| “He likes you little lass. Quite a compliment.” The little red-haired man in the green suit with the green hat spoke with an Irish accent which was very thick. “His name cannot be properly pronounced in this world, but it is the sound a stream makes when it comes over a water fall. I suppose for practical purposes lassie, you could call him Splash. Tisn’t quite right but twill do. Now then, My name is McCavidash. What might your name be little dear?” “I am Anna. I became lost in the forest and then it got dark and I have been alone and afraid. But I can see by the light on your horse that you are injured. What can I do to help you sir?” She replied, both worried for her situation and for the man’s immediate health. “Aye my dear! I’m afraid I am hiding from the same menace as are you. Worse yet, is that they will be coming so ye must listen and do as I say. There will be no time for argument. Do you understand lassie?” Anna shook her head yes. “What do you need of me sir?” “You might have guessed by my appearance and by the size and color of my steed, that we are not ordinary by any stretch of the imagination. You are going to find this hard to believe, but I am telling you the truth. I am a leprechaun. And not just any one at that, I am very powerful even among my own. But aye! Even the strong are sometimes taken by surprise, forced to take measures they normally would not, and that lassie, is what I must do now.” next page |  |