Cinders and Fangs

by J. Conrad

  Chapter 17

  Isat down on the stone floor, blinking back my tears and swallowing the hard lump in my throat. “Tell me everything. I need to know.”

  Mother also seated herself at the bottom of her cage, facing me. As I stared at her face intently, I realized it was almost like looking into a mirror and seeing myself just a few years older. She told me, “When I found out I was half Fae, I was not much older than you were when I was captured. I had always known there was something different about my mother, and she went to great lengths to hide it, but I hadn’t known that some of her gifts had been passed down to me. Sometimes my gifts manifested by accident. I was scared that one day they might appear in front of other children and I would be called a witch. My mother said this shouldn’t be a concern, because she could train me. If I learned how to properly control my powers, they would never be a danger to me, only a benefit. And I almost agreed to this. After all, what little girl wouldn’t want to shapeshift and do magic? But something happened that changed my mind.

  “Since my mother had to hide that she was a True Fae all her life, she did this even in her marriage to my father. He thought her to be human and she never revealed her gifts in his presence. One day, however, I was chasing butterflies near a ravine. I wandered too close to the edge and I started to fall. It was a long enough drop that it probably would’ve killed me. Her maternal instinct taking over, my mother reacted, and she shifted into a green fairy right before my father’s eyes. She flew out and caught me in mid-air, setting me on solid ground again. She was only being a mother who was trying to save her daughter, but my human father didn’t see it this way. The woman he had married was something he didn’t understand, and humans often fear such things.

  “My father reported his wife to the Sheriff as a witch. He told the man that she may even be a demon, for he had seen her sprout wings and fly himself. No matter how much my mother explained to him that she was Fae, that this was quite different from an evil witch whom we know as a Calek, he wouldn’t listen. And I began to see that the banal, human world and the world of the Fae are two opposing universes. They don’t combine well. My mother and I had to leave Father and our home behind, and find a new place to live, where we could remain hidden and not be hunted. This would’ve been fine, except for what my mother asked of me.

  “Your grandmother told me it had always been her plan to groom me for very special role. For centuries, the Calek had been making the humans within Hennion suffer, ever strengthening their hold in their quest for power. But they became greedy, encroaching also upon the Draugosero lands and disrupting the balance of Fae life as well. To break this hold, and restore balance to Edim, two feuding lines, the Draugosero and the Fae, would need to unite against the Calek. Since a True Fae cannot pair with a Draugosero, my mother couldn’t be the one—but I could. She explained that if I was to marry the chosen Draugosero prince, I would have great power, and our line would continue as a ruling family in Hennion. But seeing how my mother, a True Fae, was treated by her own husband, I couldn’t see exposing myself in the public eye. Even if my nature was kept hidden, there was no guarantee I wouldn’t be found out. And if ever I had children, what of them and their safety? What kind of life is it when you cannot safely reveal what you are?

  “So, I refused the role my mother had arranged for me. And when I married and had a child of my own, I decided to never tell you of your parentage, that you are of Fae blood. Being only one-fourth Fae, I didn’t think your gifts would strongly manifest without training. I would keep you safe. I wouldn’t expose you to the danger of a role that had almost been foisted upon me. Everything went fine until you were six years old.

  “My mother, however, had failed the Fae Queen in her instructions to secure a halfling girl. And for this she was imprisoned here for many years. The last time you saw me, when I was captured by the Calek and almost killed, Eiriana made a bargain with the queen. If the Fae Queen would save me, she would go to the mortal world in my place, help defeat the Calek who attacked you and Talies, and raise you as her own child, training you for the throne.

  “The queen agreed. However, her bargain was strict, trading Eiriana for me. I must remain a prisoner here for fifteen years. My mother was made to swear an oath not to reveal certain things to you—things that, if not revealed, would make it very difficult to explain your role to you. This was part of the punishment in failing at her task.

  “And so, that brings us to where we are today, though I can’t imagine how you gained passage here. But I hope that your grandmother has done her best raising you these many years.”

  My mother squeezed my hand between the bars and gave me a wan smile. I shook my head. “But mother, Eiriana only appeared to me just recently, a few months ago when Fa—when I went to town. She hasn’t been in my life before. I didn’t know who she was, and it took me a long time to really believe she was my grandmother. When I last saw her, she told me she wanted me to attend the royal ball and meet the prince, who I was destined to marry. I thought she was crazy.”

  Mother frowned, looking down at her lap. “I see. Then I suspect her time with the Calek didn’t go as she planned. She may have been their prisoner, or something else may have happened of which only she has knowledge. I suppose I should be glad she escaped at all. And I am. But at times, I resent her. I don’t understand her.” She sniffed, running her fingers through her hair. “Fae are strange and unpredictable folk, Elin. It’s a world to which I never wanted you exposed.”

  “I understand, Mother. I’m only sorry this is what happened to you, and that I didn’t know sooner. I’ll find a way to free you—not in four years, but soon,” I said.

  “And have you decided?” she asked.

  “Decided?”

  “Have you decided to assume this role that my mother is trying to thrust upon you?” she asked.

  I inhaled, nodding. “Yes. I’ve met the wolf who’s been chosen as King Odswin’s heir. I’m given to understand that it would be a good arrangement.” There was a lot more to it than that, but I didn’t have time to explain it now.

  Mother sighed, her blue eyes falling. “Then it’s as good as done. I can’t stop you if that’s what you truly want.”

  “It’s what I think best under the circumstances,” I said. “I won’t feel complete until you return. But you’re alive and that is the true gift. Though I always knew it in my heart, it has healed me to see you with my own eyes.”

  “Four years isn’t forever, my girl,” Mother said. “And if you do undertake this task, I’m sure the time will pass swiftly indeed.”

  I nodded. Mother reached her arms through the bars and we did our best to hug. “You should go back,” she said. “Give Talies my love. Tell him there’s never been a day when I didn’t think of him.”

  I smothered my guilt and hoped she couldn’t read it in my eyes, that I was withholding something. I didn’t know if I’d have nerve enough to pass on her message, but I would try. “I’ll tell him when I next see him, when he returns from Tinsford.”

  We didn’t draw out our goodbye into a long, mawkish farewell. Picking up the oyster from the floor of the cave, I turned to head back down the dark tunnel. Elioth had said it would bring me through and take me to my mother, and it had. But I had to find my own way back. Did that mean walking along the ledge again, and hoping that once I reached the place I entered that I would find myself stepping out into the fern glen?

  But when I came to the mouth of the cave, there was no ledge as before. I gazed out at the sheer drop into the clouds below. I could see a few treetops in the distance—trees of such height they were mostly shrouded by clouds. The pale sun had changed positions and it now seemed to be evening, though there was plenty of light, especially from the lustrous stars beside it.

  Having nowhere to go but in reverse, I turned around and walked through the tunnel again. When I reached the place where the cage holding my mother had been, there was nothing there. I was sure I wasn’t mistaken. Maybe,
in my haste, I hadn’t gone back far enough? Holding up the oyster to illuminate my way, it showed the bare floor and walls of the cave.

  “Mother? Are you still here?” I called. My voice echoed through the chamber and died. There was no reply. “Mother?” Nothing. My heart started pounding in a frantic rhythm, the cold air of the cave making me shiver. The light from the pearl was starting to dim. I could still see but started walking faster in case its glow died altogether. “Mother? Where are you?”

  The pearl began to dim rapidly. My hands and chest broke out in a cold sweat. Panicking, I turned around in the direction of the opening. I didn’t want to continue in total darkness—I’d have to go back and figure something else out. Maybe I could call one of the gigantic birds and it could fly me out of here. But when I turned around, the pearl was emitting just enough light for me to see a wall in front of me.

  “Oh no, no!” I cried out, jumping at the shock. I trembled from yet another surprise. I felt along the rough surface with my hand to make sure I wasn’t imagining it, or that it wasn’t like the spider’s web in the fern glen—an illusion. Reaching up and standing on tip toe and then crouching down near the floor to feel for an opening, the rock was solid and seemed to block the way completely. The hard, cool wall was barring me from returning the way I had come. The only direction I could go was forward into the pitch blackness, and the pearl was emitting almost no light now. I would have to feel my way. I had to get out of here.

  Holding my hand out like I had done before, I took slow, careful steps, afraid I would smack into a wall headfirst. This place made no sense. Then again, it was the Fae Realm, so what did I expect? I wasn’t even supposed to be here. The pearl inside the oyster dimmed and I was immersed in total darkness. My surroundings were silent except for the sound of my frightened breathing and my heartbeat. I closed the oyster shell and slipped it inside my coat pocket.

  After walking at a crawl for what seemed like an hour, I swore I could see light ahead. Just barely—it was like the darkness wasn’t quite so black. I increased the pace slightly, still keeping my palm out just in case. Now I could see that the tunnel turned, shifting to the right. There was enough illumination that I could make out the cave interior once again.

  I continued along, following the passageway as it grew brighter. I had heard people speak of “the light at the end of the tunnel,” but I never thought I would be looking for it myself, much less in a place like this. Another turn, this time to the left, brought daylight. Up ahead I saw the exit which opened to green grass—solid ground too, not some tiny ledge hanging over a sheer drop.

  I released a long, shaky breath. My body felt sore and tense from walking blindly in the darkness for so long, and I urged my legs into a stiff run toward the outside world. I blinked from the brightness of it. Even the soft, muted sun of the Fae Realm seemed blinding.

  I was in a lush, verdant valley between low mountains or hills. Tall, tangly grass and wildflowers covered the ground, and many types of trees grew all across the field. I swallowed, realizing how hungry and thirsty I was—but mostly thirsty. There must be water somewhere and I’d have to find it. But being where I was, I also needed to find the Fae woman. I gritted my teeth, recalling what my mother had confided, but I’d have to put my anger aside for a moment.

  “Eiriana? Eiriana, are you here? It’s Elin,” I called. No one answered. “Grandmother?” On a whim I added, “Lysidia? It’s Elin. I’m here!”

  I turned around and looked at the cave’s opening from which I’d emerged, expecting it to close behind me, but it didn’t. Not that I would be going back today. I relished in the life and growth surrounding me, picking my way through the grass and keeping my eyes open. I didn’t know what kind of creatures lived here and what they would do if they found me. But if I met anything, I would try to communicate with it. That was my only chance at getting out of here. If I could talk to animals in the human world it wasn’t inconceivable that I could talk to wildlife in the Fae Realm.

  Off to my left, I saw a flurry of movement from a small, wiry tree. A few leaves fluttered to the ground. I headed to the place where I heard the noise, inspecting the branches for what could have made it. I saw a tiny green wing, like that of a dragonfly.

  “Hello,” I said out loud. “My name is Elin. Can you understand me?”

  The wings fluttered, so fast I couldn’t keep track of them, and a small fairy with silver hair and pointed ears shot out of the tree. She went straight up, gazing down at me with her bright eyes.

  “I mean you no harm,” I said. “Will you speak with me?”

  The fairy, now glimmering in the pale sunlight, darted off like an arrow before I could say another word. Her movements reminded me of an insect diving for cover. I wondered if she was afraid of me, couldn’t understand my language, or both.

  I noticed that beneath my feet I could see a faint path through the tall grass. It forked just ahead, and not knowing which direction to go, I chose the right. On this side, large thorn weeds with thick, woolly, pink blossoms jutted out of the ground all around me. The flowers were huge, nearly the size of water buckets, and they gave off a fragrant scent like honeysuckle. I slowed my pace to examine one. I doubted they were edible, but I wondered if the plants bore any fruit. Leaning down and inhaling the sweet fragrance, I sighed with the sensation. The smell was otherworldly, too incredible to be real.

  Not seeing any fruit, I started to straighten, when something I saw from the corner of my eye made me twitch. A running vine shot out from the base of the thorn weed and slapped against my leg, quickly winding itself around like a snake. I screamed and kicked out, which seemed to only make it grab on more tightly. Pulling my ax from my bag, I grasped it in both hands and chopped the vine in half with one swing. The part which was still attached to the plant retreated to its parent.

  I turned and began to run from the row of thorn weeds when another vine grabbed my leg. I turned to take a swing, but another green runner shot out and grabbed my other ankle. Winding itself tighter around my shin, it yanked me with a firm grip. I swung my arms to keep my balance, but soon I was falling backward. My feet came out from under me and I landed on my bottom in the dirt. Gripping the ax in my right hand, I never let go, not even when I fell. If I dropped the ax I probably wouldn’t escape.

  As the vines dragged me toward the thorn weed with its fragrant, pink flowers, with both hands I heaved my blade at the strongest vine. Cleaving it in two, I pitched a stroke at another. Being pulled forward rapidly, my feet were almost to the base of the plant. One of the dense, fuzzy blossoms began to change shape, opening at the top like a series of petals. I coughed, wincing at how the scent was changing as well. A foul, rotten meat odor wafted out of the plant’s insides. That must have been the remains of its last victim.

  I dug my feet into the base of the plant near the roots while it launched more vine runners to grapple me. We engaged in a tug of war as it tried to pull me into its putrid maw. Cutting the vines hadn’t worked, so I changed tactics I started hacking into the plant itself. It shuddered each time, but the vines didn’t loosen their grip. I got in another good swing toward the center and as I brought my ax down, a pink goo oozed out. The rotten meat smell assaulted my nose again.

  “Let me go already!” I said. I hacked into the carnivorous plant and it shivered, closing its “mouth” slightly. Maybe I needed to cut it near the roots. I raised my ax over my head, ready to work at it like the tree I had chopped down, when I heard whistling behind me. The vines ceased pulling me, coiled there as though they were now uncertain what to do.

  With the ax poised in midair, I turned to see where the whistling was coming from. Not far behind me, where I had been only a few minutes ago, stood a man with odd, silvery blond hair. He had pointed ears and fair skin that glimmered pale blue. His tunic was made of brown leather and green leaves. Instead of asking me if I needed help, he stood there with his hands at his sides, whistling. I had never heard the tune before, but it was a low, sad
melody that meandered like a trickling, woodland stream.

  Turning back to the plant, I was ready to deliver another good blow, but the vines were slackening their hold on my legs. One let go, then another and another, and they retreated to the base of the plant where they disappeared like snakes down a hole. I wriggled away and stood up as the thorn weed closed itself up, resuming the form of spiky leaves with fat, fuzzy, pink blossoms. I distanced myself from the row of carnivorous plants, moving closer to where the strange man was standing. Wiping the sweat off my forehead, I opened my mouth to thank him.

  “Outworlder,” he said, pursing his lips. His narrowed eyes regarded me like I was a mangy feral cat. “You wouldn’t have sung even if you had been drawn into its belly.” He shook his head. His uptight brows never moved upon his smooth forehead. The man’s thin features and entire bearing reminded me of an elf. I watched his gaze tugging toward my boots, where vine parts were still wrapped from where I had cleaved them.

  “I didn’t know the plants here liked music,” I said, trying a small smile. “But next time I shall be ready. Thank you. I owe you a debt of gratitude.”

  He hardened his face even more. “You shouldn’t be here.” He glared at me with cold, blue eyes. “You’re lucky it was a plant. There are things in Imurgura which can kill you in far worse ways and will take far longer doing so.”

  Far longer than being digested by a plant’s innards? I didn’t want to know. This Fae surely didn’t take kindly to outsiders, but for whatever reason he had made time to help me and could speak my language. I would just have to do my best with him. “I don’t doubt it. And again, I thank you, sir.” I gave a small nod and began my introduction. “My name is Elin, and I’m from—”

  “I don’t care who you are or where you’re from. Certainly, you’re an Outworlder, and you’re not welcome here. Leave, while you still can.”

  I blinked, considering my words before speaking. With my fate and that of others hanging in the balance, I needed more than a quick exit, though that was something he may be able to help me with. I needed to come back again for Mother, and possibly another time to seek Eiriana if I couldn’t locate her during this trip. There may even be unforeseen need for visits beyond that.