My stomach twisted in protest, but I started pulling off my gloves, preparing to touch the golden coin. It was stamped with a harlequin wearing a jester hat, similar to those seen on Mardi Gras party favors. The smiling, masked face was supposed to look festive, but it filled me with dread. It was as if the harlequin was laughing at me, a fool about to risk her sanity for information.
“What you find?” Marvin asked, squinting at the coin.
“I’m not sure, but it might be a clue,” I said. “It looks like an arcade token.”
He looked at my bare hands, now shaking in my lap. I tried to brace them against my thighs, but it made my teeth chatter, so I gave up. I was scared, and the kid should probably know that.
“You touch?” Marvin asked. “Get vision.”
“Yes, at least, I’m going to try,” I said. “Um, Marvin? If I start screaming, stick a sock in mouth. If I pass out, go get Kaye.”
I took off my boot and handed Marvin my remaining sock. At least I was symmetrical now. The kid clutched my sock and nodded sagely. He was taking his role seriously, good.
I reached forward and picked up the gold token, now warm from sitting in the sun. The heat of the day vanished as chill water covered my skin. I was looking out through the eyes of an each uisge and I didn’t like what I saw.
A man was tethered to a barnacle encrusted pylon, wrapped in heavy iron chains. His skin sizzled from the iron and the smell of burning meat met my sensitive nose…and venomous drool poured from between my lips. No, not my nose and lips, these belonged to the each uisge, but it was already difficult to tell the difference. The each uisge moved toward the injured man, licking his fangs, hungering for the flesh that he could not have, and quivering at the anticipation of the torture he was allowed to inflict.
I screamed wishing there was a way to end the vision, an off switch for my talent, when I was suddenly blinking up into Marvin’s worried face. He was holding the arcade token in one of his large hands. Told you he was a smart kid.
Panting, I rolled over and heaved up the coffee and toast I’d had for breakfast. Marvin was watching me and started wringing his hands. He looked concerned, and scared.
“Sorry, Ivy,” Marvin said.
“You did good, kid,” I said. “That was a seriously bad vision and there was no way for me to make it stop. You probably just saved my life.” Definitely my sanity.
He shuffled his feet, but looked pleased. Gee, he was probably worried that I’d be mad at him for abruptly ending my vision.
I started to get up, but didn’t make it far before sitting back down with a thud. Everything was spinning, forming a kaleidoscopic combination of sky, bushes, and pixies. And Marvin had a twin who was miming his every move. It might have been entertaining if my stomach wasn’t trying to match the spinning movements of the sky.
Marvin may have removed the token from my hand, ending the vision, but I had seen enough to fill a lifetime of nightmares. The sensation of drooling in hungry anticipation of committing torture lingered. Getting inside the mind of a sick and twisted each uisge was no joyride. I needed a minute to catch my breath, and put my head back on straight.
Double Marvin disappeared, returning a moment later with a daisy that he lay on the ground beside me. Smart and sweet, he’ll be a real lady killer once his facial injuries heal. He was going to be fighting the girl trolls away.
*****
After a short break, I stumbled to my feet and we headed north toward a section of marsh where Jenny Greenteeth, one of the local water hags, was rumored to live. She wasn’t known for her hospitality, but I hoped that I could persuade her to share any information she may have regarding the each uisge. If we had time, then I’d also call upon Peg Powler of the Trees. But Peg’s grove was further upriver, so Jenny was first on my list.
Water hags may not like humans, unless they’re being served for dinner, but a pack of bloodthirsty fae encroaching on their territory was bound to piss them off. Hopefully that would make us allies, for a time. If that didn’t work, then I was putting my faith in Marvin’s intimidating size to make the hags pause before trying to eat us. It might just give us time to run away. Maybe.
No one ever said my plan was foolproof.
The walk from the bridge to the marsh was unpleasant. Heat and fear sapped my patience and I swore an oath to send a letter to the parks and recreation department about trail maintenance after stumbling, not once but twice, over loose rocks and exposed tree roots along the gravel path.
After about a half mile of following designated walking trails, we left the path and wandered deeper into tall grasses and thickets of rosa rugosa. The narrow trails we had left now seemed like highways paved with gold, by comparison. Blades of saw grass and thorns of sea roses grabbed at my legs, leaving bleeding scratches that attracted the unwanted attention of nearby mosquitoes. Brambles and insects didn’t seem to bother Marvin, but I was ruing the decision to wear a skirt.
Things didn’t improve much when we reached the marsh. A haze hung over land dotted with pools of water and deadly patches of wet sand that could swallow a person whole. I pinched my nose at the stench of the place, the air thick with salt brine, rotting sea life, and vegetation. Marvin chuckled and walked on, careful to stick to the solid ground that continued to sprout prickly bushes and the sharp blades of fen-sedge.
I watched as a sea bird swooped down to pluck a clam from an area of wet sand, breaking the monotonous background hum of insects as it cracked the shell against a nearby rock. I turned away, feeling queasy, as the bird removed the small piece of pink flesh from its shell pulling it into its mouth. There is no place safe to hide when a predator designed to hunt you down and eat you is set on your destruction.
I hurried forward, taking the lead, thankful to leave the bird and its meal behind. Dunes rose in the distance, bright beneath the sun. It was a relief to finally be reaching an area of shifting scenery. Even the air held a promise of cool, clean ocean waters.
We were nearing a tidal area, where storms had left deposits of seaweed and driftwood, and the river had cut deep troughs through the sand on its way to meet the sea. Veering to the left, I decided to take the easier route around. Lush greenery grew here, close to the water’s edge. After the tall reeds and bushes, the section of low lying ground cover was a blessing. Busy swatting stinging gnats, who had joined the mosquitoes swarming my arms and legs, I stumbled into Marvin.
How did he get in front of me so fast?
“Wait,” Marvin said, raising a halting hand.
He poked a long piece of driftwood at the ground in front of me and I was amazed to see a stagnant pond revealed below a layer of green vegetation. What had appeared to be a field of clover and moss turned out to be a web of lily pads, duckweed, and frog’s-bit. As I watched, slime covered plants moved back together, their floating roots and leaves intertwining, hiding the murky waters below.
If it wasn’t for Marvin’s keen sight, I would now be immersed in those dark waters, trapped beneath a thick layer of plants that blocked out the sun, and all chance for survival. Drowning in that filthy water would be a horrible way to die. I took another step back, distancing myself from the watery grave. I owed Marvin a lot of sweet maple syrup and honey. Heck, I should buy the kid an entire candy store.
Eerie laughter bubbled up from the water to my right and I edged closer to Marvin. A slime covered head rose to meet the phlegm-filled cackling. As the hag continued to rise, rust colored water and green strings of algae dripped from her long, straggly hair. It hung in sickly clumps, exposing patches of corpse-gray skin that clung too tightly to her skull. Her laughter trickled to an end as she laid eyes on us and a fiendish grin spread across her lined face. Thin blue lips pulled back to bare sharp, green fangs.
We had found our water hag, Jenny Greenteeth.
It was no wonder how she had come by the name. Her mouth was filled with crooked, overlapping, green teeth resembling a jumble of moss and lichen covered bones, not unlike the mass grav
e that likely lay at the bottom of her pool. This dentistry nightmare was framed by a pair of impressive fangs.
Well, at least she was smiling. The view was horrifying, but it was something. I lifted my chin and put a steely courage that I did not feel into my voice.
“We have come offering information and requesting the same in return,” I said.
“She says she has information,” Jenny muttered.
“Eat the girl.”
“No, listen to her…then chew on her bones.”
“ Hush, you’ll frighten the child.”
Great, Jenny appeared to be crazy. I suppose it made sense. I would have gone insane too, if I had to live in a pool filled with the remains of my dinner. I imagine it must be a bit like wallowing in a dumpster filled with old burger wrappers, but really wet and containing a lot more bones.
“No eat,” Marvin said, frowning. “Talk.”
“Yes, we just want to discuss the recent activity of the each uisge,” I said. “We suspect that they are planning to invade our city. Have they set foot in your territory?”
“Each uisge in our marsh?” Jenny asked. “They wouldn’t dare.”
“Are you blind? Saw them clear as day.”
“Skinny horses didn’t look appetizing, but the girl looks tasty.”
“Such a…sweet girl.”
A swollen, grub-like tongue darted out to lick at black silt and clay that oozed from the side of her mouth.
It seemed that I was losing the battle between the voices in Jenny’s head. Too many of them wanted to eat me, and those filthy green fangs made me reluctant to give them a taste of my fist. No, I needed information not a staph infection.
If the voices were being truthful, then Jenny had seen the each uisge. I just needed to jog her memory.
“Did a large, black horse come through your marsh?” I asked. “You may not have realized that it was an each uisge, from a distance…”
“Of course I know what an each uisge looks like,” Jenny said. “I was riding each uisge before you were born.”
“Braggart.”
“She makes it sounds so easy, but we’re lucky to have our skin.”
“Do pay attention. She’s asking you a question.”
She rode an each uisge? Well, wasn’t that just dandy? The very idea was totally freaky, and more than a little terrifying. If I had to put money on whether or not anyone, fae included, could ride an each uisge and survive, I would have bet no. I knew the water hags were older than dirt, but it was easy to forget the power that they were able to wield. I would do well to remember that, and try not to make her angry.
“That’s…impressive,” I said. Perhaps playing to her vanity would work. It was worth a try. “I have never heard of anyone taming such a creature. You must be a very talented rider.”
“Oh, yes,” Jenny said, hand fluttering to her face. “I was one of the best water riders in Mab’s court. Each uisge, hippocampi, kelpies, mermen…I rode them all.”
Ewww…that sounded so wrong, especially coming from a green toothed hag.
“Not this story again.”
“Those were the days.”
“It’s sad that The Queen no longer holds court. Mab always did know how to throw a party.”
She knew Queen Mab? Jenny was definitely older than dirt.
The faerie king and queens disappeared centuries ago. The disappearance of the heads of both courts, Seelie and Unseelie, has caused wild speculation amongst the magic community. No one knows where they went or why, except for their royal highnesses. Some claim that they have all gone into hiding, deep in the bowels of the world, to avoid frequent assassination attempts at court. Others whisper that the faerie monarchs have left our world entirely, following in the footsteps of the Queen of Elphame who led the elves from this land long ago. One thing is for sure, they have not been seen by fae or man in over three hundred years.
They may be absent from their thrones, but Oberon, Titania, and Mab still rule over the Otherworld. Their word is law, and somehow royal missives continue to reach the hands of loyal retainers and knights of the realm. Over time, absence of the royals has become part of the peculiar Byzantine workings of the fae courts.
The Otherworld, a magic place between human occupied earth and the fiery pits of Hell, is dominated by faerie creatures of every possible shape, size, and temperament. The fae are split into two groups, Seelie and Unseelie, each with its own kingdom and ruled by the royalty of its court.
Oberon and Titania rule over the Seelie court in the verdant heart of the summer kingdom while Mab rules over the Unseelie court deep within the dark reaches of winter. The fae courts are as different as night and day, but they are both a place of immense power within the Otherworld. That power, the excesses natural to faeries, and the decadence of court life make each court a place of extreme danger and wanton extravagance.
Neither domain is safe for humans.
The summer kingdom may be lovely at first sight, but the majestic trees, lush vegetation, and blooming flowers are often just as likely to drain you of your blood as the fae lurking within their leafy branches. Titania herself has a reputation for dallying with her human servants only to reward them by wrapping them in poisonous vines which slowly squeeze the life from their bodies, then revive them with her magic.
And the Seelie court faeries are the good guys.
The fae of Mab’s domain are often walking horrors, dark and twisted, but at least you know to run away. Whether you are able to, is another story. Playing with humans is a favorite sport of the fae and they are very, very good at it. They’ve had millennia to perfect the art of luring unwilling souls, and the games of torment that follow such imprisonment. The Unseelie court is particularly adept at breaking the minds of their human pets.
The fact that Jenny had spent time at the Unseelie court, and in Mab’s presence, made me especially wary.
“The each uisge should know their place then and not invade the territory of such an esteemed member of Mab’s circle,” I said. “I am sorry to have troubled you with my questions.”
I bowed at the waist and began slowly backing away. Marvin tilted his head, giving me a sidelong look, and raised his brow quizzically. I gave him a quick nod to follow my lead.
“Wait,” Jenny said, holding up a skeletal hand.
Well, color me pixed. We almost made it out of here in one piece. I stopped in my tracks and prayed she hadn’t decided to have us for dinner. It would be no mystery what, or rather who, would be on the menu.
I swallowed past the lump forming in my throat and tried to look subservient. It wasn’t easy. My natural appearance is more of a defensive scowl or glare to keep people at a distance, but I made the effort to look sweet and unthreatening. Judging by the quirk of Marvin’s lips, I probably just managed to look constipated.
“Yes, ma’am,” I said.
I didn’t enjoy groveling, but if it meant getting out of here safely with the kid, I’d do some grade-A bootlicking. Sycophant, thy name is Ivy.
“I have seen the wretched beasts lurking about,” Jenny said, pinching her nose and squeezing her eyes shut tight. “If I could just remember when…”
“Well, that isn’t likely. You can’t remember where you’ve put your shoes, and we live in a mud puddle. It’s not like there’s a lot of places you could you have left them.”
“It was during the full moon, silly.”
“She’s right. We could see the beasts clear as day, though it had to be going on midnight when they passed through.”
“The each uisge were here during the full moon?” I asked. That coincided with Ceffyl Dŵr’s disappearance. “Did they have a man with them?”
“I don’t know what you are all talking about,” Jenny said, throwing her hands up in the air.
“Yes, a handsome kelpie man.”
“Wouldn’t mind riding that one…”
“He was a fine specimen of kelpie masculinity, all rippling muscles…and the smell of fear com
ing from him was like exquisite cologne.”
All of Jenny’s personalities seemed aquiver over Ceffyl Dŵr. They may not have given the each uisge much notice, but the kelpie king had definitely attracted attention.
“Did they happen to mention where they were taking the handsome kelpie man?” I asked.
“I don’t remember…” Jenny said.
“His wrists were bound with rope and tethered to each uisge guards who were laughing, bragging that soon he would be wrapped in chains of iron.”
“They mentioned a place with lots of lights and music, said that even if they gave him the freedom to speak, that where they were going no one would hear his screams.”
“Two were discussing a human amusement where children ride in circles on false horses.”
Huh, apparently the kelpie king had made quite the impression. They, or rather Jenny, had remembered a lot. I already knew from my psychic vision that the each uisge had chained Ceffyl Dŵr in iron, a cruel way to torture any pure-blood fae. The gold token that I received the vision from came from an arcade. The mention of lights, music, and carousel ride, seemed to indicate that they were heading for an amusement park, like the one at the pier.
We had a definite lead on where to find the kelpie king. Now we just needed to escape Jenny Greenteeth before she remembered her hunger for human flesh.
The mention of children had put a wicked gleam in her eye. If the old folktales were to be believed, water hags preferred their food young and tender. I had often thought the stories of Jenny Greenteeth and Peg Powler grabbing children by the ankles and pulling them into the water, where they eat their flesh and gnaw on their bones, a cautionary tale to keep wayward kids from venturing too close to the water’s edge. But perhaps there was some truth to the tales that went beyond basic water safety.
“Uh, thanks, we’ll just be going now,” I said. “Do you have any messages for the attractive kelpie man?”
“An attractive man?” Jenny said, preening.
“It’s not likely the each uisge will let him live, but if they do, I want what’s left of him.”
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