Of Gods and Fae

by Tom Keller

  I walked around the building and found a small alcove with a hedge that blocked it from outside view that seemed private enough. Within seconds she was at my shoulder.

  "How's it going?"

  "There is more movement upon the path now but I have seen nothing that troubles me there. But I must tell you that I have met the progeny of Pegasus and she knows of what you are."

  "You met the flying horse?"

  "Yes, she sought me out after your meeting."

  "How did she know you were here?"

  "That I cannot say, but her kind were once close to the Aurae and that may explain it. After you left the stables she took to the air and flew straight at me, urging me to follow. She led me to a place where we could meet safely and spoke to me of how to contact her if needed. It is a great honor to commune with them for they seldom show themselves." She flew off my shoulder and I raised my hand so she could land and face me. "She believes you are the one, my Lord."

  "The one?" I asked.

  "He that will return greatness and honor to the Fae," she replied. "I knew that my quest was not in vain."

  Well, wasn't that something. I had known that Gaea had decreed that upon the High Fae's return there would be a battle between good and evil. I also knew that I was the good guy, but more significantly, that had been one of the reason's the Dryad had forsaken my family. They believed that if a male was born to that line, he would be evil.

  Such a belief by a being so revered, animal or not, might go a long way if my position was contested. I'd still have to see where this was leading but I was starting to feel better about what was happening. Time to get back to business.

  "I am honored as well and will accept her help if we need it. But first I need you to know what we're doing. I think we're ok here so we're spending the night. That'll give me a chance to digest what has happened, as well as mingle with some of the other Fae. Will you be alright out here or do you want me to call you when we are alone in our rooms?"

  "I will be fine. It is a pleasant night and a joy to fly among the treetops again."

  "Good. I'll call you when I need you then. But you must still keep an eye out. While I feel good about what's transpired I can't help but think that if those that support our cause have learned of our presence here, then those that oppose it could have done so as well."

  A look of alarm began to appear on her face.

  "Relax, I have nothing to base that on but instinct and I don’t think anything will happen here. This place is too open and there's a lot more to this Elf than meets the eye. No, I think if something were to happen it'll be when we get back on the road. But still, be watchful."

  "It shall be as you say."

  Chapter 7

  The place seemed busier as I went back in through the side door. There were more Fae moving about now and the pitch of the room had increased a few decibels. Nodding at Siegfried I noticed that he was deep in conversation with a female Fae. She was almost as tall as he was and seemed mesmerized by whatever he was saying. I turned back toward the table where I had left Gerda at and saw that Diantha, at least, was still there. I walked up and took a seat.

  "Where's Gerda?" I asked as I sat down.

  "Off to watch the sunset, as many of the Fae here do." Diantha replied. "And as I was just getting ready to go with Daphnis here, perhaps you could spend some time with his friend, Plataia. I would hate to leave her alone."

  "Of course," I replied. "It would be a pleasure."

  "Then I leave you in good hands," Diantha said, as the two of them rose from the table. With a bow from him, he led her away and towards the front door.

  "I could use a drink," I commented, waving at Lotte as she breezed by with a tray. Before I could ask she set a mug of ale down in front of me and refilled Plataia's glass with wine. Not sure what direction to take with her I resorted to a classical line.

  "So, Plataia, are you travelling through or do you call this home?" Was that was lame, or what?

  "As Pegaeae, I am bound to the spring I call home," she answered with a curious expression. "I prefer not to venture too far from its waters. Diantha said you were of the Dryad. I would think you should know such things."

  "My apologies, my circumstances are unique. While a traveler to many of the worlds, I am afraid I am an expert of none," I said, now noticing the thin thread of magic that accompanied her.

  "Ahh, of course, she also mentioned this. So it is true then. You call no world home."

  "Something like that."

  "Such sadness. I have never heard of a Dryad without a grove." She looked thoughtful for a moment before continuing. "Although, to be true, I seldom talk with males, few ever venture from the city. You must come from a land very different than this one."

  That's an understatement. Few males, eh, that could be problematic.

  "Ah, well," I said, and then took a long drink from my mug. "It has never been said that the Gods were without humor."

  She put her hand in front of her mouth and stifled a laugh.

  "But tell me of your home," I said, hoping to move the conversation along.

  "It is not far, would you like to see it?" she asked with almost a hint of shyness.

  "I'd love too."

  "Then let us go outside and watch the sunset with the others. There will be a full moon and the fields surrounding the spring and stream are beautiful in its light."

  We both drained our cups and got up. I took her arm in mine and we went outside.

  The main room was still busy, but we weren't the only ones heading out. When we reached the courtyard I saw several others in groups of two to four walking past the stable to the open field. There appeared to be more to watching the sunset than I had originally thought.

  "I didn’t realize that this was such a popular pastime," I commented as I steered us toward Diantha who was just ahead of us.

  "The sun is the same in all the worlds and it reminds us of who we are," she said, gazing at me with that curious look again. "Do they not do this in the other Fae worlds you have visited?"

  "I suppose they must," I answered, realizing I'd committed another blunder. I was going to have to be careful what I asked from now on. "It's just that we usually tend to stay away from large groups."

  "A lonely existence," she replied, and then grasped my arm tighter. "Yet your friends, especially Diantha, seem to be handling it well."

  "Diantha is unique," I answered, glancing in her direction and thinking that that was an understatement.

  As we caught up with the subject of our discussion, I felt a rather hard tap on my side and realized that Charlie had joined us. I reached down to pet him but he jumped up on his hind legs and put his paws on my shoulders, his head inches away from mine.

  "This one is good," he said, almost as a low growl so no one else could hear the words, then jumped back down to walk over to Plataia, his tail twitching.

  "And who would you be?" she asked, reaching out to scratch the big dog's ears.

  "I am called Karalos," he answered, using the name the Hamadryad had called him.

  "Hail Karalos, well met. A beautiful hound and an excellent hunter, I venture as well," she replied and then turned to me.

  "Your companion?" she asked me.

  "I have that honor," I replied.

  I knew he was just checking up on me, but he hung out for a moment anyway, enjoying the attention. After a while he wandered off back in the direction of the inn.

  We stayed and mingled for a bit, talking to Diantha and several of the other Fae that Plataia introduced us to. Gerda had shown up as well. As the sun set and the moon took its place the group started to break up and Plataia led me to the far side of the field.

  "There is a stream just on the other side of this copse, let us take the short cut," she said as she thread her way through the bushes.

  I followed and we walked about twenty feet before the stream came into view and soon reached a path that ran around the thicket that I guessed went back to the inn
. She crossed it and walked out onto the dock and then got into a small boat, seating herself at the bow.

  "Come," she said.

  I stepped into the boat and sat down across from her and she pushed us away from the dock. Since the boat had no sail I looked around for the oars.

  "I will do it," she said with a giggle. Then reaching down she brushed the water with her fingertips and the boat began to move lazily upstream. Changing positions she moved across and sat next to me, putting her arm in mine.

  Of course, magic. Damn, I must have looked like an idiot searching for an oar. Trying not to let another mistake get to me, I sat back and made an effort to just enjoy the scenery, as well as my companion. I'd just managed to relax when Sendy, appeared at my shoulder.

  "Something strange has happened not far from here," she said.

  "Strange, what?"

  "What did you say?" Plataia asked.

  "Hold on," I said, placing my hand up to indicate I wanted her to remain quiet for a moment.

  "A faint light and a burst of magic. It was quick, and heavily shielded. Had I not been directly above I doubt I would have even noticed it. Two beings appeared. They talked briefly and then started in the direction of the inn. I flew down as they first appeared, the magic was fading quickly, but it was the same as when we first met."

  "Weapons?"

  "I cannot say, they were both cloaked."

  "Who are you talking to?" Plataia inquired, this time with a definite hint of irritation.

  If the enemy had found me here I knew that staying hidden much longer was probably a lost cause. It undoubtedly didn’t matter what I did next, but some part of me still hoped that if I could keep word of my existence quiet from those in the city, I might have a chance. Of course, in order to do that, I needed friends. Since I apparently already had a few, one more shouldn't hurt.

  "Sendy, show yourself," I commanded, and the Faery appeared.

  "You travel with an Aurae?" Plataia asked. "But the Aurea…"

  "Plataia," I interrupted. "I'm sorry, it appears that something has followed me here. I don’t have time to explain right now but it would be best if you return to your home." I grasped her hands as I said it and allowed a little magic to seep through. Just enough to send an image of danger and my desire to protect this land. As I did so I felt her magic and realized that, as a guardian, her first thought was to return to her spring to insure that it remained safe.

  But there was something else. Something almost familiar. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to probe further and it took a lot to force the magic back now that it had been awakened again.

  "I understand," she said slowly. Then she reached down and I watched as her body transformed into the very water she had just touched.

  "I will find you when this is over," I said as she flowed out of the boat and into the stream.

  "How far away are they," I asked Sendy as the boat turned and came up upon the shore.

  "Some three leagues from the inn, moving slowly. They are following a small animal trail that leads this way."

  "Ok, at least we have some time. Find me a place at least a league from the inn in front of them. Take me there and then go get Charlie and Siegfried. Diantha and Gerda must stay there. We have to assume that someone has alerted them, it'll be too obvious if everyone disappears at once. Maybe they can spot who's tailing us."

  She disappeared and was gone for a few minutes. During this time I tried to focus on controlling my magic. Upon her return she told me that she had found a likely location and then wrapped her arms around my neck and whisked me to the spot she had chosen. It sat upon a small rise with patches of heavy brush. I could see the trail she was talking about down below me. If they continued along this trail we would have good spots to hide and even a little cover.

  "This is perfect," I said.

  She bowed and disappeared. About five minutes and two trips later she was back with first Siegfried, and then Charlie. I gave her a last order to try and verify the enemy's location and she was gone again.

  We were huddled behind some dense brush when she reappeared and I could tell the constant jumping was tiring her.

  "Not too long at their pace."

  "Still just the two of them?" Siegfried asked.

  "Yes, they are no more than twenty paces apart on opposite sides of the trail, moving slowly."

  "Good, that will make it easier but we will want for Gerda's bow when the fighting starts. Robert, it would best if you were to remain unseen."

  "I'm sorry, Siegfried," I replied. "But I can't sit this one out and we can’t afford to bring in the others. Someone may be watching at the inn."

  "I thought as much. Without Gerda we have only the one bow. Still, we do have the high ground and a few Fae arrows. We must act quickly and in unison. I propose a simple L shaped ambush. You and I will take up positions here and here." He drew a crude map on the ground. "Let them pass. When they are abreast of me, I will loose arrows. Charlie can attack from the front, and you from the rear. With our arms we will have to let them get close but with luck, neither of you will be needed. Since we do not know of their strength or weapons, we cannot assume I will be able to take them both out. At the very least, we will have the element of surprise."

  "I agree, especially since it would still be best to avoid using magic, hard as that's gonna be. Charlie, you good with this?"

  He growled an affirmative and moved into position. Siegfried and I discussed a few more tactics and I ordered Sendy to let us know when they were close but to stay out of the confrontation unless called for. There was nothing to do now but wait.

  Finally, I heard the sounds of their approach. They were making a strange noise, muted, but almost a clank and shuffle as both beings came into view. Since I was doing everything I could to suppress my magic, all I could see were two dark shapes, each on opposite sides of the small animal trail creeping ahead slowly. I moved around the bushes that screened me, watching as they passed. I got into a better position and was on my feet as I heard the sound of two arrows, fired moments apart, hit their mark.

  I had expected them to at least go down but all that happened was that they stopped and reached for their swords. As I got closer I could also clearly see an arrow in the chest of each figure. Whatever they were this was not good. Charlie was almost on the one closest to me as I saw Siegfried stand and fire another arrow into the other. Again, it didn’t flinch.

  Charlie leaped for the neck of his opponent and this time it fell to the ground. At the same time the second saw me and I could clearly hear the words, the half-breed, as it turned towards me, two arrows now sticking out of its chest. It started forward and while it was still pulling its blade I tackled it and stabbed it with the seax Siegfried had given me. It didn't seem to notice. I was considering using my more powerful blade when it threw me off and I landed against a nearby tree. As I was momentarily stunned, Siegfried caught up with it and with blade now in hand, a swordfight ensued.

  Charlie yelped and was thrown off his opponent, pieces of something in the air with him. Looking at his adversary I saw it, too, had its blade out but now seemed to be missing the other arm.

  I was somewhat stunned by the impact of my body against the tree, and although probably a stupid decision, still hoping to avoid using magic. Suddenly, it didn't seem to matter anymore as the sound of Charlie's yelp triggered something inside of me that I could no longer control and the world began to fade to red.

  I jumped to my feet still holding the seax and leaped toward Charlie's opponent, no longer caring if I was discovered. I slammed into it in one jump and aiming my sword at his body, cut off the other arm and ran it through several times. The thing didn’t even wince and I felt a sting as it tried to bite into me with its teeth. With a roar I swung it again, and this time, my blade rang true, severing its torso. I couldn't believe it as I watched it, armless and cut in two, still wriggling and trying to reach me.

  What does it take to kill one of these things? I p
ulled out the sword of Cronus and buried it in its head. It immediately stopped moving. I turned and ran to Siegfried and Charlie who were now in battle with the other.

  Siegfried's blade, although having met its mark, based on the cuts I could see on the creature and the body parts that lay before them had not been any more effective then the seax. It wasn't until I used my more powerful sword on the thing that it finally stopped fighting. Gruesome work, but at least there had been little blood. So much for trying to be discreet. There was no way of knowing if anyone else had sensed the use of magic.

  "What the hell are these things," I asked as I willed myself to calm down and let the rage subside until I could control the magic again. "It wasn't until I used Cronus' blade that they seemed to even notice the blades."

  "I do not know," Siegfried replied. "My arrows hardly fazed them and I can cut through stone with this blade and barely dull the edge. But this creature felt nothing. I have never seen such a thing."

  "Like biting a Dragon's bones," Charlie said.

  I wasn’t even going to ask how he knew that. I walked over to examine the thing. Now dead, I could see that it did resemble a man, but its skin was not soft. Hell, I wasn't sure if was skin at all. It was well muscled and actually did feel like bone. It wore clothes of some leather and there were no pockets. These creatures, whatever they were, were not to be taken lightly and I hoped that these two would be the last we saw here. Wishful thinking at best, I was sure.

  "Check the other body," I said to Siegfried as I went over to this one's fallen cloak to search for anything of value or identification.

  "Nothing," I heard him say a minute later. "Wait, what's this?"

  He stood up and tossed me a small amulet, it was just a stone attached to a leather tie. As I caught it I could see some type of symbols etched into the edge of the stone. As I tried to read them the stone began to get warm. Fearing a trap, I dropped it just as a flame flared around it and it turned to ash.