Harvest Moon, Part 5

Every muscle in my body clenched, sure I had threatened the girl with the same fate but I never intended to back it up. Corrigan stood there, brushing her hand against the cheek of the statue without a single passing care of the fate she just gave that poor girl. On occasion, you can see it in their eyes. They're still alive in there.

“Oh, my dear Elroy you're not mad are you?” she fluttered her dark brown eyelashes. It was probably right for her to maintain the look of an eighteen year old, she played the part too well for it to be an act. “Was this the one you were here to take from me? That would be such a shame.”

“No,” I said after unclenching my jaw. “she wasn't.”

“Oh,” she waved her hand. “Oh well, waste not want not.” With a playful giggle and a flick of her wrist, the statue moved into the deeper recesses of her office. “Now, then my dear, what brings you here then if not for one of my maidens.”

“My guess, some commission work you did recently.”

“I do plenty of that these days, harvest time is approaching and the Court does need its workers.” She moved gracefully from statue to statue, an incredible feat under the weight of her long and heavily adorned dress. The statues were sanded down, a cheek or maybe a nose as she fought against the imperfections age can have even over stone.

“Well, this would probably be a special case. Two children brought in at the same time.”

She never lost a step, “brothers. It's always brothers. They bring them two, and sometimes three, at a time. Good strong backs that will work the fields.”

“Not brothers, but siblings. A boy and a girl.”

I didn't like the smile she had when as she faced me, “twins?”

“Maybe.” I said with a bit of indignation.

“What do you offer for the information?”

I began to reach into my pockets, I had brought a good many objects and one would be sure to catch her fancy, but she held up a hand to stop me. She glided closer, a bit too close, well within my personal space. Her face was in mine, brown ringlets of hair were falling onto my shoulders. It's not often I choose to look at a woman's lips over her eyes. But for once, I considered the lips far less dangerous.

“No mere trinkets will drain this information from me,” she said while lifting a hand to my chin.  It was cold like stone. “I will take instead a small favor.”

“That's not happening.”

“Ah, yes. That's the Elroy Reardon of legend. The man who doesn't make deals with the Sidhe." She laughed again, her breath heavy on my cheeks. "You have another way of determining the fate of those poor innocent children? Their backs may already be breaking under manual labor. Or who knows? They could have been picked up as dinner to a troll, they do work up such an appetite in these difficult times. How much time to you really think they have?”

Her arm slowly wrapped over my shoulders, behind my neck. It drew tighter as I lingered in response. I still had some wiggle room before the noose tightened fully.

“I want your word that this favor won't bring anyone harm.”

“Not a soul,” she said with a wave of her free hand. And slowly her maroon lips peeled back to her pearly whites, smooth and marbled. “If you agree to my contract, I only desire your employ for one night.”

“That's it? One night?” My mind raced with thoughts of what a night spent with the Sidhe might entail. “One night of work, no harm to fall upon anyone and it does not interfere with my case? For that you'll give me the information I seek?”

“Of course.”

I took a deep breath. Every other option was cold. Women, they all want something and can't just let a man live his life. Though, if I kept my end of the bargain it could bring this case to a quick close. And she was probably right about the kids. They were on borrowed time. Once harvest was over, who knows what need would be left for them to fill. Servant to a Sidhe. Corrigan's newest statue was proof of the fate that held. And it could very well be the best thing to happen to them in Faery.

“Then I agree, by oath and bond, to uphold my end of the deal. For one night, I am under your employ and you shall provide me with the information I seek.”

"Agreed," she said and extended her hand. I lifted it gently and kissed the knuckle. You don't make trips into Faery without learning the ins and outs of Courtly manners.

“Lovely!” she exclaimed, and clapped like a teenage girl. Even if she exceeded that by centuries. Then suddenly, she was pawing at my clothing. Attempting to pull off my hat and coat. “But first, simply we must change you out of these awful drab things.”

“Hey, my clothes are fine!” I said, pushing her hands away.

Her eyes quickly met mine, I averted them just in time. Her brow lofted along with a corner of her smooth lips, “breaking your oath so soon Elroy?”

“No,” I took a deep breath. “May I know why you insist on changing my clothing though?”

“If I am to be on your arm this evening for the gala, then you must dress appropriately. Honestly, a rumbled suit reeking of alcohol will hardly do for a gathering of Sidhe. You shall appear in the finest my maidens can prepare in short time!” She stepped away and spun on her heels with a clap.

“Wait, gala?” There was a rush of attendants, suddenly my arms were being lifted and measured. Each of the girls was equipped with her own tape, and was quite deft at using it. Though, they were taking far more measurements than I was used to. “That's what you wanted me to do? Take you to a party?!”

“All the Sidhe shall have a good man whose arm they cleave to. Were I to show up without one, why I'd be mocked right out of the Court. And besides, what better man to bring in than Elroy Reardon? You're a bit more than famous than you give yourself credit for in Faery, my dearest Elroy. If you accompany me, my favor is sure to be held in a higher regard.”

She beamed before departing, her maidens trailing behind her, all their measurements were taken. Suddenly, the great room was empty save me. First I was asked on a date, now one was forced upon me. It certainly wasn't possible that I had begun to exude some sort of pheromone. What is all this nonsense about good men? I looked down at the rumbled suit I was wearing. It was ill fitting, now that she mentioned it. Oh well, at least I'd get some damn fine duds out of this yet.