The two women had become acquaintances after the second day when Eibhlin helped subdue an aggressive drunk by slamming Mel against the man’s gut. The instrument made no effort to restrain its indignation, much to the astonishment of all present. Many, including the innkeepers, assumed Eibhlin must secretly be a minstrel of high status to own such an instrument, with Eibhlin’s denials only giving them further surety of their idea. Following the event, the wife started talking to Eibhlin whenever she could. Whether this was as thanks or due to the misunderstanding of Eibhlin’s status, Eibhlin did not much care. After elves and enchanted instruments, casual conversations with an ordinary person felt miraculous.

“I can’t find anyone who knows anything,” Eibhlin said. “The best I got were rumors of fairy sightings and fairy rings a country away.”

“Well, I don’ really think a fine, young lady such as yerself should really bother with all this fairy stuff,” said the wife. “Mighty troublesome. But I suppose it’s the minstrel’s lot, isn’t it, never ta leave these things alone. Anyway, if ye told us a bit more, let us know what ye’re lookin’ for, me and my husband could help out a bit more.”

“Thank you, but I’m not sure I should. Besides, I wouldn’t want you getting caught up in ‘troublesome’ things,” said Eibhlin.

The woman shrugged. “Innkeepers’ lot is ta have trouble come through yer door. By the way, how’s yer harp-ish friend? Still upset?”

“It’s worse than ‘upset.’ Mel is still sulking and won’t stop tripping me up as I play. I do that enough on my own. And it’s won’t even talk to me. It wasn’t even damaged, but it’s acting like I cracked it down the middle,” grumbled Eibhlin.

The innkeeper’s wife laughed. “Childish instrument, isn’t it? Well now, don’ go havin’ a fall out. These past few days, with you two playin’ outside, we’ve had a lot more guests, lots of them because of yer music. It’d be a shame if ye stopped.” Then, dropping her voice low, the woman said, “Ye know, miss, it… it might not be helpful, and it’s not about fairies exactly, but I know a story ye might want to look at.”

Eibhlin glanced up to the woman, signaling for her to continue.

“Well,” said the wife, “ye know that tall bell tower near the western wall? Used to belong to some monks. Well, I’ve heard stories that some sort o’ creature lives up there. Jumps around from bell to bell, playing them when it thinks no one ‘s around. It caused so much mischief to the monks that they practically abandoned the place. I know it’s not what ye’re looking for, and I really don’ think it’s wise ta mess with something like that on purpose, but maybe the creature, whatever it is, could help ye somehow.”

Eibhlin finished her drink in one gulp. “Might as well try,” she said.

“You have not asked for anything but directions all afternoon,” said Mel. “Did you hear something last night, Milady?”

Eibhlin pushed her way through human traffic to the roadside so she could take in her surroundings. “Have you decided to stop sulking? And don’t talk right now. What if someone else hears you?”

“I do not sulk, and there are enough voices around that one more will not draw too much attention. That is, so long as your speaking to yourself does not make you look too suspicious, Milady. Anyway, I simply wish to know where you are taking me. Other than that, I desire no further conversation,” replied the instrument.

“Is that so,” said Eibhlin, checking a hand-drawn map and matching landmarks. She continued, “Anyway, I don’t exactly know if we’ll find anything, but the innkeeper’s wife said there is some kind of creature living in the western bell tower. It’s not much, but it’s the best I’ve got, so I’m checking it out. You’re here because you would complain if I left you and you didn’t get to ‘witness this part of the story’ or however you want to say it.”

“I suppose your jab at me is true,” said Mel with a thrumming sigh. “In any case, while intentionally seeking out an unknown creature is unadvisable, given the present circumstances, there is no better option. The moon grows each day. If we do not find the key soon, we might have to wait a couple weeks till it wanes enough for safe travel.”

Weeks. Eibhlin couldn’t wait weeks. Already over two weeks had passed since she ran away. She had to hurry and set things right so she could get back home.

The monastery bell tower wasn’t big, but it was larger than Eibhlin had estimated. It was the gray color of stained white. The tower’s dark wood roof reached over the city walls, and eerie silence enclosed the area, a pocket without sound hidden along the borders of a bustling city. Eibhlin shuddered, but she forced herself toward the door. The door was made of the same dark wood as the roof and did not have a lock. Its hinges groaned and protested as Eibhlin threw her weight against it. Inside, light pierced through small windows, sharpening the darkness. It smelled like old wood. Slowly, she stepped forward as floorboards creaked and the sound echoed up the tower. Another shiver ran up her spine.

She couldn’t understand it. What made this place so hard to endure? Made it so frightening, as if turning her into a child again? A child. Faint memories drifted into her head. She had felt this way before….

Creaks filled the room as she moved to the stairs, one hand on the wall in the darkness. When she reached the stairs winding up the tower, a knot tightened in her stomach. She hesitated. The instrument’s voice brought her back again.

“If I may speak, this bell tower was in frequent use until recently, correct? Do not fear. The bell keepers would have kept the stairs in good repair.”

“I got it. You don’t need to tell me,” said Eibhlin, her voice a harsher than she had intended. She hadn’t even considered that point, and now that it had been brought to her mind, her eyes ran up the stairs. Even if the tower wasn’t especially tall, the upper stairs were still a dangerous distance from the ground floor, and they were not as wide or sturdy as the elves’ stairs had been. Eibhlin moved a little closer to the wall and started to climb.