By Elizabeth Jane Shelton
Professor Kaitlyn Valemon turned off the projector and faced her class. “So, if you’re ever in Ireland, make sure to look out for the fairy rings.”
“Have you been?” asked a student.
Kaitlyn’s heart panged. She’d always wanted to go to Ireland to do first-hand research of their myths and fairy tales. It was exactly what she needed to complete her dissertation. But ever since Andrew had cheated on her, took all her money, and left, her pockets were light and her fears were heavy. There was no way she could take a trip like that.
No, it was safer to stay here, absorbed in her studies. At least fairy tales had happy endings.
She swallowed and forced a smile. “No, but maybe one day. All right, everyone, remember that your folklore papers are due next week. Have a great weekend!”
As the class began filing out, a man who had been lingering in the back of the lecture hall moved toward her. Kaitlyn’s stomach twisted—until he drew close enough to make out his face.
She relaxed. “Darren? Is that you?”
Her brother’s childhood friend grinned. “Hey, Kait. Or is it Dr. Valemon now?”
Kaitlyn laughed, the sound tinged with bitterness. “One day, maybe.”
“One day? Seems like you’ve already got the gig.”
“I haven’t finished my dissertation. But what are you doing here?”
Darren reached into a leather messenger bag and produced an ornate box. “I’m looking for something extremely valuable. I know your research is in fairy tales. Have you ever heard of the Leprechaun’s Cauldron?”
Kaitlyn raised an eyebrow. The Cauldron. The mythical pot at the end of the rainbow—only this Cauldron was supposed to be a real treasure beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. “You’re a treasure hunter now?”
He winced. “More of a… hands-on researcher? But I’ve come to a dead end in my… research.” He placed the box on the lectern. “I’m hoping you can help me with the next clue.”
Kaitlyn frowned but picked up the box. It was six inches square, made of beautiful dark wood and engraved on all sides, except for the bottom, which had a six-dial combination lock. “You need the combination?”
“That’s right.” Darren shifted his weight nervously. “I’m hoping you might be able to find it.”
Kaitlyn bit her lip. She was horrible with puzzles, or trivia, or mysteries. Andrew had always made fun of her when they tried to play games together. “This really isn’t my sort of thing, Darren.”
“Just take a look? Please?” He tapped one side of the box. “I think it has something to do with these pictures.”
Kaitlyn examined the carvings more closely. The first two were of a young woman and a bear; the third, of the woman holding a candle; and the fourth, of the woman with a rose in a case. On the top were stylized versions of the sun, moon, and wind. “These are beautiful.”
“Most of the clues have been tied to fairy tales. I’ve been through some of the Brothers Grimm and a few Hans Christian Andersen tales, but the combination for this box has me stumped.” Darren grinned, and Kaitlyn couldn’t help but smile back. Darren’s enthusiasm had always been contagious. “The best I can figure is that the rose woman looks like Beauty from Beauty and the Beast, but that’s where I got lost.”
“You’re not wrong.” Kaitlyn eagerly turned the box to show him each face. “The rose woman is from Beauty and the Beast.” She turned it. “This one with the candle is Cupid and Psyche. And these bears—probably East of the Sun and West of the Moon. Or maybe Whitebear Whittington.” She flipped it to the top. “These motifs are common in many of the stories.”
Darren blew out a long breath. “That was quick. You were always smart, Kait.”
Her? Smart? Kaitlyn blushed. “Fairy tales are my life.”
“Any idea what it means, then?”
Kaitlyn looked at the lock again. Three letters, then three numbers, and associated with a fairy tale? “Oh! Of course!” She turned the dials confidently. “These tales in particular all belong to the same type in the Aarne-Thompson-Uther index. ATU-425.” She finished dialing in the 5, and with a click, the lid popped open.
Darren whooped and took the box back, pulled out a rolled paper, and unfurled it on the table. Kaitlyn couldn’t help but lean in. She hadn’t felt this excited about anything since… well, since Andrew. She read out loud.
“In the land of magic there lies sleeping
Green and gold and want of keeping
Far from sorrow, tears, and weeping
One for sowing, one for reaping.”
Darren chewed his lip. “A riddle. Great.”
“You’ll have plenty of time to figure it out on the flight.”
Darren frowned. “What flight?”
“To Ireland.” Kaitlyn pointed to the paper. “‘Land of magic?’ ‘Green and gold?’ That’s Ireland, no doubt.”
Darren stared for a moment. Then he grabbed her hand. “Come with me.”
“What?”
“This treasure hunt will be so much more productive with you! It’s literally themed around fairy tales! Do you know how long that riddle would have taken me?” He squeezed her hand. “You told your class you haven’t been. This is your chance!”
“I can’t just leave!” Kaitlyn shook her head. “Besides, I… I can’t afford it.” She silently cursed Andrew again.
“I’ll pay. All expenses covered. Call it a research stipend.” He clasped her hand between both of his. “Please? Just until I find the next clue. Then, if you still want, I’ll fly you home.”
Kaitlyn still hesitated. A treasure-hunting trip to Ireland? Surely she wasn’t that person.
Then again… she’d been so stuck lately. Solving this puzzle with Darren felt… good. Better than she’d felt in a long time.
It was time to step out from behind the fairy tales and start living her own life.
And maybe—just maybe—find the actual pot at the end of the rainbow.
Kaitlyn took a deep breath. “I’m in.”
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Loading...ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I’m pretty sure Ireland isn’t the land of magic. It’s the land of ire. (learned that the hard way)