Chapter Fifteen
Getting Your Bearings

Gerty’s Diner was a mom and pop place just off of State Road 28. They served hot meals for hungry travelers, but to expect fine dining would be a mistake. Brendan selected the eatery because it was off the beaten path—Conchar and his partners would have a hard time finding them. Brendan’s group filled two small booths near the front of the restaurant by some very greasy windows. Brendan wanted a view of the parking lot in case trouble managed to find them after all.

“I’m so sorry,” Dorian said, leaning her head on Brendan’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for everything that’s happened.”

“I know. Me too.” Brendan felt deflated. His dad was gone, his house was gone, and he really didn’t know what to do next.

Meghan sat across from Brendan and Dorian and watched the couple. “You know, I grew up hearing stories about Ruas and wizards and the like, and I always wanted to have some sort of adventure, but I admit it’s not like I thought it would be.”

“I hear that,” Frank agreed from the booth behind Meghan. “I didn’t have all the Celtic stories, but you see movies and read comics and books, and you can’t help but want a little piece of the action. I think I’ve seen enough.”

“The world of myth and magic is part of my everyday life,” Garnash said, hidden in the seat next to Meghan. “And though there are times where you face something like we have, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s the life I know.”

Lizzie had her eyes glued to the images she took of her dad’s notebook and was ignoring the conversation. It seemed like no one there had any idea of what to do next. She would have thought at least Brendan or Dorian would have came up with something, but so far their next move was to regroup at a skuzzy diner. Lizzie, on the other hand, had an idea. She just needed to find that little something so that she could share her plan. Hopefully that little something was in the notebook.

…

A single black throne sat in the middle of Elathan’s tower. It was positioned so that the Bringer of Death could look out through the massive balcony at the world. His throne was also the perfect place to secure his treasures. He stood before it and waved his open hand over the chair’s back. Instantly, a panel opened revealing a storage space. He had already secured the chain and charm that Conchar had retrieved from the Seeker.

He pulled it out and held the two charms out before him. The charms dangled in front of Elathan’s eyes and he admired the painstaking craftsmanship in the little silver trinity knots. Goibniu the Blacksmith of the Otherworld realm Tir na nOg had his soot-covered hands in the majority of powerfully-crafted items of the gods. The same blacksmith had created the obsidian dagger as well as Nuada’s Sword of the Protectors. Giobniu out did himself in creating these charms, Elathan mused.

The charms teemed with power, Elathan could feel it, but the set was not complete. He had one more charm to recover and then he could use Nuada’s charms in ways that his former rival had never imagined.

…

Most of the residents of Corways nervously milled about gathering swords, shields, and armor. Corways had been war-free for quite some time, and they were all anxious about the impending invasion. Even the arrival of two necromancers that were on their side did little to comfort the Leprechauns.

“I am dreading this battle with all of my fiber, but I hate the wait almost as much,” said Rory.

“Aye,” agreed Biddy, currently wingless. “But I wish no war on our people, Rory. Our adventure last year was enough for me.”

Vivian and Brett waved from the center of town where the stage was still raised. Rory and Biddy walked over to them. The Leprechauns leapt onto the stage to be closer to eye level with their new friends.

“What can we expect from the giants?” asked Rory.

Brett and Vivian exchanged somber looks. “The Descendants of Magog are ruthless killers, my friend,” said Brett.

Vivian agreed. “They feel that they are descended from greatness, that they have a higher calling. They blame humanity for their hardships, like many Magicks do, and I would expect them to come hard and fast at us.”

The wizard and witch spoke of the Alphyns and the murdering ways of the giants. Rory took it in stride, but he wished Dorian would get back soon. Bringing Brendan and Lizzie along wouldn’t hurt either.

…

Conchar had handed the notebook to Oscar hours ago, but all the stubborn fool would do was sit and stare into space. Dullahan was an eternal being, but he was quickly losing his patience with the human. What was taking the Seeker so long?

It took another three hours before Oscar reached his hand out to touch the notebook. It took another two hours before he even opened the book. Dullahan watched as Oscar’s eyes poured over every word and picture. The anthropologist turned the pages faster and faster, searching for a clue, for anything that would lead them to the final coffer.

Suddenly, the human shot to his feet and declared, “Corways!”

…

“Ken, somebody at the door wants to talk to you.”

Ken was in the kitchen boiling a pack of ramen noodles when one of the other guys called him to the door. “Watch my ramen, will ya?”

Ken exited the kitchen and found himself face to face with a suit at the door. “Yeah.”

“Kenneth Waits?” the suit asked.

“Yeah, what can I do for you?”

The suit held up his badge and identification. “My name is Detective Simmons and I would like to ask you a few questions about your roommate, Brendan O’Neal.”

Ken began to sweat and his stomach began to turn. “Okay.”

“How long have you known Brendan?” the detective inquired.

“Uh, a month or so.”

“Have you seen any odd behavior from Brendan?”

Ken knew the answer was yes, at least by normal society’s expectations, but it wasn’t true for Brendan’s life. “No, not really.”

“Do you know where I can find him?”

Ken shook his head. “No, I can’t say. He left a day or two ago. He had some sort of family crisis.” Ken knew he was withholding information from the police, but he wasn’t really lying. Brendan did have a family crisis. “What’s this about?”

“We have reason to believe that your roommate and a young woman named Meghan Lloyd may have information about a string of disappearances here at Syracuse University. It’s really important that we speak with them, so if you know how to contact either one of them, then tell them they need to call me.” The detective produced a business card and handed it to Ken.

“Okay. Will do.” Ken held the card up to show that he understood.

“I’ll be in touch, Ken.” Detective Simmons walked away.

Ken needed to contact Brendan.

…

“Bamm!” Lizzie exclaimed.

“You about gave me a heart attack!” Frank said, grabbing his chest. “What’s gotten into you?”

Brendan, Dorian, Meghan, and Garnash turned to face Lizzie. “What are you so excited about?”

“We have to go to Corways,” Lizzie announced.

Dorian and Brendan exchanged looks. “Why do you say that, Liz?” Brendan asked.

“Okay, follow me on this,” Lizzie said as she got up from the booth and pulled a chair from a nearby table over to the end of Brendan’s booth. “I think we’ll have a shot at getting Dad back in Corways.” She placed her cell phone on the table and pointed at an image. “Look.”

Brendan picked up the cell phone and examined the image. “Okay. It’s a picture of a box and a paragraph about Corways. I’m not sure I follow.”

“Last year Dad comes home with a stone coffer as some souvenir, right?” Lizzie waited for him to acknowledge the fact. “Then just before Conchar took him, Dad mentioned that Conchar was an old friend from Ireland. Well, when Frank and I were getting the pictures of the notebook, Conchar mentioned that Dad had helped him out over the past year.”

“That’s true,” Frank said, supporting Lizzie.

“What if Conchar was using Dad to collect the coffers?” It was like Lizzie had dropped a bomb on the group. Their looks were a mix of confusion and contemplation. “Think about it. Why else would Dad both know Conchar and have more than one of these coffers? If there is another explanation then I can’t wait to hear it.” Lizzie looked at the others expectantly, waiting for an opposing view.

“I think she’s right,” Dorian agreed. “It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

Brendan smiled at his little sister. When had she grown to be so smart and mature? Had he been so self-absorbed that he’d missed it? “Okay. Obviously Lizzie, Dorian, Garnash, and I are going to go to Corways, but what about you two?”

Frank nodded his head. “I’ve already got my grandmother taken care of, so I’m available if you guys want my help.”

Lizzie smiled broadly. “Of course we do, but it’s probably going to be very dangerous.”

“Danger is my middle name,” Frank said in jest, but when no one laughed he cleared his throat. “Yeah, I’m in.”

“I’m coming too,” Meghan declared. “If my powers can help in any way then I’m there.”

Lizzie looked around at the group with pride. “We may be too late. Dad may have already been to Corways and found the coffer, but I think it’s the only lead we have.”

“I agree, Lizzie,” Dorian said. “I think it’s the best plan we have.

Brendan paid the bill for the group and they exited Gerty’s. He got within twenty feet of his car when his cell phone vibrated indicating that he received a text. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and saw that it was from Ken. It read: Cops asking about U & Meg. Talking about ppl vanishing. B careful!