Part 3

“So what’s this about, Cricket?” a teenager asked the fairy, as she walked into the Inn. “What’s got you so worked up?”

“Emma, you know what a rusalka is, right?” Cricket asked the girl, as he dug around in his coat pockets.

“You’ve mentioned them once before, several years ago.” Emma replied, thinking. “A sort of water spirit, right?”

“Good memory, kid. I’ve heard a rumour about a lake that matches a rusalka living there. But with the size of the lake I’m worried there’s multiple.” Cricked replied, as he pulled more and more stuff out of his coat pockets, seemingly looking for something.

“Is it a problem if there’s more than one?” Emma asked, lounging on a chair.

“It means the liminal barrier at the lake might be thin. It means there could be all sorts of spirits lingering there. Frogmen, demons, wights, nixies, to name a few. Aha, here it is!” Cricket held aloft a simple looking ring. “Emma, it is vitally important that you wear this ring at all times once we leave for the lake.”

“What is this ring, Cricket?” she asked, turning the plain bronze band over in her hands.

“It’s the Ring of the Mundane. It makes you completely imperceptible to anyone who doesn’t have a mortal soul. No, that doesn’t include fairies, we age and die just like you.”

“You’re worried about me aren’t you?” Emma asked with a small smile.

“Of course I am! Mister Rawlinson would never forgive me if anything happened to you, but I can’t bring James. Women are naturally resistant to rusalki. Unless, that is...” Cricket paused and looked at Emma.

“Oh. Ooooh. Oh! No, I can assure you that I’m not.” Emma said with a laugh. “But what about you Cricket? Will you be safe?”

“Yes, for reasons other than that.” he said with a snort. “Come on then, let’s be off.”