Twist of Fae (10 page)

"So what did you do?" Jay asked.

"I thought I was going to be on my own, although I did
have a few cards up my sleeve. But then a Hamadryad by the name of Sylvana
stepped in. You see, when Demeter ruled here, she felt she needed to protect
her land as the war was still on. So she had Sylvana guard the hidden entrance
to her temple. Remember how I told you that Hamadryads are bound to their
tree?"

They both nodded.

"Well, get this. Instead of letting her move about like
the others, she bound her with magic to the roots of her tree. That's where her
back entrance to the temple was. Demeter wanted to make sure she would always
guard it so she forced Sylvana to stay deep underground where the hidden
entrance is. When I got there, she hadn’t seen the sun in thousands of
years!"

"Jeez, Dad. That's messed up," Nikki said.
"What'd you do?"

"I freed her, of course," I answered, shaking my
head at the memory of it. "Goes to show you what kind of assholes the old
Gods were. As soon as I realized what Demeter had done, I cut the magic bonds
that trapped her there, setting her free. Even after I did it, she asked me how
I could trust her to do her job. Can you believe it?"

"What did you say?" Jay asked.

"I told her the job was hers if she still wanted it and
that her word was good enough for me. After that, she got up on the dais and
told the other Fae what I'd done. Once the Fae saw that she was free, they knew
I couldn’t be the bad guy. Of course, I still had to fight the other High Fae's
followers. But once we won it was all good. Even Cacilia came around. Anyway,
that's the nickel version of what happened."

"Alright, Dad," Nikki asked. "So what does
all that have to do with me?"

"Well," I answered. "It's like this. I'd won
the crown but when I was standing there looking at Demeter's empty throne there
on the dais I just figured the Fae had been through enough. I mean, not just
because I was a male, but also because of the battle and everything else. So
rather than give them another shock by actually sitting on the throne. I told
them that I wouldn’t break another tradition. So I made Cacilia the Steward of
the realm and let them know that I had a daughter that could claim the throne
when she was ready."

"I didn't mean to throw it at you like this and wish I
would have talked to the both of you when all that was going on. But, to be
honest, I had so many things happening at once that I really didn’t think it
through. I guess it was impulsive to do so without asking. But the fact
remains, the throne is yours when you want it."

"What if I don’t want it? And if I do take it,
eventually," she added. "What do I have to do?"

"Well, it's entirely up to you, of course," I
replied. "The Fae might be disappointed if you refuse but you have to make
your own decision. I'll stand by whatever you think is best. But if you do take
it, you can be as involved here as you want. Cacilia runs things here in my
absence just fine and that doesn't have to change. There's already a system in
place for most things and you can also delegate some of the rest. So the
reality is that aside from a few big decisions that only you can make, let's
call them the policy kind, it's really not that bad of a gig. Sure, you'd have
a lot of responsibility, but I know you can handle that. Besides, Jay and I
will still be here when you're ready so you'll have advisors you can
trust."

"Or I could simply banish you both and run the place
whatever the hell way I want," she said with a mischievous grin.

"Ouch," Jay retorted.

"Yeah, I guess you could do that, too," I agreed.
Not that I was worried. Nikki was too much like me and had a soft spot for
anything or anyone that needed help. I still remember her bringing over any
friend that might need a meal or a just an ear to listen to when she was
growing up. I waited as she pondered over what I'd just told her.

"Ok, Dad," she finally said. "I get it. I
kind of understand what you were going through so I'll give you a pass on this
one. But from now on, no more surprises, ok?"

"I'll do my best," I admitted.

"So where do I fit in in all this?" Jay asked.

"It sounds to me, little brother, that you get to reap
the rewards, without the duties," Nikki quipped. "Being a guy that
is. Come to think about it, you might have the best deal all around."

"What makes you say that?" Jay queried.

"Don’t tell me you didn’t catch how drop dead gorgeous
that Sendy was," she replied with a laugh. "And after seeing all the little
Faeries around here so far, I'm gonna bet that the big ones aren't any
different. I have a feeling 'most eligible bachelor' is probably the best gig
in town."

Even I had to smile at that one.

"Alright, Daddio. You've given me a lot to think
about," Nikki said as she took each of us by the arm. "So let's check
out this Faerie kingdom you're trying to stick me with. Charlie, lead the way.
I'm a bit hungry and we've got a BBQ to get to."

We followed Charlie down the trail until we reached the path
of worlds, then continued on it towards the
Wayward Elf
.

"Hey Dad," Nikki asked as we turned towards the inn.
"Does this place have any beer?"

"The Elves brew an ale that I think you might
like," I replied.

"Elf beer?" she said with a grin. "This I
gotta see."

J
AY

Dad turned down a side road and Nikki and I followed,
Charlie right behind us. I took a few steps and then, suddenly, there was a
pinging in my head. Someone was waiting for us. No, not just someone… it was a
crowd.

"Dad, wait," I said as I tried to sort what I was
feeling in my mind.

Then Nikki spoke out as well.

"Do you feel that, Dad?" she said. "It feels
like there are people… I mean… Fae ahead of us."

"Do you feel anything else?" I heard him ask.

She stopped and cocked her head, as if she was listening for
something. "Curiosity. Maybe some apprehension." Then she took a deep
breath. "I think they're curious about me." she added, her eyes wide.

Then he asked me and I held my breath, reaching out,
searching.

"I can feel some emotional output," I finally
said. "But that's about it. I can tell that there are people, I mean, Fae,
waiting for us. And I do get a feeling of curiosity, but I can't tell who, or
what, they're curious about. At least not in that way. Of course I'm guessing
Nikki is right, but that's based on my opinion, not something I can sense. Wait…
now this is weird. I think I can sense some weapons out there. But I don’t feel
any threat. At least none towards us."

It was a very strange feeling, almost as if I was smelling
them, but not exactly. I could only guess that whatever was happening to me had
added new senses, but I was having a hard time separating them out. I suppose I
should be freaking out over all this. But for some reason it didn’t feel… Well,
it didn’t feel wrong, I guess I'm trying to say. Almost like my body knew what
was going on but my brain was still trying to catch up.

"What does it mean?" Nikki asked before I could.

"It's too soon to tell," Dad replied. "I have
no way to gauge how long it'll take for the magic to fully reveal itself, or
how powerful either of you will become. For now it appears that you've both
got, at the very least, heightened senses. Although neither of you sensed things
in the same way. But what that means or how that'll play out in the long run, I
don’t know. But you're both right, there are Fae waiting for us."

"Very nice, little brother," Nikki said with a
laugh as she took the lead and I followed them down the path.

As we walked, I wondered what other surprises were in store
for us as we continued our trip through the looking glass.

R
OBERT

Both kids immediately sensed the Fae ahead as we turned onto
the path to the
Wayward Elf
. I had known they were there quite a few
minutes before, but maybe that was because I had expected them. I was still
surprised at how fast and strong the magic was making itself known to them. Both
had sensed the Fae at the Inn at the same time, even if their perceptions of
who and what lay ahead differed.

Jay and I followed as Nikki took the lead, and I wondered
just exactly what it meant. Their powers were already manifesting themselves
quicker than mine had when all this started. But whether that was because we
were already in Fae, or for some other reason, it was too soon to tell.

As we turned the corner, the inn came into view. Standing in
front of the archway that led into the courtyard and stables were Cacilia and
Handion, accompanied by his wife and several others, as well as Sophie. The
small Faeries that Nikki had met were there as well. Behind them I could see the
many other Fae that had also gathered there.

"Cacilia, Handion," I said with a nod to all.
"May I present my children, Nikki and Jay."

"Welcome Princess, and you as well young Prince. As you
can see, word of your arrival has preceded you here," she said with a
sweep of her arm behind her. Then she bowed. "Many years it has been since
we last met. It is good to see how you have grown."

"Thank you," Nikki replied as Jay nodded. Then she
leaned over and whispered. "Dad, do you always get this kind of
reception?"

"Hardly," I said with a laugh. "No, it seems
like this is your party."

"Please come in," Handion said before Nikki could
reply. "The table is set. Food and drink await all who have come to see
you."

"Thanks for being here," I said to Cacilia as we
followed Handion into the inn, Nikki's small Faeries abuzz about the kids'
heads. "Sorry for the short notice. Things got a little bit crazy on the
other side."

"Why am I not surprised?" she asked, feigning
astonishment.

I almost laughed. Turns out she had a sense of humor after
all.

"But I would not have missed it," she continued.
"And what of Nikki?"

"She's ok. A little bit overwhelmed I would imagine. This
all came as a pretty big surprise to both of them, but they appear to be taking
it well," I said with a sigh. "Although I'm not sure what she wants
to do just yet."

"She will know what to do when the time is right, as
you did."

"True," I said, as Handion offered us seats at
what appeared to be the head table. The place was packed with Fae. I saw many
that I recognized from my previous visits. As soon as we sat down, Lotte,
Handion's wife, had ale and wine brought to the table and put down large bowls
for Charlie and Sophie.

Nikki and Jay each took a deep drink and then looked around
the room, their faces showing amazement at the throng that surrounded us. Not a
single chair was empty and many Fae were just wandering about the room. They
seemed enchanted by the kids' presence, and I noted many whispering among
themselves as they looked over at Nikki.

"Hey, why don’t you two mingle a bit?" I said.
"You'll never get a better chance with so many of our Fae gathered here
today." Then I turned to Handion. "Can you serve us last?"

"As you wish," he replied.

"Plataia," I called, spying the water Faerie
standing by a nearby table. "Would you mind showing Nikki and Jay around?
Maybe make a few introductions?"

"Not at all, my Lord," she replied as she took Jay
by the arm.

They both stood, and although Nikki gave me a nasty look,
she followed as Plataia led them away from the table, the train of small
Faeries following along. Not surprisingly, they were both working the crowd
like a couple of old time politicians after only a few minutes. Although I
doubt the politicians of the human world had as many admirers bowing and
kneeling before them. I also spent the next half hour or so visiting with
well-wishers who stopped by the table before the food began to be served.

"So what happened?" Cacilia asked when we were
finally alone.

I told her how my day had started and brought her up to
speed with how the kids had taken everything. I didn't mention how their powers
seemed to be manifesting themselves faster than I expected, because I still
wasn't sure what it meant.

"And your plans for the future?"

"As always," I said. "I'll just have to see
what crops up."

"Ah, a fresh approach," Handion said with a laugh,
as he sat down beside me with a pitcher of fresh ale.

"What can I say? If I started planning, all hell would
break loose, so it's easier to just maintain the status quo."

"But what do you plan to do about her?" Cacilia
asked.

"Like I said, status quo for now," I replied.
"There's no reason to rock the boat until she's ready. Besides, except for
not knowing exactly what the Lilin are up to, things are pretty quiet. At least
for the moment."

"There is still the matter of the Dwarves,"
Handion added. "Valen appears safe, but there has still been no word from
Bernd or Motgnir."

"You've heard from him?" Cacilia asked.

"Not directly," he replied. "But word has recently
come from one of my brethren that he evaded capture and with some followers has
returned to his hold in the deep. If true, he will be safe there."

"That is good to hear," she said. "There have
been rumors of clashes between them and Grerin's folk, and they have already been
seen in neighboring lands. I expect a summons any time after they cross over here."

"A summons?" Nikki repeated as she and Jay, still
accompanied by Plataia, sat down. "What are we talking about here?"

"Dwarves," I replied, sending a mental command for
Sendy to return.

"Yeah, some of the Fae asked me about them as I went
around the room. What's the deal with them anyway?"

I gave her the short version of what Alf had told me, then
looked to Handion and Cacilia to fill in any gaps.

"The Naiad report that Grerin's Dwarves are searching
all of Fae for any word of them," Cacilia agreed. "Although they say
it is only because the King wishes to speak to him. Yet, we know it is more
than that. Still, we must be cautious. None here will betray Valen's folk but I
would prefer they were not aware of that fact."

"Why not," Nikki asked. "Seems to me they
don’t deserve anything less. Abandoning the Fae when they needed help. Why
should it matter?"

"True," she replied. "But they are an ancient
and powerful race and have always been revered by the Fae."

"Indeed," Handion added. "They were very
close to the Gods before
The Fall
, and almost as powerful. Who knows
what was going through the Dwarf King's mind when the wars began."

"I don’t think I care," Nikki said. "That's
just wrong."

Handion just smiled before excusing himself to go back into
the kitchen.

Sendy appeared at about the same time and I asked her to do
a search of the surrounding lands for any Dwarves that might appear. Within a
moment she was gone, and I made a note to give her some time off when all this
was over.

"What about you, Dad?" Jay asked. "What do
you think about all this?"

"I won’t betray our friends," I replied. "But
as to the rest, I'm just going to have to see what happens. I'd like to know
what they're really up to before I make any decisions."

"Bullshit," Nikki said, pantomiming a cough.
"I know you better than that. You've already made up your mind. You just
don’t want to tell us."

"Well, we'll see what happens when they get here,"
I said with a smile. A moment later Handion and Lotte returned with food and
more drink. "For now, let's just enjoy the day." Then I stood and after
a very short speech of thanks to all for coming, hoisted a cup of ale to our
hosts and then sat down to feast on Nikki's boar.

After everyone had eaten, several Fae walked up and Plataia
stood and bent down to whisper to Jay. I watched as a slow smile came over his
face and he got up from the table.

"I guess we're going out to catch the sunset with some
of her friends," he said. "Maybe we'll see you out there. Plataia
says there's also supposed to be a full moon tonight." He gave us a wink
and then the two of them left the table and followed the others out the door.

"Go little bro," Nikki whispered.

"It's not exactly what you think," I whispered
back. "Or maybe it is. It doesn't really matter, but watching the sun set
and rise is a big deal here. Come on, I'll show you." As I stood, I turned
to Cacilia. "Would you like to join us?"

"I will see you out there," she replied.

We stood, and after a quick word with Handion, we followed
the others outside to the field adjacent to the inn. The sun was just setting
and the grounds were peaceful as Fae milled about and enjoyed the moment. Soon
the full moon was shining and I relaxed as Charlie and Sophie sat beside me,
Nikki having wandered off with Jay to mingle with the many Fae that had
gathered. A moment later, Sendy appeared at my side.

"I have found them, my Lord," she said. "There
is a group of strange Dwarves that I spied among the Meliae (the Nymphs of ash
trees). They now travel toward the dead lands between the kingdoms."

The dead lands were just that. A land between many of the
Fae kingdoms that supported no life. Even the rivers and streams did not run on
its surface, but instead, underneath it. It was said that once all of Fae was
connected, but during the wars, those areas between the greatest concentrations
of Fae withered and died as the battles raged and the magic was used up. Since
then, one had to either travel by magic through tree, water, or air, otherwise,
they would have to cross these dead areas to go from one Fae land to another.
It was manageable, but not a pleasant trip.

"How many and how far away are they?" I asked.

"Ten Dwarves plus the leader. They are a few days away at
most," she replied. "Sooner if they travel all night. They tried to cross
via the trees but the Hamadryads refused, citing your commands. The Dwarves
were angry but even they could not order the trees to comply and there are no
Naiad close enough to make going back any faster. I would have come sooner but
I wanted to make sure they were actually coming this way."

"You've done well, thanks. A couple days, eh? Charlie,
ask Cacilia if she can meet us inside." Then I told Sendy to see Handion
for some food. I grabbed both kids and headed back to the inn. Once inside I
invited everyone to sit and told them what I'd learned.

"They will not be happy. They will see having to cross
the dead lands as an affront to their King," Cacilia said, hearing about
the Hamadryads refusal to allow them to cross. "When did you issue that
order?"

"Actually, I didn't," I answered. "At least
not one directed at Dwarves. But I did tell the Hamadryad to guard the realm
from any that would cause us harm. So I'm guessing they took that to
heart."

"Now I understand," she replied, shaking her head.
"Sylvana then. Many trees were felled during the wars and she has not
forgotten the help she received from Bernd and Valen, nor the pleas that fell
on the deaf ears of Grerin as his Dwarves abandoned us."

"Someone with some sense then," Nikki said.
"Isn't she the one you told us about? The guardian of the temple?"

"Yeah," I replied. "As well as the eldest of
the Hamadryad."

"What kind of response can we expect from them
then?" Jay asked, fingering his sword. "Do you want to let them in
when they get here or meet them at the border?"

"Response? That I don’t know," I replied.
"Cacilia? Handion? Any idea?"

"I do not know how they will react," Cacilia said
after a moment. "None of Grerin's Dwarves have been seen in millennia. All
I know is what I have already told you. What this will mean for us I cannot
say."

"Do we really care?" Nikki asked, obviously not
happy with all that she'd heard. "Seems to me they have a lot of balls
showing up after all this time. I'm sorry, but I just don’t see where we owe
them anything."

"You are correct, Princess," Handion said. "You
do not owe them anything. But there is still politics to consider. And politics
here, unlike the human world, is settled not only with magic, but often at the
end of a sword. Valen himself would urge caution."

"You're right, he probably would, as would Bernd. But
they're not here, I am," I said with a glance at Nikki. "No. We'll
allow them entry and have them escorted to the temple. Then we can listen to what
they have to say. As to what happens after, that will be up to them to decide.
Ok, then. Let's just enjoy what's left of the night. Handion, can you get some
rooms for us? We might as well stay here until they arrive."

"Of course," he replied and then nodded at Lotte
who headed up the stairs.

Everyone seemed to be in agreement, but I could tell Cacilia
was skeptical. She had, after all, protected the Fae for a long time by keeping
a low profile. I hadn't helped in that accord, especially since the last battle
we'd fought had been on the temple floor. But we'd already hashed out any
differences we'd had after that one and I figured she'd go along with whatever
I decided. She owed Valen and Bernd a lot and she wasn't one to forget her
friends either. I tasked Sendy with keeping an eye out for the Dwarves and
updating not just me, but also Cacilia, as well as the Hamadryad that watched
the border as they got closer.