When Tig finally opened his eyes, his shirt was soaked with sweat. He pulled the globe of light back and forth, close to Amber’s skin, looking for any sign of damage but there was none. Tig knew there would be none, as he had personally seen to every inch of Amber’s once damaged foot. He became aware of Sam standing next to him, inspecting Amber’s lower leg as well.
“Where did you learn that?”
“Tig …” Amber couldn’t speak and tears streamed down her face.
Tig moved to the other side of Amber’s bunk and pulled the cork from the bottom of the other bag. “It only worked once before. I really just felt so badly about you being hurt that I had to try it. I'm sorry I couldn’t explain it better to you before.”
She smiled at him and tousled his hair.
Amber’s other foot looked about the same and Tig worked diligently on it for fifteen minutes with similar results. Exhausted from his efforts, Tig sat back on his bunk, leaning against the warm outside wall. Amber jumped down, anxious to see how her legs felt now. She danced around in the aisle and then jumped into the bunk with Tig and gave him an enthusiastic hug.
“So what’s up with these little floaty balls?” Amber asked pointing to a Faerie-Globe.
The boys looked at each other and giggled again. Sam answered, “You're never gonna believe this …”
Tig couldn’t imagine anywhere in the universe he’d rather be.
Elves of the Glade
“Who removed these Bite Bags?” Marmy's harried voice woke them suddenly. Dappled light streamed in through the windows. “Oh dear, I hope we haven’t caused more damage.” Marmy pulled back the blankets piled on top of Amber’s legs.
Tig was the first out of bed and he stood next to Marmy, trying to focus his eyes.
“How can this be?” Marmy looked up at Amber who had just started to stir. “Hmph, well it was rather late last night and there was so much excitement. But you shouldn’t have taken the boots off. If you truly had the Bite of Winter, you could have suffered more damage.” Marmy continued to mutter, having decided that she had been mistaken about Amber’s original condition.
“Oh my dears, you sure have made a mess. Look how that sap from the boots has gotten all over the bedding. That will have to be cleaned up.”
The boys looked at each other with raised eyebrows and giggled at Marmy’s tirade. The woman pulled the blankets back over Amber’s legs and looked down at the boys with a wide grin. “Ah yes, boys causing mischief. I’ve seen plenty of that in my day. Now, up with you all. There’s no time to be lying about. I’ve laid out clothing on the table and once you have changed, put your bedding into the hamper.” She pointed out the locations where these were to be found. “I have breakfast ready, so hurry.”
It didn’t take long to change into the provided clothing. Suede boots, dark green pants with a drawstring instead of a belt, and a puffy off-white long-sleeved shirt which fell loosely over the top of the jeans. There was a leather belt, but since the pants didn’t have belt loops, they carried the belts with them.
Sam pronounced, “We’re pirates,” as he examined the puffy sleeves and made a mock thrust with an invisible sword at Tig. They parried and thrust their weapons at each other as they climbed the stairs to the next level.
The room they entered was bright, cozy and smelled like a bakery. A well-padded bench followed the curve of the outer wall. In front of the bench was a long, narrow table that followed the same curve. Chairs and stools surrounded the table. The room was cluttered in a homey way. Every open space was packed with jars of honey, jam, vegetables, and grains.
Marmy happily whistled as she stood working at a stove on the opposite side of the room. “Sit anywhere and help yourself to milk. Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes. Oh, Amber? Could you ring the bell for me? It is just there by the shelf.”
Amber looked in the direction Marmy pointed and saw the end of a rope hanging through the top of the ceiling. “Yes, that’s it, dear. Give it a good pull, will you?” Amber did as instructed and heard the clear and bright ‘dong’ of a bell.
Soon, the room filled with small people. Tig recognized Tempra, the woman who thwacked him the previous night with her staff, and Jeatre, Marmy’s assistant in the hospice. The group was cheerful and introductions were handed out; Poepa, Tempra, Purpie and Jeatre.
Marmy filled the table with warm rolls, cheese, scrambled eggs and fruit jam. The room grew quiet except for the sounds of eating. When they’d finished, Tempra said to Tig, “Elder Triest asked to meet with you as soon as possible.” She stood and looked at Tig expectantly.
“Thank you for breakfast, Marmy.” Tig recognized the urgency in Tempra’s message. Sam and Amber stood up as well.
“There are cloaks upstairs they can borrow. We’re not going that far and the Captain made it sound urgent. I don’t think we should keep him waiting.” Tempra’s voice was matter of fact. “I will get the cloaks and return right away.”
“Boys. Where are your belts? Has no one taught you how to dress?” Marmy spied the belts on the floor where the boys had been sitting. She grabbed them up and pulled one around Sam’s waist over the top of the long shirt. Resignedly, Tig raised his arms so that Marmy could hook the second belt into place.
A small bell rang several times, dancing back and forth, ringing frantically. Marmy instructed, “Jeatre, come with me, someone’s been hurt!” They disappeared through the hole in the floor.
Tempra returned as quickly as she’d left, distributed cloaks and boots. “Put those on and follow me. It’s chilly, but we aren’t going far.” Tempra waited impatiently and led them through a door just beyond the stove where Marmy had prepared breakfast.
Tig followed Tempra through the door, but stopped on the platform outside. From there, he could see a matching platform and door on the next tree house over, undoubtedly their first destination. To get there, however, they had to follow Tempra onto a suspended walkway which swayed and bounced with every movement she made. The walkway had a thick vine railing on each side, but Tempra nimbly ignored them. Tig had never considered himself to be afraid of heights, but they were suspended at least thirty-five yards above the ground and this bothered him.
One by one, the group slowly traversed the system of platforms and bridges until they arrived at a tree in the center of the village. The tree supported a single-level building with a considerably larger radius than other structures they had seen. Tempra opened a door and remained outside as she motioned for them to enter. Once they had, she closed the door behind them.
The room was larger than any of the levels of Marmy’s home. It was simple, with a wood floor and very little furniture. An elegant, grey-haired woman stood and approached the group. “Greetings friends, welcome to the Chamber of the Council.” The woman was dressed in a high collared, formal but elegant, blue robe. She smiled warmly and swept her hand toward a group of pillows on the floor. “May I take your cloaks?”
The woman laid the cloaks over the desk. “I am Elder Triest, one of the leaders of our glade. Thank you for taking time to visit with me.” She held out a delicate hand and looked to Tig.
Tig grasped her hand and was surprised by the firmness of her grip. Elder Triest had conveyed a sense of formality that he didn’t completely understand. He imagined he should introduce himself in some formal manner, but it wasn’t obvious to him just how. He replied, “I am Tigerious Parnassus. These are my friends Amber and Samuel Elendahl.” Triest raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything, shaking the hands of Amber and Sam in turn.
“Please sit with me. I’d very much like to know how you came to be with us.” Triest’s voice was even and pleasant.
Tig recounted their tale, starting with his father’s poisoning and ending with their capture by Tempra at the entrance to the Glade. Elder Triest only interrupted to ask for minor clarifications.
“I’m sorry that you’ve been separated from your families. Please know you are among friends. The Elves of the Glade have been a
llies of the houses of Parnassus and Elendahl for many centuries. It was no accident that you found us. You were led here by Faerie and are welcome to stay as long as you wish.”
Amber spoke up, “We have to find a way back home. My parents must be going crazy. It was terrible when mom couldn’t get through the portal. She’ll never give up trying to get us back.”
“Amber, the portal to your world was destroyed two centuries ago. I know of no way for you to return. But it is a mystery as to why the portal didn’t allow your mother to pass.”
“This whole thing is one stupid mystery!” Tig was suddenly angry, “We keep adding mysteries and things keep getting worse. First my Dad is poisoned and I'm attacked, then we’re kidnapped and nearly blown up, chased through the forest by a madman and now you say we can’t get back! This is insane! We have to find a way. I have to find a way to help my father. We can’t sit around in the trees!” Tig sighed and dropped his eyes to the floor.
“I understand your frustration, Tigerious. I am sorry. I wish we could answer your questions. ”
Sam who had been quiet up to this point asked, “Wait. Maybe we’re asking the wrong question then. What we need to know is who can tell us why this is happening.”
Elder Triest considered his words. “Yes, that is a good line of reasoning, Samuel Elendahl. There are no oracles or sooth-sayers that I believe to be honest or legitimate. But there is a dwarf, a historian of unusual intellect who might be able to help you understand your plight.”
“A dwarf? Like a really short person?” Tig’s voice was once again even.
Elder Triest grinned, “Yes, Tigerious. Dwarves are generally shorter than Elves, but it isn’t polite to point it out to them.”
“Elder Triest, where can we find this dwarf?”
“Glavious Shoth is his name. I have heard that he lives in the town called Gestal.” Elder Triest offered.
“How do we get to Gestal?” Tig asked eagerly.
“The most direct route is a five day walk, but it would be extraordinarily dangerous. Bandits and worse freely roam the countryside of Gaeland. It would not be safe for you to go alone. In a few weeks when the spring melt comes, I will send an escort with your party to Gestal.”
“But we need to go now. We can’t wait for weeks.” Amber was frantic.
“I am sorry, Amber, but this is the best I can offer. Travel in Gaeland is dangerous enough, but winter adds its own concerns. You must stay here in the Glade as our guests. Marmy has already offered her home.”
Sam interjected, “Why would we walk? I can take us much more quickly. A five day walk would take less than a couple of hours.”
Elder Triest stared at him, and understanding came to her. “What you say is true, but the danger you would call onto yourselves would be unimaginable. Wind-walk is indeed the quickest way to travel, but when you wind-walk you become visible to those who are attuned to such things. Every demon and fey creature for long distances would become aware of you. Indeed, this is why our defenses were able to capture you so easily. No Samuel Elendahl, in these harsh times, your wind-walk should be reserved for when you are in the gravest of peril. You must also know there are precious few who can wind-walk. You have been given a valuable gift by Faerie.”
“Where are these Faeries? Can’t they help us?” Amber’s voice was hopeful.
“No, no. You do not understand. Faerie is not a place or a person; it is the magic that is a part of Gaeland. It’s what causes the wind to blow through the trees and snow to fall to the ground. It gives warmth to the sap of the trees and fills our lungs with life when we breathe. Faerie is all around us and we are its stewards.” Elder Triest’s voice was soft and reverent. The words came easily, as if she had repeated them many times. “Faerie has called you back to Gaeland through what you no doubt believe to be bad luck. But it calls to you for help. This can be the only explanation for your appearance. It is up to you to discover what Faerie needs and how to fulfill your destiny.”
“Will you prevent us from leaving?” Tig’s voice was quiet.
“Of course not, Tigerious, we are your friends. If you choose to leave before the spring melt, however, we will only be able to accompany you to the edge of our region. I beg you not to consider this.”
“Thank you, Elder Triest. I think Amber, Sam and I need to discuss this. We are very lucky to have found you when we did.”
“Can you find your way back to Marmy’s tree? The village is confusing to those who are new, although it has been a number of years since we have welcomed visitors.”
Sam couldn’t help chuckling.
Elder Triest smiled, “What do you find humorous, young one?”
Sam’s eyes gained a mischievous glint, “You might get more visitors if you didn’t throw nets on them and knock them about with sticks.”
Amber looked horrified at her little brother but Elder Triest laughed and placed her hand on Sam’s shoulder. “Yes my friend, that is probably true."
A Wizard Revealed
With only a few wrong turns, the three of them found their way back to Marmy’s tree. Her home was one of the largest in the area. Tig counted two more levels above the kitchen, making the structure five levels in all.
Marmy greeted them as Tig knocked on the kitchen door. “Oh, don’t you go worrying to knock anymore. No one else does.”
“Good enough, let me take a look at that arm. Has it been bothering you this morning, dear?” She pulled at his wrist and pushed the puffy sleeve up over his bicep. “Oh my, it is not healing well at all. Those demon weapons, they resist Faerie. It will heal but will be with you for a long time.” She pulled fresh bandages and a jar of salve from a nearby shelf and rewrapped his arm. “The salve should keep it from hurting, but be careful not to allow it to get injured further.”
Amber walked over to where they had climbed up through the floor this morning, but found the hole closed. She looked for a handle or lever but was unable to find anything. Marmy spied her confusion, “Place your hand on it dear and make sure you let it know what you want. “
Amber leaned down, placed her hand on the spot and said, “Open please.” The floor complied and the hole opened, exposing the bunk room below. She climbed down.
“I have goats and chickens that need attending to. I would certainly appreciate extra help, but first I need you to take a package back to the quartermaster for me. Will you boys do that for me?” Marmy asked.
Tig and Sam had just flopped into overstuffed chairs that were haphazardly shoved into Marmy’s cluttered room.
"Now, no sense sitting around. Grab your cloaks, all of you, and run that package back to the Quartermaster. She will want to know how things fit.” Marmy gave them instructions to get from her tree to the Quartermaster’s. It was only a few bridges over and they shouldn’t have any trouble finding it.
This time, Tig was careful when they left Marmy’s tree to take notice of its details, not wanting to wander again like they had when returning from their visit with Elder Triest.
“Wow, she is just like Mom,” Sam said, once they made it to the middle of the first bridge, “Everyone always has to be doing something.”
They continued across several bridges to the Quartermaster. After a few wrong turns, they finally arrived. Bridge connections were strung from several other trees making the Quartermaster’s tree something of a traffic hub. Even so, there weren't many people walking on the bridges. Tig had only counted five since they’d been out.
“Where do you suppose everyone is? Wouldn’t you think we'd see more people?” he mused.
“I was wondering that too,” Amber responded after a couple of moments.
They knocked and let themselves into the middle level of the Quartermaster’s building. They didn’t initially see anyone, but saw all manner of items stacked from floor to ceiling. Chairs, tables, buckets, rugs, rope, bags, and even a box of Faerie-Globes lined the shelves.
A woman appeared from around a stack of grain sacks. “Oh, there you
are. Marmy said to be expecting you. My name is Raien. It looks like you found something that fits. You can just put the other things on the table here. I will put everything away later.” She was wearing an apron and carrying a box filled with what looked to be potatoes. She placed the box on a nearby table and listened carefully as the kids introduced themselves. “You are a handsome group,” she concluded approvingly.
Sam, who was awestruck by the sheer number of items in the room, piped up. “You wouldn’t happen to have any books about Gaeland or old maps or anything like that, would you?”
“What an interesting request,” she mused. “Let me rummage around. I might be able to find something.” She pulled out a chair and instructed Sam to sit. “Let me check the fit of those boots. It won’t do to have you traipsing around in something that fits poorly. Hmm, not bad.” She pulled another chair from a stack, sat Tig in it and felt his foot through the boots, “The fit is fine, but the boots are worn. Come back mid-summer and we’ll get you into something new.” Amber anticipated her next move, pulled Sam up, and sat in his chair. Raien pinched and prodded through the relatively soft leather of Amber’s boots. “Oh my, these won’t do at all. Your feet wouldn’t make it a half a day in these. They’re too tight. Sit a minute and I’ll be right back.”
“Mid-summer?” Tig said quietly so as not to be overheard. “I can’t stay here that long.”
Amber looked to Sam and then back to Tig and whispered, “Neither can we.”
After several minutes, Raien reappeared from between a row of clay pipes, tobacco and colorful fishing lures. Her face was freshly smudged with dirt and dust. “The boots weren’t hard to find, I remembered right where I had put them. One of the patrols found these boots on… er… well maybe not the best story. Anyway, I don’t think the previous owner will mind.”
Lesser Prince (Guardians of Gaeland Book 1) Page 17