by Tom Keller
"As you wish. I will speak to the others while you do so." Valen said, walking toward Siegfried and Gerda.
Knowing her distaste for Dwarves, I tried to make eye contact with Diantha, but Handion began to speak.
"You have heard the story of The Fall?" he asked.
"Of course," I responded.
"What you may not know is that as the darkness fell upon the Fae realm, your grandmother, Maria, prayed to Gaea for the protection of her people. The war drew closer and Demeter had fallen. The cries of battle were soon heard and at the very moment the conflict threatened the borders, Gaea appeared to her.
"She had heard her plea, and for some reason, agreed to spare this land, but there was a cost."
"Wait, I've heard this story before, from Bernd," I interrupted.
"Indeed, and what did he tell you?"
"Just that she had told her that the High Fae would return. He also told me that there would be a dark Fae as well, and that others would have to make a choice. But he never said it was my grandmother. You mentioned a cost, he never told me about that part either."
"Ah… and that brings us to why we are here," he continued. "Gaea did indeed agree to spare this land and told Maria that her daughter would bear the next High Fae and that the child would be male.
"Maria knew that the other Dryad would never accept a male leader and would have to leave these lands to protect you. That was why she agreed to exchange her powers for your life."
"Not to mention that the other Dryad would never believe that a male of your line could be anything but an abomination," Cyrene added. "As you are a High Fae they would assume you were the dark Lord spoken of in prophesy. So instead, she hid your powers."
"And that is still the craziest thing I've ever heard," I said, angrily. "Gaea was playing the same games as the High Fae she was angry at… and the other Dryad… don't even get me started. Makes me wonder if it is all worth it."
"Of course it is worth it," Handion replied. "That is why we are here."
"Indeed it is, heir of Demeter," Valen said from behind me. "For we know you have fought the other High Fae and seen that she is naught but evil. If you do not play your part, she will win. Tartarus will not hold her forever and her followers have already tried to pollute this world, as well as the others."
"Doesn't mean I have to like it," I said, shaking my head.
"Indeed it does not," the Dwarf added.
"Okay, so there's got to be more to this story, there always is. Why are you here?" I asked.
"Maria was a powerful Fae. She possessed much of the old magic," Cyrene said. "But even she could not have wrought the spell that both protected and hid you. For that she needed help and that is why we are here. For only with our help could you be concealed from all the others."
"Alright, I'll accept that," I said after a moment. I took a long look at the three of them. It was clear both by my observation as well as the magic that had been slowly building up in me that these were powerful Fae in their own right.
"I don’t know as much about this world as I should. But an Elf and water Fae I can understand. But Bernd led me to believe that, for the most part, the Dwarves were… advisors. Why are you part of this? I know Bernd skirts the rules a bit but this kind of magic seems way over the line."
"That would be true. For the most part, Dwarves are indeed... advisors, as you say. But then, I am no ordinary Dwarf," Valen said.
"Valen is eldest," Cyrene said.
"And follows his own ways," Handion added. "As is his right."
"Forget what you may have learned in human books," Valen said. "No High Fae created me. I was here when the earth was young. But that is a story for another time. You are indeed late, but now you are here. That is what matters. As it was with our aid that Maria placed the spell on you, it will be with our aid that it will be removed. Shall we begin?
"Come, stand before me," he said loudly. The others closed in and I felt Diantha press my side. When everyone was near, he continued. "I do not know why Maria did not bring you here herself. But it matters not. I will now fulfill my promise to her and release you to face your destiny."
Handion and Cyrene stood on each side of him as he faced me. I heard him muttering in some ancient tongue. I became weak and fell to my knees. Then I felt the magic building. Like it had when I met Diantha, only stronger. Tendrils of magic appeared around me, circling my head. Like drifting clouds they weaved in and out, circling faster. Images appeared. My grandmother… other Fae, my parents… then Handion and Cyrene… Valen… and even Bernd. They started coming so fast I had trouble focusing. It was as if I was seeing, not just my life, but those of my parents and grandmother flash before my eyes. It was like watching a movie at high speed, faster, and faster as the images fly by. I could feel the magic inside me as if it was a separate entity. It was like there were two of me trying to become one. It began to build and I felt an intense pressure, the pain building in my head. Then it was gone, and I knew who I was. Suddenly Charlie was at my side, licking my face.
"I'm fine," I said, pushing him away gently.
I started to stand and Valen grabbed my hand and pulled me up. I tried to focus my eyes but I couldn’t concentrate. There were whirlwinds of information in my head. After a moment, they receded a bit and I focused on the three of them.
"What was hidden will be restored, albeit how soon, I cannot say. That depends on you." I heard him say. "As it returns, use it wisely. Much was given to protect you up to now. Do not waste it. Remember also that your magic will not be as powerful when in the human realms." Then, he seemed to shrink, and disappeared before my eyes.
Dwarves… I'll never understand them. Can't they ever stick around?
How do I begin to describe what I felt? Have you ever cheated death? Well, maybe that's a bad example? Roller coasters, bungee jumping, or in my case, a sword fight or shoot-out where I could feel the bullets breezing by my head. When it's all over then you feel it. What it's like to be alive. That's kind of the way I felt now, more alive than I'd ever been before. But, in my case, there was more.
My whole body tingled as the magic coursed through me and I felt the world I was part of slowly reveal itself to me. Just like the night I’d first met Delia when the magic had made itself known. This time, though, at least I knew what was happening. This time I could actually control it, well at least some of it. I hoped that that would grow into something much more.
"It is done," Handion and Cyrene said, stepping back.
"Are you ok?" Diantha asked as she slid up next to me.
"Fine," I replied after a moment. "Everything is fine." I turned to look at my companions and saw them for what they were. Siegfried, the warrior, a true friend and ally. Gerda, a warrior as well. Diantha, gifted her magic by Apollo himself. Even the dogs were more than they seemed. All were loyal allies. I returned my attention to Handion and Cyrene.
"Thank you both for what you have done. Not only for me, but for Maria as well."
They nodded and then bowed.
"I will take leave of you now," Cyrene said. "Plataia knows what is to be done. She turned and stepped into the pool, dissolving into the water.
"There is more," Handion said. "High Fae you may be but not all those you will face will want to follow you. Remember that no male of the line has ever led and your enemies will take advantage of that. Remember also that your children, too, are of Maria’s line."
"What does that have to do with it?" I asked, unsure of what he was getting at.
"Among the Dryad magic is passed from mother to daughter. But in your case, as High Fae, from father to both daughter and son. You may wish to remember that when you face the Dryad."
"Wait a minute. My children are human. I’ve never seen any evidence of Fae powers."
"You didn’t know?"
I was almost afraid to ask.
"Know what?"
"Maria’s spell has been removed. That which both protected you and inhibited your powers has be
en released. Although you must still learn to use it, any abilities in magic that were to be passed to your line will eventually make themselves known in them as well. Especially if they travel to any Fae lands."
I was speechless. I'd known that I would have to tell my children sooner or later what I was but I’d never thought of the magic being passed to them at birth, or now. For a moment, I was silent, trying to digest this new bit of information. Things had just gotten more complicated than even I could have imagined.
"Fear not," Handion said, clasping my shoulders. "The magic will take time to develop in them as it does in you. Especially since you spend most of your time in the human world. Do not stray from the path you have chosen. There will be time to teach them when you have completed this journey."
"Do not worry, my friend." I heard Siegfried say. "You will find a way to tell them. But first, we have a job to do."
"You’re right." There was nothing else I could say. There was certainly nothing else I could do about it from here. I didn't like it, and quite frankly, I should have known or at least guessed that something like this would happen. But they were right, now was not the time to dwell on it. I looked over at Sendy.
"It's time. Tell the Hamadryads to shut down their access to Fae. Then give it 15 minutes and let Cacilia know I'm coming. Find me when you are done."
"It shall be as you say." She bowed and shrank into her small Faery form. I watched as her wings fluttered and she rose into the sky.
"Good luck then," Handion said. "I will be at the inn waiting to hear the news."
"Thank you," I replied, then called for Plataia.
"I am here, my Lord."
"We will travel to the Temple in a moment. I don't expect you to come, I'm guessing your place is here, guarding the entrance."
"That is as it should be. But first, I must lead you to the Temple floor."
"As you say," I replied. "Ok, here's the plan," I said, speaking to the others. "Charlie and Sophie, when we enter the Temple, I want you two to go into the field in front. Monitor the crowd, if any, and just keep an eye out."
"You expect trouble then?" Gerda asked.
"I hope not, but I'd be a fool not to be prepared. We still don't know who invited the Spartoi. But since you're role is primarily as a witness, why don’t you just mingle near the front so you can watch the Fae, as well as me. That way you will have a good view. I hope, of course, that should things turn bad, you will play a more active part."
"Of course," she responded.
"Siegfried and Diantha can take positions on each side of me. But make some distance. Keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Keep your weapons unseen, but ready. We don’t want to fight a war if we don’t have to and I don't want Cacilia, or any other Fae, feeling threatened needlessly."
"And if it is we who are threatened?" asked Siegfried.
"Take out any direct threat. But try and protect any Fae that aren't involved. I wish I knew more about what we're going to have to deal with but even with the magic supposedly in tune, I can't see the future. Just do your best." I took a moment to make sure I was ready. "I just want you to know that I'm still not exactly sure how to wield this power yet so I'm open to suggestions if anyone has any other ideas."
No one did.
"Let's go then."
Plataia stood in the water and raised her hand. As had happened with Cyrene, a boat appeared. Everyone got in and Diantha sat down beside me. Without a word the boat moved towards the grotto's entrance and into the dark. Soon, we had cleared the grotto and entered a tunnel that formed around a stream flowing from beneath the ground. Above us, tree roots dangled from the top of the cavern and a slight mist covered the water. I could tell we were going faster by the wind against my face but except for the splash of the boat through the water, there was no other sound.
"Where are we?" Diantha asked, grabbing my hand. "I can’t see a thing."
"In a tunnel," I said, forgetting that even with all her power she was still only human.
"That’s descriptive," she replied, sarcastically.
"According to what Sendy said we’re probably still a little way from the Temple. You used to be a carney, think of it as an amusement park ride," I said with a laugh.
She didn’t reply.
"Can you sense anything ahead?" Siegfried asked a moment later.
I tried to reach out with my magic but the tunnel seemed to dampen my attempts. Great, I just had it and it's already fading.
"Nothing yet," I answered.
"That will change soon," Plataia said, suddenly appearing out of the water in front of me. "We are almost to the Temple entrance."
Chapter 9
The boat stopped aside another grotto, but this one was larger and instead of sand and stone, contained what looked like a dock. The floor seemed made of polished wood and the walls contained what I first thought were round columns with smaller versions between them. As I looked closer I realized that they were tree roots, the largest I'd ever seen.
I stood and took Diantha's hand to help her up but Plataia stopped me.
"Wait," she said. "The others must remain here. There is one you must meet before outsiders may enter the chamber."
Outsiders? Figures, I thought to myself, another unknown. Can't anyone ever give me a little advance notice?
As I stepped onto the dock things started to happen. There was a loud grating sound and walls of tree roots formed around it, encircling the dock and cutting me off from the others. Then the magic kicked back in and I could feel something, or someone, ahead of me. It was almost like this was expected and I calmly began to walk forward, away from the wall that had just formed behind me. There was a subdued light in front of me and as I watched a figure appeared.
She was a Hamadryad, but unlike any I had seen before. She was old, older looking than any Fae I had ever met. Dressed in white like the others with tendrils of magic pulsing between her and the wood that surrounded her. As I walked up to her she turned towards me and spoke.
"I am Sylvana, eldest of the Hamadryad and guardian of Demeter's Temple. By what right do you enter here?" she asked.
"By right of succession," I said, remembering what Bernd had told me. "I am Robert, son of Gabriele, daughter of Maria and rightful heir."
"Maria was a powerful Fae, yet she was not a God. Your claim is faulty."
Without warning roots grew up from the floor, encircling me. Within seconds, I was enveloped.
"Not since the days of Demeter has this Temple been entered, and never by a male," she continued. "You should not have come."
The roots began to tighten and suddenly I got angry, very angry. The red returned as it had the first time but this time it overwhelmed me. It was as if a dam had burst and the magic just took over. As power coursed through me the roots became an extension of my own body. I willed them to loosen, sending them toward Sylvana. I watched as they covered her to the neck. Then, without thinking, I drew my sword in my right hand and called for Plataia. Reaching out with my left hand a stream of water flowed into it and she appeared.
"I'm tired of games," I said, slowly, the magic now controlling me. Then I threw her towards Sylvana as I willed more roots to burst forth and coil around her. Horrified, she tried to return to liquid form but the roots tightened. Almost instantly, she was sealed within their wooden grip. I watched as Sylvana struggled against the roots as well. How dare she question me? I hadn’t gotten a straight answer from anyone since I got here and maybe now was a good time to change tactics.
The magic surged and I reveled in it. I had become more than I once was and the power of the Fae world was mine. I suddenly understood what the old God’s had felt and even knowing where it had led them didn’t seem to matter. I felt invincible.
Although my rational mind knew better, the magic I now wielded clouded my thoughts and for a moment, I considered what it would be like to use all that power. I could easily cut down these two and proclaim my place as leader of these Fae. None would
dare question my right to lead. If they did, I could cut them down just as easy. Besides, who would oppose me? Hell, who could oppose me? Marissa was locked up in Tartarus and even if she did escape what could she do?
Like I said, I held that thought for moment and then the world crashed down around me. Well, it wasn’t the exactly the world, it was a dog, but that was enough. Of course Charlie is no ordinary dog. All 185 pounds of him hit me and knocked me flat on my ass. Between the jolt of the fall and him licking at my face the moment had passed and I came back to my senses.
After a few more licks I felt the pressure lighten and he stepped off. I felt a little light headed as I got back on my feet. When I was up, I looked around and saw the rest of the group now standing some few feet away.
"Hey guys," I said. "I think I'm still working on control issues… I guess I got a little carried away there."
"Robert," I heard Diantha say. I looked over and saw her gesturing behind me. I turned and looked and realized that Sylvana and Plataia were still bound by the roots.
"Oh, shit," I said. With a flick of my wrist I released the roots and Sylvana and Plataia appeared.
Sylvana looked none the worse for wear but Plataia was water logged and scared as hell. Before I could say anything Sylvana fell to her knees.
"Apologies, my Lord," she cried and lay down on the floor at my feet. Moments later, Plataia began to do the same.
I stepped forward and grabbed her forearm.
"No, that's not necessary," I said as I stood her back up. Then I knelt down and took Sylvana's arm and helped her to her feet as well. She continued to try and bow and apologize but I stopped her with a raised hand.
"You were only doing your job. Now, give me a moment," I commanded and then walked over to the others.
"Thanks, Charlie," I said, rubbing his head. Then, with a quick pat to Sophie, I turned to the others. "Glad you guys got here when you did, I kinda lost it there for a minute."
"Perhaps a little," Diantha quipped.
"Gee, thanks," I replied. "I thought the way was blocked, how did you get to me?"