Bigfootloose and Finn Fancy Free (6 page)

He fell abruptly silent.

My eyebrows raised.
Weren't you just bragging about being an Aalbright of the Silver Court? Is there something I should know about them, a reason for Pete to avoid them?

*There are many things you should know. But I'm not here to instruct you.*

I sighed as the video continued. “And when the early Fey spirits began following human visitors back into our world, many joined with people, animals, even plants, forming the feyblood races of myth.”

*And that is just embarrassing,* Alynon said. *I mean, how would you like it if I kept bringing up that your cousin slept with a horse or married a tree?*

You clearly haven't met my cousins,
I replied.
That would be the least embarrassing thing you could say.

“Then the Fey demanded recognition as true beings,” the narrator said, “and fair compensation for the magic drawn from their realm.”

*Damn straight.*

“The arcana refused for generations to acknowledge them as more than manifest memories parroting real thought and emotion. There remains debate as to whether they may be considered true living beings even today.”

*How rude!*

I don't know,
I thought at Alynon.
I still question if you have any thoughts or emotions of substance
.

“The resulting wars eventually led to barriers being erected between the worlds, cutting off the free passage of spirits or magical energy, and finally the Pax Arcana was established to formalize the rules of interaction and exchange. The Arcana Ruling Council took on some of the responsibility of protecting and managing feybloods in exchange for magical energy from the Fey. And the feybloods in return each swore loyalty to a specific Fey Demesne in order to enjoy the benefits of that arrangement, as well as further the interests of their Fey patrons in our world.”

Why wouldn't the other Demesnes send representatives then?
I asked Alynon.
I'd think they'd jump at the chance for two arcana recruits.

*Arcana who are given the bright blessing against their will, especially so late in life, often have the hardest time accepting the rules and restrictions of brightblood life, and continue to treat their cousins as of a different class from themselves,* Alynon said.

Still, to not even show up, how can they know if Pete or Vee would be cool or not?

*La, 'tis also true your family has not garnered much love among our kind, between your grandfather's actions, your own battles against the brightbloods, and the Fey wardens who died in your transfer from exile.*

That wasn't—

*Your fault. Mayhap. But not all Fey believe that. And the truth, that it was the actions of your grandfather and Grayson, does little to recommend your family regardless. I'm afraid Pete and Vee may have very few options indeed.*

“And so,” the narrator concluded, “in order to maintain the careful order and balance of the Pax and ensure the safety and happiness of yourself and others, you are now about to embark on a thrilling new phase of your life by declaring loyalty to one of the Fey Demesnes. Choose wisely, and enjoy the exciting adventure that awaits you.”

Adventure. Heh. Excitement. Heh. More like being pressured to become indentured servants to the Fey.

Pete looked at me with worried, pleading eyes as the video ended. I could tell he was hoping I'd find a way out of this for him as his big brother. I gave him a reassuring smile. We'd figure it out. Somehow.

Vincent clicked off the television. “Now, Zenith, you may make your offer on behalf of the Silver Court.”

Zenith gave him a nod, and said, “Simply put, there is no better Demesne for a brightblood to pledge than the Silver Court. Our brightbloods enjoy the most freedom of movement, the greatest number of options for working among the mundanes, and more offspring allowed than any other brightblood clan.”

Not surprising, since the Silver Court had remained neutral on the Fey side of the last Fey-Arcana war, while their feybloods had actually fought beside the arcana. They had benefitted from the ARC's favor ever since.

Zenith smiled at Vee. “A waersquirrel would feel right at home in our local brightblood community, as long as she was able to control her compulsion to take others' possessions. Our local brightbloods roam the Olympic National Forest with great freedom, and are great stewards of the land.” She cleared her throat, and looked much less happy as she regarded Pete. “While your strength would also be most welcome, I am certain, waerwolves most often go with the Shadows. The Silver Court rarely seeks out your kind. If you wished to pledge to the Silver, we are prepared to hear your argument for why we should accept you, of course. We do not seek to separate you one from the other, but neither do we suggest that pledging the Silver is best for both of you.”

*Of course not,* Alynon said in a bitter tone.

Do you think she's lying?
I asked.

*No. Your enforcer would detect it. I'm just being cynical, pay me no heed.*

“Is that all you wish to say?” Vincent asked.

Zenith gave another tilted nod of her head. “The advantages of pledging to the Silver Court are well known, I am sure.”

“Very well,” Vincent said, and looked at Minerva. “The Forest of Shadows may now make its offer.”

“If I might be so bold,” Minerva said, “I believe the Silver's making my case for me. Not just here, but for months now.” She looked at Vincent. “It's true, ain't it, you enforcers been having all kinds of trouble from Silver brightbloods, all over the place lately?”

“Whether we have or haven't isn't a matter for discussion here,” Vincent said.

“Yeah, okay,” Minerva said. “Suffice it to say, the Silver Court may not be teacher's pet much longer, and—”

“I hardly think—” Zenith began sharply.

“Got no doubt about that,” Minerva replied.

Zenith's eyes nearly flashed lightning as she glared at Minerva. “You would insult an Aalbright, you childish half-bright?”

“Enough,” Vincent said. “Keep the peace, or suffer the consequences.”

“Crap, yeah, okay,” Minerva replied, then shook her head. “Apologies, Bright Lady, I'm more used to putting down challenges from my pack than being all polite and political, or in the presence of such exalted company.”

Zenith gave a curt nod, though her expression was anything but forgiving.

“So let's get right down to it,” Minerva continued. “The Silver'd bond you both to unhappiness just to swell their ranks.”

“Ware, brightblood,” Zenith said, her tone dangerous.

“I'm just speaking truth here,” Minerva replied, and looked at Petey. “Dig. She told you right out you wouldn't be welcome among the Silver. Yet she dangles your woman there like a fat bloody steak over a trap, trying to tempt you to throw away real happiness and freedom for a mongrel's life of bitterness and regret, and makes you actually beg for the privilege.”

Vee's face grew red. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“It means if Pete goes with you to the Silver he'd be treated with suspicion if he's lucky, or like some feral dog if he ain't, and he'd never truly feel part of that clan anyways. With the Shadows, he'd be free to follow his wolf nature, be among his own kind, know the joys of running and hunting and … bonding with the pack.”

Pete shook his head. “I don't
want
to let the wolf out.”

Vee nodded, putting her hand on his arm. “And I wouldn't be any more welcome with the Shadows than you say Pete would be with the Silver. Or safe.”

“Maybe,” Minerva said. “And that's why you should each go your own ways now.”

“
Excuse
me?” Vee said.

“No!” Pete said at the same time.

“That's your offer?” I asked. “You're not exactly making it tempting.”

Minerva shrugged. “I'm just speaking the truth, even when it ain't pretty, which is what you'll always get from the Shadows. You both say you want the other to be happy. Well, you'd each be happier with different patrons. If you pledge together, then one of you will be placing your own happiness over the other's, while one of you will be sacrificing their happiness. You really think that'll lead to a long and happy relationship?”

“I'll be happy so long as I am with Petey, period,” Vee replied.

“Seriously?” Minerva asked. “How long would you really be happy seeing Pete all miserable if you both go Silver? Or how long you think before you get all bitter and resentful about sacrificing your happiness if you both pledge the Shadows? Better to end it now. You have no children, no bond of marriage or even of years between you.” She shrugged. “But should you be determined to stay together, the Shadows will of course welcome you both. Pete, you would be honored for your strength. And I'm sure we could find some arrangement for the squirrel-bright to keep her … safe.”

Pete and Vee looked at each other, their expressions troubled.

*She's right. They're both right,* Alynon said, and his voice sounded strange. *Most waerwolves declare for the Forest of Shadows. Pete is not likely to be welcomed with open arms by the Silver.*

So what does that mean?
I asked.

Alynon was silent for several seconds, then said, *It means I will help you as I may, where their fate is concerned at the least.*

I blinked in surprise. I refrained from asking what made him suddenly willing to help. I didn't want to jinx it.

How?
I asked instead.

*I will put in a good word for Pete with the Silver Court,* Alynon said. *For whatever that is worth. And help as I may otherwise.*

I don't suppose you'll tell me what swearing loyalty to a Demesne actually means? What do the Fey really get out of it? How do you enforce loyalty?

*That I may not do, no,* Alynon responded.

I sighed. As much as we were stuck together, Alynon remained a Fey in the end, with Fey interests first and foremost in whatever passed for his heart.

“Well,” enforcer Vincent said when it became clear Minerva had finished. “There you have it. And now, Mr. Gramaraye and Miss Wodenson, you may make your case to either of the representatives here as to why you feel they should accept you, or you may ask questions of any of us.”

Pete and Vee both glanced at me. Vee cleared her throat. “I think we just need some time to think about it all. We—” She paused, and looked at the empty seat beside her for a second. She was, I knew, listening to Sarah, her Fey squirrel spirit. Or an imaginary projection of Sarah, nobody really knew for sure. She said in a low voice, “Why? We don't need—” She shook her head. “Fine.” She looked across the table again with an embarrassed expression, and said, “I'm sorry, Sarah really wants to know if we would have easy access to peanut brittle?”

A frown passed across Zenith's face, and a smirk across Minerva's.

Enforcer Vincent sighed. “I'll answer this to save time. Every Demesne has feybloods who live as wild, or as close to civilization, as their desire and nature allows. As you clearly have no problem blending in and dealing with the human world, and the ARC would not consider
you
an exposure or safety threat, I'm sure you would be allowed to live in whatever housing they maintain within town limits, and would have access to all of the amenities you are used to.”

Sure, and prisoners have free food and television and recreation yards. Doesn't make prison a resort spa or mean the prisoners had freedom. And I noticed he didn't look at Pete when he said that, regardless.

Both Zenith and Minerva nodded agreement with Vincent's assurance.

“Okay,” I said, standing up. “Well, thank you all for coming, it's been lovely. Now if you'll excuse us, Pete and Vee have a lot to think about.”

Enforcer Vincent ignored me again and looked between Pete and Vee. “Do you have any further questions or arguments for the representatives?”

“No,” Pete said, and Vee shook her head.

“Very well.” Vincent stood, and everyone joined him with the sound of several chairs scooting back across the wood floor. “It is just short of ten a.m. now. You have until Tuesday at ten a.m., three days from now, to make your decision. Should you fail to declare loyalty to a Fey Demesne at that time, you will be classified as rogue feybloods by the ARC.”

Nobody said anything in response. Vincent pulled a stack of envelopes out of his briefcase, which I assumed were the offers from the other Demesnes, and tossed them onto the table. Then I led him and the representatives back to the front door, leaving Pete and Vee holding each other, their heads leaning together.

Vincent exited last, and as he stepped out onto the porch he paused and turned back to me. “Look, arcana to arcana, of course this sucks for all involved, but in the end the Laws exist for good reasons. Do what you can to encourage them to declare loyalty to a Demesne. I've seen what happens to most rogue feybloods, and trust me, whatever they think of feyblood clan life, it's better than the alternative.”

“They're doing just fine here,” I said. “Maybe you're just not used to feybloods having supportive families.”

Vincent shook his head. “Whether pledged or rogue, their arcana gifts will be blocked, and their memories of training in those gifts removed. If they stay here, what purpose will they have? What kind of life? They will not be arcana, and they will be feybloods unable to express their feyblood natures. Let them go, Gramaraye, for everyone's sake.”

*He has a point.*

Not now.
“I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.”

“Uh huh. And one more thing. I agree that they should think about splitting up, declaring for separate Demesnes. It will be better for them in the end. Especially her.”