by Tom Keller
"Indeed it will," he agreed. "An interesting idea and you are correct, Cacilia should at the very least be notified before you enter the Temple of Demeter, even if only moments before. If for no other reason than it is right and proper to do so."
"Alright then, it's settled. I'll let the others know and make arrangements to do this in the next day or so," I said, getting up to fill my cup. When it was full, I sat back down and looked over at Bernd.
"Now, what the hell is the deal with the Tears of Blood? Is there a reason you failed to mention what one can do with such an object? Why'd you give them to me so soon? From what I've learned if anyone finds out I actually do have them it could start a war."
"Did I not tell you to keep them safe?" Bernd asked from behind his pipe.
"Yeah… but it would have been nice to know exactly what you were giving me."
"Perhaps," he agreed. "But then I would not have been able to see you find out for yourself."
"I should have known," I exclaimed. "Another damn test. One of these days these tests of yours are gonna get me killed. Fine… so at least tell me how I'm supposed to use them."
"You merely find one of the first born Lilin whose blood is in the vial, and in their presence, release them from their vow as you destroy the bottle. What could be simpler?" he asked with a grin.
"Sure, simple, and if I wanted to control them, what would I do then?"
"The same, except that instead of destroying it, you would bind them to your will in its presence with a magic spell, assuming you knew how to cast it." He took a deep puff from his pipe and blew the smoke out slowly.
"Oh, sure, that's simple enough," I contended. "Except that the particular Lilin I was meeting would have to trust me enough to know that I was going to free him or her and not be pulling a double-cross. No problem, I'm sure they'll be lining up to see what I'll do, NOT!"
"I said it would be simple. I did not say it would be easy," countered Bernd.
"I swear you're gonna be the death of me," I stated. "I've got the power to create an army of Vampires sitting in my safe in a damn leather bag. Okay, fine, I'll deal with it." Not like I had much choice in the matter.
"I knew you would," he declared and then got off the chair and walked towards the backyard. "I must go, Lucinda will find me if I am needed." He stopped before reaching the door and turned back to me. "There is one more thing," he added."
Sure, isn't there always?
"What's that?" I asked.
"You have the right of succession," he said.
"You told me that, what's the point?"
"Succession has always been matrilineal, passed from female to female, but it is not written as such," he said. "Remember that if you are challenged." Then he was through the doorway and was gone.
"Sure, bye, I'll call you if I need you," I sarcastically replied as he disappeared. One more thing to remember.
I probably should have been nicer. I mean he was a Dwarf after all. Most Fae call him Father and bow to him when he shows up. Hell, even the Lilin act that way towards him. But super Fae or not he had been acting way too weird lately for me to care. He used to spend a lot more time, I don’t know, mentoring me, I guess. But lately he'd said less and less. Sometimes, hell, most times, it feels like I'm just a pawn in some game I don't even know how to play. Dwarves be damned! This Fae shit really was gonna kill me if I wasn't careful.
"So, Charlie," I asked as he got up from the floor to follow Bernd out. "When do I get to meet Sophie?"
Chapter 4
"What is this place?" Diantha asked as I pulled off Durango and into the Market Grille Cafe's parking lot. I parked and got out of the car and went around to the passenger side.
"Greek food. Some of the best in town," I replied. "I figure you deserve some normal food after all those meals at the Neptune." Since Diantha had gone to work at the Neptune she'd been living there as well. "Besides, I thought it might remind you of home. Everything's delicious and the honey cakes are to die for, and the baklava…well, I bet it's as good as your mother used to make.
"Hmm," she said as she took my hand. "I think I'm becoming nervous already, and how do you know how well my mother cooked?"
"Just a guess," I said with a laugh. "No, really, I just thought it'd be nice to get some good food and chat. Things have been chaotic lately and I thought we could unwind. Besides, I owe you."
"So, this is like a date with a God. I think I like that."
"Call it what you will, but enough of the God talk," I responded. We'd been through this before. She was never shy about promoting me as her God. I think it was her way of thanking me for returning her necklace and its powers, but then again, she could just like teasing me.
"I am but your humble servant," she joked as she raced in front of me to open the door.
Dinner was nice. Diantha did indeed enjoy the food and I even caught her stealing a few extra forkfuls of my honey cake, and that was after the other full serving of desert she had already wolfed down. For a moment I almost forgot what I needed to talk to her about. Almost.
Since we were in a booth and I already knew that there were no other Fae in the place, hence, no one that could eavesdrop, I decided to bring the subject up.
"Hey do you remember that item that Bernd gave me after we got back from Olympus," I casually asked.
"Do you mean the Lilin's Tears of Blood, of course I do. What about them?"
"We just need to make sure that they stay a secret. No one, and I do mean no one, can know about them. Are you good with that?" It caught me off guard when she started laughing.
"Do you think me the fool?" she asked, almost spilling her wine. "We have enough enemies as it is. If word that the Tears had been found got out we would have half the Fae after us for their power. Not to mention everyone else."
"No, I didn’t mean it like that," I replied. "I just didn’t know that you knew." Truth was, I was dumbfounded. I had no idea that she knew of their potential, more importantly, I didn't know why she hadn't said anything. If there's one thing about Diantha that I thought I knew, it was that she craved power.
"Hah, Apollo would have given his all for them, and believe me he searched, as did the others." She drank the rest of her glass and twisted it in her fingers. "Perhaps we should discuss this elsewhere."
"You're right," I agreed. "Feel like coming to my place?"
"I thought you'd never ask," she replied as she put down the glass.
I paid the bill (with a nice tip), said thanks to the owner on my way out, and then we got in the car and I drove home.
Charlie was already waiting when I pulled into the driveway. I gotta figure out how he does that. Anyway, he ran right up to Diantha as she got out of the car and began licking at her.
"Down, Charlie, down," she shrieked as she pushed him off of her. Then she bent down and hugged him. "How are you, my friend?"
"Good, good," Charlie barked in return. "Happy to see friend Diantha," he said, his tail wagging.
"Watch out with that thing, you lug, you're gonna hurt somebody," I said with a laugh. His tail should probably be classified as a weapon. "Come on," I waved. "Let's go inside."
We headed straight for the kitchen and I started the coffee. It was a nice blend that I'd picked up at a local café. Pulling out a Dr. Who mug with the words Exterminate! Exterminate! Destroy! on it, I motioned to Diantha. "Want some?"
"Ugh, I don’t know how you drink that swill," she answered.
"Blasphemer," I replied in jest. "Tea then?"
"Please."
I started the kettle and then sat down beside her at the table as Charlie lay down nearby. "Alright then, so tell me why you didn't mention that you knew what Bernd gave me was?"
"You are a God, yet you do not always act like one. Still, it is easy to forget," she said after a moment. "It did not really make sense until you told the story of how you became aware of your power. I just assumed you knew."
"I think I know you a bit Diantha. I find it cur
ious that you wouldn’t want to take advantage of that kind of power, no disrespect intended. At least based on some of the ideas you've offered."
"Perhaps," she agreed. "But as I said, I am no fool, nor would I use such a thing."
"Really," I asked. "And why not?
"I can’t believe you would ask me that!" she scolded, giving me a look of disgust.
"Please, I'm not trying to be an ass, I just don’t understand."
"Fine," she said angrily, holding up her index finger. "First, after over a thousand years my life is actually nice for a change. Sure, some Mages and Fae are trying to kill you. So what else is new? There is always conflict. We can certainly deal with that. Second, as you have said, it is better to have allies than slaves. What good can become of making slaves of the Lilin? No, such power can only be used for evil."
"So you agree with my notion to free the Lilin?"
"In truth, I care not if they are free. But if that is your wish, then so be it. I will assist you. But know this, it would be better that the Tears be destroyed lest they fall into the wrong hands, that I will say."
"A valid point," I agreed. "But I will not let that happen. They will stay hidden until the last moment. That I promise. Can you live with that?"
"If I must," she answered and nodded her head.
"Good," I said, and then got up to fix my coffee and her tea. "Lady Grey alright?" I asked as I held up the box.
"That will be fine," she replied.
Taking the cups to the table I decided to change the topic.
"So, how do you feel about coming with me to the Fae lands when I announce myself?"
"I would be honored. When do you plan to do so?" she asked, dipping the tea bag.
"I need to talk to Siegfried, but hopefully tomorrow. I'd like to scope the place out first, though. Maybe take some time getting the lay of the land, if you know what I mean."
It seemed like I was rushing things but one thing to remember is that time works differently in the Fae lands. We could be there for what seemed like days but yet would only be hours here in the human world. Well, at least that's how it worked in the Nereid realm, so I had to assume it worked that way everywhere.
"You must speak to trees," Charlie said.
"What do you mean?" I asked, looking down at him.
"He's right," Diantha replied. "Once you enter your world the trees will know. You must talk to the Hamadryad first so they do not pass the word of your return too soon."
"They are friends, they will help," Charlie said before Diantha could say more.
"Hamadryads? I mean, I know what they are, oh, I got it." I said as it hit me. Hamadryads were the dryads of trees; as such they were actually bound to a specific tree by magic. So, if they were the spirits of the trees then they could probably talk to one another. But it bothered me that Bernd hadn't mentioned them when we discussed this. Probably another test, but it was still one more thing to add to my list. "Alright then, so how do we contact one?" I asked, looking down at Charlie.
"Come," he answered, his tail wagging as he got up.
We followed him into the backyard where he led us to the oak tree we had used before to enter Olympus. It was dark but the moon was bright and I could see the oak clearly in its light. These oaks, I had two, had been given me by my aunt Cacilia, years before. Oaks were, at least for the Dryad, and perhaps others, gateways to the Fae lands. Truth was, at least up to now I had hesitated using them for travel because I didn’t quite know how they worked. But I had known that none could use them to come here without permission as Bernd had done something to prevent that. If what I thought we were going to do was correct, then he must have talked to the spirits of the trees as well.
As he approached it he started barking. Not the kind I was used to, but not like a normal dog bark either. Although there were words in it, it sounded more like a melody. Was he singing? That dog knew a ton of Fae stuff. Thank goodness he was on my side, even if I did occasionally have to wake up next to a stranger.
"You must convince her that you mean no harm," Diantha said. "And remember, she may not yet know what you truly are."
Within moments the tree began to glow. Seconds later something began to appear. As it came into view I saw a small figure, like that of a young girl. She was dressed in white and tendrils of magic floated between her and the tree. When she was fully formed she turned to Charlie and smiled.
"Karalos, why have you roused me, is it not late?" she asked. Turning, she seemed to notice us as if for the first time. "My apologies, Lord and Lady. I am Aeva, of the Balanos. My thoughts were directed outward and I did not realize that you were here. I thought it was just Karalos coming to play, as he often does." As she spoke she stroked the huge dog's head, who just sat there happily, his tongue rolling out of his mouth.
"Uh, no problem… Aeva, I'm Robert. Charlie, I mean Karalos, believes that you may be able to assist me. Oh, and this is Diantha, an Oracle of Delphi," I said.
"Ahh, I know of you," she answered, gesturing toward Diantha. "It is said that Apollo spoke often of your beauty."
Diantha, saying nothing, nodded and smiled.
Turning back to me she continued. "Bernd has told me of you Robert, and I have guarded this place from all others, less those that Karalos admits. Although I confess to some confusion, for even the Lady of the Wood must now ask permission, although she has not requested it. Now, how may I be of service?"
"Well, Aeva, first let me thank you for all you have done. It is good to know my home in this world is safe. But now I must travel to the… my… Fae lands, and I do not want others to be aware of my presence, at least not immediately. Can you help me?"
"Is it to be war again?" she asked with a look of alarm.
"No, no, at least I certainly hope not," I replied. "While I do wish to announce myself to my aunt, the Lady, there may be those that may not welcome my presence. So I want to take… call it a short survey… of the lands a bit, to see if I will be truly welcome. Do you understand?"
"Take my hand," she said, reaching out to me. "I must be sure."
I reached out and clasped her small hands. Immediately the magic kicked in and I felt the magic of the trees flow through me. It was a warm feeling, almost like coming home after being away. I could feel the network of trees that stood both in and out of the Fae lands. I felt her recognition of what I was as well and then she suddenly let go.
"My apologies, my Lord, I had heard rumors but Bernd never told me who you were. I will, of course, do whatever you ask." Then she knelt and bowed her head, as if waiting for me to release her. Oh, hell, here we go again.
"Rise, Aeva of the Balanos. There is no need for such decorum between us. I have come to you for assistance, nothing more." I hated when I had to go formal, but what could I do? Most of the Fae really went for that High Fae/God stuff and no matter what I said, it always seemed to go there.
"Fear not, spirit of the tree, he is not like Apollo, or any of the God's before. Believe me, you will get used to it. I have," Diantha said, laughing. "He is the strangest God you will ever meet."
"Thanks for that vote of confidence, or whatever it was," I retorted, looking back at Diantha disapprovingly. "But what she says is true. I do not seek servants, only allies. So I ask again, will you help me?"
I clasped her hands once again and helped her up to her feet.
She stared at me blankly for a moment and I could see a glow brighten between her and the oak.
"I find this strange as our lands are yours to command. But if what the Lady says is true, and it must be, for no God I have heard of would say such things. Whether asked or commanded, I will do as you wish," she finally answered. "But I must tell the other Hamadryad of you, and of what you are, if I am to complete such a task."
"Will they keep this secret until I am ready to announce myself?"
"They will, but they will also be frightened. We seldom keep secrets amongst ourselves. We are still of the Dryad, as only our bond to a specific t
ree separates us from the other Nymphs."
"Then let me tell you a tale, one that may explain my actions," I finally replied. I asked her to sit and then I went on to tell her of what I had learned about myself. Oh, I didn't get into everything, but I did tell her of my grandmother's sacrifice to save me and the death of my parents. I also told of her of my meeting with Cacilia and my battle with Marissa, as well as the attacks on both myself and the other Fae.
"So you see," I said as the story ended. "I wish not only to announce myself to the Dryad, but to warn them of the evil that infects us. And while I do not think that Cacilia will challenge me, I do not know if such evil has already made inroads among our kind. That is why I must ask this of you."
"I had not heard this tale, only rumors of the High Fae's return. Such sadness among us," she said as I finished. She stood up and walked closer to the oak. "I will speak to the others. When do you wish to go?"
"As soon as possible," I answered. "Probably tomorrow morning. I must wait for the others. There will be only four or five of us, so you need not fear a war, this I promise." Then I asked her to find Charlie's friend, Sophie, so that she could meet us when we got there as well.
"Then I will spread the word among the trees. Your command will be followed," she responded. "You need but call and I will answer." Then she simply melted into the tree.
"That seemed to go well," I said as she disappeared. I got up and looked at Charlie and Diantha. "What do you guys think?"
"I will tell Lucinda," Charlie barked as he got up and walked towards the house.
"You never mentioned your grandmother's sacrifice to save you," Diantha said as we followed the dog back.
She was talking about why I had been under a protection spell in the first place. Sure, she'd heard me talk about Maria, my grandmother and then leader of the Dryad, placing such a spell on me. But I'd never explained to her the cost. That she'd traded all her powers, including her immortality, to do so.
I still wasn't exactly thrilled about the upcoming confrontation and I did expect some resistance. Since the Goddess Demeter's time, and the rumor of an evil High Fae being born among them, no male had ever been born from the royal line so I was bucking tradition to be the first. Truth was my mother had broken their laws to have me and although I had no proof, it had probably cost her and my father their lives. If not for my grandmother it would have also cost me mine. I was sure that Marissa had some part in all this so I wasn't going to take any chances.