I opened my eyes and found myself on a pile of hay, "are you awake now?","yes, I had this terrible dream", I replied as my vision slowly returned."pray tell", the voice replied and before me was a heard of horses in a room filled with bones. Before I could scream I realized that the voice was my new familiar, the mare of Diomedes. I observed her structure and what I had not noticed before,it's greater muscular build, the darker greyer mane which was stood out from all the white maned horses around it and at last the black onyx eyes with silver pupils. "You're the alpha!", I exclaimed. "Quite perceptive of you", she replied. I rose up and started stroking her mane, she shyed away and like any predator the feeling of vulnerability was a new and strange experience. "Hilda, that will be your name. I must go on a mission, quests that most die trying to complete, your help will be invaluable to me." I said, attempting once more to stroke the mare."I'll treasure this gift master but to command my power you must best me in a duel till then my younger brother will serve you." After naming the whole herd I rode on Kyle, said younger brother of the alpha. With this new achievement my next task had a burning ray of hope. Of all the absurd creatures of various folklore the last I expected to run into was a leprechaun, the nigh invincible fairies of the west. I was well aware of the dangers that came with challenging these monsters but there was no way I was rainchecking such a rare opportunity. It's common knowledge really, this tiny old poet would grant three wishes to me his catcher or soon-to-be I couldn't wipe off the greedy grin plastered on my face. I reached into my travel bag and set up the most basic clichéd trap I knew. There's a reason why some stuff is cliché and in this case it was because this method produces the highest probability of success, the good old shoe trap but on torn of worn down shoes I spiced it up with a few sweet treats and every leprechaun's weakness, gold.
Ten seconds later:
"It seems young child you've captured me, For my release a wish or three, " began the fairy man. "Not one but two i beckon you free my power and my memories too, "I replied. The leprechaun answered, "See I am but a frail old cobbler, three rocks I'll shove but just one boulder." I knew well what the annoying rhyme meant, I had to choose between three years of memories or one seal off my finger. Honestly, I know what I should have chosen but my whole life I was sick of being the weak guy. Half the Saltz family deemed me unfit to carry their name but fuck them I was getting a tenth of my power back now. I stared at him intently with zealous eyes hinting an untamed fervor heating up inside me with my answer now obvious I replied. "the boulder."