by Gavin Green
***
Under the awakening stars in a royal blue twilight sky, Enochia stepped into the clearing temporarily held by the magistrate. The closest fae-bridge she could access was just over a mile down the road, but she found the walk and brisk air refreshing. The currents were still, the earth damp and fragrant, and the only movement in the clearing was of a fae-steed cropping wild grasses.
Enochia stepped over to the black tent, saw no way to announce her presence, and so decided to simply enter. She thought whoever the Circle had appointed was lacking in protocol and preparation.
Devlin looked up from his notes at the writing desk, mildly surprised, but quickly flashed a winning smile. "Greetings, elder, thank you for coming."
Revealing a shock of blue hair when she pulled her hood back, the oracle said, "Forgive my abrupt entry, but I saw no attendant to state my arrival. I hope you don't mind."
The slender Fair fae grimaced lightheartedly. "Of course not, elder; the Circle did not adequately describe the duties I'd need to perform here. So, unfortunately, I don't have all the tools of proper etiquette at my disposal." He rose and strolled toward her, and gestured to the lesser of the mismatched chairs. "Would you care to have a seat?"
Enochia looked down at the simple chair with an amused grin. She turned to him with the same expression. "Why don't we talk at your table? I'm sure you'll want to refer to your notes, and I spend so much time seated that standing is a welcome change. I'm sure our chat won't take long, and I wouldn't want to take any more of your valuable time than is necessary."
Devlin faltered and frowned. "Oh... very well; thank you for seeing the import of my duties." He offered another smile, this one tight and polite, and returned to his desk. The draped elder stood at a distance, near the center post, erect and unmoving with her long, tapered fingers clasped in front of her in relaxed pose. Devlin tried to glean a message from her posture, failed, and browsed his notes. "If these reports are correct, there are a number of fae connected with this area."
"If it is as you say, then I'm not surprised."
He looked up. "Oh? And why would that be?"
The elder minutely cocked her head to one side. "All about this area is a thin place, magistrate."
Devlin wondered if the old Drommen was attempting to test him, and felt his temper rising. "A… thin place, you said, elder Enochia? Forgive me; I do not travel to the Verden much."
Her mouth almost formed a grin. "Of course - let me explain it to you. A thin place is an area where the Lore and the Verden come closer to intersection. Fae bridges are more easily formed in those locales, glamour more easily garnered. Some might explain it as where ley lines intersect, thus easing the boundaries of the realms."
The magistrate nodded as if his ignorance was simply a matter of miscommunication. "Ah, ley lines; I see the meaning now. Out of curiosity, where is the intersection near here?"
"Next to the cathedral in Ballaghadaere, but that is simply the apex."
Devlin nodded sagely, as if he intended to use the information. He glanced at his notes once again. "This, being a thin place, must be the explanation why there are so many fae about."
Enochia remained still. "It is the main reason, yes."
With a small effort, the magistrate unclenched his teeth. The Drommen's posture began to unnerve him, standing distant and immobile. He wondered what game she was playing. Not to mention her offering replies, even without a proper question formed, it was irritating. He ignored her comment and continued. "Besides numerous low castes, there are two sprites, two tinkers, a leprechaun, three morphers that are known of, and even a young troll."
"Quite a list indeed, magistrate," Enochia casually replied. "But no Fair fae? More's the pity."
Devlin cocked one eyebrow at her, and added a smirk to it. Enochia thought he practiced the look in his mirror. "The list is not complete, oracle. I didn't mention you, or the venerable Dryad, Aldritch of the Old Wood. There is also a lake Merrow - powerful, so I'm told." His face took a serious aspect. "That makes three elders, oracle; two of which are mentioned in a recent scenario. And it brings to mind a certain redcap, who was also involved."
Enochia nodded once, slow and sure. "I am quite aware of that scenario."
Keeping his face stern, Devlin set his notes down. "I'm sure you are, elder. And while you craftily kept yourself personally out of the incident that occurred at a rural cottage, there is still the matter of one Cora McCarthy. I'm sure you know of her?"
"Yes, magistrate; I have known that one since her birth."
Devlin stared at her incredulously. "Enochia, you openly gave her information pertaining to the fae! Crios and others close with the Circle are acutely aware of such events. You may have fogged her for your own defense, but you left her with intimate knowledge that could be a potential threat to us!"
Enochia gripped her hands tighter. "I understand, magistrate. I considered the situation and felt that Cora McCarthy needed... closure."
The Fair fae flicked his head in a quick shake, his mouth momentarily agape. "Closure?! I don't give an ogre's ass about a mortal's closure!" He struck the table with a fist along with the last word. "By the elements, elder, listen to yourself! You're in breach of the Enigma!"
Enochia kept her pose and composure. "There are extenuating circumstances. Crios and the others simply have not looked into the possible outcomes and repercussions within this specific locale. There are unique circumstances within this particular dynamic, with many variables leading to a wide range of outcomes, some of which are not in our best interest. It is for that reason that I have made certain choices."
Devlin frowned at her. "Our best interests, elder, or simply yours?"
With one smooth stride forward, Enochia replied, "You don't even realize you're a fool, and that's the sad part."
He stood at the insult. "You have blatantly broken one of our laws, and you still have the nerve -"
"Quit your overconfident bluster, magistrate. Unlike your past work for the Circle, this is no simple fogging of mortals or bringing a brownie to justice for tidying a home to a suspicious degree. Yes, I gleaned those examples straight from your head; your defenses are quite lacking. Simply put, this is a scenario the likes of which you haven't dealt with before. It is broader in spectrum than you can perceive, with some possible outcomes even I cannot foresee."
"And how is that>" Devlin asked suspiciously.
Enochia ignored the question and continued. "Your presence here is merely an intrusion, but your position in a unique scenario such as this should be filtered with forethought and diplomacy. Your strong-arm tactics will not achieve the results you want. As an example of that needed diplomacy, you did not even introduce yourself to an elder, Devlin. What I have done is easily containable, but have you ever thought that my motives for allowing a minor - and temporary - breach might be to serve a better purpose and facilitate better outcomes? No, you haven't, because your sight is blurred by pride and authority."
Devlin, while still angry, gained respect for Enochia's gifts, as well as her attempts to manipulate a complex situation. Fists on the table, he leaned toward her. "So I should just disregard the intent of the Circle for sending me here? You made wise points, elder, but I am honor-bound to see justice done. You are in breach of the Enigma by your own admission, yet I should heed your wisdom and turn a blind eye? Is that honestly what you're suggesting?"
Enochia took another graceful step forward. "Magistrate Ryder, there are laws, and there is justice. The laws serve a great purpose, but sometimes justice must supersede them if the best outcome is to be found. Should circumstances decree that I cover my breach, I will do so immediately and without reservation. By all means, see justice done, but learn all aspects of the situation before sentencing, especially this one. You are in a unique position here, Devlin; with patience, you may come away from this earning high esteem. I merely suggest that you talk to all involved, fae and human alike."
They looked at each other for a
long moment. With a long sigh, Devlin sat back down. "Elder, there are other incidents of breach. I will leave the McCarthy woman to you for now, but some amount of containment will be enforced. Any other mortals involved with fae knowledge must be modified. I have no time restraints for this task, so I will let the scenario play out... to a degree. In the meantime, I will be making other inquiries, and I ask that you do not interfere. If there are fae that should be brought before the Circle, including you, then I will carry out my duty in whatever manner I deem necessary. Alter fates however you must, but one way or another Cora McCarthy's memories will be modified... And my methods will be less aesthetic than yours."
With a shallow bow, Enochia said, "I appreciate your patience in this matter. My instinct tells me that this will end favorably."
Devlin nodded in return. "Let us hope so. Thank you for your time, elder, and please forgive my lapse in etiquette."
Enochia offered a small smile and said, "Of course." She then pulled the dark hood back over her head and exited the tent.
As she strolled back down the dark country lane, certain aspects of their conversation came to mind. The first was the pile of half-truths and suppositions that she passed off as an oracle's wisdom while she berated Devlin, and he accepted the words as truth. Evidently, Enochia had spent enough time in Eire to learn the 'gift of gab'. Secondly, and the most important half-truth, was that, yes, there was a scenario playing out, but Devlin was that scenario. Lastly, she said that things would end favorably. She didn't say for whom.