“How did you managed to get it?”

“I'm...not sure. Manannan, Poseidon, Zeus. Take your pick,” My limbs were aching and my eyes, they’re slowly...

Balbhuaidh frowns. “This is no time to rest. You still have to head to Lochranza.”

“And thank you for your great hospitality.” I muttered as I drag myself up. “I barely have time to catch my...”

He was already on eagle-back.

“Well! How is that!So you will fly and I will walk.”

“Walk?” He looked confused. “Why not just use the river way?”

I shook my head. “Enough water adventure for a day. I will set by foot. I’m faster on land than I am on water anyway.”

“As you wish.”

“Not even an offer!” I hinted but he was already soaring up ahead. Confirmed that I was not going to get the same first class flight as he does, I started walking. From Iorsa, all I had to do was follow the river path, that will lead me Lochranza. But before I could reach Lochranza, I still have to pass Caisteal Abhail, where the Gruagach lives.

According to Balbhuaidh , The Gruagach is of the Fomor race of old, the ancient invaders of Eire with whom the Tuatha De Danaan met much grief. Banish to this island, he has been honing his prowess and warrior skills for many ages, even to match those of the legendary Scathach. I wonder why Balbhuaidh does not take on this mission himself. Surely someone who claims to be quick for the beast, and someone who (looks up jealously) have the luxury of commanding eagles as transportation could do this easily?

My sensible Greek blood tells me that when given grapes, make wine out of it. You definitely won’t get wine by complaining and crushing the grapes with your soles. So by Greek standard, when given the mantle, make the uh, invisible, out of it.

I was too absorbed in my own thoughts that I was badly startled by a plonk on my head. I jumped, ducked, took out my dagger and look above. Balbhuaidh was still circling above me. Looking for the object that have hit my head, I found it was a cloak clasp. Closer observation tells me that it was one of Balbhuaidh's.

Did he dropped this on me? I may have rescued an imbecile, and if that is the case I am regretting it now.

I look up again to find that Balbhuaidh was looking down at me. He motioned me to lay low and pointed forward. I looked at that direction.

From my position, I could see the Gruagach. I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I could have walked straight into him and not knowing it. Balbhuaidh have stopped me at the right moment, at the right place. I could see Gruagach, but he could not see me. Yet. I take back my words about regretting saving his life. Glancing up, I gave Balbhuaidh the thumbs up.

It’s time to test the mantle’s prowess. If I could slip unseen, I could make my way straight ahead to Lochranza. I cast off my sandals, it will make too much noise. The Gruagach’s keen sense will pick it up. I left my bag of coins too, reluctantly. In the end I decided that a few sesterciis is a small price to pay for my life and for a Frog Queen. Pardon, I mean Fairy Queen.

I covered myself with the mantle and with a huge gulp of breath, made my way slowly passing him. I wonder if Balbhuaidh could see me, so that he can know whether I am in danger or not. I felt a touch of panic. My heart was beating so fast I was scared he could hear it.

One step at a time. One step...another one...another one...it was too risky to walk fast because the rustles of the grass could trigger him. I seem to be safe until I was about a feet away from him. Suddenly, his giant nose twitches.

He broke into an evil grin. It almost froze me.

“I smell...salt.” The grin grows wider. “I smell sea water.”

He took a step forward, closing the gap between us with each steps.

“Now why is that?” Another step.

I took a step backward. And another. And another. Slowly now, slow...

“That is strange.” He said, smiling right at me. I know he can’t see me, but he know I was there. “I was pretty sure I was close to that source of smell. But it’s growing further. Some fish from the sea is swimming away, but fresh for the fishing!”

I broke out in nervous sweat. It’s not just the sea smell, I’m sure. It’s also my madly beating heart.

Suddenly, he grabbed forward. Luckily I had moved far enough, not enough to escape him but enough to buy my time and gamble my luck. I was just a few inches more than an arm length of his. Despite that, I still stooped the moment he grabbed out, making him grab only air.

I could see he was trying to conceal his confusion behind that grin. He knew I was there. But he’s not sure where now.

I had to act quickly, his sense is too sharp for me. I can only parlay my wits to his sense. Moving swiftly, I swooped behind him and I know he knows because he made an act of wanting to turn back. But before he could, I gave him the hardest kick I could, aimed straight behind his knees.

He bent backwards, falling but not quite. Just losing his balance a tad. I know he would soon regain his gravity. That kick could never inflict a single injury on a beast so strong. What happened was just a reflex response. I had to think of something to buy more time.

Luckily it wasn’t necessary because at that moment, Balbhuaidh (good boy) swooped down with his eagle and started to distract the Guarach’s attention. He made the eagle peck, and then as swift as it did, it soars up out of reach and Guarach will roar in anger. The eagle swooped down again and pecked, and soars up again just in time. Then it wasn’t just one eagle but a pack of them acting on Bulaidh’s command. With this predicted to go on for quite a while, I took my cue and walked North as fast as I could, stepping over the bones strewn about the area.

I hope nothing will befall Balbhuaidh.

I didn’t stop or looked back until I came to a small lake surrounded by reeds all around. Lake. Reeds. It triggers something. But what? I was still in panic, I forgot what I was suppose to be doing!

Lake. Reed.

Ribbit!

Frog?

Frog! Yes, frog! I was supposed to be looking for a yellow frog!

This is the first time in my short Greek life I am excited to be catching...a frog.

I spotted the yellow frog easily enough. What should I be doing? This is the Sidhe Rion. Should I scooped it up, stuff her in my pocket and run off with it? Or should I ask her to morph into her full form...and how will I go about asking?

Another thought, she might as well stay that way. The mantle may not fit two. So I scooped her as gently as I could, explaining to her the reason for all this as briefly as I could.

Balbhuaidh and his eagles was still on it when I passed the Gualach area. It was futile for me to worry of him before. He looks like he’s having loads of fun. He waited until I was a safe distance away before stopping his attacks and swooping ahead of us.

As I made my way south to Emhain Abhlach, where the Sidhe Rion will be safe in Ablach’s domain, and I could see the other half of the twins, a pleasant realization dawned on me...

I have finished the triple challenges!