Ireland, October 31, 1524
The moonlight was getting brighter.
"There's not much time left", – I said out loud to myself, already starting to get nervous. – "Where is that banshee?!"
I looked up.
"Finn! Look up there. Is she anywhere nearby?" – I shouted into the darkness and immediately heard the sound of spreading wings. My black raven didn't need much persuasion to help me. Love you, buddy!
The seconds dragged on like hours. I began to nervously tap my foot. "Calm down, Eithne. You still have time…" – I said out loud to myself.
The next second, Finn landed on my shoulder, flapped his wings and cawed twice. Aha… So, no one nearby.
"Okay, my friend. Let's go without her".
Taking one last scanning glance into the pub, I closed the door and hung a sign on it that said: "The Tipsy Moon" pub is celebrating Samhain tonight! A free mug of ale to the first guest!"
"Ready?" – I asked Finn, who flapped his wings happily in response. – "Fly ahead. I'll catch up!"
The raven soared upward, and I turned to the thicket of the forest to the north. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. As I exhaled, I slowly let out a soft, high-pitched sound. Almost a whistle that only the certain inhabitants of this forest could hear.…
Will-o'-the-wisp,
Hear my call.
May my path be bright,
On sacred Samhain.
After another breath, I opened my eyes and saw three silvery will-o'-the-wisps next to me.
"Happy Samhain, my friends! Thank you for your help. Well, shall we run to the Fairy Meadow?"
I smiled, anticipating the fun, and ran into the thickest part of the forest, now well lit. I wouldn't have gotten lost anyway, but with such guides it's much better, right?
Moss, grass, twigs… Roots, trees, bushes… Nothing stopped my legs from running. I loved this forest, and it loved me back. This is my home. The energy that I live by, which I also share with the others by brewing the best ale in all of Erin. The inhabitants of not only this forest come to my pub every full moon, but also the inhabitants of the neighboring mountains and hills, rivers and lakes, plains and ravines.