The muffled yelps and the stench of burning fur as the blacksmith closed the bands, marred the peace of the besieged village. Cowen dug trenches in the snow with the toe of his boot, trying to distract himself from the sounds. Apparently the Fae were just as sensitive to hot iron as they were to cold.

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Cir Sith: A fairy hound found in the western Scottish Isles. It was the size of a two-year-old cow, and green in color. The cir sith had a long tail, which was usually coiled on its back, sometimes braided like the straw rug of a pack-saddle. It was kept as watchdog in the fairy knowe, but did occasionally run loose. It moved swiftly, making a noise like a galloping horse, leaving huge footprints. It trailed travelers, barked three times, and at the third it overtook its prey and pulled him down.