flowing passed the forest’s edge and through a lush green valley leading out into the bay.
“It's very beautiful indeed.” Taiko followed behind Tomas and looked briefly before turning her eyes to the mud covering her wooden sandals.
“Although, I forgot Ireland could be so mucky,” she mumbled. Kneeling over she ran her hand across the soles of her sandals. Two small spikes grew from the base of each shoe. Front and back, raising her ever so slightly off the muddy mountainside and giving better grip to walk.
“Your standing on Foye Tomas. King Brian of the leprechauns lives deep in this mountain. So too does Ena. I need to go tell him you spoke with your mother. Stay here, King Brian is very strict about outsiders, please don't wonder too far, I'll be back shortly.”
Taiko rolled her kimono slightly above her ankles and rushed off towards a stony cliff face at the edge of the mountain. She looked back and saw that Tomas had sat down on a large stone and was looking at the great forest. With his attention drawn elsewhere, she went in search of a hawthorn tree. It didn't take long, in a nearby field she noticed the unmissable mushroom-shaped evergreen set alone on a hill. As she approached a small staircase appeared, clear and more real with each step she took, leading to a small wooden door. She knocked.
A latch slid to the side and a pointy nose stuck out and sniffed, then an eye looked through the small gap.
“You're a little far from home eh?”
“I've travelled all this way to pass on an important message.”
“Oh, we'll see about that,” the voice from behind the door quipped.
“What's your name?”
“It's me, Taiko, we've met before, Padraig. I'm a friend of Ena, I’m here to see him.”
“Maybe we have. Maybe we haven't.”
“No, we definitely have, you are Padraig O’Pióideach, gatekeeper of foye. Actually, we’ve met a few times.”
“For all I know you could be a little Siofra, those crafty little elves could easily disguise themselves as Taiko, whom I may or may not have met before.”
“What's a Siofra?”
“Ah, now, you see, that's exactly what a Siofra would say. If you really were Taiko, whom I may or may not have met previously, you'll be able to answer a few questions, eh?”
Taiko exhaled through her nose and shook her head leaning down toward the latch. “Okay, sure.”
“What color are my shoes?”
“What? That makes no sense. How am I meant to know that? Give me a real question.”
“Well, we’ve met before, right? I’ve worn these shoes for a long time you know, are you sure you don’t remember?”
“I’ve never looked at your shoes, I did buy tap shoes last time I was here. In fact, Ena got his father to make them for me, but there was a mistake and they didn’t work properly. I’ve no idea about your shoes though.”
“If I said they were the same color as your tap shoes, what would you say then?”
“Oh, that’s easy, red, my favorite color.”
“Well done, that’s correct. It’s good to see you again, Taiko, you look nice, but you still can’t come in.”
“Why is that?”
“Ena is not here, he left this morning with a bundle of instruments for Carrauntoohil. Probably be off on his delivery run for a few weeks I’d say.”
“Really, I’ve an important message for him. Can I leave it with you?”
A finger popped out the latch and pointed up towards a small paper sign nailed to the tree.
No Siofras
No Giants
No Messages
“Ok, what about Finnegas? Can I not go and quickly meet with him instead?”
Padraig grabbed the tip of a bronze horn which hung from the ceiling and stood thinking quietly for a minute or so. Taiko waited patiently outside. The horn twisted and turned the whole way down a winding staircase and became significantly wider as it emerged over the Foye market. Padraig cleared his throat before speaking into the tip.
“Finnegas mac an Fearmeisce, please come up to gate 134, you have a visitor.”
The sound vibrated down the bronze pipe and burst out over the Foye market where Finnegas was in the middle of a sales pitch to a bunch of west coast fairies interested in his wild blends.
“Wait, wait, don’t go anywhere, hey you,” he pointed to one of the young leprechauns gathered. “You try this one.” He ushered him closer and poured a shot. “Now it will take a few minutes to hit the spot, so, you all just wait and watch what happens.”
Finnegas looked at the young lad until he drank the shot, then quickly shuffled up the stairs towards gate 134. He puffed and wheezed with each step up the steep staircase, muttering at Padraig.
“What has you calling me up here? I’m too old for these steps. I hope this has nothing to do with that bottle your father bought. He wanted something with a little kick, those
were his words. It’s not my fault donkeys go…”
Padraig opened the door just as Finnegas finished his climb allowing him to see Taiko.
“Taiko, it's good to see you.” He grabbed her in a big hug. “About those tap shoes, I’ve...I've a new pair ready for you.”
“I’m not here about that, Finnegas. I’ve a very important message for Ena. Can you please tell him for me?”
“I can indeed, anything at all.”
“Tell him Tomas put on the ring and spoke with his mother. That's it, is that okay?”
“Tomas had the ring and spoke with his mother.”
“Not really. Actually, give me your pencil.” She quickly pulled a pencil out of Padraig’s tunic pocket and ripped a corner of the paper nailed to the tree. She wrote down her message and passed it to Finnegas.
“Give him that note, and you can give him those new tap shoes for me too. That's how I’ll know he got the message.” She laughed as she passed the memo to Finnegas, who nodded sheepishly.
“Right, it was nice seeing you both, I really have to go.” She turned and walked away from the doorway which disappeared again with each step she took. Finnegas then gave a frosty look towards Padraig who simply shrugged his shoulders.
Home
T aiko made her way back to Tomas who was still sitting, staring out. She touched him on the shoulder. “Ena wasn't there, but I left him a note, when he sees it he'll know to come and speak with us. That's all we can do right now unfortunately.”
Tomas curled his lips and turned to Taiko briefly before looking back out over the countryside. “I guess this will likely be the last time I see the great forest or these hills around my home. I'm here trying my best to take in this view, to hold onto it for as long as I can. “
Taiko sat down beside him and looked out also. “The first time I came to Ireland I was shocked with how cold and wet it was. King Brian reached out to fairies from all over, inviting us to come and share our traditions at a grand festival of music and culture. As soon as I arrived though, I wanted to go home. It was dark, the wind cut to the bone, and my shoes stuck in the mud everywhere I walked. However, on the second day, the sky cleared and we came up here, not far from where we're sitting right now, and I remember looking out thinking Ireland was beautiful. This view changed my mood, it took my breath away and opened my eyes, enabling me to have a fantastic first visit. Now I think of Ireland as my second home. So, let's sit here a little longer, just to make sure you can remember everything. Hopefully this will help lift your mood too whenever you feel down.”
Tomas smiled at Taiko, she had crunched up next to him, shielding her small frame from the chilly night breeze gusting over the mountain. They sat quietly for a while before Tomas took the ring from his pocket. He was about to slide it back onto his finger when Taiko reached over and stopped him.
“It's a lovely evening, very peaceful. Before going back, shall we take a walk? Perhaps you might like to look around where you grew up?”
“Are you sure? That would be fantastic.”
“I don't see why not, in fact, I'd love a guided tour, and even if we bump into someone, you can quickly put the ring on.” They both stood and started walking down the mountain. The moon hung bright in the sky, unobstructed by clouds or bad weather, shining over the valley giving Tomas and Taiko clear visibility as they meandered along in the direction of the great forest. Every so often Tomas would rush over and point out a place where he played or went fishing as a boy, going into detail about some story or another. They continued like this for hours, losing track of time until they reached the great forest. Just as they crested the hill by the woodland's edge Tomas suddenly went quiet. Looking down from the hilltop his brow tightened and eyes squinted, he began looking around, checking his surroundings and the route they just walked.
“Is everything okay?” Taiko asked.
He was already gone, running down the hill. She watched as he rushed towards a scorched patch of land and fell to his knees. Upon hearing his cries, Taiko realized they were too late. She quickly made her way over and searched through the debris. Tomas stayed on his knees, distraught and staring at the ground. His desire for travel and adventure had cost a very dear price.
“Tomas, I can’t find anything, there is nothing here that would suggest someone was inside at the time of the fire. Your home may be gone, but your parents might still be alive.”
Tomas lifted his head. “I need to find out what happened.”
Taiko was biting her bottom lip. “I’m not sure what we can do, I’m afraid we could cause more trouble without speaking with Ena first.”
“I know what happened.” A spritely voice came from behind a bush. “It was Fionn and Diarmuid. Actually, he was going on about some leprechaun. Is that one there?”
“Whose…Dulta Og, is that you?” Tomas squinted over at the young lad who now stood before them.
“How do you know my name, and what is that?” the lad pointed at Taiko.
“Tomas,” Taiko interrupted, shaking her head, “he may not have any recollection of you either.”
Tomas stood and walked over to greet Dulta Og. “Don’t mind how I know your name, that’s not important, what I really need to know is what happened? Where is the man and woman who lived here?”
Dulta Og explained what happened.
“Fionn was looking for a leprechaun called Ena, that’s who it’s all about.” He waved his hands, gesturing over the remains of the cookhouse.
“What do you mean?” Taiko asked.
“Well, Fionn arrived and made a speech asking for information about this Ena creature. Everything seemed fine when he left though, but suddenly the building caught fire. We all rushed outside where he was waiting, just standing there. He took Aine and Eamonn to Tara, prisoners in the name of the high king. It was more than that though, his mood changed so quickly, Fionn forced Aine to tell him something or he was going to kill her husband. It was very tense, everyone stood back afraid Fionn might turn on us also.”
Tomas looked to Taiko, who stared down at the ground, deep in thought.
“Okay, you should put the ring on, we both go back to Japan and wait for Ena.”
“No, I don’t won’t to leave, not right now, there has to be something else we can do.”
Taiko was still biting her lip.
“Right, I will go to Tara. Invisible from Fionn and his men I should be able to walk straight passed the gates. If I find your parents I will figure a way to set them free. But you need to go and hide somewhere with Dulta. I’ll come for you and we can all go back to Japan together.”
“Your parents?” Dulta Og’s memory, still vague and clouded seemed to return slightly. “The final thing we heard Aine say was that she had a son. That’s you. Look, you could hide in our horse shed. Our old mare died last year and nobody goes in there much, its small but that would be a safe place.”
“Taiko, I’ll go with Dulta then. His home is about a half hour walk directly west from here, next to a small lake. The horse shed is in their back field, you can’t miss it.”
She nodded. “Give me three days. If I don’t find my way back with your parents by then, you must put the ring on and wait for Ena. Promise me.”
“I promise. Please take care, and save my family.” Tomas kneeled and hugged Taiko, tears rolled down both their cheeks before he pulled back.
“Thank you.”
Taiko ushered them away, rushing off in the direction of Dulta’s home. She then vanished, leaving only small sandal footprints marching in the direction of the capital.
The Trap
O ne hundred Fianna men and women gathered outside the main keep in Tara. They stood in casual lines, left to right with Diarmuid in front barking instructions.
“Aire!” he shouted, at first sight of Fionn and Oisin making their way from the barracks. A loud stomp thudded around the yard as the Fianna moved into a more orderly formation.
“Good job. Good job indeed, Oisin has just walk
ed me through all your hard work and vouched that one thousand of the high king’s traps have been set. Each of you have been personally selected to stand guard here at the keep until further notice. Oisin has already made replacements on the City wall. From now on, no one, no animal, nothing gets through that gate without a thorough inspection.” He pointed towards the main entrance into the courtyard and continued, “Our king is on the hunt for a leprechaun, whom we know will come for the prisoners locked in our dungeon. These traps and all of you are what stands in its way. Diarmuid will go through your duties in more detail.”
Fionn made his way back over to the barracks. Before walking inside, he turned to the Fianna one more time. “Oh yes, High King Cormac wanted me to let you know, as a reward he will grant whomever can catch the little sprite whatever they desire.” He smirked at the loud roar his comment received and went inside.
Taiko marched through until mid-morning to reach Tara. Time passed quickly as she churned over everything that had happened. When Ena shared his memories, she saw how Fionn used a special cage to catch him. She figured if he went to so much trouble to capture Tomas’s family and destroy their home then surly he was expecting Ena to come and rescue them. He must have something planned. It seemed quite possible she was walking into a trap. Despite this glaring logic, the more she considered the daunting task ahead her pace quickened and she ground her teeth.
Zashiki Warashi are indeed quite like leprechauns in terms of size, however, there are a few notable differences aside from the darker hair, complexion, and cultural attire. For example, Zashiki Warashi very rarely show their true selves and exist almost entirely in invisible form. Traditionally they only show themselves to those they deem are kind hearted, and therefore pass on good fortune and prosperity by living in their home. Thousands of years infusing magic into their many crafts have afforded leprechauns more flexibility in terms of their magical power set, however, thus far they’ve not yet developed an ability to disappear completely. This could very well render Fionn’s traps useless against Taiko and it was this hope she clung to as she stood outside the gates of Tara.