McFiddlely bounced. "Really," his face lit up, and he continued to talk at Marco as they ventured deeper, but still going straight along the steep hillside. When night fell, Marco strayed from his course and tried to find a clearing for camping.
McFiddlely had fallen silent long ago.
As they strayed farther from the path, a granite box appeared with a beastly woman sitting on top of it. She pursed her lips forming a kissing motion. Marco studied her, but McFiddlely trembled.
She had an unusual beauty. Long white hair and a scaled purple forehead intermingled with the regular soft white skin of her face. The creature's eyes were a riveting green with splashes of a dense yellow. She had a proper female frame until he got to the waist. A scaled tail ran to her knees. From there the tail split into three long tails that were hard, white and pointed with multiple barbs covering them.
Just as Marco studied her, she studied him. A man-child, she snorted in disdain. His hair brown and curly, pulled back into a ponytail. Humans needed to learn to let their hair down. It was a freeing state of mind. She outwardly sighed at his muddy brown eyes and thick tan skin.
"You are a child of man, no? Why do you travel with my food source?" Her voice sounded like a thousand whispers cascading into one voice.
"It is . . . it is the Snoklebuck." Mcfiddlely trembled. The temptation to run felt overwhelming. The way the ends of her tail moved, he doubted he would get far.
Marco's eyes widened as he studied the granite box. "McFiddlely," Marco awkwardly bent down, keeping his eyes on the woman. "Search for a book in hide binding." He handed his pack to him.
McFiddlely's eyes narrowed, suspicion lingering as he spoke. "I am not your servant."
"McFiddlely, hurry! This position isn't the best."
The Snoklebuck looked amused. Her sharp, pointed teeth were showing through her pretty lips.
McFiddlely jumped back in fear. "Alright," he said, shaking. McFiddlely dug around for the book, then pulled it out.
Marco snatched the book quickly from McFiddlely's hands.
"I expect two gold pieces for my troubles."
"Five gold, if you trust me," Marco spoke distinctly, as he scanned the pages. He found what he was looking for. Marco grinned slightly. "Oh, good and wondrous beast. Is that box a prison you sit on?" Marco bowed, closing the book.
McFiddlely took the book from Marco's hand and put it away, huffing.
The Snoklebuck's eyes narrowed, her tails swishing back and forth. "Child's play, this has been done before. Yes, this is the Lacum."
She tilted her head."I tell you what, I will give you the key, if . . . " She nodded in the Leprechaun's direction.
Marco's eyebrows raised, as he looked skeptically at McFiddlely.
"You can't be serious. I won't do it, not for a . . . " Trembling, the Leprechaun's eyes filled with tears. "I don't want to die."
Marco squatted down. "I promise you won't."
"I will, she eats us," McFiddlely whined.
"I will make a deal. I promise, I would not gamble if I could not win." Marco's eyes narrowed.
"A deal! My life ain't a game. Sure, I may play it like it is, but it's still mine." McFiddlely stomped his foot.
"Five gold." Marco held out his hand showing five fingers.
"Ten gold," McFiddlely retorted sadly.
"Oh great and kind beast, I have a wager," Marco spoke, standing up. He closed his eyes and faced her.
The Snoklebuck giggled. "Why would I take you up on that offer? I mean the food is right there. What's to stop me from stealing and gobbling him up."
Marco paused. "The unknown–I am an unknown in your territory, traveling with what you perceive as food. You are a thinker, first ma'am. You are not sure if you want to fight me."
"What?" The Snoklebuck leaned forward, scrutinizing Marco. "You are perceptive. But I think you are all talk. What is to stop me from attacking you."
"Nothing," Marco answered truthfully
"Alright, what do I get if I win your wager? I want more than the Leprechaun." Snoklebuck toyed with the idea.
"Me, too. I will offer myself up." Shaking, Marco breathed out..
"Human? Humm, I never had that? Weren't we too similar?" The Snoklebuck frowned.
McFiddlely snorted, "What am I, chopped garlic?"
The Snoklebuck wrinkled her nose at the mention of garlic. "Alright, what is your wager?" She eyed McFiddlely.
"I need to find someone in the Lacum. Give me time, and I will find him and bring him out." Marco placed his hands together, shaking them.
"Only one and only two must come out. If any other follow you, you lose. Who is this person you seek?" The Snoklebuck tilted her head toward Marco.
"Sage Winterhold."
"Ah, the so-called innocent man. Well, he is the most honest man to end up there. Tragic really. Only you must go. The food stays." She pointed at McFiddlely.
McFiddlely's eyes narrowed, while he shook. "No offense, I do not want to be stuck with her."
"None taken," she replied. "Conversation with food always gives me acid."
"Why, I never!" McFiddlely huffed, folding his arms.
"You have fifteen minutes. Agreed?" said the Snoklebuck.
Marco nodded. Thoughts began to infiltrate his mind. I can't do this. What if I fail? I do not know what is going to happen. What if I fail McFiddlely. He kind of deserves it. No, don't think like that. He squeezed his eyes shut.
The Snoklebuck pulled the key from her hair, and she moved her tails, as her hand unlocked the prison.
A bright light flooded the area. She handed Marco a timer. "Once, loved ones visited the trapped. Every fourth night, they could come.. Now it is a forgotten practice. Such is the Lacum. Be prepared. He might not be tuned the same."
Marco picked up the timer. "I don't even know him."
"Amusing. Hope you fail." The Snoklebuck grinned.
Marco then disappeared into the Lacum as it shut.
McFiddlely wearily looked at her.
She grinned back. "So, Food."
"The name's McFiddlely," he growled.
"I have one of those, too. It's called Cerise." The Snoklebuck nodded.
"I have a question to pass the time, a mere curiosity." McFiddlely unfolded his arms.
"Okay." She blinked.
"Why do you eat us Leprechauns?" He cocked his head.
"Easy magical input." Cerise rolled her eyes.
He blinked, sitting down. "Do you know the fairies have a fruit that exults magical input?"
Cerise blinked. "No, they never shared. I never had fruit before."
"You have to ask, but they might trick you." McFiddlely shrugged
She thought about her past, trapped in a wooden box. "Is there another way to live?"
"Always, if you know where to look. If you are willing to try. There is always a new way to live." He turned his attention to the ground.
Cerise blinked and looked to the ground.