by Tom Keller
"Yeah, well, there's some things I don’t like to talk about," I finally answered. "Besides, if there's anyone left that wants to challenge me then so be it. But I had to tell Aeva the truth. If Marissa has followers among the Dryad then stealth is our best option and we need their help to accomplish it."
"And if she does have allies there?" Diantha asked.
"Then we'll just have to clean house," I replied. "And if that's the case, well… then things may get ugly."
When we got back to the kitchen I called Siegfried to give him the details of our excursion and to have him meet here in the morning. We'd decide then if we were ready to go, assuming we’d gotten the word from Aeva. Then I poured myself another cup of coffee and sat down next to Diantha. "More tea?" I asked, taking a sip.
"No thank you," she answered quietly.
"Stop looking so melancholy. It's not like this is our first rodeo. Hey," I added, seeing it was time to change the subject. "You'll never guess who was in my bed this morning."
"Excuse me," she said, obviously caught off guard by my remark.
"No seriously, I woke up this morning with a Fae hottie in my bed."
"You are telling me this, why?" she probed, folding her arms. Wow, she had what could only be described as a look of disappointment on her face.
"Hahaha," I laughed. "What are you, jealous?" Oops, that might have pissed her off, time to change my tack. "No seriously, I've added two more to our little company. Sendy, who is an Aurae, and Malcolm, my old partner."
"You told a human about us?" she asked disbelievingly.
"Well, yes… but Bernd assures me that he is part Fae so he took it rather well."
"And this other Fae that wound up in your bed?"
"Sendy, she's an Aurae, and before you ask any more, she's with Malcolm. You'll meet her tomorrow. She's coming with us."
"An Aurae? Where did you find an Aurae?"
"Like I said, she found me. She was in my bed, sleeping, if you must know. Charlie let her in."
"Of course he did," she answered. At least this time she had a smile on her face. Then she turned serious. "I had not heard that any of the Aurae survived The Fall. Will she not stand out among the Fae if she is with us."
"I already thought of that. She'll stay invisible until I announce myself. We'll only use her if we need her. She's not just a messenger. She has the ability to cross worlds and can bring someone across with her. That may come in handy if we need back up."
"That is a useful skill. I was not aware that they could do that," she admitted. "What do you mean she is with this Malcolm?"
"I mean she is with him. As in staying with him. Well at least until I call her," I replied. " What? Do you think I jump in bed with just anyone? Besides, I think she likes him"
"It is not my place to ask who you jump in bed with…" she started to say.
"Nor, I yours," I answered before she could continue. The truth was, Diantha and I had been together more than a few times. Hell, I'd had to have sex with her as part of the ritual to restore her powers. Not that I was complaining. She may look to be in her late 20s, which in itself is a good thing, but she'd also been around for thousands of years. You can’t fake experience like that.
Okay, now and then I do still get a visual of her as I first met her, a really old looking woman. But I also saw her change into what she looks like today. At first it made me feel kind of schizophrenic, but it really doesn't bother me anymore. I guess I was getting used to the fact that the Fae can appear totally different in their human persona than they do as Fae. It's hard not to, especially when it happens to me as well.
Diantha and I weren't what you'd call an item. The thing about the Fae, and Diantha was no different, is that sex is an important part of many rituals. So exclusivity isn't an issue. But Diantha still looked at me as a God at times so my desiring her was a big thing and I wasn't about to disappoint her. I mean, she is an Oracle after all.
I stood up without another word and picked up our cups and placed them in the sink. Then I emptied the pot and made a fresh batch to start in the morning. I pushed the delayed start button and finally turned back to her.
"So, are you staying or what?"
"Are you sure that's what you want?" she inquired with a mischievous grin.
"Absolutely," I affirmed.
She stood and walked towards me, kissing me gently as she placed one arm around my neck. With the other she began to unbutton my shirt.
"I thought you were never going to ask."
Chapter 5
Damn the alarm, I thought to myself as I pushed black curls from my face. I reached over to silence the phone and realized it was a call coming in. Trying to focus on the number I punched the button to connect and was greeted with Siegfried's voice.
"You sound like you are still in bed."
"What time is it?" I asked.
"6:30. I thought you wanted to meet early today."
"Early, yeah. Just not this early," I remarked.
"Not to worry," he said with a laugh. "It will be at least an hour before I can get there. Oh, I would bring a friend to join us. She is of my people. Her name is Gerda. She is of the Var and would witness your oath as you take the throne. It would mean much to me if she could accompany us."
"Sure, ok, if you think it's important, what’s one more?" I replied as I tried to gather my thoughts. Hell, why not? Maybe two couples would be less conspicuous anyway."
"Thank you, I will see you soon," he answered and then disconnected. I put the phone down as Diantha stirred.
"Who was that?" she asked as she snuggled closer and laid her head on my chest.
"Siegfried, he'll be here in an hour and he's bringing a friend," I answered as I stroked her hair.
"An hour?" she observed. Then she lifted her head to face me. "Then we still have time," she said as she rolled on top of me. This is what happens when you sleep with a woman who's been gifted with eternal youth. But hey, I did my best not to disappoint her.
****
I was just pouring my first cup of coffee when the phone rang again. Siegfried was at the gate so I buzzed him in. Charlie was already saying hi as I opened the front door. The large dog was up on two legs and being petted by Siegfried. Diantha took that moment to walk up behind me and joined me at the door. Moments later, we both saw Gerda get out of the passenger side of the black SUV.
I had pictured a tall blond woman, kind of like something out of a Viking opera when Siegfried had first mentioned her name. She was anything but. Instead, she kind of reminded me of Halle Berry. She was medium height with ebony skin and long black, curly hair, tied in a tail that was tucked into her cloak. She was quite stunning. Not that I expected anything less. As I may have mentioned, beauty seemed to run with the Fae. I could only guess that she was no stranger to alternate worlds since she was already dressed in a cloak and leather outfit that made me think of a warrior woman out of a sci-fi flick.
Diantha and I stepped out and greeted Siegfried and his companion.
"Robert, Diantha, this is Gerda, of the Var," Siegfried said, presenting the woman.
"A pleasure," she said with a bow and then extended a hand to each of us. "I look forward to our journey, I have always wanted to witness an announcement of such magnitude. It is a great honor among my people."
"In ancient times, Var was the Goddess of marriage and contracts," Siegfried explained. "As her follower, Gerda will witness what occurs and it will be memorialized in the annals of her clan so that all may know of your words. This may be of use to you if anyone were to later challenge your claim."
"If you say so," I replied, never thinking that that would be an issue. "No offense," I added, turning to Gerda. "I just didn’t know that anything like this was necessary."
"None taken," she remarked as they walked towards the door. "Siegfried has mentioned that you are new to our ways."
"Well, that was subtle," Diantha whispered in my ear.
I gave her a little poke and the
n followed everyone into the house.
"So do you have a plan?" Siegfried asked as he and Gerda sat down at the table.
"A semblance of one," I answered, pouring another cup. I filled a carafe and grabbed some mugs and took them to the table. "Since I'm not exactly sure what I'm supposed to do, I'm gonna have to wing it some. But I would like to take a little time and get a feel for the place, as well as the Fae that live there, before I announce myself."
"Gerda, are you familiar with the normal process of succession?" Siegfried asked, turning to his companion, his features turning thoughtful.
"Among these Dryad specifically? No." She paused and poured herself a cup of coffee. "I have never heard of a male leader of the Dryad. The Dryad use the right of primogeniture. That is, first born to first born. It has always been from mother to daughter, or even further down the line, depending on the life of the inheritor, but always to a female of the line.
"To be honest, that is why I asked to accompany you. Most successions among these branches of the Fae are quite elaborate affairs and yours would be unique. They occur so infrequently, unless, of course, caused by war, but such has not happened since The Fall."
"Well, I'm not sure what we can expect, although I am family. Truth is, at best, I'm the black sheep, so don’t expect an elaborate affair."
"A black sheep…?" Gerda asked, looking confused.
"An idiom," Siegfried said. "One the humans use to describe a, let us say… disreputable… member of the family."
Diantha stifled a laugh.
"Oh, I believe I understand," Gerda said with a smile. "An interesting description." She paused and glanced at Siegfried, who gave an almost imperceptible nod, before she continued. "Would you like me to tell you what I believe you should do?"
This was a set up if I ever heard one, but, hey, these folks were as close to advisors as I'd ever get. "Yes, I think I would."
She stood up and removed her cloak. I could see that her hair reached down to the small of her back and was bound in a leather tie. She carried a sword and dagger and who knows what else in the slightly bulging pouches along the sides of her leather bodice.
"From what I have been told by Siegfried, we go to the Fae land that is yours by birthright. Yet you have been denied your heritage due to the laws set down by your ancestors. As such, you must take possession as if won in battle. Announce your birthright and offer challenge to those that would deny it. Kill those that challenge you openly, this is the way of the Gods."
"I was kind of hoping to be a little more subtle, at least at the start. But trust me, my grandmother was banished and gave up her magic because of me, so I can’t believe it will be simple. But I promised Meredith that I wouldn’t start a war," I said, eyeing Siegfried. "So we'll just have to hope it doesn't come to that. Still, it's only going to be us. I'm not taking an army in, although I do have a few aces up my sleeve." I reached down and pulled my sword out, still minimized in its hilt, and laid it on the table. "But I think we can handle whatever comes up."
"It is true then," Gerda said, her eyes resting on the hilt. "You carry the sword of Zeus."
"I do, but I would still prefer not to have to use it on kin."
"Noble," Siegfried said, jumping into the conversation. "Then we will hope it will not come to that. Tell me, what do you think your aunt will do?"
"I'm not sure. She was friendly enough when she came to meet me. She's always treated me like family, or at least human family, so I'm thinking that she'll accept me. I hope so anyway. I'd like to leave her in charge if I can.
"Actually, I'm more worried about Marissa's followers or sympathizers. Like the recent attack, I can't believe she didn’t have a part in the decision to remove me, or at least help in planting the seed." I poured myself another cup of coffee and sat back in the chair.
"Anyway, we'll just have to see. But now, let me introduce you to the final member of our party, thanks to Charlie," I finally said, reaching down and patting him on the head. I sent out a mental call to Sendy, feeling it acknowledged almost immediately.
Within moments the Aurea appeared in her diminutive form. With a sparkled aura she grew to full size and floated to the floor. As she materialized, she bent around and produced a jet black cropped shirt and pair of leather leggings and held them at her side.
"My Lord," she said as her wings folded into her back and disappeared.
"Sendy, please, meet our guests, Siegfried and Gerda," I said as I motioned to the two seated Fae. "And this is Diantha."
All three stood up to greet the Faerie.
"An Aurea," Siegfried remarked. "I did not know that any of your kind still visited this plane."
"It's a long story, one best left for another day." I replied for her. "Please sit with us and I will tell you what we have planned."
Sendy slipped on the cropped shirt and leggings and sat down in the chair next to me. I told her that I wanted her to fly above us to scout and that I might need her to fetch someone from this world or pass a message. I also let her know how I wanted my aunt notified when we were ready.
"All right then. I'll say this one more time. This is a voluntary mission. Now's the time to bow out if you have any second thoughts." I scanned the faces of my companions. No one said a word. "Sendy, once we enter my lands I'll need you to stay invisible, ready to go if I need you to do something. Ok?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Oh, and drop the Lord, alright? Just call me Robert."
"As you wish," she replied.
"As to the rest of us, I see that you're armed, Gerda, and I don’t need to ask Siegfried. Diantha doesn't really do swords but I have a gun she's familiar with."
"She will have to keep it hidden," Siegfried added. "I doubt that there are many firearms in the Fae lands, even those such as the one given to you by your aunt."
"Agreed," I answered. "It's probably best to keep all our weapons hidden, or at least not openly displayed. As to clothing, Charlie says that Sophie will bring suitable garments, including cloaks, for those of us not already dressed appropriately." I looked at Gerda as I spoke, she just nodded at me so I continued. "Anything I'm missing?'
"I do not think it wise that call you by your human name, at least not until after you announce yourself," Gerda said. "Perhaps Rupertos would be appropriate. It is the Latin variant and will match your companion."
"Well, it's not my first choice but it'll do," I said with a laugh. "Ok then, anything else." When no one replied I stood up and took a final sip from my cup. "Let's do this."
I brought Diantha the Walther and cautioned her again to keep it hidden. The gun had once belonged to my uncle and contained a spell that made it deadly to the Fae. She gave me one of those, no shit, Sherlock, looks but didn’t argue. Meanwhile, Siegfried had brought a bag in from the car and changed into what appeared to be Viking garb. Well, at least as close as I'd ever seen anyway. At least he wasn't wearing a horned helmet so I just kept my mouth shut. With a last word to Lucinda that we were off and with all preparations complete we headed out into the backyard.
Charlie reached the tree first, once again barking in that strange melodic tone. It didn’t take long for the golden glow to surround the tree and Aeva appeared. This time she was floating a foot or so in the air and she descended gracefully and patted the big dog's head.
"All is as you commanded," she said as she turned towards me and bowed. "The others acknowledge your claim and will do as you ask."
"Thank you, Aeva. Oh… and these are two more of my companions, Siegfried and Gerda, and this is Sendy. They will accompany us to the Dryad lands."
"Greetings, Fae of the North." she said and then turned to Sendy and bowed. "And blessed greetings to you, Sendy of the Aurea. Not since my mother's time have your kind graced our lands. A fair wind to she that travels with the sun."
Sendy did not reply but bowed in return.
"I have chosen a tree at the outskirts of the village where the Temple is located. Sophie is already there and ha
s prepared for your arrival," she said after turning her attention back to me.
"Thank you, Aeva, for all you have done. But before we go, may I ask one more thing of you?"
"Of course."
"While I have promised you not to start a war, there may be followers of the dark High Fae among the Dryad. Before entering the Temple I will have Sendy contact Cacilia, the Lady of the realm, to let her know of my coming. Just prior to this occurring, Sendy will notify you and I would ask that the ways in and out of these Fae lands be closed until the matter is concluded." I stopped and got on one knee to finish. "You have my word that I do this only to prevent followers of the High Fae Marissa from waging battle against me and our kind and you may reopen the gates to those friendly to our lands when we have concluded."
"We would not willingly let an enemy of the Dryad enter," she replied.
"I know that, but I feel it is better to err on the side of caution. Although not of our clan, Marissa is herself a Dryad and I cannot know if she has allies among us."
"But the trees are not the only way in and out of Fae, even if the most common."
I should have thought that, hell, I was bringing Sendy along for just such a possibility, among other reasons.
"True, but it is the one we have some power to control. With your help, that is."
"It shall be as you say," she answered after a moment. "The Hamadryads will close the gates when you ask. We will also watch the trails and roads and call for the Aurea if we sense danger. That is the best we can offer."
"I could ask for no more," I replied. "Thank you. I will not forget this." She nodded her head and motioned at her tree. "Then if you are ready."