by Tom Keller
I had spoken with the Garden Faeries and I could see that a mist was already forming along the patio floor. As the sky darkened, the light of the full moon, supplemented by the Faeries, would make the backyard perfect for what we had in mind. It was time to gather the others.
Chapter 19
The mists had now covered the entire backyard and I had to caution my guests to steer around the pool onto the grass. Diantha, the red scarf covering her head like a hood, sat at the edge of the yard, next to the oak that I used to travel to the Fae worlds. I thought I caught of glimpse of Aeva, the Hamadryad that guarded the tree as I walked up to where she was waiting.
She was seated upon the three legged, bronze stool. Its lion's feet and serpentine tracings shrouded by the mist. Next to her was a table which held two bronze bowls, one filled with water and the other, leaves of the laurel. Besides them were several smaller bronze containers, each filled with herbs and incense. The smoke curled up and surrounded her as the lit herbs smoldered.
Lucinda disappeared into the mists as Charlie took up a position behind the group, still on guard as the event began and they all walked across the patio.
"As I expected, more theatre," I heard the Lilin, Ella, say as she stepped onto the grass.
Delia and Bjartr walked beside her and I watched as he squeezed her hand and then bent down and whispered in her ear. No one else spoke as they gathered closer to Diantha. When everyone was standing together I began.
"My friends, thank you all for coming." I heard a distinct harrumph from Ella as I said the word friends. "I have gathered you together to hear the words and prophesies of the Pythia. You know her as Diantha, but for the benefit of our guest, Ella, she is the true Oracle of Delphi, gifted long life by the Greek God Apollo."
"No offence intended," I said, turning Zeke. He just smiled and I went on.
"I have asked the Pythia for her assistance in a matter dear to me. That being to keep a promise. Many of you have fought alongside of me, both against the dark Fae, Marissa, as well as against her minions as I sought to claim my birthright among the Dryad. As faithful friends and acquaintances, your presence is needed as witnesses to my oath.
"Priestess," I then said, nodding as I turned the floor over to her.
She stood and looked over the group, mists like tendrils following her movement.
"I will require an offering," she said, turning to me.
I reached into my pocket and drew out a scrap of cloth that I had recovered when we had pulled Ella from the dungeon cell. It was stained with blood and sweat. I handed it to her, my body shielding it from the others so that they could not see what I carried.
"A blood offering… again?" she whispered to me as she took it, rolling it up and holding it in tightly in one hand. She knew enough to keep it concealed from the Lilin it had come from.
I just shrugged. Blood offerings were like Hell on wheels in their effect on her. She probably really would have a headache for a week.
She turned and stood over the table as she took some leaves out of one bowl and placed them in the other. Mists and smoke roiled out and she breathed deeply of the fumes as they made their way upward. Within a minute or so the mists began to change form. Wisp's of magic replaced the smoke and started streaming around her head and body as she stiffened. A moment later she turned to me and then looked around, her eyes stopping on the two Lilin, Delia and Ella.
Eventually she sat back down on the stool, chanting as the magic flowed in and out of her body. Suddenly the tendrils of magic began to encircle her faster. A moment later they poured in as she lifted her head and stood, her mouth open as if expelling a scream.
"Battles fought and lost, generations of unborn call out in pain. The Tears dwell in their crystal prison," she began.
"What nonsense is this?" the Lilin cried out. Bjartr restrained her and looked over at me. He did not look happy. Delia appeared shocked but didn’t take her eyes off of Diantha.
I motioned at him to just wait as Diantha sat back down and continued.
"Statues crumble and time passes long, the great now less than dust. Memories fade as those that worshipped move on. Their Gods forgotten. New ones take hold. But some things remain.
The prophecy fulfilled by Eldest foretold. Freedom on the right. Dark is the left hand. But it is not she that controls such might. This God of the old has become of the new. He now holds the key, the blood of the few.
Your fate would be sealed, if the other stood true, but this one unexpected seeks freedom for you."
As she said the last word she collapsed to the floor and disappeared, swallowed up by the mist. Elithia ran forward to see to her when Ella pushed Bjartr aside.
"What drivel is this!" Ella said as she pushed through the crowd. Moving up to me she jabbed a finger to my chest. "More lies and deceit. Think you that would fall prey to such nonsense as this. The Tears are lost, I would know if they'd been found. Release me or kill me, but do not bore me with theatrics and poor rhyme."
"EgiDari," I called out as she started to walk away. She turned and looked back, startled by the use of her ancient name.
"The Eternal Princess you may have once been, but in defeat you have lost much more than just your identity. Have you not suffered enough for a battle lost so long ago? Your senses deceive you. Let me ease your pain."
A quiet settled on the others as they heard what I'd said and even Meredith gulped when I pulled out my sword. Ella looked frightened but did not turn away.
"Delia," I cried out. "My word I have given to see you set free. I fulfill that promise now."
I reached into my back pocket and pulled out the bag that contained the Tears of Blood that Bernd had given me in what seemed like such a long time ago. It fell away as I held them up for all to see.
Delia stepped forward, her eyes mesmerized as the moonlight sparkled within the crystal. She dropped to her knees as she realized what I carried.
I lifted my sword and a beam of lighting shot up and lit the sky. Clouds billowed and swelled as they hid the moon. The flames receded back into the blade, now set afire with blue flame. As it burned I tossed the crystal decanter high in the air, the others gasping as they watched it rise and descend in the dim light. I swung my blade like a bat and cut the decanter in two as it fell.
Blood sprayed into the air. As each tear shot outward it burst into flame. Each shining like a miniature sun before exploding into ash. With each pop, a shockwave formed, and it spread out like ripples in a pool. As each ripple passed through them, the Lilin flinched. One after the other, like a string of firecrackers, they roared. Within seconds only dust remained except for one drop that still glowed. It hovered for a moment before streaking forward, bursting in a ball of fire as it struck Ella. The glowing light remaining only as long as it took for it to dissolve into her skin. She fell to her knees as her tear of blood was restored. Then the clouds parted and moonlight returned and the mists receded away. I put away my sword and walked over to Delia to see if she was alright.
"The spell is broken," Delia cried as I pulled her up. Still weak and barely able to stand, she hugged me before Siegfried stepped forward to help. I turned to see to Ella.
"She will recover," Bjartr said as I knelt beside her.
"You returned them… I did not believe it possible," she whispered as she looked up at me. Then she lowered her eyes. "I am sorry for my words."
"You had good cause," I replied. "It is difficult to believe the heir of your oppressor when so much pain has been caused."
"You are not what I expected," she finally said.
"Yeah, I get that a lot," I said with a grin. "Come, let the Elf assist you. We can speak again later, when you have fully recovered."
I turned back to Delia who seemed to have partially recovered.
"You should probably go with her," I said. "I can’t believe that those Elders up north that shunned you won’t give you a second chance if you show up with a first born."
"Wait," I heard Ella
say from behind me. "You were shunned?"
"Yeah," I answered before she could reply. "Seems they didn't take to kindly to the transfusion I gave her when she was attacked and almost killed by a Demon. Think you can help her?"
"Help her? I'll do more than just help her," she exclaimed. "We'll just see what these so called Elders say when I tell them we have both fed of the same Fae God. Come, my child. All will be well. Tell me all about this Demon." She put her arm around Delia as they walked back toward the house, Bjartr at their side.
Meredith had followed the Lilin in so I asked Siegfried and Zeke to stick around a bit as I went to check on Diantha. She was sitting on the grass, leaning against the stool with a wet towel on her forehead. Elithia, Charlie, and Bernd stood nearby.
"Oh, you are so gonna owe me," she said as she turned the towel over.
"Come on, I'll help you inside," I said as I offered my hand.
"No. I think I'll just lay here in the cool grass for a while. My head feels as if Hephaestus himself pounds it with his hammer," she answered, moving the towel again. "See to your guests, I'll be here when you return."
"It appears I am no longer needed, my Lord," Elithia said. "She will be fine after she rests a bit. I will take my leave then."
"Thank you for all you have done," I said as I clasped her hand. She bowed and began to walk toward the oak.
"Charlie," I said. "Keep an eye on her."
"Of course," he said as he sat down next to Diantha.
"I must take my leave as well," Bernd said. "I must gauge what your actions today have triggered."
"You mean the shit storm that's gonna hit us when all those Lilin realize they don't have any limitations anymore?" I asked, knowing that for all my good intentions I’d just popped open the biggest can of worms seen since The Fall. "Or maybe the pissed off Fae I'm gonna have at my door when they realize they can't control them anymore."
"I would not be so blunt," Bernd replied. "Besides, it is much too early to determine the result of your actions. We must give both sides time to adjust. Let us see what occurs."
"Ok. But can you try not to stay away so long next time?" I asked. For all the pain in the ass he was he was the only true mentor I had.
"I will come when I am needed," he said. Where had I heard that before? Then he turned and walked into the oak, disappearing without another word. Figures.
I left Delia with Charlie at her side and went into the house. I was surprised to see everyone still there.
"What's up?" I asked. "I thought some of you were leaving."
"You have not removed the wards that protect this place," Bjartr said. "Even I do not wish to test that magic."
"Oops," I replied, somewhat embarrassed. "Lucinda, let's let these fine folks be on their way."
"As you wish," she said with a purr, her tail swinging back. I knew she'd done that on purpose. But what was I supposed to do? Cats are fickle creatures at best, with a sadistic sense of humor at times.
"This evening has certainly been interesting," Meredith said. "I would stay and discuss this more but it seems that several Lilin who were in the Neptune suddenly fell to the floor and suffered seizures. It appears I have some worried customers to deal with."
"Sorry about that," I said, not having considered that being released would have affected them each at the same time in such a manner.
"I am sure you are," she said. "Fortunately, I do not employ as many as my competitor, Sergei, does. I am sure he will be dealing with many more problems than I will. That, at the very least, is something else to smile about."
Of course, Sergei the Vodianoi, I remembered. The Russian had protested loudly when I first mentioned freeing the Lilin. Somehow, the word exploitation came to mind. Oh, yeah, he was going to be thrilled.
"I will take the Elf and the Lilin back to Danu's. I have a few things to discuss with Bjartr as well and they both could use rest. Perhaps we could meet later this week."
"You bet," I said, walking the four of them to the door. She kissed me on the cheek again before saying goodbye. Delia and Ella hugged me as they left, and Bjartr simply said I'd done well. We agreed to meet at Danu's tomorrow so I went back into the house to see to the few that remained.
Siegfried and Zeke were still at the table as I came back in.
"You surprise me, Lord Fae," Zeke said as I sat down. "Your kind has not been known for their love of the other races. Siegfried was right about you. You are different."
"I know, I know. I get that a lot," I said for what have been the thousandth time.
"It was quite a demonstration," Siegfried remarked. "Although even I must admit that you had me going with that 'let me ease your pain,' remark."
"Yeah," I replied. "I just couldn't resist."
"I will have to follow your progress," Zeke said as he stood. "Although to be true, the Lilin are not really my concern. Unless, of course, this changes the way they interact with the humans."
"I do not think that will happen," Siegfried said. "That first born is no fool, she will quickly establish order. It would not be in anyone's best interest to challenge the human leaders in that regard."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Do you remember the half Demons we spoke of?" Siegfried asked.
"Oh, yeah, the government spooks," I replied.
"They watch for such things, as do we," he said. "If they started making themselves known to the humans they would intervene."
Siegfried and Milagre had both told me that most governments knew of the Fae's existence, at least at the higher levels. He'd also said that they employed such beings to protect their interests. Hell, I already paid taxes on Fae gold I brought over to this world, although my Fae attorney had handled that.
I'd half expected them to show up on my doorstep after I claimed my crown but so far they'd stayed away. Could be as simple as that they knew that we were just as against us becoming known to the general human population as they were. Still, this probably wouldn't endear them to me. It was another thing to keep an eye out for.
"I should go," Siegfried said as he joined Zeke. "Meredith will need me back at the property as well. Thank you for the invitation. Let us meet soon to discuss this further."
"I'll give you a call tomorrow," I said as I led them out front.
Now that everyone was gone I headed back to check on Diantha. As I walked out over the patio I saw that she hadn't moved from where I'd left her. Charlie had his head in her lap and got up as I got closer.
"She sleeps," he said.
"I'll take care of her," I replied. "Thanks for keeping watch."
"It is what I do," he said with a fast wag of the tail. Then he walked away down the yard.
I picked her up gently and carried her into the house. I started to take her into the downstairs bedroom when she awoke.
"Oh no you don't" she said, nibbling at my ear before kissing my neck.
"I thought you said you had the mother of all headaches?"
"I also said you owed me," she said as she kissed me again. "Now take me upstairs. I've had a vision about your first payment."
I changed direction and carried her up the stairs to my bedroom. It was never wise to argue with an Oracle. Especially when it came to prophetic visions.
The End
About the Author
Tom Keller is a retired cop and former computer forensic expert who's also spent time as a Federal Public Defender investigator. Back in the early days he was a busboy, a cook, and a shoe and real estate salesman. He's taught courses at the local Community College as well as lectured to others in his field on a variety of topics. These days he works as a P.I. in Las Vegas, Nevada. A place he's called home for over 40 years.
He had a website design business back in the days when you still accessed the Internet by modem. He's sold model airplanes and electronics on the web and eBay. He even had his own TV show for a season or two (okay, it was really low budget, better call it no budget, and it was on UHF for those of you that
remember those kinds of things. But, hey, it did snag a 2.0 share one episode). He collects toy space guns, lunch boxes, and coffee cups among other memorabilia. If he had a personal card it’d probably say something like ‘specialist in generalities,’ or as his brother would say, polymath.
Tom is still married to his college sweetheart and spends his free time with his family and spare time writing. Of Gods and Fae is his second book in the Vegas Fae series. His first book, Return of the High Fae, is available on Amazon as well as other major Internet retailers.
Social Media:
http://www.facebook.com/tomsbooks
http://twitter.com/VegasFae
Email:
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