Ingrid blinked, standing before her was not the swirling sparks she expected. Rather, they weren't alone in the swirling void before her. Instead the blurry outline of a short man stood between her and the golden light.

"P-" Her voice broke and she coughed, "Pardon?" Part of her couldn't believe this was happening. The rest of her just wanted to sleep, which was a sign of how close to death she really was.

"Dia duit," It said again before bowing, and seemed to grow more clear. The tips of pointed ears distinct from the rest of the blurred frame.

"Alfar?" She blurted, almost choking on nothing. Such were myths and legends from when Gods walked the islands, but her heart remained wary. The fair folk never came unless it was to offer a deal.

The lines of the creature sharpened. A bright red cap sat upon golden hair above pale skin. With a pair of glowing, red eyes to match rather ragged, brown clothing.

"Redcap, little one, but let us dispense with such and move to names." His grin stretched wide to show the mouth of canine teeth, "I am Ruadhán and may I have your name?"

Ingrid felt her blood run cold. A Redcap was one of the Alfar, but one that all feared. It was said they would reap the blood of all to fill their caps.

The name he spoke even felt like a real name. It had a weight in her mind, like that of a sun to an ant. None of the Alfar gave their name easily. She had to make a deal here or die.

---

Ingrid turned the stone in her hand. Carved into it were runes that spelt her name on one side, but her false name on the other.

"Why do I have two names?" She turned towards her father as she spoke. He had carved the runes himself.

"You have three actually, but only two we know of now." He said with a smile, one of the few he gave these days. Ingrid frowned as she tossed the stone in the air.

A few minutes passed, and she continued to stare down her father. Who was carving a block of wood into another Beast, a boar this time.

"A name has power, my girl." He finally said, flicking his knife towards her, "Your true name, the name your mother gave with her last breath to me, you should tell to no one for it will give them power over you." He turned his head to the sky for a moment before continuing.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"You can feel the weight of a name in your soul should you learn one. It is either a sign of trust or one of threat. Never let anyone keep your true name, unless you worry not for your soul."

---

"Well, fair lady?" Ruadhán tilted his head at her. The glow in his eyes had faded leaving far more expression on his face.

Pain passed through Ingrid in a series of rapid waves. The golden lights behind the Alfar seemed to pull away the longer she looked at them. Panic gripped her heart.

"I need my Wyrd." She gasped and reached for the light, but Ruadhán blocked her hand.

"Let's not be rude, little one." His voice had dropped to something hollow and dark. It made her shiver and the panic grew.

Without that energy to create her Warrior Heart she would die, and this moment shouldn't have been interrupted in the first place. It was supposed to be a major ritual for a fledgling Warrior that even the Fates guarded.

"The Fates won't allow you to take my Wyrd." She said through gritted teeth, the strange rules of this place not making her hurt from the action.

"Oh, they can't do a thing to me in this place. Besides, this is just a friendly visit." His voice had moved back into something kind and light, "Besides I am here to make a deal and grant your desires."

Ingrid blinked a few times before trying a deep breath. Grant her desires? She had heard that the Alfar, among others, could make you stronger than you should be. The fire of vengeance surged within her.

"Yes," It came out resonate this time, "For the price of blood I will grant you more Wyrd from your Hunts. Enough to grow faster than any has in living memory."

Flickers of burning homes and her father's axe flying through the air. Pain passed through her in waves once again, and they kept getting stronger.

"What price of blood?" She bit her lip to keep her focus on the creature. It was hard to through all the pain and the way his words seemed alive.

He tapped his red hat before giving her a wink.

"Each that you strike dead, be they Beast or Man, my cap will appear and consume them whole. You will need to kill something each third day or be consumed yourself." The words didn't resonate as much this time, but his smile was clear.

"It will take all the Wyrd!" She snarled. Ruadhán laughed, his tone pure and honest, until it became a cackle of madness so profound it sent fear through her heart.

"No, no, fair one." He breathed through the laughter, "It will give you all the Wryd the thing possess, even that which would be lost. Much, much more than you could imagine."

Ingrid couldn't believe that it didn't want the Wyrd. All things wanted Wyrd, it was what helped you live longer, and made you stronger than everything.

"Do you accept?" He asked, holding his hand out for a shake, "Or do you decline my honest offer?" His voice pitched lower, eyes glowing at the prospect.

Ingrid thought carefully about his words. If she accepted the deal she would get a lot more Wyrd, but would have to kill something once every three days.

On the other hand, he seemed to imply he would kill her if she refused. Or, perhaps he would just block her from reaching the golden light she needed to live right now. Either way she would be dead.

"Ingrid." She said, reaching out for his hand. Yet, he pulled it further away.

"Now now, I gave my Name. This deal only works if you do the same." Ruadhán's eyes bore into her own. It only took a second to decide, as a new wave of pain caused her to cry out.

"Eirawen!" This time her hand was grabbed firmly.

"Name accepted, and the deal is sealed, Eirawen." Ruadhán vanished, and wall of golden light fell upon her.