"Wait for me!" Mophar leaped from the wagon and into the trees. "I am your shadow today." He called down. "You do not go anywhere without one of us with you."
I looked up and grinned, "That is good to know. Help me find these plants?"
He swung down and looked closely at the parchment, "There is a patch of those yellow ones off to the south." He pointed.
"Then south we go." I turned and headed the direction he had indicated. Mophar headed higher up into the trees, keeping up easily. Occasionally he would call down directions to help me reach my goals. As the sun climbed higher into the sky we worked hard to gather the various plants. Soon I had bundles of plants hanging from my harvester's basket, my belt, even my shoulder strap. "I think I have reached the limit of what I can carry."
Mophar swung down and looked at me. "You know, for someone so smart you forget things. What about your magical bag?"
I smiled, "It is back at the wagon."
Mophar rolled his eyes, "Do you remember how the spell works?"
I thought a moment, "I do."
"Then perhaps make another magical bag?" He tossed a nut to me as he climbed back into the trees.
I paused a moment and thought. He had a point. I would be able to carry much more if I had a magical bag with me. I dug around and finally located a bag that would be big enough to fit items through it's opening. I focused and remembered the spell, casting it carefully I focused and made sure that I was paying attention. The spell went out and wrapped around the bag. I could feel that magic working, forming a pocket of space to hold a large amount of items. I took a wad of leaves and tossed them into the bag. They sank into the inky darkness and were gone. I waited a moment and then reached in after them. It took a moment but I finally felt them and pulled them out.
"Well, it looks as if you were successful. Can we keep going?" Mophar hung just above my head.
I smiled and tossed him a nut, "Yes, let's keep going."
I looked at my list and realized that I had gathered over half of the items Stain had assigned. "Which way to the road?" I called out to Mophar.
He looked around and pointed, "That way, a fair walk. I can still see a few wagons but that is it."
I nodded, "Keep us even with the road and I will see if we can find the rest of these plants."
"Fine by me." He jumped from one tree to a large branch. "Just let me know what we are looking for next."
I looked at the list, "A purple bush with blue flowers. We need a few pieces of it's roots."
He looked around, "No purple in sight. What else?"
Looking down the list, "Anything red?"
He pointed forward, "Ahead along our path, a large boulder covered in red moss."
"That would be it." I headed down the path.
We finally gained all but one plant on Stain's list. Mophar was swinging from a limb. "I am tired." He stated this quite simply. "What is the last one?"
"That purple bush." I looked at the list once more. The purple bush was called King's Foil. It grows along streams and in deep shade. "Any streams nearby?"
Mophar thought a moment, "Perhaps one farther ahead. The plants seem larger there."
"We might find the plant there. It likes streams." I stood up, "I got used to being in camp. My body is wore out already." I stretched, joints popping. "I need to exercise more often."
"I had noticed that you have gained a little pudge around the middle." Mophar chuckled.
I looked at him, "You have also. Perhaps we need to make you work for your meals?"
He laughed and climbed higher, "I am simply poofy."
"Sure, poofy." I laughed and headed towards the direction Mophar had indicated.
We worked our way into a deep ravine, full of shadows and mist. The plants grew darker and darker but no purple was to be found.
"There are no more trees that I can hang onto. Care if I ride along for a while?" He dropped lightly to my shoulder.
"Poofy! You are heavier." I staggered slightly under his weight.
"Well, at least you are big enough to take it." He wrapped his tail around me. "Shall we continue?"
I nodded and headed deeper into the ravine. Soon the light from the sun was barely showing the way. I pulled on my magic and cast a light spell, a simple one that had no heat. The path lit up ahead of us and we continued on.
Soon we stood on the bank of a babbling stream. It was like a ribbon of ink pouring through the deep forest. On the other side of the stream sat a fat, purple bush. It seemed to have grown there against it's will.
"I think we found it." Mophar climbed down. "Why do you not just gather this one by yourself?" He sat on a large boulder and waited.
I looked at him, then at the bush. "Are you scared?"
He nodded, "Something feels off."
"Feels off?" I looked around. "Like how?"
He shook his head, "No idea."
I looked around some more. It was quiet, no real animal noises being made. Which could be from us being in the area. As deep as we were the wind had little impact. The only real noise was the stream. "Anything else?"
"Nope. Just it feels off." He looked around, "Be careful."
I nodded and squared my shoulders, "I will be right back." I carefully entered the stream, heading towards the purple bush. Halfway across a noise rang out. A pure, solid tone. One single note. I looked around. No changes. I looked back at Mophar who shrugged. I shook my head and stepped forward. Another tone range out, this time louder. Each step resulted in a louder and louder tone. Finally I was forced to stop just shy of the bush, just within reach of it's branches. I stood there waiting as the last, thunderous note faded into the woods.
"Are you sure you need that plant?" Mophar called out.
I nodded, "It is on my list. Stain expects me to get it." I leaned downwards, intending to brush aside some branches to see if I could get at the roots.
A mind numbing voice rumbled out of the forest, "HALT!" It was so loud the stream trembled.
I looked around yet saw nobody. "Who is that?"
"What do you want?" The voice once more crawled across my senses. "What do you seek and why do you seek it?"
I looked around, "Make yourself known."
The voice growled, "Manling. Answer my query or face my ferocity."
It almost sounded as if the voice came from behind the bush. "Why do you hide?"
"I do not hide. I wait. Now, answer my question. This is your last warning." The voice seemed angry.
"I am seeking a list of plants for my master. The root of this bush is the last on my list. I simply seek a small root, not enough to harm the bush." I resigned myself to answering this mysterious power.
"What if I refused your desire?" The voice seemed curious now.
"I would have to tell my master I failed." This seemed simple enough. Stain would understand if a mysterious force refused me.
"Would he punish you?" The voice was softer, less dangerous sounding.
"I doubt it. He is a good master." I smiled thinking of Stain being mean. Harsh when needed but not mean.
"Very well. You may harvest a small root. Take more than you need and I will punish you." The voice was much softer now, almost a whisper. Yet it still rumbled through the plants.
I nodded, "Thank you. I will take only what I need." I leaned forward and gently dug a piece of root out about the size of my hand. I tucked it into my bag. "I do appreciate your understanding. I would not like to disappoint my master. I would like to see you before I leave."
The voice rumbled, this time with humor. "Perhaps at some other time. For now take your poofy friend and go in peace."
Mophar's voice carried across the water, "Yes, let us leave. Now."
I reached the bank and Mophar jumped to my shoulders. I looked around once more and still could not see the entity that had such a voice. Only plants surrounded us. "Thank you again."
The voice was barely loud enough to be heard now, "You are welcome."
We walke
d back along the path, heading out of the ravine.
"What do you think that was?" Mophar whispered into my ear.
"Some form of guardian. Which I imagine they are still watching us." I looked around. Occasionally I thought I saw movements just beyond my ability to comprehend, at the corner's of my vision.
"They?" Mophar looked around, "Why they?"
I kept walking, "For such an effect their would most likely need to be multiple creatures."
Mophar nodded, "How much longer will they watch us?"
I smiled, "Until they are sure we are actually leaving I would guess."
We finally reached the floor of the regular forest. I stood at the edge of the ravine. "Thank you for your kindness. May you live in peace and prosperity." The plants seemed to shake gently.
"You also go in peace." The voice called out from the ravine.
Mophar jumped into a tree, "I think it is time to rejoin the caravan. We were in that ravine most of the afternoon."
I looked up at the sky and realized he was right. "We should hurry. Which way?"
He pointed and we moved quickly through the woods until we drew within sight of the wagons.
Mophar sighed, "Well that was just another odd adventure with you." He swung over to the wagon and climbed in through the window.
"Ott!" Raven called out, her voice full of love, pleasure, and happiness. She ran forward and threw her arms around my neck. I hugged her back and held her, feeling the life filling her body, her joy. I reveled within her love.
"What happened?" Stain approached quietly.
I looked at him and shook my head, "I am not quite sure. I will have to tell you everything."
He grinned, "Well, you seem no worse for wear, so perhaps after we have eaten." He walked away and I realized that they had already established a campsite beside the road.
"Come to the campfire, the food is almost ready." Raven took my hand and led me into the circle of light.
***
"So that is what happened." I had just finished explaining my day to our group.
Stain leaned back, "Well you seem to have handled yourself well. Could I see your new bag?" He held his hand out.
I handed it over, "Does anyone know what I might have encountered at the purple bush?" I looked around at each person.
Tulip, Ruth, and Amelia shook their heads. Roger looked thoughtful.
"I might have an idea." Roger said this softly. "I have heard stories, but nobody knows for sure."
Stain looked over at him, "Would you share with us?"
Roger smiled and nodded, "Fairies. That is what I have heard."
"What is a fairy?" Pat asked.
Roger shrugged. "Nobody really knows. They seem to be fierce entities that protect special places in the forest. Occasionally someone crosses them and pays for it. No lives are ever taken but some are hurt. I do know that they have magic and are intelligent. Not animals but something different."
Stain nodded, "I have heard the same type of stories, but not the name."
Roger grinned, "I heard the name from an ancient man. He called them that but could not explain where the name originated. He said that to anger the faeries was foolish, but that a friend to the faerie was blessed."
Raven looked confused, "So has Ott made a friend or an enemy."
Suddenly that same deep rumbling voice crawled across the campfire, "I would say that he has made a friend, due to his respectful manner." The voice had no centralized point.
Stain stood up and looked behind me. "Come out now!" His voice was full of authority and I could feel his energy flowing.
The voice laughed, "What makes you think you can command us, man of magic?"
Stain grinned, that one he had that was full of danger. "Because I am who I am." He pulled hard on his magic, it dripped from his hands like water. A sudden burst of magic flew out from him and outwards towards the trees. It flowed like water. There just behind me in the woods I felt some many ripples in the magic, much like when water hits a rock. "Now, perhaps you should show yourself before I feel more offended at being spied upon." Stain stared into the woods.
I could feel the tension as we waited.
"Very well magic man. We have caused offense when we simply wanted to observe." The voice seemed humored, "However, we ask for a promise of safe passage."
Stain nodded, "Very well, as long as you offer no danger to those of this camp we offer none to you and yours."
"Well said." The voice stated.
Suddenly winged creatures flew into the camp and alighted on different surfaces, perhaps a hundred in all. They looked just like little people, but with wings. One of the largest stood tall and addressed Stain, "I am called Marik."
Stain sat down and nodded, "I am called Stain." He looked closely at Marik. "I have never met one of your race in all my years."
Marik grinned, "We are a reclusive people. Most times we watch in secret and guard our places deep in the woods. Very few humans can be trusted to know us."
Stain leaned forward, "I can not but see that we are very similar in appearance."
Marik flicked his wings, "In physical form we have only three differences: our size, wings, and speed. But our differences go much deeper." He whistled a particular tone and every faerie cast a spell of light. The campsite filled with a pure white light that then flickered through different colors. Finally the light waned. "We are all mages. We can perform every spell every dreamed of by man, faerie, or other creature." He took great pride in this statement. He looked around at all of us. "Which is one reason we have agreed to expose ourselves to you, as mages you are more trustworthy."
Tulip grinned, "That might be true of us, but not of all mages."
Marik nodded sadly, "We have learned that, however we watched you together this evening. You care for one another and treat each other well. Two things that are important." He looked around, "We would like our existence kept from the rest of your group, if possible."
Stain nodded, "I think we can respect that idea."
Tulip leaned forward, "Where do you come from?"
This was met with chuckles from the fairies, "We come from a colder place than this one. Our population has been growing and we have moved into this area to establish colonies." Marik smiled.
Tulip grinned, "Okay, but where do you come from?"
Marik looked serious for a moment, "Our home is on a rocky shore, where the ocean beats on the rock constantly. It is a home of danger and beauty. We fight for all we have and keep what we can." He stood tall and proud.
"How do you fight? Other than magic?" Amelia asked. "Your people are fairly small."
Marik grinned a dark smile, "We fight dirty. It is hard for your people to survive when all the food goes bad and water ruined. Also we might be small but we pack a lot of power." He pulled out a small hammer. Flying over to a large boulder he flew above it and then dived downwards quickly, swinging the tiny hammer and letting out what could only be called a war cry. The hammer slammed into the boulder and a loud boom rang through the campsite. With a groan the boulder split into four pieces. Marik flew back over to his seat and put away his hammer. He looked around at all of us and laughed. "You all should see your faces."
Stain smiled, "That was impressive my friend." He walked over to the boulder. "I see that you have used magic, but in a focused form. Very well done." He sat back down. "I would ask a question. Would you share the story of your beginnings with out group?"
Marik stood and became very serious, "That is a story that we share with very few."
Stain nodded, "Understandable, but I would still ask."
Marik flew upwards while a few more faeries flew up to meet him high above our heads. The sound of their voices sounded like distant thunder. It grew louder until finally they flew down and Marik resumed his previous position.
"I will share our origins, but it is for your group alone. Not to be shared unless our permission is given." Marik stated this seriously.
We all nodded and waited.
Marik looked around at all the faeries, "This is the story that has been passed down to us throughout our lives."
***
Fairies were not born into this world by nature. We are a race that must trace ourselves back to you humans. For whatever reason a mad mage worked spells that changed nature and how things worked in his valley. Birds talked, animals made things, and we were born. We were a failed experiment, he wanted to create intelligent creatures, not miniature people who flew. He cast us out and attempted to work his magic again. He failed time after time until he destroyed himself. From what our people have learned he used his own flesh and mixed it with the local wasp to try to create intelligent wasp. Perhaps he imagined using them in battle or as guards. Whatever his reasoning he destroyed himself and all his writings in a sudden blaze one day. My people had been cast out into the world, refugees among other failed magical experiments. Shortly after his destruction other mages raided the valley and took away everything they could. Our people hid, scared of these mages. Shortly only a few creatures resided in the valley. Mainly us and a few cats. We lived in peace for many years, hundreds in fact. It could never last though.
One day humans returned and started to develop the valley. The cats left first, abandoning any hope of living in peace. We tried at first, but they captured some faeries and chased us from our homes. We rescued those captured and escaped from the valley, a mass exodus of fairies Thousands flew from the valley, I imagine it looked like a thundercloud. It most likely sounded like one also. We were a people adrift, with no home. Finally we found a place that humans could not live. It was a rocky coast, full of caves and mist. We dug deep into the rock and built homes. From the outside no sign is visible, yet our homes are as complex as your cities. For years we lived this way, but our home has grown too full. We are being forced to leave and to seek more places to live. We sent out scouts, groups, even whole families. Each was to establish a colony. My family has been working the past few years to establish a home in this area. We have avoided most humans but have exposed a few to our existence. Our home is in the ravine that Ott entered. We feared his presence but watched him and his poofy friend. When he went to approach the bush he grew close to the entrance. When he failed to be scared but was respectful we decided to allow him to complete his errand.
A Coursing Passage (A Life of Magic Book 3) Page 18