It turned out that Maeve did indeed have a huntsman on her staff. She arranged for Kelly and I to meet him the following day around noon.

We were in the study once again, Kelly and Maeve and me, seated at one of the small tables near the fire. Servants brought us refreshments, there were drinks and snacks laid out, and the three of us enjoyed a light lunch as we waited.

Eventually Siobhan brought the man in, then closed the door so that the five of us could speak in confidence.

Maeve's huntsman looked almost exactly like I'd imagined he would, based on various fairy-tale movies. It was hard not to smile, to be honest.

He appeared to be in his mid-forties, in human terms. He had long ragged black hair that was streaked with grey, and unlike every other fae man I'd seen, this one had stubble on his face. Like his hair it was dark but greying. He wore tall soft black leather boots, dark brown trousers, and a brown shirt. Overtop of that was a long black woollen coat, and finally a wide-brimmed black hat finished off the outfit.

In addition to the stubble, his face had a slightly rough look to it, like he was a guy who did not believe in skin care, especially not moisturizing. He looked around with his eyes sort of narrowed, like he was suspicious of everything and everyone. His eyes were bright blue, and despite his slightly odd appearance he looked sharp and smart. I was certain nothing escaped his notice.

Siobhan handled the introductions, "Lady Tegan, miss Kelly, this is Feichin, huntsman for Lady Maeve."

Feichin lifted his hat and bowed slightly, then set the hat back on his head. His voice sounded kind of low and grizzled, as he greeted all three of us, "M'ladies. To what do I owe this honour?"

Maeve stated, "We wish to discuss the matter of the beast which stalks the great western forest."

The huntsman just nodded slightly as he listened. He stood in a relaxed pose, he didn't have the posture of a soldier. His arms hung by his sides and his legs were apart slightly. His expression seemed almost bored, like he had better things to do than stand about in a posh castle listening to a bunch of aristocratic women. Not that I got the impression he was hostile towards us or that he disliked us, just that he didn't find us that interesting.

My fae-mom continued, "My daughter Tegan has an idea on how to resolve that problem, and she will require your assistance."

Feichin's eyes flicked to me and he nodded slightly, that he was listening.

I took a deep breath and stated, "I'm told that if the beast tastes my blood, the curse will be lifted. I thought if we could maybe use an animal as bait, spread some of my blood on it, and set a sort of trap... The beast would attack the animal, taste my blood, and that might break the curse."

The huntsman showed no reaction as he watched and listened. After a few moments he asked, "And you'd want to be there, present in the woods, to witness this?"

"Yes," I nodded. "I was thinking there'd be a few of us there, so when the curse was broken we'd be able to help Lord Connor."

Feichin watched me for another moment, then he took a deep breath and stated "Girl, you're insane and that would be a quick path to an early grave for all involved." Then on his second breath he told Maeve, "I'll do it. I'll take the girl and two soldiers. Give me two days to make the preparations."

Kelly and I were both surprised by his reaction. His bluntness with me was the first surprise, I think apart from Liam he's the first person here who wasn't all polite and deferential to me. And his apparent eagerness to accept my idea caught me off-guard, I was sure he was going to flat-out refuse after he said it would be suicide.

Maeve seemed less surprised by the man's behaviour, perhaps she was used to his eccentricities.

She looked to Siobhan, but before she could ask the guard captain stated "I volunteer, m'lady. I'll speak with my soldiers and find a second volunteer."

"What about me?" Kelly asked nervously.

"Sorry child," Feichin replied. "The fewer heads on the block the better, so unless you're a trained soldier or have some other critical survival skills, best you stay safe within the castle walls."

He added with a glance at me, "We'll face enough of a challenge keeping this one alive, we don't need a second lamb following us to the slaughter."

Maeve then looked at me and asked, "Must you be involved in this, Tegan? Would it not be better for you to remain safe with Kelly and I? You will already be providing the blood, I see no reason to risk your neck as well."

I sighed, but said "I think I need to be there. I know the beast is resistant to magic, but perhaps it won't be resistant to me."

I didn't want to tell them my real reasoning. I didn't think they'd understand. And I suspected Maeve would refuse if I told her the truth. The bottom line was these people would be out risking their lives because of my idea. I felt I had to be there, I had to put myself on the line if I was expecting other people to do that for me.

Maeve watched me for a few moments as she thought it through, then finally nodded "Very well." She looked to Siobhan and Feichin and stated, "I'm trusting my child's life to you both. Make your preparations, anything you need you will have. Keep Tegan safe."

The captain bowed slightly, the huntsman just shrugged, "We'll keep the child alive as best we can, m'lady. You know as well as the captain and me what it is we're up against."

Then he turned and left, without waiting to be dismissed.

"Thank you Siobhan," Maeve said quietly. "That will be all for now."

With another bow, the captain turned and exited as well, following Feichin out of the study.

• • • • •

The next two days passed relatively slowly for me and Kelly. There weren't many preparations for me to make, though Feichin had a few instructions for me. I was told not to change my clothes for two days, and not to bathe during that time either. The idea being, my clothes would end up smelling very strongly of me by the time we set out.

After lunch on the day of our hunt, I was given a small backpack and a whole new outfit. I was told to put my dirty clothes in the pack, wash thoroughly, then dress in the clothing that had been provided.

After I'd washed but before I got dressed, Siobhan came to our room with a young woman. She was carrying a little bag and I was told she was here to perform the bloodletting.

She sat me down in one of the chairs by the window, and Kelly sat on the bed where she could watch without seeing it too closely.

The procedure was quick, the girl seemed to know what she was doing. Happily there was very little pain, and afterwards she healed my arm with a spell. When she was all done, she left me with both a small fist-sized bladder full of blood, and a glass vial containing more of my blood.

Siobhan told me to put both in my little pack, along with my dirty clothes. Then I was free to dress, while the captain left to make her own preparations.

My new outfit was unlike anything I'd seen worn in the castle so far, with the exception of Feichin's get-up. It wasn't the same, but similar to how he'd been dressed when Kelly and I met him.

Ontop of a set of standard silk undergarments, I had a pair of brown trousers that felt like thick suede. They were soft, but felt thick and protective. A dark green blouse made of silk tucked into the trousers, and on my feet were a pair of black leather boots. They were knee-high, and sturdy but flexible. The finish on the boots was matte, so they wouldn't give off any reflections.

Next I put on a heavy leather jacket. Like the pants it was made of some kind of thick suede, and was a darker shade of brown. It also had panels of harder, thicker leather stitched and riveted in various strategic locations, to offer additional protection.

A belt went overtop of that, and from it hung a sheath containing a long, sharp dagger. Though I suspected if the beast got close enough for me to stick it with a knife, I'd probably already be dead. On my back I had my little backpack full of smelly clothes and blood.

Finally a wide-brimmed dark brown hat completed the outfit.

Kelly and I were both nervous as I got dressed and ready. She was pacing a little, I forced myself to stay calm.

"You be careful out there!" she said for the tenth time. "I mean it! Don't do anything stupid, don't take risks. Do what the others tell you, they're the experts."

I smiled, "I know Kelly. I'll be safe, I promise."

Siobhan returned to collect me before dinner. She was now dressed very much like I was. Though in addition to a knife, she also had a sword hanging from her belt, and a bow and quiver of arrows were slung across her back.

Kelly and I both followed the captain, and we wound up down in the courtyard near the castle gate. Feichin was there waiting, along with another man. Maeve was there too, to see us off.

Feichin looked like he had when we met the other day, though today he had a bow with him. I didn't see a sword, but he probably had a knife under his long coat.

Siobhan introduced the other man as Ruadhan. He was young, he looked about my age. He had short red hair, dark blue eyes, and some freckles across his cheeks. He was nearly as tall as Siobhan, and had broad shoulders, he looked sturdy and brave. And apparently he was a good soldier. The captain at least felt he was up to the task we faced. Like Siobhan, Ruadhan was armed with dagger, sword, and bow.

Looking at the four of us, we were all wearing similar outfits, all in muted earth-tone colours. I felt like we were a party of all rogues. Though I figured, in truth we were one rogue, one mage, and two damage-dealers.

I stayed quiet for now, and did my best to look brave. Or at least calm.

Both Kelly and Maeve appeared nervous. Kelly was showing it more, while my fae-mom was trying to look brave and calm, same as me.

Maeve addressed the four of us, "Be careful, all of you. Don't take any unnecessary risks. Siobhan, Feichin, bring my daughter back alive. Above all else, that is paramount."

The huntsman nodded and said in a gruff voice, "Aye m'lady. We'll keep the girl breathing."

Siobhan of course was more formal about it. She bowed slightly "Yes m'lady. I understand."

Feichin then looked at me and Ruadhan. Mostly at me. "Last chance to opt out. Nobody will think less of either of you if you want to stay behind."

The young soldier shook his head slightly and stated "I volunteered and I stand by that. I know the risks, captain Siobhan explained."

He sounded brave and determined. I wondered if he was doing this for glory, for fun, or if he was just that loyal to Lord Connor. Or maybe he was doing it to impress me, or my fae-mom. I didn't know how 'young' fae behaved, but if he were a nineteen or twenty-year old human, I'd assume he was doing this for the excitement and glory. Basically for fun.

Siobhan seemed to actually understand the risks, and I was sure she'd volunteered out of loyalty to both my fae parents, and perhaps to me as well.

I had no idea why Feichin agreed to do this. It might have been as simple as he wanted the beast out of his forest.

As for me, it was my idea. I had to go. I still felt strongly about that.

I realized the other three were staring at me, and I nodded and said "I'm in. I'm ready."

"Then let's be off," Feichin stated.

Kelly and I hugged and kissed, and Maeve looked like she wanted to do the same but I guess that wouldn't be appropriate with all her staff watching.

Instead she just said quietly, "Safe hunt. I will see you all upon your return."

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