by Tom Keller
"One that seeks to model a pair of Hermes' shoes," I heard a voice say. It was Siegfried. "I found what remained of their wings in the outer room."
"Any Mages left alive to talk to?"
"No," Siegfried replied.
"Probably for the best. What about us? Did we lose anyone but Lucius?"
"Rafa from my team and one of the Weres," he replied. "But at least you saved the Dragon."
The fur on Charlie's back suddenly stiffened and he ran out of the cell.
"The hound has found something," a voice cried out a moment later.
We ran to another cell a few doors down just in time to see another one of Siegfried's team pulling open a trapdoor in the center of the small room that Charlie had entered.
"This one may still be alive," he yelled, aiming his rifle's flashlight down the hole.
Siegfried called for a medic as the warrior, a Water Fae named Troy, waved us over as he put down the rifle and jumped in. Seconds later we were pulling a female out of the hole. We laid her down as the medic arrived.
"She is Lilin," Charlie said as he watched us pull her out.
"She's alive," Troy said. "She's dehydrated and there's no way to tell the last time she fed. Help me get her out of here so I can get a better look."
"I'll check the rest of the rooms," Michael said I grabbed her arms.
We carried her out as gently as we could. Once outside a medic arrived and took out a stethoscope, placing it on her neck and chest, another medic providing light. Delia came up as he was examining her.
"She's weak," he said after a moment. "But I don’t know of enough about your kind to tell you much else."
"Let me look," Delia said, kneeling down and placing her face on the other woman's. "She needs to feed." Delia pulled off her coat and then opened the other's mouth. She placed her arm onto it as I had done with her when I first let her feed from me.
"Any idea who she is?" I asked.
"No," she replied. "But she is very old. She may even be a first born."
"A first born?" That was interesting. I'd guessed that Marissa had been searching for the Tears but hadn't expected her to start seeking out first born Lilin yet. But more importantly, I had planned to search for one as well.
"Elithia, the healer is at my house. I will have Sendy take this one there," I exclaimed. Trying not to sound too excited as I called out to the Aurea.
"This one needs to get to Elithia as well," I said as she appeared. "Then return and take Charlie home, he is needed elsewhere." I hated to not tell her about the bodies, but now just wasn't the time.
She nodded and went to the Lilin, then disappeared with her charge.
I stepped back and knelt next to Charlie.
"Guard the Lilin," I commanded. "She is not to leave until I can return." He barked an acknowledgement and a few minutes later returned with Sendy to the house.
By now Michael and Siegfried had come out and joined us. We spent a few minutes discussing what to do next. Michael's team was going to collect our fallen and make sure they were removed with dignity, the Aurae included. We'd do a proper service, each according to their kind's practices after the mess was cleaned up. Siegfried, with Martins assistance, was going to look for anything else that was worth salvaging and then destroy what was left and make sure it could not be used by any dark Fae ever again. Delia was going to see to Lucius and then join me later.
As for me, I was going to the house and check on the Dragon and the Lilin's progress. Siegfried would bring Zeke and the Demon there later to meet me. Delia would probably hitch a ride with them. I handed Siegfried the water soaker I'd used to gain entry then jogged back to the parking lot to grab Malcolm, switching back to my human persona as we got into my car.
Chapter 17
Things had calmed down a bit by the time I got home. The first thing I did was to sit Sendy down with Malcolm at her side and let her know what we'd found in the dungeon. She'd half expected them to be dead but still took the news hard. I told her how to find Michael and then let her leave with Mal after she'd had a moment to let it all sink in. I told her to take few days off with Mal as they would not be needed for what I had planned. Moving on, I checked on the condition of our two patients with Elithia.
"The Were is sedated. I have placed a sleeping spell on her but she should recover. She has been sorely mistreated but her kind are strong," she said as she came out of the downstairs bedroom. "The Lilin is upstairs with Charlie and Lucinda. Sendy said that Delia fed her but she is still unresponsive. Her symbiont is weak and I do not know if that will be enough. I cannot say if even my blood will help."
"What about mine?" I asked.
"Perhaps," she answered. "But it would be best to call on one of her kind."
"We don't have that option at the moment," I replied as I got up and started the coffee. "Besides, it worked on Delia, didn’t it? Take me to her."
"As you say," she replied as I followed here up the stairs. "But Delia's body was healthy, albeit wounded. I do not know what Fae blood will do to her in her condition, especially yours. It could be too much for her. I should also tell you that she is very old and may not appreciate being tended to by the Fae. Especially one of your bloodline."
"We'll have to take that risk," I said, following her into one of the extra rooms upstairs. I'd already figured that out but didn't see any other options. "I don't know any of their healers and I doubt they'd respond to Delia since she's been shunned. Besides, I need to keep her rescue secret for now. You'll attend to her until she awakens?"
"Of course," Elithia said as sat down next to her on the bed and placed her hands on her chest. "Give me a moment."
While I waited at the doorway I made several calls, including one to Danu's to talk to Bjartr. He had already heard the news from Delia. I told him what Elithia had told me of her condition and he said he would meet us shortly. As I disconnected, Lucinda rubbed at my leg and then led me out to the hall, watching to make sure I followed.
"Bernd will come soon," she said.
"About time," I replied.
"The house is secure, none may enter or exit except by your leave," she continued, ignoring my comment.
"Thank you. Just so you know, expect the Elf, Bjartr, as well as Siegfried, Delia and an Angel. There will be a Demon with them as well. I need to make sure they can enter."
"A Demon?" she hissed.
"Yes, a Demon," I said with emphasis. "But he is in the Angel's care so he must be allowed entry. I expect they'll come by car, as for the Elf, who knows."
"As you wish," she hissed again, clearly not happy. "Anyone else?"
"No, except Sendy and Mal, of course. But I'm not sure when they'll return," I said as she started to walk away. "Wait, Bjartr may bring another Elf. That should be it."
"It will be done," she replied and then disappeared down the stairs.
I heard Elithia calling me so I went back into the room.
"Let us begin," she said, reaching out for my arm.
Elithia opened the Lilin's mouth, the proboscis extending as she massaged underneath her tongue. As before, I felt nothing as the hollow, needlelike tube, slid into my arm. A few minutes later she was done. Placing her head and hands on the woman's chest she looked up at me.
"Her heart beats fast," she said after a moment. "But I sense no further distress. I will let you know when there is a change."
"There is one more thing you must do for me." I said as I rolled down my sleeve. "I promise that I mean her no harm but she is not to leave this house without my approval. Is that clear?"
"As you command," she replied, glancing over at Charlie.
I went back downstairs to check on my now transformed Dragon. She was sleeping peacefully so I went back into the kitchen and grabbed my What about second breakfast? mug and refilled it, finally able to relax a moment after the chaotic night. Picking up the phone I called Diantha. She hadn't joined us in this little adventure because she was taking care of something for Milagre. T
hat was ok as I'd borrowed a lot of his folks for the raid and fair is fair. I told her what I wanted and she agreed to meet me later in the day.
A little tickling in my head followed by the phone's ring announced someone at the gate. I buzzed them in as I walked to the front. It was two someone's actually. Bjartr and the other Elf, Edan, had arrived. It was beyond me why they'd come by car. I knew they could just pop in almost anywhere they wanted to like Bernd could do.
"She is alive?" Edan asked as he walked up to me.
"Sleeping. Elithia, our Fae healer, says she should recover just fine." I led them both to the downstairs bedroom where the Weredragon was recovering. Elithia must have come down while I met the Elves because she was already inside checking on her patient.
"It is her," Edan said as he entered the room. "Belynda."
"Let us give them some time," Bjartr said as the other Elf began discussing her condition with the Faery.
We sat down at the table and I gave him a quick overview of what had occurred during the raid as well as of Lucius' death.
"He will be missed," Bjartr said. "But it is a fitting death for a warrior of his stature. I have already spoken with Delia and will discuss rites with her when she returns."
A little while later Elithia came out of the room.
"What's up?" I asked as she went and picked up a pack and placed it on the table.
"Elf magic," she replied, rummaging through the bag. She took out a clear bottle and removed the stopper. She must have thought I looked puzzled.
"What?" she said "You don't think I'm going to drink the water from this world, do you?"
"Please," I said with a laugh.
There was a burst of conversation in the bedroom so we all got up to see what was happening. The girl was awake and talking to Edan as we gathered in the doorway. He pointed me out to her.
"Edan says you are the one that saved me," she said.
"I am, but I had a little help," I admitted. "I am Robert of the Dryad and I'm glad you are well."
"Thank you," she replied.
"She is able to be moved now," Edan said, more to Elithia than the rest of us. "I will take her to somewhere that she will be safe and can recover."
"Of course," I responded.
"I thank you for rescuing her as well," he said as he stood.
"As you should," a voice said from behind us. It was Bernd, the Dwarf.
"I meant nothing but thanks, cousin," Edan said as Bernd squeezed in between us.
"Of that I am confident," Bernd replied, then walked over to the Elf and grasped his hands. "It is good to see you, Edan of the Northern Realms. Too few of your kind walk these grounds and such a solitary life makes Bjartr morose at the best of times."
"I am fine, Cousin Swart Elf, as you should well know," Bjartr said, greeting the Dwarf with clasped hands as well. "With as much information as you glean from your Fae charges in this realm."
My god, they were telling a jokes!
"Indeed, indeed," Bernd said, now looking down to the bed. "And you young lady, you appear to be in good hands."
"Thank you, Father," she replied. "I am so thankful to you all."
"Come," he gestured to the Elves as he bid the girl goodbye. "Let us talk before you go."
The three of them left the room so I gave the girl my best wishes for a speedy recovery as Elithia sat beside her. She thanked me again and promised to come see me when she was well. As I entered the kitchen they were huddled together so I grabbed my cup and sat down, leaving them to their business. Elithia joined me and took a drink from her imported Fae water before going upstairs to check on her other patient.
"We must go now," Edan said before returning to the bedroom.
"Thank you again," Bjartr said. "I will take them back."
"Sure thing," I replied. "By the way, can you come back this afternoon, say around four?"
"What is it you need?" he asked, somewhat confused. We may be new partners in business but it wasn't like we were friends.
"Nothing that can't wait till then," I replied. "But I want to speak with you and several of the others as a group. I have a few things to cover and I'd like you all present to hear what I have to say."
"Very well," he said. "Then I will come."
Bjartr rejoined Edan and the Were and I walked the three of them out to the front.
"I must check on your other charge," Bernd said as I closed the door. "I will return in a moment."
I merely nodded and went back into the kitchen to finish my coffee. He was back a few minutes later.
"How is she?" I asked.
"Her Lilin regains its strength," he replied. "She should wake in a few hours."
"Good," I said turning to him and gesturing that he should sit down. "Now let me tell you what I want to do."
****
We'd had a long discussion before Siegfried and the others made it to the house. With them finally here, it was time to make good on my promise to the Demon. Bernd stayed to watch over the Lilin as Siegfried, Zeke and the Demon followed me out into the backyard.
"Aeva of the Balanos," I said as I called out to the Hamadryad in the oak. After letting her know who was with me we stepped through and, in the blink of an eye, appeared at Demeter's pool. Siegfried and I had switched into our Fae personas but I noticed that there was no change in the Angel or Demon's appearances. Unfortunately, I had no clue if that meant anything, the Demon certainly didn’t seem to care. I didn't have time to ponder the question as Plataia rose from the waters just as we materialized in the garden.
"Please transport us to the Temple," I said, noting her blanched look as she eyed the Demon. "Then alert the Lady that I go there and ask her to join me if she can."
There are times when it's good to be the king as no one argues, I thought to myself. When the boat appeared out of the water we piled in, the Demon apprehensive as we entered the dark cave.
"Tell him not to worry," I said to Zeke as the boat surged forward. "This is merely a back door to where we have to go. I wanted to give Cacilia a minute before we showed up."
"I do not think he likes the water," Zeke replied with a laugh.
Sylvana was already waiting as we pulled into the underground grotto. Like Plataia, I could tell the sight of the Demon had caught her off guard.
"Sylvana," I said, stepping off of the boat. "This is kin to the Demon we entombed when I was last here. He will be present when I free the other."
"You plan to release him," she asked in astonishment.
"The spell that enslaved him has been lifted. He that wove it is dead. I have made a promise to return him to his kind, should he still live."
She merely nodded and asked no further questions as she turned and began to walk to the entrance. As soon as the others were out of the boat we followed. When we stepped through the portal that led to the Temple proper I saw that my aunt, Cacilia had already arrived.
"Welcome, Lord and nephew," she said as I approached. She, at least, did not appear surprised at our presence. "You plan on freeing the other Demon?"
"I do," I replied, as I stepped down and walked to where the Demon had been drawn into the earth. She had asked it as a question but I was guessing she already knew the answer.
"Zeke, perhaps you should stand with me as I bring him out."
Siegfried stayed with the other Demon as the Angel came up beside me. I closed my eyes and connected with the roots of the tree that bound him. A moment later the earth rumbled and broke apart as he was lifted aboveground, still encased in his wooden tomb. I walked up to the roots and touched them, opening a small window so I could see inside. The creature was still and cold, no flames on his body that I could see so I willed the roots away and as they receded, they laid him on the ground before us.
The Demon was cold and appeared badly burned, flecks of ash scattering as the light breeze touched his body. I nodded to Siegfried and the other one stepped off the dais and then knelt next to the other of his kind. He looked up at the A
ngel and began speaking.
"He asks that we step back," Zeke interpreted. "He says that the other may be confused when he awakes and would prefer that we don’t … well… he's worried that we'll overreact."
"Makes sense," I agreed and stepped back.
The Demon's hands burst in flame as he laid them on the other's chest. Within seconds, it too was ablaze. Suddenly awakened, it leapt up, burning wings outstretched, ash and soot flying as it filled the air around him. Floating a few feet above the ground it looked as if it was searching for threats before noticing the other at its feet. The Demon we had brought with us then began to speak to the other in a low, chanting, tone. Soon, it dropped to the ground and after some further discussion with the other, extinguished its flames. An almost exact double of the one that had accompanied us here appeared as the fire around him went out.
Zeke stepped forward and began to talk to the both of them. The newly freed Demon shook his head and Zeke pointed at me. Then he, at least it looked like a male, walked over and looked up at me.
"The Angel says you are the reason we still live. Is this true?" he asked. His voice low and melodious as he hissed the words.
"You could say that," I replied. Well, at least this one I could understand.
"Fae God's are not known for their mercy. What do you ask in return?" Demons, go figure.
"Is it not true that you were summoned here against your will?" I asked, knowing that it was time for me to assume my High Fae role again.
"Yes."
"Did you fight us willingly or were you under the Mage's command?"
"We were bound to him. These battles were not of our choosing," he answered.
"Then I have no quarrel with you or your kind. You and your kin are free to go. How can we help you return?"
"This place is closed to us. That one can take us somewhere that we may return to our own lands," he said, after looking around. He was pointing at Zeke.
"So be it."
"Then we are in your debt. I am Ukobac, the other is Bachor," the Demon said as Zeke and the other joined us.
"I am Robert Hoskins, High Fae of the Dyad. I welcome you both to my lands," I said in return.