The wind howled a mournful song across the emerald hills of County Clare, a familiar rhythm to Keith's soul. He wasn't born to a grand castle, but to a humble, weather-beaten cottage nestled amongst the sheepfolds. His origins are steeped in a bittersweet mystery, whispered on the breeze of generations past.
It began with a storm, a rogue wave – a particularly fierce one – that swept through the valley, carrying with it a single, withered hawthorn blossom. Old Maggie, the village herbalist, recognized its unique properties. She saw in its tiny seeds a glimmer of something ancient, a connection to the land itself. Maggie, a woman weathered by sun and sorrow, became Keith’s first mentor. She taught him to coax life from the earth, to listen to the whispers of the stones, and to respect the power of nature.
But Maggie also told him a story. A story of a ‘Keith-fraise,’ a man born from the hawthorn, blessed – or perhaps cursed – with a stubborn will and a skill for building impossible things. The tale involved a lost artifact, a perfectly crafted lantern, and a bargain struck with the spirits of the land. The bargain, however, came at a cost. The lantern, it was said, bound the man to a cycle of crafting and the enduring spirit of the land.
Now, Keith builds. He builds sturdy bridges across rushing streams, ramps for forgotten sheep, and sturdy scaffolding that reaches for the clouds. He refuses to build for vanity, but for purpose: to support those who need it, to honor the legacy of the earth, and occasionally, to indulge in a well-deserved pint of Guinness.
He has a peculiar fascination with shadows, finding a certain beauty in their endless dance. And he refuses to leave the countryside, believing the earth’s secrets are best kept close.
His friends might call him ‘Keeth’, a charming nickname, or perhaps ‘Old Man Wood,’ depending on the moment.
Don't tell anyone. It's a closely guarded secret, and a good one, really.
The name was always tied to the soil, an acknowledgement of a life rooted in the land.
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Email: info@keith.exe.nz
– Keith