[b] Dr Kinnon Blair [/b]
 [b] Immortal Druid [/b]

The hot African sun peeked through the canopy of trees, it's light diffused by the thick foliage and closely grown slumbering giants. A light rain was falling, that too was diverted by the thick leaves and heavy vines, it however tenaciously managed to find a way through to the forest floor. Dripping, as it did so, onto a man's shoulder, before trickling down with the rest of the raindrops.
Dr Kinnon Blair sat studying the small herd of Abada, a donkey sized, two horned horse with the tail of a wild boar, he was here because within the next few hours the Abada would begin the moulting stages for the next year, their horns would grow and shed the outer layers. Kinnon was here for those husks, they were excellent yet rare sources of antitoxins when ground down and added to an intravenus drip.

He was dressed in a sandy brown cotton shirt and a pair of heavy cargo shorts, thick well made hiking boots adorned his feet, although he would have preferred to be barefooted. His ensemble was useful in the humid temperatures, but it did not stop the native insects from taking a fancy to his blood. Kinn did not slap them away as he knew most people would have, he was a Druid, all life to him was sacred, even if it was a small life. 
 Above him in the trees chattered a small group of vervet monkeys indigenous to this part of Africa, their loud calls and accompany branch shaking brought a small smile to his lips. He knew all to well what the rowdy group were getting at.

"Mating season is nearly here and there are a couple of new females in the area that you guys would all like to impress eh"

Kinn's words, spoken to himself were heard by a particularly curious monkey., the little brown and white creature stared at the strange human with its wizened face and let out a small screech. Almost immediately the chattering above stopped, the brave monkey crept forward and then jumped from branch to branch until it was about five feet from Kinn's head. It stared at Kinn, who had been watching it all along, with a face that held a much too human look of interest on it. The vervet turned away suddenly, then without warning turned back just as fast, and let fly the small clump of droppings it had gathered.

Kinn was already moving before the crude missiles would have hit, he was laughing as he rolled out of the way. The small brown and white monkey screeched at him in a tone that Kinnon knew was meant as a warning.

"Do not fret my furry friend, I have no desire to take your females from you"

Kinn started to calm the irritated creature, his dark brown eyes lightening to a honey hue as he channeled the ancient power through him, before he could connect with the vervet however, a loud buzzing sound broke his concentration. Kinn shook his head and looked around, the buzzing was getting louder but he could not see the source. 
 Without warning a small metallic orb came crashing through the canopy, scaring the vervet away and hurtling straight for Kinn's temple.
The thud that resounded was enough to startle the Abada's, they ran from the clearing, leaving an unconcious Kinn crumpled on the ground, a slight trickle of blood racing down his temple.

Several hours later Kinn awoke, the light filtering down from above had faded, which clued him in as to how long he had been out cold. He gingerly touched the lump on his head, relieved to find that it had not done severe damage and then looked for the object that had been the cause of his unscheduled siesta. 
 He found the orb laying next his booted foot, immediately knowing what it was, he wondered who at the company would want him. He had hardly any field training and definately was not combat savvy. Curiousity got the better of him and he opened the sealed orb and read the message within. After re-reading it he knew he was seriously limited for time. He would have to miss out on collecting the abadas horns and a flight to Ireland would take too long. A portal doorway would have been a good second choice but he had left the satellite phone back in the camp and had no way of contacting anyone without it.

Kinn groaned as his wiped his head with his shirt sleeve, he had a third option, one that would definately end in a bad way. He would have to travel by fairy circle.
He knew there was a tribe of Aziza fairies living nearby, the small fairies were known for their fierceness as well as a fondness for tobacco. Kinn had brought some with him just in case he ran into any of them, but was not sure if it would be enough to buy him passage through the fairy realms.
 All fairies lived in both worlds, moving about as freely as a person moves from one room to another, passing between the realms with ease.

Sighing at the lost opportunity to collect the rare ingredients that he had hoped to put to good use in a number of remedies, Kinn picked himself up and started walking off, his destination lay somewhere in the west side of the forest.
 After almost two hours of walking through dense bush and vines, Kinn stopped in a small clearing. The circle of mushrooms lay in front of him. He approached with the reverance a place like this deserved, a meeting of the natural and supernatural worlds that did not disrupt the harmonious balance. 
Kinn surveyed his surroundings, a cautionary act that might have been seen as stupid, due to the fact of his location. But one that he still practiced with his usual level of expertise.
 
Satisfied he was alone, Kinn began to sing an old Scottish rhyme that was used to warn people away from places like these, it also held a hidden meaning known only to the Druid however.

 [i] He wha tills the fairies' green
 Nae luck again shall hae
 And he wha spills the fairies' ring
 Betide him want and wae.
 For weirdless days and weary nights
 Are his till his deein' day.
 But he wha gaes by the fairy ring.
 Nae duk nor pine shall see.
 And he wha cleans the fairy ring
 An easy death shall dee [/i]

No sooner had the last word left his mouth did Kinn know he was no longer alone. Several small humanoid creatures circled him, they were no bigger than a bag of sugar, their tiny dusk skinned bodies held aloft on various gossamer wings. One flew forward and held out a tiny hand, expecting payment.

Slowly so he did not appear threatening, Kinn reached a hand into his shirt pocket and took out a small leather pouch, he held it open and moved it in front of the fairy. The little man stuck his head inside and then pulled it back with a sharp intake of breath. Kinn saw a smile appear and disappear in the blink of an eye. 
He knew he had a deal, but the payment he had might not be enough and he was already wondering how he would have to pay the rest.

The Aziza nodded his head and Kinn stepped into the circle of mushrooms. He placed the pouch on the floor and stood with his head bowed. After making sure his eyes were closed the fairies began circling him, picking up speed until it looked like their was a continuous shimmer surrounding the man. A glimmering light began to spread beneath the Druid's feet. He could feel the energy as it coursed through him. Within seconds he was engulfed in a comforting green light, he felt and saw nothing but the light, yet he knew he was travelling at a very high speed, he tried to compose himself as he knew that whatever lay ahead must be important. Not just for the company, but for him as well.

Almost suddenly the light began to fade, Kinn knew he had reached his destination, the circle stones in Ireland, Ardgroom, was a sacred place. As such it was also linked to the fairy realms, he would step out of the realm of the fae and into the middle of the circle. He just hoped he was not late.

He had no idea that as he appeared in the circle of the stones, the fairies extra payment would be revealed. He had not met anyone from the company in person before except for a long history with the Dryad Raleigh Oakwood, and was hoping to make a good impression. But how would he do that without any clothing.