“Ah, my good friend! What brings you around here? The story of the Freehold? Why! That is a story I know better than any other Eshu in the world! I would love to recite it to you!
“It happened before your Saning, young one. A dear friend of mine had been sent out on a journey most perilous. And while on her journey, she happened across an empty glade, which was filled with the wonder of any freehold. She only had time to stop and rest, but she marked the location and continued her journey.
“As it happened, I wasn’t too far away, and the young Pooka walked up to me, and in her not so straight-forward way, bid me to come with her and investigate this glade.
“We walked within the glade for an hour, feeling the size of the pocket. Yes, this was definitely a Freehold, and an undiscovered one at that. She bid me to tell the Seelie court of this, and, being an Eshu, was happy for the challenge, however minor.
“Now, I traveled from San Jose to San Francisco, which held their own court, and on the way, I had several adventures, which I will relay to you another time. Upon arrival in the court, in my weather-worn clothes, I was immediately approached by the Sidhe Kellery Moonsilver.
“We all know, young one, that the Sidhe believe it their jobs to rule over the commoners, and, well, as I am a commoner, and an Eshu to boot, it was only natural the Kellery and I struck it off on the wrong foot. After an hour of me trying to dissuade her into listening, I walked off, my challenge complete, and the Sidhe looking a fool. Oh she was downright angry. She followed me across the bay, all the way to the Freehold, in which we now sit.
“She formed the Court here, just as the Sidhe always do, and I took myself off to roost in a nice quiet tree nearby.
“As it happened, only a few hours before the ground-breaking of the Castle, I was approached by a young Clurichaun in need of adventuring advice.
“’I must go to the Bay, for there is a dragon there that wishes us all harm. He claims that the freehold we are forming is his territory by divine right, and that none can take it without his death.’ I stared at the little Clurichaun, knowing that he would not return. At least, that is what I thought at the time.
“Our little Clurichaun was so brave. He walked to the bay, with my advice in tow, and asked the rippling waters for admittance to the dragon’s cave in the bay. The dragon himself answered, being a dragon of great power, and emerged from the cold depths in a wreath of frost and ice.
“You probably remember that day, for it was the last time it snowed in this area. The Clurichaun did not show his fear, although he was deathly afraid. I watched from a vantage point some distance away, well hidden from sight of the dragon, in case my little friend needed assistance.
“The Clurichaun stood his ground, challenging the dragon to a drinking contest. I found this to be a little bit bizarre, but the Clurichaun was playing to his strengths, as I told him. The dragon agreed, and both fell into heavy drink. I laughed as I saw the dragon drink, and drink, and drink, and then, without word, begin to sing a very harmonious song of drunken laughter. The Clurichaun joined in, and the song became a battle of words. This little Clurichaun eventually struck out, lightning quick, with a bottle of ale right into the dragon’s jaw. The dragon howled in pain, and bent forward to eat the Clurichaun.
“But the ale had done its job. The dragon was off by a few feet, and the Clurichaun, having the ability to outdrink even the dragon, slew that fell beast with a blade of ice wreathed in mist. The dragon was gone.
“By the time the Clurichaun had arrived home, I had already Quicksilvered my way home and told the story to the entire Court. He was taken round town as a hero, and offered the title of Knight.
“A few days later, the castle was begun, and we all enjoyed much merriment as it was a quick build. We agreed to hide the trod from the freehold inside a small nightclub, in which there is the occasional twist of the Dreaming and a lost Kithain or two. But we’ve always found them again.
“And now it has been ten years, and we are still standing strong, despite the occasional assault from the Unseelie.
“I do believe it is time for court now, young one. Duchess Moonsilver will be quite angry at me should I make her the fool again with my tardiness. Let’s anon, good friend.”