Isle of the Faeries

Predators of the Sea

Sidhe that are mentioned in this chapter:

Selkies - They're seaside faeries native to the Hebrides and northern Scottish islands. They appear as seals with some human characteristics, but legend says that they can shed their sealskin and appear with perfect male or female forms which are very alluring to young men and women. Their attitude and intent towards humans is an incomplete and foggy picture.

Just a side note, since these are mythological creatures I take some creative liberty with how they look and behave. 

Breena

      As per the long tradition of the island school is out for the Tráth; though over the last twenty years the death counts during the Tráth have decreased schools still let out to allow children to be with their families. We have a routine down within couple weeks of Fiona being out of school, I graduated last year so it is really only Fiona whose routine changes. Declan and I get the morning chores done, Fiona makes breakfast. Fiona and I drop off the goods we have and I run my paper route, Declan and Fiona work in Rell in the afternoon, I make sure the animals are locked in and fed. When I can I take Caleo out for a ride a piece of me hoping to see the dark boy on his Aughisky. The Fey cause some trouble but nothing worse than a couple smashed pots, for our first Tráth of the Fey alone we are doing well. But still October thirty first looms over us silently like a black cloud.

      The sky is cloudy but bright, it won't rain today. Declan drives into Rell early, the MacFarlane's son Grady disappeared two nights ago leading some tourists to the shoreline on a Fey hunt to make some extra money, he hasn't been seen since and someone needs to cover his shift. Fiona goes with him; she's been earning a decent amount of money helping Marta at the Iron Bells with the influx of customers that come with the tourist season.

      Caleo and I ride out for the beach, she's settled into the Tráth but she is still more watchful than in spring of summer. My back pack bumps between my shoulder blades as we trot along towards the beach. It is getting cool, my sweater dwarfs me, it is actually my brother's spare, Fiona has mine since she outgrew hers. When we reach the cliffs the tide is receding, there are two figures in the shallows. One is Kean, I can tell by the ridged posture and his still calm. The other looks to be a woman standing deeper in the chilly water, up to her waist, she is leaning toward him wearing only a cloak over her shoulders. Caleo snorts at the sight of her tensing, a Selkie.

      The Selkie begins walking her fingers up Kean's arm, even from this height I can see the webbing between her long pale fingers. Kean shrugs her off making a small hand gesture, she crosses her arms across her chest, they appeared to be arguing but the sea breeze blows their voices away. Much to my surprise the Selkie simply turns, flips up her hood, and a seal slips under the water. Kean looks out to the horizon for a moment before turning up the collar on his jacket and stepping out of the water, his pants soaked to the knee.

      Caleo and I pick our way down the sandy path to the water, Kean is leaning against the cliff in the shadows when we reach the sandy stretch. Worry is etched on his face and he chews on his thumb nail deep in thought. I just want to know how he was able to get away from that Selkie.

      Selkies while usually benevolent are known for seducing and drowning young men at this time of year, they are irresistible. So how did he get so close to one, have a conversation with one even and not end up with a lung full of saltwater. I dismount, ride currently forgotten, and make my way over to him curiously.

      He is so still he seems almost part of the cliffs themselves. When he sees me he nods an acknowledgement which I take as permission to stand beside him.

      We lean against the dark cliff sides in silence for several moments. I reach into my backpack, I brought some food for a picnic lunch on the beach, I pull out two of Marta's ginger cookies and offer one to him. He takes it with a flicker of a smile crossing his lips.

      After a few minutes of quiet munching I ask, "How did you do it?"

      "Do what?"

      "How did you get away from that Selkie?" I try not to let the curiosity burn through my voice. Judging by the smirk on his face I fail.

      "I didn't get away, I offended her and she left. She thought I had called her for something else."

      My brow furrowed, called her why would anyone in their right mind call a Selkie? The question is out of my mouth before I can really think about it, but it seems to amuse him slightly.

      "I had questions for her, about Grady MacFarlane," his mouth tugs down in a frown.

      "He's been missing," I say stating the obvious.

      "He drowned, a Formorian got him by the shore, the tide was coming in and when he had his back turned, it grabbed him." Kean closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose, "What am I supposed to tell his parents? I've done this so many times yet I never know how."

      I don't quite know what to say to this strange boy, "You ride a Water Horse and interrogate the Selkies, you should be dead twice over, who are you?"

      His eyes search me, sharp, dark and curious, "I'm Kean Donoghue, and I should dead at least twenty times over but I am a Keeper. As for the Selkie, she wouldn't dare cross me. You who insists on risking the fury of the Aughisky and Selkie and sea Fey by riding along the shore in September, who are you?"

      His question surprises me, I am just me, "I am Breena Rowan and I ride where I please."

      "Well then Breean Rowan, it was nice making your acquaintance, thanks for the cookie," With those parting words he shrugs off the cliff and strides off down the beach with his hands jammed in his jacket pockets. Leaving me with Caleo nudging my pockets for treats and a boatload of unanswered questions.

      With news of Grady's death I no longer feel like riding, my mind is too abuzz to focus on the feel of Caleo and getting her round and using herself. So instead of spending the afternoon mincing through the sand and splashing through the surf I untie my boots and roll up my jeans to step onto frigid water. Caleo follows me warily, her ears twitching picking up every little sound. The salt water feels good on my blistered feet, my eyes close, my hand runs over Caleo's neck.

      I hear a hoof hitting the pebbles nearby, a snort and a low growl. Caleo tenses under my hand her head jerks up, the hair on the back of my neck rises, prickling almost painfully. Slowly I turn dread sitting like a rock in my stomach.

      I am being lax, on the beach alone with my eyes closed shin deep in the water in the middle of September, I am asking for trouble. Behind us just ten feet away was on the pebbly sand stands a dark bay Aughisky, its neck arched predatory, its nostrils flaring taking in our scent. It let out a roaring shriek, Caleo and I stand still as the cliffs but there is no hiding, it sees us, we are its prey. Wide eyed I back a step into the surf, than another, it paws the ground its teeth bared in a way Caleo never would.

      The silent standoff ends in a flurry of motion; Caleo rears squealing in terror and takes off for the path to the cliffs spraying me with water. I am momentarily blind with salt water I can't even see the Aughisky move until it's almost on top of me, it has singled me out as its prey not bothering to chase after Caleo.

       Its eyes flash rippling like a stormy sea as it closes in. Its steps are slow and restrained, it knows I am no match for it, it dares me to run. I will not give it the satisfaction, I stare it in the eye trying to seem brave while my knees shake like jelly. The Aughisky crouches ready to pounce, I will not see tomorrow, I close my eyes I do not want its teeth to me the last thing I see.

      There is a splash and I am knocked off my feet into water, bubbles rush around me, my head hits a rock, I hear singing and everything goes black.