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The party made its way to the coppice of trees that were said to be Duke Huelmer’s exclusive property. They’d learned there was a lot more to the restricted grove of trees and the delicate balance between Polayney, the immortal wood nymph, and the rulers of Three Hills City.
The late breakfast of corn cakes and honey sat like a brick in Glenn’s stomach. It wasn’t that the duke’s guards might catch the party entering the restricted stand of trees. They entered from the river’s side, careful that nobody might spot them. Glenn’s gnomish instincts tickled his thoughts, suggesting they were being followed. Nobody else sensed it, not even Stephi and her fairy senses, supplemented by Petie. Derek’s deriding laugh settled it. The gnome was being paranoid.
In any case, the goal wasn’t to remain among the trees for long. And facing the leprechaun worried Glenn far more than the duke’s men.
Sure, this time Ron and Derek were there. Ron had the silver dagger made by the silversmith while they were away, and Derek had his magical sword. They could hurt the leprechaun. But so much was on the line for Stephi. Heck, things could end up being even worse. How? Glenn couldn’t imagine. And that’s what had his stomach tied in a knot.
When they got to the spot near the center of the coppice where the leprechaun, Bataí Fidil na Maidine, and his pot of gold had originally appeared, Ron said, “Kalgore and I shall conceal ourselves behind those two trees.” He pointed to a pair of large yew trees. “Summon the leprechaun using the name he provided. Kalgore and I shall monitor, and respond as might be required.”
“More like ‘shall be required,’” Kirby said with a gloomy certainty. His mood was in stark contrast to the sunny day that shown down into the sunlit area before them.
That Kirby was worried things wouldn’t go well had to be upsetting to Stephi, Glenn thought. Heck, it made him feel worse.
Derek looked from the hole in the foliage above to the twelve-foot diameter patch of sunlit grass before them. The green area extended another fifteen feet before becoming lightly wooded. Logically there shouldn’t be a hole in the canopy, but there was. To nobody in particular, the big warrior said, “The leprechaun wants his coin back as much as Flutter Wings Barbie wants to be an elf again.” He drew his sword from its scabbard strapped across his back. “This time he won’t be so cocky...” The warrior spun his sword in a series of fancy slashing attacks. “Not when he sees this.”
“Whatever, dude,” Kirby said. Then he glanced to his left at Stephi fluttering eye-level next to him. “It’s gonna work out, Marigold. Just not as easy as Kalgore thinks.”
Stephi said, “I hope so, my little man.” She sighed. “I hope so.”
Kirby looked to his right, making eye contact with Glenn. “Remember, Jax, you and Marigold have to do the talking. You’re sort of fae, so he’ll be more honest dealing with you.”
“We already have a deal,” Stephi said.
Derek slid his sword back into its scabbard. “Like Lysine said, it ain’t a done deal until it’s done.”
Stephi’s hands went to her hips. “Lysine didn’t say that.”
Glenn stepped forward. “Let’s not argue and just get this done and over with.” He wondered why Ron hadn’t stepped in to stop things. “Okay?”
“Agreed,” Ron said. He signaled to Derek and led him back behind the trees.
Once they were out of sight, Kirby said, “You get in between us, Marigold, and then say his name.” He checked his bandoleer of darts. “Don’t show you’re scared. If you have to, pretend you’re arguing with Kalgore.”
Stephi gave a half smile, which blossomed into a full one. “I can do that.”
“Cool.”
Stephi took her position between the half-goblin thief and gnome healer. “You ready, Jax?”
Glenn put on a stern look. “I am.”
“Okay,” Stephi said, her voice ending in a nervous higher pitch. She turned her gaze up to the opening in the trees. “Bata Fidil!”