*** The White Pony Inn ***

Sinéad, Clíodhna and Taibhse arrived at the tavern in Rahan just as the sun slipped behind the mountains. "What a beautiful place," remarked Sinéad. "Oh, you think?" replied Clíodhna. "Well, let’s get you inside and fix you up with the best room in the house." She grinned as she led the way.

Inside, Clíodhna introduced Sinéad to her gorgeous mother, Orlaith, and her younger sister Éabha, a beautiful fifteen-year-old with a personality to match. They were thrilled to meet Clíodhna’s new friend and were clearly amazed by her appearance.

"Alright, miss," Clíodhna said with a laugh. "Time for a bath and a change of clothes. We both smell like Rógaire. Then it’ll be dinner time."
When the girls came downstairs and entered the dining room, it was empty. But it was only five-thirty, so they had it all to themselves, except, of course, for one person. Yes, you guessed it: Leo, the Ranger.

He was sitting at one of the largest tables in the room, which was already set for six people. Since Clíodhna had already told Sinéad who he was, they walked over, pulled out two chairs, and sat down.

Sinéad introduced herself to Leo, figuring Clíodhna didn’t need an introduction. She got straight to the point.

Leo was surprised at how much Sinéad already knew. "Well, of course you do," he said with a smirk."You’ve got a blabbermouth like Clíodhna with you."
Orlaith came over to take their orders. The girls already knew what they wanted, but Leo just asked for another pint of Guinness. "You shouldn’t eat on an empty stomach," he joked.

After dinner, Sinéad ordered some more wine and three glasses of Tullamore Dew. Leo’s eyes lit up. Sinéad thought he wasn’t that bad, though he’d be a lot better if he would talk to her face and not her cleavage. She also noticed that he seemed to have lost all interest in Clíodhna and her sister. Just as well, she thought. Pervert.

Leo launched into a wild rant about Druids, Vampires, and a House in the Woods that no sane person would go near. That made Sinéad sit up straight. "Go on," she said, eyes sparkling. "Tell me more."

Then came the coin part. Sinéad handed Leo a small bag without even looking inside. She already knew there’d be a catch. Leo put it away and started to tell her about a Druid/Elf woman named Méabh, who was also a very powerful Mage. He claimed she could turn you into a fence post if you even looked at her the wrong way. "Bitch," he added with a nasty grin.

He ranted on about a beautiful young woman who had supposedly been cured of vampirism, thanks to Méabh and the help of a young wolf, who she had named Taibhse. The Mage had also blessed the young wolf and told him that Clíodhna was now his new mother, giving him the power to protect her always.

Clíodhna interrupted, wide-eyed. "I haven’t heard this version before..." But then she nodded. "I did bring Taibhse to Méabh. I rescued him from one of Leo’s bloody traps in the woods. He was only about three months old at the time and very badly injured; I couldn’t find his mother anywhere. She had probably abandoned him."

Clíodhna said she hadn’t seen anyone else in the house at the time, only Méabh, who she’d known for years and loved dearly "Don’t worry baby girl," Méabh had told her."I will heal your beautiful little friend."

Clíodhna returned a week or so later to check on the pup, and to her delight, he came bounding to meet her at the gate. "His name is Taibhse," Méabh called out. Clíodhna was overjoyed. The pup was fit and healthy, without a single mark on him. He clearly loved her, thanks to Méabh’s beautiful magic. We’ve been inseparable ever since.

Clíodhna turned her attention to Leo, her tone sharp now. "You know what? I’ve made it my mission in life to spring every one of your bloody traps, whenever and wherever I find them. And you should be ashamed of yourself! She glared at him. "You’re a disgusting excuse for a human being, hurting animals like that. And, what you tried to do to me, that’s why Taibhse almost ate your face!"

She leaned in, voice low and threatening. "You’re lucky I didn’t tell my mother. She would’ve poisoned your Guinness and dumped you in the bog down the road." Sinéad, was very unimpressed,

With the tension finally cooling, Éabha stood at the table, flute in hand, a smile lighting up her pretty face. "I’d like to play my favourite tune in the whole world," she announced. "For Sinéad, It’s called Whispering Wind." She raised the flute to her lips. "Take it away, Éabha..."


To Be Continued...



Éabha……. Ey-Va Irish for Eve... Mother of all living things.

Orlaith……. Orla... Meaning... Golden Princess

Méabh……. Mave... Meaning... "Intoxicating"

Léon……. (Leo) Le-ohn... Meaning... Lion