Blood of Half Gods: Kallen's Tale

by Bonnie Lamer

  “Kallen, if you could send word to the couple who take care of the Uluru estate, I will not have to wake up Sindri,” Dagda says.

  “Sindri can send messages with his mind, too?” Xandra asks.

  Dagda shakes his head and smiles. “No, but he is one of many Fairies who can send notes to blank pieces of paper at the receiving address. This is a common mode of communication over great distances.”

  Her brows scrunch together. “So, he can make words appear on paper that is currently at your house in Uluru?”

  Dagda nods. “Correct. There are many modes of communication in this realm, as there are in your old realm. For those who cannot do things such as this, there are shops set up to do it for them, and we have a postal service.”

  I feel badly. There is so much I have not explained to Xandra about her new home. I can keep using the excuse that she constantly finds herself in dire circumstances, but the real truth is, there are other things I would rather be doing with her than explaining the Fairy mail system. In my defense, her lack of questions suggests she feels the same way.

  Looking down at her feet and then looking up at me, Xandra says, “Think I could have some shoes? I’d hate to end up in a swamp or something barefoot.”

  I laugh. “As you are going to the plains, I do not think that will be a problem. Did they not teach geography in your realm?” I tease. She sticks her tongue out at me while I make her some shoes.

  “Are you ready?” she asks me.

  Hoping we are not making a huge mistake, I put my faith in her ability to handle this new power and nod. “Teleport away.”

  “We will be arriving late tomorrow evening, as we will not be moving again until sunrise. The drivers will need to move slowly through this terrain we have stumbled into and they will need to be able to see clearly,” Dagda says. “I am going to set the first meeting with the Giants for the following morning.”

  Xandra is not really listening to him. And the longer Dagda speaks, the more nervous she is getting about teleporting us. I take her hand in mine and give it a gentle squeeze. “I know you can do this.”

  With an encouraging smile, Alita says, “It will be fine.”

  “Xandra, do be careful,” Dagda says. “If you happen to run into any Giants, you should probably let Kallen do the talking.” Seeing the sour look on her face, he quickly adds, “Sometimes, your diplomacy is…different than what is the norm in this realm.” That was more tactful than I would have expected from my uncle.

  Xandra wants to disagree with his surprisingly kind description of her often brash behavior, but she cannot muster it. Dagda is only speaking the truth. “Got it, let Kallen talk for me so I don’t piss off the Giants.” I chuckle at her summation.

  Closing her eyes, Xandra prepares to teleport. I make sure I have a firm grip on her hand, afraid she may leave me behind. That would not be good for her, or me. But in a blink, she and I are both teleported to Uluru. Right on top of it. Surrounded by surprised and angry giants.

  Chapter 13

  “Xandra, do you remember when Dagda told you that diplomacy was not your strong suit?” I ask.

  “Yeah,” she says nervously, not wanting to open her eyes.

  “Landing on a sacred rock guarded by Giants is not a great way to introduce yourself.”

  Forcing her eyes open, she turns around slowly, taking in the Giants that are staring up at us. “Um, what do we do?” she asks.

  “Why don’t we start with getting down. Since climbing the Ayer’s rock is illegal, I suggest you teleport us down.”

  “But, Isla said I shouldn’t expose the fact that I can do that.”

  Is she serious? “I believe you have already rendered that advice moot.” Sighing, she nods and teleports us about fifty feet away from the rock, and the glowering Giants.

  Xandra spends a few seconds taking in her surroundings. When her eyes land on the Giants, I am not happy to see the admiring look shining from them. I narrow my own eyes in her direction but am not able to comment due to one of the Giants approaching us. I rein in my jealousy for the moment.

  “Who are you?” the Giant asks. He’s at least twelve feet tall with shoulder length blonde hair that even I have to admit looks good. I hate Giants. “How do you move about so?”

  Standing at my fullest height, I garner confidence that I am not necessarily feeling at the moment. Giants are tough adversaries even with the amount of magic I can wield. “She is Xandra, daughter of King Dagda,” I say.

  “The King has no daughter,” the blond says taking a menacing step forward. “I demand you tell me who you are or I will…” I am tempted to cover Xandra’s ears as he finishes his sentence. No one needs that mental image in his or her head.

  It is Xandra’s turn to speak. “I am his daughter. He didn’t tell you about me because he was planning to kill me just a short time ago. We’ve worked all that out, and now I’m Princess.” I try not to shake my head at her rambling words. The Giants definitely did not need to know that she and Dagda had been at odds let alone that he wanted to kill her. This meeting is going downhill quickly.

  Blondie comes forward again. There are only about twenty feet between us now. I keep a tight hold on Xandra’s hand so she does not back up. It is important not to show fear with the Giants. “Perhaps he sent you to us to finish the job for him.”

  Xandra is starting to get annoyed. “No, I don’t think that’s it,” she snarks.

  “How did you move like that?” the Giant demands. He’s shortened the distance between us again. I prepare to draw magic.

  “It’s one of the weird powers I have as a Witch Fairy.”

  He stops advancing. “You are a Witch?” the Giant asks. Then he laughs. Actually, guffaws is a better description of the horrible sounds coming from his mouth. “Your magic will have no effect on us.”

  Apparently, news of her power has not travelled this far south yet. “She is a Witch Fairy,” I reiterate. “A species of magical creature you have never met the likes of. Her magic is amplified to the power of a thousand.” For some reason, Xandra gives me a funny look. What did I say?

  “One Witch or a thousand, her magic will have no effect on us.” Blondie laughs again.

  “You better watch it, you big oaf. That’s my friend you’re talking to.” My lips press into a grim line. Great, my least favorite being in the universe. I have not forgiven Nixie for trying to seduce me with Xandra’s body. Why the hell is she even here?

  The Giant and his friends jump back. Accusation clear in his voice, the blonde says, “What is this trickery, Witch?”

  “Nixie,” Xandra says just above a whisper. “Knock it off, you’re not helping.”

  “But, he’s being mean to you. And you’re way stronger than any of them. I know because I’ve been watching them ever since I arrived yesterday. Your mode of transportation is very slow, by the way.”

  Xandra sighs. “We had some technical difficulties.”

  “Why do you speak to this light as if it is sentient? We will not be fooled by your fraudulence,” the Blonde says with bravado that barely covers his fear. The Giants are superstitious and believe spirits to be bringers of doom. Considering this is Nixie, they may be right.

  “Oh, shut up, will you? We’re trying to have a conversation here,” Nixie snaps.

  “You’re not helping,” Xandra hisses. She has finally found someone less tactful than she is.

  “Oh, you worry too much. They’re afraid of me because they think I’m evil, look.” She dances towards them, a shimmer of light in the night sky, and sure enough, the Giants jump back.

  She is only making things worse. “Nixie, knock it off,” I say sternly.

  “Fine,” she says in a pouty voice.

  “Hey, how come you listen to him but not me?” Xandra asks.

  Her voice is full of humor when she says, “Because I don’t want to wrap myself around your body. Just his.”

  Now, Xandra is as annoyed as I am. “You know, it’s not too late
for me to exorcise you.”

  “Exorcism? What manner of evil have you brought among us?” the blonde Giant demands.

  “She’s not evil. She’s just a soul remnant that has evolved to sentient status without a body,” Xandra explains. I shake my head and try to fend off the headache I am getting. The look she gets from the Giant makes me draw magic just in case I need it. Fortunately, Nixie finally decides to shut up and go away.

  As soon as Nixie is no longer an obstacle, the Giants are upon us. They are grabbing for us, attempting to squeeze the life out of us. “Who are you?” the blonde Giant holding Xandra demands.

  This is one of those situations where I am glad Xandra is more than capable of defending herself. This leaves me free to detach myself from the oaf that is holding me. I send magic forward and feel it burn its way through the Giant. Mine falls half a second behind Xandra’s, but he falls. That is all that matters. My bruised neck where his hand had held me is forever grateful. Now, both Giants are writhing on the ground in pain.

  “You are not a Witch,” a dark haired Giant says. I recognize him immediately. He is Quinn, Chieftain of his tribe.

  “You’re right,” Xandra says through the deep breaths she is taking, trying to refill her lungs with oxygen. “I’m not a Witch. I’m a Witch Fairy. There’s a huge difference.”

  Looking down at his writhing Giants, Quinn says, “So I can see. Release them so that we may have a more civil conversation than the last.”

  Despite her lack of diplomacy, Xandra is more trusting than I am. She is always willing to give another being a chance. She lets her magic go and reluctantly, so do I. Xandra gives me a reassuring smile but I am still not convinced this is the right thing to do. It is not wise to let go of an advantage when it comes to Giants.

  “Are you truly the King’s daughter?” Quinn asks.

  Xandra nods. “Yes, and my name is Xandra. What’s yours?”

  He tilts his head. “You have the look of a Fairy, but not the tongue of one.”

  Xandra rolls her eyes at his critique of her grammar. “Yeah, I know. I didn’t grow up here and we use contractions where I’m from.”

  He nods. “That explains that. Now, perhaps you can explain to us why you are here, how you control spirits and why you chose to come upon us as you did.”

  “You still didn’t tell me who you are,” Xandra says, still being polite but there is a note of impatience in her voice.

  He inclines his head again. “My apologies, I am Quinn, Chief of the Devas tribe.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Xandra says with a distinct lack of sincerity. “This is Kallen, the King’s nephew.” I simply nod in his direction. I believe he already knows that.

  Quinn chuckles. “I did not realize our quest for help would become such a family affair.”

  A strong wind blows around us and Xandra rubs her arms to try to fend off the night air. “Um, is there someplace warmer we can talk?” she asks.

  Quinn eyes her for a moment before saying, “Of course. I assume we have a truce for the moment?”

  Xandra has no idea what he is talking about at first. Finally, it sinks in. “Oh, you mean my magic? Yes, I’ll keep it in check.” She looks up at me. “You will, too, right?”

  I do not trust the Giants. Especially one who is eyeing Xandra the way Quinn is, as if she is his favorite dessert. “Yes,” I finally manage.

  Quinn’s mouth turns up in a smirk on one side. “Then I invite you to my home. My staff will provide you with something warm to drink.” The implication that being cold indicates that we are weaker beings than the Giants has me ready to pull magic again. I would be more than happy to wipe that smug expression off his face.

  Before this conversation goes any further, there is something I feel the need to clarify. We are not here as Dagda’s representatives. “Xandra, the appropriate protocol is to wait for the King,” I say pointedly. I move closer to her in case Quinn decides to take offense over the fact that we do not want to accompany him to his home. Being surrounded by Giants in their own domain is dangerous. They are faster and meaner than they look.

  She sighs and looks back at Quinn. “He’s right. We should wait for Dagda before we start talking about anything. I don’t tend to be very tactful.”

  Quinn chuckles. “Honesty before tact has always been my motto. I have the impression that you are ever eager to have your honest opinion heard.”

  I expect a strong reaction from Xandra to his insult, but all she says is, “Sometimes.”

  Quinn laughs. “Xandra, you are charming. Come, we will discuss the weather until your father arrives.” He holds his hand out to her.

  “This is not wise,” I say between gritted teeth. “The King will be angry.”

  “Oh, please, like I ever care if Dagda’s angry or not.” Immediately, she knows she erred in announcing such a thing.

  Quinn raises a brow. “You and your father often disagree?”

  Xandra tries to shrug casually but she is blushing fiercely. “We didn’t get off to the best start.”

  Out of the blue, Quinn asks, “Are you truly from another realm?”

  Xandra nods. “I’m from what you guys call the Cowan realm. I haven’t been here for very long.”

  Surprise washes over Quinn’s face, but he masks it quickly. “Then your opinions have not been molded with bias. A rare quality. You also seem comfortable with having an opinion that differs from the King. I believe that you would make an excellent arbitrator during our discussions.” Yes, a naïve arbitrator who does not know the violent history of the Giants. How nice that would be for him. I am now seething again.

  Fortunately, Xandra is not ready for such a position. “Um, remember what I said about not being very tactful? I wasn’t kidding. Sometimes, inappropriate words jump out of my mouth like my tongue is a diving board and the conversation is a swimming pool. I’m often rude and sarcastic.” My brows rise in surprise. She is becoming quite self-aware.

  “And honest.” Quinn repeats yet again as he looks her up and down. If he continues to stare at her in such a way, forget magic, I am going to punch him in the face. “It is decided,” he says. “Under our charter with the King, we are allowed to ask for an arbitrator and I am officially requesting you.”

  Xandra’s mouth drops open but I am not surprised. Quinn is plotting something that involves using Xandra and her ignorance. I am not sure what, but I know for a fact that I am not going to like it. Neither will Dagda.

  Xandra tries again to convince him otherwise. “I’m pretty sure that my mouth would take it upon itself to say any number of things that could incite civil war between the tribes. You do not want me to do that, do you?”

  Quinn chuckles again. “That is not the goal that has been set forth, no.” His face sobers. “Trust me when I say there is nothing you can do to make the civil unrest worse.”

  “Wanna bet?” she grumbles under her breath.

  Looking Quinn in the eye, I say, “She speaks the truth that diplomacy is not a trait she can call her own.”

  Xandra’s face darkens and suddenly, I am the enemy. “I can be diplomatic,” she states emphatically and gives me a dirty look. She just said the same thing as I. Repeatedly. Why am I not allowed to say it?

  Quinn’s face is hard when he says to me, “Your concerns regarding Xandra’s ability to act as arbitrator are noted. Forgive me if I choose not to heed the advice of a Fairy raised to think of Giants as an inferior race. I find her honesty refreshing. I would appreciate it if you would send an official notice to the King that I have invoked this right under the Charter of Uluru.” Then, with a healthy dose of snark in his voice, he says, “I am assuming you are a strong enough Fairy to have the ability to communicate over great distances?”

  As he is speaking, I bite my tongue and send a message to Dagda, but not the one Quinn wants me to send. ‘Quinn is up to something and is requesting Xandra as an arbitrator. I am two seconds from shoving my magic so far up his ass he will be able to taste it. A
nxiously awaiting your arrival. Will try to keep Xandra from blowing up the Giant realm when they finally piss her off.’ “Your request has already been sent,” I grind out. I refuse to look at Xandra because I am too angry with her for falling into Quinn’s hands so easily.

  She sighs. “I think you’re going to regret this.”

  Quinn’s response is deceptively off-hand. “Anything is possible.”

  Scanning the area, she asks, “What am I supposed to do now?”

  “As arbitrator, you will hear the facts as put forth by each tribal Chief, and then you will make a recommendation to the King.”

  “And he can choose not to take my advice?”

  Quinn nods once. “If he feels your advice is detrimental to the realm, he may. If your recommendation is reasonable, and will bring about peace, then he is obligated to agree to your recommendation.”