by Gavin Green
Chapter 19
Deep into the cold night, hail had mixed with the lessening rain, which caused Gideon to find cover to enjoy his pilfered food from a nearby home. He jogged far out into a vast grazing field and found shelter in an old stone sheep shed, small but intact.
The large wedge of local farmhouse cheese was savored as he sat in dry comfort, surrounded by a black night and the soothing sound of the downpour. He soon after built old straw up into a corner and settled in for a doze, his thick hands resting contentedly on his round belly.
A prod to the sole of Gideon's boot brought him groggily from his slumber. Slow to focus, he used the sight of his owl form to fix on the vague shape that stood over him. The curvaceous human form was noticed first. She was of human height, but on the short end. She wore a simple garment, with long hair of various shades that cascaded over her shoulders. She rested casually with arms crossed against the entry to the shed, and simply waited. She had the natural perfume of summer flowers and Lore wilderness.
Gideon blinked his eyes, unfamiliar with the shape and smell of her. "Yes?" he asked thickly.
A soft, gentle, feminine voice responded from the female. "You are the morpher Gideon, I hope?"
"Aye, that be me, lady. Are ye in distress of some sort?" His vision came more into focus and gave more detail, and her details were startlingly alluring. Despite her beauty, he remained wary.
A disarming smile played across her lovely face. "My only distress was in finding you. I've had many minions scouring the countryside, and only recently did they locate you."
Gideon propped himself up into the corner. "And why would ye be in search for such as me?"
"I seek information," she said sweetly as she rested her head against the rough-hewn entry, "and I'm told you have it."
"Ah, so ye seek barter, then." Gideon quickly dusted his clothes and began to stand. Suddenly, roots from underneath him circled and snared his thighs, pinning him in a seated position. He looked from his lap to her, his eyes wide with fright.
"I'm in no mood for complex negotiations." Her voice, while still soft, became filled with seductive glamour. "I was hoping you might tell me what I desire."
Gideon mellowed immediately, lulled by her appeal. "What might I be offerin' ye, milady?"
"Jane McCarthy."
A distant alarm went off behind Gideon's eyes. With the mental turmoil, he failed to respond immediately. The entrancing fae noticed his hesitation and pressed with her enthrallment. "Such a simple thing, Gideon; I wish to be her friend, as you are. Please don't be selfish. If you share with me, I will share things in return."
The apprehension was still with him, but he didn't want to refuse her offer - an offer that was filled with hopes and dreams. "Share - share what, might I tell ye?"
She gently tossed her hair with a flick of her head, letting it cascade over her breasts. "I seek only trivial things, Gideon - simple things about a simple girl. What does Jane look like? How old is she? What are her hobbies? Where does Jane live? Surely you'll trade such modest information for the life-altering bliss I can offer, no? Tell me, and I will make one of your unknown wishes come true, my handsome morpher."
In spite of his hesitancy, Gideon grinned. "Lil' Jane is a pretty enough lass, but naught compared to yer beauty, I tell ya true."
The granter of his desires swayed in feminine fashion. "You're so sweet, Gideon. Tell me more."
"Ah, well, she be wearin' her coppery brown hair in a tail most days. And her singin' voice would make some fae weep, I tell ya. I could escort ye to her school on winter solstice, when they be havin' festivities, I could. She be performin' there and then."
"That's such a nice offer, and I would be honored to be in the presence of one such as you." She continued her manipulation. "How old is Jane, Gideon? Does she live in town?"
Gideon swelled with pride at the chance of being her escort, whoever she was. "Lil' Jane is almost at her seventeenth year by the Verden, she is, and..." He trailed off as his apprehension flared. "No..." he murmured. Gideon's resolve finally reclaimed him from her seductive glamour. "No, milady, I'll tell ya no more. I've told too much as it is, I have, and curse myself for the weakness of your sly tongue. But no more, says I."
The woman's posture changed subtly, and became rigid and proud. "I give you credit, little morpher. Your will is strong - stronger than some elders. You've said you'll tell no more, and I believe you. Still, I wonder how long you think you'll be banished."
Gideon stopped testing the strength of the roots that held him in place and looked up at her in fear. "Banished, milady?"
"Yes - banished, Gideon. I doubt you have large Lore holdings. It could take quite some time to draw from your little scrap of Lore land to rebuild your strength enough to return back here. Quite some time indeed."
Eyes wide with panic, the small fae struggled futilely. His friend Jane was in danger, and he was powerless to help. It might take Verden decades to rebuild enough power to open a fae-bridge gate with his paltry Lore claim. Gideon watched her take a step backwards, out into the rain. "No, milady, please!" he bellowed.
The woman shook her head in mock sadness. "I will tell Jane goodbye for you."
Gideon began to plead again just as Saraid flicked her hand toward the stone shed. The heavy roof crashed down onto him, followed by the walls, which all fell heavily in his direction. She waited a few moments to let the stones settle after crushing the morpher. With another wave of her hand, roots shuffled stones away enough to reveal Gideon's broken body.
Saraid stood over him until he dissipated from the Verden realm. After the little body slowly faded from mortal existence, she turned with a pleasant grin and strolled away into the rain-filled night.