#Inspired to write a short story after seeing a video of hozier singing the humours of whiskey

[schifty-al]

"Come guess me this riddle, what beats pipe and fiddle

What’s hotter than mustard and milder than cream

What best wets your whistle, what’s clearer than crystal

What’s sweeter than honey and stronger than st-" the fae stopped when she saw the man that had some how snuck up without her notice.

He pushed off the tree he was leaning on and that shrouded him in darkness. He walked out into the light of the full moon, the cowboy presented a bottle of whiskey to her. "I reckon this here's the answer to yer riddle.", he said with a pained smile. She looked down to the bleeding at his mid section. He looked down as well before looking at her again. "When I heard yer pretty voice, darlin', I was hopin' ta have yer company durin' my final breaths while I polished off this here bottle." he fell to his knees as his strength gave out. She walked over to him as he seemed to look out to the distance within the ground.

"Had this gut shot comin' to me for a long while now. For same reason I'ma widower. Same reason I'ma cold hearted bastard. Same reason I've done nothin' but lookin for revenge, and travelin to every corner of the world to get it. Same reason I only drink when I'ma restin'. Same reason I've been wishin for death to take me all these years. Same reason why only now do I have any hope of seeing my husband's long black hair and big brown eyes soon." a tear rolled down his cheek before she laid him down, set his hat to the side and rested his head on her lap.

"Thank ya kindly darlin'. Iffin ya would be so obligin'; could ya sing that song of yours for me? I think John would wanna learn it too when I finally get to see him again."

She looked into the eyes that still sparkled , but were no longer looking at anything. She took a deep breath and sang soft and slowly for him.

"...Come guess me this riddle, what beats pipes and fiddle

What's hotter than mustard and milder than cream

What best wets your whistle, what's clearer than crystal

Sweeter than honey and stronger than steam

What'll make the lame walk, what will make the dumb talk,

The elixir of life and philospher's stone

And what helped Mr. Brunnell to build the Thames Tunnel

Wasn't it whiskey from ould Inisowen

So stick to the cratur' the best thing in nature

For sinking your sorrows and raising your joys

Oh lord, it's no wonder, if lightning and thunder

Weren't made from the plunder of whiskey me boys... "

The dying cowboy listened and smiled to the entirety of song, but the sparkle in his eyes were fading towards the end of the song, "Much appreciated darlin'. I'm feelin' mighty tired right now. Think I'll rest my eyes for awhile 'fore I go see... John..." his eyes closed slowly before his head lulled to the side. The cowboy died thinking of his beloved, and the nice lady he wanted to tell him about.