Of Gods and Fae (9 page)

But as I looked around the room I did notice a lot of
flirtatious behavior between guests, not to mention that the two Fae heading up
the stairs to the rooms were acting awful cozy with one another. I really hated
it when Diantha was right.

"Fine, you bring up a good point, I'll consider it. But
I do have to see to the dogs first, as well as Sendy."

"Thank you, my Lord," she said with a sparkle in
her eye. "That is all I ask."

I headed out the door and found myself in a small courtyard
with a garden. The smell of fresh vegetables flooded my senses as I looked
around for the animals. I found Charlie, Sophie, and another dog on the grass
chewing on what I guessed were some of the bones from the boar we'd brought.
When he saw me, Charlie got up and walked over, only putting the bone down when
he was at my feet. I guess even Fae hunting dogs get possessive when it comes
to their bones.

I sat down on the grass, rubbed his head, and asked him how
he was doing. He responded that he had sensed nothing evil on the grounds and
that all seemed safe. I told him we were spending the night and that I wanted
him to have fun but to stay watchful. He gave me a big lick on the cheek and
then went back to his bone after saying that he'd find me if there was trouble.
That was easy. Now I needed to talk to Sendy again.

I walked around the building and found a small alcove with a
hedge that blocked it from outside view that seemed private enough. Within
seconds she was at my shoulder.

"How's it going?"

"There is more movement upon the path now but I have
seen nothing that troubles me there. But I must tell you that I have met the
progeny of Pegasus and she knows of what you are."

"You met the flying horse?"

"Yes, she sought me out after your meeting."

"How did she know you were here?"

"That I cannot say, but her kind were once close to the
Aurae and that may explain it. After you left the stables she took to the air
and flew straight at me, urging me to follow. She led me to a place where we
could meet safely and spoke to me of how to contact her if needed. It is a
great honor to commune with them for they seldom show themselves." She
flew off my shoulder and I raised my hand so she could land and face me. "She
believes you are the one, my Lord."

"The one?" I asked.

"He that will return greatness and honor to the Fae,"
she replied. "I knew that my quest was not in vain."

Well, wasn't that something. I had known that Gaea had
decreed that upon the High Fae's return there would be a battle between good
and evil. I also knew that I was the good guy, but more significantly, that had
been one of the reason's the Dryad had forsaken my family. They believed that
if a male was born to that line, he would be evil.

Such a belief by a being so revered, animal or not, might go
a long way if my position was contested. I'd still have to see where this was
leading but I was starting to feel better about what was happening. Time to get
back to business.

"I am honored as well and will accept her help if we
need it. But first I need you to know what we're doing. I think we're ok here
so we're spending the night. That'll give me a chance to digest what has
happened, as well as mingle with some of the other Fae. Will you be alright out
here or do you want me to call you when we are alone in our rooms?"

"I will be fine. It is a pleasant night and a joy to
fly among the treetops again."

"Good. I'll call you when I need you then. But you must
still keep an eye out. While I feel good about what's transpired I can't help
but think that if those that support our cause have learned of our presence
here, then those that oppose it could have done so as well."

A look of alarm began to appear on her face.

"Relax, I have nothing to base that on but instinct and
I don’t think anything will happen here. This place is too open and there's a
lot more to this Elf than meets the eye. No, I think if something were to
happen it'll be when we get back on the road. But still, be watchful."

"It shall be as you say."

The place seemed busier as I went back in through the side
door. There were more Fae moving about now and the pitch of the room had increased
a few decibels. Nodding at Siegfried I noticed that he was deep in conversation
with a female Fae. She was almost as tall as he was and seemed mesmerized by
whatever he was saying. I turned back toward the table where I had left Gerda
at and saw that Diantha, at least, was still there. I walked up and took a
seat.

"Where's Gerda?" I asked as I sat down.

"Off to watch the sunset, as many of the Fae here do."
Diantha replied. "And as I was just getting ready to go with Daphnis here,
perhaps you could spend some time with his friend, Plataia. I would hate to
leave her alone."

"Of course," I replied. "It would be a pleasure."

"Then I leave you in good hands," Diantha said, as
the two of them rose from the table. With a bow from him, he led her away and
towards the front door.

"I could use a drink," I commented, waving at
Lotte as she breezed by with a tray. Before I could ask she set a mug of ale
down in front of me and refilled Plataia's glass with wine. Not sure what
direction to take with her I resorted to a classical line.

"So, Plataia, are you travelling through or do you call
this home?" Was that was lame, or what?

"As Pegaeae, I am bound to the spring I call home,"
she answered with a curious expression. "I prefer not to venture too far
from its waters. Diantha said you were of the Dryad. I would think you should
know such things."

"My apologies, my circumstances are unique. While a
traveler to many of the worlds, I am afraid I am an expert of none," I
said, now noticing the thin thread of magic that accompanied her.

"Ahh, of course, she also mentioned this. So it is true
then. You call no world home."

"Something like that."

"Such sadness. I have never heard of a Dryad without a
grove." She looked thoughtful for a moment before continuing. "Although,
to be true, I seldom talk with males, few ever venture from the city. You must
come from a land very different than this one."

That's an understatement. Few males, eh, that could be
problematic.

"Ah, well," I said, and then took a long drink
from my mug. "It has never been said that the Gods were without humor."

She put her hand in front of her mouth and stifled a laugh.

"But tell me of your home," I said, hoping to move
the conversation along.

"It is not far, would you like to see it?" she
asked with almost a hint of shyness.

"I'd love too."

"Then let us go outside and watch the sunset with the
others. There will be a full moon and the fields surrounding the spring and
stream are beautiful in its light."

We both drained our cups and got up. I took her arm in mine
and we went outside.

The main room was still busy, but we weren't the only ones
heading out. When we reached the courtyard I saw several others in groups of
two to four walking past the stable to the open field. There appeared to be
more to watching the sunset than I had originally thought.

"I didn’t realize that this was such a popular pastime,"
I commented as I steered us toward Diantha who was just ahead of us.

"The sun is the same in all the worlds and it reminds
us of who we are," she said, gazing at me with that curious look again. "Do
they not do this in the other Fae worlds you have visited?"

"I suppose they must," I answered, realizing I'd
committed another blunder. I was going to have to be careful what I asked from
now on. "It's just that we usually tend to stay away from large groups."

"A lonely existence," she replied, and then
grasped my arm tighter. "Yet your friends, especially Diantha, seem to be
handling it well."

"Diantha is unique," I answered, glancing in her
direction and thinking that that was an understatement.

As we caught up with the subject of our discussion, I felt a
rather hard tap on my side and realized that Charlie had joined us. I reached
down to pet him but he jumped up on his hind legs and put his paws on my
shoulders, his head inches away from mine.

"This one is good," he said, almost as a low growl
so no one else could hear the words, then jumped back down to walk over to Plataia,
his tail twitching.

"And who would you be?" she asked, reaching out to
scratch the big dog's ears.

"I am called Karalos," he answered, using the name
the Hamadryad had called him.

"Hail Karalos, well met. A beautiful hound and an
excellent hunter, I venture as well," she replied and then turned to me.

"Your companion?" she asked me.

"I have that honor," I replied.

I knew he was just checking up on me, but he hung out for a
moment anyway, enjoying the attention. After a while he wandered off back in
the direction of the inn.

We stayed and mingled for a bit, talking to Diantha and
several of the other Fae that Plataia introduced us to. Gerda had shown up as
well. As the sun set and the moon took its place the group started to break up
and Plataia led me to the far side of the field.

"There is a stream just on the other side of this
copse, let us take the short cut," she said as she thread her way through the
bushes.

I followed and we walked about twenty feet before the stream
came into view and soon reached a path that ran around the thicket that I
guessed went back to the inn. She crossed it and walked out onto the dock and then
got into a small boat, seating herself at the bow.

"Come," she said.

I stepped into the boat and sat down across from her and she
pushed us away from the dock. Since the boat had no sail I looked around for
the oars.

"I will do it," she said with a giggle. Then
reaching down she brushed the water with her fingertips and the boat began to move
lazily upstream. Changing positions she moved across and sat next to me,
putting her arm in mine.

Of course, magic. Damn, I must have looked like an idiot searching
for an oar. Trying not to let another mistake get to me, I sat back and made an
effort to just enjoy the scenery, as well as my companion. I'd just managed to
relax when Sendy, appeared at my shoulder.

"Something strange has happened not far from here,"
she said.

"Strange, what?"

"What did you say?" Plataia asked.

"Hold on," I said, placing my hand up to indicate
I wanted her to remain quiet for a moment.

"A faint light and a burst of magic. It was quick, and
heavily shielded. Had I not been directly above I doubt I would have even
noticed it. Two beings appeared. They talked briefly and then started in the
direction of the inn. I flew down as they first appeared, the magic was fading
quickly, but it was the same as when we first met."

"Weapons?"

"I cannot say, they were both cloaked."

"Who are you talking to?" Plataia inquired, this
time with a definite hint of irritation.

If the enemy had found me here I knew that staying hidden
much longer was probably a lost cause. It undoubtedly didn’t matter what I did
next, but some part of me still hoped that if I could keep word of my existence
quiet from those in the city, I might have a chance. Of course, in order to do
that, I needed friends. Since I apparently already had a few, one more
shouldn't hurt.

"Sendy, show yourself," I commanded, and the Faery
appeared.

"You travel with an Aurae?" Plataia asked. "But
the Aurea…"

"Plataia," I interrupted. "I'm sorry, it
appears that something has followed me here. I don’t have time to explain right
now but it would be best if you return to your home." I grasped her hands
as I said it and allowed a little magic to seep through. Just enough to send an
image of danger and my desire to protect this land. As I did so I felt her
magic and realized that, as a guardian, her first thought was to return to her
spring to insure that it remained safe.

But there was something else. Something almost familiar.
Unfortunately, I didn't have time to probe further and it took a lot to force
the magic back now that it had been awakened again.

"I understand," she said slowly. Then she reached
down and I watched as her body transformed into the very water she had just
touched.

"I will find you when this is over," I said as she
flowed out of the boat and into the stream.

"How far away are they," I asked Sendy as the boat
turned and came up upon the shore.

"Some three leagues from the inn, moving slowly. They
are following a small animal trail that leads this way."

"Ok, at least we have some time. Find me a place at
least a league from the inn in front of them. Take me there and then go get Charlie
and Siegfried. Diantha and Gerda must stay there. We have to assume that
someone has alerted them, it'll be too obvious if everyone disappears at once.
Maybe they can spot who's tailing us."

She disappeared and was gone for a few minutes. During this
time I tried to focus on controlling my magic. Upon her return she told me that
she had found a likely location and then wrapped her arms around my neck and
whisked me to the spot she had chosen. It sat upon a small rise with patches of
heavy brush. I could see the trail she was talking about down below me. If they
continued along this trail we would have good spots to hide and even a little
cover.

"This is perfect," I said.

She bowed and disappeared. About five minutes and two trips
later she was back with first Siegfried, and then Charlie. I gave her a last
order to try and verify the enemy's location and she was gone again.

We were huddled behind some dense brush when she reappeared
and I could tell the constant jumping was tiring her.

"Not too long at their pace."

"Still just the two of them?" Siegfried asked.

 "Yes, they are no more than twenty paces apart on
opposite sides of the trail, moving slowly."

"Good, that will make it easier but we will want for
Gerda's bow when the fighting starts. Robert, it would best if you were to
remain unseen."

"I'm sorry, Siegfried," I replied. "But I
can't sit this one out and we can’t afford to bring in the others. Someone may
be watching at the inn."

"I thought as much. Without Gerda we have only the one
bow. Still, we do have the high ground and a few Fae arrows. We must act
quickly and in unison. I propose a simple L shaped ambush. You and I will take
up positions here and here." He drew a crude map on the ground. "Let
them pass. When they are abreast of me, I will loose arrows. Charlie can attack
from the front, and you from the rear. With our arms we will have to let them
get close but with luck, neither of you will be needed. Since we do not know of
their strength or weapons, we cannot assume I will be able to take them both
out. At the very least, we will have the element of surprise."

"I agree, especially since it would still be best to
avoid using magic, hard as that's gonna be. Charlie, you good with this?"

He growled an affirmative and moved into position. Siegfried
and I discussed a few more tactics and I ordered Sendy to let us know when they
were close but to stay out of the confrontation unless called for. There was
nothing to do now but wait.

Finally, I heard the sounds of their approach. They were
making a strange noise, muted, but almost a clank and shuffle as both beings
came into view. Since I was doing everything I could to suppress my magic, all
I could see were two dark shapes, each on opposite sides of the small animal
trail creeping ahead slowly. I moved around the bushes that screened me,
watching as they passed. I got into a better position and was on my feet as I
heard the sound of two arrows, fired moments apart, hit their mark.

I had expected them to at least go down but all that
happened was that they stopped and reached for their swords. As I got closer I
could also clearly see an arrow in the chest of each figure. Whatever they were
this was not good. Charlie was almost on the one closest to me as I saw Siegfried
stand and fire another arrow into the other. Again, it didn’t flinch.

Charlie leaped for the neck of his opponent and this time it
fell to the ground. At the same time the second saw me and I could clearly hear
the words,
the half-breed
, as it turned towards me, two arrows now sticking
out of its chest. It started forward and while it was still pulling its blade I
tackled it and stabbed it with the seax Siegfried had given me. It didn't seem
to notice. I was considering using my more powerful blade when it threw me off
and I landed against a nearby tree. As I was momentarily stunned, Siegfried caught
up with it and with blade now in hand, a swordfight ensued.

Charlie yelped and was thrown off his opponent, pieces of
something in the air with him. Looking at his adversary I saw it, too, had its
blade out but now seemed to be missing the other arm.

I was somewhat stunned by the impact of my body against the
tree, and although probably a stupid decision, still hoping to avoid using
magic. Suddenly, it didn't seem to matter anymore as the sound of Charlie's
yelp triggered something inside of me that I could no longer control and the
world began to fade to red.

I jumped to my feet still holding the seax and leaped toward
Charlie's opponent, no longer caring if I was discovered. I slammed into it in
one jump and aiming my sword at his body, cut off the other arm and ran it
through several times. The thing didn’t even wince and I felt a sting as it
tried to bite into me with its teeth. With a roar I swung it again, and this
time, my blade rang true, severing its torso. I couldn't believe it as I
watched it, armless and cut in two, still wriggling and trying to reach me.

What does it take to kill one of these things?
I pulled
out the sword of Cronus and buried it in its head. It immediately stopped
moving. I turned and ran to Siegfried and Charlie who were now in battle with
the other.