《The Delicacy of Magic Debt》


 Chapter 1: The Magic Shop

    The brass bell that hung over the chipping powder blue door could¡¯ve used a dollop of polish.


    The floorboards that were uneven and scuffed could¡¯ve been sanded¡ªor even swept.


    The windows had enough dirt and grime thanks to the vines cluttering the tall peaked frame trapping all manner of bugs and dust that, if you swiped your finger along the glass, it¡¯d surely come away black.


    The room was tiny, cluttered, and drafty. Shelves and cabinets lined every available wall. Aside from the tall window to the left of the room that barely allowed any sunlight to drift in, there was another skinny window beside the door that tried valiantly to brighten the space.


    A long rectangular table sat nearly in the middle of the room, its right edge already cluttered with a brass mortar and pestle, dried rosemary tied together with some twine, and an old purple leather book lay open to reveal its pages covered in more tea stains than ink.


    Tucked on the left wall of the shop was a set of stairs that led up to a small alcove with a railing that looked over the space, and behind that? Well¡­ That was where the owner of such an establishment slept, but no one had ever laid eyes on the room since Spidena Kettle had taken to renting the shop.


    No one understood how she had made the once pristine, stately place look so overgrown and filthy in a mere four seasons since the young woman had moved in. The residents of the town of Gable could have asked her about this. They could have found out if she used some fantastic fertilizer or compost, but they had learned very quickly that if you wanted to talk with Spidena, you best mentally prepare yourself as she was¡­ an unusual sort on her best days.


    This was something a man by the name of Benthrop Hozel most likely would¡¯ve liked to know before he entered the shop that didn¡¯t even dignify itself with a proper sign.


    But he didn¡¯t.


    And so he burst in, sending that dirty bell ringing as though it were summoning its mistress for a cheery teatime.


    Benthrop, or Ben, as he told people to call him, did his best to mask his quick breaths, and swallowed past his dry throat. Though the smell of incense and the chill of the dusty air made him cough regardless.


    There was a small fire lit in the oven, so he knew someone had to be nearby.


    Wiping his sweating palms on his old tan coat that hung to his knees, he turned toward the nearest cabinet that had a basket of walnuts, a jar of nails, a ball of twine, and a pair of rusty scissors. He then looked through the glass doors of the cabinet to see purple crystals, clear crystals, a lump of jade, and half of a ham sandwich that didn¡¯t actually appear to be that old.


    ¡°Can I help you?¡±


    Ben jolted, his heart slamming against his chest as he looked up toward the voice, and laid eyes on the proprietor. A dark haired woman, with a fleshy nose, and a sharp gaze. She looked to be in her early twenties, and wore a light brown corset, an improperly thin white dress that she appeared to have outgrown ages ago as it fluttered by her shins, and clashing knee high black boots.


    She stared at him impatiently, as though he were distracting her from something important.


    ¡°I need a spell.¡±


    Ben wondered if that was rude.


    Luckily for him, Spidena didn¡¯t care.


    She leaned her forearms on her railing. ¡°Mind being more specific?¡±


    ¡°I need a-a-a spell to make people forget who I am.¡±


    Spidena took a very long, deep, wearisome breath in and continued to stare at him expectantly. ¡°Again. Mind being more specific?¡±


    ¡°A-about ten, no, twenty men need to forget who I am.¡±


    Spidena lowered her head to her hand and rubbed her brow with the same exasperation she might have given him if he were mimicking the sound of frog farts.


    ¡°Let¡¯s try this again,¡± she drawled as she pushed herself off the railing and began stepping down the stairs that creaked and squeaked under her heels. ¡°I need details like the height and weight of these men. How well do they know you? Do you want them to forget years? Days? Hours? Do they have any allergies that could kill them? It¡¯s on the sign there, if anyone dies as a result of my spells you take full ownership of that.¡± Spidena jerked her chin toward a wooden sign hung beside the door that was easy to miss amongst the general chaos of the room.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need them dead! I just need them to not know who I am anymore! They¡­ They are all large. I don¡¯t know their heights exactly, but they are at least half a foot taller than me, and if they could forget the past three years that would be best.¡±


    Spidena stopped on the landing, and sucked on one of her molars as she thought about his order. Ben noticed she had a faded sprinkling of freckles over the bridge of her nose as she did so.


    ¡°All twenty men are half a foot taller than yourself?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ I¡ªI don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re willing to accept the penalty if they die, and you are aware that because you are making this purchase, in bulk I might add, that I will have to alert the local authorities? Though I won¡¯t be doing that until tomorrow. It¡¯s Earthsday afterall. Gods know they probably only have Harvey Minkup working¡­¡± she noted to herself in a disapproving grumble while finishing her descent down the stairs and ambling over to her work table in a leisurely fashion.


    If she noticed her customer looking out the window nervously, she didn¡¯t seem to mind.


    ¡°Yes! I-I-I agree to the terms! I¡¯m leaving town anyway!¡±


    ¡°You are aware you have to make them drink the potion I brew, correct?¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll cost extra if you want this order in a purely incantation form and uh¡­ Pardon me, but I¡¯m pretty doubtful you can even pay for the potion version, let alone the big magic kind of a pure incantation.¡±


    Ben¡¯s hands came up and clutched his curly black hair. ¡°Godsdamnit I¡­ I have the gold¡­ Money. But you would have to get it yourself. I can¡¯t leave this shop right now.¡±


    Spidena idly wiped at her nose with the tip of her index finger as she considered his order.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°Hm.¡± She looked neither impressed nor interested.


    ¡°It¡¯s a lot of gold!¡± Ben insisted desperately.


    Spidena¡¯s eyes rolled to the ceiling. ¡°Help people. It¡¯ll be fulfilling. It¡¯ll pass the time! Open a shop!¡± She mimicked someone else in a high pitched voice while turning toward her stove and lifting the kettle down from a nearby hook to put it over the flames that wavered bravely against the cold air. Still ignoring Ben, she went over to the water pump in her wall where a bucket already sat waiting, and leveraged some cold gushing water in, sloshing some over the sides as she went.


    ¡°Thank you so much for helping me,¡± Ben said followed by a breath that almost had him doubling over. He was feeling a tiny bit calmer now that there was a sliver of hope.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t made up my mind to do this yet. I¡¯m just making a cup of tea while I think it over.¡±


    Ben stiffened and his brown eyes turned momentarily hard. ¡°Please. I really do have the funds.¡±


    ¡°Are the funds worth the possible problems you bring me is the question I¡¯m working on answering. Don¡¯t rush me,¡± Spidena chided while hefting the bucket to the kettle and pouring the water in as carefully as she could. Though a few droplets fell onto the stove¡¯s hot service and sizzled.


    ¡°You can¡¯t have that many customers! Witches and magic weren¡¯t even made legal until five years ago!¡±


    Spidena turned and looked at him flatly. ¡°Yes. It¡¯s only been five years, but I don¡¯t need to live anywhere that can be found by seebs, so if I don¡¯t make money, I¡¯ll move.¡±


    Seebs. That was what witches called the people who didn¡¯t have any trace of magic in them¡­


    No one knew exactly where it started. That spark of magic that lingered and pulsed in the blood of witches, and for many years they were thought to be nothing more than myths. However, that had been what the former monarchy had wanted everyone to believe. It wasn¡¯t until the last king of Mozair had abdicated and allowed the land to be ruled by a democratic government that the truth was revealed.


    Some witches had been forced to work in secret for centuries for the crown. Some had lived in hiding. Some had simply ignored their magic and lived as the seebs¡­ Hoping that their children wouldn¡¯t have to struggle against their ancient calling.


    You see, if a witch ignored their magic for long enough it withered and died like a muscle did when it went unused, and if that happened? Well, the odds of having a son or daughter with magical abilities dwindled. Or worse yet, they passed on the faintest of inklings of the great power they once carried, but without the actual power to stop the itching of those instincts. Those poor children were called dodders. Usually it didn¡¯t prove a problem, unless they tried to act out a spell more powerful than they were capable of wielding, or they tried to summon something. Fortunately most people knew that dodders could either try to work on simple household spells to gradually build back up the power of their lineage, or they could continue to ignore it until it disappeared entirely.


    Spidena turned to a dresser that had plates and teacups on top, and started opening the drawers and rummaging around before plucking out jars and giving their contents a sniff. Ben realized she was trying to pick what kind of tea she felt like having, and his desperation surged.


    ¡°I¡¯m begging you, anything to help me get my gold and get out of this town. I don¡¯t want to cause any inconvenience.¡±


    Spidena had been in the middle of smelling one of the jars when her nose wrinkled. ¡°How did the spider legs get in here?¡±


    Momentarily distracted by her disturbing discovery, Ben stepped closer. ¡°If you don¡¯t want gold, I can do you a favor!¡±


    Spidena stopped her quest of finding the perfect tea, and turned to face her customer slowly; her eyes flashed to reveal ethereally light green streaks in her eyes¡­


    ¡°Favors are dangerous things. Are you sure you want to be promising that?¡±


    A bird flew by the window to the left, and its shadow rushing along the side of Ben¡¯s face made him flinch. In hindsight, he should have recognized that as a sign. However, in that moment, he ignored it, and said, ¡°If you help me. Yes. I am sure.¡±


    ¡°What if my favor is for you to hand over all of that nice gold you¡¯ve accumulated?¡±


    ¡°A favor shouldn¡¯t destroy a person!¡±


    ¡°Losing your gold wouldn¡¯t destroy you,¡± Spidena scoffed. ¡°Are you really as certain sa you think about this deal?¡±


    Ben swallowed. ¡°You can ask for anything but my gold. Or anything that requires a lot of my time. I need to¡­ To do something with the gold.¡±


    Spidena arched an eyebrow, her gaze was hungry in an unnerving way¡­


    But then she stuck out her hand.


    There was yellow staining her fingertips and nails. As though she had been grating turmeric¡­ But otherwise, they were long, pale, and looked quite soft.


    Ben seized her hand with his sweating palm and shook it. Instantly he felt a shock rush up his arm and into his heart making him grunt and cringe.


    ¡°That¡¯s good. I don¡¯t know if you know this, but if someone offering a favor isn¡¯t capable of delivering it to the witch, he would¡¯ve gone unconscious from that. Possibly even drop dead from it.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    Spidena¡¯s eyes glittered with interest as she smiled and tilted her head. ¡°Not your first time dealing with a witch? How interesting.¡±


    Ben didn¡¯t answer and instead worked on rubbing the unpleasant feeling from his chest.


    ¡°Well then. Shall we start helping those thugs outside forget who you are?¡± Spidena clapped her hands, and the innocuous black chandelier above, and several other candles positioned around the room, suddenly ignited.


    Spidena pointed to a shelf on the wall by the landing, and beckoned something closer with her finger.


    A bottle with clear liquid drifted forward, making Ben leap back out of the way.


    Behind the witch the kettle whistled as her right hand wrapped around the bottle midair.


    She smiled at Ben as he began to feel a different kind of panic set in. ¡°Care for a cup of tea, dear customer?¡±

 Chapter 2: The Favor

    Ben stared at the frothing beverage in front of himself with undisguised disgust.


    He wasn¡¯t entirely sure what she had put into it, but it smelled of bad eggs that had been mildly spiced with nutmeg.


    ¡°Drink that and over the next three hours those men will assume they went on a vacation that had nothing to do with hunting you down. Though why they think they¡¯d take vacation here in Gable I have no idea¡­ But that¡¯s their problem.¡± Spidena shrugged, and proceeded to wipe down her work table and magically whisk the bottles she had summoned back to her shelves with a flick of her wrist. Apparently, despite the seeming chaos of the room, there was an order of sorts to where things were kept. Though the half finished ham sandwich still haunted the back of Ben¡¯s mind with its mystery¡­


    Aside from leftover lunches, Ben found himself preoccupied with staring at the odorous beverage in front of him while making no move to get any closer to it.


    ¡°You know, I had plans for today myself. You¡¯re welcome to wait here while the magic takes effect, but I have some other time-sensitive projects I¡¯m managing.¡± Spidena turned, and laid a hand on her table with her hip jutted out; her dark hair frizzing out of her long braid after brewing the liquid sewage that was allegedly going to produce powerful magic.


    Ben glanced at her, swallowed with difficulty, then, seizing the cup, drained it in a single go as quickly as possible. He tried not to think about what felt suspiciously like an eyeball pass down his throat, or the other mystery grains that tickled his tongue afterward.


    He got it down.


    He fell to his knees.


    He thought he was going to retch. He grabbed the edge of the table, panting.


    The nausea would ease then swell like the waves under a ship, sweat sprouted along his brow, and so Ben kept doing his best to breathe through the ordeal. He was miraculously able to spare a wishful thought that none of the men after him would come crashing through the door right then and there, as he was relatively certain he¡¯d be as useful as a soiled handkerchief should such an encounter happen.


    Spidena watched his struggle through the potion¡¯s initial consumption while resting her chin in the palm of her hand, bored.


    While it was true that sometimes magic as powerful as that one could make a person bedridden for days, and sick from any end it chose to evacuate, she knew this particular customer wasn¡¯t quite all he seemed.


    While his poor, thin coat, plain white shirt, scuffed worn brown boots, and pants with frayed hems screamed ¡®impoverished commoner¡¯, he had not only known the weight of owing a witch a favor, but he also had the means of repaying Spidena what she wanted, and it wasn¡¯t a small thing either.


    So, she knew he could survive a little forget-me-now incantation complimented with a potion to seal the deal.


    By the time Ben could push himself back up to his feet, albeit unsteadily, he still looked awfully pale, but he managed to turn his attention to Spidena and weakly ask, ¡°Is that it? I thought you said it could be an incantation¡­ Why did I have to drink¡­ that.¡±


    ¡°Because you wanted them to only forget you and you wanted it quickly which isn¡¯t how incantations typically work. The potion just helped steady the incantation. Like mortar for bricks or stones in a wall. If I were just wiping out the three years that would¡¯ve been easier.¡±


    ¡°I said wiping out the three years was fine!¡± Ben exclaimed both in exasperation and frustration while resting his hands on the table and hanging his head as another rise of queasiness overcame him.


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t what you first said! Gods! I ask for details, and then you¡¯re obstinate about it! Then you complain when I do a spectacular job. I¡¯m going to kill Windelle for making me think this could be a rewarding line of work.¡± Spidena threw her hands in the air and turned back to her stove to refill her teacup.


    After topping up her beverage, she then seized a bottle on the dresser where she kept her mismatched dishes, and banged it on the table in front of Ben.


    ¡°Drink this. It¡¯ll get the aftertaste out of your mouth and help you get over the worst of it. I¡¯m going upstairs to finish an order.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t think I can drink or eat anything right now,¡± Ben all but wheezed as he stared at the amber liquid he assumed¡ªor rather hoped to be whiskey.


    ¡°One mouthful will get rid of the worst of it,¡± Spidena called over her shoulder as she started to ascend the steps to the room upstairs.


    Ben doubted anything short of melted garbage could smother the aftertaste on his tongue, but he decided he¡¯d rather risk it than continue suffering through the acidic bitterness that made him wonder if he¡¯d ever be able to taste again. He uncorked the bottle, and didn¡¯t bother to do the polite thing and ask for a cup. Bringing the bottle to his lips, he tossed back a mouthful, and like magic, just as the witch had said, he felt perfectly fine again. Even his tongue felt an immediate reprieve.


    Ben blinked in bafflement at the liquor. There wasn¡¯t even any burning feeling. As though the liquor canceled out the potion¡­


    Was it that the whiskey itself was different? He debated taking another drink but decided it wasn¡¯t wise to help himself casually to anything belonging to a witch, and so instead he set the bottle back on the table ,and sidled over to the stair landing to sit.


    He leaned his right shoulder against the wall and eyed the door. If anyone came in, he¡¯d have the advantage, though he doubted the Vontrik thugs would even consider looking in a witch¡¯s shop for him.


    Most people were too wary to interact with witches, and even if they mustered up the courage in an hour of desperation to seek a potion, incantation, or some other scrap of magic, they often were too frightened from the experience to ever consider doing it again.


    Which made perfect sense. Partaking in magic when you were a seeb had a particularly unnerving feeling of the world tilting toward an abyss of unknown wonders and horrors. Your very rooted sense of how the world worked and reality shaken to its very core. No one came away from a deal with a witch entirely certain of the laws of life.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Except in such cases where small magic was sold. Magic bits that almost seemed inconsequential. Cleaning out a colony of bats from an attic with nothing but a satchel of cinnamon and peppermint didn¡¯t seem all that impressive, and truthfully, the few murmured words of a spell that made it work a little more timely was easy to overlook.


    Ben¡¯s mind drifted through these thoughts of witches and magic. Thoughts he hadn¡¯t really had the time to dwell on for much of his life.


    He leaned his head against the wooden panel of the wall, and listened to the rustling that was coming from up the stairs behind the closed door Spidena had disappeared behind.


    While the shop was cool for the early spring day, there was a stillness about it that started to lull Ben into a state of relaxation. Or maybe it was a combination of the potion and whiskey he had just consumed, but he was suddenly feeling quite tired, and so as his eyes slowly blinked shut, he felt himself be carried off into a pleasant realm of darkness where he could rest.


    *


    The sound of a hammering woke Ben up with a jolt, and had him instantly recoiling back with a raised fist.


    Only he found himself staring at Spidena, wearing a light blue shawl buttoned around her shoulders, a sensible black wool skirt on, and a dark blue corset around her middle. Her hair was brushed and rebraided, and a carpet satchel hung at her side, though it looked empty.


    It took Ben a moment of watching Spidena to realize she was nailing the white dress she had been wearing earlier that day to her work table, and there was a silver coin on top of it along with a small pile of dead beetles.


    Deciding not to ask what new spell she was working, Ben stood, clearing his throat. ¡°So what¡¯s the favor you need?¡±


    Having finished her task, Spidena glanced over her shoulder at him, her hands were in fists on her hips, the hammer still in hand. ¡°I need to go to Kintel. You¡¯re going to take me there and make sure nothing happens to me.¡±


    Ben rose to his feet. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m assuming you don¡¯t have anyone else after you?¡± Spidena asked in a business-like tone while stepping over to her  dressers and shelves and adding things to her satchel, though the bag never seemed to look any fuller¡­


    ¡°You can¡¯t come with me! I already have something I need to do. Can¡¯t I¨CArgh!¡± A sharp pain flared in Ben¡¯s heart that had him clutching his chest and bracing his hand against the wall for support. Breathing started to become an issue, and spots danced in front of his eyes.


    ¡°You agreed to the favor. If you back out now something awful will happen to you. You might go blind, or have a weak heart for the rest of your life¡­ You might even go temporarily mad for a decade or two!¡± Spidena explained as she finished shoving a glass ball that briefly filled with white, glowing fog while in her hands.


    The pain eased away after she finished speaking, but Ben still felt as though he were on the brink of fainting.


    ¡°Ready to go?¡±


    Ben stared at the witch dumbly for fifteen seconds before uttering. ¡°How¡­ Did you know I was going to Kintel?¡±


    Spidena¡¯s eyebrows flew up. ¡°What?¡±


    For the first time since meeting her, the witch looked alarmed and concerned.


    ¡°I¡­ I have to go north first to get the gold, but then I was going to travel through the Drebin Forest to Kintel.¡±


    Spidena¡¯s jaw dropped, and her eyes filled with horror.


    She looked to the ceiling and raised her fists. ¡°DAMNIT! I SHOULD¡¯VE KNOWN!¡±


    Ben would¡¯ve liked to say his bewilderment worsened in that moment, but he had already traveled to the furthest reaches of that sentiment several moments before. At the rate things were spiraling around him, he was going to get a headache.


    ¡°Godsdamnit, damnit, damnit!¡± Spidena cursed, almost spitting. Her knuckles fell to rap on her skull. She stalked over to a cabinet that in most people¡¯s homes would¡¯ve been used to store their finest dishes, but Spidena had loaded it instead with mysterious packages wrapped in yellowing paper. She yanked out a flat one that had in large black letters the words EMERGENCY ONLY scrawled over it seven times.


    She shoved it into her satchel, then continued staring at the rest of the packages that also had ominous warnings written all over them in silent debate.


    After a full minute of contemplation she grabbed a large one shaped like a jar that said, ARE YOU SURE? twelve times on it, and then a third one shaped like a triangle that wrote, YOU BETTER HAVE LOST YOUR MIND only once, but it was the one Spidena deliberated the longest on before, with great reluctance, she added it to her bag.


    She stared at the other packages thoughtfully, then with a shake of her head and a wave of her hand as though dismissing herself, she closed the doors, locked them with the small iron key that had been sitting in the lock in the first place, and rounded back to face Ben.


    ¡°I guess we better be off. This is going to be a bigger favor than even I thought.¡± Spidena then threw open the front door and stepped out into the bright sunlit cobbled street.


    Following behind her hesitantly, his mind still foggy from the sleep and magic, Ben cast a final glance around the shop. As he closed the door behind himself he wondered if he would one day come to regret involving himself with Spidena Kettle¡­


    Unfortunately, even the witch herself wouldn¡¯t be able to answer that question for him. Though she was asking something very similar to herself at that moment.

 Chapter 3: The Crash Course

    Ben peeked through the roots of the ancient beech tree, then reached through them to claw at the earth over and over, until he felt the corner of his sack. Letting out a breath of relief, he continued to dig with one hand while the other clutched onto the net of roots, helping him balance until he could rip the rest of the bag out.


    He immediately opened the burlap sack to see the chunk of misshapen gold gleaming hopefully at him, confirming without a shadow of a doubt that it was still there.


    Closing his eyes Ben hugged it to his chest.


    At the very least, despite everything else becoming exceedingly complicated, his hiding spot had worked.


    Upon opening his eyes again, Ben looked to Spidena who stood a short ways away, completely disinterested in his retrieval of the gold as she proceeded to slather a white cream over her face.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Ben asked while still basking in his lone win of the day.


    ¡°Something that stops my skin turning red from the sun. You¡¯re lucky you have naturally darker skin; I have to use this three times a day¡ªeven more if I swim,¡± Spidena explained before placing the cap back on the jar the cream had come from, and stowing it back in her satchel. ¡°How were you going to pay me a portion of that gold if it¡¯s all in one chunk?¡±


    Ben¡¯s eyes rounded. He hadn¡¯t pulled the gold out, and he had looked in the bag discreetly¡­ How did she know it was in one piece?


    Spidena stared at his astonished expression with mild exasperation. ¡°You yanked that thing out and it didn¡¯t make a single sound. So despite it looking heavy, it didn¡¯t jingle with coin. I don¡¯t read minds.¡±


    Shaking his head and his shoulders sagging in relief that the witch wasn¡¯t clairvoyant, Ben retied the top of the bag, stood, then attached it to the thick leather strap he had pulled free from the roots earlier that also had his bag of clothes and necessities attached to it.


    They had only walked perhaps an hour from the witch¡¯s shop into the woods, and during that time, Ben had slowly been wrapping his head around his present fate. Naturally, as he did so, questions about his new travel companion began to sprout.


    ¡°Why do you need me to take you Kintel? You seem perfectly capable of getting there on your own,¡± he asked, only half caring about the answer as he patted the gold once more.


    ¡°I don¡¯t get out much, and I¡¯m terrible with directions. If a bandit or someone comes by and catches me off guard, I can¡¯t do a whole lot. It¡¯s best to go with someone,¡± Spindena explained shortly.


    ¡°You¡¯re powerful enough to make a group of twenty men forget who I am, how are you afraid of anyone?¡± Ben wondered while sidling back over to the witch and pulling the strap over his head.


    ¡°You already knew who those men were, and you saw that it took me time to create the potion and cast the incantation. Charm magic is the instant magic I would need for a surprise attack, and it is different from spells, incantations, divination, potions so on, so on, and so on. Don¡¯t get me wrong. It¡¯s rare for a witch to be able to use three types of  magic as skillfully as I do, but I never studied charm magic, and I¡¯m not great with divination either. There are all kinds of specialties witches can have. It depends what type your family practices, and if you¡¯re part of a coven. Covens are great for getting access to different magic and widening your repertoire, but they are bloody annoying with their rules and politics.¡±


    Ben nodded along, he¡¯d heard of some of these things before¡­


    ¡°What exactly is the difference between charms, spell, and incantations? I thought they all meant the same thing.¡±


    ¡°Mm. Seebs usually think that.¡±


    Ben swung round at the derisive tone in the witch¡¯s voice, an acid retort burning his tongue, but Spidena didn¡¯t give him time to spew it in her direction as she proceeded to answer his question.


    ¡°To start, think of witches and warlocks like¡­ Brokers. Magic runs underneath nature, making it beautiful, feeding it power. And if you want to alter the nature of things, you need someone who can barter directly with the source. Now, just like the brokers who work for banks or merchants, we magic users specialize in different tiers of deals,¡± Spidena explained methodically.


    A large fly swerved into the witch¡¯s path making her duck to get out of its way with a displeased curling of her lip and swat of her hand before she continued her explanation.


    ¡°Charms are instant magic and cheap to pay for in effort and materials. That said, it¡¯s rare for a witch to be competent in brokering anything other than charms if that¡¯s their chosen study, and they usually aren¡¯t very powerful. Damn useful, but technically charms are the weakest. With a charm, you could do something like snap your fingers and make a group of bandits be stuck spinning in circles for fifteen minutes while you escape. It¡¯s great for traveling around, but charms aren¡¯t lasting or permanent. Plus the witches or warlocks that broker that power have to memorize countless little phrases to make them work right. Some magic folk do fantastic in jobs you that seebs work in.¡±


    ¡°What kind of jobs would warlocks or witches be interested in working that us seebs can do just fine?¡± Ben asked, his hand finding the trunk of an ash tree, its grainy bark crumbling under his palm as he used it to carefully step over a sudden dip in the ground.


    Spidena did the same as she continued explaining. ¡°Some warlocks and witches that use charms can become doctors that erase a woman¡¯s labor pains for a few hours. Or they can be maids that help heavy things float so that they can clean under them.¡± Spidena picked up her skirts as she clambered over the roots of a tree on their descent down a muddy slope away from the beech tree.


    Ben nodded along thoughtfully. ¡°Charms are useful day to day, but not as powerful. Got it.¡±


    ¡°Yes. They are also far less likely to be noticed by the magic law enforcers working for the king, and are deemed the most harmless.¡±


    ¡°So how are spells different?¡±


    ¡°Spells take longer to negotiate from magic, and are usually pricier, but they last longer. A year. At most five. You can also weave spells into something stronger, but it takes a long time. If you spend a year weaving? You could end up with a magnificent spell that not only shields your home from seebs, dodders, and other witches or warlocks, but also never needs to be cleaned, has hot water whenever you want, and the roof doesn¡¯t leak for five years. I tried something like it, but I didn¡¯t quite get the cleaning spell right. The shop I have, for example, isn¡¯t hidden, but it doesn¡¯t have a leaky roof, and I can get hot water three hours a day.¡±


    ¡°That does sound pretty useful. I¡¯m guessing incantations last the longest but are harder to broker¡­?¡± Ben slid part of the way down the same small hill Spidena had just descended, though it was more of a glide as he maintained his balance with ease.


    ¡°Yes. Incantations can easily be fumbled and turn into curses because, just like contracts that brokers draw up, it¡¯s easy for some little detail to muck up the whole thing. Magic doesn¡¯t like big exceptions to the rules, so it takes a lot of work on the warlock or witch¡¯s part to figure out a reasonable price, unless they¡¯ve done that type of incantation before. And given that incantations are typically permanent, a lot of people try to keep the big magic they need from an incantation straight forward. Like ¡®regrow this person¡¯s hand¡¯.¡±


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.Ben¡¯s eyes went wide with shock at the idea that regrowing a lost limb was possible.


    ¡°The cost of making an incantation deal, however, can end up being more than you realize. Magic can tack on fees even after you think you¡¯ve settled the deal. It¡¯s one of the many reasons I avoid incantations on my own behalf. It¡¯s only seeb customers I¡¯ll do them for, seeing as there is zero risk of hidden fees for them.¡±


    Ben halted as he sifted through the wealth of information he was being given. ¡°Wait¡­ So magic speaks to you? O-Or it¡¯s a person you have a meeting with? Or do you just hear a voice? Or is it like a price list? I¡¯m confused.¡±


    ¡°You say that like it¡¯s a new development,¡± Spidena retorted flatly while staring at him in her unnervingly calm, bored manner.


    Ben didn¡¯t bother responding. He just stared at her with open annoyance.


    Taking pity on him, she sighed, then explained. ¡°Magic is like¡­ an entity. It is conscious¡­ In a way.  But not like the Gods. When brokering a deal with the magic that holds the world together to make an exception to its natural order, witches and warlocks are able to understand costs usually by some measure of instinct. Sometimes it¡¯s by experimenting with a vague sense you have, and sometimes another witch can tell you the exact price (they don¡¯t like sharing that kind of information for free though). In that circumstance it¡¯s usually a family incantation, or a coven¡¯s that has been shared and kept secret.¡±


    ¡°So unless someone has done it before, you¡¯re basically making it up as you go?¡± Ben sounded a mixture of impressed and appalled.


    Spidena rolled her eyes but didn¡¯t argue his clumsy summarizing.


    ¡°More or less. Though sometimes the price list become useless if the value of the ingredients or components of the incantation changes the fee. For example; if I had a spell or incantation that required two loaves of bread, but suddenly there was a wheat shortage? I¡¯d only need one loaf because the value of the bread would have changed in the balance of nature and life.¡±


    Ben was mildly surprised at just how much the workings of magic deals sounded like they followed standard economical practices. Though Spidena had compared herself and those like her as brokers, he was beginning to see how apt a description it was.


    Then he became distracted by another question. ¡°What do you mean the customer pays for the extra fee for the incantation?¡±


    Spidena¡¯s eyes fluttered, as though she were tiring from his cluelessness. ¡°If a customer wants an incantation? I accept a suitable payment as the broker, and I do that by roughly determining the value of the ingredient and my time into a fee for a seeb or dodder. Seebs normally don¡¯t have to pay hidden fees that an incantation might incur, because you¡¯re the ones asking magic to make a big exception, and if magic tries to add on interest to what you¡¯ve already paid? Well¡­ Something about you magicless mutts stops it. It¡¯s like magic can¡¯t directly touch the seebs because of your lack of connection, and it isn¡¯t fair to the witch or warlock brokering the deal to pay up. Magic respects that balance of our¡ªwitches and warlocks¡ªroles.¡±


    Ben was quite certain he was utterly lost on what she was saying, but did his best not to be distracted as she continued talking. He had the distinct impression that Spidena saw absolutely no point in helping him better understand the nuances of figuring out what magic wanted for its price.


    ¡°Dodders are at the biggest risk for asking us to broker incantation deals. This is because the magic can reach them through whatever miniscule amount of power they still are connected to. And they don¡¯t have the knowledge or connections to pay the fees. So it rarely ever ends well for them. Witches¡­ we can get those hidden fees, and it will be annoying and problematic, but¡­ Usually we can pay it off in a few years.¡±


    ¡°Incantations sound like too much trouble to bother with.¡± Ben winced at the thought


    ¡°They are. Unless it¡¯s a seeb like you hiring me to do it. Because then I get good money, or in this case, a big favor out of it without worrying. If I could? I¡¯d only broker in incantations to seebs. It¡¯s easy, low risk, and great pay, but¡­ Big magic scares people.¡±


    A thin trickle of understanding wove its way through Ben¡¯s mind. ¡°Earlier¡­ With my big incantation of making a lot of people forget me¡­ You seemed upset even though you got a favor¡­ Why?¡±


    Called back to more recent events, Spidena let out a grumbling breath. ¡°I don¡¯t even know how you lucked out in finding me to cast such specific big magic. Memory tampering is tricky, detailed work. But maybe that¡¯s why the magic felt you still needed a surprise fee, and because I got a favor rather than payment, I got caught up with it. Your surprise fee is that we now are fate tied until you finish granting my favor.¡±


    ¡°Fate tied?¡± Ben felt growing dread creep up from his belly.


    ¡°Yes. You were already headed to Kintel. I needed to go to Kintel. You, like an idiot, promised a favor to a witch, and a favor to a witch as payment for an incantation calls on big power. So, if we happen to already have a tasty coincidence that smells like fate, it binds us. But who knows? It could have been plain old, run of the mill regular fate to start with. I¡¯m no divination witch, so I never saw it coming.  With normal fate, we most likely would¡¯ve had to travel together. Now with fate ties? We are stuck together for good. You can try to leave, or say no, or I could, but it won¡¯t work out.¡±


    Ben felt like he was going to be sick. ¡°What if someone abducts you or me¡­?¡±


    ¡°Great to know what you consider a possibility on this trip,¡± Spidena remarked unimpressed before addressing his concern. ¡°It won¡¯t go well for the abductors. Fate ties trump everything else. We¡¯d need big magic that I don¡¯t even know exists right now to break it. Something even bigger than an incantation. Luckily, we just have to get to Kintel, and it should be over. We just have to put up with being stuck together for a single season. Though we¡¯ll probably have more problems and surprises than we originally bargained for. Fate ties pull magical people and beasts to it. Big, juicy, old power like fate ties are very attractive to anyone who can sense it.¡±


    ¡°W-Why are you so cavalier about it?¡±


    ¡°You may have noticed I wasn¡¯t back at the shop,¡± Spidena reminded wryly. ¡°Hopefully this is meant to be a lovely, short fate tie experience, and we don¡¯t turn into archnemeses or something to that effect. Gods forbid we end up tied together past Kintel. Though if we have regular fate trailing us from even longer ago that could be an issue¡­ Where were you born?¡± Spidena furrowed her brow, this new thought proving to be a troubling possibility.


    ¡°Er¡­ Ocor?¡±


    Spidena considered this answer carefully. ¡°Do you happen to know a witch named Windelle? Or a gambling den owner named Pesch Goldbry?¡±


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°Thank toads¡­¡± She put her hand on her chest and let out a breath. ¡°Alright. We should be fine to part ways in Kintel. Now, shall we get on with it? Or do you need to write this all down?¡±


    Ben actually would¡¯ve loved to write everything she had just explained down, but also had a new determination to be rid of the witch as quickly as possible. Shaking his head and Ben picked up his pace. He decided to ask more about what were the pros and cons of potions at another time, as he was already starting to feel his head throb around his temples.


    With any luck, he wouldn¡¯t have to think about the nuances of magic very much, or apply his new knowledge. But with that being thought weaving its way through his mind¡­ Ben had to admit to himself that he had never really been what anyone would call ¡®lucky¡¯.

 Chapter 4: The Nighttime Newcomer

    The witch Ben had been saddled with for his journey stared up at the pine branches that were cast in a warm glow from their fire. The shadows beyond them loomed menacingly, and despite the pleasant earthy smell around them, the small camp they had set up for the night felt smothering.


    She tugged at the shawl around her shoulders tightly.


    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t have a spell or something that could protect us while we sleep?¡± Ben asked while poking at the fire with a stick.


    ¡°I¡¯m already working on one, but it¡¯ll take time,¡± the witch lamented while closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath, right in time for a plume of the smoke from the fire to be blown right into her face.


    Ben grinned as he watched her short nose with the bulbous tip scrunched up in displeasure. ¡°I take it you aren¡¯t a fan of the outdoors?¡±


    When the witch opened her eyes again she scowled. ¡°The outdoors are perfectly fine if I am indoors.¡±


    ¡°I would¡¯ve thought a witch would feel more attuned to nature¡ªespecially given that you were living in Gabel and you¡¯re surrounded by, you know, a forest.¡± Ben gestured around himself, while knowingly giving her an infuriating wry grin.


    ¡°I only lived there for four seasons,¡± she retorted while rubbing her pale, bony fingers together as the fire let out a muffled crack.


    Ben waited to see if she would perhaps share where she had spent most of her life if not in the small remote town they had met. Though he was already assuming that it was most likely in a city like the capital, Indivor, or a similarly large city like Wothol, but she didn¡¯t.


    Instead, Ben could feel the woman¡¯s studious gaze on him as he continued to stir the loose coals with a long stick.


    ¡°You seem perfectly at home outside,¡± she started conversationally. ¡°I¡¯m guessing you were on the run for a while? Is it just that you¡¯re a thief who stole gold from the wrong people? What¡¯s it for anyway? Gambling debts?¡±


    Ben sensed his outward calm, thoughtful expression harden. ¡°I didn¡¯t steal it from them. It was mine to begin with.¡±


    A rustling from above had the witch¡¯s head snapping back to stare up into the canopy above them.


    ¡°What was that?¡± she asked, her voice coming out a whisper.


    ¡°Probably an owl, or a bat,¡± Ben guessed, though he also looked up.


    The woman¡¯s grip on her shawl tightened to the point to the point her knuckles whitened.


    Ben gave a subtle chuckle. ¡°Owls and bats won¡¯t bother us.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you remember what I said about magical beings being attracted to us because of the damn fated tie?¡± the witch reminded sharply.


    Ben dropped his bemused gaze to his travel companion before shaking his head at her distress. ¡°I¡¯m Ben, by the way.¡±


    The witch reluctantly tore her sights away from the trees above. ¡°Spidena.¡±


    He nodded in response, then opened his mouth, perhaps to ask about the origins of her name, when a shadow descended upon them from the branches, making Spidena shriek and jump to her feet.


    Ben jolted upward as well, the stick wielded in his hand like a sword.


    But when the pair had calmed down they found themselves staring at¡­


    A raven.


    ¡°GODSDAMNIT HALF PINT!¡± Spidena¡¯s hand flew to her chest as she started taking deep breaths.


    Ben blinked with a frown pressing down his brows, then looked back at his travel companion.


    Spidena crouched low to the ground and held out her arm to the bird, and in return the raven ruffled its feathers, then hopped politely onto her forearm.


    ¡°Is that raven¡­ yours?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Spidena answered while reaching up with her knuckle to gently stroke the raven¡¯s silky feathers. ¡°I left you a coin hours ago! What took you so long?¡±


    The raven let out a short croak.


    ¡°A likely excuse. You¡¯re making me regret naming you Wolf. You¡¯re a hunting addict now, you runt,¡± the witch muttered.


    Ben¡¯s eyes went wide with awe. ¡°You can understand the bird?¡±


    ¡°I imagine I do¡­ and it seems to work for us.¡± Spidena sighed and looked unabashedly back at him. ¡°Wolf, this is Ben. He¡¯s going to take us to Kintel.¡±


    Wolf tilted his head curiously at Ben, its black eyes glinting in an alarmingly intelligent way¡­


    ¡°I-is he your familiar?¡±


    ¡°Gods, you believe that malarky? That witches have soul bound animals? No. We have pets like everyone else. We just tend to prefer pets because they are a lot less selfish and awful than people,¡± Spidena scoffed as she lowered herself back down to her seat.


    Ben started to inwardly debate testing how truly stuck together they were and just venturing off on his own to leave the cranky witch all alone in the woods. He wondered if she would still be as condescending with nothing but bugs and critters to hear her snark¡­


    ¡°I thought you called him half pint? You know. When you screamed?¡± he reminded rather than commenting on Spidena¡¯s snide replies, though the dry note in his voice seemed to register with her.


    ¡°Like you haven¡¯t heard people call their pets other names. I¡¯ve heard men dote on their cats and call them ¡®princess¡¯, and women gushing over their dogs calling them ¡®darling¡¯. Then you ask them what their names are and it¡¯s something like Francine or George.¡±


    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    While Ben didn¡¯t share how weird he found that tidbit of information, it most likely still showed on his face. He hadn¡¯t really been around many families, or people with pets¡­ Or really anyone for any meaningful duration of time since he was a child.


    Spidena rolled her eyes and didn¡¯t bother trying to  continue explaining the merits of nicknames when animals already had perfectly good names. ¡°Wolf will be helpful for keeping watch.¡±


    Ben arched an eyebrow at her. ¡°Assuming there isn¡¯t something shiny.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯d choose a juicy mouse over a coin any day!¡± Spidena defended heartfully.


    ¡°Great. So assuming there are no small rodents. Or bugs. In a forest. He is going to be highly reliable as a watchbird,¡± Ben agreed sarcastically.


    ¡°Well you weren¡¯t going to stay awake to keep watch!¡±


    ¡°Because we¡¯re going to be walking a lot tomorrow, and according to you, you¡¯re directionally challenged so I need to pay attention.¡±


    ¡°I ought to turn you into a snail. Then I¡¯ll feed you Wolf,¡± Spidena huffed, her green eyes sparkling.


    ¡°Oh, so suddenly you are perfectly confident defending yourself?¡± Ben smiled. But it wasn¡¯t a nice smile. It was an annoying smile that Ben could tell tempted Spidena to do something like order Wolf to go peck his eyes out.


    She grumbled and crossed her arms over her chest. ¡°It might be weeks or years from now, but you¡¯re going to regret that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll add it to my list.¡±


    ¡°You have a list of regrets?¡± Spidena asked, immediately distracted from her threat.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t everyone?¡± Ben shrugged, though he felt somber darkness well up inside his heart as unbidden memories offered to douse him in their miseries.


    ¡°Most men have their list of regrets by the time they are middle aged. You look like you¡¯re¡­ thirty? You have loads of-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m twenty-four.¡±


    Spidena paused. ¡°When people look far older than they are, it usually indicates either a very unhealthy, hedonistic lifestyle, terrible trauma, or unfortunate looks inherited from one¡¯s parents.¡±


    Ben said nothing, and put renewed effort into ignoring her


    ¡°Because you¡¯re being annoying I¡¯m going to assume it¡¯s the latter.¡±


    Ben heard Spidena¡¯s insulting mutter and gave a particularly aggressive jab of his stick at a glowing orange coal.


    However, the witch must have decided she was too talented at being vexing to give up just yet.¡°I imagine it makes it far easier for you to pretend to have children at home counting on you when the king¡¯s guard decides to bully someone for fun and make them do something unpleasant.¡±


    Ben shook his head disapprovingly and seated himself back down. ¡°I¡¯m going to sleep. I¡¯ll wake you up before dawn, so don¡¯t sic your bird on me.¡±


    Spidena opened her mouth to make another scathing remark, but Ben was already setting his sack on the ground, and laying down.


    *


    Spidena grumbled inwardly, then acquiesced to not push him any more for the night, so she wordlessly proceeded to reach into her own satchel, and pulled out a rose colored wool blanket, and a fluffy white pillow.


    When she darted another look over at Ben, she realized that because of his new angle laying by the fire, she could see the shadows under his eyes¡­ Then she registered that he was watching her pull large items from her bag and turned away.


    She rather loved her bag. It was able to condense everything inside, and store it safely in a magical space. All she had to do was have a vague idea of what she was looking for, and usually the bag was able to sort itself out so that she could find what she was looking for. It was easier for bigger items than it would be for something small, like a spool of thread, or a button.


    When Spidena slipped another look in her travel companion¡¯s direction she observed that he had once again closed his eyes. He was probably looking forward to a night of sleep where he wasn¡¯t worried about the thugs finding him.


    Sighing, Spidena settled down onto the ground, and rested her head atop her pillow.


    She¡¯d never slept outside a day in her life¡­ And despite being able to bring perfectly comfortable bedding, it was easy to notice pebbles and pinecones wedged into her back and bottom.


    She gave a quiet huff of irritation, and shifted over to try and find a more comfortable position.


    Well, the first day of the journey had gone relatively smoothly.


    Ideally they would keep traveling at a brisk pace, and perhaps even form a tolerable rapport, though Spidena wasn¡¯t as hopeful for such an eventuality inlight of how grouchy he seemed.


    Closing her eyes, Spidena did her best to not think about the number of nocturnal animals lurking around in the shadows, or of the cold already seeping through her blanket¡­


    I wonder if I¡¯ll get a good sleep. I kept hearing men talk about how refreshing it was, so¡­ who knows. Maybe it¡¯ll surprise me.


    *


    Ben had watched Spidena settle down for the night through partially closed eyes.


    He had noticed that her satchel hadn¡¯t seemed to have anything in it despite watching her put the packages inside earlier¡­ But seeing her pull out the blanket and pillow drove it home for him that it had to be magic. Then it also dawned on him that she was using a white pillow and putting it directly on the dirt-packed forest floor. He wondered if she had ever slept on the ground in her life. He doubted her backside had even had to rest on a dirty wooden or stone floor a moment in her life the way she kept wriggling to get comfortable.


    Despite the peculiar series of events of the day, Ben rolled over. He needed sleep, and he didn¡¯t feel like spending those few blissful hours of quiet and rest mulling over the aggravating witch he was stuck with for the next four moons.


    He doubted it¡¯d become any more pleasant, as she was, quite obviously, a massive pain in the ass.

 Chapter 5: The Quarreling Companions

    It was the first morning in Spidena¡¯s life that she had woken up outside.


    She knew instantly in that Gods awful moment where her eyes opened and her entire body ached, her skin was clammy, and she felt more tired than when she had initially gone to sleep, that she hated sleeping in nature.


    ¡°Oh good, you¡¯re awake. I have a question for you.¡±


    Potent ire filled Spidena in a heartbeat, and if it weren¡¯t so strong as to choke the words from her throat, she would have cursed every unfortunate soul who had ever known Ben. The man who dared to talk the second she awoke.


    ¡°You said yesterday that incantations take a long time to figure out the bargain, but you cast the one for me quickly. Why was that? Also¡­ You said you can¡¯t do charms, but you could summon ingredients when doing the incantation. How did you do that?¡±


    Spidena sat up slowly, her fingers twitching. They were at an utter loss as to how to handle the violent urges she was experiencing.


    She turned, slowly, to stare at Ben. Her eyes burning from exhaustion.


    He sat comfortably chewing on a bun that, from the effort it took for him to bite and tear into, Spidena could tell was stale.


    Ben looked horribly, and unforgivably refreshed.


    ¡°Fuck. Off.¡± Spidena¡¯s words were met with silence as Ben stared at her blankly¡­ And then proceeded to pound the final nail in his metaphorical coffin by grinning at her.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t sleep the greatest?¡±


    Spidena looked around herself for a rock. A stick. Anything that could be used to beat that look off his face, when a fluttering of black wings, and the reappearance of her raven, Wolf, distracted her from her murderous plot.


    ¡°Danger!¡±


    When the raven informed them of this in a voice clear as day, Spidena took every pleasure in watching Ben launch himself backward in shock.


    ¡°It can talk? Isn¡¯t that magic?¡±


    Spidena started to crack her neck from side to side. ¡°No, it isn¡¯t magic. Raven¡¯s can talk if you train them, and Wolf is smart.  If an animal that can¡¯t normally talk is talking, then it isn¡¯t a normal animal. It¡¯s made of pure magic. Most likely crafted to be a minion to a witch or warlock. More importantly though, my smart, normal raven here thinks something nearby is dangerous.¡±


    That or he could tell I was about to throttle you. She thought to herself grumpily.


    Ben continued to gape at the raven, not looking all that convinced that the bird wasn¡¯t stuffed full of magic, while Spidena started to pack up her blanket and dirty pillow in order to avoid whatever nearby trouble Wolf may have spotted. The sun hadn¡¯t risen, but the hazy blue around them had lightened their surroundings enough that she didn¡¯t need to rely on the campfire to see anymore.


    ¡°Is it bright enough for us to travel again?¡± she asked, feeling somewhat more in control of her mood.


    Rising to his feet without taking his eyes off the raven, Ben brushed dirt off of his rumpled coat. ¡°Yeah, I can roughly see what¡¯s on the ground at least. If Wolf thinks there is danger, we can head straight north. It¡¯s a bit closer to the Earhav¡¯s land than I¡¯d like, but-¡±


    ¡°Earhav? As in¡­ Callex Earhav?¡±


    Ben nodded grimly.


    ¡°Why would we go all the way over there?!¡± Spidena demanded with a great amount of panic.


    Blinking in surprise, Ben tilted his head. ¡°I take it that particular warlock isn¡¯t a friend of yours?¡±


    ¡°That creepy asshole? Why the hells would I know him? Did you think all magic users know each other or something?¡± Spidena¡¯s jittery outrage toward Ben sparked anew.


    Ben held up his hands in surrender. ¡°I won¡¯t make you knock on his door or anything. We¡¯ll avoid his land as much as possible, but if we continue straight north we should skirt his domain enough that it¡¯s unlikely we¡¯ll see anyone else.¡± Ben started kicking dirt onto the coals of their fire as he spoke, though his leisurely pace while doing so suggested he either didn¡¯t believe Wolf¡¯s warning, or he didn¡¯t particularly care.


    Spidena bit her tongue, and tried to ignore the sweat that started to build along her back despite trying to avoid thinking about what would happen if Callex Earhav found out she was anywhere near his property¡­


    ¡°Is there any particular reason you don¡¯t want to answer my questions this morning? You seemed pretty chatty yesterday,¡± Ben wondered idly while the final clump of coals sizzled out.


    The witch took her time dusting off her skirts before responding. ¡°Sometimes I feel like talking, and sometimes you¡¯re too annoying to indulge.¡±


    ¡°We met yesterday, and already I¡¯m annoying to you?¡±


    ¡°You have natural talent.¡± Spidena tossed the strap of her bag over her head and stared at Ben expectantly, though she caught the tail end of him rolling his eyes at her. ¡°Well? Are we leaving?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to eat something?¡± Ben eyed her bag, then looked back at her. ¡°Walking for long distances is hard enough without doing it on an empty stomach. Take it from me.¡±


    Spidena scoffed. ¡°I will take care of myself, thank you very much!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± Ben nodded seriously in response, then upon seeing her irritated facial reaction to his smart ass remark, he grinned at the witch before turning and waving her straight forward. ¡°Come on. This way.¡±


    Spidena picked up her skirts indignantly, and stomped over to Ben¡¯s side.


    He chuckled, and her hands gripped into fists.


    ¡°You were a lot more quiet and serious when we first met. How can I make you be like that again?¡± the witch wondered bitingly.


    Ben sighed, sending a plume of vapor into the cool morning air. ¡°I don¡¯t have a group of large, threatening men after me, and I¡¯m not recovering from being magically bound either¡­ Sorry to say it isn¡¯t looking like I¡¯ll be as solemn as before.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t give up. I¡¯m sure you have peeved off more than just one group of killers.¡± Spidena turned her snub nose up. The brisk temperature already nipped at Spidena¡¯s face, but she didn¡¯t give any sign of feeling the chill as she blatantly ignored the sardonic glance Ben was giving her.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it¡°You don¡¯t have a lot of friends, do you?¡± he asked dryly.


    ¡°I¡¯d take having cunning enemies over dumb friends on any phase of the moon! Dumb friends are far more dangerous.¡±


    Ben¡¯s eyebrows shot up in flabbergasted awe before shaking his head. ¡°Right. Can¡¯t say I¡¯m surprised.¡±


    Spidena grumbled, but her traveling companion ignored it, and so continued making their way due north. Wolf took to the skies again above them, leaving the pair to walk on in silence, save for the crunching and rustling of forest brush beneath their feet.


    When the sun eventually emerged from the horizon, the trees around them took on a wakeful, enchanting glow, and the smell of sweet, fresh growth started to waft up from the earth. The rising temperature also made it so that Spidena no longer needed her blue shawl, and so she stowed it away in her satchel as they walked, though while doing so, she wound up missing a step, and with the small heel of her boot toppling, her ankle followed suit making her give an anguished shout.


    Ben halted his progress, and watched as she stumbled, then as she caught herself against the nearest tree trunk.


    ¡°Godsdamnit,¡± Spidena uttered while catching her breath and taking a moment to stretch her ankle. Luckily it didn¡¯t seem sprained.


    ¡°Did you happen to pack any boots that don¡¯t have a heel?¡± Ben sidled over to the witch unconcerned.


    Spidena glared daggers at him. ¡°No. Otherwise I¡¯d be wearing them.¡±


    He shrugged indifferently and waited for her to right herself again.


    She had just finished readjusting her satchel once more and tucking the loose strands of dark hair that had escaped her long braid behind her ear, when Wolf fluttered down to a nearby fall tree.


    ¡°Closer! Danger! Closer!¡±


    Ben frowned. ¡°Is he able to be any more specific?¡±


    ¡°While Wolf is smarter than you, he is blessed with the gift of only speaking a few words.¡±


    Crossing his arms, Ben¡¯s eyes hardened. ¡°If you¡¯re going to be a cow everytime you speak I will leave you here to get yourself to Kintel on your own.¡±


    ¡°Good luck with that!¡± Spidena retorted with a snort. ¡°You can¡¯t get there without me. I already told you, we¡¯re fate tied.¡±


    ¡°You could¡¯ve made that up so I wouldn¡¯t try to ditch you the instant I got sick of your personality,¡± Ben accused, his right toes already starting to turn west.


    ¡°Ha! Go ahead and try then! You¡¯ll find out before tonight that I¡¯m right!¡±


    ¡°You know¡­ I¡¯d heard the stories about witches being nasty and eating children when I was young, and back then thought it was completely made up. Now I¡¯m seeing it as factual information!¡± Ben sniped while turning away from Spidena and starting to stalk away.


    With her right hand clenching into a fist, the witch seethed for an instant, then jogged to catch up to him.


    ¡°I can just follow you, you know!¡± she informed him haughtily at his back.


    ¡°Maybe I¡¯m going to take a detour through the Huffinal kingdom instead of going straight to Kintel. It¡¯ll really make sure I lose anyone still following me!¡± Ben reasoned loudly, his anger coloring his sarcasm.


    ¡°Oh for the-¡± Spidena darted in front of Ben though it was in no way easy or graceful. He tried to step around her, but she matched his movements, blocking him. ¡°Stop wasting time! The sooner we get to Kintel the sooner we¡¯ll be finished with each other! Besides, you owe me a favor!¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t shoved you down a hill this morning, I¡¯d say we¡¯re even,¡± Ben countered scathingly before he feigned going left and instead carried on right, successfully getting around Spidena at last.


    ¡°I told you about magic, didn¡¯t I? I¡¯m not all that bad!¡± she hollered. The witch could hear her own note of desperation and hated it.


    Ben didn¡¯t even bother answering as he continued to trudge through the forest.


    Spidena waited to see if their fated tie would yank him back somehow, but when he managed to get quite far from her, her panic won against her pride, and humbled her.


    ¡°FINE! I¡¯M SORRY!¡±


    Stopping in his tracks, Ben turned around and stared at Spidena expectantly.


    ¡°What else do you want?!¡± Spidena demanded, already feeling all kinds of embarrassed.


    Ben took his time making his way back over to her, his expression unreadable until he stood nearly toe to toe with her.


    ¡°I want you to eat something, and if you happened to bring tea leaves with you in that magic bag? You should have a cup in the morning. I¡¯ll even boil the water to get it ready before you wake up, but, and I say this from the bottom of my heart, you need to do everything in your power, to be less of a banshee.¡±


    ¡°I just apologized to you, and you think you can-¡±


    ¡°Sorry to interrupt your lover''s quarrel!¡±


    Ben and Spidena jolted, then whirled around to look to their left toward the voice that had just interrupted them.


    A thirty something year old man wearing a dirty, mustard yellow coat, a long burgundy necktie, and a battered brown bowler hat stood leaning against a walnut tree trunk with three gruff looking men standing behind him.


    A quick glance around themselves, made Ben and Spidena realize that there were another five men standing a short distance from their right, and they were closing in.


    ¡°You see, a business associate of mine by the name of Ostrig Vontrik was looking for a thief who robbed him of his gold the other day, and I wondered if you fine folk might have seen any suspicious people.¡±


    Ben stiffened in shock, and Spidena shrunk closer to him, her eyes cast toward the ground.


    When neither of them said anything in response the stranger took long, leisurely strides closer to them. Despite his hands being in his pocket, neither Spidena nor Ben were naive enough to think he was unarmed.


    ¡°Now, now, no need for you to be shy. I¡¯ll even introduce myself first! My name is Reggie Bowen, and even if you don¡¯t happen to be carrying stolen gold on your person, I wouldn¡¯t mind relieving you of any extra valuables you might be carrying.¡±


    Ben didn¡¯t so much as blink, and Spidena?


    Well¡­ She was starting to consider using one of her packages far earlier in their journey than she¡¯d hoped.

 Chapter 6: A Daring Dash

    ¡°Can¡¯t say I know about any gold,¡± Ben declared, his loud voice a terrible betrayal of the lie he was trying to sell.


    Reggie Bowen smiled at him, and as he did so, Spidena pressed herself so firmly against Ben, that she may as well have been hugging him.


    ¡°Come now, no need to make things difficult, hey? I owe ol¡¯ Vontrik a debt, but I¡¯m not quite as¡­ violently ambitious as he is. Pass along that gold nice and easy, and you won¡¯t even have to lose any limbs like you would for him if he¡¯d found you first! A fair trade in my mind.¡± Reggie smiled, his teeth small but clean.


    Ben¡¯s grip on his sack strap tightened. ¡°I told you, I don¡¯t know about any gold belonging to Vontrik. Everything I¡¯m carrying is mine.¡±


    ¡°Oh, is that so?¡± Reggie gave a rasping laugh, and as he started to circle Spidena and Ben, the heavy scent of cheap cigars wafting from him, stinging the back of their throats. ¡°That¡¯s an interesting declaration, because from everything I¡¯ve heard, you, Benthrop Hozel, come from nothing, and are worth less than that. So it makes no sense how you could possibly rightfully own anything.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know anything about me. She and I are going to leave now, and you won¡¯t bother us anymore.¡± Ben tried to make his voice commanding as he turned his body to block Spidena from Reggie¡¯s view.


    The men all laughed.


    During the conversation, the remaining five figures had finished encircling Ben and Spidena. Though Ben didn¡¯t bother looking anywhere other than Reggie, whose slanted dark eyes remained half open as he lazily leaned forward.


    ¡°And what makes you so confident that¡¯s how this will go, hm?¡±


    ¡°Because I¡¯m pretty sure Vontrik said something about being careful to not piss me off when he said he wanted the gold back.¡±


    There was an eerie silence that followed Ben¡¯s words.


    One where the sleazy smile on Reggie¡¯s face retreated ever so slightly as he stared into Ben¡¯s deep brown eyes and saw them flicker with amber¡­


    The intensity of the moment was broken, when Spidena, whose hand had inconspicuously slipped into her carpet bag, drew out one of the three packages she had begrudgingly packed for their journey¡­ The one shaped like a jar that had the very comforting words: ¡®ARE YOU SURE?!¡¯ scrawled across its old paper wrapping twelve times.


    She hurled it to the ground, and in the time it took for Ben and Reggie to turn to see what she was doing, she crushed her heel over it. The crunch of glass echoed in the otherwise peaceful forest.


    There was a beat in time where Ben experienced a flutter of hope that reached an astonishing high, but in the three breaths that followed when absolutely nothing happened following Spidena¡¯s actions, he felt his wretched dread crawl back up and seize his stomach.


    He slowly turned round to stare into Reggie¡¯s sniggering face.


    ¡°A panicky lady you got th-¡± Reggie¡¯s right leg started vibrating.


    Then every man that wasn¡¯t Ben, started doing the same thing.


    Reggie¡¯s left arm shot out as he proceeded to bob his head and tap the air rhythmically as though hearing music that only he and his henchmen were aware of.


    Two of the five other thugs dropped down onto their knees, their arms out straight, while the other three spun in perfect synchronization around them.


    Reggie clapped his hands, and his men froze in artistic tableaus. Then he clapped again, and they changed.


    ¡°WHAT IS HAPPENING?!¡± one of the burlier men cried out as he rose from his kneeling position, grasped one of his companion¡¯s hands, and began rotating his hips with more flexibility than anyone would¡¯ve ever expected of him.


    ¡°Run,¡± Spidena whispered as the men around them continued to make exclamations of surprise and alarm.


    Ben was quite enthralled with the incredibly synchronized dance routine he was watching, however, and so he didn¡¯t immediately react to Spidena¡¯s urging.


    ¡°I said run! Run, run, run, run, run!¡± Spidena shoved Ben, making him take one dragging step, but he couldn¡¯t help but keep turning to keep watching over his shoulder, that is until Spidena yanked his arm making him stumble.


    The last thing he was able to witness was one of the two stronger men hoisting their slimmer coworkers into the air. The ones to be lifted stretched their bodies and arms primly. One of the men who had been hoisted in the air proceeded to then reach down and cup the cheek of the beefy fellow who held him up in the air. ¡°I¡¯ve wanted to tell you this for a while, Gestavos¡­ But I never feel safer than when I am with you!¡±


    ¡°What the-¡±


    Spidena was practically dragging Ben by this point, interrupting his exclamation, and forcing him to resume their escape with more attentiveness.


    ¡°We only have three hours to get the hell away! Move it!¡± Spidena called desperately.


    It took a split second, but Ben finally snapped out of his trance, and after giving his head a shake, he shot off in a sprint, though he had to slow down when he realized Spidena was falling far behind.


    Aside from her terrible fitness level, it seemed the witch wasn¡¯t quite as helpless in the woods as she had led him to believe¡­


    *


    By the time they stopped running, Spidena was wheezing so soundly that tears were overflowing from her eyes, and she was relatively certain she wouldn¡¯t be able to move so much as a pinky toe for days as every muscle she possessed practically twisted with deep ache.


    Ben wasn¡¯t winded. He barely looked phased by their bout of sudden movement, and as a direct result, Spidena recalled that she had been in the middle of hating him when they¡¯d almost been robbed.


    ¡°How¡­ Many¡­ More¡­ Men¡­ Thug groups are after you?¡± Spidena barely succeeded in getting the words out as the back of her throat felt as though it¡¯d been rubbed with dry sand.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t know how many people Ostrig told about me¡­ I¡¯m surprised he even said anything to anyone else knowing how risky it is,¡± Ben added the last comment more as a mutter.


    ¡°Why¡­?¡± Spidena didn¡¯t bother finishing the question, and merely hoped that her traveling companion was smarter than he seemed at times.


    ¡°Why what?¡± Ben snapped


    Ah. He wasn¡¯t as quick as she¡¯d hoped, and that made her indignant irritation surge into fury.


    ¡°Why is it risky for Ostrig to tell people you stole gold from him?¡± She straightened, her strength spurting forward from her deep well of rage.


    ¡°Because! Because of my¡­ history with them! I said the gold was mine, and it is! It¡¯s risky that they say it isn¡¯t when I can¡­ I can prove it.¡± There was truth in what he said. Some big truth in it¡­ but a lie lurked, and Spidena became even more incensed to the point of thoughtlessness when she couldn¡¯t pinpoint where it was.


    ¡°You call me a banshee, say I¡¯m unpleasant, and you now have the audacity to be rude when you are the one responsible for everything! You came into my shop looking for help! You agreed to the price! I just saved your ass! You don¡¯t get to be surly with me! So out with it or I swear on magic I will cut this damn fate tie, and let me tell you¡­ Magic favors witches over seebs by a landslide when it comes to bad deals. So once I figure out how to end this tie, you better believe there will be backlash, and you will have to deal with it.¡± Spidena wielded her finger up into Ben¡¯s face, her green eyes glinting brightly in the light of the forest, her left hand trembling at her side from ire.


    Stolen story; please report.


    Ben balked. Reasonably so. While the earth didn¡¯t quite tremble around him, there was the electric prickle in the air supporting Spidena¡¯s threat.


    ¡°You said there wasn¡¯t big enough magic in the world to break a fate tie,¡± he responded evenly.


    ¡°Would you like to see me try to find it?¡±


    Ben flinched.


    Spidena could see him visibly panick¡­ At first.


    But then¡­ all notion of fighting or cowering appeared to leave him, and he simply allowed himself to accept whatever was to come.


    ¡°The gold is mine,¡± he started stiffly. ¡°It just¡­¡± He let out a breath, his own deeply seeded darkness eking forward in his eyes. ¡°I was sold. As a child. That gold was my price. Ostrig he¡­ he brokered for my family. To sell me. The gold I stole was the price he received for me. He had no right to sell me.¡±


    Ben¡¯s  awkward confession resulted in a nauseating revocation of righteousness that Spidena wasn¡¯t too fond of.


    She had nothing to say in the face of such a thing.


    ¡°What happened with Ostrig isn¡¯t your business just because I¡¯m paying for the incantation with a favor¡­ But I am sorry you had to deal with that, and thank you for your help,¡± Ben finished, already turning away, his shoulders hunching more than they had before.


    Spidena fidgeted with her skirt.


    She was terrible at knowing what to say in these kind of situations. The ones where you learned about something terrible and traumatic about a person, and you knew you should be kind, or compassionate¡­ Two traits she did not possess in any great measure.


    ¡°Do you want to know what I did to those men?¡± she asked a little too loudly.


    Ben paused in his steps, and looked over his shoulder at her. At first there was a coldness in his eyes that made Spidena want to shy away, but then there came the half smile with the barest hint of appreciation that she wasn¡¯t prodding the matter any more.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ Yeah I do.¡±


    Spidena dropped her chin to her chest in relief, then pushed her fatigued legs to catch up to him again. ¡°Troll snot.¡±


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°Troll snot. But not just any troll snot. Troll snot from a troll on his wedding day. Makes anyone I¡¯m not touching start to dance, and if anyone has a love confession to make, well¡­ They make it.¡±


    ¡°Trolls are real?!¡±


    ¡°Sort of.¡±


    ¡°How can you have troll snot, use troll snot, have it work, but trolls ¡®sort of¡¯ exist?¡± Ben questioned with a deserved note of disbelief.


    ¡°Look, the world is full of mysteries. Like how sometimes you are irritating and sometimes you¡¯re halfway decent.¡±


    ¡°Gods that¡¯s annoying.¡±


    ¡°What is?¡±


    ¡°Hearing that there is no concrete reality.¡±


    Spidena cackled. ¡°I love it. Magic runs constantly and reliably behind the scenes of nature¡­ But the moments it decides to break the rules? It¡¯s at its most powerful. So it reveals itself in the weirdest ways, in the most interesting of places. The rest of the time we just see it peeking through. Like one day I could be buying apples and I¡¯ll notice one apple will have this shine to it¡­ And I¡¯ll know magic bent the rules a little for it, and if I eat it? I¡¯ll have great luck for a week. Once I bought a pink shawl¨C I hate pink, but because I did I kept getting free food from random places.¡±


    ¡°Is it magic or you that is as weird as a duck¡¯s dick?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Spidena rounded on Ben.


    ¡°Have you ever seen a duck¡¯s dick? It¡¯s like a nightmare crafted corkscrew-¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± Spidena waved frantically, shushing Ben. ¡°Compare me to any kind of dick again and I¡¯ll have Wolf shit in your hair.¡±


    Ben¡¯s mouth turned downward, but he nodded. ¡°Fair enough.¡± Then, eyeing the witch who still had sweat and dirt streaking her forehead from their dash through the woods, he ventured on. ¡°That was a quick, non-permanent bit of magic you did with the troll snot so¡­ That was a charm? I thought you said you couldn¡¯t use charms. Or is it that because of the troll snot, it counts as a potion¡­?¡±


    ¡°Oh Gods¡­ Potions¡­ How to explain potions to a seeb¡­ Alright. Potions can have long lasting effects, but are rarely instantaneous. They are also a lot more unreliable in their results. You see, everyone has a different constitution, and even the exact level of dodder you are or aren¡¯t, and even the type of witch you are can affect the effectiveness of a potion. Seebs are a lot easier to predict the results for.¡±


    ¡°Your entire profession sounds like a costly liability.¡±


    ¡°It is one of the many reasons no one wants to start setting up insurance policies for witches and their businesses¡­¡± Spidena admitted with a tilt of her head.


    ¡°So what was the snot jar? A potion? A charm?¡±


    ¡°A charm isn¡¯t supposed to be storable, but¡­ Because of the troll bogeys, it was. Despite charms being the lowest in terms of power of the magics, it is still useful, and preserving one like that? Is wildly expensive. Almost as expensive as the incantation you bought from me, but I packed it because I figured I¡¯d need it with us being fate tied,¡± Spidena confessed with a streak of indignation coming through in the end.


    ¡°Right¡­ I noticed you brought those packages only after you figured out we were fate tied. Why did you only pack them after finding out? Wouldn¡¯t you have needed them with me being¡­ problematic?¡±


    ¡°I appreciate a man who is self aware enough to admit such a thing,¡± Spidena began, though she said it with a softened, teasing smile that helped diffuse the harshness of her words. ¡°Asking for a favor, I could have left you at some point if things became too troublesome. The deal was on my terms when it was just a favor. But being stuck together with someone with big magic¡ªa stranger who had dangerous people after him¡­? I knew I¡¯d have to be overly prepared.¡±


    Ben nodded silently to himself as they walked.


    ¡°Do you happen to know where we are¡­?¡± Spidena asked idly.


    Ben stopped abruptly in his tracks. Turned in a full circle, then looked up at the cloudy sky.


    ¡°Not at all.¡±


    And just like magic, Spidena found herself exasperated with Benthrop Hozel all over again.

 Chapter 7: The Fey Way

    ¡°How do you not know that?!¡±


    ¡°Stop acting like it¡¯s common knowledge to say ¡®bless you¡¯ when someone sneezes! I still don¡¯t think that I have to respond that way!¡±


    ¡°It is common knowledge! Regardless of what god or goddess you believe in, you are blessing the person so they don¡¯t get sick! You just don¡¯t want to be bothered to be polite, you-¡±


    Whatever insult Ben had been about to fling in Spidena¡¯s direction was cut off by her holding up her hand and stopping in her tracks.


    ¡°What? What is it?¡± he asked, completely unsuccessful in hiding his exasperated tone.


    Spidena stared straight ahead through the trees, her eyes glimmering and rounding with awe and excitement.


    ¡°What? Did you find another mushroom?¡± Ben persisted sarcastically.


    ¡°Now who¡¯s being rude?¡± Spidena sniped over her shoulder, her sights not moving off of whatever she saw in the distance as she walked forward. ¡°And I already told you, those mushrooms are very helpful in moving your bowels in the morning. You¡¯ll thank me when you get constipated from all the cheese you eat.¡±


    ¡°Spidena, I can promise you I will never ask for your help with my bowel movements.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± she scoffed while starting to jog toward whatever it was she had spotted.


    ¡°Mind telling me where you¡¯re going?¡± Ben hollered, just before Spidena let out an excited gasp and started to run at full speed.


    Dropping his head back and letting out a groan, Ben extended his legs even more to keep up with the witch¡¯s awkward dash.


    Spidena darted around a large rock, slid down a small hill, then Spidena tripped over a gnarled willow root, righted herself completely unbothered, and continued until she skidded to an abrupt halt. Doubled over, her hands on her knees, her face still lit up in a smile that exuded pure joy as she gazed up at what she had been bolting for.


    Ben sidled casually over to her, his breath perfectly intact and his hands in his pockets. ¡°You know¡­ When we finish traveling together, you might want to think about going for more regular walks, or exercising, or both.¡±


    Spidena couldn¡¯t muster up a response, supposedly thanks to her raspy breathing troubles, and so she pointed in front of herself, and when Ben looked¡­


    Despite having just done a cursory glance moments before and not noticing anything all that remarkable, he suddenly saw¡­


    An inn.


    A two story, tower-like inn, with soft curved peaks, a thatched roof, white washed walls that barely managed to peek out from behind the ivy, round oak windows, and a black chimney puffing a hearty stream of smoke.


    ¡°What the¡ªthere isn¡¯t a road for leagues! What¡¯s this doing here?¡± Ben¡¯s attention fixated on the inn, its dark red door with ornate black hinges, the window boxes overflowing with forget-me-nots despite it still being too early for their blooms, the bench by the door¡­


    ¡°It¡¯s a wink place!¡± Spidena exclaimed, glowing with happiness.


    Ben¡¯s brows lowered, and he turned with his mouth open, preparing to ask the obvious question ¡®what is a wink place¡¯, but Spidena bound ahead and knocked on the door.


    ¡°Oy! I don¡¯t know about you, tall boots, but I don¡¯t have the luxury of spending coin on a place like this!¡± Ben whispered urgently.


    ¡°You have tons of gold,¡± Spidena said with a laugh as she practically bounced on her toes.


    ¡°I need this gold for something. I can¡¯t use it. And you know you¡¯re supposed to just walk into inns, right?¡±


    Spidena smiled without response, and just as Ben was about to continue arguing with his travel companion, the door opened, and there, was a woman.


    Only¡­ She wasn¡¯t exactly a human woman.


    She was exceptionally tall, and round, with long, thick dark chocolate hair that was styled with several small braids tied atop her head in a ponytail, dark skin, a gap in her brilliantly white teeth¡­ And while all these things were very human, her pointed ears and the delicate lines of textured patches of her skin like oak bark that were not human.


    She smiled down at the two of them, and perhaps it was the screaming yellow of her dress that clung to her body, but everything around Ben and Spidena felt brighter.


    ¡°Goodday, travelers! Welcome to The Fey Way!¡± the woman trilled musically, her cheeks aglow. ¡°You are some of our first ever customers in this new business that will soon be all over the kingdom!¡±


    Spidena¡¯s jaw dropped in childlike wonder as the not-quite-a-woman stepped aside and gestured them in. ¡°Would you like to come inside?¡±


    Ben grabbed Spidena¡¯s upper arm and yanked her back. ¡°Is she a fairy?¡± he asked without bothering to lower his voice.


    Spidena turned to face him, moderately disgruntled, but when she looked back at the woman who had greeted them she couldn¡¯t seem to keep the expression in tact.


    ¡°No. She¡¯s a nymph. Pardon his rudeness, he¡¯s a seeb,¡± Spidena added the last part to the magical innkeeper.


    ¡°A seeb!¡± The woman gasped in astonishment, but then her eyes glittered like black beetle wings and her smile warmed. ¡°My goodness. The two of you reek of big magic and you say he¡¯s a seeb? You must have a story!¡±


    Spidena had just about wrestled herself free of Ben¡¯s hold when his grip tightened again.


    ¡°I thought it wasn¡¯t safe to interact with fey people?¡±


    Spidena, fed up with his persistent restraint, grabbed his hand and flung it off herself before rounding on him.


    ¡°Nymphs are absolutely lovely, and are only terrible if you are terrible!¡±


    ¡°Sprites can be a mite tricky,¡± the nymph innkeeper interjected helpfully.


    ¡°They can, but they are generally innocent. And fairies¡­ their personalities are so atrocious they could be used as weapons against peoples sanities.¡±


    Ben tried to take a calming breath before asking a question he dreaded knowing the answer to.¡°But they do and don¡¯t exist I¡¯m guessing?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°What about elves?¡±


    Spidena tossed her head back and laughed, as did the nymph. ¡°Please. Elves aren¡¯t real.¡±


    Ben closed his eyes and started rubbing them while Spidena and the nymph woman shared good humored glances.


    ¡°I would die if you had any fresh vegetables,¡± Spidena informed the innkeeper while marching into the inn.


    ¡°What about dryads?!¡± Ben hollered at Spidena¡¯s back.


    ¡°Oh, those are very real. Do not upset a dryad,¡± the innkeeper answered Ben while welcoming him into the inn and closing the door behind him.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°What happens if I do?¡±


    ¡°Well then I hope you don¡¯t mind being a tree for the foreseeable future,¡± Spidena cast back while gazing around the inn.


    The entryway hall had two long lines of hooks, with a rough woven mat under their feet, and walls the color of freshly churned butter.


    It smelled of mouthwatering foods, like roasted meat, and baked potatoes. There was even a wafting aroma of something sweet¡­ Perhaps a strawberry rhubarb pie?


    It was even toasty warm inside compared to the somewhat chilly spring air outside.


    ¡°Do I smell chicken?¡± Spidena asked, taking in a big inhalation.


    ¡°You sure do, big magic!¡± The innkeeper laughed and tapped Spidena¡¯s arm as she managed to squeeze by the witch and headed toward the of three arched doorways at the end of the hall before turning to the left one.


    ¡°Ah, my name is Spidena, and that is Ben.¡±


    Ben nodded to the nymph he couldn¡¯t stop gawking at, as she stood at least seven feet tall, yet was light on her feet and quiet when she moved¡­


    ¡°My name is Daffodil, but you can call me Daffy,¡± the nymph explained while her guests continued to marvel at the dining space they had just entered.


    There were long wooden tables and benches polished to a shine, filling the room. A stone fireplace along the back wall already bright with crackling flames. And just beside it, was another door rounded at the top, with the same style of ornate iron hinges the front door of the inn had.


    ¡°Now, would you like a midday meal?¡± Daffy offered hospitably.


    Ben tore his eyes from studying the room to look back at the nymph. ¡°Er, I¡¯m really sorry, but we can¡¯t afford-¡±


    ¡°How much for lunch, dinner, and a night in an actual bed?¡± Spidena cut Ben off as she began rummaging around her bag.


    ¡°Well, you are a witch so either magic or coin.¡±


    Spidena looked back up at Daffy with her eyes sparkling. ¡°What kind of magic?¡±


    ¡°What kind do you practice?¡±


    ¡°She does spells, potions, and incantations,¡± Ben interrupted, making both Spidena and Daffy stare at him. ¡°I know some stuff,¡± he said with only a mild note of indignation.


    Spidena sighed and rolled her eyes. ¡°You know what I¡¯ve told you.¡±


    ¡°Three types of magic! You are a very well educated witch!¡± Daffy complimented Spidena happily.


    ¡°Thank you!¡± the witch returned, her oddly bouncy mood returning.


    ¡°I would really just need a spell to get out some unpleasant pests that have taken up residence in one of our rooms,¡± the nymph expounded hopefully.


    Spidena slid onto one of the benches. ¡°What kind of pests?¡±


    ¡°How about you go to see for yourself?¡± Daffy sighed while shaking her head. ¡°They¡¯re upstairs in room twelve. Second floor.¡±


    Spidena, having just made herself comfortable on the bench, slumped her shoulders fractionally.


    Seeing this, Ben took a puny bit of pity on her and volunteered to go look for her. Besides, if it was something like a possum or raccoon he could probably handle it himself, and he wasn¡¯t fond of the idea that Spidena would create a spell that would pay for his own food and room. At least he assumed she was paying for him¡­ He mentally kicked himself for not clarifying that.


    ¡°Room twelve you said?¡± Ben clarified, turning and heading toward the stairwell.


    Daffy giggled. ¡°That¡¯s right. Give it a look.¡±


    Ben nodded vaguely, waved his hand and set off with the hearty trudge of a man who had a task, wanted the task, but was pretending to not want the task.


    *


    ¡°What do you have? A poltergeist?¡± Spidena speculated with a laugh burbling and warming her throat.


    ¡°Oh goodness, nothing as nasty as that! Just a bad seeb.¡±


    ¡°A bad seeb? You take seebs here even if they aren¡¯t accompanied by someone like us?!¡±


    Daffy laughed, and it was like pure magic. ¡°Of course! They stumble into The Fey Way, pay us gold, and stumble out not quite certain this place was a dream or if they¡¯d eaten strange mushrooms.¡±


    Spidena¡¯s bubble of laughter popped as she cackled. ¡°A seeb doesn¡¯t seem so troublesome. Why aren¡¯t you able to kick them out?¡±


    Daffy¡¯s good humor faded a little as she let out a sigh. ¡°This one¡¯s been touched by an incantation. He was wandering around with his men¡ª-they were all power punched if you know what I mean. Problem is, once whatever magic affected his mind started to wear off, his nasty self started to come through.¡±


    Spidena chuckled, but it was far more subdued than before as a creeping suspicion rose up. ¡°About The Fey Way¡­ is it accessible just in a wink place? Or a magic whirl?¡±


    ¡°It is! What a clever witch you are!¡± Daffy¡¯s musical giggle should¡¯ve continued to be infectious and intoxicating¡­ Except Spidena was starting to become more assured about what terrible pest may be plaguing The Fey Way¡­.


    ¡°Do you happen to remember the name of this pesky seeb?¡± she asked warily.


    Daffy¡¯s eyes drifted to the ceiling rafters thoughtfully¡­


    ¡°Something that reminded me of ostriches¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s an ostrich¨C never mind. Was it Ostrig by chance?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it! My wonder, do you also know divination magic?!¡±


    Spidena didn¡¯t wait to explain how she happened to accurately guess the name of Daffy¡¯s problematic guest, instead she launched herself off the bench, intending to catch up to Ben and explain to him it was a terrible idea for him to look in on the pest, except she tripped and banged her shin.


    ¡°Godsdamnit,¡± she wheezed while sinking back to her seat clutching her leg.


    Daffy watched in silence as her new patron waited for the pain to subside.


    That is until Spidena tried to get up again.


    ¡°You and your man chop are fun. Anyone ever tell you that?¡±


    Spidena looked over her shoulder with a clueless eyebrow raised. Her moment of distraction wound up being a problem as she then proceeded to stub her toe on another bench, and sent herself crouching into a whimpering ball.


    Daffy rose gracefully from her seat, glided over to Spiden, and gently brushed her fingertips along the witch¡¯s shoulders. ¡°I¡¯m sure he will do fine! It may even be better for one seeb to deal with another.¡±


    Spidena tried to stand again, and was about to make a third attempt at going after her travel companion, when she heard the sound of a door opening on the floor above.


    Freezing in place as her eyes snapped up to the ceiling, Spidena wondered if her peaceful rest day at the inn was going to last even one more minute let alone until the next morning.

 Chapter 8: The Evacuation Plan

    Chapter 8


    The Evacuation Plan


    Ben noted the glowing second story hall of The Fey Way passively. The faded red arched doors, the plants that were mounted on the walls and overflowing with vines and flowers between each room, the plush floral carpet beneath his boots that made him feel bad for not taking them off¡­


    He wanted to enjoy the quiet magic of the place. But first he had to feel like he¡¯d earned the right to do so, and as was his way, he let everything else fade from his mind.


    He just had to keep moving.


    Counting the black letters engraved and painted in the thick planks of the doors, Ben finally reached room number twelve at the very end.


    There was a bang from downstairs that made him pause.


    He listened intently for a second or two, and then raised his hand to the handle to press the latch open, when he heard another bang.


    Hesitating for another instant, he gave his head a shake.


    He couldn¡¯t let himself be distracted.


    With his thumb fitted against the cool metal, Ben pressed down, and then swung the door open to reveal¡­


    His body flushed with unpleasant tingling sparked by surprise.


    Ostrig Vontrik.


    The short bald man stood looking more disheveled than Ben had ever seen him. Wearing a royal blue shirt, his usual thick brown leather belt, black pants¡­ and that was it. His feet were bare. Oh, and he also waved around a wine bottle in his left hand and a stag antler in his right.


    ¡°The hells is this place?! Where am I?! You! You go get me a proper cup! I can¡¯t keep drinking out of the others!¡± Ostrich brandished the wine bottle at Ben, whose breath caught in his throat.


    It was during his petrified reaction that two men as thick as ale barrels appeared in the doorway.


    ¡°You ¡®eard ¡®im. Cup. Get it.¡± The one on the right growled with a voice that sounded like thunder.


    Ben stared up at the men, his legs unwilling to move, his eyes wide. Horrible, icy fear quelled any rational thought until the door swung back closed, and he was left alone in the hallway once more, unscathed.


    Nonsensical noise blared in his head as he awkwardly moved back the way he came, down the wide wooden staircase, all the way to the dining room, where Spidena stood up abruptly from the bench she sat on with Daffy.


    ¡°You look like you¡¯ve seen a ghost,¡± the witch remarked lightly. There were strained lines around her eyes that betrayed the fact that she knew more than she was letting on.


    Fortunately for her, Ben was in no state to comment on her awareness of the situation as he proceeded to half collapse onto the bench across from Spidena.


    ¡°Ostrig is here,¡± he began, his throat dry. ¡°How can he be here? He¡­ He should be leagues away¡­ He should be taking the long road up to Ocor. And are ghosts real?¡± Ben looked up at the last question, his eyes round with concern.


    ¡°Ghosts? They are real¡­ but also not,¡± Daffy supplied, tilting her head back and forth.


    Ben dropped his head to his hands.


    He wondered if maybe he was still back in Spidena¡¯s shop, and he was simply drifting through a very realistic, outrageous dream prompted by drugs.


    ¡°Well¡­ To answer your question¡­ This place¡­ isn¡¯t really a place.¡±


    Ben let out a groaning shout while still clutching his face.


    Which Spidena ignored and instead continued her explanation.


    ¡°Some magical places are fixed. Like some shops or homes belonging to witches. I mentioned this before so it shouldn¡¯t be a surprise. But some places set up by nymphs, or fairies, can be accessed if the person or magical creature is in a certain¡­ state of mind regardless of where they are. Do you understand so far?¡±


    ¡°No. Not at all.¡± Ben peered up looking utterly defeated by his day and shook his head at her.


    Spidena sighed. ¡°I, a witch, a being sensitive to magic, wanted a place to rest, and I was very tired, so I was able to stumble upon The Fey Way. However, if someone like a seeb or dodder trips over too many veins of magic, or¡­ say¡­ had a spell cast on them recently¡­ they can find The Fey Wey when they feel tired or hungry and want an inn as well.¡±


    Ben stared blankly at Spidena as her words gradually sunk in. ¡°So because I paid you to cast a spell, or incantation, or whatever the hells it was, Ostrig was able to stumble into The Fey Wey despite originally being far away from us.¡±


    ¡°Precisely!¡± Daffy cheered happily before turning to Spidena. ¡°Man chop doesn¡¯t seem nearly as stupid as you said he was.¡±


    Ben¡¯s eyes only briefly flit to Spidena, displaying his unenthused annoyance before addressing Daffy for his next question. ¡°If Ostrig leaves here, will he reappear back where he was before he found The Fey Way?¡±


    ¡°I can arrange that,¡± Daffy confirmed. ¡°Though first you have to make him leave. I don¡¯t like tossing magic willy nilly at seebs myself. You know how it is.¡± Daffy raised her eyebrows at Spidena who nodded emphatically in understanding.


    Spidena folded her hands tidily in her lap.¡°Well, now that that is settled and Ben is now useless¡­ How can we get Ostrig out?¡±


    ¡°You could try shoving him out the front door?¡± Ben proposed helpfully while once again ignoring Spidena¡¯s insult.


    Spidena cast him a very clear ¡®shut up¡¯ glance before looking back at Daffy. ¡°What kind of spell are you hoping for?¡±


    ¡°Something that makes him think the place smells bad? Or like he has to go to an appointment¡­?¡± the nymph suggested reasonably.


    Spidena thought about the request for a while. Crossing her arms, she started to suck on her molar much in the same way she had when Ben had first stumbled into her shop back in Gabel.


    ¡°It¡¯s possible¡­ I¡¯d need a day to prepare. Unless you have the ingredients for a spell-potion.¡±


    Daffy stood up. ¡°I¡¯ll go check with our cook and see what he says.¡±


    As the nymph glided away to the solid arched door along the same wall as the fireplace, Ben regarded Spidena wearily.


    ¡°Is magic really necessary? Why can¡¯t we just lure him out? It¡¯d be better if we resume our traveling sooner than later, or getting to Kintel is going to take twice as long at this rate.¡±


    ¡°And how do you propose we lure this man, Ostrich, out?¡±


    A slow smile climbed Ben¡¯s face, making Spidena¡¯s eyes narrow.


    Standing with renewed vigor, Ben made his way back to the kitchen with a spring in his step¡­ which only succeeded in making Spidena stand and stomp after him out of curiosity for whatever harebrained solution he had come up with.


    *


    ¡°Is this honestly your plan?¡±


    ¡°Ssh.¡±


    ¡°You realize if they found out about this, they could have you charged once they find the nearest enforcement office.¡±


    ¡°Oh sure. They¡¯ll report an event that occurred at a place that doesn¡¯t exist. That¡¯ll go well.¡±


    Spidena¡¯s gaze narrowed as she watched Ben carefully measure out the sugar that he stored into the cups. ¡°You¡¯ve done this before?¡±


    Ben¡¯s expression smoothed innocently. ¡°You¡¯re a suspicious one, aren¡¯t you, tall boots?¡±


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°Stop calling me that.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I have a perfectly good name.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a bit of a stretch,¡± Ben retorted while returning his attention to his task, then proceeded to pick up the silver spoon and give the cups all a stir.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have you know that my name-¡±


    ¡°Alright, ready? Go deliver these up to them.¡± Ben cut off Spidena¡¯s indignant response and pressed the wooden drink laden tray into Spidena¡¯s hands.


    She stared dumbly at it, then back up irritably at Ben. ¡°Why am I giving it to them?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re less likely to cuss you out or threaten you.¡±


    ¡°How chivalrous of you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait around the corner at the end of the hallway¡ªthough I won¡¯t be much help if his thugs come at you. Daffy?¡± Ben called over to the nymph who was in the middle of polishing a set of gold spoons with a gleam of adoration in her eyes.


    She was so encompassed with her task, that she didn¡¯t even look up when she responded with, ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°Do you think you can wait around the corner with me while Spidena delivers the drinks? I mean no offense but¡­ You look stronger than me.¡±


    Daffy smiled beautifully, though her gaze remained fixed on the delicate filigree of the spoon in her hand. ¡°I can, but remember, I don¡¯t want to meddle very much. Things could get unpleasant.¡±


    ¡°Of course. You¡¯d be there only as a last resort.¡± Ben nodded at the nymph then turned back to Spidena who was watching the exchange much in the same disapproving manner she had when he had started his explanation of his new, magic free plan.


    Ben waved a hand at her before folding his arms over his chest. ¡°Right. Off you go!¡±


    Rolling her eyes, Spidena turned toward the stairs with the tray, but just as she was about to pick up her foot Ben held out a hand stopping her.


    ¡°I know you aren¡¯t the most graceful on your feet, but be careful.¡±


    ¡°Please, I can manage a tray!¡±


    Daffy gave a loud, tinkling laugh of amusement. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Spidena, but I watched you trip twice in a row when you went to stop him from knocking on that seebs¡¯s door.¡±


    There was a beat of awkward quiet, then Spidena grunted in a very unladylike manner, and stomped forward. Which made some of the cups slosh forward.


    She stopped and tensed to see if any would topple.


    Ben stared at her back flatly, already knowing that she was getting angrier as a result that she did have to be more careful like he¡¯d warned.


    He didn¡¯t say anything¡ªnot out of consideration, but because he didn¡¯t want her to take exception and then refuse to go through with taking the tray up. He shook his head as he watched her go, and made his way over to wear Daffy sat. At the rate Spidena was moving they had time before following to stand guard at the end of the hallway


    ¡°I¡¯ve never met someone equally as helpless as they are capable like Spidena.¡±


    Daffy smiled and primly set the spoon she had just finished polishing back in its wooden holder, before picking up a pretty silver one with emeralds embedded in the handle.


    ¡°Well it¡¯s a very good thing she has you then.¡±


    Ben sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t know if that¡¯s true or not. If she keeps being annoying and-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to stop you right there young man.¡± At last Daffy turned her attention from her spoons, her tone and expression firm. ¡°It says poor things about a person to talk about someone when they can¡¯t defend themselves.¡±


    ¡°No, I-¡±


    Daffy¡¯s eyebrows went up, and Ben was distracted by the lines that made up the patch of her bark skin that suddenly started to grow.


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    Daffy nodded in approval, the bark patch on her skin shrinking again as she returned to her spoons.


    ¡°I just-¡±


    Daffy¡¯s sharp gaze momentarily stopped Ben, but he continued on. ¡°She¡¯s just really rude, and it¡¯s hard to travel with her.¡±


    Sighing, the nymph lowered her spoon and stared after Spidena who, off in the distance, out of earshot, was just starting to climb the first step toward the second floor.


    ¡°She¡¯s an interesting little witch. But I hope you know that witches don¡¯t like explaining how magic works to seebs or dodders in my experience. I think telling you about magic is as kind as she knows how to be.¡±


    Ben paused at that bit of information. ¡°She¡¯s nicer to you.¡±


    Daffy chuckled while slowly rising from her seat. ¡°She doesn¡¯t know how to be nice to men then. Just like you don¡¯t know how to treat a woman.¡±


    That hypothesis certainly threw Ben off, and he was in no way offended by Daffy¡¯s remark. Women were as baffling as magic was to him¡­ But he had to bring himself back to the present as Daffy drifted past him toward the stairs, prompting him to jog to catch up.


    By the time they had just about reached the top of the stairs, they could hear Spidena calling out.


    ¡°Room service.¡±


    ¡°She already sounds annoyed,¡± Ben whispered to Daffy with no small amount of exasperation.


    Daffy didn¡¯t respond as squeaking hinges could be heard crying out.


    ¡°What do we have here?¡±


    Ben could hear Otrig¡¯s voice and he once again experienced a nauseating sweat breaking out along his brow.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to deliver these complimentary drinks, as we are going to have to shut off the water to the bathrooms until this evening. There is an outhouse in the woods a short ways from the inn,¡± Spidena parroted the script Ben had given her.


    The sounds of the men laughing and palms slapping shoulders echoed down the hall.


    ¡°What an accommodating wench you are!¡± Ostrig chortled.


    ¡°Uh oh,¡± Ben whispered in dread to himself, risking a peek around the corner.


    At the very least he was glad to see that the tray in Spidena¡¯s hands was empty¡ªthe greedy men inside already having snatched them up¡ªbut the look on her face quashed any notion of good fortune.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you come inside and keep us company? You aren¡¯t the prettiest mare in the stable, but you beat these brutes.¡±


    Ben watched in horror as Ostrig¡¯s meaty palm and stubby fingers reached outside the room to caress Spidena¡¯s cheek. He was relatively certain that the witch might literally bite him, but was terribly surprised when instead she used the empty tray in her hand and jabbed it smartly into Ostrig¡¯s windpipe.


    Ben sprinted down the hall without a second thought, then, upon seeing Ostrig¡¯s purple face gasping for air, and his two goons starting to lumber toward Spidena, he grabbed her hand and dragged her away.


    ¡°Get¡­ her¡­ back¡­ here!¡±


    Ben could hear Ostrig¡¯s strangled, breathless words follow them, and so they proceeded to dash down the stairs past Daffy who didn¡¯t look all that bothered by the way things had progressed.


    *


    Daffy was the farthest thing in the world from bothered. She started laughing. At first just a charming giggle, but then as she watched the men lumbering down the hall in pursuit of the witch and Ben with their short leader still clutching his bruised throat, it turned into full-blown hysterics that had glittering tears running down her cheeks.


    What an exciting day it was, and with those two new guests? Why, it could only keep getting better.

 Chapter 9: Getting Caught Up

    Spidena tripped once¡­ twice¡­ and by the third time Ben made the very ungallant decision to haul her over his shoulder like a sack of flour and continue bolting like a soldier in an active battle field, making her squawk and scream in indignation.


    ¡°That¡¯s great! Draw them to us! Just pipe down once we round back to the inn so they can¡¯t follow us!¡± Ben panted seriously as he single mindedly tried to weave in and out of trees, boulders, and sliding town a small hill before rounding back.


    ¡°Put! Me! Down! Before I¨COomp!¡± Spidena was cut off as Ben managed to leap over a set of roots and land firmly, though his knees did buckle somewhat with Spidena¡¯s weight pressing down on his left shoulder, the thump also winded the witch.


    The sound of Oleg and his thugs crashing through the forest could be heard behind them for a little while, but eventually they must have realized how loud they were being, as the noises abruptly stopped. Ben paused long enough to put Spidena back on her own two feet, but then proceeded to yank her down to crouch behind the swell of land they had just descended.


    ¡°Next time ask before tossing me over your shoulder!¡± Spidena hissed while hastily wiping away the excess water from her eyes that would have come after her having to gasp for breath.


    Ben didn¡¯t look at the witch as he continued to crane his neck to peer over the ridge, but he did respond with, ¡°Fine. Next time I¡¯ll leave your clumsy ass behind to get caught.¡±


    Spidena opened her mouth, and was of course most likely about to make an indignant remark, when Ben held up his hand, stopping her.


    Her attention swiveled over and saw none other than Ostrig creeping soundlessly through the woods, with what little neck he had strained over his collar as he peered around the trees.


    ¡°If it¡¯s just him you¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯m sure you could grab his head at arms length and he wouldn¡¯t be able to touch you,¡± Spidena said with a sigh, while already leaning against the trunk of a maple tree to her right.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid. If he¡¯s here, his goons aren¡¯t far behind. If we just wait twenty minutes¡­ hopefully less¡­ we¡¯ll be in the clear. Let¡¯s start heading back, slowly.¡±


    ¡°Is there a reason you¡¯re being a dung beetle about this?¡± Spidena wondered without bothering to lower her voice and folding her arms over her chest.


    Ben turned to her, looking every level of incredulous. ¡°I¡¯m facing the man who sold me and he and his massive friends want to beat us into a couple of shallow graves, but you¡¯re acting like we¡¯re getting chased by a bloody possum!¡±


    Once again, Spidena opened her mouth to retort, only to be stopped from saying anything by Ben suddenly grabbing her forearm and tugging her down to avoid Ostrig¡¯s sights as the man continued to survey his surroundings.


    ¡°Boss!¡± a voice hollered in the distance. ¡°Come here! I¡¯m sure we can find ¡®em if we follow their tracks.¡±


    Ben and Spidena waited. Their hearts pounding and their breaths quiet until the rustling of Ostrig¡¯s footsteps had faded away.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s get going,¡± Ben murmured while still crouched as he started to navigate his way expertly around the trees.


    Spidena on the other hand stood up straight, looked around, and once she¡¯d confirmed Ostrig was nowhere near them, strode lazily after Ben, making all the noise she wanted to.


    ¡°How is this better than letting me make a spell to kick them out?¡±


    ¡°Your incantation is what got us into this mess. And because you hit Ostrig with a bloody serving tray,¡± Ben continued to whisper. ¡°Besides, I¡¯m not risking getting any more magic debt.¡±


    ¡°I already told you. As a seeb you are the least likely to get backlash.¡±


    Ben could hear the eyeroll in her voice, and so he, too, straightened and rounded on the witch, his anger and agitation getting the best of him.


    ¡°Yeah, well, you also said magic favors witches over seebs, and you also said that our big fate tie was because I asked for too big of a spell. So I¡¯m not feeling all that confident that things are as certain as you say they are.¡±


    Spidena paused. ¡°Wow. You actually do listen.¡±


    Ben didn¡¯t bother retorting and instead continued to pick his way back in the direction of the inn.


    ¡°Listen, I don¡¯t know why exactly you got caught up in the debt, but it does mean that the magic affected a lot of people and situations that are widespread. Something about that lump with a wheeze-hole named Ostrig Vontrik knowing who you are was important and big enough that you acquired debt. I still can¡¯t believe I got caught up in it as the broker¡­ But I will say, while magic does favor witches, it only applies if something is unfair toward us.¡±


    ¡°Why is it important that Ostrig knows who I am?¡±


    ¡°How the hells should I know! I don¡¯t even know who you are! I mean¡­ who did he sell you to?¡±


    Ben fell silent.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me, but the answer might explain why you got debt in the first place. I¡¯ve cast that forget-me-now incantation countless times and I¡¯ve never wound up with the customer dealing with debt, so you must be tied to something or someone pretty important.¡±


    ¡°Why have you used so much memory altering magic?¡±


    It was Spidena¡¯s turn to go quiet.


    ¡°Great. Let¡¯s not talk about our pasts. Sounds fair. Let¡¯s just get this debt paid off so we aren¡¯t tied with big magic and we can forget we ever met,¡± Ben rumbled as he continued trudging through the forest.


    Spidena stared at his back with a frown.


    She knew the plan had gone a little awry, but what was she supposed to do when she¡¯d passed off the drinks? Just let the nasty pile of toe fungus touch her?


    ¡°You didn¡¯t even ask if I was alright,¡± Spidena mumbled to herself. ¡°Some man you are.¡±


    She had half hoped Ben had heard, but if he did, he didn¡¯t give any signs that he had.


    *


    The two of them crept back up toward the back of the inn. Thankfully, they were still able to see The Fey Way (Spidena had briefly worried if it¡¯d disappear again).


    They managed to pass the chicken coop and the soft yellow tulips bobbing in the breeze without anyone spotting them, ducked under the nearest window, and continued up until they had just about reached the front yard. A goose honked nearby, and the low drone of a cow echoed up from the other side of the inn¡­


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.Peeking around the corner toward the front door, Ben let out a breath of relief.


    ¡°Coast is clear. I say we wait here and¨C¡±


    A heavy footfall in the grass behind them had both Ben and Spidena whirling around.


    ¡°Found you.¡± It was one of the large goons. His front right tooth was chipped, and his greasy auburn hair stuck straight out from the sides of his head. The bulb of his nose twitched as though he wanted to smirk at them.


    Ben put an arm in front of Spidena, gently pushing her behind himself.


    ¡°They really don¡¯t know who I am?¡± Ben murmured to her nervously.


    ¡°Not at all. They are only mad because I-AH!¡± Spidena squeaked, making Ben whirl around in time to see that she had been grabbed by the other thug, with Oleg grinning triumphantly at his side.


    ¡°You don¡¯t even work for the inn do you?¡± Oleg jeered at Ben then turned to Spidena who struggled fruitlessly against the tree trunk sized arms of the man pinning her to him.


    ¡°Shit,¡± Ben rasped.


    Oleg leaned closer to Spidena who grunted and cursed as her boots kicked helplessly in the air.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to pay for that bit of nastiness, you wench.¡±


    Spidena recoiled from Oleg.


    Ben¡¯s hands curled into fists.


    He knew he shouldn¡¯t use his emergency weapon. It was risky¡ªAnd he only had a few times he knew it was safe to wield¡­ But they were well and truly fu-


    A loud gurgling suddenly echoed out amongst them.


    Everyone looked at the man holding Spidena.


    Even Spidena¡¯s head turned slowly as she stared up at the goon whose small brown eyes had gone wide.


    ¡°Err. Boss. I need to¨Cer¨Cgo¨C¡± A prolonged, squeak of a fart escaped the man¡¯s back cheeks.


    ¡°Now? Of all times!¡± Oleg spluttered.


    A more violent growl rumbled behind Ben, and the group turned to catch the other goon¡¯s face twitch right before he suddenly bolted back into the woods with a suspicious waddle and a hand desperately clutching his left buttocks.


    The man holding Spidena dropped her, right as a gut burst of gas sounded off, and he shuffled with a whimper back into the trees, an urgency in his face that forced an impressive flop of sweat to sprout about his brow.


    Ben grinned as Spidena stared at him unimpressed. But he was looking at Oleg and already pushing his sleeves up.


    He knew he hadn¡¯t had a hope in hells of besting the other two who were more beasts than men, but Oleg?


    The sleazy dealer balked as Ben advanced.


    ¡°You touch me and I¡¯ll-¡± Oleg stopped, right as a wet slosh whirled loudly in his stomach.


    He pivoted toward the front door of the inn.


    ¡°The water is off, dear customer,¡± Spidena informed him with sickly sweetness in her voice.


    Oleg didn¡¯t even manage to glare or threaten Spidena as he, too, stumbled his way into the woods, his hands fisted as a whimper sounded from him.


    Once he was out of sight, Ben made his way to stand beside Spidena.


    The witch peered up at her travel companion, her look of delight over the state of the awful men faltered when she finally noticed Ben¡¯s smug smile. He knew dosing Oleg and his men¡¯s cups was a good idea.


    ¡°Shall we go inside and see if Daffy can make the inn disappear?¡± he asked breezily.


    ¡°Tsk.¡± Spidena made the sound of annoyance rather than responding as she seized her skirts and stomped back to the door.


    Ben shrugged. She had no one to blame but herself for things spiraling so badly.


    *


    Once the two were sitting safely at one of the benches in the dining room, the doors firmly shut and locked, Ben stared at the windows. Expecting some kind of magical whirlwind to take them away.


    ¡°Stop watching,¡± Spidena grumbled as she reached into her carpet bag and withdrew a notebook and fountain pen.


    Ben turned questioningly toward her.


    ¡°It won¡¯t happen if you¡¯re watching.¡±


    Opening his mouth to ask why that was, Ben closed it again when he remembered that he didn¡¯t want to get another headache inducing answer.


    Besides, his wrist was itchy, and it was making him nervous¡­


    He had almost used that. It had been too close of a call.


    ¡°Here we are!¡± Daffy bustled out of the kitchen, a tray filled with tea cups curling with steam, and plates ladened with fruit and sandwiches. ¡°A well earned lunch I¡¯d say!¡±


    The second the tray touched the table Ben dove for the fare, and started gulping down the food, unaware of Daffy¡¯s stunned expression and Spidena¡¯s disgusted one until he paused to breathe¡­ Which took a lot longer than it would¡¯ve for most people.


    ¡°You thank someone before being a pig, you boor!¡±


    ¡°Gooseberries, Man Chop! When was the last time you had a proper meal?¡± Daffy overcame her astonishment to ask laughingly.


    ¡°Man chop?¡± Ben managed with food still packed in the right side of his cheek.


    Daffy waved off the question, and instead stared earnestly at him, willing him to remember her own question.


    ¡°It¡¯s been¡­ a few moons¡­¡± he answered ambiguously.


    Spidena blinked and stared at him more scrupulously as though it hadn¡¯t occurred to her that he¡¯d been starving.


    Daffy sighed, shaking her head, her eyes glinting with a motherly-esque worry, and Ben suddenly found himself feeling a little self conscious. No one had looked at him with any kind of kindness in an even longer time than he¡¯d had a good meal.


    ¡°Does this mean we¡¯ve paid to sleep here?¡± Spidena ventured a little shyly, which was so unlike her Ben gave her a look of disbelief while resuming chewing.


    ¡°Of course! Though¡­¡± A sparkle of mischief entered Daffy¡¯s eyes as she glanced back at Ben as though she had just remembered something delightfully fun. Ben had a wary sense that this wasn¡¯t a good thing for him..


    ¡°You see, there¡¯s only one room. With one bed left¡­ So¡­ I hope you two are on good terms!¡±


    Daffy beamed, and Ben found himself wishing he hadn¡¯t eaten quite so much as his stomach clenched quite painfully around his meal.

 Chapter 10: A Fickle Fairy

    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°How is that possible?¡±


    Spidena and Ben burst out at the same time in light of the news that there was only one bed left in the entire inn.


    Daffy laughed delightedly.


    ¡°This place is empty!¡± Spidena pointed out incredulously. ¡°You yourself said you just opened!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Ben interrupted, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯ll sleep outside, or somewhere else you don¡¯t mind me being. I¡¯m more used to the ground anyway.¡±


    ¡°Well that¡¯s quite considerate of you, Man Chop! Spidena, are you really going to let a man who hasn¡¯t even had a proper meal in many moons sleep on the floor?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I mean we¡­ we could-¡± Spidena¡¯s words were cut off as the kitchen door exploded open, and out stomped a tall blond man, with a long, angular face with edges that seemed impossibly sharp. He wore a tight, white sleeveless shirt, white trousers, and woven shoes.


    Oh. And he had long glimmering nearly transparent wings sprouting from his back.


    ¡°Why the hells did the inn just move? And what¡¯s this I hear about us being at full capacity? Daffy, you have to tell me when I have to suddenly cook for hundreds of people!¡± the man¡­ Or, most likely fairy, grumbled loudly.


    Ben stared, his mouth open as he stared at the being that was as tall as the nymph, though a third of her thickness as he rested his hands on his slim hips.


    ¡°We aren¡¯t full,¡± Daffy whispered with a giggle, as though Spidena and Ben couldn¡¯t hear what she said. ¡°But I¡¯ve read books where that happens and it¡¯s so romantic-¡±


    The fairy rounded on the guests, and Ben lost his ability to speak as he saw for the first time in his life, someone with violet eyes.


    ¡°We have enough beds that both of you could lie across six on opposite ends of the building. We have too many beds. Do you want to buy some?¡± The fairy¡¯s index finger tapped his hip bone as he stared down at them, looking an off putting mix of unhinged and bored.


    ¡°Obbie! Please! I¡¯ve always wanted to do this!¡± Daffy clasped her hands together pleadingly.


    The fairy¡¯s right eye twitched as he continued staring down at Spidena and Ben but he didn¡¯t bother looking at the nymph. ¡°No! We have been open for almost a full moon cycle, and have had a total of three groups stay here. The last one you had to get a human to poison them!¡±


    Ben couldn¡¯t tell if he should be afraid or not, so he stayed as still as a statue. When he¡¯d gone back to the kitchen earlier to ask for the rhubarb leaves, the cook had been absent¡­


    ¡°It saved either of us sticking more magic on them!¡± Daffy reminded the fairy named Obbie, her clasped hands falling to her hips and her eyebrow arching defensively.


    Obbie didn¡¯t move his sculpted lips, and yet a demonic growl rumbled in the back of his throat all the same.


    ¡°You,¡± his eyes cut to Spidena. ¡°I don¡¯t care what this nymph with mulch for brains said, you¡¯re paying us with magic or coin.¡±


    ¡°Do we at least get a discount?¡± Spidena folded her arms and stuck her chin up stubbornly.


    ¡°Daffy says you assaulted one of our guests; you¡¯re lucky you¡¯re still allowed here.¡±


    ¡°He touched me first,¡± Spidena spat out while rising to her feet and pressing her palms into the table. Even though she was easily more than two feet shorter than the fairy, she still glared up ferociously.


    Obbie¡¯s face scrunched up as he let out another grunt without daring to say anything as absurd as she should have let such an offense go.


    ¡°What is it you even want magicked?¡± Spidena asked, tilting her head.


    Obbie gripped the sides of the table and leaned closer to her, his eyes wide and wild.


    ¡°I want¡­ every¡­ single¡­ ant¡­ on this planet¡­ to combust.¡±


    Spidena balked. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°ANTS!¡± Obbie boomed while straightening and pointing back at the kitchen. ¡°THEY. WON¡¯T. STOP. COMING. IN!¡±


    ¡°You just put out a repellant, or-¡±


    ¡°THEY WON¡¯T WORK! AND THEY ARE TOO MERCIFUL FOR WHAT THOSE LITTLE CRETINS DESERVE!¡±


    Ben leaned back in his seat at the roar while Spidena continued glaring, nonplussed.


    ¡°Did you try using cinna-¡±


    ¡°IF YOU SAY CINNAMON, I WILL SHOVE TWO STICKS OF IT UP YOUR SNOUT!¡±


    There was a deathly silence following Obbie¡¯s last words as Spidena¡¯s hands flexed against the planks of the table.


    Laughing nervously, Daffy shifted forward. ¡°Now¡­ Obbie, you really can¡¯t talk to guests like that.¡±


    The tables in the inn started to shake, and the dishes on the tray that still held some of Ben and Spidena¡¯s lunch started to rattle.


    There was a rumbling that didn¡¯t quite sound like it was taking place in reality, but sounded like blood roaring in the ears¡ªmuch like when you hold your breath and flexed every muscle in your body. Ben had had the same sense at one point in the forest with Spidena, so it was no mystery who was causing the scene.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care if you are a fairy, you don¡¯t get to talk to me like that you lanky twit!¡± Spidena seethed, her dark green eyes suddenly filled with glowing bright green flecks.


    ¡°Oh I¡¯m the twit?! I¡¯M THE TWIT!¡±


    ¡°Yes! You are!¡±


    Obbie bit the air, and turned away from her as though scoffing violently.


    ¡°So you want us to pay to be here or leave¡­ Is that the issue¡­?¡± Ben ventured carefully from his seat while also holding back a tidal wave of questions that flooded his mind.


    ¡°What I desperately want this place to be less of a disappointment!¡± The villainous rasp that snarled out from the fairy rang out ethereally.


    Spidena stared at the fairy levelly, her ferocious expression turning somber.


    ¡°This is an establishment that even seebs can enter is run by a nymph! Just because you look down on humanity¨C¡± she started to say heartfully.


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a shit about who the customers are, but I expected better marketing support from the franchise owner! Particularly for our early opening months! Yet three bookings is all we¡¯ve got to show for our efforts and exceptions!¡±


    Spidena¡¯s voice caught in her throat and she sputtered a few times before dropping all tension from her body and leaning away from the table.


    ¡°Franchise? How could an inn run by a nymph and a fairy be franchised?¡±


    ¡°Ah. We have a dodder spearheading this¡­ venture,¡± Obbie explained, still with a growl in his throat. ¡°Pesch Goldbry. The slime. Though one can¡¯t dispute his successes in business when¡ªwhat?¡±


    Spidena¡¯s eyes bulged, and her jaw screwed itself shut.


    She stared at Obbie, and then, as though on rusted hinges, turned toward Daffy. ¡°How did he convince you to partner up and run a franchise?¡±


    ¡°With Pesch you mean?¡± Daffy clarified with a tilt of her head. ¡°Oh goodness, I just happened to love the idea of meeting all kinds of people and magicking my way around the woods! You make it sound as though Pesch Goldbry bullied me into it! Besides, the other nymphs are just as excited to take part! For a while at least.¡±


    ¡°How?¡± Spidena redirected the question to Obbie.


    The fairy rolled his eyes and folded his arms over his chest. ¡°He figured out Daffy¡¯s obsession.¡±


    Spidena let out an angry bull-like snort before she pinched the bridge of her nose.


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°I¡¯ll kill that bottom sucking leech!¡± Spidena banged the table for good measure and turned around angrily.


    Ben, completely at a loss as to what in the hells was transpiring, cleared his throat. ¡°So can we stay here, or¡­?¡±


    ¡°Not unless your little witch over there kills all the ants in the world.¡±


    Ben held up his hands with a shrug before Spidena could continue adding to the angry atmosphere. ¡°You said coin was also an option before.¡±


    ¡°I changed my mind¨C and don¡¯t,¡± Obbie held up his finger right as Ben opened his mouth with his gaze sidling over to Daffy. ¡°Try to get her to persuade me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not killing all the ants in the world! That¡¯d rack up an entire universe of magic debt.¡± Spidena argued, albeit a little distractedly.


    Evidently something about Pesch Goldbry¡ªwhoever that was¡ªwas unsettling her a great deal.


    ¡°Then I guess you¡¯ll have no problem showing yourselves out!¡± Obbie turned and started to stalk back to the kitchen.


    Ben sighed, shrugged, and proceeded to grab the food on the lunch tray and fill his pockets with the leftovers before standing, unaware of Daffy¡¯s look of disturbance and concern.


    ¡°Did you really just shove food into your dirty pockets?¡± Spidena asked with blatant disgust.


    Obbie halted in his tracks, his back still turned to the group.


    Ben arched an eyebrow at her judgmental reaction. ¡°Really? This from the woman who had a half eaten ham sandwich hidden in her shop?¡±


    Flushing pink, Spidena¡¯s hands found her hips. ¡°That¡¯s different! I didn¡¯t purposefully¨C¡±


    Obbie¡¯s wings fluttered and he was suddenly standing in front of Ben.


    He looked at the empty tray, then at Ben¡¯s hands that had crumbs and butter residue.


    The fairy continued to stare in silence, and Ben gazed back wondering just what kind of reaction the unhinged otherworldly being would exhibit next.


    It also occurred to Ben to briefly wonder if he¡¯d be able to bolt out the front door in time if the fairy suddenly started attacking him with some kind of magic. He was quick, but then again he¡¯d never raced against someone with wings¡­


    ¡°Are you homeless?¡±


    Ben blinked at Obbie¡¯s abrupt question, then answered bluntly. ¡°I thought that was obvious.¡±


    ¡°No. Truly homeless. Some people don¡¯t have a place to sleep because they refuse to go back to friends or family and ask for help. Pride and the like,¡± Obbie waved his hand dismissively, his mood oddly calm. ¡°But are you actually homeless with nowhere to go?¡±


    Ben opened his mouth while his brows drew together as though about to say that wasn¡¯t the case at all, but then he closed it, and cleared his throat. ¡°What does it matter?¡±


    ¡°No friends? No family¡­? You¡¯re¡­ in your early thirties, but¨C¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s twenty-four,¡± Spidena cut in as she too was staring at Ben with a head tilt.


    Obbie stared at Ben with open wonder. ¡°No friends? None? In over two decades of life? What about that one?¡± He pointed at Spidena.


    Ben blinked. He was at an utter loss as to what was happening. ¡°Spidena and I are just in debt together and I have to take her to Kintel to get rid of it.¡±


    Obbie¡¯s jaw moved open, and his violet eyes started glittering¡­ Literally, glittering. As though his eyes were turning to jewels.


    Ben gaped, and then was startled when Obbie gave a weak laugh, followed by another one, and another, and another, until he was roaring, buckled at his knees, his hand slapping the table as he howled.


    Turning carefully to look at Daffy, Ben was sincerely wondering if he should alert someone that a mentally unsound, magical being was tormenting Daffy. However the nymph appeared more interested in him, and Ben discovered that the bark patches on her skin were growing again as she lost herself in her evaluation of him¡­


    ¡°Haa,¡± Obbie sighed while straightening and wiping away a tear from his left eye with his index knuckle. ¡°I wondered how there could be such a stink of magic on you, but now I know. Alright. You can stay. One night. But the next time we cross paths you have to tell me everything that happens to you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m confused.¡± Ben subtly slid the heel of his right boot back away from the fairy.


    ¡°When aren¡¯t you confused?¡± Spidena muttered.


    Ben persisted in asking while ignoring Spidena¡¯s barb. ¡°Why did you change your mind?¡±


    Obbie looked at Daffy wearing a roguish smile that revealed when he wasn¡¯t acting like a maniac he was actually quite handsome¡­ In an eerie otherworldly way.


    ¡°Well, you see, I¡¯ve been alive two hundred some odd years. I know, I seem a lot more worldly than that, but I must say¡­ I¡¯ve never met a human so primed for magic to meddle with. And to see you tied down in it so deeply¡­? It¡¯s like seeing someone get struck by lightning five times in a row and still being alive. It also means you¡¯re going to find yourself in extraordinary situations,¡± Obbie explained a little too gleefully. ¡°And I do love a good story.¡±


    ¡°Typical,¡± Spidena grumbled.


    Obbie¡¯s gaze swiveled back to her, and he didn¡¯t bother hiding his disdain. ¡°And you? You worked some magic that earned you big debt? Did you not bother asking his background? Even a seeb would know that a whiff of magic cast in his direction is like a spark landing on bone dry kindling!¡±


    Spidena tossed her hands in the air defensively¡°I¡¯ve worked bigger spells than what I did with less information and nothing happened! Seebs are magic kickback blockers! Everyone knows that!¡±


    Obbie¡¯s lips curled into a shit eating smile that had Spidena narrowing her eyes. ¡°You didn¡¯t even bother asking if he was a seeb or a dodder, did you?¡±


    ¡°Well of course he¡¯s a seeb! He would know more about magic if he was a dodder!¡±


    Obbie didn¡¯t say anything as he glanced triumphantly back at Ben who leaned back away, sensing where this was going.


    ¡°You want to tell her, Man Chop? Or can I?¡± Obbie sung a little too smugly at Ben.


    Spidena¡¯s eyes widened, and Ben could feel the build of an emotional and possibly magical explosion working its way up from where he stood.


    ¡°Are you¡­ A Godsdamn dodder?¡± Spidena demanded faintly.


    Ben swallowed with difficulty and didn¡¯t answer.


    ¡°Why¡­ Don¡¯t you know¡­ anything? How could you have survived this long as a dodder without knowing anything?!¡± the witch spluttered.


    Ben¡¯s fingers on his right hand curled into a loose fist.


    Obbie swaggered closer to Ben once more, already relishing in the chaos that his words were bringing. ¡°Oho, not only is he a dodder with no familial ties, he has secrets! Oh this is honestly delightful!¡±


    The fairy chortled derisively and then turned back toward his kitchen. ¡°I think you two are going to be my favorite customers.¡±


    ¡°Gods you are an ass,¡± Spidena practically gasped around her wrath toward the fairy.


    ¡°You know the saying; better a smartass than a dumb ass like yourself, darling!¡± Obbie cackled and disappeared back into the kitchen.


    Spidena looked at the ceiling and then closed her eyes while sucking on her molar.


    Daffy continued staring back and forth between Ben and Spidena.


    Ben still wondered if he would need to start running given the way Spidena seemed to be barely containing her  violent whims¡­


    ¡°I know I wanted a little drama, but truly¡­ I don¡¯t even care about making you share a bed anymore.¡± Daffy smiled as she floated back toward the kitchen, though she did pause by Ben and added. ¡°If it¡¯s any consolation, I haven¡¯t seen Obbie this happy¡­ Ever.¡±


    Ben didn¡¯t bother answering and telling the innkeeper nymph that it did not, in any capacity, make him feel better. He was well aware that if he were to move a hair Spidena would find some way to turn him into an ant that she would then send Obbie¡¯s way to be crushed.

 Chapter 11: Doddering Around

    Spidena paced aggressively, her heeled boots kicking up dust as she moved back in forth in the front yard of the inn. Her eyes were downcast, her jaw periodically flexed¡­


    Ben stood by the door to the inn and wondered if it was a bad idea to pull out the half of the sandwich he had stowed away in his pocket and eat it while she decided how and what she wanted to shout at him.


    At one point she halted with a stomp in front of him, then let out an irritable huff out of her wide nose, and resumed pacing.


    Eventually, Ben sagged against the doorframe of the inn and withdrew the sandwich. He was surprised when she didn¡¯t interrupt him as he ate.


    The bread was a bit soggy from the cucumbers, but it still tasted better than anything Ben had been able to eat in a long time, and so he actually started to reclaim the sense of contentedness he¡¯d found earlier in the inn despite his traveling companion stewing in some vexing mix of emotions.


    Though as his thoughts turned free from food as his hunger was sated, he did think about how they were wasting a day at the inn when they should be walking. Especially with how slow Spidena was¡­ Maybe Daffy would have some kind of magic, or even some other shoes in the inn that would be better than the heeled boots. He stared at a pair of cardinals that were hopping closer to each other along the bough of white barked birch tree as he considered this possibility.


    ¡°How did you find out you were a dodder?¡± Spidena¡¯s high pitched voice jolted Ben out of his thoughts and his gaze dropped down to her.


    ¡°My parents told me the morning they sold me,¡± he answered shortly. He had been anticipating that question.


    Spidena frowned, but he could see her mind working through the situation, and Ben was already dreading how quickly she¡¯d guess some of his secrets that he¡¯d prefer stay buried.


    For as rude and temperamental the witch could be¡­ She was intelligent.


    Most of the time.


    ¡°Oleg took you knowing you were a dodder?¡± she asked carefully.


    Ben shrugged.


    And the tenuous calm that Spidena had engaged in visibly ebbed away in her face as it scrunched up. ¡°If he knew you were a dodder then that means you were sold to high ranking nobles, or the army.¡±


    He said nothing.


    ¡°I understand families didn¡¯t advertise they had any dodders to avoid investigation and persecution until the laws changed recently, but you wouldn¡¯t have known to hide your abilities as a child. What kind of dodder are you even?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit,¡± Spidena snipped irritably. ¡°Do you have vague premonitions? Are you unnaturally good in a garden? Or with healing? If you pray, do things normally go your way?¡±


    Ben¡¯s gaze drifted toward the sky that was edging closer to the darkened blue hue of evening. He was starting to feel remarkably tired¡­


    ¡°I need to know this! We¡¯re already in enough trouble as is, and it won¡¯t take much to make things worse!¡±


    ¡°Just treat me like a seeb,¡± he pushed off the doorframe and dared to angle his left foot away from the witch, revealing his intention to return inside.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I did before and now we¡¯re stuck together,¡± Spidena growled.


    ¡°Well I know enough now to tell you not to worry.¡±


    ¡°Like hells you do!¡± Spidena marched up to Ben, and thrust her finger in his face. ¡°I am going to change you into a talking mouse and that is how we will spend the rest of this trip if you don¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t even use a spell to find your own way to Kintel. Or defend yourself. Or shield yourself from rain. Or build a fire. Or run faster. I¡¯m not all that worried about what you¡¯ll do to me,¡± Ben called over his shoulder as he re-entered the inn and brushed his hands off from any residual crumbs.


    It just so happened that as he did so, that Daffy was crossing the hallway with a vase filled with beautiful yellow and purple iris¡¯.


    ¡°Oh! Are you two finished making up now? Would you like to see your rooms?¡± the nymph asked cheerily.


    ¡°I would, th¨C¡±


    Spidena appeared in front of Ben, her wide green eyes staring furiously up at him. ¡°Did our fun encounters with those awful men teach you nothing? We have to be prepared for anything, and I can¡¯t be properly prepared without knowing everything!¡±


    ¡°I thought we agreed we would keep things private,¡± Ben argued stiffly.


    ¡°Yes, well¡­ Would you rather keep things private, or would you rather keep running into people without having any plans on how to deal with them?¡±


    Ben stepped around Spidena and proceeded to follow the direction Daffy had left in, taking a right instead of a left into the dining room, he found himself approaching an ornately carved reception desk with a gray stone top as its counter. A wall of hooks beside cubbies spanned all the way up to the ceiling behind the counter, and on the counter rested three bells¡­


    The first was a silver one with a thin flat top one could push down, and below it was a label:Push for fairy accommodations.


    Beside that one was a glass bell that glimmered with rainbows in the dying sunlight of the day, with a label below it that read, Ring gently if human


    And the last one, a large, heavy, brass bell with a wooden handle had its sign read, Any large magical creatures, please ring only once


    Spidena became distracted by the signage she read as she turned to Daffy. ¡°What about sprites?¡±


    Daffy¡¯s face contorted into a rare look of dislike. ¡°You want to hand a bell to a sprite?¡±


    Despite her poor mood, Spidena did give a breathy laugh. ¡°Do you not give rooms to them?¡±


    The nymph gave a beleaguered sigh while turning to the keys hanging on the wall behind her, that, interestingly enough, all had different styles. Some were basic heavy iron skeleton keys, others were delicate and thin, looking more like a blob of metal rather than a key¡­


    First she plucked up a gleaming silver skeleton key, and then she picked up a gold ornate one before turning back to the counter and laying them before Spidena and Ben.


    ¡°We¡¯re in the middle of designing a room or two with the sprites in mind. But we aren¡¯t ready for it yet,¡± Daffy didn¡¯t bother hiding her lack of enthusiasm.


    ¡°I know you both mentioned that sprites can be tricky, but what¡¯s so bad about them¡­?¡± Ben wondered interestedly, though he also hoped the change in topic would distract Spidena long enough that he could escape to his own room and lock the door.


    ¡°If they like you? Nothing. They¡¯re great. They do things to help you in ways you don¡¯t even know are helpful¡­ But if they are neutral about you or worse yet, dislike you? Gods. Problem is, it¡¯s hard to tell what will make them like you.¡± Spidena shuddered.


    Deciding it was too risky to engage in more conversation, Ben¡¯s eyes drifted to the silver key on the counter and reached for it.


    ¡°That one is room twelve. On the first floor,¡± Daffy explained.


    Ben nodded his thanks and turned back around to find his way there, only Spidena was standing in his path.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go see your room.¡±


    Ben¡¯s eyes widened and he shrunk back in horror while behind him Daffy clapped her hands together loudly. ¡°Oh this just keeps getting better and better!¡±


    Utilizing his shock, Spidena plucked the key from his hands, and turned on her heel as she strode off purposefully down the doorway on the far right that most likely led to the rooms at the back of the inn.


    Ben looked over his shoulder at Daffy who had glowing cheeks as she gave him encouraging thumbs up.


    It did not help him feel less doomed as he carefully reached across the counter, and slowly slid the golden key away from the nymph just in case she started getting any other ¡®fun¡¯ ideas about how to spark romance.


    Then he followed after the witch who was causing him bigger and bigger headaches with every hour more he spent around her.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    I should¡¯ve just kept running from Oleg on my own¡­


    *


    Eventually, Ben did find room twelve, and he also found that Spidena had already granted herself entry, and was waiting inside.


    Dragging the soles of his feet on the hallway runner that was a ruby red with beautiful vines and white flowers dotting the fabric, he entered the room, and stared at the witch who stood with her arms crossed.


    He closed the door tentatively behind himself, while also noticing the spaciousness of the room, and how, like the rest of the inn he had seen so far, how it had a warm, friendly glow.


    There was a stone fireplace bubbling out from the wall on the left, with a round table and two chairs in front of it with a thick cream rug underneath that had a similar vine pattern to the runner in the hall. There was a low dresser on the wall across from the door pressed beside the window with an oval mirror hung above it and a pitcher with a wash basin. Best yet, the wide bed on Ben¡¯s right had a cozy, homemade blue quilt with patches of blues and reds. All the furniture was heavy, and made of pine that had been polished to a shine¡­


    Ben was more than a little stunned that he would be given a room that could¡¯ve been given to a wealthy merchant or even a baron¡­


    He was starting to feel nervous about touching anything.


    ¡°If I had brewed a potion or woven a spell to get to Kintel, it would¡¯ve taken me a year, and if I wanted to find some way of being protected as well? That would¡¯ve been another year. That incantation potion hybrid you asked me for would¡¯ve paid enough for an escort, so I asked you to take me instead. It seemed fair,¡± Spidena informed Ben bluntly. ¡°I didn¡¯t know that you were a dodder. Do you even know that most dodders were executed because they were easy targets? Which explains how the big magic that you are involved in is more prone to debt, and also¡­ Witches, like cooks, specialize in certain types of recipes. Even if I am technically an incantation, spell, and potion witch, I only have a certain type of repertoire.¡±


    Ben frowned, the ache in his head flared was thanks to the onslaught of information from Spidena once again hurled his way.


    ¡°Back to our own dilemma¡­ You¡¯re saying that because there was something important around me that Oleg knew about, and I¡¯m a dodder, we wound up in debt?¡±


    ¡°Yes. As that annoying fairy pointed out, you were like a bomb waiting to go off, what with being alone in the world and already being prone to magic. Our deal lit the fuse and the explosion wrapped me up in it.¡±


    ¡°How does my repaying my debt to you repay the magic debt?¡± Ben reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose as the inside of his temples felt like a fat knuckle was grinding against them.


    ¡°Well, it completes our agreement, and because we¡¯re fate tied, I imagine us meeting and erasing Oleg¡¯s memories created a bunch of imbalances in the world and somehow on our journey to Kintel we will come across a lot of problems as a result.¡±


    ¡°Imbalances? And¨C wait. Is magic a god?¡±


    Spidena dropped her head back with a groan. ¡°We¡¯ve been over this. No. It¡¯s kind of like a¡­ A constant presence that maintains the balance of the world and is somewhat sentient.¡±


    ¡°So it is everything, and not everything, and aware.¡±


    ¡°Close enough.¡± Spidena waved her hand dismissively.


    ¡°Right. And so why do you need to know about me now? It seems like we have a grasp of what happened.¡±


    Spidena sighed and made her way over to the table and chairs. ¡°Because we need to know how far this debt carries. In other words, we changed one thing, but that one thing was connected to a lot more and so we didn¡¯t just change something simple, like Oleg knowing who you are. We changed something big. For a lot of people. So if I know how extensive this effect is? I can better prepare magically with the incantations, spells, and potions I do know.¡±


    Ben looked at the ceiling.


    He understood that she was trying to protect them both. He did¡­ but his throat felt dry, and even though he knew Spidena wasn¡¯t casting any magic the world was still starting to feel topsy turvy again.


    ¡°I was in the military,¡± he answered shortly. ¡°Oleg sold me to the king¡¯s army. My commander there saw something in me and took me under his wing. But there is still someone I have to go back and help, and I wanted to get what was paid to Oleg for me so that I¡¯d have the funds to do it.¡±


    Spidena arched an eyebrow, but otherwise didn¡¯t show her emotions regarding his brief summary.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you have gotten a severance pay of some kind when you were discharged?¡±


    ¡°People who were bought and sold don¡¯t get what some might call ¡®fair wages¡¯. During our service we get a place to sleep, food, and medical assistance, but once we aren¡¯t useful? They¡¯re gratitude for your service once it¡¯s finished is expressed in freedom. I¡¯m a free man belonging to no one and nothing.¡±


    ¡°So you are no longer property to the crown¡­ But you have nothing else to your name.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Spidena¡¯s lips pressed together and her left cheek rose up revealing that she was working her way through what that all meant, and Ben willed himself not to react.


    He hated talking about his past.


    ¡°Alright. It sounds as though you didn¡¯t upset any balances when gaining your freedom¡­ What kind of things did you do in the military? Did your commander know you were a dodder?¡±


    Ben shifted uncomfortably and busied himself removing his coat and hanging it on one of the hooks by the door.


    ¡°Me? What about you? What could you have done to upset the balance?¡±


    Spidena bristled a little at his gruff changing of topics, but answered none the less.


    ¡°I was balanced. I lived with a family of sorts until last year, when I bought my own shop and started a life of my own.¡±


    ¡°A family that specialized in memory spells?¡±


    ¡°Something like that¡±


    ¡°And you say that they didn¡¯t disrupt any other balances.¡±


    ¡°No they did not. Then again, I rarely had to do one so large and detailed as the one you ordered¡­¡±


    Ben sidled warily over to the chair across from Spidena and plunked himself down.


    ¡°Why do you need to go to Kintel?¡± he queried while easing back into the chair.


    Spidena¡¯s long, pale fingers started to flutter along the table surface. ¡°I need information. And someone there has it.¡±


    Ben shrugged. He didn¡¯t care if she didn¡¯t give a specific answer. It only made it easier for him to do the same.


    ¡°Why are you going there? Is that where this person you need to help is?¡±


    ¡°I need to get something there before helping. They asked me to pick it up before going to them.¡±


    ¡°Hm,¡± Spidena¡¯s mouth pursed and twisted. ¡°I guess the only thing I can think of that would come for us is men like Reggie who talked to Oleg before he lost his memory.¡±


    ¡°Great. Are we finished?¡±


    Spidena lifted her chin at his rude tone. ¡°You better not be keeping anything out.¡±


    ¡°We both are. Don¡¯t put that on me,¡± Ben argued as he lifted his right hand to press against his shoulder so he could stretch better. ¡°You¡¯re too bony; I think you bruised my shoulder earlier¡­ Go eat more.¡±


    Spidena stood up, her palms pressed against the table indignantly.


    But before she could say anything Ben fixed his dark brown eyes onto her green ones and said. ¡°Look, we had a saying in the barracks. Don¡¯t borrow tomorrow¡¯s troubles for today, today has its own troubles and treasures to manage.¡±


    Spidena blinked. She looked surprised that there could be any sort of enlightened philosophy coming out of his mouth.


    Ignoring this, Ben continued. ¡°For the rest of today? I just want to sleep and eat some good food. Can¡¯t we just focus on that stuff in the meantime?¡±


    ¡°Easy for you to say! I have to figure out other spells to get away from people that might be looking for you!¡± Spidena snapped.


    ¡°Well. You chose me to be your guide so¡­ Good luck.¡±


    ¡°Wow. You really do only care about yourself.¡± Spidena shook her head and turned her nose in the air while making her way to the door.


    ¡°Uh, Spidena?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± she snapped over her shoulder.


    ¡°You might want your room key,¡± Ben held up the delicate gold key with a grin that he could see made Spidena¡¯s teeth grind together.


    Stomping back over to him, she snatched it from his hand, and then resumed storming out of the room, leaving Ben to bask in the quiet.


    Leaning his head back against the chair,  he could already feel sleep tugging at his consciousness, and with no real good reason to fight it off? He rose from his seat, made sure to lock the door, kicked off his boots, and fell into the bed that was softer than any he had ever touched before in his life, though he didn¡¯t quite get to savor the feeling, as he was asleep before his head even hit the goosefeather stuffed pillows.

 Chapter 12: Road Rage

    Ben awoke the next morning with a jolt, and a throbbing in his arm that wrapped its way up and wove its way into his chest. Leaning forward with a gasp, at first he seized his chest as he tried to force a clear breath through his lungs, but then he realized the pain was coming from somewhere else entirely¡­


    He looked down at the horizontal line on his right wrist that was two inches long, and had turned black sometime during the night.


    ¡°Damn,¡± he rasped while blinking the tears from his eyes that had come in light of the pain and lack of breath. He wiped at his brow with the crook of his elbow as sweat was already dripping down.


    Looking around the inn room, Ben found himself stunned all over again by how comfortable it was.


    No one was trying to attack him. No raccoons had come to pilfer his food¡­ And the bed?


    Ben shifted his buttocks a little and felt an ache in his body.


    ¡°Maybe the comfortable life isn¡¯t for me,¡± he murmured to himself, right as three loud booming knocks echoed out and, without waiting for a reply, in swooped Daffy.


    ¡°Good morning, Man Chop!¡± she greeted happily.


    The nymph had opted to wear a forest green loose dress that morning, though she still wore large yellow earrings that looked like daffodil petals.


    In her hands she carried a fully stocked breakfast tray, and Ben¡¯s stomach growled hopefully at the sight.


    ¡°How did you sleep?¡± Daffy asked brightly as she busied herself with setting the tray down on the table and started laying out the fare.


    Ben¡¯s nose prickled at the scent of bacon.


    He had always wanted to try bacon. He had always remembered with great clarity the smell of the meaty temptation wafting out of the officer¡¯s dining hall¡­ But he himself had never gotten to try any.


    Daffy stepped back from the food, and as Ben inched forward, he spotted the vivid red jam dolloped on the plate, beckoning him forward. Beside the cheery condiment sat golden, buttered toast, scrambled eggs still steaming, water poured for him, bananas, blueberries, pears and strawberries mixed together in a separate bowl. The porcelain of the dishes were decorated with delicate rosebuds dotting the rims with a ring of gold inlay¡­


    Ben gulped and cast a wary eye at Daffy. ¡°Am I sharing this with Spidena?¡±


    Daffy perked up excitedly. ¡°Did you two spend the night together? I can go bring her tray here!¡±


    The nymph gushed, looking around the room with unbridled hopefulness until Ben held up his hands. ¡°No¡­ No, no. She slept in her own room, it¡¯s just¡­ Is it really alright that we aren¡¯t paying for all of this¡­?¡± Ben moved his hand around vaguely toward the tray.


    Not bothering to hide her disappointment over Ben and Spidena¡¯s lack of romantic development, Daffy smoothed the front of her dress before clasping her hands together.


    ¡°I was ready to give you the room once you got that nasty seeb out of our hair, but learning now that you are on perhaps one of the greatest adventures of your life? And Obbie and I get to hear all about it first hand? Of course you get to! And now we even have the answer to another one of our problems!¡±


    As she had been speaking, Ben had started casually ebbing closer to the breakfast that was doing all manner of sins to his self control.


    ¡°What problem?¡± Ben reached for the fork, trying not to look desperate as he slipped into the chair facing the door.


    ¡°Do you remember how Obbie was saying yesterday he expected more support from Pesch Goldbry for spreading the word about The Fey Way?¡± Daffy asked as she pulled out the chair across from Ben lowered herself onto the chair''s edge, once again surprising him with her gracefulness despite her size.


    Ben nodded as he slipped the tines of his fork under the eggs.


    ¡°Well, now we can tell everybody about you and Spidena, and soon everyone is going to want to come to hear about it!¡±


    The eggs had almost reached his mouth, but they stopped abruptly, as Ben¡¯s gaze shot back to Daffy.


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°Who can resist a story about two people on an adventure that no one has ever heard the likes of before! There¡¯s you, with your troubled past and being completely starved of kindness and decency, and Spidena, with her naivety and power? What isn¡¯t involved in this? There¡¯s intrigue, there¡¯s adventure, there¡¯s romance-¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no romance!¡± Ben interrupted a little loudly, but Daffy plundered on.


    ¡°You have big magic following you around, and I even found out your witch has a pet raven! He scared poor Obbie in the kitchen something awful this morning,¡± Daffy recalled distractedly, her eyes moving to the side.


    Ben laid down his fork, and his hands fell to his lap as they gripped his pants. ¡°You do know that it¡¯s a bad thing if people know where I am, right?¡±


    He also wanted to comment on the number of scathing personal observations she had laid on him, but decided that in exchange for the accommodations she probably could beat him to within an inch of his life and he¡¯d still think he was getting the better end of the deal.


    Daffy smiled. ¡°It¡¯ll be rare that we get humans in here. And if we do? Normally they¡¯d wind up remembering this place as a dream. Even that Oleg fellow, he¡¯s going to think they stumbled into some mysterious tavern, drank too much, made themselves sick, and all wandered into the woods again.¡±


    ¡°Then they won¡¯t remember what Spidena and I did?¡± Ben perked up.


    Daffy ducked her head, a tinge of guilt rising in her face. ¡°Well¡­ if he sees you again? He¡¯ll remember you two without a problem. Obbie and I are a little different because we are not born in your world exactly. We exist in between magic, nature, and your world.¡±


    Ben¡¯s shoulders hunched forward. ¡°I guess that¡¯ll be fine. As long as we don¡¯t see Oleg again¡­¡±


    ¡°There you go!¡± Daffy cheered brightly. ¡°Now eat up! You look like you¡¯re about to drool all over everything!¡±


    Ben would¡¯ve been embarrassed but the nymph wasn¡¯t wrong.


    Rising back up, Daffy cast a final smile at him. ¡°Enjoy breakfast, Man Chop!¡±


    Ben paused one last time before diving head first into the meal. ¡°Why do you call me ¡®man chop¡¯?¡±


    Daffy laughed, the sound as enchantingly musical as it had been the first day. ¡°Because you are a tasty chop that every magically inclined creature or person is going to be drawn too! Like dogs to a meaty pork chop! Would you prefer I call you Ben chop?¡±


    ¡°No. No, I-¡±


    ¡°Man chop it is!¡± Daffy chortled again, her finger rising to the air as her wide hips swung out of the room and the door closed behind herself.


    Ben¡¯s attention moved to the food in front of him.


    Should he have been more worried about the fact that he and Spidena were going to be talked about amongst all kinds of magical creatures in order for the inn to get more business? Absolutely, but¡­


    It was hard to be mad the instant the warm, salty, savory, sizzling bacon touched his tongue. It even crunched with utter perfection.


    ***


    Ben stood in the front hall of the inn, his agitation growing.


    ¡°Where the hell is she? We need to go,¡± he muttered to himself irritably while also checking the clock that sat on the hall table to his right.


    Had that been there yesterday?


    ¡°Oyy, Man Chop.¡±


    Ben looked up, and he hated that he did so.


    Obbie sauntered up to him, his violet eyes drifting over Ben in such a way that made him want to pull his coat over his front to shield himself from such a look.


    The fairy scoffed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry Man Chop, I wouldn¡¯t dream of getting seriously tangled up in your¡­.¡± Obbie slowly waved a hand over Ben as a means of explanation.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Ben asked stiffly.


    ¡°Thought I¡¯d say farewell and give you a warning.¡±


    Ben¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°A warning?¡±


    Obbie nodded, a rueful smile stretching his mouth. ¡°You better come back and tell me what new disasters you find yourself in. Oh, and spread the word about The Fey Way to everyone you meet. Otherwise I¡¯m inclined to hunt you down and make your life a special flavor of misery only us fairies can manage!¡± The tone with which Obbie delivered the threat was as light whipped cream, however the unhinged glint in his violet eyes revealed the true intent behind the words.


    Ben cleared his throat and nodded while avoiding eye contact.


    ¡°Good.¡± Obbie sniffed and started to turn away.


    ¡°Oh, here.¡± Ben reached into his pocket and held out the item to Obbie who looked over his shoulder, not expecting for his guest to offer him something.


    Wearing a look of confusion blended with wariness, Obbie turned, then reached out his own hand, and allowed his guest to drop what he held onto his palm.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.The fairy brought it closer to his face, as though to make sure he was seeing it correctly.


    ¡°What is this?¡±


    ¡°A button from my coat,¡± Ben answered shortly.


    ¡°And why¡­ Are you giving this to me?¡±


    ¡°Because fairies like gifts from humans. Sometimes shiny things, sometimes food, but also from clothes and things associated with them.¡±


    Obbie¡¯s look of amusement thinned his lips. ¡°Did you read that somewhere?¡±


    ¡°No. Someone told me.¡±


    ¡°Was that someone that little witch friend of yours?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Obbie¡¯s tongue poked his cheek as he swallowed back a laugh. ¡°Alright then. Thanks.¡±


    ¡°Do you not want it?¡± Ben asked, starting to feel embarrassed.


    ¡°Oh no, no. I will treasure this,¡± Obbie turned back around, his voice sounding close to a wheeze as he audibly struggled not to laugh. ¡°See you around, Man Chop.¡±


    Ben closed his eyes with a cringe.


    He probably just made himself look like an idiot.


    Fortunately at that moment, Spidena appeared, distracting him.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go,¡± the witch declared, her wild, wavy black hair half-heartedly pinned away from her face.


    Ben raised an eyebrow at her appearance but didn¡¯t say anything as Spidena finished adjusting the strap of her carpet bag, and wrinkled skirts before looking back up.


    He noted the dark circles under her eyes, and was about to ask why in the world hadn¡¯t she slept well in such a cozy inn, when Daffy bustled out from the doorway that led to the inn counter.


    ¡°Ah! Heading out are you! Well best of luck, and I look forward to hearing about how your relationship blooms!¡±


    Ben opened his mouth in horror while Spidena was far more patient and simply gave a tightlipped smile to the nymph before saying,


    ¡°I doubt there will be anything to share, Daffy, but thank you for everything. Will we be appearing back where we first stepped out of the human world?¡±


    Daffy ¡®s mouth twisted and her attention lowered as she thought about the question. ¡°We moved again last night so¡­ I think we¡¯re farther north.¡±


    Spidena paled and grew very still. ¡°Farther north¡­ Wouldn¡¯t we be on Callex Earhav¡¯s property then?¡±


    Daffy paused once more, as though counting in her head. ¡°I¡¯d say within half a day¡¯s walk if you keep traveling straight north.¡±


    Ben watched as Spidena struggled not to curse out loud, evidently she liked Daffy too much to reveal her agitation. So she bit back whatever frenzied words of panic she might have shared, and instead proceeded to bid the nymph a final farewell before they exited the inn, and started to move westward.


    It wasn¡¯t until they had walked for an hour that Spidena finally exploded. Which was too bad; Ben had enjoyed the quiet.


    ¡°FUNGUS!¡± she cursed. ¡°We¡¯re obviously not heading north right now, right?¡±


    Ben shook his head. ¡°It actually saved us maybe a half moon of travel time getting moved up here, but I admit, we are a little close for comfort to Earhav¡¯s property.¡±


    Spidena made an angry noise then proceeded to stomp loudly through the forest ahead of Ben.


    He only then belatedly remembered that he had wanted to ask Daffy if there was anything that could be done about Spidena¡¯s impractical footwear¡­


    ¡°The one good thing is that most magical creatures want to avoid his land, so it probably means we¡¯re less likely to have beasts flocking to us, right?¡±


    Spidena paused her aggressive stalking long enough to slide her mossy glare over to her travel companion. ¡°There¡¯s that military training. Gods¡­ I still can¡¯t get over that! You are by far one of the least organized and regimented people I have ever met! How were you in the military?!¡±


    Any inkling of good feeling Ben had garnered from his time at The Fey Way dissipated in the warming morning as Spidena launched her atrocious manners on him.


    ¡°I imagine different situations bring out different sides to people. For example, there i your awful self at this moment, and then there is the sweet as honey version of you to Daffy.¡±


    Spidena¡¯s hands found her hips.


    Ben ignored this and continued walking.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have you know I didn¡¯t get to sleep a wink thanks to you!¡±


    He didn¡¯t bother asking her why this was. He knew asking would only prompt more exasperation.


    ¡°Come on. We didn¡¯t get any food to take with us from the inn, so we better keep an eye along the way¡ªif we¡¯re lucky, we can make good time and maybe then I can hunt a rabbit for dinner.¡±


    Ben continued trundling through the rough forest growth not bothering to listen for or care about whether Spidena was following behind him.


    Back when he¡¯d been in the army, no one would wait or adjust their pace for another soldier. Even if they were in your unit. You either kept up, or you died.


    And it wasn¡¯t that you were executed because of it, no. You died because you were then treated as a weak expendable human shield that was then sent as a front line to the most dangerous of places.


    Ben¡¯s memories drew his attention away from his present, swarming his mind vividly with images of walking shoulder to shoulder with the members of his unit. The places they¡¯d seen, the way they¡¯re legs had screamed after they¡¯d tripped and faltered after walking throughout the night and into the evening of the next day. Blisters rendering their feet stinging, pulsating lumps of flesh that happened to be attached to the rest of them. But it didn¡¯t matter. Complaining did nothing but bring about punishment.


    ¡°You¡¯re as sour as lemons this morning.¡± Spidena¡¯s voice seemed to come from a far off place, but he didn¡¯t hear anything of importance in her words, and so Ben didn¡¯t bother responding.


    ¡°What¡¯s curdling your milk?¡± the witch pressed, finally forcing Ben to free up a sliver of mind to respond to her as his memories continued to plague him.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. You¡¯re the one who won¡¯t stop complaining even though you made us late leaving.¡±


    ¡°I had to work all night to weave a spell-potion! Because of all the problems we¡¯ll face. Because you didn¡¯t mention that you¡¯re a bloody dodder!¡±


    Halting in his tracks, Ben swung round to stare down Spidena, the heat of the day had already made sweat dapple his forehead. ¡°You spouted off a warning about accepting the price for my order when we first met back at your shop. But you didn¡¯t mention a single thing about how it could go badly if I were a dodder.¡±


    ¡°Because dodders already know! Dodders are¡­ Not rare persay. But a dodder that doesn¡¯t know what to stay away from¡­? It makes no sense!¡± She paused only briefly in her tirade. ¡°But of course. I get the one dodder that was sold into the military and survived!¡± Spidena paused, her hands finding her hips. ¡°Honestly, the only unit where it would make sense that you¡¯d know nothing and have lived this long would have been the¡ª¡±


    Spidena stopped talking. Her eyes rounding.


    It felt like a stone dropped in Ben¡¯s stomach.


    She¡¯d figured it out.


    Wind rustled the fresh leaves above them, and the very same wind cooled the sweat on Ben¡¯s brow drawing him fully back to the moment, away from his former life.


    Somewhere above a raven called¡­ Probably Wolf¡­


    ¡°You were a Hound.¡±


    Ben felt his face flush and sickness churn his stomach.


    His jaw flexed.


    At first he could see the thunderous rage welling up in Spidena¡¯s gaze, but as she stared into his own eyes, he noticed the way it shifted. He didn¡¯t know why, or what she saw in him that made it so, but suddenly she backed up a step with her powerful emotions somewhat steadier, but no less potent.


    ¡°You¡­ hunted down magical folk¡­ Revealed their hiding places when they¡¯d done nothing wrong¡­ And let the king¡¯s army¨C¡±


    Ben turned away from her and stalked on.


    ¡°Do you know how many people you killed because you led the army to them? How many lives you ruined? Beings like Daffy! You would¡¯ve snuffed out her inn, reported it, and then she¡¯d be locked up in some nobleman¡¯s glass case!¡±


    Ben didn¡¯t answer; he only continued marching through the woods,  he tried to focus on the rhythm of his steps and making them loud enough that he could focus on that instead of Spidena¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you feel anything? For anyone? Or do you only care about yourself?!¡±


    Ben¡¯s gut turned to iron. It weighed him down, making him want to stop and fight against the nasty image Spidena was painting of him.


    He wanted to tell her why the hell wouldn¡¯t he feel something? But he had had no idea what he was being trained for at the ripe age of seven. He had no idea of the truth. Not for years! And even when he located the magical folk when he was ordered to¡­ He had thought they¡¯d been given a fine or imprisoned for illegal magic use in the human world. Hardly something all that awful.


    It wasn¡¯t until his beloved commander had drank his way through an impressive amount of a beautiful amber liquor held in the fanciest decanter Ben had ever laid eyes on¡ªhe had initially thought it¡¯d been made by fairies it was so beautiful¡­ The way the crystal cast rainbows in different specs no matter what way you moved your head¡ªBut it had been that night he¡¯d learned the truth.


    And it had changed his life, making it even worse than it was to begin with.

 Chapter 13: The Howl of a Hound

    Ben had been sixteen years old.


    He¡¯d been in the Hounds unit for nine years, and by then, his low, pond scum level in society had been well ingrained into his being.


    It was fine, though. While the men in his unit weren¡¯t quite what some would call friends, they were a source of company. The reason that no loyalty was properly bred largely lay in the fact that they were never in the same unit for longer than a month or two. Additionally, when they weren¡¯t in active duty, they were sent off to perform labor intensive, mind numbing tasks, and were forbidden from talking. Jobs like building a new wall for their barracks, or digging a new well, fixing the roofs¡­ Activities that made the men sweat, be covered in filth, and at the end of each day, collapse into their cots in the large room the units shared.


    Though Ben was a little unlike his fellow Hounds in one particular way¡­


    Commander Cross.


    The commander was twenty years older than Ben, and it had been him that had ushered the frightened seven year old into the unit, even though recruitment for the Hounds usually only took children five years old.


    So while Ben wasn¡¯t always a part of Commander Cross¡¯s unit, he was with him far more than any of his other Hound comrades. As a result, of the man keeping an eye out for him.


    And so it was on one fateful night after their unit had located a couple of witches hiding in a hut in the woods that Ben had learned the truth from his commander who had almost become like a brother or parental figure to him¡­


    The Hounds had apprehended the magic users they¡¯d been tasked with hunting down, had successfully restrained them, and had then waited until the king¡¯s army extradited them.


    Once that was over? The entire unit finally got to rest, and on this particular occasion? Drink.


    Given how rarely such a reward was doled out to inferior beings such as themselves, the unit drank heartily, and all talked with excited wonder about the strange things they¡¯d seen in the witch hut¡­


    Odd sketchings, silly poems, plumes of feathers that were so vivid in color they almost didn¡¯t seem real!


    Yet despite the revelry surrounding Ben as he enjoyed the frothy ale in a prime seat by the fire, the stars happily twinkling through the forest foliage, he couldn¡¯t help but notice that Commander Cross wasn¡¯t anywhere in sight. So, grabbing an extra tankard of ale, he made his way to the commander¡¯s tent to cajole the commander into joining them.


    Only the man was sitting at his desk already drunk, his face clasped in his hands, his elbows braced on his desk.


    ¡°Sir?¡± Ben called out, noting the usual disarray of the tent¡ªthough the disheveled state of the commander wasn¡¯t the norm.


    Ben¡¯s eyes lingered on the decanter that barely had three fingers left of whiskey. It looked as beautiful as fresh frost in winter, and he had never seen anything sparkle quite so exquisitely before in his life.


    ¡°Hozel!¡± the commander barked in surprise before standing.


    The commander was a big man, but not overweight. He was six foot five, with brown hair he wore tied back in a short ponytail, and somber blue eyes. He had broad shoulders, and it was his build alone that could draw everyone¡¯s attention to him in a room, but there was a certain roundness to his posture, and avoidance when it came to eye contact that helped diminish his presence when his own superiors were present.


    ¡°Commander, I brought you some ale¡­¡± Ben said slowly, eyeing the glass filled with the warm hued liquor that matched the decanter.


    It took the commander half a minute of swaying on his feet to slump back into his seat, a pitying smile on his lips. ¡°Hozel¡­. You poor bastard. You think of me highly don¡¯t you?¡±


    Ben stiffened. The thin steel handle of the tankard was biting into his hand as he clutched it more tightly. He¡¯d never heard the commander speak so crudely.


    ¡°Of course, sir, you¡­ You¡¯re why I¡¯m in the army and not a pet in some noble¡¯s house.¡±


    ¡°Why is the army better, do you think?¡± the commander slurred while plucking up his glass and staring at the contents.


    ¡°I¡­ I have a purpose. I¡¯m serving the kingdom, and I¡­ I can be free one day, and I-¡±


    Commander Cross laughed darkly, anguish blooming as shadows in his eyes¡°Oh, Hozel. I¡¯ve doomed you. I got you into this awful, horrific mess. You¡¯ve committed more sins than anyone could count at this point. And it¡¯s all because I recommended you to the army. I made them make an exception despite your age¡­¡± The commander tossed back the rest of the liquor in his glass, and while he was only in his mid-thirties, he suddenly appeared two decades older.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand, sir. Have I done something¡­?¡± Ben¡¯s hands started trembling, and so he risked inching forward to set the drinks down on the desk to avoid making a mess and perhaps to feel a bit more prepared for whatever was unfolding before him.


    The commander couldn¡¯t even look at him.


    ¡°Hozel. Do you know what that witch couple we captured today allegedly did wrong?¡±


    ¡°Used magic¡­ sir?¡±


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Yes. They did use magic. They used magic to help get rid of an insect infestation in the local farmer¡¯s fields. They saved not only the village nearby by sparing the crops, but the jobs of countless others, and now they are going to be burned, hung, or¡ªif they¡¯re lucky? Thrown in the king¡¯s dungeon. Where he¡¯ll use them to his own benefit to strengthen his power.¡±


    ¡°But I thought¡­ That isn¡¯t¡­ No, that¡¯s not it! We-we are the Hounds and we find people using magic that does harm¨C¡±


    The commander¡¯s head whipped around as he stared up at Ben in bleak amazement.¡°Why do you believe everything you hear? You were told you were going to the market on your birthday to buy candy with your mother, and instead you were sold. You should know people lie to make others do what they want.¡±


    Ben took a step backward, nausea and a flush of tingling setting him on edge.


    ¡°We lie. Everyone in a position of power lies. You¡¯re just another person magically inclined. A bloody dodder. You don¡¯t know enough to be a witch, but enough to be useful to the king.¡± At last the commander looked at Ben, and it hit him¡­


    The full disgusting truth of the commander¡¯s words.


    The commander wasn¡¯t lying or saying nonsense because he was drunk.


    ¡°Why hasn¡¯t anyone-¡±


    ¡°The monarchs have been building power for years. Stealing magic users. Bolstering their own reserves¡­ You have no idea how much power they control.¡±


    Ben felt a lump rising in his throat, and he floundered as to what to say or do.


    ¡°You were so eager to please others, Hozel. So naturally gifted at seeing the bigger picture. At sensing magic¡­ I thought the army was better for you than carting you off to some noble, or the king¡¯s secret dungeon. Because at least you¡¯d see the outside world, and maybe, like you said, you¡¯d earn freedom on your own. But I think I made a mistake. I think I¡¯ve sold your soul without you even knowing it.¡± The commander¡¯s unsteady gaze shifted to the tent opening, where the distant sounds of revelry from Ben¡¯s unit could be heard.


    ¡°Ben, I¡¯ve heard rumors that the crown prince wants to make magic legal to profit on it publicly. I don¡¯t know if he¡¯s a better person than his parents or grandparents, or if he simply sees the opportunity for filling his coffers. But if it¡¯s true? I¡¯m going to die. They don¡¯t want anyone to remember this part of history, and I don¡¯t want to die without you knowing the truth. Hate me, Hozel. You, more than anyone deserves to.¡± A sad smile stretched over the commander¡¯s weathered, pale face. ¡°Hate me and blame me, because it isn¡¯t your fault. None of this is. You had no choice.¡±


    Ben couldn¡¯t speak. Couldn¡¯t even twitch. And after a moment, in the stunned, ringing silence, he noticed he was shaking.


    ¡°Get out, Ben. Go drink, and forget I said anything. Only remember this if what I think comes to pass does.¡±


    The commander waved his hand, and after stumbling out of the tent on legs that forgot how to work.


    Ben couldn¡¯t recall the rest of the night other than the spiral of thoughts that came after the talk.


    What could he do?


    What power did he have to change a damn thing?


    Should he tell any of the other Hounds?


    Would they believe him?


    Would they care?


    Technically nothing was different now that he knew the truth¡­ Not really. Only that he understood what he was doing when he went out with his unit on orders.


    But it was different.


    And he realized the fact by the next mission, when he felt tears in his eyes after he¡¯d found a girl of eight years old charming mushrooms to make them dance with her. Before he would¡¯ve assumed she¡¯d done something horrible, but now he knew the reality¡­


    He felt sick to his stomach.


    The mission after that, he¡¯d found an old warlock who had helped over five hundred women give birth safely, the witch had died while being restrained, and as a result Ben had stopped being able to sleep for months. Before, he would¡¯ve assumed the warlock was using the blood of the children he delivered to do something horrid.


    The mission after that? He was violently ill after they apprehended a pregnant woman.


    Ben didn¡¯t even know if she was a witch, or if her unborn was simply a dodder.


    All he knew was that they¡¯d found the faint wisps of silver over their cottage, and made the arrest.


    He was violently ill after that.


    It was during those moons after learning the secret of what his unit was used for that he¡¯d picked fights with his comrades, and while there hadn¡¯t been an abundance of closeness before, there suddenly wasn¡¯t even a whisper of amicability as a result.


    It wasn¡¯t until he¡¯d met her that things had gotten better.


    The woman he still needed to help.


    The one he had risked stealing from Oleg for.


    He owed her.


    He owed her everything. So even though he was free? He had a debt that was bigger than magic hanging over his head.

 Chapter 14: A Problematic Past

    Ben gave his head a sharp shake, casting off the last vestiges of his vivid memories, and continued to forge his way through the trees.


    He didn¡¯t care if Spidena left his side now that she knew what he used to be.


    If she was right and big magic tied them together? Then she¡¯d be back. And if she was wrong? Wonderful. Everything was simple again.


    Despite hours passing by as Ben tromped through the Drebin Forest, he didn¡¯t bother checking to see if Spidena was behind him or what kind of face she was making.


    He pushed his mind into the space of white noise for the rest of the morning, and then by lunch time, he acknowledged he was hungry. However he didn¡¯t want to risk having to sit down and see Spidena and hear anything else she had to say. So he pushed on.


    It wasn¡¯t until the light started to dim that a certain raven landed on a jagged overgrown stump in front of Ben that he stopped.


    He stared at Wolf for a second, then stepped to the left, only the bird flapped its impressively large wings at him.


    Ben frowned but took two more steps before the bird launched itself at his head.


    ¡°What the-¡± Ben narrowly dodged its sharp beak.


    Which also happened to make him turn enough to realize that Spidena was behind him¡­ by about twenty feet.


    But she didn¡¯t look well.


    All color had drained from her lips, her face was tinged with green, her eyes that had been tired at the start of the journey were fluttering, her knees were buckling¡­


    During this pause she grasped the nearest tree¡ªa maple only twelves years old or so.


    ¡°Do you need water?¡± Ben asked stiffly.


    Spidena managed to nod, but the movement evidently made her dizzy, and so she lowered herself down with a wince to sit on the ground.


    Ben reached into his bag, drew out his waterskin, and made his way over to where the witch sat, and pressed it into her weak palm.


    He watched as she drank. Breathed. Then drank some more.


    By his estimation she had more or less drained the entire container.


    Looking around at their surroundings, Ben noted a couple edible plants nearby, and possibly one edible varietal of mushroom that wouldn¡¯t poison them.


    ¡°Wait here,¡± he ordered.


    Spidena said nothing in response, which both made Ben glad and unnerved at the same time.


    It took until nearly nightfall, but Ben had managed to gather not only an armload of edible plants, but a couple of squirrels as well thanks to Wolf who had apparently wanted to lend his hunting skills in order to help his witch.


    Wordlessly, Ben laid his findings beside Spidena, then, squinting in the dim light, he located multiple fallen branches on the ground nearby, and dragged them to where Spidena sat. After that, he went to the rotted stump Wolf had sat upon earlier, and after a series of kicks, he had broken off a sizable chunk that would prove to be a lovely fire log.


    It was dark when Ben started cooking their food, but by then, the fire had visibly warmed Spidena, Wolf had decided he¡¯d done all he needed to and flown off, and even Ben was feeling a little more calm.


    When the meat had crisped and smelled ready, Ben offered the rough skewer to Spidena.


    Only he realized she had been watching him, and the way her eyes were transfixed, he got the sense that it had been that way for sometime.


    Uneasiness swept over him.


    Spidena took the food from Ben, but she didn¡¯t start eating and instead continued staring at him.


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    He pretended to ignore it, and proceeded to try and enjoy the meal, though he had to silently confess to himself that after tasting proper food at the inn, the roasted squirrel without any herbs or spices seemed an insult to the word ¡®food¡¯.


    ¡°I understand¡­ That you had no choice to hunt down magic users. To a point,¡± Spidena announced quietly.


    Ben tensed. ¡°You mean I should¡¯ve just refused orders and let myself be killed?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Anger flared in Ben¡¯s chest, but he homed his gaze on the fire, and didn¡¯t let it show on his face.


    ¡°Instead of ruining countless lives, why didn¡¯t you choose to die?¡±


    ¡°You live my life and tell me why,¡± Ben¡¯s voice rasped.


    He continued to try and finish his meal in a cavalier manner, but the churning in his stomach made it so that even chewing felt wretched.


    So he stood up to discard the remains of his squirrel skewer farther into the woods to deter any wildlife from coming to find them as they slept.


    The chill away from the fire did help to soothe some of the sting of Spidena¡¯s words, but not entirely.


    Regardless, he made himself return to the fire, and started clearing a place for himself to lay down and sleep.


    ¡°The Hounds are why I lost my mother.¡±


    Ben froze.


    He had suspected early on in the day that there was a more personal history with his former branch of the military for Spidena. It had been one of the reasons he hadn¡¯t wanted to face her¡­


    But upon hearing his suspicion confirmed?


    It was the same feeling of being trapped in a nightmare that he knew he could never wake up from.


    He stared at the sky above himself blankly, unable to move or respond as hot nausea flushed through him, then cooled which only made the awful guilt all the worse.


    ¡°You would¡¯ve been a child when she was taken. Too young to be a fully fledged member of the Hounds¡­ But she was taken because of them. And you probably did the same thing to someone else¡¯s mother, or father, or loved one.¡±


    Ben said nothing.


    ¡°I know¡­ I know that the ones in charge of the army would¡¯ve lied to you. They would¡¯ve told you righteous, glorified reasons for you to follow their orders. They probably said you were protecting the kingdom. And you¡­ At seven years old, scared and alone, that you would¡¯ve had no choice but to believe it and you would¡¯ve grown up with that belief and been surrounded by others who were exactly the same. But I¡­ I don¡¯t know how I can not hate you.¡± Spidena¡¯s tone was matter of fact, but regardless of the coldness and lack of violent passion, Ben¡¯s patience had worn through to the bone.


    ¡°Then hate me. I don¡¯t give a rat¡¯s ass. Bugger off on your own if you like,¡± he quipped tersely. But the waver in his voice betrayed the fact that she had succeeded in hurting him.


    Unaffected, Spidena continued to prod his damaged soul. ¡°When did you find out what you were really doing was leading the king¡¯s army to innocent beings?¡±


    Ben said nothing, and instead turned over to lay on his left side, putting his back to the fire, and the witch.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you¡­ Didn¡¯t you want to ask or stop-¡±


    He sat back up abruptly.  The anger and anxiety had marinated in him for too long, and when he turned his furious gaze to Spidena he watched her flinch away.


    ¡°You have lived a comfortable life, and have obviously been well taken care of. You lost your mother, and maybe your father. But you aren¡¯t used to having to walk until you collapse, and you aren¡¯t used to missing meals, or sleeping without a blanket. You aren¡¯t used to living knowing that if a superior happened to be in a bad mood, they could kill you and no one would care. It¡¯d be like they quashed a rotten apple and shlucked it into a bin. So shut up. My life isn¡¯t your business. And if you start tossing judgment at me? I¡¯ll bury you in it.¡±


    Ben laid back down and pretended that the conversation was as forgettable as one of the gnats they¡¯d swatted away during the day, but in truth, he knew he wouldn¡¯t sleep at all that night as his old guilt was stirred like dust under the bristles of a fresh broom. It stirred up the sense that this time, thanks to the damning presence of magic and his favor to Spidena that glued her to his side, it might not settle.

 Chapter 15: A Bad Brew

    Ben recognized he must have fallen asleep at some point, as he woke up in the pale gray light of the morning¡­ And found himself being stared at by Wolf, who blinked at him imposingly.


    Slowly, Ben closed his eyes. He took in a deep breath that smelled of damp earth, listened to the hum of bugs and birds rising to a cacophony in the dewy dawn, then flopped onto his back with a grunt.


    His feet ached in a way they hadn¡¯t in a long time. He¡¯d grown soft since the Hounds had been disbanded.


    Ben filed that thought away as useless, then turned his head to see Spidena curled on the forest floor under her blanket, using her dirty pillow.


    A single look was all that he needed to discern she had slept horribly, even though she still slumbered.


    Her face was even paler, and the contrast between her dark hair and the pallor of her skin made it all the more shocking.


    Against his better judgment, Ben felt a pang of guilt.


    Even if he doubted the severity of the big magic that threatened their safety, she didn¡¯t.


    And she also didn¡¯t take the fact that he was a wanted man lightly. Arming herself with spell-potions to help in the event they got caught once more¡­


    And, she¡¯d lost her mother because a unit of the Hounds had led the king''s army straight to her.


    Imagining Spidena as a small girl, Ben could picture her as being more hair than child. A scowl scrunching her small face upon looking at her vegetables on a dinner plate perhaps.


    He started to smile, until it dawned on him that maybe Spidena wouldn¡¯t have been so bitter presently if she hadn¡¯t lost her mother.


    Maybe her father had abandoned her after her mother had been taken away and most likely executed for witchcraft¡­


    Ben¡¯s right hand gripped his pantleg, then released it.


    He needed to get the fire that was reduced to smoke to rise again, and then he¡¯d make her tea. Even if he had to root around in her bewitched bag to get the tea leaves, he¡¯d do it.


    Ben recalled Spidena¡¯s irritability the first morning, and instinctively he¡¯d had a hunch that she was the type of person that needed a black tea and breakfast if she was to be in any kind of reasonable mood. And given that he¡¯d inadvertently made her suffer enough woes despite only knowing her for four days he wanted to maybe be a little nicer.


    Rolling up onto his feet, Ben made a mental list of actions. First thing to do was getting the flames of their little campfire to climb up in a thin stream. Which he accomplished quickly.


    However by the time he reached his second task of locating the tea leaves, he hit a small snag as when he turned to her bag, Wolf landed on top of it and let out a guttural warning trill.


    ¡°I just want to make her tea. If I don¡¯t get the leaves out, can you do it?¡±


    He had asked the question not anticipating a reaction or response, but Wolf tilted his head to the right, then the left, then hopped off the bag, buried his head underneath its opening flap, and disappeared underneath.


    Ben watched in amazement, his faith in the bird increasing rapidly as he watched the lump inside the bag move to and fro.


    From where he sat, Ben heard a bunch of clanging, and bumps that should not have been able to exist in the bag, but eventually, Wolf reappeared with a small white canvas satchel in his beak.


    Ben held out his hand, and sure enough, Wolf dropped his prize into his palm.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Ben said while lifting the bag.


    The raven gave another scratchy bleat, then took off into the air.


    Ben stared at the satchel for a few seconds before loosening the tie at the mouth of the sack.


    He gave it a sniff, and was surprised to find he didn¡¯t recognize the scent from the teas he¡¯d encountered.


    It was peppery, and earthy¡­ Then again it wasn¡¯t like he¡¯d gotten to sample a great array of tea leaves in his life. So he simply chalked it up to Spidena¡¯s strange, witchy taste.


    With step two completed of his morning plan, he moved onto the third task. Retrieving the pot he¡¯d used to cook most of his meals before setting off to find a river, or pond.


    He wasn¡¯t quite successful in either form of body of water, but he did find a pool of water not quite evaporated in a deep groove of tree roots. Not ideal, but it would be enough to get at least one or two cups of tea out of.


    Having completed his search, Ben made his way back to the site for steps four and five. Boiling the water, and fishing out a tin cup from Spidena¡¯s sack without accidentally cursing himself. Surprisingly, this went off without a hitch, and even Wolf didn¡¯t object to him doing this.


    And so by the time the witch was stirring Ben had, in his opinion, a respectable brew waiting for Spidena. He had even managed to find some dandelion leaves and mushrooms they could both eat.


    Sitting up, Spidena eyed Ben with the same amount of wariness he¡¯d imagined she¡¯d give a curmudgeonly snapping turtle.


    But she ate the leaves when he handed them to her on a plate, then drank the brew that he had set a short distance from where she¡¯d slept and he¡¯d gestured to.


    Sipping the cup with its curling steam, Spidena didn¡¯t hide her disgust over its taste, which was Ben¡¯s cue to busy himself with putting out the fire and swinging his arms to try and ease out his aches, and also so that she wouldn¡¯t notice how closely he was watching her.


    ¡°Where did you get this rancid brew? Did Obbie give it to you?¡± There was a stuffiness to Spidena¡¯s voice that told Ben she had been crying into the night, and it made him want to shy away from her even more.


    ¡°No. Your raven brought it for you.¡±


    ¡°Wolf?¡±


    She didn¡¯t sound convinced but her face at least softened, and she proceeded to almost completely drain the entire cup.


    ¡°Now that that¡¯s over with. Shall we continue?¡± While she may have meant to sound resolute and cavalier about walking all day again, she instead alerted Ben to her weary dejectedness.


    He decided not to acknowledge this much in the same manner he didn¡¯t acknowledge most things she did, and looked back toward their path.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m hoping if we keep a steady pace we¡¯ll reach the main road relatively quickly.¡±


    ¡°The main road to Kintel?! Did fungus start growing out of your ears last night?!¡±


    Ben discovered in that moment just how tired he himself was, as he didn¡¯t even have the energy to become annoyed at Spidena¡¯s insult.


    ¡°Yes. The main road. We jumped ahead thanks to the inn. So it¡¯s highly unlikely anyone Oleg knows would¡¯ve heard anything, and furthermore, it¡¯ll save us a lot of time and afford you a lot more comforts. There are shared campsites on the main road for travelers. You could eat properly, share a tent with other women, even find an inn or two.¡±


    ¡°The main road also means more chance for magic folk to find us.¡±


    ¡°So you say.¡±


    Spidena scowled at him, though it wasn¡¯t as serious as it had been the previous night¡­ Ben took it to mean his tentative offer of peace had been more or less accepted.


    Stretching in preparation for the walk ahead of them. Ben munched on a few dandelion leaves and mushrooms. Though in truth he still felt quite sated from self hatred and his dinner of squirrel.


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡± The words surprised Ben as much as they surprised Spidena.


    He didn¡¯t even know why he¡¯d blurted them, his arms were still extended above his head in a stretch, but when he turned back around and saw her stunned reaction, he dropped them, and lifted each side of his shoulders as though still trying to work them to feel even looser.


    ¡°I gave Obbie a button¡­ I thought fairies liked that kind of gift, but he made it seem like it was stupid.¡±


    At first, Spidena looked caught between a laugh and astonishment, but maybe it was the shy awkwardness in Ben¡¯s face that made her finally settle for a gentle smile that had her looking prettier than Ben had ever seen her.


    ¡°Obbie isn¡¯t a low level fairie. If he is as tall as he is? He¡¯s most likely a noble, or of noble lineage. The only reason he¡¯d be working as a cook for the inn is if he pissed off his parents and they banished him, or his family owes Daffy a debt. Higher level fairies don¡¯t really need bobbles or food offerings, but because you offered that to him? A piece of your own clothing at that¡­?¡± Spidena trailed off, her cheeks growing rosy from her smile. ¡°You made him an admiration offer.¡±


    Ben recoiled at the description.


    Spidena started to giggle. ¡°Especially with an article of your own clothes when you have so little, you technically gave him an invitation to meddle in your life.¡±


    Ben¡¯s hands came up to his face, and he hid behind them in embarrassed dread.


    ¡°Luckily for you, I don¡¯t think Obbie is all that interested in doing anything with that. At least until you do something to really annoy him.¡±


    ¡°You say I¡¯m annoying all the time,¡± Ben lamented with vague panic while slowly turning to start walking.


    ¡°Wait.¡±


    Ben halted.


    Then looked over his shoulder to see Spidena unlacing her boots by her knees, then tugging on the laces as she wriggled her legs and feet free.


    Glimpsing her bare skin, Ben looked down at the ground, an unfamiliar feeling stirring in his chest.


    There was a horrible looking blister the size of a walnut on the back of Spidena¡¯s right heel. It was streaked with blood. While it wasn¡¯t the only one she had, the others weren¡¯t quite so gruesomely impressive.


    ¡°You know, it¡¯s funny¡­¡± Spidena started to say, sounding oddly cheery. ¡°These blisters are fantastically painful. And even though I have a salve I can put on them, I can¡¯t heal them instantly. Despite that though? I feel quite lovely right now.¡±


    Ben swung around in alarm.


    Sure enough, Spidena was smiling.


    She looked rather confused about it¡­


    He watched as she leaned back and wiggled her toes. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll try walking barefoot today? I doubt I can get those boots back on.¡±


    ¡°Walking without shoes won¡¯t make things better,¡± Ben responded carefully. ¡°Come on, we can reach the road in another five or six days even if we take breaks. From there we can maybe barter with a farmer or other merchant traveling to Kintel to ride on the back of the cart.¡±


    Spidena laughed.


    Then she laughed some more until she snorted, and instantly Ben¡¯s concern for her mental stability spiked.


    ¡°You say ¡®Come on, let''s take a walk from hells. It¡¯ll just last a few days!¡¯ like it¡¯s nothing!¡± Spidena continued to laugh until she flopped back on the forest floor and stared up at the trees.


    Ben recalled the mushrooms he¡¯d given her and started to wonder if he¡¯d given her the wrong sort¡­ But he¡¯d eaten them too, and he was fine¡­


    ¡°You know, as a dodder capable of spotting magical things, you probably could help me find ingredients for a blister potion that would actually heal them instantly!¡± Spidena sat up, her eyes sparkling.


    Ben inched backward.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never looked for ingredients,¡± he countered warily. ¡°I only looked for the silver glow around houses or people, or other places in the forests where magic creatures might be-¡±


    ¡°Well try it!¡± Spidena reached into her bag and pulled out a small cauldron. Then she started pulling out different jars, and other random objects.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ Oh! I forgot I brought this!¡± she said while pulling out a ball that was stitched with leather. It was half dyed blue the other half red, and jingled when she moved it.


    Ben wondered what in the world that could be for.


    ¡°Alright, it looks like I really only need two more things! First, an inch of bark from a willow tree that has three trunks, and then two marigold blooms!¡± She smiled up at him so brightly that she almost looked like a different person.


    ¡°Spidena, are you¡­ sick¡­?¡±


    The witch stared up at him, still smiling. Her cheeks began to twitch as though she were struggling to make the expression, or¡­ Like she was trying to stop making the expression.


    ¡°I might have a charm on me¡­ Or¡­ Or something¡­¡± she croaked as though attempting to sound concerned instead of dreamy while also glancing around in search of some hidden threat. ¡°If I didn¡¯t know any better I¡¯d say I had something in¨C¡±


    Spidena stopped talking, blinked, and turned her attention back to her carpet bag. She resumed rummaging around with renewed vigor until she happened to pull out the very bag that Wolf had given to Ben to make Spidena¡¯s tea.


    ¡°Did you¡­ drug me?¡± she asked with a giggle.


    Despite only knowing her for less than a quarter moon, Ben knew if she were feeling more like herself she would be about to throw something at him.


    ¡°Your bird gave it to me. I was just trying to find your tea leaves.¡±


    ¡°And you didn¡¯t think this looked weird?¡± Spidena waved the bag emphatically, her eyes bulging, but her smile eerily fixed in place.


    Ben shrugged and lifted his hands defensively. ¡°I don¡¯t know! I wondered if it was some kind of fancy tea.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a powdered drug!¡±


    ¡°I get that now!¡±


    Spidena¡¯s hands flexed in frustration as she chucked it back in her satchel.


    ¡°What does it do? How long does it last?¡± Ben wondered while thinking in the back of his head how they probably were going to lose an entire day of travel if not more just because of her blisters, let alone recovery from whatever it was she drank.


    ¡°It¡¯s called katava, and, obviously, it makes the taker euphoric. It makes the world seem brighter, and more peaceful.¡± Spidena may have wanted to say this in a scathing tone, or with a grumble, but only managed to sound thoughtful.


    Ben pressed his lips together.


    Spidena blinked up at him and the corners of her eyes twitched.


    He had a hunch she was trying to glare.


    ¡°You think this is funny?¡± she accused sweetly.


    ¡°Um¡­ Am I not supposed to¡­?¡± Ben cleared his throat but wasn¡¯t successful in beating down his own smile. ¡°Are there any other serious side effects?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have an awful headache tomorrow,¡± she informed him while tilting her head and clasping her hands in her lap.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± Ben paused and looked away while idly rubbing the side of his neck then chin.


    ¡°Go get the ingredients for my blister potion so I can shove my boot in your ass without pain when this wears off, alright?¡± Spidena beamed at Ben.


    At the very least, the threat sobered him enough to stop smirking¡­ If only for a split second while Spidena could still see his face. It reclaimed him once he turned to the forest and decided he may as well go find her ingredients with the hope that maybe the drug¡¯s calming effects would last the entirety of the day¡­ Or at least until she felt less violent toward him.

 Chapter 16: A Risky Robbery

    As it turned out, whether or not katava was potent enough to keep Spidena in good spirits all day was a moot point as far as Ben was concerned.


    It had taken him the entire day to track down two marigold plants, and he had been quite near giving up, when he had found them dappling a sunny span of forest that didn¡¯t have any trees, but it did have a small, shallow pond in its center and was surrounded by long grasses with the occasional flattened spots where deer had obviously rested prior to his arrival.


    Despite this delightful change in luck, by the time Ben was making his way back to where he¡¯d left Spidena, his stomach was reminding him that he hadn¡¯t eaten a proper meal since the previous night, and even that he hadn¡¯t been able to finish.


    He idly wondered if Wolf would perhaps feel generous enough to hunt for their dinner again. Which then led Ben¡¯s thoughts to turn to the very troubling question of how much did the bird actually understand, and was that truly normal?


    With his thoughts starting to become increasingly disturbed at the notion of a sentient raven capable of pecking his eyes out if he offended it, Ben continued moving toward the camp.


    Until a rush of instincts froze him in place.


    Without understanding the reason for it, he slipped behind the nearest tree trunk that was large enough to hide his presence.


    That was one benefit to his skills as a dodder.


    His sense of danger or impending disaster was remarkably strong.


    Though the one downside was that his senses propelled him away from any potential danger when he was still far away from it.


    Ben paused and considered the slim possibility that the threat was a bear or some other mundane problem one might find in the woods¡­


    Then he thought of Spidena sitting on the ground with massive blisters, and a docile nature that was probably killing her a little on the inside, and a cold sweat broke out along his back.


    He needed to make sure she was alright¡­ Then he second guessed this urge.


    She had all manner of magic tricks in that bag of hers¡­ But then the flash of memory about the Hounds unit being the ones to take her mother away from her, reinforced a sense of duty and guilt that was too sharp to turn away from.


    Shaking himself free from his moment of indecision, Ben lowered himself closer to the foliage of the forest, and crept forward soundlessly.


    It didn¡¯t take long for him to discover what had triggered his wariness.


    He heard voices.


    Two men.


    Ben paused and continued to listen while pausing behind the thick trunk of a walnut tree.


    ¡°¡ª You won¡¯t get hurt if you just hand over the bag you crazy wench!¡±


    Ben almost moaned.


    It was like the incident with Oleg all over again.


    Then again, maybe that was for the better. Spidena could crush their larynxes and he wouldn¡¯t have to do a thing. If only they had taken one of the drink trays with them when they¡¯d left.


    ¡°And I¡¯ve already told you,¡± Spidena¡¯s voice was a sugary sing-song that, despite the present threat, still almost made Ben snort in laughter. ¡°Try to take it, and I¡¯ll use your skull as a water bowl for my raven.¡±


    ¡°Holy sh-¡± Ben¡¯s whispered curse was cut off as he started to stand straight, and just happened to see the backs of the two men.


    One of them had drawn a knife that glinted in the dappled light of the forest.


    Ben¡¯s heart slammed against his chest, propelling him to take two frantic steps forward, he halted however when a rush of black feathers swooped down at the assailant¡¯s back.


    Wolf began clawing and pecking the man¡¯s bald head with great gusto, making him yelp and dance away while also trying to beat off the bird. Because of this, Ben was able to get a better look at the two robbers attempting to rob Spidena.


    The bald man had dark eyes, a wide, shiny head, small silver hoops in each ear, a black coat buttoned up, and black pants.


    The other man was attractive, with sable brown hair that stuck up in different directions, a sprinkling of freckles over his nose, and a dark eye color Ben couldn¡¯t discern.


    The bald man with the knife was the thickest and appeared older, but the lean man who donned a navy blue coat and green shirt underneath was quick¡­


    Which Ben could tell as he pranced out of the way of Wolf and his companion battling one another.


    After noting the details of their appearance, Ben darted a glance over at Spidena who was already rummaging around her bag and nervously glancing up at the two men as she did so.


    The look of genuine apprehensiveness in her eyes stirred something in Ben¡­ Something he hadn¡¯t felt in a long time.


    Only, unlike those previous times, he wasn¡¯t prevented from doing anything by an authority figure or rule.


    Though he still hesitated out of habit.


    He could restrain someone, sure, but if they had any magic he didn¡¯t have a block with him, so he was susceptible to any magical attacks¡­


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.These thoughts held him in place as he continued to watch Wolf dodge the bald man¡¯s multiple attempts at beating him away.


    But then Spidena stood, and a cry of pain left her mouth¡­ That then turned into laughter¡ªno doubt the katava was still wrecking havoc on her.


    It made for quite an alarming expression on her face, but she held out her hand, a squat glass bottle with a rounded bottom filled with cloudy water in her hand.


    With his instincts roaring back to life, Ben knew that whatever was in that bottle would release some kind of magical chaos, and not wanting to have even more complications to deal with, he launched himself into the fray and headed straight for the witch.


    Spidena¡¯s eyes snapped to him, and for a brief moment he thought she looked relieved to see him, that is until he snatched the bottle from her hand, turned to the slimmer assailant that had started to inch back toward Spidena, and crunched the heel of his boot into his groin. Ben then turned to the bald man that was still losing against Wolf¡¯s advances, and did the same thing when he happened to be in the middle of trying to spin away from the raven¡¯s beak.


    With both men rolling around on the ground in pain, Wolf swooped back up to the nearest branch of a tree and let out a triumphant squawk.


    Ben looked back at Spidena, and handed her bottle back to her, then wordlessly moved over to where the bald man lay wheezing on the ground with his hunting knife at his side. He plucked it up to inspect.


    ¡°It¡¯s crude, but sharp,¡± he said more so to himself than Spidena as he noticed the sloppy folds of steel near the hilt. He then reached for the sheath that was at the bald man¡¯s belt, only by the time he did so, the man had recovered enough to grab Ben¡¯s wrist.


    Without batting an eye, Ben turned with his free hand and jabbed him in the eyes before continuing what he was doing without even flinching.


    When he eventually straightened, he looked at Spidena and found that while she wasn¡¯t as deliriously happy as she had been before, she still looked more amused than annoyed.


    ¡°That was a cheap way of fighting,¡± she criticized with a scoff.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter how you fight when it comes to survival. Winning is what counts. What do you want to do with them?¡± he retorted matter of factly.


    ¡°Oyy!¡± the slender man on the ground called out while attempting to lurch himself to his feet.


    Ben kicked out almost lazily, his heel catching the bandit by the sternum, winding him and effectively leaving him utterly breathless.


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to root for you when you are so¡­ careless about hurting others,¡± Spidena said after a flat beat.


    ¡°Says the woman with a potion bottle in her hand that would¡¯ve done Gods know what,¡± Ben retorted dryly before rounding the witch to crouch down by her satchel.


    ¡°What¡¯re you doing?¡± Spidena demanded her hand tightening around the bottle in her hand.


    Ben didn¡¯t answer straight away as he continued to rummage around the bag, and pretended to be quite confident about doing so even though he felt his fingers graze something with feathers that was still moving, something slimy and cold, a type of grain, a creature that nibbled at his finger, and then¡­ By sheer luck his fingers wrapped around a familiar little bag that he withdrew while masking a sigh of relief.


    ¡°What in warts is that?¡± Spidena¡¯s hand flew to her hip.


    Ben grinned at the bag. ¡°Katava. I figured we could convince them to wander away from us for a day and we go on our own way after we make them have some of this.¡±


    ¡°Why is your first inclination to poison people?¡±


    Coming back to standing, Ben glanced at Spidena briefly before saying, ¡°Coming from you that does make me concerned about myself a bit.¡±


    ¡°As it should.¡±


    ¡°But to be honest poison is the best way to deal with people without confrontation.¡±


    Upon finishing his sentence, Ben heard the rustling of the bald man regaining his footing, and so he turned round again and kicked his groin again before the man could even get his fists up.


    Spidena stared at him pointedly.


    Ben shrugged. ¡°If he can¡¯t afford his lifestyle now, it¡¯s not like he could¡¯ve afforded kids anyway.¡±


    ¡°Children aren¡¯t their parents! Though¡­ I would pity anyone inheriting his hairline¡­¡± Spidena confessed, albeit reluctantly. Her generosity for the man that had been about to gut her was quite thrifty indeed.


    ¡°We can hear you!¡± the man with still in possession of his hair interjected indignantly.


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful. Do you want a reward for maintaining some form of sense?¡± Spidena asked airily, while staring at him unimpressed.


    ¡°Do they have to drink this in a tea?¡± Ben waved the bag in the air drawing Spidena¡¯s attention back to him.


    ¡°It is better in a tea,¡± she confirmed.


    ¡°We aren¡¯t going to drink anything you¨CACK!¡± The slimmer man had started to rise up, fury and indignation in his face until Wolf descended once more, pecking his head a few times in good measure.


    Ben tilted his head over his shoulder thoughtfully. How in the world could he force them to drink enough of the stuff¡­


    As though sensing where his mind was going, Spidena let out a defeated breath.


    ¡°There is another way to give it to them¡­ but first you have to build a fire.¡±


    Ben looked over his shoulder, curiously at Spidena who was giving him a tired half smile, but he did have to wonder if perhaps that one was maybe a little bit genuine.


    And for the first time since meeting her, he didn¡¯t entirely mind if that was the case.

 Chapter 17: A Revealing Reaction

    While Spidena worked, Ben had been forced to keep his attention on the two goons that had accosted her, as they started to try and fight back a lot more vehemently whenever he tried to subdue them. Though with Wolf¡¯s help it wasn¡¯t too troublesome.


    Spidena didn¡¯t mind their occasional bouts of scuffling as it gave her a chance to focus on sifting the katava she had barely lit aflame and had started to smoke into a round brass incense burner.


    ¡°Ben, cover your nose. Wolf, you know what to do.¡±


    Ben obeyed instantly, and when the robbers attempted to do the same, Wolf resumed a particularly violent hail of attacks on the both of them that occupied their arms and hands. This wound up being of help to Spidena as she wafted the incense over to the two men, and the flapping of wings and arms helped increase the quantity of curling gray smoke that seeped out of the holder that Spidena held by a thin chain and swung it back and forth between them.


    It took perhaps ten minutes, but in the end, both men were flopped onto their backs, their faces filled with small scratches thanks to a certain raven, and yet, both had dreamy smiles as they gazed up at the sky.


    ¡°What¡­ What did you¡­ uh¡­ do?¡± the lean one asked.


    Spidena raised an eyebrow and stared down at them as she proceeded to dump the ashy leftovers of the katava onto the ground.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ask me. Ask him. It was his idea.¡±


    Ben didn¡¯t answer as he had turned his attention to the other task the witch had set for him; to bring some water to a boil so that Spidena could at last brew her blister healing remedy.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know everything about that drug either. I just know whatever that the drug makes people pleasant and docile, and I figured that was a nicer thing to do than tie you up or let her cast some kind of spell on you. It certainly made her happy enough.¡±


    ¡°I was still angry!¡± Spidena reminded Ben sharply over her shoulder. ¡°I just was incapable of acting on it.¡±


    ¡°Close enough,¡± Ben said with a shrug without bothering to look up from his task.


    The two bandits said nothing as they seemingly became lost in the haze of the katava drug staring up at the trees.


    ¡°Carl?¡± the lean man asked.


    ¡°Yeah, David?¡±


    ¡°Do you think Leticia is going to still love me when I get back?¡±


    Ben looked up from the cauldron of bubbling water to stare at Spidena. But she was preoccupied with wryly watching the two bandits who had just revealed their names.


    Sighing, Ben directed a new question to her. ¡°Are all of your potions or drugs going to make people talk about love?¡±


    *


    Spidena rolled her eyes but didn¡¯t answer his question, and instead limped her way over to where Ben was crouched, and plopped herself down on the forest floor.


    ¡°You could¡¯ve just broken their legs,¡± she grumbled.


    Ben stared flatly back at her. ¡°If it¡¯s bad that I always want to poison people, it¡¯s equally bad that you want to break something in their bodies.¡±


    Spidena reached into her satchel and pull out the remaining ingredients she needed, and started carefully slipping them into the cauldron. Some she¡¯d add then turn the mixture with a wooden spoon a specific number of times. Then she¡¯d pull out a battered silver pocket watch with intricate designs on the front, and watch its long hand tick.


    Spidena could feel Ben watching the entire process interestedly, and the witch found herself feeling more than a little awkward under his scrutiny.


    There was nothing quite as annoying as a dodder or a seeb who had no idea what weaving magic or brewing potions entailed. In Spidena¡¯s opinion, Ben¡¯s only saving grace in that moment was the fact that he wasn¡¯t asking her any questions as she did these things.


    As she fell into the familiar pattern of working a deal through her potion with the enigmatic entity of magic. Occasionally she would glance at her tattered recipe book with its pretty¡ªif a bit faded¡ªdark green cover with the white inlay of a wreath on its cover, the familiar electrifying hum of magic began to stir in the air around her.


    When fashioning any kind of deal with magic to bend the laws of nature, the connection would manifest the sensation of tingling in the tips of her fingers, but then would move to heady waves of power that rolled through her body. The feeling would built and built with each passing moment until¡­


    She sighed, and felt the power rush out.


    She had completed her transaction. She pulled free from the silvery magical wisps and streaks of glitter that almost pulled her to and fro like a puppeteer¡­ Only the puppeteer would sometimes tell her she had to keep stirring until nightfall and she¡¯d resist. She¡¯d bargain against it. Not for six hours, but for six minutes she would stir, and that would be fair.


    Reasoning with an entity that wasn¡¯t a voice, nor a smell, nor a touch¡­ just¡­ a feeling.


    Smiling, despite the heavy weariness in her muscles, Spidena turned and was startled to then be reminded that she was not alone.


    Ben was sitting beside her looking quite pale.


    He swallowed.


    Spidena almost felt sorry for him.


    She¡¯d heard that being in the presence of a true witch or warlock working their deals could have a range of powerful effects on dodders.


    Some grew hungry for the power.


    Others became scared at the notion that there was a power even greater than nature. Greater than a gale wind, or more deadly than a raging fire.


    But Ben looked¡­ Confused and sick.


    Spidena tilted her head.


    Originally she had assumed when he¡¯d fallen asleep after she had cast the forget-me-now potion-incantation it had been because he was travel worn.


    She squinted at him thoughtfully, which he didn¡¯t really notice as he visibly struggled to feel less at odds. His throat bobbins as he forced a swallow.


    Seebs often in the face of bigger power had the same reaction¡­


    Then it clicked.


    ¡°I know you¡¯ve been trained to be hypersensitive to magic,¡± Spidena recalled thoughtfully. ¡°So being in the presence of any magic makes you feel unwell?¡±


    Ben issued a shaky breath. ¡°New members for the Hounds are isolated in chambers underground for the first¡­ year¡­ of our recruitment. Away from any kind of real nature or magic¡­¡± Ben stood and strode away toward a maple sapling as though he were about to be sick.


    Spidena was grateful for it, because it meant he didn¡¯t see her frown of concern and alarm.


    They locked children up for a year in a dungeon?


    Her mind continued to race, piecing even more details about Ben¡¯s mysterious past together.


    If they did that to dodder children, that would mean that they¡¯d be even more jarred by the sudden onslaught of magic when exposed. It would be effective for spotting magic, but was inhumane and cruel!


    Ben opened his mouth, then licked his lips his eyes lost as his mind traversed horrors that Spidena could only speculate on. ¡°I was down there for two years.¡±


    Spidena¡¯s gut twisted.


    ¡°If¡­ a member of the Hounds stopped¡­ being able to sense magic? They went back down for three months. And if after that they still didn¡¯t fix them? Six months more. Then after that¡­ usually we never saw them again.¡±


    ¡°Why were you down there for two years?¡± Spidena asked in a near whisper.


    ¡°I was recruited when I was a little bit older than they¡¯d like so¡­ They had to make sure I could be¡­trained. Some of the others didn¡¯t even last the year.¡±


    Spidena could feel herself struggling to hold any lingering anger toward Ben in her being.


    What chance did he stand holding on to her grudge with a history like that? He wasn¡¯t even directly involved in being one of the ones to take her mother!


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Clearing her throat, Spidena busied herself reaching into her bag and pulling out a plain steel cup that she dipped into the cauldron and pulled out. In the low evening light, steam curled off its top, and yet she only gave a couple dainty breaths before taking a sip.


    The smell was¡­ Floral¡­ Woody¡­ vaguely medicine-like, which Spidena had smelt before, but she had not sampled for herself.


    Taking a long sip. She paused before swallowing, then smacked her tongue and scrunched her face once she did.


    ¡°Fungus. I would¡¯ve tried to make this better to drink if I¡¯d known it was this unpleasant.¡± Spidena sighed and shook her head with a grimace before continuing to down the beverage, her knees braced apart with her elbow resting on one in a very unladylike position.


    ¡°I guess you really did grow up with money. Every kid I¡¯ve ever met has had their fair share of blisters. If you knew how to fix them, then you would¡¯ve made it,¡± Ben deduced astutely.


    Spidena¡¯s attention cut to Ben sharper than any butcher¡¯s knife could manage, but he was scuffing his boot against the ground already looking disinterested.


    Seeing that his words were more observational and less accusatory, Spidena decided to be merciful and let the comment go.


    Finishing the brew, she picked up her heel and watched in pure bliss as the blisters on her feet magically shrunk, then proceeded to disappear all together.


    Buoyed by this, she sprung to her feet, scanned the ground for her boots, and set to tugging them all while standing, which forced her to hop around on one foot.


    ¡°Why are you putting those on? It¡¯ll be dark soon. We¡¯ll have to sleep here again,¡± Ben pointed out.


    ¡°David?¡± The bald bandit spoke out suddenly, stopping Spidena from responding.


    ¡°Yeah, Carl?¡±


    ¡°Do you ever wonder¡­ if trees think we are as pretty as they are?¡±


    ¡°You aren¡¯t pretty, Carl. But you are strong. It¡¯s why I asked you to come with me even though you scare me.¡±


    Carl, the thick bald man with two silver earrings sighed and shook his head as his glassy gaze held in nothing less than pure rapture at the canopy of glowing leaves above them as the sun set somewhere off in the distance.


    ¡°David, Liticia doesn¡¯t even like you. I felt bad. You¡¯d resort to stealing for her on the border of Lord Callex Earhav¡¯s land.¡±


    At the name of the nobleman and warlock, Spidena whipped her head around to stare with dreaded attentiveness.


    ¡°Are we at Lord Earhav¡¯s borders?¡± she asked weakly.


    ¡°No¡­ No¡­ But close. We figured we¡¯d wander near the border and rob anyone there. Our town isn¡¯t too far away¡­¡± David explained idly. ¡°Only the truly desperate travel this close to his land, and so they are most likely on the run and have gold of some kind. We see it all the time!¡±


    Carl nodded from his place beside David on the ground thoughtfully as he started running his palms over the lapels of his rough woven coat. ¡°This doesn¡¯t feel very nice¡­ I¡¯d like something that feels nice¡­¡±


    Ben and Spidena looked at one another. Both wearing a look of humor and exasperation.


    Still, Spidena reached into her bag all the way up until her elbow, and withdrew a terribly made rabbit doll.


    Regardless of its uneven stitching and lopsided black eyes, it was made of soft fleece, and so she handed it to Carl.


    ¡°Take this, and swear you won¡¯t seek revenge on us.¡±


    Carl¡¯s mouth opened wide along with his eyes in pure, childlike delight as he accepted the doll. He held it above his face, and then, seemingly, lost strength in his hands and dropped it on his face. Despite this clumsiness, he laughed and proceeded to clutch the doll to his chest happily.


    ¡°I swear!¡±


    Ben and Spidena finished packing their things despite the late hour and the lack of communication about where they might head given the short amount of day time they had left.


    They simply proceeded off into the woods, moving as quickly as possible as the sky above them paled.


    ¡°That was nice of you to give Carl the rabbit,¡± Ben said aloud after perhaps thirty minutes of walking.


    Spidena, who, thanks to her healed feet, managed to keep pace with Ben who had also slowed his pace for some reason or another.


    ¡°The happier we keep them the less likely they will pursue us out of revenge. Especially given the amount you hit them in their¡­. Chestnuts.¡±


    Ben winced. ¡°Yeah¡­ Thanks for thinking of that.¡± He sounded genuine in his gratitude.


    Spidena let out a breath and decided to change the topic. ¡°I should be blister free for at least two or three days thanks to the potion. So that should help us make good time.¡±


    ¡°How long do you think the katava drug will work on David and Carl? ¡®Bout a day, same as you?¡±


    ¡°Day and a half? And the next day and a half they will feel like utter troll dung.¡±


    ¡°Does the incense version of it make it stronger?¡± Ben mused with sincere interest.


    ¡°No. If anything it makes it weaker compared to the tea. I just have a higher tolerance to drugs, poisons, and potions because I studied potions so much. I¡¯ve not even had any food poisoning since I was fifteen! Though that one time was traumatic¡­ But it¡¯s unlikely I¡¯ll have it again,¡± Spidena noted brightly.


    Ben grimaced at the thought.


    ¡°Are we¡­. Alright?¡± he ventured carefully.


    Spidena spared a quick side glance at him right as a firefly drifted between them.


    ¡°We are as good as we need to be. Though don¡¯t ever go into my bag without my permission again.¡±


    ¡°Great. I can do that.¡± Ben nodded then hesitated. ¡°So¡­ If I¡¯m all forgiven, you won¡¯t hate me if I say we should try to keep walking through the night and into tomorrow to avoid Carl and David? I know you said we built some good will there, but it¡¯s better if we air on the side of caution.¡±


    Spidena stopped in her tracks and stared at Ben, even as he continued to carry on through the thick underbrush without a seeming care in the world.


    Until he did, at long last, turn around with a mischievous smile on his face.


    ¡°What? What did you think we¡¯d need to do?¡±


    ¡°WHY DIDN¡¯T WE JUST BREAK THEIR LEGS?!¡± Spidena shouted with every ounce of frustration she felt.


    ¡°You¡¯re really violent, you know that? No wonder people are afraid of witches,¡± Ben laughed then resumed his trek through the woods.


    Spidena glowered after him.


    Wolf calling up ahead. Spidena hated to admit it, it did sound like the blasted bird was laughing at her¡­


    Plucking up her skirts, she darted to catch up to Ben, and felt quite proud of herself when she successfully avoided a partially hidden tree root that jutted out of the ground.


    ¡°Why is it that you are so terrified of Earhav exactly¡­? I mean everyone is to a point, but you¡­ You seem to have a¡­ More intense fear of him than other people,¡± Ben questioned while also picking his words carefully.


    Spidena, whether she wished to showcase her true reaction or not, felt her face scrunch in a blatant grimace.


    ¡°He is awful. Naturally, awful. But he has¡­ A special hatred for my family, and that¡¯s all you need to know. While I don¡¯t think he¡¯d kill me, it also wouldn¡¯t entirely be a surprise.¡±


    Ben stared at her with disturbed shock, then shook his head and let out a horse-like snort of breath. ¡°Gods. Nobles¡­ You know, peasants and seebs just worry about the common things that¡¯d kill them. Storms. Fires. Plagues. Food poisoning¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a noble!¡± Spidena defended heartfully. ¡°And I had food poisoning before! I told you!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but you lived from it! I¡¯ve seen a man literally shit himself to death.¡±


    ¡°Gods.¡± Spidena recoiled at the imagery.


    ¡°His children never recovered from it. Even to this day they are wary of eating too much fruit as a result.¡±


    Spidena let out a defeated groan, her shoulders rolling forward as they walked.


    She was starting to suspect that it was going to be an unbearably long night of walking, even if she was immune from blisters and hadn¡¯t entirely finished processing the drugs Ben had accidentally fed her.

 Chapter 18: A Temporary Truce

    ¡°You¡¯re wrong.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a matter of opinion. There is no right or wrong.¡±


    ¡°No. You are firmly wrong.¡±


    ¡°Fine. I don¡¯t care.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s no fun! Argue! Stake your claim! Hold fast to your¨C¡±


    ¡°You. Aren¡¯t. Worth. The breath!¡± Ben rounded on Spidena and stared down at her with weary exasperation.


    ¡°That is even worse! I-¡±


    ¡°Is there anything I can say that will change your mind?¡± Ben interrupted passionately.


    Spidena frowned, and her eyes narrowed unhappily. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Right! It¡¯s a waste of breath. You will believe that potato wedges should be crispy, and I will believe that they should be hearty and soft. Stop. Arguing.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re wrong.¡±


    ¡°That is a matter of opinion!¡± Ben burst out, his fingers pinching together as he tried to emphasize his point while he strolled along with the most infuriating woman on the planet.


    ¡°You were in the army devoid of real world interactions. I bet rat poison tasted good to you!¡± Spidena scoffed haughtily.


    Many would have thought her a wench for saying such a thing.


    However, she actually had a wonderful instinct around the fact that Ben didn¡¯t want platitudes and gentleness when it came to his past.


    He also didn¡¯t want persecution, but rather a mild ambivalence.


    In this case brash insults also worked.


    Which Spidena happily delivered in spades.


    ¡°Because I didn¡¯t get to try as many foods I¡¯d say I have a more sensitive palette. Just like when it comes to detecting magic,¡± Ben announced with a feigned air of superiority.


    Spidena rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Now that you¡¯re in a better mood¡­¡± Ben¡¯s thoughtful tone hinted at a change of topic.


    Spidena literally growled, and Ben raised an eyebrow in her direction.


    But she wasn¡¯t disagreeing, so he shrugged and asked his question. ¡°How is it you managed to move bottles and summon things in your shop but you can¡¯t do that out here? I asked you this before, but you¡­ Well. You were being a being a bit of a bitc¨C¡±


    The flash in Spidena¡¯s eyes had Ben clamping his mouth shut again and prompting him to clear his throat.  ¡°A bit grumpy,¡± he finished safely.


    ¡°It¡¯s because the more effort and magic you pour into a space, the more powerful and connected to you it becomes. Remember how I said it took me ages to weave the spell for the roof not to leak¡­? Well, on top of weaving the spell, I rarely left the house, and interacted with the space a lot. Rearranging things, filling jars¡­ That kind of stuff.¡±


    ¡°A lot of people spend time in their houses. I take it there¡¯s something about you being a witch that helps that?¡± Ben reasoned slowly.


    Spidena nodded. ¡°Yes. While magic is its own entity, we can move it and give a bit more power to an item or place by doing so. Especially if you do it consciously. Even dodders can do this, though it takes them a lot longer. A house can gain impeccable shields and protection from sickness if a family of dodders stays in one house or on a piece of land for generations. It¡¯s also why homes that have stayed in a family of dodders can look as magical as a witch¡¯s house.¡±


    ¡°Wait. So I could start making a magic house?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Ben blinked and fell silent while he started attempting to organize the information.


    ¡°Just let me know when you go cross eyed,¡± Spidena chortled at his expression as he once again struggled with trying to grasp how magic worked.


    ¡°You can even build that kind of magic connection to another person or situation. An easy name for it is manifesting. You can manifest a home where no one gets sick and every birth is safe. Or, you can manifest a positive relationship with someone,¡± Spidena continued, as though hoping to torture Ben with overwhelming information.


    ¡°You mean someone could magically force feelings on a person?¡± Ben stopped walking, the look of horror on his face sobering the mood between them.


    ¡°Oh that¡¯d go horribly unless it was already meant to be, or they already had those feelings. Weren¡¯t you listening? You can manifest a connection. It just won¡¯t be predictable how it goes. Though some witches do specialize in¡­ increasing your romantic odds. Even so, if you¡¯re a rotten person it probably will have some hefty price with awful consequences if you try to force a romantic connection on someone. If you¡¯re a good person generally you aren¡¯t looking for that kind of thing.


    Ben slid a hand to his forehead. ¡°I need to write all of this down.¡±


    Spidena laughed. ¡°I¡¯m surprised you¡¯d bother. There¡¯s no need for you to remember this. You aren¡¯t a Hound any more, and once we get to Kintel you¡¯re done with me.¡±


    ¡°You were going on about how I didn¡¯t know anything and I should!¡± Ben exclaimed with such a great degree of exasperation that his voice soared up an extra octave.


    ¡°Mm¡­ Only about the stuff I say is important. Knowing how a witch builds magic into her home isn¡¯t relevant to you¨C¡±


    ¡°But you just said dodders can too! And I¡¯m a dodder! Now I know that if I ever get a house I have to live as a hermit and try to convince the magic in the house to turn me invisible.¡±


    Spidena almost laughed but instead bobbed her head side to side. ¡°That would be a good idea for you with all those people chasing after you for your gold blob. You probably couldn¡¯t make yourself invisible in the house, but it would become a place incredibly hard to find and easy to forget if you put a good decade or so of intentions in the house. Five years would suffice if you¡¯re a powerful enough dodder that you border on being a witch.¡±


    Ben wasn¡¯t sure if he should feel pained at receiving yet more information, or delighted that it was possible for him to accomplish some sort of magic deal of his own.


    ¡°Where do you plan on settling down?¡± Spidena asked, pulling him free from his thoughts.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know yet. I¡¯ve heard the lands outside Arbal have good soil and lots of fresh water lakes.¡±


    ¡°The winters that far north would be awful, and it¡¯s only just begun to develop from what I hear,¡± Spidena informed him while crinkling her nose.


    ¡°That usually means cheap land.¡±


    The witch slowly climbed down a ledge that marked the beginning of their descent of a steep hill. ¡°Are you really going to use every bit of that gold to help your friend?¡±


    ¡°Probably. It might not even be enough.¡±


    Spidena balked. ¡°Just what in the world did they do?!¡±


    ¡°They became valuable,¡± Ben answered shortly.


    Sensing that he was going to hold fast onto his silence on his objectives with getting to Kintel, Spidena didn¡¯t press the matter any more.


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    Instead they continued picking their way down the hill. At the very least they were finished with traveling through the night, which Spidena had hated the most, and were it not for Wolf¡¯s comforting presence on her shoulder, issuing the occasional warning croak when a rock, hill, or other possible danger that she didn¡¯t care about knowing in any great detail, she would¡¯ve been far more stressed about the experience.


    Though while Spidena was appreciative of the daylight that made navigating the forest floor significantly easier, a rumble overhead soured her mood swiftly.


    Both Ben and Spidena halted and looked up at the sky through the canopy of trees, right in time to hear the spattering of rain on the thick green leaves.


    They both slowly lowered their gazes back to each other.


    ¡°At least it isn¡¯t that cold today,¡± Ben pointed out positively.


    Spidena took in a very long, deep breath, then turned and pressed on through the foliage; her weariness from lack of sleep suddenly felt completely smothering.


    ¡°Are you going to make me walk through the rain, too?¡± she asked dejectedly.


    Ben laughed as he easily kept pace with the witch, raindrops tapping the lapels of his coat. ¡°I doubt I could make you do anything. The only reason you¡¯re following me around so adamantly is because you think something bad will happen to you if you don¡¯t. Even though stuff keeps happening to us regardless.¡±


    ¡°I told you big magic attracts things!¡±


    ¡°Mhm.¡±


    ¡°And it also will contrive to keep us together!¡±


    ¡°Mm.¡±


    ¡°Have I been wrong before?¡± Spidena challenged passionately.


    *


    Ben turned to stare at her with a slow, wart eating grin. ¡°You can¡¯t even get your opinion of potato wedges right. Of course you can be wrong.¡±


    He was in no way surprised when she cuffed the upside of his head, but he laughed anyway as she did it.


    Which happened right before the sky broke and a deluge of rainwater soaked them completely through in a matter of five seconds.


    ¡°It¡¯s too bad we can¡¯t figure out a way to keep staying at the inn while it deposits us closer to Kintel,¡± Ben hollered over the rush of water striking against the lush foliage around them.


    ¡°There¡¯s no way that doesn¡¯t involve a big price from big magic! We are meant to go on a long journey together!¡± Spidena snapped while squinting against the water that streamed into her eyes.


    ¡°There¡¯s always something¡­¡± Ben shook his head and continued to tread as carefully as possible down the hill, but his sure footedness was thwarted when his boot hit slick clay, sending him straight to his backside, and then rolling the rest of the way down the hill.


    Spidena cackled merrily¡­ Until her own heel lost its purchase on the root she had balanced upon and she, too, went tumbling down.


    Luckily by the beginning of Spidena¡¯s fall point Ben had at least recovered enough that he was able to scramble up and stop her from bludgeoning her head off of a recently fallen tree by seizing her shoulder while sinking his knee into the muck.


    With a groan, Spidena let out a breath of relief when she realized just how close she had been to brain damage.


    Amazingly she didn¡¯t complain as Ben then proceeded to help her stand up.


    Spidena lifted her left forearm arm with a wince as she inspected its lily white underside and discovered a very unpleasant wide spread series of scrapes down her arm. Blood droplets would¡¯ve dappled her skin if it weren¡¯t for the rain still crashing down on them.


    ¡°Did anything fall out of your bag?¡± Ben asked while leaning closer so he wouldn¡¯t have to shout quite so loudly.


    Spidena shook her head. ¡°Nothing can fall out or be stolen!¡±


    ¡°How did I go into your bag earlier then?¡±


    ¡°I granted you permission to go into my bag back when you were still asleep in the shop!¡±


    ¡°Why did you do that?¡± Ben wondered, utterly baffled as he still grasped her hand to lead her down the rest of the slope.


    ¡°I knew we would get into trouble, and there was a chance I wouldn¡¯t be able to get to my bag.¡±


    It was a fair assumption¡ªher paranoia about big magic following them aside¡ªwhat with Ben being a wanted man amongst unsavory groups.


    Thunder boomed overhead, making the earth beneath their feet shudder ominously.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s try and find a cover we can wait this out in. Keep an eye out for some pines, or a ledge of land!¡± Ben called over his shoulder, then started scanning the terrain for any such spot.


    They managed to travel for another hour in the deluge before coming across a spot between two rock faces that had weathered away in time to form an alcove. An additional blessing was that thanks to the foliage on the cliffs above, as well as the thick pines at its mouth, it was moist, but not drenched.


    Wedging themselves into the earthen nook left only an extra foot of space on each side of them, and though the alcove narrowed behind them, it did have an extra foot or two of room length wise.


    Both Ben and Spidena took a moment to stare out at the watery land, and listened to the din of the storm.


    Ben was the first to sit with a groan.


    Spidena joined him.


    ¡°What¡¯re the odds you know a spell to start a waterproof fire?¡±


    The witch responded to Ben¡¯s question with a tired, half hearted look of irritation.


    ¡°Right. Of course not¡­ Who would need waterproof fire when undertaking a horrendously long journey on foot?¡±


    Spidena ignored him and then reached into her bag to draw out her light blue shawl to wrap around herself.


    Which made Ben notice that she was trembling from the cold and covered in goosebumps.


    As much as he wanted to continue to taunt her on her lack of preparation for her journey, he kept it to himself. He knew he wasn¡¯t the most sensitive of souls, but he didn¡¯t want to be insufferable.


    And so with a sigh, Ben slipped his pack off his back, shoved it farther into the alcove and proceeded to lay down while using it as a pillow with his arms crossed.


    Closing his eyes Ben wondered if he¡¯d be able to get any sleep¡­ But he was distracted from this thought when a very dry, warm, wool blanket was suddenly draped over himself.


    His eyes snapping open, Ben looked and saw Spidena under the same blanket, and she was still rummaging around again in her bag. She produced a clean cloth that she dabbed at her scraped arm with, then withdrew her pillow, and proceeded to place it beside Ben and flop back while pulling up her side of the blanket.


    ¡°Er¡­ This is-¡±


    ¡°Touch me and I¡¯ll have Wolf peck your eyes out.¡±


    ¡°Yes ma¡¯am.¡±


    Ben looked back upward, gave a short laugh through his nose and closed his eyes again.


    ¡°We never breathe a word of this if we see Daffy again. Agreed?¡± Spidena imposed stiffly.


    ¡°Agreed.¡± Ben nodded adamantly, his eyes still closed, then paused. ¡°Unless it gets us another free night and food?¡±


    ¡°Deal.¡±


    Ben smiled to himself.


    It dawned on him then, that maybe, just maybe¡­ That the witch was occasionally decent. And he wasn¡¯t exactly upset about that as the faintest touches of warmth started to ebb back under his soaked clothes thanks to the blanket.


    *


    Before the travel weary companions knew it, Ben was fast asleep, and Spidena found herself in a similar state shortly after she managed to finally allow herself to relax while laying beside him.


    The storm persisted, but it wasn¡¯t nearly as big of a problem for the pair as they welcomed any semblance of sleep they could get after their very long, stressful night.

 Chapter 19: Finding Filif

    ¡°Shit!¡± Ben exploded, sitting bolt upright, his face twisted into a grimace.


    Spidena grumbled at his side as she tried to steal more of the blanket.


    ¡°We forgot to tell the robbers about The Fey Way!¡±


    ¡°Why¡­ Would Daffy want us¡­ Telling those kinds of people¡­?¡± Spidena muttered sleepily.


    ¡°They aren¡¯t all that choosy with clientele! Remember they rented rooms to Oleg.¡±


    ¡°Daffy and Obbie don¡¯t have eyes everywhere. We¡¯ll just¨C¡± Spidena yawned¨C ¡°Tell the next people we¡­ kick in the balls and drug.¡±


    Ben sighed and dropped his chin to his chest. ¡°Easy for you to say. If Obbie gets pissed with me, you said he could meddle in my life.¡±


    ¡°Obbie isn¡¯t nearly as interested in you as you think.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t really want to goad additional problems into my life. Besides, aren¡¯t you the one saying we¡¯re more appealing to magical beings?¡±


    Sitting up groggily, Spidena looked at Ben through half lidded eyes, but said nothing.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t have thoughts¡­ I just want to sleep,¡± Spidena explained with a pitiful groan as she flopped back onto her pillow. Her hair was a wild entity that nearly swallowed her face every time she moved, and her face looked a mite pale.


    ¡°We¡¯ve slept long enough. We have to start walking again or it¡¯ll take even longer to get to the road,¡± Ben explained while giving his neck a crack.


    Spidena rolled over, grumbled into her pillow, and made no move to get up.


    ¡°Come on, it¡¯s stopped raining.¡±


    ¡°My boots are still wet.¡±


    ¡°We can try and dry them off tonight when we make camp, but until then let¡¯s cover as much ground as possible.¡± Ben peeled back the toasty blanket he had been under and fought off a grimace as he shifted and acknowledged that his own clothes and boots were still horribly soggy.


    Still, he pushed himself up to stand with a grunt, arched his back into a stretch, then turned to grab his pack again.


    Only to find that in those few seconds it had taken him to do this, Spidena had successfully absorbed his half of the wool blanket into a cocoon around herself, and she appeared half asleep.


    Sighing, Ben sidled over to where she lay while slipping his hands into his pockets. ¡°Should I make you a cup of tea?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch my bag.¡± Amazingly, from the depths of her slumber, the witch was still able to respond.


    ¡°Spidena, come on. I¡¯m going to start walking ahead of you again.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll sicc Wolf on you.¡±


    ¡°Spidena, it¡¯s going to take us that much longer to get to the road, and those two men might be gaining ground on us.¡±


    ¡°Uugh,¡± Spidena sat up, her disaster of wavy and curly hair making her look wild and maybe just a little bit unhinged. ¡°I doubt they can track us. They didn¡¯t seem all that bright.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who is so paranoid about us getting into trouble,¡± Ben reminded impatiently.


    ¡°From magical creatures! Not from¡ªDid you hear that?¡± Spidena held up a finger, her exasperated expression crunching down into a frown.


    Ben straightened and turned his head in the same direction Spidena was looking.


    At first he heard nothing¡­


    Then he heard a rustle. A faint slucking of wet leaves and snapping twigs.


    He was about to make a sarcastic comment on the deadliness of squirrels, when he heard the rise and fall of a giggle. He waited in tense silence to see if it was a trick of his mind, but another one drifted closer.


    His toes rounded toward the sound; dried pine needles grinding under his boots.


    The giggles stopped.


    Spidena hastily shoved the blanket in her bag, then the pillow, and stood. She drew herself over to Ben¡¯s side.


    When he opened his mouth to ask what the hells she thought it might be, she held up her finger, quieting him.


    They stood, perfectly still, waiting.


    The taut silence carried on for so long, that Ben started to wonder if she was simply toying with him out of revenge for waking her up¡­ She could have cast some kind of spell to trick him.


    But she suddenly gave a huff of exasperation and said a short. ¡°Oh.¡±


    Shooting her a puzzled look, Ben didn¡¯t get the chance to follow it up with the question of what was wrong, before she strode over to a spot thirty feet ahead, then placed her hands on her hips.


    Ben cautiously followed, until a soft fluttering brushed against his right cheek.


    Startled into motionlessness, he didn¡¯t even dare to turn his head, only slid his eyes slowly over to confirm that it was Wolf sitting on his shoulder.


    ¡°Spidena!¡± Ben called out in a strained, excited whisper. ¡°Spidena look at this!¡±


    Spidena didn¡¯t look. She stayed staring at whatever it was that had caught her attention with her bushy hair fluttering in the wind.


    Keeping his back as straight as possible, Ben carefully took a stiff step closer to where she stood. Then another one, and another¡­ Until he stood at her side.


    ¡°Do you see this? I think Wolf likes me!¡±


    Spidena flicked a brief distracted glance at him. ¡°That¡¯s not Wolf.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Ben flailed in panic. The bird made a garbled croak of displeasure before ruffling its feathers indignantly and launching itself into the air.


    Spidena cackled as Ben wiped his coat, and stared at the bird that perched on a nearby fir tree branch¡­ Was it glaring?


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.¡°That is Wolf!¡± he realized loudly.


    Spidena continued to laugh.


    ¡°You can be a real hag,¡± he muttered before following her eyeline and finding what had her so concerned.


    ¡°A mushroom ring?¡± Ben stared at the tiny white capped mushrooms poking up through the moss that was a beautiful bright, lush green after the rains the previous day. The roots of a fir tree caging the ground just behind it that arched over the earth.


    Spidena¡¯s head tilted. ¡°Sprites.¡±


    ¡°Where?¡± Ben looked around frantically in alarm.


    ¡°Just wait.¡±


    It took another full minute of standing perfectly still, but then there was a shift of dirt from within the shadowy roots of the fir tree. At first it just looked like a patch of moss falling open¡­ Until¡­


    There stood a little creature Ben had never seen the likes of before.


    It stood under three feet, and had a pale white face that matched the mushrooms that made up the circle. His eyes took up far too much of his round face that was like a sideways oval. The eyes were black as pitch, yet streaks of fine, brown lines ran through them¡­ Almost like the gills on the underside of a mushroom cap.


    And the reason mushrooms kept coming to Ben¡¯s mind?


    The little figure had hair¡­ Or a hat¡­ That was made of moss and brush that had different varietals of mushrooms sprouting up sporadically on his head, and on random other parts of its body. The being wore a light brown cloth coat, a dirty loose white shirt, and brown pants that had patches of different colored cloth sewn on. Ben looked down at the sprite¡¯s feet and found that instead of toes, there were mushroom caps.


    The little creature smiled up at him without revealing any teeth.


    ¡°Uh¡­ Sp-Spidena?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a mushroom sprite,¡± Spidena explained in a lowered voice before plastering a smile on her face.


    Blinking, Ben found he had to squint as there was a telling silvery glow that would occasionally pulse from the sprite. ¡°He¡¯s hard to look at.¡±


    Spidena turned her head to stare at Ben. ¡°He is made of pure magic. That makes sense.¡±


    ¡°Wait. So when you are bargaining to make a spell, o-or an incantation, you¡¯re bargaining with him?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Ben looked at Spidena.


    He was beginning to suspect he would develop a nasty twitch any day now. ¡°I think I was too judgmental of the alcoholics I knew in my life. One minute things can be normal. The next you could be staring down a sprite made of pure magic with a witch and her raven. While also worrying a psychotic fairy might decide to torment you for the rest of your life¨C¡±


    Spidena reached over and grasped Ben¡¯s wrist. ¡°Could you¡­ Have a mental breakdown on your own time? Maybe tonight while I dry my boots?¡±


    ¡°You know I think it is perfectly reasonable that I¨C¡± Ben rounded on Spidena in exasperation, only for her to cut him off again.


    ¡°You¡¯re being rude to the sprite,¡±Spidena informed him sternly before returning her gaze to the little mushroom being. ¡°Hi there. My name is Spidena, I¡¯m a witch. This is my¡­ That¡¯s Ben. We are just traveling through the woods to get to the main road. How are you?¡±


    Ben listened as she clearly pronounced each of her words, and watched as she continued trying to consistently smile down at the sprite.


    The sprite blinked very slowly up at her, then turned its head to look at Ben who squinted, blinked some more, and tried to smile, only for it to come out looking like an uncertain grimace.


    The sprite¡¯s smile grew and his mushrooms rustled as though he were silently laughing.


    ¡°Can we help you with something?¡± Spidena pressed while her own smile started to look pained.


    The sprite blinked up at her.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Ben interjected, more so out of curiosity to see if this new being was capable of talking.


    The sprite lifted his hand (that actually looked quite human save for the soft white nails), and beckoned to Spidena.


    The witch barely hid her reticent reaction as she obeyed, slowly lowering herself down to a kneel.


    Ben watched, confused, until the sprite dropped the brim of his mossy hair hat onto Spidena¡¯s forehead with a small ¡®bap¡¯. A shudder ran through Spidena and a powerful tickling twinge rushed through Ben instantly that wasn¡¯t entirely unlike the time Spidena had worked the magic into her potion.


    ¡°His name is Filif,¡± Spidena announced as she leaned back from the sprite who smiled at her and then at Ben appearing perfectly innocent while clasping his hands in front of himself.


    ¡°Okay¡­ And¡­ Does Filif need something?¡± he ventured.


    The sprite shook his head.


    Spidena slowly rose to her feet. ¡°Did you just want to¡­ Follow us?¡±


    The sprite clapped its hands fervidly and jumped up and down while giggling, his mushrooms bobbing.


    ¡°Oh¡­ Do you promise¡­ Do you promise not to¡­ Not to be mischievous with us?¡± Spidena asked, her tone treading the line of wanting to sound firm but also gentle, which resulted in her sounding all the more uncertain.


    The sprite gave a little growl and put his hands on, presumably, his hips.


    Spidena held up her hands in nervous surrender, and Ben couldn¡¯t help but wonder just why she was utterly terrified of this creature that was little more than a mushroom nugget.


    He remembered Spidena and Daffy talking about how they could be annoying, but to be fearful of them seemed odd.


    ¡°Alright, well, we¡¯re trying to get to the road to Kintel like I said before, so we have a long way to walk, is this fine?¡± Ben¡¯s tone was relatively flat as he accepted that if he tried to object to Filif¡¯s company, he would probably get another earful on the dreadful consequences of spiting magic or something to that effect from Spidena.


    The sprite beamed up at him once more, and waved his arm toward them while scampering ahead.


    Ben took in a very long breath, and proceeded to follow the sprite named Filif.


    ¡°Ah¡ªwait, we should¡ªOh.¡± Spidena called out, cringing.


    Ben looked over his shoulder at her, wondering what else was there to know. Was the sprite going to eat them at the first chance it got?


    Spidena¡¯s eyes darted to his feet then back up at him. ¡°Well. I guess it can¡¯t be helped.¡±


    Turning his attention downward, Ben noticed that Spidena was staring at him standing in the middle of the mushroom circle.


    ¡°Wait¡­ Is that an actual thing¡­? The dangers of mushroom circles? The Hounds thought that bit was made up!¡±


    Spidena breezed past him. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter now! You¡¯ve already crossed it. Come on! We don¡¯t have all day!¡±


    Pinching the bridge of his nose, Ben did his best to mentally prepare himself for whatever came next. Which was remarkably hard to do when he hadn¡¯t the faintest clue what it may be.


    Regardless, he already knew beyond a shadow of a doubt there was no stopping whatever it was, and so, he followed after the sprite and the witch while trying to be optimistic that, at the very least, Filif  had motivated Spidena to get moving better than even the promise of a cup of tea.

 Chapter 20: A Hop and a Skip

    As Spidena and Ben followed Filif the mushroom sprite, the forest around them changed.


    For one, rather than following a specific direction that they would forge through, the sprite had them meandering around large trees and boulders, making random lefts and rights. But what was strange about this, was if they wound up making four rights they would find themselves before a different scene entirely. When it should have drawn them in a circle. For another reason, there was a brighter, hazier glow around everything under the brilliant sun of the day.


    The entire forest smelled fresh and earthy after the rain, the aroma of wetted pines and soil the most potent of them. Birds chirped peacefully above them, chipmunks darted through the brush and across their path completely unfazed by their presence.


    Not excessively abnormal¡­ And yet¡­ Ben felt lighter. Like he was drifting along¡­


    He was in such a state of peculiar peacefulness as they went through this silly walk through the woods following a mushroom sprite, that it wasn¡¯t until midday that Ben finally realized what was guiding their confusing journey.


    The sprite was following mushrooms. Mushroom lines and circles!


    ¡°You do realize the odds of us winding up on Earhav¡¯s land is significantly greater with us following him,¡± Ben whispered to Spidena as they proceeded to move around a large oak tree three times.


    ¡°I doubt it. Fey folk don¡¯t like him either.¡±


    ¡°Why do the sprites hate him?¡± Ben mused with an amazed scoff.


    ¡°Mm¡­ They tend to be mischievous and he¡­ at times overreacts. And the type of magic he specializes doesn¡¯t sit well with most beings.¡±


    Despite their lowered tones, Filif swung around and nodded his head adamantly in agreement with Spidena, his mushrooms waving dramatically as he did so.


    Ben cleared his throat.


    He still wasn¡¯t used to the peculiar appearance of the sprite, even though the little creature seemed perfectly friendly and amenable to him. There was a persistent prickling in Ben¡¯s heart and in his head that told him there was a lot more to Filif than met the eye.


    ¡°Right¡­¡± It was all Ben could think to say.


    Filif tilted his face, peering up curiously at Ben, then spun around with a giggle and continued scampering in a new direction where small white flowers dotted the ground as shafts of sunlight illuminated pollen and dandelion seeds drifting through the air.


    ¡°It¡¯s strange, I almost feel like¡­ we¡¯re in a different world,¡± Ben noted distantly as he watched Filif frolic over another bend in the peculiar path that seemed to just appear before him; the feeling of serenity was starting to come on as potently as a glass full of strong liquor.


    ¡°We somewhat are in a different world. You in particular.¡±


    Blinking, Ben turned his head slowly to stare at Spidena. ¡°What?¡±


    Spidena waved him off. ¡°Come along. Sprites can be impatient little things.¡±


    Opening and closing his mouth, Ben would¡¯ve insisted he have the whole matter explained, but a dull thudding behind his eyebrows told him his brain was absolutely done with absorbing any new information that made no logical sense.


    And he was feeling quite splendid, so why impede on that. It only vaguely occurred to wonder why he was feeling so lovely he would not be quite so at ease any more.


    With the decision to not spare his present state any more thought, Ben decided frollicking through the forest looked quite fun. Almost like being a free stag in the forest.


    Stag¡¯s were nice.


    They were majestic.


    Kings of the forest!


    Closing his eyes blissfully, Ben launched himself into the air in a magnificent skip, and then bounded by Spidena who halted in her steps again to watch him until he caught up with Filif, and next thing he knew¡­ Ben was giggling right along with Filif. What a wonderful day it was turning out to be!


    *


    Letting out a drawn out snort of laughter, Spidena doubled over. ¡°I¡¯m never going to let him live this down. Dumbass with a wart for a brain.¡±


    Overhead Wolf swooped soundlessly, light glinting off his pristine black wings.


    Sighing, Spidena let the seductive magic of the other realm take over just a smudge, and felt a smile climb her face.


    When in the fey realm, as long as you could manage to remember it was not where you belonged, you could leave when you wanted.


    Ben would most likely need to be dragged¡­


    And Spidena would be lying if she wasn¡¯t already looking forward to it immensely.


    Though by the mid afternoon she would be eating her words.


    ***


    ¡°Welcome customer! How can I¨CMr.Godlbry! Fancy seeing you here!¡± Daffy beamed at the man who wore a tasteful dusty rose vest with gold buttons, a black tie, and tan pants, with his white shirt sleeves already rolled up. While he did have a widows peak, his remaining hair was thick and curled, and strawberry blond, with white only touching the sides of his head.


    Pesch Goldbry ran a hand over his heavily treated hair and turned with a polite smile to the nymph.


    ¡°How are things, Daffy?¡± His voice was pleasantly deep, and sounded as though it had been well seasoned in cigar smoke and fine whisky.


    ¡°Oh, they are going well, Mr. Goldry! We still aren¡¯t getting a significant amount of customers, but I¡¯m sure that will change very soon.¡± Daffy giggled knowingly.


    A good natured half smile tugged up Pesch Goldbry¡¯s mouth as he waved two muscled men and an abnormally tall woman through the rounded doorway behind him.


    ¡°Oh! You brought your helpers!¡± Daffy observed, her smile warming.


    ¡°Good to see you Miss Daffy,¡± the bald headed man with dark skin clad in a draping black coat greeted while bowing to the nymph. His dark eyes were flanked by deep lines. He had no neck to speak of, and a gap between nearly every tooth, but despite his ominous appearance, his tone was perfectly cordial.


    ¡°Miss Daffy,¡± the second large man greeted. While the first muscled fellow looked to be in his fifties, this one looked to be in his late thirties. With honey brown hair, a salt and pepper beard, and steel blue eyes.


    ¡°Boco, Gazin!¡± Daffy called happily in the order in which they had greeted her. ¡°It¡¯s wonderful to see you!¡±


    The final person to walk over the threshold to the inn was a woman. Her long dark auburn hair was tied up in a high ponytail. Her amber eyes swept over the cramped hall of the inn calculatively, her posture ramrod straight. Not only was she incredibly tall, but she was as thick and broad shouldered as many knights.


    She looked to be in her early thirties, and unlike most women, she wore white pants, tall black boots, and a light gray coat she had buttoned all the way up.


    She inclined her head to the nymph. ¡°Miss Daffy.¡±


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Daffy giggled. ¡°Oh Azette, you¡¯re still so serious.¡±


    ¡°Yes, and she¡¯s not a kid anymore, so you know that really is her personality,¡± Pesch said with a warm smile, his gold tie clip glinting in the warm light of the inn as he leaned forward with the jest. ¡°Why is it you think business is going to be picking up soon?¡±


    ¡°Well! Let me tell you! Obbie! Set the tea out! We have company!¡±


    ¡°THEY PAY UPFRONT! EITHER BY KILLING EVERY GODFORSAKEN ANT OR MOSQUITO ON THIS PLANET! OR GOLD! AND I WILL NOT SETTLE FOR ANYTHING¨CAh. Mr. Goldbry.¡± Obbie greeted, his demented energy as he charged through the kitchen and dining room instantly extinguished.


    ¡°Obbie. Good to see your spirit hasn¡¯t shriveled up and died a martyr¡¯s death,¡± Pesch greeted with an arched eyebrow.


    The fairies upper lip twitched. ¡°Yes, well. We¡¯ve only been open a full lunar cycle or so. There¡¯s still time.¡±


    ¡°Shall we?¡± Pesch asked with a polite smile while bending slightly at the hips.


    Obbie rolled his eyes, then, with an extraordinarily mocking bow, he gestured Pesch Goldry and his entourage into their dining room where only five patrons sat scattered around the long tables and benches..


    One other fairy sat with a man that didn¡¯t look entirely alright¨C Possibly someone possessed by a ghost. A bucket sized tree stump sat beside the ghost-human squawking until the fairy tossed a cup of water in its mouth.


    There was another nymph sitting alone on the opposite side of the trio. Black, ashy smoke hovered around his face with its glowing red eyes discouraged close attention.


    Then there were a couple of dwarves huddled over tankards who scowled up at the newcomers, until Pesch caught their eye and lowered his head in acknowledgment.


    Their thick wiry eyebrows rose a fraction, then the two dwarves lowered their gazes back to their drinks.


    ¡°Why, here, Mr. Goldry,¡± Obbie took the tea towel off his shoulder and slapped the bench nearest to the kitchen and hearth with it. ¡°Best seat in the house.¡±


    Gazin started to rumble while Azette tilted her head with her gaze turning both icy and sharp.


    Obbie tsked then seated himself down.


    Pesch chuckled then proceeded to lower himself across from the fairy. Gazin sat on his right, Boco on his left, and Azette sat beside Gazin, but with her back to the table as she kept facing the doorway that led to the front hall.


    ¡°Now, lovely Daffy, please tell me what it is you believe will improve business?¡± Pesch interlocked his fingers on the table surface expectantly.


    ¡°Yes. How will Daffy improve the business you started then abandoned to see if it¡¯d stay afloat like a centaur¡¯s turd in a pond.¡± Obbie leaned his face on his hand that was propped up by his elbow on the table.


    ¡°For a fairy as high ranking as yourself, Obbie, I¡¯m surprised you have such a disgusting way of speaking.¡±


    The fairy grinned shamelessly back at Pesch.


    ¡°Well, Mr. Goldry, I happened to meet a witch who has a growing cloud of big magic around her!¡± Daffy announced loudly, drawing everyone¡¯s attention back to her as she seated herself next to Obbie while nudging him firmly in the ribs.


    Today Daffy wore a bright white and yellow floral dress, and so the moment everyone laid eyes on her again, their tense expressions naturally softened.


    ¡°A witch with big magic following her? As in¡­ She can wield it?¡± Pesch wondered slowly.


    ¡°Probably a little¡ªshe can cast incantations. But you see, the big magic is there because she got herself fate tied to a man chop,¡± Daffy giggled excitedly, her shoulders wriggling. ¡°And ooh, let me tell you! He has a secret past that has to tie into the big magic! You see¡­ He is actually a dodder!¡±


    Pesch¡¯s eyebrows rose. ¡°How old is he?¡±


    ¡°Mm¡­ I think the witch said he was around his mid twenties? He looked older though,¡± Obbie contributed boredly.


    ¡°A dodder in that age bracket who wasn¡¯t slaughtered?¡± Pesch sounded a mixture of impressed and surprised.


    ¡°Yes! See? So interesting¡­ Well, Mr. Goldbry, even just from her being here for a single night, we already have had more business! Magic folk smell that kind of power and flock to it, and the longer that big magic hangs around them? The stronger the smell. And the witch and her man chop will come back soon, I¡¯m sure of it!¡±


    Pesch folded his arms and leaned backward thoughtfully. ¡°I can¡¯t say I¡¯ve ever met anyone with ¡®big magic¡¯ hanging around them like you describe.¡±


    ¡°You were around that woman who was cursed,¡± Azette reminded tonelessly without taking her eyes off of the doorway.


    ¡°That was unpleasant,¡± Goldry¡¯s eyes dropped as he recalled that unfortunate incident in mild tones. ¡°However this sounds far more fun. Tell me, what were their names? Was it a witch I would¡¯ve heard of?¡±


    Daffy beamed at the positive reaction their benefactor was giving. ¡°I don¡¯t think you would¡¯ve heard of either of them! She was quite young herself. The witch introduced herself as Spidena and her man chop is called Ben.¡±


    Pesch Goldry and every single member of his entourage drew themselves straight, and their eyes collectively widened.


    The alarm was so obviously great, that even Obbie started to sit upright.


    ¡°You¡­ Are certain¡­ that this witch¡¯s name was¡­ Spidena?¡± Pesch¡¯s voice sounded like it was barely restrained.


    Daffy nodded slowly, her smile fading.


    ¡°She was traveling with a man?¡± Azette growled.


    Daffy gulped. ¡°Y-Yes.¡±


    ¡°Did they¡­ Share a room?¡± Pesch asked, his lips curling in disgust.


    ¡°Oh, no, they didn¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°Not that Daffy didn¡¯t try her darndest to make it happen though!¡± Obbie contributed brightly.


    Daffy gave a panicked chortle before reaching up and cuffing Obbie firmly behind the head. The fairy didn¡¯t seem contrite in any way.


    ¡°Both of you listen closely.¡± Pesch Goldbry lowered his thick eyebrows to stare at the nymph and fairy darkly, the air around him turning tremendously terrifying.


    Even the smoking nymph on the opposite side of the room shifted a little farther down the bench.


    ¡°If that witch comes back in here, you will contact me immediately, and not let her leave. She has a lot of explaining to do.¡±


    ¡°So it sounds like you¡¯ve met¡­ the witch¡­?¡± Obbie ventured with only a slight note of sarcasm.


    It was the closest to serious most people had ever heard from him.


    ¡°I have. I know her quite well. And she has much to apologize for.¡±


    ¡°Huh. Wow. She and man chop certainly have a lot in common!¡± Obbie noted lightly.


    ¡°What the fuck do you mean?¡± Azette demanded. The honed fury in her eyes made even Obbie lean away.


    ¡°Oh. Well. Man chop¡ªBen. He had some problem with a nasty patron of ours. Oleg or something. Another group stumbled in that was looking for him after he and the witch left. The leader of the second group of men was named Reggie Bowan. He and his cronies  were coming down from one hell of a strong charm¡­ They were babbling about some stolen gold.¡± Obbie shrugged.


    Pesch stood up slowly. ¡°Where did the witch say she was heading with the dodder?¡±


    ¡°Kintel,¡± Daffy answered hastily, her voice high pitched and thready.


    ¡°I see. And did you tell that to this man named Reggie Bowan?¡±


    ¡°N-No!¡± Daffy shook her head adamantly.


    Pesch strode away from the table without another word, his three companions following suit. The one who had reacted outwardly the least had been Boco¡­ However he loitered behind his company to lean over to Daffy and Obbie and say,


    ¡°If I were you, I¡¯d make sure that when she does show up, you lock her in a room with nothing else in it. We won¡¯t let this go again if she leaves without seeing us.¡±


    Then, turning on his heel, Boco ambled after Pesch.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell them Ben gave you a button and that you could probably find them right now?!¡± Daffy whispered urgently to Obbie.


    They fairy gave a lazy single shoulder shrug. ¡°I¡¯m bored. This seems interesting.¡±


    Daffy openly fretted, but Obbie ignored her. Rising to his feet, he proceeded to head back into his kitchen, though compared to earlier, there appeared to be a bit of a spring in his step.

 Chapter 21: The Road to Happiness

    Spidena sat on the log with her chin propper up in the heel of her palm.


    As amusing as the scene before her had been three hours ago, it was no longer as enjoyable so much as it was annoying.


    Ben, with his shirt off and a muddy handprint splattered across his left pectoral, along with dark mud lines drawn under his eyes, was prancing around a mushroom circle with the sprite who was twirling, whistling, and giggling along with him.


    ¡°Join us, Spidena!¡± Ben called out euphorically.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine where I am,¡± Spidena informed him for the fifth time.


    ¡°But you can celebrate the forest! Feel the wind! Bask in the¨C¡±


    ¡°I thought you wanted to travel as quickly as possible,¡± Spidena reminded while also knowing that it was quite pointless to try and make any logical points to Ben at this moment.


    The man was deep in the enchantment of the fey realm, and snapping him free of its magical haze would take a tich more effort


    Spidena wasn¡¯t sure if she should try and use magic, or if she should take a page out of Ben¡¯s book and make him eat or drink something that would make him ill, which would then make it significantly easier to ground him again.


    Of course the best way would be to simply shove him out of the realm.


    It¡¯d feel unpleasant for him, but Spidena was actually starting to feel a little dreamy herself at the idea.


    Her stomach rumbled, which alerted the witch that it was most likely nearing dinner time, and given that Ben had been deep in the enchantment of the fey realm for the majority of the day, they hadn¡¯t breaked for lunch.


    ¡°Ben, I¡¯m hungry,¡± Spidena announced half heartedly. She didn¡¯t expect much.


    ¡°Then open your leaves and eat the sunlight!¡± Ben spun in the air then upon landing, launched himself up to do another one.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a plant. I need real food. So I¡¯m going to be stepping out of the fey realm. Filif, of course you¡¯re welcome to come,¡± Spidena declared, while forcing her tone to be as sweet as possible.


    The sprite surprisingly stopped his fervid dancing to stare at Spidena, looking utterly crestfallen.


    Panicking a little internally, the witch added with a point at Ben, ¡°If that one doesn¡¯t eat, he¡¯s going to faint.¡±


    Filif looked in alarm at Ben as the man dipped into a dramatic lunge with his arms straight in the air.


    ¡°Witches and humans are like that,¡± she explained. ¡°We need food and water a few times a day. Especially if we are¨C¡±


    Ben dropped to his knees, his arms fully extended sideways, his face tilted up to the sky.


    Spidena stared at his blissful expression flatly for a moment before turning back to Filif.


    ¡°Especially if we are being active.¡±


    The sprite¡¯s shoulders drooped, but he showed no signs of anger, and so Spidena risked adjusting her sights to Ben.


    ¡°Come on. Put your shirt on, or the mosquitoes will eat you alive once we step into our own realm.¡±


    ¡°Why would they do that? We are all one!¡±


    ¡°Suit yourself. But come on. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Ben didn¡¯t respond or even move.


    Spidena¡¯s eyes narrowed irritably. ¡°I¡¯ll get Wolf to shit on your hair.¡±


    She watched his nose twitch at the suggestion. Then, as her stomach gave another rumble, she let out an exasperated sigh before bending down, and grabbing his upper arm.


    While not scrawny, Ben definitely tended toward lean muscle, and it surprised Spidena that it existed at all. Though it did make it harder to heft him to his feet, so the not-entirely-unimpressed feeling passed quickly.


    ¡°Do even the Hounds have to work out?¡± she muttered under her breath.


    ¡°We do. We have to restrain people. Or chase them. Or if they get violent, defend ourselves¡­ We never learned how to kill them really¡­ That was a task for the Hawk units,¡± Ben explained airily while at least allowing Spidena to haul him up to his feet.


    Spidena stopped her efforts and stared at Ben appraisingly.


    Hm. Interesting bit of information that is¡­


    ¡°Alright, do you see that hill right there?¡± Spidena pointed ahead where the slope of the land rose sharply, but only for a span of seven feet or so.


    ¡°Mhm.¡±


    ¡°Climb that with me. Don¡¯t let go of my hand, alright?¡±


    ¡°Mmm, I don¡¯t want to do that.¡±


    ¡°Too bad.¡±


    ¡°Mnngh!¡± Ben attempted to object, but evidently had lost the words to be able to do so like a civilized being. So he was left with no other option but to be pulled along by Spidena as Wolf swooped over head letting out a bleat as though to say ¡®at long bloody last¡¯.


    Scrambling up the hill while holding hands was rather tricky, and annoying, but eventually. After slipping only twice, Ben and Spidena crested the ledge and stared out at the harsh, bright world that they belonged to.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be damned,¡± Spidena scoffed in amazement at the sight before her.


    ¡°What?¡± Ben squinted then rubbed his eyes. The magical clouds in his mind most likely whooshing free of his mind as though an icy blast of wind from reality had just blown straight through his ears. ¡°What the¡­ What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Spidena was still too stunned to take her eyes off the sight before her, and so she reached over to pat Ben on the shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re going to be pretty out of it for the rest of the day. It¡¯ll feel like you just had a very strange, but good dream.¡±


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Filif leapt over the ledge abruptly with a warrior like shriek, then landed, put his hands on his hips and beamed up at the duo proudly.


    ¡°Are you going to keep following us even though we have to travel in our own world for a while?¡±


    The sprite hesitated, lifted his hand to his round, smooth chin thoughtfully, then gave an ambiguous single shoulder shrug.


    ¡°You are welcome either way. Thank you for¡­ this,¡± Spidena nodded at the scene before her with a smile.


    Filif swept into an exaggerated bow.


    ¡°Spidena¡­?¡± Ben drawled while rubbing his face, then squinting again. ¡°Did you give me drugs as some kind of revenge?¡±


    ¡°Paha!¡± Spidena tossed her head back. ¡°Oh no. You did all of that absurdity in the fey realm on your own, and what you are seeing right now, is real.¡±


    ¡°But how-¡±


    ¡°Filif. He must have taken us on a short cut.¡± Spidena smiled down at the sprite who beamed up proudly at her. ¡°He took us to the road in a single day.¡±


    Spidena¡¯s calves practically screamed in celebration at the long stretch of unencumbered land before her. No dips. No sudden rocks. Just smooth packed dirt. Even the monstrous rains the day before had only created dips and wells along the sides, leaving the middle still perfectly intact.


    Ben looked down at his bare chest dumbly. ¡°What happened to my shirt¡­? And my coat?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re in my bag. Come on. I think I can walk for a little while longer. Especially if it means we might be able to find one of those communal camps you described where I could maybe share a tent or food with other people.¡±


    ¡°My head is killing me¡­¡± Ben bemoaned as he pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes again.


    ¡°Huh¡­ I¡¯d always wondered if people who came out of the fey realm were just feeling a hangover or if it was the traversing the boundaries itself. I guess I now have an answer.¡± Spidena proceeded to reach into her bag and draw out Ben¡¯s shirt and coat.


    ¡°Drunk people go there¡­ often?¡± Ben wondered despite his struggles.


    Spidena opened her bag and started pulling out Ben¡¯s clothes for him. ¡°Oh yes. It¡¯s how most dodders and seebs are able to ever see it. Even witches have on occasion tripped through a mushroom ring and gotten themselves stuck for a while.¡±


    ¡°So because I¡­ Because I stepped in the ring I wound up¡­ there?¡±


    ¡°No. You would¡¯ve wound up there even without stepping in the ring because Filif was guiding us. What crossing the ring did, was put an enchantment on you so you lost your wits and became harmless. Rings can act as a gateway, but if they aren¡¯t a gateway, they just make people a bit loopy for a bit.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ many¡­ words¡­ You¡¯re¡­ talking a lot,¡± Ben groaned while accepting his clothes from Spidena.


    The witch rolled her eyes. ¡°Alright there forest man, tell me. Which direction should we go?¡±


    ¡°Can I¡­ Can I take a break?¡±


    ¡°No. You never let me rest, so you don¡¯t get to either!¡±


    Ben whimpered but didn¡¯t argue against her point either.


    Which was a shame really.


    Spidena would¡¯ve loved to fight with him some more in his weakened state.


    Ben proceeded to pull his shirt back on, though it took him three tries to fine the right hole for his head to emerge from.


    As Ben pulled on his coat, Spidena nodded in approval at his more appropriate state of dress.¡°Let¡¯s go. Wolf?¡± Spidena summoned her raven seriously, drawing the bird down to a nearby maple tree branch. ¡°Please see about finding us a squirrel or two for dinner?¡±


    Wolf blinked once, and launched himself into the air once more, and disappeared back into the woods.


    Satisfied, Spidena looked back at Ben who had watched the exchange with bloodshot eyes.


    ¡°Well? Which direction?¡± Spidena repeated expectantly, her hands moving to her hips.


    Ben¡¯s eyes slowly closed, then opened again, and then he weakly moved his hands away from his paling face and pointed to his right.


    ¡°Excellent!¡± Spidena bobbed her head in understanding, and marched forward.


    It was nice not being the one struggling with their journey for once!


    Eventually Ben followed behind Spidena, while Filif would dart back into the trees, then out again. At one point he danced with a butterfly out of the woods, another time a squirrel was chasing him angrily¡­ And other times he just seemed to be spinning for fun and losing his footing.


    All in all, for Spidena¡¯s first time officially traversing the fey realm, it had been a nice experience. Which had surprised her after so many warnings from her mother and father when she was growing up¡­


    Though she decided she wouldn¡¯t tell Ben it was her first time doing it.


    She rather preferred feeling more in control, and like the authority on all things magic related.


    It helped bolster her mood almost as much as a soft bed for the night would¡¯ve!


    Glancing over her shoulder at Ben as he dragged his feet forward, Spidena grinned.


    Maybe the hard part of their journey was truly over.


    They had traveled so far ahead of schedule thanks to all of their magical encounters, and aside from being curious about them, no magical creatures had attacked them or caused any problems.


    Staring up at the sky that was slowly losing its brilliant bright blue hue in favor of dusk, Spidena allowed herself to feel tentatively hopeful that they would reach Kintel without any grievous injuries, in a third of the time it would¡¯ve taken them normally.


    *


    What the witch had not considered, however, was that fate was only hurrying them along because it happened to have some rather big plans for Spidena and her companion¡­


    And if they knew even the half of it? Well¡­


    The witch may not have been so jolly just yet.

 Chapter 22: A Surprising Savior

    The sun seared the back of Ben and Spidena¡¯s necks. Their feet were swollen and between each sweaty toe was gritty dirt and sand.


    If travelers on foot passed by them, they didn¡¯t even bother nodding, as the heat of the day roasted away any pretense of politeness.


    They had run out of water shortly after lunch, and while the air was just starting to cool as the sun crept closer to the treetops, fresh sweat continued to drip down both Spidena and Ben¡¯s faces.


    Spidena had even wrestled her frizzing hair until she could tie it atop her head in a haphazard bun.


    Ben thought it looked like an eagle''s nest.


    He didn¡¯t say it outloud.


    No matter how much he wanted to.


    He was too thirsty.


    Spidena had stopped countless times during the day to reapply the white cream she claimed would protect her from sunburns, but despite her best efforts, her skin had freckled spectacularly.


    Even Filif hadn¡¯t come to join them on the road. Most likely he had either forgotten they existed.


    They had been hoping for a merchant or other long haul travelers to come by with water barrels and that they would allow them to refill their waterskins to save them having to abandon the road to track down a river.


    Sadly, at that point in the journey, the forest on their right was practically all owned by Lord Earhav, and so that meant the forest on the left that Ben hadn¡¯t studied as closely, was a mystery. Meaning more time would have to be spent wandering around hoping to find some water.


    Ben knew Spidena was going to give him an earful the instant she had a sip of water about how he did not have a proper map to guide them or show where there would be a river or some other body of water. He was just about to admit defeat and retreat into the trees on the left of the road to hunt down said river, knowing full well that Spidena would complain about the waste of time, when lo and behold, the sound of hooves echoed up from the road behind them.


    Ben stopped in his tracks and turned around at the same time as Spidena.


    Both of their eyes widened and their ragged breaths quickened as they watched the sure shape of a caravan approaching them pulled by two horses.


    ¡°Thank bees,¡± Spidena wheezed.


    ¡°They still,¡± Ben paused and licked his lips and tried to stop from choking against his parched throat. ¡°Might not give us water.¡±


    ¡°I will throw magic at them if they don¡¯t.¡±


    Ben opened his mouth to once more pointe out the fact that Spidena kept alleging she had tons of magic to spare, yet she couldn¡¯t refill their waterskins, then decided there was no point.


    The pair waited, both swaying a little in the heat, when at long last the chestnut mare and her white spackled companion pulled to a stop beside them.


    The driver of the caravan was difficult to make out given that staring up at him played right into the blinding rays of the sun, and his caravan also happened to have a lip off the roof that provided him with shade.


    That said, a booming voice called out.


    ¡°Why, hello! I saw you two stopping on the road and watching me come up! May I help you with anything?¡±


    It was a friendly voice, and that was enough to prompt Spidena to step forward. ¡°Sir, would you happen to have any¡­ Any water?¡± She had had to pause to clear her throat.


    ¡°Goodness! Neither of you have water? Oh dear. Oh dear no, no.¡± The driver scrambled down from his seat with amazing speed. It was particularly impressive in fact, as once he was on the ground, both Ben and Spidena could see the true size of the man.


    He stood at a magnificent six foot five inches, and weighed over three hundred pounds with a rounded middle, and thick strong arms that almost looked as though he could¡¯ve pulled the caravan all on his own.


    As he had flown to the back of his caravan, Ben and Spidena had no idea what his face looked like.


    There was the high pitched squeak of hinges as the back door was opened, and then the caravan bounced as the man presumably stepped in. There were then a series of bumps and thumps from within the vehicle that had Ben and Spidena sharing an uncertain glance.


    Ben turned and ventured down the side of the caravan that was painted red, with yellow borders and simple designs. The paint was a tad faded and chipped in a few places, but all in all seemed to be in good working order. He identified the tell tale hinges near the top of the caravan wall that revealed that it was a merchant caravan, though there was no sign hung or painted on the vehicle to indicate just what kind of merchant this fellow was.


    There was a particularly loud ¡®thud¡¯, followed by a call from the merchant.


    ¡°If you two could come back here, my water barrel has a spout!¡±


    All other thoughts left Ben¡¯s head as he darted to the back with Spidena on his heels.


    They were so engrossed with once again becoming hydrated, that they still hadn¡¯t gotten a good look at their savior, until after his second refill, Ben wiped his chin with his coat sleeve and finally took stock of the man.


    The merchant appeared to be in his late thirties, with gray touching the dark hair at his temples and in the small patch of beard on his chin that was overshadowed by his thick black mustache.


    Brilliant blue eyes peered at Ben, and the merchant wore a warm smile that made his entire face all the more likable.


    Which instantly made Ben wary.


    Regardless of this, he wasn¡¯t an ungrateful twit, and so he proceeded to thank the man.


    ¡°Oh, think nothing of it! Us travelers must stick together! Just do me a favor and be sure to pass along the kindness.¡± The man gave a good natured wink.


    ¡°You¡¯re a merchant?¡± Ben continued conversationally as Spidena remembered to gasp for breath in between downing her third waterskin full of water.


    ¡°Why yes I am! My name is Paulav Sweeney, and I sell just about everything but the kitchen sink!¡± Paulav chuckled happily while rising just enough from his crouch to gesture at the packed caravan behind himself.


    Ben squinted.


    He wondered if the man knew he was carrying seven magical items in his caravan.


    Spidena, apparently noticing the look on Ben¡¯s face, leaned over to better see around Paulav.


    ¡°Sir, do you know¨C¡± she started to say before Wolf swooped down and landed on top of her snarled hair.


    Ben instantly let out a loud snort and doubled over laughing, while Spidena turned very slowly to stare daggers at him.


    ¡°O-oh, my,¡± Paulav chortled a little. ¡°Is that fine feathered creature yours?¡±


    Ben couldn¡¯t respond between laughs, so Spidena let out a sigh and rolled her eyes upward. ¡°Yes, this is Wolf. He doesn¡¯t have a mouse or anything in his beak, does he?¡±


    Paulav couldn¡¯t keep the laugh from his voice when he answered. ¡°No, he doesn¡¯t. You two are certainly traveling light, where is it that you are heading?¡±


    ¡°Kintel,¡± Spidena informed him conversationally right as Ben was straightening and wiping his eyes. Though when he heard her answer, he shot her a wary look, silently cautioning her on divulging too much information.


    ¡°Ah! What good fortune this is! I was starting to drive myself mad without company, and I happen to be going to a wedding a week¡¯s trip away! It isn¡¯t quite in Kintel, but it¡¯ll shave off a few weeks of your journey compared to when you¡¯re on foot. What do you say?¡± Paulav offered cheerily.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Both Ben and Spidena exchanged another look.


    ¡°We¡­ We don¡¯t have much money¡­¡±


    ¡°Perfectly alright. I just ask that if you are getting your food supplies from hunting that you maybe share a little. I¡¯m afraid given the length of my journey I had to pack mostly preserved meats, though I¡¯m happy to share the vegetables I have! They don¡¯t keep long either.¡±


    ¡°That should be fine¡­ Thank you,¡± Spidena nodded and gave a polite smile.


    Paulav slapped his thigh enthusiastically. ¡°Wonderful! I didn¡¯t catch either of your names by the way!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Spidena, and this is¡­ Er¡­ This is¡­¡±


    ¡°Ben.¡± He held out his hand. Honestly, he knew there was no point in lying when Spidena was so awful doing it, and if they were going to be together with this man for another week, there was very little chance she wouldn¡¯t slip up.


    Probably she¡¯d get annoyed at him for one reason or another. She¡¯d put her hands on her hips and that sharp, strained voice of hers would instantly call out ¡°Ben!¡± And then she¡¯d realize she made a mistake, her green eyes would go round, but she wouldn¡¯t ever admit that she¡¯d been the one to be an idiot and made a mistake¨C


    Paulav proceeded to carry on the discussion. ¡°Lovely to meet you both! Now, you, young lady, are welcome to ride in the caravan with my wares. There is a small dinette in the back I spent last summer building inside with two chairs and a small table. I attached them to the floor and wall¡ªa fine bit of handiwork if I do say so myself¡ªyou can rest in there to get out of the sun. Ben, good man, would you be alright if you kept me company up front?¡±


    Snapped from his spiraling thoughts about Spidena, Ben was startled to realize he had been staring at her and¡­ smiling? Smiling. Smiling as he thought about her.


    Gods. None of that please.


    He shifted the waterskin in his hands to stop himself from gripping it. ¡°Uh, sure.¡±


    ¡°Fantastic! Mind giving me a hand and shifting this barrel back into place?¡± Paulav stood, and sent the carriage rocking.


    Ben watched the massive shape of Paulav amble deeper into the caravan, presumably to make room for Ben to join him.


    Though if Ben were being perfectly truthful, he doubted the man needed his help moving the barrel at all.


    Still, he climbed into the caravan, only he was stopped by Spidena lifting her hand. ¡°This guy¡­ Is way too nice.¡±


    Relieved that she had enough sense to come to the same conclusion as himself, Ben lowered his voice. ¡°I know! He¡¯s probably going to sell us something, or is drunk, or¨C¡±


    ¡°Everything alright?¡± Paulav called out to his new passengers.


    ¡°Oh, yes, sorry.¡± Ben resumed climbing into the caravan while gripping the lip of the barrel.


    ¡°Actually, I can move the barrel fine on my own. I just need you to hold these things up on the shelf while I do it, you see?¡± Paulav explained as Ben peered over his shoulder and found that, sure enough, there was a shelf so ladened with random nicknacks and bottles, that it was buckling dangerously, and with its bellied bottom, there was no way the barrel would slip under there easily. So Ben slipped his hands under the board and lifted the shelf as much as he could, while Paulav tossed the barrel back and under as easily as if it were empty.


    ¡°Fantastic! Now, shall we get on the road once more? Your lady there looks like she¡¯s about to keel over so I¡¯m sure she will enjoy the rest back here¡ªsorry about the smell though. You see, I bought some pickled cow tongue and the jar cracked and spilled.¡±


    While Ben hadn¡¯t noticed it before, he most certainly did after it was mentioned.


    ¡°Was there dill in the brine?¡±


    ¡°What a keen sense of smell you have!¡± Paulav complimented sincerely while clomping down to the exit of the caravan. ¡°Yes! There was dill in there. It¡¯s quite tasty really. Most people get squeamish about eating cow tongue unless they are from one of the other kingdoms where it¡¯s common in their dishes, or if they are witches or warlocks, then they don¡¯t mind in the least!¡±


    Startled at the casual mention of magic folk, Ben¡¯s gaze swiveled to Spidena, who was ready and waiting to meet his stare in mutual surprise.


    ¡°Now then, my dear, you are more than welcome to get out of this heat! Take a seat! Oh, but please don¡¯t go rummaging about too, too much. I don¡¯t have anything organized back there and I have a few magical items that are harmless, but you never know what could happen, hm?¡±  Paulav beamed at Spidena, and she stared dumbly up at him.


    ¡°Are you¡­ Are you a warlock?¡± Spidena managed to ask despite the onslaught of chatter and good nature from the merchant.


    Paulav belly laughed, it was loud enough that Ben was quite certain that a flock of birds were startled out of a nearby pine tree.


    ¡°Not at all! Though my friends who are getting married? One of the brides is a witch! Oh, I can¡¯t wait to tell her about my trip up here! I don¡¯t know how things have been for you two, but there is all kind of magical mayhem going on a little south of here. I heard there was a pack of werewolves spotted, two different gangs of thugs were charmed and poisoned by a witch, and I even heard¡­¡± Paurav leaned forward ¡°That there is a new magical inn that just opened up that appears randomly all over the kingdom, and seebs like us can stay there! Wouldn¡¯t that be wonderful? To finally get to see these magical creatures¡­ And people are getting less afraid of them by the day, which I think is just so exciting!¡±


    Ben and Spidena both looked as though they¡¯d been slapped with a freshly caught trout.


    Seeing their reactions, Paulav finally stopped talking. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry. Like I said, I haven¡¯t had anyone to talk to on this trip, and to be perfectly honest, I¡¯m a little nervous about the wedding. You see¡­ My ex will be at the wedding¡­¡± Paulav started to walk back toward the driver¡¯s seat, and like ducklings following their mother, both Spidena and Ben followed him.


    ¡°He and I broke up two years ago, and, well¡­ He used to be my business partner. We went everywhere together. Then one day he says he wants to marry a nice lady we met on one of our trips¡­¡± Paulav trailed off and looked down sadly as he reached into his deep red colored leather coat and procured a lovely silk handkerchief he used to wipe the beading sweat off his forehead. ¡°Enough time has passed¡­ I think it¡¯s the unknown I¡¯m nervous about, you know? I¡¯m sure he¡¯s happy, and that she is a kind person, I just don¡¯t know how he will act, or how I¡¯ll feel. Anyway! Far too much about me! Ben, up you go, and Spidena, my lady, I¡¯m afraid I must insist you ride inside, you look like you¡¯re about to faint.¡±


    Ben swallowed and forced himself to look away from Paulav.


    The man had a personality every bit as big as he was, and so he seemed rather like a giant, and it was more than a little dizzying.


    However when his sights rested on Spidena, Ben noted the glassiness in her eyes, and instantly his thoughts started to hum back to life. ¡°Go on. Get back there. Wolf, see if you can hunt some rabbits for us, yeah?¡±


    The raven croaked and with a great beating of his black wings he took off to the sky, at last leaving Spidena¡¯s snarled hairdo.


    This seemed to snap Spidena out of her daze and so she nodded, and proceeded back into the caravan without any argument or comment.


    Ben then set about climbing up beside Paulav, who took up most of the bench despite his best efforts to make himself smaller.


    ¡°I hope your wife is alright!¡± the merchant said worriedly. ¡°Heat sickness is never a good time.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not my wife.¡±


    ¡°Ah, apologies! Apologies! Hopefully the mention of a wedding didn¡¯t put you in a tight spot. I know some ladies get a little ruffled when their sweethearts haven¡¯t worked up the courage to ask yet,¡± Paulav mused aloud as he gave a gentle slap of the reins and set his horses back in motion.


    ¡°Paulav?¡± Ben felt the faint flicker of a headache start to appear against his temples.


    ¡°Mm?¡±


    ¡°If you ever do find that magical inn, I have a feeling you¡¯re going to get along really well with the owner named Daffy.¡±

 Chapter 23: The Hindrances of the Helpful

    It had taken all of the next morning after being picked up by Paulav, but Ben finally learned what in the world was the kindly merchant¡¯s flaw.


    He was every bit as nice as he seemed at first.


    Which¡ªwhile Ben couldn¡¯t hold against him given that the man¡¯s generosity had benefited himself and Spidena¡ªmeant that Paulav wanted to help every poor soul he happened upon.


    The evening had been spent quietly around the campfire hearing tales of Paulav¡¯s adventures from his travels. Then the next morning Ben listened to Paulav describe his hometown that bordered on their kingdom of Mozair, and the highly controversial state of Botin that had been fought over by the Huffinal kingdom and Mozair for decades. Only for the small land of Botin to have its leaders band together and refuse to join either.


    ¡°The town I¡¯m from is called Attin. Though I feel guilty calling it a town when it really just feels like a family homestead. I¡¯d estimate about eighty percent of the population are my cousins!¡± Paulav explained with a laugh. ¡°It¡¯s almost a right of passage that we all travel far away to find our spouses to make sure we aren¡¯t intermingling.¡±


    Ben gave an impressed huff as he tried to imagine being related to that many people. He wasn¡¯t even sure he knew enough people to even fill a house let alone a town.


    ¡°Oh, would you look at that. Those folks up ahead seem to have gotten stuck on the side of the road. You¡¯re a strong lad, Ben! Let¡¯s pull over and lend a hand, eh?¡±


    ¡°Er, yeah¡­ Yeah sure.¡± Ben shook his head. Having the means to help someone had often felt like a luxury in his lifetime.


    But they did stop and help with the carriage wheel that not only was off the road, but also happened to be loose. The cart belonged to an elderly couple on their way to visit their daughter who was having another baby, and she happened to live on the opposite side of the kingdom.


    Spidena had waited in the caravan, claiming to be too tired to poke her head out.


    They had only just gotten the elderly couple back on the road, when lo and behold a young bickering couple and their three rowdy children stopped to ask Paulav directions.


    Ben watched with Spidena from the back of the caravan as she refilled his waterskin for him.


    After Paulav took his time giving the couple a map and lots of directions as well as inn recommendations, Ben thought that at long last they could resume their journey. Only then a physician stopped when he noticed the merchant caravan and asked if Paulav had any willow bark to spare.


    Then there was a lengthy discussion on how fresh the willow bark was, and did Paulav have the proper papers to sell willow bark in the Mozair kingdom?


    When all was said and done, it was lunch time, and they had only traveled a total of two hours despite having risen at seven that morning.


    ¡°Well! What a busy day, but we are so lucky that we got to meet such interesting people, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡± Paulav declared with a pleased smile.


    Ben opened his mouth. He tried to think of something positive and genuine to say in response, and then closed his mouth when he couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°I can go collect firewood,¡± Spidena announced, hopping down off the back of the caravan. ¡°Ben, would you like to come with me?¡±


    He nodded and followed her back into the trees while Paulav started humming a tune that sounded like it had a lot of trumpets as he pulled out his folding table and chairs, already preparing for them all to sit and have lunch.


    Once a safe distance from the caravan, Spidena turned on Ben.


    ¡°We would be farther along if we had walked at this point,¡± she pointed out, sounding mildly exasperated.


    ¡°Yeah, Paulav is¡­ Nice. Genuinely. Actually, nice. It¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°Weird?¡±


    ¡°So weird!¡± Ben exploded, in relief that he wasn¡¯t odd for having such an opinion.


    Spidena dropped her head back and gave a moan of relief. ¡°I feel terrible to have an issue with him over something like that.¡±


    ¡°Right? I feel like a monster any time I feel annoyed!¡±


    ¡°I mean¡­ I don¡¯t want to say anything because he¡¯s helping people, and¨C¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re also people he is helping?¡±


    ¡°Exactly!¡± Spidena confirmed with wide eyed exuberance.


    ¡°Gods¡­ He is one of a kind,¡± Ben said with no small amount of awe. ¡°The way that physician was carrying on about showing him papers, when Paulav was the one to help him out?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely unbelievable,¡± Spidena agreed. ¡°I would¡¯ve told him to bugger off!¡±


    ¡°Yes! Exactly! But not Paulav. He shows his papers, and talks to the man to see if he¡¯s had a bad experience with merchants in the past, and genuinely cares to know the answer!¡±


    Spidena shook her head in amazement. ¡°I¡¯d heard the description of someone having a generous soul, but¡­ Gods. Never thought it could mean anything like this.¡±


    Ben let out a long breath.¡°I know.¡±


    Spidena sighed then bent down to big up a long, forked stick. ¡°I¡¯ve seen people paid to care that aren¡¯t nearly as nice and considerate as Paulav.¡±


    Ben made a noise of agreement as he spotted a dead tree that was thin enough that he could break with a couple kicks to its trunk. After he broke it down, and stomped it into three smaller pieces he rounded back to Spidena. ¡°That¡¯ll be enough firewood for a lunch stop.¡±


    ¡°Unless more travelers come by and Paulav wants to cook and talk to them, too.¡±


    There was a beat of quiet where Ben and Spidena stared at each other.


    Then both went back to hunting down more firewood.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    *


    ¡°So what brings you and your lady friend to Kintel?¡± Paulav asked conversationally when they had, miraculously, started traveling again.


    As it turned out, there were more travelers that had stopped by the caravan, though at the very least those people did end up being customers.


    This meant that Ben and Spidena were the ones to prepare lunch, though they didn¡¯t mind,  they did share more than a few communicative glances of understanding.


    ¡°Uh, I¡¯m looking for something for a friend of mine, and Spidena has her own business.¡±


    Paulav looked at Ben in surprise. ¡°Oh, so you aren¡¯t even a couple?¡±


    Ben barely bit back his annoyed retort that he had specified that they were not in a relationship more than three times already. ¡°No. I visited her shop and found out that she wanted to go to Kintel but needed a guide. So we made a deal and here we are.¡±


    ¡°How exciting!¡± Paulav cheered. ¡°A daring adventure, romance, magic¡­ Gods, to be young!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not¡­ We¡¯re not¡­ Wait. Why did you mention magic?¡± Ben¡¯s floundering came to a halt when Paulav¡¯s flowery musings fully struck him.


    ¡°Oh it¡¯s bound to come up! You heard me mentioning yesterday about all of the strange things stirring up in the south. It¡¯s only a matter of time before whatever tidal wave of magical events reaches the north.¡±


    Ben swallowed. ¡°Most people would be afraid of a tidal wave of magical creatures coming toward them.¡±


    ¡°Oh, not me!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m getting that.¡±


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Ben cleared his throat. ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried people are getting hurt, or that it¡¯s a rebellion? Magic users still aren¡¯t really all that happy in the kingdom. Even though magic is legal, the previous king used to hoard the most powerful warlocks and witches and lock them in his dungeons to steady his power. People are pissed for good reason.¡±


    ¡°Locking up magic folk? Wasn¡¯t that a rumor? Do you really think it¡¯s true?¡± Paulav whispered.


    Ben almost told Paulav that he damned well knew it was true.


    But he didn¡¯t. Instead he said, ¡°I mean¡­ It makes sense that he would. Anyway, how did you meet your friend who is a witch?¡±


    Paulav chuckled, a far off gleam coming into his eyes. ¡°Ah, my older brother, Hammet. He specializes in spice and incense trade¡ªhe¡¯s always bending my ear about how I need to pick one item to specialize in to better build my business, but I just have so many interests that I¨C¡±


    ¡°How did your friend meet Hammet?¡± Ben pressed while trying to sound as polite as possible.


    ¡°Right, right. Well, Gabrinne is affiliated with a coven that used to specialize in spells and charms for evasion and shields. They were camped out in Botin for a long time to avoid getting hunted down by the Hounds.¡±


    Ben stiffened at the mention of his former military division, but did his best to keep a casual air.


    ¡°I tell you, I thought all magic was the same, but then you learn that there is a difference between incantations, and spells, and charms, and-¡±


    ¡°Potions, clairvoyance,¡± Ben continued the list nodding in weary acknowledgement.


    Paulav looked at him delightedly, and instantly, Ben knew he¡¯d made a mistake.


    ¡°Oh you know about magic! How did that come to be? Are you a warlock? Goodness, here I¡¯ve been, going on about¨C¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a warlock. So¡­ How is it that a witch needed to talk to your brother? Was it because her coven needed ingredients for spells?¡±


    ¡°Exactly! Yes. The coven tasked her with brokering a deal, and she was unlike any woman I¡¯d ever seen in my life. I know in Huffinal tattoos are a lot more common, but I¡¯d never seen someone with designs all up their arm¡­ I couldn¡¯t stop staring at her.¡± The genuine awe in Paulav¡¯s voice made Ben crack a smile. ¡°Gabrinne misunderstood me of course. Got up in my face. Told me if I didn¡¯t stop leering at her she¡¯d use my eyeballs for a spell!¡± Paulav laughed.


    Ben wondered if the man had ever been scared or had hated anything at any point in his life.


    ¡°Eventually I explained to her that I just thought her tattoos were wonderful, and she and I talked well into the night. I tell you¡­ She¡¯s saved me with her friendship. Time and time again. And I just can never do enough to repay her. I was so glad when she met her fiance, Nasha.¡± Paulav paused thoughtfully.


    Ben was clinging onto every word. There was something suddenly poignant about the moment that was burying itself into his heart as the world around them turned golden with the low sun.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t that I think everyone needs somebody, but Gabrinne is someone who should have another person there for her. I mean it is nice, isn¡¯t it? Having someone you can go through things together¡­ It¡¯s special. It¡¯s special when a moment doesn¡¯t feel complete without a specific someone. It means that nothing in this beautiful earth is perfect to everyone. But that to someone else? You can make even the worst moments perfect because they¡¯re there. The good and the bad. It¡¯s the best it can be, because they are just¡­ there.¡±


    A lump choked Ben, and he wasn¡¯t entirely sure why.


    What the hells was happening?


    He focused on the road ahead to try and stop the enigmatic emotions taking over him.


    Miraculously, Paulav didn¡¯t ask him anything or try to continue the conversation.


    And so the caravan continued bumping its way down the road.


    Until Filif scrambled out of the trees, into the middle of the road, panting heavily.


    Paulav yanked on the reins, stopping his horses. ¡°Oh¡­ my¡­ mead! Look at that! Do you see that? Why I¡¯ve never¨C¡±


    Ben was leaning forward in alarm at the state of the sprite, when a loud buzzing noise started to sound from the trees.


    His skin prickled.


    ¡°Spidena?¡± Ben called with a rising cadence. ¡°Spidena I think you need to get out here!¡±


    Ben stared into the trees, and even before he could make out just what was drawing closer to them, he could see the cloud of silvery magic coming toward them. Quickly.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Spidena shouted from the caravan.


    Ben could hear her boots making their way down to the back, and even felt the bounce in the caravan when she leapt down.


    But he couldn¡¯t turn to look at her as he watched with growing horror the sight of a swarm of small winged creatures descending up them. Judging from the way Filif was throwing his arms up in the air and running to hide behind the caravan, Ben was willing to bet a sizable chunk of his gold that they weren¡¯t friendly. And so his lovely moment with Paulav disappeared in the face of yet another round of chaos.

 Chapter 24: Pixed Apart

    At first, the demented winged creatures focused their rabid attention solely on Filif. Which was most likely what saved Ben, Paulav, and Spidena from being overwhelmed right away.


    ¡°Holy warts! Pixies!¡± Spidena hollered her expression turning to horror. ¡°A whole swarm of them!¡±


    Ben jumped down from the driver¡¯s bench of the carriage. ¡°How do we deal with pixies?¡±


    ¡°Pepper! Throw pepper at them!¡± Spidena managed to say despite not taking her eyes off of the pixies.


    ¡°I have some in the caravan!¡± Paulav contributed, as the pixies continued diving and biting at poor Filif who let out a shrill high pitched scream that was difficult to hear over the buzz of wings.


    ¡°Godsdamn¡ªIs Filif edible? Like an actual mushroom?¡± Ben asked, suddenly distracted.


    Spidena rounded on him, her eyes wide and wild. ¡°Is that seriously what you are asking right now? If I take a bite out of your arm, are you edible? Or am I just out of my mind?¡±


    ¡°Here¡¯s the pepper!¡± Paulav panted, appearing at Ben¡¯s side with a small woven sack in hand.


    Seizing the bag, Spidena glanced inside, her hand rising in the air, until her brows crashed down. ¡°This is unground pepper!¡±


    A more notable shriek from Filif drew Spidena¡¯s gaze upward. ¡°Damn it all to scum.¡±


    Grasping a fistful, Spidena darted over to the swarm and chucked the pepper balls at the pixies. She was already going to retrieve another fistful, but found it wasn¡¯t necessary, as the entire swarm turned in unison to stare at her. They didn¡¯t look deterred so much as invested in finding the source of the missiles


    Ben slowly made his way over to her side¡ªSurprisingly Paulav did as well at her other side.


    ¡°Why¡­?¡± Was all Ben was able to say.


    A faint whimper came out of Spidena that was supposed to be a response.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Magic. Big. Bloody. Magic!¡±


    Ben blinked several times, until what she was saying sunk in. ¡°Because of the fate tie?¡±


    ¡°Oh you two are fate tied? How lovely!¡± Paulav burst out excitedly while leaning forward to stare at his two new friends, completely forgetting about the cloud of tiny angry magical creatures. Ben only just noticed that the tiny creatures had not one, but two rows of very pointy little teeth, with their upper eye tooth fangs a little longer than the rest.


    Which made the fact that the body f the pixies were a dazzling white, with silvery wings, and beady black eyes less pretty, and significantly more like a living nightmare.


    ¡°Ssh!¡± Spidena hissed desperately. ¡°Don¡¯t. Move. Their eyes and ears aren¡¯t very good, but their noses are impeccable.¡±


    ¡°If we can¡¯t move, how can we get rid of them?¡± Ben asked while lowering his voice.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know! Let me think!


    ¡°You keep saying you can toss around big magic, can¡¯t you do something to them? Make them forget about the smell? Or even better, how to smell?¡±


    ¡°Have you learned nothing?¡±


    Ben barley resisted throwing his hands in the air. ¡°Is it because they are made of pure magic as well, and therefore it¡¯s tricky to make magic work on them?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d clap for you if we weren¡¯t in danger right now.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Theoretically¡­ There is¡­ twenty? Twenty or so of those? Can¡¯t we just beat them off?¡±


    A beads of sweat swelled along Spidena¡¯s hairline. ¡°They¡¯ll call for more until we are bitten and scratched to death.¡±


    ¡°Are they completely deaf?¡± Paulav jumped into the conversation.


    Gods bless the man¡ªhe had taken everything in stride, so Spidena saw no reason to be unkind to him.


    ¡°Somewhat. They can hear music from leagues away. If they don¡¯t like the music they attack it. If they do like it, they get sort of¡­ stunned. Aside from music, they are better at hearing higher pitches than the human ear, but our voices sound more like a rumble.¡±


    ¡°Why is it that music is different?¡± Paulav looked back at the swarm that bobbed over Filif.


    ¡°Music is pure magic. It transcends everything. Plain as that.¡±


    Ben¡¯s head snapped round. ¡°Oh that¡¯s a load of shi¡ª¡±


    Twenty pixie heads all twitched in unison to stare at Ben at his loud outburst.


    No one spoke, or breathed for that matter, for at least a minute.


    Letting out a thin breath Ben started to speak again. ¡°Alright. Right now, they are attracted to you and I because we reek of big magic, and I¡¯m guessing that they followed Filif because he was around us?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t spend all that brain power in one place, now,¡± Spidena retorted scathingly.


    ¡°Quit being such a wench. How do we get rid of them?¡±


    ¡°If this entire bag was ground pepper we¡¯d stand a chance of losing them. Our only saving grace right now¡ªI think¡ª to use the first fistful of pepper to confuse them.¡±


    ¡°So do it!¡± Ben¡¯s voice strained in its efforts not to shout.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know for certain if that¡¯ll help, or if they¡¯ll just have an easier time finding us!¡±


    ¡°I think I have just the thing!¡± Paulav announced abruptly.


    Both Spidena and Ben turned carefully toward the merchant; in the span of a minute, they¡¯d more or less forgotten he was there.


    ¡°I have a music box in my caravan! If I wind it up and throw it in the trees, will that help?¡±


    Spidena paused, her eyes intent and thoughtful. ¡°If Ben and I rub pepper all over ourselves, and then you toss it into the woods, it might!¡±


    ¡°Oh, they won¡¯t simply,¡± Paulav fluttered his hands to suggest the pixies scattering, making Ben and Spidena tense, but the pixies didn¡¯t seem to be as interested in the merchant. ¡°Disperse?¡±


    ¡°No. They will try attacking the music box over and over until it eventually breaks. There is a better chance of them liking live music. A music box¡­? It isn¡¯t the same magic, but they will be very interested in it.¡±


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    ¡°Why do they try to break it if they like it?¡± Ben asked next.


    ¡°Can we talk about this when we don¡¯t have a swarm of them hovering in front of us wanting to eat us?¡±


    The shrill notes Spidena¡¯s voice hit had the incredibly off-putting result of all the pixies surging forward, making Spidena and Ben lean back as far as possible. Ben gently grasped Spidena¡¯s elbow as the breeze of the pixie wings made two wispy strands of her black hair flutter in the wind.


    Up close, Ben could see their pointed faces, and faintly bulging mouths, their pale skin hard to look at directly as it seemed the sunlight gathered within their bodies, making the light even brighter.


    They would be absolutely wondrous to behold¡ªIf their beady black eyes weren¡¯t attempting to stare into his soul and their teeth primed for biting.


    Ben and Spidena both gave shuddering breaths.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why they aren¡¯t attacking. They can definitely see us,¡± Ben risked saying aloud, as sweat rolled down the tip of his nose, his heart pounding.


    ¡°They are trying to discern which of us has big magic¡­ I think.¡± Spidena gulped.


    The pixie heads turned slowly toward Spidena, making her eyes grow wide. ¡°Uh oh.¡±


    All twenty pixies bared their terrifying fangs.


    ¡°That isn¡¯t good,¡± Ben agreed, then watched in terror as half of the swarm looked at him next; their mouths spreading into dreadful smiles.


    A manic part of Spidena¡¯s mind made her wonder how exactly they kept their teeth in such excellent condition when they were known to rip all manner of things to shreds. Then again, it wasn¡¯t unheard of for pure magic folk. Some were simply lucky enough to make themselves clean and presentable in short order regardless of whatever violent acts they had just committed.


    Spidena¡¯s nonsensical thoughts ended abruptly, however, when the pixies surged at them.


    Ben and Spidena threw their elbows over their faces.


    Spidena felt two pixies yanking ruthlessly on her hair, her scalp stinging as they most likely ripped out a sizable chunk of hair.


    A sharp bite was taken at the top of Ben¡¯s left ear, making him yelp.


    Spidena started lowering herself to a crouch on the ground, her mind racing with what spell or incantation she knew that could possibly work on the pixies.


    And then Ben¡¯s suggestion from earlier came to her.


    Making them forget how to smell¡­ That wasn¡¯t possible entirely¡­ But¡ª


    She felt two pixies take bites out of her left hand, instantly making the entire limb pulse and ache in pain.


    Spidena tried to push it from her mind as adrenaline filled her, urging her to figure out how to lose these wretched things.


    She couldn¡¯t do magic that big on short notice, but there was one spell that could maybe help¡­


    Squeezing her eyes shut, Spidena did her best to remember the incantation she hadn¡¯t thought she would need to use for a very long time.


    ¡°From the air to the earth,


    Creatures here, hear my declare,¡±


    Intense power rolled off of Spidena.


    She lifted her face, her dark green eyes filled with speckles of the brightest, glowing green imaginable. As though a light had been unblocked from behind her eyes, revealing the true exquisite color underneath.


    Spidena felt a weight over her back, but couldn¡¯t take a moment to figure out what it was. She had to continue the spell while staring at the swarm as it reassembled itself in front of her.


    ¡°Who, what, when, where.


    Win. Lose. Here. There.


    Which is which?


    This, not that.


    Magic now. Magic not.¡±


    A guttural groan rumbled from Ben who, Spidena then realized, had thrown himself over her at some point during the chaos. He must feel sick because of the power in the incantation. Her fingers curled into a fist.


    It didn¡¯t matter if Ben threw up everywhere. This was the only way they could get away quickly.


    ¡°Trees for you.


    Not our power, for an hour.


    I grant and I give for that hour¡­


    The ability to glower.¡±


    The pulse that beat throughout the air cast the pixies back by several feet, and unlike before where they were able to maintain some unity in their movements, they allowed themselves to drift apart like leaves on top of waving water.


    Spidena turned her head toward Ben, she had to talk before the cost of the incantation came for her.


    ¡°Ben, I changed what the pixies want, but it will only last an hour. Whatever you say to me after, you have to say happily, and make it sound like fun. Or I will be a bugger to herd. You need¡­ to get us¡­ away¡­ Quicklyyyy-Ah! What a beautiful day!¡±


    *


    Panting, Ben slowly lifted himself off of Spidena to see that she was sprawled on the ground staring dazedly up at the sky as though she had taken another large dose of katava.


    He then heard the frantic whir of wings resume its former fervor.


    Tensing, Ben braced himself for the next onslaught of attacks as he turned to stare at the pixies that had snapped back together into their swarm.


    Only they didn¡¯t attack again.


    Not at them anyway.


    This time they shot into the trees, with great force.


    ¡°You know¡­ clouds should learn how to shape into letters¡­ It¡¯d be a great way to send messages¡­¡± Spidena mused airily.


    Ben looked at the witch splayed out on the ground with the bag of pepper spilled just beside her. She was bleeding heavily from her left hand, and her hair looked like it had been yanked in ten different directions, making it look ten times wilder. Which, he supposed, is exactly what happened.


    ¡°I got the music box!¡±


    Paulav¡¯s helpful voice reminded Ben yet again that he was there. Or rather¡­ He had been there. Then he had disappeared during the fray to his caravan.


    ¡°Oh! It looks like those little beings took off! Goodness! Are you aware you are bleeding a lot from the back of the neck?¡±


    Ben¡¯s gut churned in the wake of the powerful magic Spidena had just used, and his head was spinning from all the various bite marks on his body bleeding profusely.


    He knew the worst of said injuries did happen to be on the back of his neck.


    ¡°We need¡­ To get moving. Or¡­. They will come find us.¡± Gritting his teeth, Ben pushed himself up from his knees, and almost staggered.


    ¡°Steady there, lad. That was incredible! Never in my life have I ever seen anything like it! Of course I had mentioned to you that there were all kind of magical occurrences happening in the south. All because of a wiiitchhh¡­¡± Paulav trailed off and dropped his eyes to Spidena on the ground, who was humming an unfamiliar tune while tapping her toes together.


    Ben winced, expecting the bottomless well of kindness Paulav offered to miraculously dry up.


    But instead the merchant said, ¡°Well now. This is a proper bit of adventure! I can¡¯t wait to tell everyone at the wedding!¡±

 Chapter 25: The Issue with Incantations

    If Ben had been told that he would feel empathy for Spidena getting annoyed by his questions four hours ago, he would¡¯ve scoffed.


    However, with Spidena in a deliriously happy state singing nonsense in the back of the caravan, that meant Paulav had only Ben to direct his countless well-meaning questions to.


    ¡°So Spidena is a witch?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Was she in a family of witches, or was she one of the ones that discovered her skill for it with seeb or dodder parents?¡±


    ¡°Her mother was a witch.¡±


    ¡°Fascinating! What is her specialty magic?¡±


    ¡°She has three specialties. Incantations, spells, and potions.¡±


    ¡°Three? She is absolutely amazing!¡±


    ¡°Mm.¡±


    ¡°So you are not a warlock?


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°How did you two meet?¡±


    ¡°I bought an incantation from her.¡±


    ¡°Oh my! Why is there big magic involved? I heard her mention it during the pixie attack! Is it because she casts incantations?¡±


    ¡°Kind of.¡±


    ¡°Am I bothering you with my questions?¡±


    ¡°Kind of.¡±


    When he eventually registered what he had just said, Ben¡¯s attention snapped back to Paulav who was chuckling good-naturedly.


    ¡°Apologies, lad. Aside from my friend, I haven¡¯t gotten to meet many witches. Though there are going to be several witches and other magic folk at the wedding! So that will be fun. Does Spidena belong to a coven?¡±


    ¡°Not that I¡¯m aware.¡± Ben stretched his legs out in front of himself and crossed his feet at the ankles.


    Paulav fell into a thoughtful quiet. ¡°How many people or magical beings are after you do you suppose?¡±


    Ben opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted when Filif sprung up beside the driver¡¯s bench, and landed right beside Ben on the fraction of space available.


    The little mushroom sprite had numerous bite and claw marks from the pixies, but he didn¡¯t seem to be all that bothered by them as he swung his legs to and fro on the bench.


    ¡°Absolutely remarkable,¡± Paulav said with great admiration of the sprite.


    Filif leaned over and waved at Paulav, who blushed and waved back happily.


    ¡°It¡¯s strange for me too,¡± Ben admitted.


    ¡°Really? You seem so calm and capable!¡±


    Ben floundered on how to respond. Was Paulav being sincere? Or just nice?


    It¡¯s Paulav. It¡¯s both.


    He cleared his throat. ¡°Thank you. I think it¡¯s more just that I¡¯m tired and we¡¯ve seen and done a lot of really weird stuff lately.¡±


    Paulav tilted his head as though considering his next long litany of questions, when a frown suddenly drove down his brows.


    Ben was going to see if there was something bothering him, but Filif had suddenly leapt back off the cart and darted into the woods.


    Looking ahead, Ben discovered what was causing the alarm.


    There was a group milling about the side of the road¡­ And they were all wearing matching red coats.


    The army.


    ¡°Shit.¡± Ben moved his right hand into his pocket.


    ¡°Now, lad, it certainly has sounded like you¡¯ve had quite the adventure with the magical beings, but are you by chance a wanted man as well?¡±


    ¡°A little. But they shouldn¡¯t recognize me. The people who are looking for me are either in the south near the border, or Indivor.¡±


    Miraculously, Paulav didn¡¯t press for details. ¡°Alright. We can¡¯t stop and have you get in the back or they will be suspicious.¡± A particularly shrill note in the song Spidena was singing echoed from the caravan, briefly interrupting Paulav, but once they two men were certain she wasn¡¯t in any pain, he continued. ¡°Here¡¯s what we should do.¡±


    *


    ¡°Halt!¡±


    The horses stomped to a stand still.


    ¡°What business do you have!¡± The officer was a man in his late twenties, with short auburn hair and a square jaw. His face was already pink from being in the sun, and his forehead was dappled with sweat. Behind him were seven other soldiers. Three women and the rest men, were all wearing their red coats. Some were sitting having a drink from their waterskins, others were conversing with papers in hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m a merchant on my way to a friend¡¯s wedding!¡± Paulav called back to the soldier with his usual level of cheer.


    ¡°And who are you?¡± the soldier turned with narrowed eyes toward Ben.


    He gave a weary breath, his elbows braced against his knees he dropped his head momentarily before replying.


    ¡°I¡¯m hitching a ride. My wife got too deep into the cups and is in no shape to travel on foot today.¡±


    Paulav shot Ben a conspiratorial wink that he wholly ignored.


    ¡°Where are you and your wife heading?¡± the soldier asked while one of the women drifted closer.


    ¡°We are going to visit my brother in Ocor.¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it have been faster traveling through the woods?¡± It was the woman who brought up this question. Her long sandy brown hair was tied up in a ponytail, and her hands were on her hips as she stared up at Paulav and Ben.


    ¡°My wife doesn¡¯t do well in the woods, and we weren¡¯t sure where Lord Earhav¡¯s boundaries were.¡±


    The two soldiers stared at each other briefly. ¡°Have either of you heard or seen anything strange?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Paulav glanced at Ben. ¡°There was a swarm of pixies¡ª¡±


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    ¡°Pixies?¡± The man burst out in alarm, cutting off Paulav. His exclamation brought three other soldiers to join them.


    ¡°Yes. A swarm. About four hours south on the road.¡±


    ¡°Gods!¡±


    Ben held up his left hand, displaying some of the bites and scratches.


    ¡°How did you get away?¡± the woman¡¯s eyes narrowed suspiciously.


    ¡°My wife drunkenly chucked a music box into the woods,¡± Ben retorted bluntly.


    Everytime he said the words ¡®my wife¡¯ they felt wooden and awkward. Ideally to everyone else he just sounded annoyed.


    The soldiers looked dubious, and Ben could tell by the fact that they were allowing the growing stream of traffic coming from the north go by unbothered that they weren¡¯t going to leave them be just yet.


    Luckily the back of the caravan suddenly exploded open.


    ¡°Are we taking a breaaaak?¡± A musical holler carrying the words.


    Ben didn¡¯t even have to pretend to be exhausted as he pressed his hand to his eyes.


    Judging by the faint bounce of the caravan, Ben could tell Spidena had jumped off.


    ¡°Beeeen? I¡¯m huuungry! My hands smell like pepper¡ªOh! Hello!¡± Spidena had skipped up the side of the caravan, but stopped when she noticed the soldiers, who stared at her skeptically.


    ¡°You have very loud coats!¡± She bobbed her head with a smile.


    ¡°Spidena?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Ben?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll make food when it¡¯s dinner time, can you get back in the caravan?¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s boring in there! We should do something fun! Those guys are wearing fun coats! Maybe we should see if we can buy any!¡±


    ¡°We have no money. And they¡¯re with the army.¡±


    Spidena tilted her head at the group that was still watching her.


    ¡°Huh. What part of the army?¡±


    Ben looked at the auburn-haired man pleadingly.


    He pointedly voided Ben¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°We are with a Wolf unit, Madam. Are you being kidnapped? Are you in danger?¡±


    Spidena gave a very long, unladylike snort.


    ¡°Me? In danger from him? Or him?¡± She gestured with her thumb first at Ben, then Paulav. ¡°I¡¯ve seen chipmunks that are more intimidating!¡±


    One of the older soldiers gave a suspicious cough that could¡¯ve been a laugh.


    ¡°Now, about this Wolf unit. What do you do? I have a pet named Wolf! He¡¯s lovely.¡±


    ¡°Spidena¡ª¡±


    ¡°We track down and apprehend criminals, Madam,¡± it was the woman soldier who responded, eyeing Spidena disapprovingly.


    ¡°Oh. But what if someone in the Wolf unit is a criminal? Is it like a dog chasing its tail then?¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡± Ben leapt down off the bench in front of Spidena who beamed at him. ¡°How about you go inside the caravan and think of your favorite¡­ uh¡­ Your favorite color!¡±


    ¡°Blue! That was easy. Now, can we play hide and seek?¡±


    ¡°No, no! Please¡ª¡±


    Spidena darted off into the trees and Ben dropped his head back, his right hand still stowed safely in his pocket curling into a fist.


    He turned around to look at the soldiers. He wondered if they could tell how irked he was with them for existing right at that moment.


    ¡°Good luck to you, sir,¡± was all the auburn-haired soldier said before waving forward the cart that had pulled up behind Paulav.


    Ben grit his teeth then looked at Paulav.


    The merchant shrugged helplessly.


    Their plan had worked for the most part, but there was only so much they could do to combat a


    witch in the throes of paying a magic fee that happened to be her sanity.


    *


    By the time Ben was stomping back to the road with Spidena¡¯s elbow firmly in his grasp, dusk was settling over the world.


    Luckily, Paulav had found a private spot to pull off to the side and wait for them away from where the soldiers had been stationed, though he was having trouble finding his tinder box when they arrived.


    When Paulav explained how odd it was that he couldn¡¯t find any means of starting a fire, Ben rounded on the most likely suspect.


    ¡°Spidena.¡± Ben eyed the witch who was quickly becoming mesmerized by the fireflies irritably. ¡°Did you hide the tinderboxes and flints?¡±


    ¡°Hm? Oh! Yes!¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Look at that!¡± In the dim light Spidena pointed to something in the distance, and pranced off back into the foliage.


    Ben made a loud noise of fury and frustration, prompting Paulav to rest a hand on Ben¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯m beginning to see what you meant about having to get used to all sorts of things.¡±


    Ben looked at the man in the darkness. He wanted to snap at him and swear.


    He wanted to say to hells with the entire journey and just walk through the night on the road alone.


    Spidena could sort herself out! So what if she had cast an incantation to save them from pixies! She could have figured out something else that didn¡¯t make her a brainless twit!


    He was just about to even say as much aloud, when a glimmer of something through the trees caught his eye.


    At first Ben¡¯s reaction was to think, Now what?


    But then he noticed a familiar shape in the darkness.


    Relief filled him.


    ¡°Thank. Every. Bloody God and Goddess that exists!¡±


    Ben also bounded off into the woods, leaving a flummoxed Paulav behind¡­


    Blinking, the merchant slowly edged toward the strange sight in the distance that he only noticed when Ben had bolted for it.


    Eventually, the three traveling companions all found themselves standing shoulder-to-shoulder before a building¡­


    One with brightly lit windows, a smoking chimney, and a sign that read:


    The Fey Way

 Chapter 26: Inspiring Introductions

    ¡°Oh my! Oh¡­ Oh my! O-oh¡­ Oh my!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an entryway.¡± Ben stared at Paulav flatly.


    The merchant was already halfway down the front hall of The Fey Way, and heading toward the end where the two doorways for the front desk and the dining room faced each other. That is before he stopped to marvel the long hutch and oil painting depicting a beach with woods in the distance, and various magical creatures dancing with humans on the sand.


    ¡°But there is such whimsy here in this entrance! And magic! Yes¡­ Yes, magic! I know I¡¯m a seeb, but you can feel it in the air!¡± Paulav cast his hands up theatrically.


    Ben started to wonder if perhaps the true reason for Paulav¡¯s unflappably cheery nature was due to some form of discrete drug use. Given how often people were getting dosed as of late around Ben, it didn¡¯t seem too farfetched of a theory.


    Spidena sidled up to Ben, her smile dreamy as she gazed off at nothing.


    Ben couldn¡¯t even acknowledge her. He was still too annoyed.


    Luckily, there was the perfect distraction for Spidena skipping by his right side; Filif.


    The little mushroom sprite was staring with childlike wonder at the inn¡¯s interior.


    Paulav noticed the sprite¡¯s shared awe of the place and he stepped over to him excitedly. ¡°Isn¡¯t it wonderful? I must stay a night here! Oh¡­ And I should buy a weekend room in advance as a gift certificate for Gabrinne and Nasha as a wedding gift! They would absolutely love this!¡±


    Filif nodded his head, smiling brightly as his mushrooms bobbed with an exuberant air.


    ¡°Hello?¡± a familiar voice called out from the right doorway.


    ¡°Hi Daffy!¡± Ben hollered while taking a moment to wipe his boots on the oval woven mat before making his way past Paulav and Filif who were just then glancing into the dining room.


    Stepping into the reception room, Ben couldn¡¯t help but grin at the wood nymph. She wore another loose flowing dress over her larger form, but unlike the sunny yellows she had sported before, these ones were patterned in various shades of green with emerald and gold thread separating the colors.


    ¡°Man chop!¡± Daffy let out a joyful laugh as she made her way around the desk over to him.


    Plucking him up into a hug, Ben discovered that the woman was just as strong as she was tall as his feet dangled off the floor and his ribs felt like they were being crushed together.


    ¡°Daffyyyyy!¡± Spidena greeted dotingly.


    Ben felt a new restrictive force squeeze whatever breath remained in his body out.


    Spidena must have joined the embrace.


    ¡°Spidena!¡±


    The surprise in Daffy¡¯s voice wasn¡¯t as happy as it had been with Ben¡­


    In fact there was a bit of hesitancy behind it.


    This oddity was quickly forgotten however when the nymph released Ben, and he got to enjoy a gulp of air. Though his ribs twinged a bit when he did.


    Spidena was smiling up at the wood nymph who blinked down at her, somewhat stunned.


    ¡°You two smell like you bathed in big magic. Oh¡­ I hope the other customers don¡¯t give you much trouble! We have a handful of goblins, a bridge troll couple on their honeymoon, some nymphs on their pre-splitting¡ª¡±


    ¡°Pre-splitting?¡± Ben interrupted curiously.


    ¡°It¡¯s like¡­ a doe night. You know when women go out and celebrate before they get married? But for nymphs. They go out and frolick in the woods, drink as much mead as their bark can hold¡­ It¡¯s all good fun!¡± Daffy explained with a fond glint in her eye.


    ¡°Did you have one?¡± Ben asked conversationally.


    ¡°I went with my friends for theirs, but I wasn¡¯t really wanting a copse of my own. I like being a lone trunk!¡± Daffy flicked her long ponytail over her shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear business is doing well,¡± he congratulated.


    Daffy nodded, her eyes becoming fixated on Spidena who beamed back at her.


    After a beat of silence, she then said, ¡°Why is she smiling like that? It¡¯s a little off-putting.¡±


    Ben sighed. ¡°Try listening to her talk.¡±


    ¡°That isn¡¯t nice!¡± Spidena turned to Ben. Despite her words technically meaning to be chastising she looked amused. ¡°I am in the middle of paying my magic debt for the incantation that saved us from the pixies!¡±


    ¡°Pixies?¡± Daffy reeled back, horror in her eyes. ¡°They didn¡¯t follow you here, did they?¡±


    Spidena waved her hand in the air. ¡°I took care of it. You look great, by the way! Oh! You need to meet Paulav! Ah! We could all play a game together!¡±


    Daffy shot a look of concern at Ben. He shrugged wearily in response.


    By this time, the merchant had finished marveling the clientele of The Fey Way, and turned to see who Ben and Spidena were talking to.


    When his eyes rested on Daffy he froze, then slowly straightened himself. When Paulav realized he was staring at a woman taller and thicker than himself, he blinked. His sights rested briefly on the barky patches on her neck and exposed forearms, but then he met her eyes and broke out into a smile. ¡°Beautiful!¡±


    ¡°Ooh!¡± Daffy lifted a hand to her chest and grinned at the flattery. ¡°Well aren¡¯t you a dear! Is this a warlock friend?¡± Daffy looked back down at Spidena.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid not, my dear lady, I am a seeb! But I love and respect the great wonders of magic and all of the beings that carry its existence in them.¡± Paulav swept into a graceful bow and Daffy began to fan herself.


    ¡°I knew you two would get along.¡± Ben couldn¡¯t help but give a half smile.


    When Paulav had righted himself he reached for the pouch of coins on his belt. ¡°How much for a room?¡±


    ¡°Well hold on there,¡± Ben stepped forward while Daffy had grasped her hands together in mounting hopefulness. ¡°Where is the inn going to reappear the next time it moves? Paulav, you have your caravan and horses.¡±


    ¡°Oh, we do have the stables!¡± Daffy reminded eagerly.


    ¡°Yes, but again, where are we going to reappear? Paulav has to get to a wedding.¡±


    ¡°A wedding? A seeb wedding?¡± Daffy looked beside herself with delight.


    ¡°A witch is getting married,¡± Ben clarified before looking to Paulav again. ¡°And we are riding with him to get to Kintel. So if the inn happens to reappear back closer to Gabel, then Spidena and I wouldn¡¯t want to stay.¡±


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    ¡°Awe!¡± Spidena pouted, earning a crazed look of irritation from Ben that screamed are you bloody well serious?


    ¡°Ah, that would be a bit of a problem if the inn¡¯s disappearance set us back on our journey,¡± Paulav confessed, though the look on his face made Ben feel like he had just told a child there would be no cake or presents for their birthday.


    ¡°Well, I can talk to Obbie about keeping the inn in the same place for a night! Though, it does kind of move whenever someone is in need of it.¡±


    ¡°There can¡¯t be scheduled stops? Like a coach? Or a ship?¡± Ben suggested.


    Daffy grimaced. ¡°That sounds a lot less fun. Sticking to a schedule¡­¡± She shuddered.


    ¡°HOLY SCUM! WHO THE HELL REEKS OF MAGIC? I CAN BARELY SMELL THE ONIONS ON MY OWN GODSDAMN CUTTING BOAR¡ª Oh. It¡¯s you two.¡± Obbie the fairy had startled everyone into turning around, and when they all laid eyes on the feisty fae cook, they all had strongly different reactions.


    Ben¡¯s reaction was akin to that of someone who had just had a pigeon take a dump on his shoes. Spidena looked mildly insane as she twitched violently in her efforts to not to smile, and Paulav¡­


    The man looked like he had just found the meaning of life.


    ¡°Are you two staying here again? If so, stand out in the front yard. The big magic on you will attract more customers and it¡¯ll let me cook without the stink,¡± the fairy ordered haughtily.


    ¡°If we do that, can we sleep and eat here for free?¡± Ben wondered while trying to sound casual.


    ¡°I¡¯d consider it. What¡¯s wrong with the witch?¡± Obbie jerked his chin in Spidena¡¯s direction.


    ¡°She used an incantation that cost her the ability to be upset or¡­ to think¡­ I believe for a day? She is more sane now than she was twenty minutes ago, so I think it¡¯s wearing off.¡±


    ¡°Huh. And the giant seeb that breathes like a snubbed snout dog?¡± Obbie¡¯s gaze drifted lazily over to Paulav who only then remembered to close his mouth.


    ¡°This is our new gallant customer, Paulav!¡± Daffy introduced with a faint warning note in her voice.


    Obbie¡¯s violet eyes roved over Paulav from head to toe, appearing bored as he did so. ¡°Dodder or seeb?¡±


    ¡°Seeb,¡± Daffy answered, her eyes narrowing and her hands finding her round hips.


    ¡°Hm. I am curious as to why we aren¡¯t getting more human patrons. He¡¯ll make a good test subject,¡± Obbie announced callously.


    ¡°Be nice!¡± Spidena snapped, stalking forward. ¡°Paulav here is unbearably kind!¡± The manic smile on her face and her wide eyes made for a most disturbing picture.


    The fairy¡¯s eyebrows drifted lazily upward. ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°On another note, we might have already just explained the reason you aren¡¯t getting more humans,¡± Ben jumped in, hoping to deescalate where the conversation was going. Though he did wonder if Paulav was alright or if the man had had a stroke as he continued gaping at Obbie without a word.


    ¡°Well? What¡¯s this brilliant idea, Man Chop?¡±


    ¡°Still not a fan of the nickname,¡± Ben informed the fairy who didn¡¯t seem to care what he thought about it. ¡°But the problem is no one would want to stay at an inn that dumps them in some random place. They might have to do their journey twice if they check out and find they are all the way back to where they first started their trip, or they could be somewhere completely different.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s called being spontaneous and fantastical,¡± Obbie argued while swaggering closer to Ben.


    ¡°Humans don¡¯t have an infinite amount of time to live. We have places to be and things to do,¡± he countered evenly.


    ¡°So what? We do a schedule just for you humans?¡± Obbie asked scathingly.


    Ben stared at him blandly. ¡°If you want to be in a customer service business for humans. Then you should do something like that, yes.¡±


    ¡°The Fey Way isn¡¯t just for you self-centered dungpiles with mouths!¡±


    ¡°It was a good call making Daffy be the one to deal with customers,¡± Ben noted offhandedly.


    ¡°My point is we have all kinds of creatures and beings staying with us!¡± Obbie scoffed while tossing his head into the air disdainfully.


    Rolling his eyes, Ben realized he was getting nowhere fast, and no one was helping him. ¡°Do what you want. You were the one looking to figure out why there weren¡¯t more humans that would want to stay. I also imagine they aren¡¯t fans of feeling like they are enchanted and have no memory of the place that they spent money on.¡±


    ¡°Of course they would enjoy it! It¡¯s a story to make their sad, short lives more interesting!¡±


    Ben reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose. It had been far too long of a day.


    ¡°How does the inn move exactly? You all vaguely mentioned it before,¡± Spidena interjected.


    The fairy turned to look at her, some of his passion fading from his eyes. ¡°Daffy¡¯s connection with different nymphs. We transport to their groves by their individual trees.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ Is it possible that there is a waiting area created with wood from each of those trees that people can go to and be transported that way on The Fey Way grounds?¡± she reasoned.


    ¡°Like if Daffy knows a lovely yew nymph, you have a  limb from the tree installed in the ground here. Then couldn¡¯t people theoretically move through the magic to the tree from it? Kind of like certain docks have certain ships that go to specific places? Get a limb from each of the locations that are near humans, and set it up that way. Then they go out into the yard and disappear and reappear according to said limb. Meaning they wouldn¡¯t have to worry about winding up somewhere they don¡¯t want to be. You could even charge for priority transportation if it gets crowded enough.¡±


    No one spoke.


    ¡°I knew she was brilliant!¡± Daffy burst out, clapping her hands together, her elation immediately filling the atmosphere with a welcoming glow.


    Obbie shook his head in defeat. ¡°I admit¡­ It isn¡¯t a bad idea.¡±


    It was the first time since she started enduring the cost of her incantation that Ben suspected Spidena¡¯s smile was genuine.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Paulav cleared his throat, drawing everyone¡¯s attention to him as he kept his attention reverently fixed on Obbie. ¡°You are amazing.¡±


    Obbie stared at Paulav. Blinked a number of times, then said. ¡°I know.¡±


    He then turned and started sauntering back toward the dining room and his kitchen. ¡°Well, stay or don¡¯t stay. But I do look forward to hearing what ridiculous problems Man Chop and his witch have now!¡±


    Ben felt the exhaustion overtaking his body, and so it was difficult to not simply find a nice corner to curl up and fall asleep in. But he could tell from the look on Paulav¡¯s face, the man was a little too stunned staring after Obbie to properly manage the present.


    So, Ben clapped a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s go get the caravan and horses and bring them to the stable.¡±


    At the very least, this seemed to jolt Paulav out of his daze enough that he could look at Ben, give a distracted smile and nod, while starting to move back toward the front door.


    A shriek rang out, making them all jump and whirl around.


    Daffy had braced herself against the welcome desk, her eyes round, her face filled with terror.


    Ben felt his right hand closing into a fist, and he started to prepare himself to use his secret weapon¡­ Until he realized what had frightened the nymph so soundly, was none other than Filif.


    And the little sprite was staring up at her looking oddly¡­ hungry.

 Chapter 27: Rowdy Rejoining

    Spidena was the first to react to Daffy¡¯s panic, prompting her to swoop down and wrap Filif in her arms.


    ¡°Filif! Let¡¯s go to the dining room! There may even be other sprites to¡ª¡± The sprite squirmed in her arms, his eyes fixed doggedly on Daffy who was doing her best to get to the doorway.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Ben called over the scuffle.


    ¡°Mushroom¡­ sprites¨Cargh!¡± Spidena started to explain as the sprite wriggled around her torso, forcing the witch to pin him awkwardly to her side. ¡°Can¡­ attach¡­ and¡­ NO BITING!¡± Spidena burst out as Filif started to tentatively gnaw on her upper arm. ¡°Live¡­ off¡­ wood nymphs!¡±


    It took Ben a few moments to piece together the broken sentences. ¡°Oh. Like mushrooms on trees? They grow and live off of them?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Daffy whispered from just behind Ben. ¡°And sometimes they make us rot.¡±


    ¡°How do we make him stop?¡± Ben asked with a worried frown.


    Daffy raised a trembling finger. ¡°Go outside, and get him a thick tree branch. W-we¡¯ll smoke it a little for him.¡±


    Another garbled yelp echoed from Spidena, prompting two things to happen. The first being Paulav stepping forward to lend his assistance to the waylaid witch. The second, Ben sprinting down the hall out the door to find the tree limb.


    It took all of fifteen minutes, but by the end of it, Spidena was completely disheveled, Paulav¡¯s coat was missing two brass buttons, and Filif was sitting happily on the ground sucking on the side of a maple tree branch freshly smoked from the fire in the dining room, that had littered some bark and dried leaves over the inn¡¯s floor.


    Ben looked at Daffy, ¡°So¡­ I think we¡¯re staying the night. How can we pay you?¡±


    The wood nymph eyed Filif uncertainly as she dabbed the sweat on her forehead with the kerchief Paulav had helpfully supplied. ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯ll have to talk to Obbie about it.¡±


    Ben nodded in understanding before looking at Spidena. ¡°Come on. Maybe if we sit outside like he asked he won¡¯t make us do something ridiculous.¡±


    The witch at that moment was stretching her jaw wide open in an effort to relax her muscles as she had, at long blessed last, been able to stop smiling.


    ¡°How about I buy you two some dinner?¡± Paulav smiled at them, his eyes twinkling.


    ¡°I won¡¯t say no to that!¡± Ben grinned.


    Spidena didn¡¯t argue the offer either, and so the two of them made their way back outside where night had already cooled the forest.


    Spotting a wooden bench pressed just under one of the windows to the dining room, Ben headed in that direction, and proceeded to plunk himself down.


    ¡°You know, if more magical creatures come because of us, we should demand commission,¡± Spidena speculated aloud as she joined Ben on the bench.


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave that kind of discussion with Daffy and Obbie to you.¡± Ben leaned his head against the wall, closed his eyes and let out a long breath.


    ¡°Do you believe me now about the big magic around us?¡±


    ¡°I guess,¡± Ben responded, unenthused.


    Spidena made an irritated noise in the back of her throat, crossed her arms over her chest, and slumped back against the inn wall.


    ¡°Did Filif hurt you anywhere?¡±


    Spidena¡¯s head snapped around to stare at Ben. He didn¡¯t even open his eyes, but he sensed her do it.


    ¡°His teeth are basically mushrooms. No, he didn¡¯t hurt me. He pulled my hair a few times, but that¡¯s it,¡± she answered warily.


    ¡°You could use less hair. He was probably just trying to be helpful.¡±


    Spidena narrowed her gaze. ¡°I noticed this earlier¡­ You threw yourself over me when the pixies were attacking. Now you¡¯re asking if I¡¯m hurt. Don¡¯t go expecting me to be nicer to you or to give you any favor¡ª¡±


    ¡°In the military we protect and treat the best weapons with the utmost care. You were the best person to get us out of trouble, so I made sure you wouldn¡¯t have a problem doing whatever  needed to to save us.¡±


    ¡°I feel like I was just insulted.¡±


    ¡°There are worse things than being useful.¡±


    Spidena snorted. ¡°Yes. Thank toads you aren¡¯t developing any romantic feelings for me. You¡¯d probably give a woman you¡¯re interested in something ridiculous. Like a pocket knife.¡±


    ¡°A pocket knife is a great gift. But really the gift depends on the person.¡± Ben¡¯s eyes came half open as the first sightings of fireflies started to rise up from the thick grass near their feet.


    ¡°Oh? What was the last gift you gave?¡± Spidena tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear, well aware that the rest of her hair atop her head was in a frightful state.


    Ben felt a sad weight claim his expression. ¡°I bought my brother a wagon.¡±


    Spidena settled back onto the bench. Her brief quiet made Ben suspect he¡¯d surprised her¡­ Oddly, the silence made him feel like continuing the story.


    ¡°It was used. Old. Rusted to hells, and its back left wheel was loose. But it meant that collecting wood for the fire went faster, and we¡¯d have more time to play together before dinner.¡±


    ¡°What was your brother¡¯s name?¡± Spidena asked softly.


    For a second Ben was almost smiled. His eyes opened a little more, and his cheeks lifted¡­ But when he next spoke his voice betrayed his pain.


    ¡°Mervin.¡±


    Spidena waited before asking another question.¡°Was he older or younger?¡±


    ¡°Older. By three years.¡± Ben blinked a few times and looked away.


    ¡°Was he a dodder too?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but he¡­ He wasn¡¯t as good as I was at spotting magic. One time we,¡± Ben faltered with a laugh. ¡°One time I swore we were following wisps to treasure. Really I was just following a rabbit that some witch had marked for hunting. Luckily the animal seemed to have outsmarted them because no one shot at us.¡±


    Spidena smiled at the story.


    ¡°But holy bog was Mervin annoyed¡­¡± Ben laughed a little more substantially while shaking his head. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t talk to me the rest of the night.¡±


    ¡°Is he¡­ Is he still alive?¡± Spidena ventured delicately.


    Ben¡¯s smile faded. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the instant regret on Spidena¡¯s face for asking the question.


    ¡°I have no idea. When my mom¡­ When she¡­ Uh. The day I met Ostrig was the last time I saw my brother. So¡­ I¡¯m not sure.¡±


    Spidena sat up straighter in alarm. ¡°But the Hounds were disbanded five years ago! Why didn¡¯t you check on hi¡ª¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to know.¡± Ben interrupted stiffly. ¡°And if I found my brother, I might find my parents and I can¡¯t¡­ I just can¡¯t¡­ See them. If they¡¯re still alive I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d say.¡±


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Spidena sprung up onto her feet and rounded on him. ¡°Stop being a coward and see your brother. I understand not wanting to see your parents. They sold you. But your brother? He didn¡¯t do anything and he might need you!¡±


    Ben stared up at Spidena, the glow of the dining room lighting her face. ¡°Mind your own damn business.¡±


    She scowled down at him in response.


    ¡°My, my, don¡¯t you two smell positively divine!¡±


    The new regal voice that sounded behind Spidena startled her into swinging around. She found herself staring at nothing. Then she dropped her gaze and backed away so quickly that she tripped on the bench, knocking her bum back onto its surface, before consequently bumping the back of her head against the wall in the inn.


    ¡°How you have lived this long should be investigated at some point,¡± Ben noted drolly.


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Spidena muttered, her eyes opening while still clutching the back of her head.


    ¡°Honestly, either there is magic involved, or¡ª¡± Ben¡¯s words died when a black duck waddled up to him with a businesslike air.


    ¡°So what, pray tell, are you two?¡± The duck had a low, sonorous voice, and Ben stared at it without moving an inch.


    The question mystified him almost as much as the fact that there was a talking duck with a voice as bass heavy as a giant.


    So rather than answering, Ben responded with, ¡°Us? But you¡¯re a¡­ A duck¡ª¡±


    ¡°I am Conquestorov.¡±


    ¡°Uh.¡±


    ¡°Con for short,¡± the duck allowed patiently.


    Ben took stock of the duck¡¯s unnerving red eyes as it turned its head to better see him.


    His stuttering mind was gradually overcoming the oddness of the situation.¡°Con, how are you¡ª¡±


    ¡°I am a minion.¡±


    Ben looked at Spidena helplessly. The witch had been incredibly quiet during the duck¡¯s introduction.


    However Ben¡¯s look of devastating confusion prompted her to reply¡ªalbeit dazedly. ¡°Minions are basically pure magic. They are made by witches or warlocks that specialize in certain kinds incantations. This¡­ minion¡ª¡±


    ¡°Conquestorov.¡±


    ¡°Conquestorov, acts as an agent to his creator. Minions are very tricky and pricey to make, so they aren''t common at all.¡±


    ¡°It took my master five years to finish me,¡± Conquestorov confirmed. ¡°Now. What are you beings? You are generating magic all around you, and it is utterly intoxicating!¡±


    ¡°Er.¡± Ben wasn¡¯t entirely sure he trusted a magic duck.


    ¡°We have a bit of a fate tie. Who is¡­ Who is your master?¡± Spidena interjected warily.


    ¡°A fate tie! My, my. Those are happening more often these days. Very interesting¡­¡± The duck ruffled its feathers, and Ben noted out of the corner of his eye that Spidena was looking quite pale and increasingly nervous. ¡°My master is the great Lord Callex Earhav, the first ever warlock to be titled and¡ª¡±


    ¡°Fungus,¡± Spidena whimpered quietly.


    ¡°I beg your pardon?¡± the duck shuffled its webbed feet closer.


    ¡°N-nothing! Don¡¯t worry! A-are you here to stay at The Fey Way?¡±


    ¡°So this is The Fey Way!¡± The duck said with great awe and interest. ¡°My master has been quite curious about this. I suppose I could poke my bill in and see what the fuss is about.¡±


    Ben eyed Spidena, then the duck. He was unsure how best to leave the situation, when lo and behold, Paulav poked his head out the front door. ¡°Dinner is just about ready! And Obbie has decided on your payment!¡±


    Both Ben and Spidena sprung to their feet. ¡°How bad is it?¡± Ben asked while sidling around the duck and rushing toward Paulav.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it''s too terrible. He said something about whipping egg whites without magic?¡±


    Spidena and Ben shared a look of utter confusion, then both shrugged and slipped back inside.


    *


    Paulav was just about to close the door when a low voice called out. ¡°Pardon me good sir, please hold the door there.¡±


    Practically leaping out of his skin, Paulav looked down at the duck and froze in place.


    ¡°Why thank you. Would you mind terribly pointing me in the direction of the proprietor?¡± The duck bowed his head as he waddled by.


    Paulav gaped another second before jerking back into his senses. The merchant then proceeded to close the door, a renewed smile claiming his face as he discovered yet a wonderful new magical element to the world he lived in.


    ¡°Of course! Right this way, Mr. Duck!¡±


    ¡°Please, call me Conquestorov.¡±


    ***


    ¡°It is never going to turn into foamy peaks!¡± Ben barked at Obbie who leaned against his work bench with a languid smile.


    ¡°Oh it will. Keep whisking, man chop.¡±


    Spidena scowled from her spot on the floor where she tried to rub feelings back into her arms. She had handed the task over to Ben after about thirty seconds, and her arms were still aching horribly.


    Ben continued whisking for another two minutes, and not much changed aside from the fact that he had to pause to remove his coat as sweat started to build along his hairline.


    Obbie chuckled. ¡°Oh Man Chop, you are a delight.¡±


    ¡°Dinner better be good,¡± Spidena bit out.


    ¡°Oh please. The way you two look I could probably feed you an undercooked potato and you wouldn¡¯t complain.¡± The fairy waved his hand, unbothered as he turned to his table and resumed chopping up the bunch of freshly washed parsley that rested there.


    Admittedly, the kitchen smelled like heaven.


    A thick, carrot soup simmered on the stove. The warm spices that Obbie had added in the beginning when he¡¯d browned the onions were creating a caramelized smell that had both Spidena and Ben¡¯s mouths watering.


    And so, Ben continued whisking, and whisking. Until at long, bloody last, stiff peaks formed.


    If it had happened on another day when not quite so much madness had occurred, he would¡¯ve been awed that goopy egg whites could change so much just from being moved around.


    However, it had been a terribly long day, and so he merely smacked the bowl down, in front of Obbie and said.


    ¡°There.¡±


    The fairy leaned over, gave a cursory glance, then said. ¡°Wonderful. Spidena, the other bowl is over there.¡±


    ¡°What other bowl?¡± Spidena demanded, her voice fraught with hysteria.


    ¡°Oy!¡± Obbie lifted his knife and pointed it first at Ben, then Spidena. ¡°You¡¯re getting a free room. The least you can do is give an hour of work.¡±


    The point did succeed in placating Ben and Spidena for an awkward moment, until Spidena slowly wandered over to the table with her eyes narrowed suspiciously. ¡°What do you mean ¡®a¡¯ room?¡±


    The fairy arched an eyebrow at her then lowered his knife and gave a smug smile. ¡°We have a lot more customers now. We can¡¯t just be doling out rooms left right and center. You two will share a room.¡±


    Ben and Spidena gaped, looked at each other, then both recoiled in utter disgust at the idea of having to sleep in a confined room together.


    Well, so much for getting a well earned rest.

 Chapter 28: Dinner Discussions

    Ben¡¯s mouth was practically attached to his bowl as he scooped his dinner directly into his face.


    Granted, the main meal was soup¡­  But that didn¡¯t mean everyone seated around him wasn¡¯t looking at him in blatant disgust or surprise despite the fact that he didn¡¯t slurp so much as gulp.


    ¡°Spidena, honey,¡± Daffy leaned over to the witch who couldn¡¯t start on her own meal until the atrocity unfolding before them ceased.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Please¡­ Teach that young man some manners when you can.¡±


    The witch gave a soft groan. ¡°I¡¯m not his mother.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯d be for everyone¡¯s sakes,¡± Daffy glanced at Ben from her spot at the table  who proceeded to shove a whole dinner roll into his mouth.


    Spidena regarded her travel companion dejectedly.


    It seemed a thankless task to try and teach him any kind of manners.


    ¡°So did the duck rent a room?¡± Spidena lowered her voice as she asked the question.


    Conquestorov may have been on the opposite side of the dining room, acquainting himself with the nymphs on their pre-splitting outing, but she didn¡¯t trust anything Callex Earhav had created within a league of its own farts.


    ¡°He did! He was marvelously polite! I had no idea that minions could be so intelligent!¡±


    ¡°Earhav dumped years of effort and magic deals into him. It makes sense,¡± Spidena almost grumbled while turning back to her food.


    Paulav was seated on Spidena¡¯s right hand side, and was on his third helping of soup and his fourth dinner roll when he leaned in closer. ¡°Gabrinne says she¡¯s heard rumors that Callex Earhav is the one who killed the old king by the orders of the former prince.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Daffy¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°How else would a warlock get a title only six months after magic was made legal,¡± Spidena contributed darkly.


    Ben snorted from his spot at the table and almost choked.


    ¡°Something funny?¡± Spidena snipped.


    Thumping himself on his chest, Ben reached for his goblet of water before answering. ¡°The former prince, now king, has as much motivation and intelligence as a soiled dish rag.¡±


    ¡°Oh really? And how would you know?¡± Spidena prodded hotly.


    ¡°I know¡ªknew people that met him a few times.¡±


    ¡°Oh please. A friend of a friend of a friend¡¯s cousin¡¯s neighbor type of thing?¡± Spidena shook her head dismissively.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t the prince who would¡¯ve done something about his father. It¡¯s his advisors that wanted the king dead. They want a government of nobles running the kingdom.¡± Ben shrugged and returned to his meal, unbothered if Spidena believed him or not.


    And the witch couldn¡¯t bring herself to care much just in that moment either, as the divine aroma of a light, sweet cake baking filled the air and teased their senses.


    The promise of desert seemed to be doing wonders at further eradicating a lot of stressors for Ben. While Spidena was significantly more patient compared to before when she was handling her anxiety on an empty stomach, she wasn¡¯t entirely freed of it.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t good news for the inn if Conquestorov says Earhav is interested in it. He probably wants to say you trespassed at some point.¡±


    ¡°Oh, we didn¡¯t,¡± Daffy assured. ¡°We marked a border on a map.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter. He¡¯ll still take you to a judge if he wants something you don¡¯t give him.¡±


    ¡°If he tries anything funny he¡¯ll find that the magic deals around his castle suddenly clogging worse than a toilet post troll use.¡± Obbie appeared opposite Daffy at the table. His own food in hand as he seated himself.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t antagonize him,¡± Spidena warned.


    Obbia smirked at her. ¡°Oh, little witch. I will live far longer than any drunk-on-power warlock ever will.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Spidena asked dryly. ¡°What about if he happens to kill you? Buries you in an iron coffin after sticking a bunch of iron knives in you and throws away the key?¡±


    ¡°What are you¡­ cursing me?¡± Obbie scoffed condescendingly before plucking up his spoon to enjoy his own dinner. Or at least he would¡¯ve had he not noticed Ben scraping an entire plate full of butter garlic brussel sprouts into his open mouth. ¡°Good. Gods. Who raised you? Even wolves have more dignity.¡± The fairy proceeded to take out a pristine white napkin, flap it twice, and toss it over Ben¡¯s head. Then he tucked into his meal.


    The move succeeded in making Ben stop his destruction of the brussel sprouts, and so the rest of the table took the window of opportunity to once more relish in the sweet spiced carrot soup without any nearby nauseating sights.


    ¡°Pardon me?¡±


    Obbie jolted in alarm. ¡°What the¡ªduck?¡±


    Conquestorov had stealthily moved from his bench with the nymphs and was presently standing right behind the fairy.


    Spidena on the other side of the table sat up perfectly straight while gripping her spoon so tightly her knuckles turned white.


    ¡°Wonderful to meet you! I hear you are the proprietor of this business?¡± Conquestorov blinked up at Obbie who gazed down looking rather annoyed at being interrupted.


    ¡°No, sorry. The owner¡¯s not in right now.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Well those lovely nymphs at my table thought you were the owner and are, in fact, here.¡± The duck tilted its head.


    ¡°Those nymphs have also drunk almost a full ale barrel to themselves in two days,¡± Obbie pointed out flatly. ¡°I only have a few minutes to eat dinner. Is this important?¡±


    ¡°Ah. Yes. You see, my master would like to invest in this inn.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t need an investor.¡± Obbie turned back to his meal, signaling he was quite done with the conversation.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Amazingly, the duck took the hint and waddled away, though by this point Spidena was starting to look a deathly gray.


    Ben, who had already removed the napkin from his head, observed the exchange and then the state of Spidena, but didn¡¯t bother doing anything more than noting it before scanning the table for more food.


    ¡°Spidena, Ben, where is it you two need to go in Kintel?¡± Daffy asked a little too loudly, as though to disrupt the tension in the air.


    ¡°I need to go to the Census Office there,¡± Ben responded casually.


    Spidena¡¯s head whipped around. ¡°You¡¯re going there too?¡±


    Ben blinked rapidly. ¡°Too? What do you mean too? Why are you going?¡±


    Obbie¡¯s smile was pure evil. ¡°Oh Gods, did the fate ties double knot you two?¡±


    ¡°A double knotted fate tie! And here I thought you two were just run of the mill fate tied!¡±


    Ben startled so violently at the appearance of Conquestorov on the seat beside him that his knee banged the table hard enough to make Paulav¡¯s soup slosh over the side.


    ¡°What do you mean run-of-the-mill fate tie?¡± Daffy wondered with lowered brows, ignoring Ben¡¯s alarm.


    ¡°Oh, there has been lots cropping up near Kintel, Ocor, Indivor, even some in the south. All signs point to big changes coming! But a double fate tie usually indicates you also have a third one,¡± Conquestorov supplied knowledgeably.


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    Spidena¡¯s nose was scrunched up as though she had just sniffed three month old milk.


    Daffy on the other hand looked between the two of them with sparkling eyes. ¡°Who are you two looking for? I bet it¡¯s the same person!¡±


    Ben and Spidena shared a wary look. Neither of them had confessed this much about their travel destination before, and Spidena in particular was not a fan of Conqustorov learning any more than he already had about them.


    Stupid sneaky duck¡­


    Incredibly, Obbie sensed this and decided to spare the little witch. Though in true fairy fashion, he did so while being tricky and annoying.


    ¡°Daffy, you remember how you said I owed you?¡±


    The nymph stiffened in alarm as she crept a nervous look at Obbie then a quick peak at Spidena.


    ¡°Y-yes?¡±


    ¡°Well guess who put your favorite not-yet-a-couple into one room for the night?¡±


    Daffy¡¯s jaw dropped, and Paulav turned to look at both Ben and Spidena with his eyebrows raised.


    ¡°Oh dear, that isn¡¯t proper. Ben,  you can sleep in my roo¡ª¡±


    Daffy seized Paulav by the lapels, dragged him halfway across the table, the bark on her neck surging over her face, and her voice gravelly and seething when she said. ¡°Don¡¯t take this from me!¡±


    Paulav looked like he might faint, but managed to say a weak, ¡°O-okay.¡±


    Satisfied, Daffy released him, and the bark once more faded back to its usual place.


    ¡°Well, I wish you both a most exciting night sleep!¡± the nymph sang in her usual voice as though she hadn¡¯t just been about to crush Paulav¡¯s windpipe.


    Ben and Spidena pointedly avoided eye contact with one another.


    They¡¯d just eaten.


    There really was no need to waste quality food on the toilets.


    *


    ¡°I told you already! It¡¯s to stop you from asking for handouts! Besides, I hope you learned to value food!¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t think Ben values food? We both watched him eat a sandwich out of a dirty leather pocket! He didn¡¯t even check to see if there was lint anywhere!¡±


    ¡°Then you can magically wipe out every mosquito in existence!¡±


    ¡°What is your problem with bugs?¡±


    ¡°Are you honestly telling me you hold love for ants and mosquitos? You, tall boots?¡±


    ¡°What did I do to make you think I don¡¯t value everything? Every part of nature and otherwise can be a potion ingredient and therefore has value!¡±


    Ben listened to Spidena and Obbie banter back and forth.


    It had all started when Spidena proposed that they pay for separate rooms doing some other menial task like peeling potatoes.


    Obbie had countered that they be forced to whip heavy cream into whipped cream for breakfast the next day. And evidently the possibility of hard physical labor early in the morning was not well received by Spidena.


    ¡°Here¡¯s your room!¡± Obbie announced smugly.


    Ben nearly moaned from his potent feelings of gratitude. He was bone dead tired.


    One day had felt like a year.


    Though there was still one awful task he had agreed to do for the painfully nice Paulav¡­


    ¡°Err¡­ Obbie?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Man Chop?¡±


    ¡°Okay¡ªis there any other nickname you¡¯d be willing to call me?¡± Ben interrupted himself.


    ¡°Watching you eat was more or less like watching myself dump food scraps into the garbage pail, so¡­ Dump? Scrap?¡±


    Ben stared at Obbie for a long time, and the fairy looked back with a shining smile.


    ¡°Never mind. Look¡­¡± Ben trailed off and did his best to ignore Spidena¡¯s questioning expression. ¡°Are you¡­ courting¡­ anyone?¡±


    ¡°Man Chop!¡± Obbied pressed his long elegant fingers into his chest. ¡°I never knew you felt that way about me! Daffy will be heartbroken to learn your little petulant witch doesn¡¯t stand a chance!¡±


    ¡°No! No, no.¡± Ben felt his face burning. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ Um. Paulav, wondered if you¡­ were¡­ available¡­ to go to his friend¡¯s wedding.¡±


    Obbie¡¯s eyes fluttered. ¡°Ah. Well that¡¯s not as fun.¡±


    ¡°Paulav is great!¡± Spidena interjected on behalf of their merchant friend.


    ¡°Mhm,¡± Obbie gave a world-weary sigh. ¡°He¡¯s not my type. I like brooding. Muscled.¡±


    ¡°Women?¡±


    ¡°Nymph?¡±


    Ben and Spidena asked at the same time.


    ¡°Whatever attractive casing brooding and muscled comes in,¡± Obbie gave a sultry smile.


    ¡°You could give Paulav a chance,¡± Ben attempted weakly.


    Obbie merely shook his head and pushed open the door to the room Ben and Spidena would be staying in.


    Already braced for an awful night, the pair leaned over to take a peek at their accommodations, and balked.


    ¡°This is a storage closet!¡± Spidena sputtered.


    ¡°With bunk beds,¡± Ben noted while fighting off a laugh of relief.


    ¡°You whipped eggs for thirty minutes. It isn¡¯t like you worked all day.¡±


    ¡°You got two new customers because of us!¡± Spidena reminded passionately.


    ¡°Yes. A chubby merchant who sends Man Chop to ask about me like a pubescent human, and a duck from an evil warlock. Thank you so much!¡±


    ¡°Money is money,¡± Spidena growled in response.


    Obbie sighed and rolled his eyes. ¡°Fine. Breakfast is included.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to ask Daffy how much you charged Conquestorov and Paulav in the morning and figure out an equal cut!¡± Spidena thrust her nose in the air and strode into the closet-room, leaving Ben to follow behind.


    ¡°Oh, Man Chop?¡± Obbie called out sweetly.


    Ben struggled not to roll his eyes. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°If it had been you asking me to go on a date, then my answer probably would¡¯ve been a little different.¡± Obbie winked.


    Ben had to cover his mouth and pretend it was a burp to hide his grimace.


    ¡°Uh. Well. Night. See you,¡± Ben reached for the door handle and started closing it hurriedly, when Obbie¡¯s eyes flicked to Ben¡¯s wrist, and his expression turned to alarm.


    Ben didn¡¯t know what had caused the change in the fairy¡¯s demeanor, nor did he want to know, and so he didn¡¯t hesitate in shutting the door and locking it for good measure before rounding to face Spidena who sat perched on the upper bunk.


    ¡°Obbie¡¯s weird.¡±


    ¡°Actually he¡¯s quite down to earth for a fairy,¡± she countered thoughtfully.


    Ben shuddered at the idea that other fairies were even more insufferable as he made his way over to the lower bunk while dropping his pack beside it.


    He then sat down on the lumpy mattress, and flopped back. It briefly occurred to him to remove his boots, but that was about all he had time to consider doing before sleep sank his mind into pure, restful darkness with his stomach full and warm from a good meal.

 Chapter 29: Villainous Visitors

    Daffy continued wringing her hands atop Obbie¡¯s scrubbed cooking table, occasionally glancing over her shoulder at the door.


    Obbie watched her with a raised brow as he finished pouring them two steaming cups of peppermint chamomile tea. ¡°I already told you they won¡¯t be coming in. Did you see how exhausted they were? Plus I sprinkled quite a bit of ground up valerian root in their food. And in their desert. It¡¯d be a miracle if Man Chop woke up before winter. He ate a bowl of that fat merchant¡¯s dinner, and I¡¯d been generous with the amount in his for obvious reasons. Ben¡¯s a fraction of his size¡­¡±


    Daffy looked back at the fairy, her mouth twisted in a fretful knot. ¡°I know, but¡­ Obbie, is this really alright? They were some of our first customers, and business has definitely picked up because of the big magic scent around them¡­¡±


    ¡°You do realize there won¡¯t be a business anymore if Pesch Goldbry gets angry with us and takes away his funding, right?¡±


    Daffy let out a soft whine of distress.


    ¡°Look, sure Pesch Goldbry is known for running successful businesses. Yes, he also has a reputation as a bit of a con man. Yes, he is surrounded by muscled capable goons¡­ With biceps I could sink my teeth into¡­¡± Obbie trailed off momentarily before giving his head a shake. ¡°But! It is well established that if you are a business partner with him, he is good to you. I¡¯ll send him a pigeon to let him know that the witch is here.¡±


    ¡°Her name is Spidena! And you can¡¯t! Who knows what he wants with her!¡± Daffy objected heartfully.


    Obbie slowly seated himself, his hands wrapping around the clay mug. ¡°She might have done something bad to him, you know. She doesn¡¯t seem the type to be completely innocent.¡±


    ¡°What could she do? She can¡¯t even navigate a trip to Kintel when she knows three different magic types!¡±


    At this Obbie scoffed. ¡°It is funny. She seems to have a knack for anything involving memory with her incantations, potions, and spells. She told me what she was best at when we were negotiating how they would pay. She offered a glamor spell as payment for their stay here, but obviously you have me, so there is no point in accepting that.¡±


    Daffy¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°You never use glamor to help the inn.¡±


    ¡°Sure I do. Have you not noticed that despite the farm animals outside it never smells like manure?¡± Obbie blew on his tea and gave it a tentative sip.


    Daffy paused at this realization, then shook her head and continued. ¡°Man Chop will be sad if Pesch takes her.¡±


    At the mention of Benthrop Hozel, Obbie stilled. A thoughtful expression overtaking his fine, sharp angled features. ¡°Yes. It¡¯ll be interesting to see what Man Chop does. I think we should make sure Pesch gets Spidena while Ben is still sleeping. Even though Pesch wanted to meet him, that wouldn¡¯t be in our best interest.


    Daffy blinked. ¡°Why? Why are you only protective of Ben and not Spidena?¡± She paused. ¡°No! You can¡¯t have him! I really want he and Spidena to be together!¡±


    Obbie cleared his throat and avoided her gaze. ¡°Man Chop is cute for a human¡ªand I¡¯m almost willing to bet money they won¡¯t ever get together.¡± He ignored Daffy¡¯s scowl. ¡°But no. The reason it¡¯s a bad idea to agitate our dear Man Chop is that he has unstable magic in him.¡±


    Sitting straighter in alarm, the wood nymph gaped. ¡°What? I thought he was a dodder! Was he lying?¡±


    Giving a chuckle of disapproval, Obbie lowered his tea cup back down to the table. ¡°No. The idiot put something inside of himself. He obviously did it without any help, and most likely illegally, so it¡¯s only a matter of time before he does something stupid.¡±


    ¡°Oh no!¡± Daffy gasped in shock. As her wide eyes searched Obbie¡¯s face, her shoulders slumped sadly. ¡°Do you think Spidena knows that he has unstable magic?¡±


    The fairy looked uncharacteristically somber as his mind sifted through the topic, then shook his head. ¡°Man Chop himself isn¡¯t generating natural magic from his soul. Unless he uses the thing in his wrist, the magic won¡¯t show. I only recognized it because I¡¯d seen something like it before. Only the ones I¡¯d seen had been installed correctly.¡±


    The wood nymph was openly confused and growing frustrated by the ambiguity of Obbie¡¯s words. Seeing this the fairy sighed. He hadn¡¯t really wanted to oust Man Chop¡ªletting things unfold while being the one knowing everything was far too much fun. However, if Man Chop made any idiotic decisions it could put the inn or its guests at risk. And so, Obbie told Daffy just exactly what the very foolish human they¡¯d come to know had done to himself.


    *


    Ben opened his eyes with significant difficulty.


    He could tell by the warm sunshine on the arched wooden door to the room that he had slept most of the morning away.


    Damnit. Obbie is going to say because I slept through breakfast he doesn¡¯t have to give me food like the tricky pain-in-the-ass fairy he is¡­


    Ben briefly marveled that in a matter of a few weeks somehow being in the company of a pretentious fairy and a matronly nymph wasn¡¯t even the strangest thing about his life.


    And here he had thought stealing from the military had been the most thrilling thing that would happen to him.


    Sitting up with a grunt, Ben noticed Spidena¡¯s limp arm dangling from the bunk over his.


    Grinning, he at least was glad that he could torment Spidena and accuse her of laziness once she was awake.


    Cracking his neck by first leaning it to the right and then to the left, Ben shifted forward on the narrow bed so that he could stand and proceed with stretching. It hadn¡¯t been the first time he¡¯d fallen asleep before even taking his boots off, and so nothing struck him as particularly strange about his restful night.


    Though upon doing so, he realized he smelled quite rank, and so he decided to go see about any showers or nearby ponds that he could possibly alleviate the stench.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Glancing once over his shoulder at Spidena, he stifled a laugh at the intense storm of black wavy hair that almost seemed to be smothering the witch as she slept.


    He made a note to himself that if she was still sleeping when he returned he would dig out her comb from her bag and hide it. Wolf wasn¡¯t allowed in the inn, nor did he have any interest in coming inside, which meant there really was no one to stop him. So barring her waking up before he returned to the room, he solidified his plans.


    Making his way down the shadowed corridor, Ben wondered if he could maybe needle Daffy to get his free meal. Gods forbid Obbie take it upon himself to find the most annoying task imaginable to make him earn it. Ben wouldn¡¯t have minded chopping firewood or pulling weeds out of the garden, but whisking egg whites was a special kind of awful. His shoulders still ached from it¡­


    Stepping off the soft hall runner that was a forest green with lovely yellow and white flowers dotting its pattern, Ben peered to the left to see if Daffy was behind the reception desk.


    She wasn¡¯t.


    He then ventured a little farther into the dining room where the heavenly smells of bacon, coffee, and eggs wafted through the air.


    Ben¡¯s stomach rumbled hopefully.


    Surprisingly, there weren¡¯t that many customers sitting in the dining area¡ªthough it may have been even later in the day than Ben had realized.


    He did eventually spot Daffy. The nymph was seated across from a human man wearing a smart brown suit without its coat with his back toward Ben. He sat with his forearms braced on the table. There was a particularly gruff looking woman glaring at Ben from the man¡¯s left side and two other burly men sat beside her farther down the bench.


    Ben raised an eyebrow and shifted his gaze to see that Obbie was sitting Daffy¡¯s side across from the man in the suit.


    It was the fairy¡¯s countenance that tipped Ben off that something was wrong.


    Obbie looked like his usual smug self, sure. But he was tense. He wasn¡¯t moving with his usual flamboyant confidence, and he seemed to want to look anywhere but at the man in the suit.


    Venturing toward them, Ben decided he wanted to avoid this crowd as much as possible, and so when he approached, he kept his face turned away, and his sights fixed on Daffy.


    ¡°Pardon me,¡± he called out.


    Every head and set of eyes snapped up and over to stare at him.


    The weighty aura of the man in the suit when he moved his attention to Ben almost made him flinch.


    Daffy shot upward out of her seat. ¡°Man Chop! Why are you¡ªWhere¡¯s Spidena?¡±


    Ben looked at Daffy like she had just thrown a handful of flour at him. ¡°Uh. Sleeping. I was going to ask if there is a shower or pond nearby I could use to wash. Also, where¡¯s Paulav?¡±


    The man in the suit slowly rose from his own spot at the table, along with the muscled, individuals that he had apparently brought with him.


    ¡°You slept in the same bed as the witch?¡± the man growled.


    ¡°Erm. I don¡¯t think bunk beds count.¡± Ben shifted a little away from the man, not quite meeting his demented gaze as the stranger utilized the additional three inches of height he had over Ben like a seasoned thug.


    Ben knew he could¡¯ve asked why it mattered to the man where Spidena slept, but swiftly decided he really didn¡¯t care to know.


    ¡°Bath? Shower? Pond? Well? Pump¡­?¡± Ben ventured on while looking back at Daffy, and then at Obbie, who, oddly enough was suddenly smiling with his arms crossed and his eyes closed.


    ¡°There¡¯s uh¡­ ah¡­ A pump out back if you don¡¯t mind. I¡­ I can arrange for a bath in your room¡ª¡± A growl from the man in the suit made Daffy squeak. ¡°After Spidena leaves, of course!¡±


    Ben blinked. Then pressed his lips together, gave a curt nod to the scary folk, and said, ¡°Pump it is. Good day.¡±


    He took two steps and found a hand had shot out and grasped the front of his shirt.


    Ben froze.


    Years of his military training made him tense.


    While he wasn¡¯t quite trained in full on combat like he was willing to bet the man¡¯s companions were, he did know how to put someone on their back when they grabbed him. While he was tempted to do this, he also knew that he was outnumbered.


    Turning to get a proper look at the stranger who evidently knew Spidena, and had some kind of investment in her life, Ben opened his mouth to let them know he really, truly, and completely had very little to do with the witch that was voluntary, when Paulav and Conquestorov descended the stairs.


    ¡°Good morning, Ben!¡± Paulav greeted cheerily. ¡°I must say, I haven¡¯t slept like that in a dog¡¯s age! Conquestorov was just telling me that there is a most magical pond located at his master¡¯s home and it sounds breathtaking. I¡¯m wondering if we should¡ª Is everything alright?¡± The merchant¡¯s eyes settled on the hand holding Ben in place. Paulav straightened, and suddenly the muscled friends of the man in the suit were reaching for weapons or balling their hands into fists as they took stock of the size of Paulav.


    Ben cleared his throat. ¡°I don¡¯t really know what¡¯s happening¡­¡± Oddly if felt like the room suddenly had less air to breathe and like it was terribly hot all of a sudden. ¡°This customer seems to have a problem with me going to wash by the pump. I promise I won¡¯t be getting naked in the front yard if that¡¯s what you¡¯re worried about, sir.¡±


    A snort sounded from Obbie, which made the violent visitors shoot him the dirtiest of looks.


    It was during this brief moment of distraction when the room suddenly spun around Ben. He felt like he was falling backward, and something jerked him back free of the man¡¯s hold¡­


    Then¡­ Somehow¡­ He was standing back in the closet-room with the bunk beds, where Spidena stood with her back pressed against the door panting heavily, and sweat shining on her forehead. Her wild eyes met with his as his hands came out to steady himself.


    Stepping unsteadily away from the door, Spidena swallowed, then said with a great deal of panic, ¡°We need to leave, now!¡±

 Chapter 30: A Daring Departure

    ¡°What just happened¡­?¡± Ben asked, not bothering to disguise the concern in his tone.


    ¡°I went to go get some breakfast and found you talking to Pesch Goldbry, so I came back to our room and summoned you here,¡± Spidena clarified as though it should have been the most obvious answer in the world. The witch was hurriedly packing up four candles that had been placed on the floor in the center of what looked like a circle of salt, with a piece of petrified wood, a bowl of water, and her comb.


    ¡°You¡­ You cast a spell?¡±


    ¡°Yes. One of my easier ones. Though for some reason the price changed and it required me to use my comb,¡± Spidena stared longingly at the wooden bobble, but didn¡¯t reach into the salt circle to retrieve any of the three items before taking in a sharp breath and straightening. ¡°Come on! Get your sack and let¡¯s move! I don¡¯t think we can fit out the window, but we have to get to the back door before they figure out what has happened. Pesch knows I can do this, so it won¡¯t take him long to¡ª¡±


    The sound of pounding footsteps sounded outside the door.


    Spidena¡¯s eyes widened in panic as she halted her movement.


    Ben opened his mouth, then conceded that it didn¡¯t seem like there was time to pester her for details, and so closed it with an agitated grunt and moved purposefully.


    First he seized his canvas bag from where he¡¯d left it resting beside the bed. Then he grasped the bookshelf that was filled with steel buckets, towels, brushes, and all other manner of cleaning materials, heaved it a short way across the dusty floorboards, and used it as a ladder to climb up toward the window.


    ¡°Come on,¡± he beckoned as Spidena seemed to be paralyzed with indecision.


    ¡°I told you I don¡¯t think we¡¯ll fit!¡± she cried out as Ben set to lifting the window latch and shoving it open.


    First he tossed his bag through, then he held his hand out to Spidena. ¡°You will. Unless you¡¯ve somehow gained twenty pounds since last night.¡±


    Spidena scowled at him, but took his hand, climbed up the bookcase, and, sure enough, was able to wedge her torso through. Until the window ledge met her hips. Then her legs kicked helplessly as her boots tried to find purchase on the wall to push herself the rest of the way out.


    A meaty fist pounded on the door.


    Ben sighed. Looping his arms around her legs, he lifted Spidena up a fraction, and shoved her out the rest of the way of the window. He followed shortly after with a quick jump and pull, and much more graceful landing than Spidena. He didn¡¯t even need to look to know she was glaring mightily at the back of his neck.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he called over his shoulder while slinging the strap of his bag over his head. ¡°With any luck Paulav might have caught on and is waiting for us.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think we should trust¡ª¡±


    Ben ignored her and continued walking at a brisk pace around the inn, and while Spidena most likely had several more objections weaving their way toward the front of her mouth, a loud crunching noise from within the room they had just vacated, seemed to prompt her to swallow them, grab her own bag that had fallen over her head during her climb out the window, and ran after Ben.


    Ben didn¡¯t look back as he strolled straight for the stables where Paulav¡¯s caravan sat waiting with no one around it.


    Upon reaching the caravan, he pulled open the back door and gestured for her to get in.¡°There¡¯s a false floor where he stores valuable trinkets. Get in it.¡±


    ¡°Why are you the calm one?¡±


    Ben pointed at his face. ¡°Military.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen you freak out almost daily!¡±


    ¡°Mostly because I¡¯m learning a lot about magic and I have no idea how to handle things with it. And besides, these people are pissed and looking for you. I''m just an innocent bystander. Now get in.¡±


    Spidena stuck her tongue out at him then proceeded to climb into the caravan without any further argument, though he could tell it was mostly because she was uncomfortable standing out in the open.


    After Ben showed her where the trap door was, he tossed down his sack with its gold beside her, and began closing the door.


    ¡°Wait! Why aren¡¯t you getting in here?¡± Spidena demanded, lifting her head up as though thinking she might climb right back out.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get the horses ready so that when Paulav joins us we can leave quickly.¡±


    ¡°They are going to think to come here first! You should hide!¡±


    Ben considered this. ¡°True. Guess I¡¯ll go find that water pump after all.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Bent closed the door with a satisfying thunk then latched it closed.


    Grinning to himself he stood up and made his way out of the caravan to locate that water pump.


    It was oddly refreshing not being the one chased or hunted. Even if the Pesch Goldbry fellow and his crew didn¡¯t seem all that placid toward himself, either.


    Ben continued to casually make his way to the side yard, and spotted the water pump that Daffy had mentioned sitting just outside the border of some lavender plants.


    Stripping off his coat, vest, and shirt, Ben started the task of improving his overall hygiene, and waited. His senses prickling.


    He saw two large figures skidding to a halt out of the corner of his eye, but pretended not to.


    ¡°YOU!¡± one of them bellowed.


    Ben ignored them, and made a point of scrubbing more attentively under his left arm. How did blue lint get there? He wasn¡¯t even wearing anything with blue¡­ Spidena¡¯s shawl maybe?


    Heavy footfalls stopped behind him.


    ¡°Where is the witch?¡± the man growled.


    Ben looked over his shoulder. ¡°Oh. Hello again. Don¡¯t tell your employer that I¡¯m bathing. He seemed upset, but I think we can all agree it¡¯s an improvement.¡±


    ¡°The witch. Where did she go?¡± the woman repeated the question as she glowered down darkly at Ben, the scar in her eyebrow adding a level of ferocity to her dark aura.


    ¡°No idea.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been traveling together.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. We were. I promised to travel with her in exchange for an incantation. You made her run off and I can¡¯t say I¡¯m not thrilled. Who asks to be travel companions for a measly incantation?¡± Ben scoffed before bending over and sticking his head directly under the spigot.


    He half expected a boot heel to ram itself into his ass. He merely hoped it wouldn¡¯t go too deep¡­ He¡¯d had a tough time relieving himself as of late. Most likely thanks to the lack of fruit or vegetables in his day-to-day travel diet.


    When he straightened, Ben relished in the way the icy drops of water dripped down his back.


    He sincerely wished he could take off his pants and scrub his undercarriage as well.


    Actually.


    Ben unlaced the front of his pants


    ¡°WOAH! NOW! SIR! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?!¡±


    Ben paused and looked with no small amount of surprise and mirth at the ferocious looking woman who was holding up her hand¡ªpresumably to protect her eyes from the sight of Ben¡¯s nether regions.


    ¡°What is with you people and hygiene? I would¡¯ve washed in a private bath but you had problems with that too!¡± He finished stripping off his trousers, stepping out of them, and then made himself gloriously awkward to look at by thrusting his groin under the freezing water. He knew he had said earlier to Daffy and Obbie he wouldn¡¯t do such a thing, but¡­ desperate times required desperate measures!


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    His efforts paid off as the two muscled employees of Pesch Goldrby backed away rather swiftly.


    Ben grinned, pleased with his efforts¡ªeven if it did equate to his manhood crawling back into his body from the cold¡ªThat is until he looked to his right and found Paulav and Obbie watching him with varied expressions.


    Paulav had his lips sucked back in a thin line, while Obbie had a languid smirk and a nobly arched eyebrow.


    ¡°Man Chop, be still my heart, you do know how to appeal to all species.¡±


    Ben stood straight once more. Perfectly naked, and dripping wet.


    Goosebumps erupted on his skin when a cool breeze wafted by, prompting him to resume his casual efforts to dress himself once more.


    Obbie¡¯s gaze affixed itself to Ben¡¯s groin, making him hurry. With his attire back on his body, Ben started sidling over to Paulav.


    ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± the burly man hollered at Ben¡¯s back.


    ¡°Away. Before the witch comes back and forces me to keep traveling with her.¡±


    ¡°Ben! That isn¡¯t very nice!¡± Paulav scolded in surprise. ¡°Daffy would be heartbroken to hear you talk about her that way. She really believes the two of you are going to be an absolutely lovely couple, and I have to agree!¡±


    ¡°Spidena? With him?¡± The woman behind Ben gave a laugh of disbelief, drawing everyone¡¯s attention back to the duo.


    ¡°How is it you know the witch?¡± Ben asked with a feigned air of disinterest. In truth he was grateful to have a reason not to respond to Paulav¡¯s comment.


    The tall woman and her associate looked at each other, then back at him. ¡°It¡¯s not your business.¡±


    ¡°Well it wasn¡¯t your business either when you tromped on up to me asking questions, but I was polite about it.¡±


    ¡°You even provided them some entertainment this morning,¡± Obbie added helpfully.


    The tips of Bens¡¯ ears burned, but luckily his complexion was dark enough that it would be hard to see. It was one thing to strip naked with the hopes of scaring away two people, or encouraging them to lose interest in him, it was quite another for Obbie to stand there and gawk.


    The hired muscles stared at each other, then folded their arms.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be waiting right here for the witch, and you aren¡¯t going anywhere until she shows up.¡± The woman jabbed a finger in Ben¡¯s direction.


    ¡°Like hell I am,¡± Ben snorted. ¡°Paulav let¡¯s go. We¡¯ve got a wedding to attend.¡±


    ¡°Now, Ben, I hardly think that¡ª¡± the merchant had started to once again protest leaving Spidena behind.


    ¡°She magicked you out of the room. She wouldn¡¯t have done that unless she intended to leave with you,¡± the woman interjected sharply.


    ¡°What makes you think I didn¡¯t magic myself away?¡± Ben asked with a heap of indignation mixed into his voice.


    ¡°Obbie told us you¡¯re a dodder,¡± the man explained bluntly.


    Ben shot the fairy an irritated glance. Obbie shrugged, unbothered.


    As the tension mounted between everyone, however, the fairy let out a resigned sigh. ¡°What will you give me if I give you the opportunity to escape?¡± His voice was low as he directed the offer to Ben.


    Both Paulav and Ben rounded on him interestedly.


    ¡°Well what do you want?¡± Ben tried to hide his impatience. He knew Obbie would be the type to toy with him if he let on how badly he wanted to leave and not get pulled into more shenanigans that could ruin all of the great progress they¡¯d made in their journey to Kintel.


    ¡°How about a kiss?¡±


    Paulav looked utterly heartbroken, his blue eyes bright with a pain so potent it shocked Ben when he glanced at him. He knew the merchant had developed something of a crush, but was he the type to fall in love at first sight?


    ¡°Or?¡± Ben pushed testily.


    Obbie dropped his head back with a breath of annoyance. ¡°You take me as your date to this wedding you¡¯re going to.¡±


    ¡°Paulav is going. I¡¯m not going. I was lying before when I said I was to the goons.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you should go!¡± Paulav interrupted earnestly, though as soon as he said this he realized what this meant and as a result blinked rapidly before clearing his throat.


    He looked so sad¡­


    Feeling at a complete loss as to what to do, a flutter of black wings overhead drew Ben¡¯s attention up. The sight of Wolf took him aback as he had quite forgotten about the pet bird in all of the excitement. But it did offer him a potential bargaining chip as he watched the raven scan the ground worriedly, looking for his witch.


    Ben faced the fairy more squarely. ¡°No deal. But just know¡­ if this carries on? Us waiting and me being detained?¡±


    ¡°Detained. Such a fancy word to say what¡¯s happening, Man Chop,¡± Obbie flirted with a grin.


    ¡°The longer I¡¯m here, the more upset Wolf gets.¡± Ben pointed at the raven, drawing Obbie¡¯s attention to the bird.


    ¡°So?¡±


    ¡°So how do you feel about bird shit all over every window of the inn?¡±


    Obbie¡¯s smile dimmed and his eyes fluttered. ¡°That kind of thing happens.¡±


    ¡°Wolf also likes shiny things. How will you like it if you start having guests that find their belongings missing?¡± Ben continued, sensing that the conversation was starting to turn in his favor.


    ¡°The bird won¡¯t come inside!¡±


    ¡°Well why not? Conquestorov was allowed inside.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a minion not a real bird!¡± Obbie snapped, his jovial attitude from before turning sour.


    Another great idea presented itself to Ben. ¡°And you¡¯re certain Pesch Goldbry has no problem with Conquestorov being here?¡± It was a gamble. But everything Spidena had said about Lord Earhav making her nervous made him think that it was possible if she was merely stressed about Pesch, and frightened of Earhav, then he was by far the bigger threat.


    Obbie¡¯s mouth clamped shut, and as though on cue, the front door to the inn banged open, and out stormed Pesch.


    ¡°YOU TWO!¡± he roared at the woman and man, making them both stand at attention. ¡°AND YOU!¡± Pesch pointed at Obbie, his eyes flashing. ¡°GET OVER HERE NOW!¡±


    Ben smiled as Obbie turned pale. ¡°Sometimes I quite like the way magic balances the world.¡±


    ¡°Man Chop I will drag you into any hell I feel like when this is over,¡± Obbie said through gritted teeth.


    Ben decided to be generous and let the fairy have the last word while at the same time casually moving to stand behind Paulav, blocking himself from view of Pesch. Lowering his voice he then spoke. ¡°Spidena¡¯s already in the caravan, let¡¯s go.¡±


    The merchant looked over his shoulder at Ben, his eyes widening  and a twitch of a smile on his lips when he realized that Ben had never been planning on leaving Spidena, then he looked back at Obbie in open distress.


    Gods. He looked like he wanted to help Obbie.


    ¡°Paulav, if we don¡¯t leave now they will catch Spidena.¡± Ben hoped that two souls in need of aid would be able to call Paulav¡¯s senses back, though knowing him it wouldn¡¯t be easy leaving someone in distress¡ªparticularly when he had a deeper interest in them.


    Thankfully, after a full ten seconds of wrestling with himself, he nodded. ¡°Alright, alright. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    And so the two men turned and left the dramatic scene unfolding behind them, though Paulav did keep looking over his shoulder at Obbie, his reluctance undisguised.


    It made Ben regret not trying to talk Paulav up more to Obbie. Though he somehow doubted this would be the last time he¡¯d see The Fey Way.


    Maybe next time he would bend the fairy¡¯s ears on all the benefits of dating a kind seeb like Paulav.

 Chapter 31: Past and Present Predicaments

    It was nightfall by the time the caravan stopped again, as the group had had a rather late start to the day.


    While Paulav hummed his usual trumpeting tune and worked on setting out the folding chairs and table to set up a fine dinner, Ben made his way into the back to retrieve Spidena from the floor.


    ¡°How¡¯s your day been?¡± he asked conversationally upon opening the secret door and seeing Spidena¡¯s weary, dirty face.


    She glared at him.


    He smiled smugly and offered his hand to help her out.


    Surprisingly, she accepted his help, which must have meant she was feeling particularly stiff and sore from her cramped journey.


    As she rose, a rustling movement in Ben¡¯s sack made both of them pause to watch just what on earth was happening, when lo and behold, Filif popped out, his hands thrown in the air as though to say a very jubilant ¡®Here I am!¡¯.


    ¡°Were you in there the whole time?¡± Spidena spluttered.


    Filif nodded.


    Ben cleared his throat, then crouched to offer his hand to the sprite. It was hard to see Filif as the same harmless, cute being after learning and seeing what sprites were capable of when it came to nymphs like Daffy.


    Filif accepted Ben¡¯s hand and sprung out of the hidden space nimbly, then stared up at Ben and Spidena¡­ Who hadn¡¯t let go of each other¡¯s hands.


    Realizing this at the same time, the pair recoiled from each other.


    Clearing his throat and brushing away invisible dirt from his coat, Ben then asked, ¡°So why does this Pesch person have an issue with you? Also, what is his problem with baths?¡±


    Spidena had opened her mouth to seriously answer Ben¡¯s first question, but at the second one she closed it with a frown and a tilt of her head, sending the tower of messy black curls and waves still piled atop her head wobbling dangerously.


    ¡°Bathing?¡±


    ¡°I said I was planning on having a bath in our room and it seemed to bother him. Then when I said I¡¯d use the pump at the front of the inn, that apparently was also a problem.¡±


    Spidena¡¯s look of confusion morphed to one of horror. ¡°Oh Gods. Why are you so¡­ Ugh.¡± She dropped her face helplessly into her hands.


    Ben arched an eyebrow. ¡°Who is this person, exactly?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s¡­ I used to do work for him,¡± Spidena explained with a grimace. ¡°He¡¯s a con artist and only after his own self interests, and he didn¡¯t take it well when I wanted to go off on my own.¡±


    ¡°Alright, so he didn¡¯t handle you quitting all that well. Why is he hunting you down with goons?¡±


    ¡°Those goons are really decent people. It isn¡¯t their employer Pesch is so¡­ ick.¡±


    ¡°Ick?¡±


    ¡°Slimy.¡±


    ¡°Oh. I s¡¯pose he would be if he doesn¡¯t like baths.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I mean! Jeez! Didn¡¯t anyone in the army say someone was slimy? Like their personality was gross?¡±


    Ben thought about this. ¡°No. And maybe it¡¯s because I don¡¯t really know anyone well enough to say they¡¯re slimy. People I do know I don¡¯t think they are slimy.¡± He shrugged at the end of his assessment, then proceeded to exit the caravan.


    Spidena followed him, groaning as she leapt off the back.


    She cradled her lower back in her hands, arching her torso to stretch out the remaining stiffness. ¡°Paulav?¡± she called out just as the merchant was flapping out a red checkered tablecloth for the round wooden table he had folded out.


    ¡°Yes, my dear?¡±


    ¡°Do you have a comb I could buy?¡±


    Paulav eyed the hurricane of hair atop her head and chuckled. ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll retrieve it for yout.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    As Spidena rummaged around her bag, Ben sidled over to the food crates and sacks to see what might be on the menu for the evening.


    Once Spidena had dug out a couple of her remaining coppers and handed them to Paulav, he decided to try asking his question again. ¡°What is it that Pesch is so angry with you about?¡±


    Spidena winced as she attempted to let her hair back down ¡°Well I¡­ I may have taken some of my back pay that he would¡¯ve refused to give me if I¡¯d asked with the intent of leaving his gambling house.¡±


    ¡°You stole from him?¡± Ben grinned.


    It was great fun seeing Spidena¡¯s high horse drop and roll on the ground in order to scratch its back.


    It put them right down on the ground next to each other.


    ¡°I earned the money and he was withholding it!¡± Spidena snapped peevishly.


    ¡°Then you should¡¯ve reported him to the authorities,¡± Paulav contributed gravely.


    ¡°You don¡¯t think he has the authorities in his pocket? He runs multiple gambling houses! Along with having a fair amount of shares in other businesses. The Fey Way included!¡±


    ¡°Is he why you didn¡¯t want to travel alone?¡± Ben ventured on.


    Spidena fidgeted. ¡°I had a few reasons. But that was one. Yes. I knew I couldn¡¯t stay at many inns, and if I was traveling with someone, that wouldn¡¯t alert the people that were looking for me, as they¡¯d expect me to travel by myself.¡±


    ¡°That still doesn¡¯t explain why you weren¡¯t prepared at all for the trip.¡± Ben drew closer to Spidena as a pleasantly cool evening breeze brushed between them.


    The witch continued sorting her hair out; she was struggling against the wind to stop it from blowing in her face.


    Seeing this and growing impatient over her slow answers, Ben snatched the comb out of her hand.


    ¡°Hey wh¨C¡±


    He rounded her, gently gathered her hair in his hand, and started working carefully on the ends.


    ¡°Stop that!¡± But while she sounded appalled and her shoulders turned as rigid as steel, she didn¡¯t jerk out of his hands.


    ¡°You are going to rip half of your hair out if you try and do it alone¡ªPaulav stop smiling like that. I just want her to give a straight answer,¡± Ben added when he noticed the gleeful pink in the merchant¡¯s cheeks as the merchant discretely started setting out some lovely wrought iron candle sticks that he had never bothered bringing out for any of their previous dinners.


    ¡°I don¡¯t owe you answers, and you don¡¯t owe me answers! Remember?¡± Spidena bristled, drawing Ben¡¯s full attention back to her.¡±


    It was Ben¡¯s turn to take his time responding as he took in the actual amount of work combing out her hair would need. He kind of regretted having planned on stealing the comb in the first place¡­ Wait.


    ¡°You said that the cost of the moving spell changed. Does that happen often?¡±


    ¡°I expected it to change somewhat,¡± Spidena explained, evidently eager to move onto more comfortable topics. ¡°The last time I had used the spell was in the gambling house. It was a building I knew better than The Fey Way, and I was moving Pesch around to avoid a disgruntled nobleman. I thought because I was only moving you once, and into a room I was already in, it¡¯d be easy and cheaper.¡±


    ¡°If I had interacted with your comb¡ªeven just thought about doing something with it later¡ªwould that change its value, and therefore its worth for the spell?¡± Ben was amazed he sounded like he knew what he was asking.


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    ¡°Yes. But why would you have thought about my comb or needed it? You¡¯re hair¡¯s short.¡±


    ¡°Was just curious.¡± Ben cleared his throat and quickly thought of another question to stop her from dwelling on the matter. ¡°Why is it you can only cast spells and incantations related to memory?¡±


    ¡°Now, Ben, you surprise me! Witches can¡¯t know every spell or recipe for things. Similar to how nobles pick specialized areas of study as they age, witches and warlocks do the same,¡± Paulav contributed knowledgeably.


    Ben halted his work. ¡°I know that, but it still doesn¡¯t answer the question.¡± Ben tilted his head, his eyes fixed on the back of Spidena¡¯s head. ¡°So¡­ Spidena you specialized in magic deals that helped the gambling house? Memory incantations to¡­ To help people forget?¡± Suspicion rose in Ben¡¯s voice, and he could Spidena her ears burning red. ¡°You wiped people¡¯s memories so they wouldn¡¯t mind or remember getting ripped off?¡±


    ¡°I-I didn¡¯t have a lot of options when my mother was taken. I needed to make money and learn any kind of magic! And Pesch was a benefactor that was willing to pay tutors from different covens. H-he even wrote it off as a business expense to get some of his money back.¡±


    Ben¡¯s eyebrows climbed closer to his hairline.


    Paulav straightened from setting the table, looking equally perturbed by the implications of this.


    ¡°Are there other strange incantations and spells you can do?¡± Ben was realizing just how fateful it was that he happened to stumble into Spidena¡¯s shop¡­ Asking for a memory incantation of all things¡­


    ¡°Memory alteration is the hardest one. Spells? I can move people around confined spaces. Transporting them from one room to another, or improve a building, fix broken furniture. I can also create lovely long lasting enchantments. Like a full moon and starry sky to look at outside the windows anytime it¡¯s night time.¡±


    ¡°But potions are different,¡± Ben guessed, his fingertips grazing the back of Spidena¡¯s neck, which had the disturbing result of a shot of tingling flooding through him all the way down to a lovely foaming feeling in his toes. Even Spidena had visible goosebumps emerge.


    She swallowed before answering. ¡°Y-yes. Potions are different. I learned potion making from a friend and she taught me a lot more practical stuff. I stayed with her for a couple years before I could get my backpay and open my shop in Gabel. I couldn¡¯t leave or do anything that would alert Pesch to where I was, so I had nothing to do but study potion making.¡±


    A potent mixture of pity and sympathy filled the air as Paulav clasped his hands in front of himself and regarded Spidena sadly with a new fire already started just behind him for cooking.


    Ben didn¡¯t know how to feel or react to her story. It sounded like an uncomfortable upbringing, and it probably was scary given that she probably had nowhere to go after her mother was taken.


    ¡°Is your friend who you¡¯re looking for in Kintel?¡± Ben decided that it probably was for the best he didn¡¯t attempt any awkward platitudes of comfort.


    ¡°No. Though I am staying with her while I¡¯m there though.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Spidena, where is your father when all of this is going on?¡± Paulav implored heartfully.


    Spidena¡¯s hands clenched into fists then released. ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about him.¡±


    The merchant¡¯s lips pressed together in a show of growing empathetic pain.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that. I¡¯m fine. I know some tricky spells and incantations that some witches haven¡¯t been able to do in decades!¡±


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t you start bartering with magic to learn the necessary spells to make things you¡¯d need for traveling?¡± Ben continued his more practical line of questions as his arms already started to ache from his work with Spidena¡¯s hair. ¡°Also, maybe sit down. This is going to take a long time to go through.¡±


    Hearing this, Paulav hastily swept aside and pulled out a chair for Spidena who he obviously was feeling all kinds of tender sorrow for.


    The witch made a subtle grumble of irritation, though there wasn¡¯t the same ferocity as usual as she made her way to the seat with Ben following her.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d be traveling so soon is why. I only just got my business started. I wanted to try establishing it for a little bit longer and build some savings¡­ Then you came along and it seemed to be the right time,¡± Spidena finished bluntly.


    There was a peculiar vagueness to the conclusion of her story, Ben thought. Almost as though she still wasn¡¯t revealing everything¡­


    ¡°What about you?¡± Spidena called out with a small measure of her usual haughtiness returning.


    ¡°What about me? I was sold. I have a brother. I was in the military. I stole gold from the man who bought me, and I¡¯m a dodder. You already know my history.¡±


    ¡°You two really have quite the exquisitely tragic backstories,¡± Paulav noted from the seat across Spidena as he worked on dicing a yellow onion.


    Oddly enough Paulav¡¯s eyes were already watering, even though he¡¯d only made a single cut.


    ¡°Who are you looking for? Who are you staying with in Kintel?¡± Spidena ignored Paulav¡¯s emotional response to their pasts, and crossed her legs stubbornly.


    ¡°I was going to go to a bank or jeweler and store some of the gold there, and withdraw some money to find someone that helped me when I was in the Hounds. I also have something to bring my friend who is in trouble. Something they left in Kintel.¡±


    Spidena was quiet as she listened.


    ¡°Do you not have hair oil or something?¡± Ben asked after a minute of struggling with a particularly thick knot.


    ¡°Get the knots out first. If I apply some after it¡¯ll help stop this from happening in the future. I was trying not to attract more mosquitos the past few days so I haven¡¯t been oiling it,¡± Spidena explained grimly.


    ¡°It¡¯d be easier to chop your hair off.¡±


    ¡°If you chop my hair off I¡¯m cutting off anything that dangles on you,¡± the witch fired back hotly.


    Ben rolled his eyes then continued his work while Paualv quietly listened and prepared their dinner.


    ¡°Sorry that you had to get involved in all of this, Paulav,¡± Spidena added sincerely, her countenance gentling.


    The merchant chuckled. ¡°Oh, that Pesch fellow didn¡¯t seem to want to bother me much, so it isn¡¯t a trouble. Though I do hope Obbie is alright.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll be fine. Pesch wouldn¡¯t be too harsh with a fairy like Obbie. Not unless he really had a reason to hurt him, and Pesch is probably now busy with Lord Earhav being aware of the inn.¡±


    ¡°What will Earhav do?¡± Ben finally felt like he was making good progress getting through Spidena¡¯s hair. Only he realized as he worked he was coming in contact with her neck and head a lot more often, and it was damn annoying. Each and every time he lightly brushed her skin, he came away with a heady fluttering sensation, and she broke out in goosebumps. It was uncomfortable and weird. And it was starting to be all he could think about as heat rose up his arms to his face, and down into his belly. He was starting to feel the urge to keep touching her in these little ways¡­


    ¡°Earhave will probably take Pesch to the courts like I said he might.¡± Spidena folded her arms as though trying to look casual. Only Ben could tell it was because she was starting to shiver any time she felt his touch.


    Ben struggled not to think about it at all¡­ The only problem was the less he thought, the more he felt.


    *


    ¡°Oh, dear. That all does sound troublesome,¡± Paulav fretted as he scraped the onion into the waiting copper pot. ¡°Well, I certainly hope¡ª¡± The merchant looked up, and noticed the state the two travel companions were in.


    There was a deepening blush on Spidena¡¯s face, and a rather smoldering simmer emanating around Ben.


    It made Paulav have to swallow as the atmosphere felt dizzyingly intense. ¡°I¡­ I think we should¡­ We should have some wine this evening, hm?¡±


    He rose in a hurry and darted over to his caravan.


    Neither Ben nor Spidena noticed the merchant¡¯s reaction, nor did they fully understand what in the world had started brewing between them.


    It was not something either of them had ever quite experienced before, and so it came as no great shock to the more mature onlookers of Paulav and Filif that the two were starting to feel something¡­ Something a little messy, and very enticing.

 Chapter 32: The Menace Called Lust

    Ben stared at the stars overhead, his face warm from the large amounts of wine he, Spidena, and Paulav had consumed with dinner.


    Even Filif had partook in a small cup; though the result was the sprite snoring alarmingly loudly off in the bushes. It sounded like a hog with a bad head cold. Which was odd given that Filif didn¡¯t speak.


    Letting out a long breath of contentment, Ben closed his eyes, thinking that he could get a decent night¡¯s rest with a belly full of stew and drink, and that they could get a good day of traveling done without any problems.


    Then his mind drifted back to the strange feelings he had been experiencing earlier while he had combed Spidena¡¯s hair.


    A jolt rushed through him at the memory.


    Ben swallowed with difficulty.


    He could recall the faint musk and the lingering citrus scent around her¡­


    Then he remembered the urge to keep running his hands through her hair as he had combed the oil through the ebony tresses until they shone.


    He didn¡¯t need to do that part, so why had he?


    The way Spidena¡¯s breath had shuddered as he released her hair and let it fall against her neck and back¡­ Ben¡¯s eyes blinked open and he rolled onto his side as he began to experience the same strong discomfort from before.


    What the hell was this feeling?


    The sound of heeled boots descending the steps of the caravan had Ben¡¯s heart leaping to his throat.


    She¡¯s probably just going to relieve herself in the woods.


    Ben grunted and chewed on the side of his tongue.


    Why did he want to move away from the fire to go talk to her?


    She¡¯d probably make some sort of bratty comment and give him a headache.


    I wonder if she had some weird herbs in her hair oil¡­  That would certainly explain it.


    ¡°Ben?¡±


    Hearing her voice, Ben¡¯s heart pounded so readily that his vision momentarily spun.


    ¡°What?¡± he answered, his voice hoarse and tone terse.


    ¡°I want to talk to you.¡±


    Ben made a noise at the back of his throat, trying to sound irritable like he usually was, when he was actually struggling not to smile.


    Knock it off.  He ordered himself while sitting up to find Spidena pulling over a chair by his spot on the ground where he was stretched out.


    Paulav was set a bit farther from the fire in a tent he had set up in order to give Spidena the comfort of the caravan.


    Ben could see in the light of the fire her cheeks were still pink, and her eyes a little glassy from the wine.


    His stomach flipped.


    Ugh. Gods, no, no. NO!


    ¡°Earlier today, when you were doing my hair,¡± she started to say slowly. ¡°It was weird. Wasn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Ben agreed bluntly.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve thought about it, and I think I know what it is.¡±


    Ben¡¯s soul soared.


    There was a reason! A perfectly logical explanation!


    His shoulders sagged in relief.


    ¡°I think we are starting to feel lust.¡±


    Ben¡¯s stomach dropped and he recoiled in disgust.


    ¡°Like you¡¯re some fine prize yourself,¡± Spidena said bitingly with a frown at his reaction. ¡°Look. We are close in age, we¡¯re both healthy, and we¡¯re spending a lot of time together. Things happen. We aren¡¯t really seeing other people that we can aim these kinds of feelings at.¡±


    ¡°What feelings? I¡¯m not having feelings,¡± Ben snapped indignantly.


    Spidena dropped her chin and raised an eyebrow in disbelief. ¡°I may not know a lot about men, but I do know that you had quite the funny walk when you finished oiling my hair¡ªwhich you did not have to do, by the way.¡±


    ¡°I want you to be eaten alive by mosquitos. Is that a crime?¡± Ben defended passionately.


    Spidena sat up and glared down disapprovingly at him. ¡°Are you done being a child?¡±


    Ben flipped his middle finger at her.


    Spidena rolled her eyes and stood up to leave.


    ¡°Fine. Say it¡¯s lust,¡± Ben relented and fought against the urge to fidget with his pant leg. ¡°So what?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I just think it¡¯s good to clear the air. It¡¯ll probably go away once we part ways.¡±


    ¡°Miss Know-It-All doesn¡¯t have a plan?¡± Ben scoffed.


    Anger filled Spidena¡¯s eyes. ¡°You know, instead of being an absolute ass, maybe you have a solution of your own. I was just trying to not be like those idiots in love stories who pretend nothing is between them and are annoying.¡±


    ¡°Sure, I have a solution. I have a hand.¡±


    ¡°Gross.¡± Spidena cringed with disgust. ¡°Enjoy your hand. I know any possible urges I was feeling are now deader than doornail.¡±


    ¡°See? At least I¡¯m helpful!¡± Ben called to Spidena¡¯s back that retreated to the caravan.


    She didn¡¯t turn around to retort to his jibe and instead slammed shut the caravan door.


    Ben dropped his head.


    Okay.


    He¡¯d been just a little bit of a twat just then. But it wasn¡¯t like there was any point to talking about the stupid lust sensation!


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    A rustling of bushes behind Ben alerted him to Filif¡¯s presence as the sprite strode forward, yawning and rubbing one of his eyes. Filif then proceeded to plop himself down beside Ben in front of the fire.


    ¡°Lust isn¡¯t a big deal. Everyone feels it at some point. I know a lot of my old comrades would see pretty village girls and talk about wanting to do all kinds of stuff to them.¡±


    Filif let out a loud belch in response, then slowly turned to look at Ben.


    ¡°Anyway. It was probably a fluke. Maybe I will take Paulav up on his offer to go to the wedding. I¡¯m sure there are lots of pretty girls there.¡± Ben stared at the ground.


    He couldn¡¯t quite shake the unpleasant emotion of guilt in his stomach.


    While he of course loved tormenting Spidena, he hadn¡¯t just tormented her in the name of fun just then. He¡¯d done it to hide from his uncomfortable feelings, and while Ben knew he was far from being the best person in the world (that spot belonged exclusively to Paulav), being a jerk for selfish reasons when Spidena wasn¡¯t being annoying or condescending wasn¡¯t something he could shrug off.


    Laying down again, Ben admitted to himself that he might have to apologize this time.


    Then he realized he¡¯d never really needed to sincerely apologize for something.


    Not since he was a kid.


    Sighing, Ben tried not to think about how awful it¡¯d feel.


    Filif stretched out by the fire as well, the sprite¡¯s eyes already closing.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky, Filif. You don¡¯t talk, so you can¡¯t accidentally say something bad.¡±


    The sprite giggled quietly, and then didn¡¯t make another sound¡­ Until his abhorrent snores resumed.


    Right. We are never giving Filif wine again. Ever.


    *


    ¡°OY! YOU! WAKE UP!¡±


    Ben startled awake and leapt to his feet from his back, his fists already up prepared to strike and defend.


    He found himself looking at Obbie who was perfectly alarmed at this reaction standing with his arms folded a few feet from Ben¡¯s palette.


    ¡°Gods, Man Chop, I¡¯m starting to be a little more sincerely attracted to you.¡±


    ¡°Obbie?¡± Ben slowly straightened, his head swimming from the sudden movement. That or it was the remaining effects of the wine. ¡°What¡¯re you doing here? You didn¡¯t bring Pesch did you?¡± Ben craned his neck to peer around the fairy, then checked around the caravan in case they were already descending on Spidena, but found nothing.


    ¡°Wait. It¡¯s breakfast time. Shouldn¡¯t you be in the kitchen?¡±


    ¡°Is that all I am to you? A cook?¡± Obbie pressed a hand into his chest.


    ¡°You¡¯re also a cocky prick,¡± Ben informed him helpfully.


    ¡°After all I¡¯ve done for you! This is how you repay the good will of The Fey Way staff?¡± Obbie moved his hands on his slim hips, his gaze sharpening.


    Ben dropped his chin to his chest with a sigh. ¡°Sorry. You just startled me and it was a rough night.¡±


    At least this was great practice for when he had to apologize to Spidena.


    Obbie raised his eyebrows, surprised at Ben¡¯s apology. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll let it go just this once because I need a favor.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the fav¡ªwait. You still didn¡¯t answer. How did you get here? Is the inn nearby?¡± Ben squinted while turning toward the trees.


    ¡°No. I got here because of the handy little button you gifted me,¡± Obbie held up the bobble with a sly grin.


    Ben openly grimaced. ¡°What do you need¡­?¡± he asked without masking his dread.


    Obbie lifted his chin haughtily. ¡°I need the witch to create an incantation of confusion, then I need you to set it up around the inn.¡±


    ¡°Why, exactly?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re holding the duck hostage until we can make it confused.¡±


    The short burst of laughter that escaped Ben¡¯s mouth made Obbie give him a look of disapproval.


    ¡°Oh come on. It isn¡¯t everyday you hear a fairy saying he¡¯s holding a duck hostage!¡± Even saying the words Ben kept struggling against breaking out in hysterics.


    ¡°That duck jeopardizes The Fey Way.¡±


    Ben knew that while this news wasn¡¯t really surprising given how afraid of Callex Earhav magic folk seemed to be, but it was just too funny.


    ¡°Your entire business is in danger because of a duck.¡± Ben succumbed to laughter at the summary, then held up a finger as Obbie stared at him flatly as he struggled to speak again. ¡°It just sounds ridiculous.¡±


    ¡°When you are quite finished. We also want the spell as two more groups of seebs have checked into The Fey Way, and they¡¯re asking questions about a black haired witch and her short man-friend with dark skin.¡±


    That certainly succeeded in extinguishing Ben¡¯s amusement.


    ¡°Damn. Where did the inn appear this morning?¡±


    ¡°A day and a half away from here. They are on foot so if you continue traveling with the human sausage with legs you¡¯ll be fine. Now. Go get your witch. This incantation will help both The Fey Way and you lot.¡±


    ¡°Paulav is a nice guy. If you don¡¯t want to date him, that''s fair, but don¡¯t be an asshole about it.¡±


    Obbie¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°I¡¯ll do as I please. The seeb is old enough to manage his own emotions, and he should know better than to be interested in a fairy.¡±


    Ben shot a disapproving look at Obbie then stalked over toward the caravan.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t tell the witch about that stolen magic item in your wrist, did you?¡± Obbie called out suddenly.


    Ben froze. His stomach churning and his nerves crackling.


    He didn¡¯t turn around when he responded. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    Obbie sauntered over to stand in front of Ben, and looked down his elegant nose at him; his expression a little too serious.


    ¡°You have about one or two uses out of that thing before you face serious consequences.¡±


    Ben¡¯s right hand gripped into a fist. ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be an idiot. Get that thing removed. Your witch probably can help with that or knows someone who can¡ª¡±


    ¡°Mind your own business, Obbie.¡± Ben locked eyes with the fairy, his unwavering stare making Obbie lean back.


    When no other words of warning came from the fairy, Ben stormed the rest of the way to the caravan and pounded on the door to wake Spidean.


    Though behind him he easily heard Obbie mutter: ¡°Supid human.¡±

 Chapter 33: The Deal of the Day

    Filif chewed happily on something he had found in the woods, Ben sat beside him yawning with a cup of coffee in hand, and Paulav munched on a smoked sausage.


    Spidena scowled up at Obbie, hands on hips.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°I have been generous with you, witch!¡±


    ¡°No you haven¡¯t. You¡¯ve barely been fair.¡±


    ¡°You worked for two hours and you got a meal and a place to sleep! Of course I¡¯ve been fair!¡±


    ¡°We brought you business and got nothing in return.¡±


    Obbie growled, Spidena didn¡¯t budge.


    ¡°I am not tampering with the mind of Lord Earhav¡¯s minion! That¡¯s big magic meddling with even bigger magic! He would kill me if he got his hands on me after that!¡±


    ¡°There is enough big magic around you and Man Chop that Earhav won¡¯t be able to tell what was done!¡±


    ¡°Like hells he wouldn¡¯t! And that would just put a target on me!¡±


    ¡°You magicked the memories of the other groups that have come looking for you two! All you need to do is make the spell extend a little more!¡± Obbie argued while wiggling his fingers in the air.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t work like that,¡± Spidena scoffed. ¡°Paulav, let¡¯s go! We¡¯re wasting time here!¡±


    Turning on her heel, Spidena already had her nose thrown in the air, prepared to stalk away, when Obbie called out once more. His expression grim. ¡°I¡¯ll tell Pesch where you are right now, and I¡¯ll keep telling him where you are. Man Chop gave me the button, so I¡¯ll always know.¡±


    Swinging around, Spidena¡¯s eyes flashed. ¡°Why can¡¯t you just magic the duck¡¯s mind yourself?¡±


    Obbie rolled his eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid.¡±


    ¡°Why is that stupid?¡± Ben wondered from his spot near the fire.


    ¡°Fairy magic isn¡¯t the same as witch and warlock magic,¡± Obbie explained without sparing a look in his direction. ¡°Earhav would know it was me. Fairy magic has a different look and smell. But you¡¯re forgetting that the duck has been surrounded by a number of magical beings for the whole night! I can just say it was someone else who tampered with him. Someone unknown.¡±


    ¡°Who are you going to say worked that kind of magic?¡± Spidena wondered, her tone indicative of her resolute doubt.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make someone up! Something like a blond witch cast it on the men because they were being annoying and the duck got caught up in it.¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t like tossing a blanket over everyone! It¡¯s very specified casting! I can¡¯t just casually make a deal with magic to include scrambling the mind of a duck that is also made of magic. The cost of that and possible consequences if I don¡¯t get the payment right is astronomical!¡± Spidena shook her head adamantly.


    ¡°Is it possible nothing bad happens if the duck returns to Lord Earhav with what he knows?¡± Ben asked wearily.


    ¡°No.¡±


    Both Spidena and Obbie answered in unison.


    ¡°Pesch explained to us why he and Earhav don¡¯t get along. It is highly doubtful that he is going to be passive about The Fey Way popping up all over the woods near his property,¡± Obbie expounded gravely. ¡°Pesch and Earhav were supposed to work together on a deal. A very big deal, but at the last minute he pulled out. Earhav disappeared for a few years, and when he reappeared he was ennobled. Pesch has avoided him ever since.¡±


    Spidena said nothing to add to this story, and instead kept her attention firmly fixed on Obbie. ¡°If you tell Pesch where we are at all times, I will make your life absolutely miserable.¡±


    The fairy dropped his head over his shoulder and stared at her with a mixture of irritation and exasperation.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what the big deal is. Lord Earhav is going to hear about the business eventually, so what if he hears about it now?¡± Ben contributed while rising from his seat.


    ¡°The Fey Way is still new. It is easy to make a new business fail.¡±


    ¡°Alright, then change the pattern of places it appears to be farther from Lord Earhav¡¯estate.¡±


    ¡°Daffy only knows nymphs in this area, and it took her a long time to convince them to use their copse¡¯s for the inn,¡± Obbie explained while folding his arms over his chest.


    ¡°How is it Lord Earhav hasn¡¯t already found Pesch? Doesn¡¯t Pesch own a number of public businesses? And isn¡¯t he only a dodder?¡± Ben continued questioning in hopes of moving the conversation along and getting back on the road.


    Obbie opened his mouth to let out another snappish retort, until he registered Ben¡¯s question and closed his mouth again.


    ¡°That is a very good point.¡± The fairy rounded on Spidena, understanding starting to light his violet eyes.


    Her face burned red.


    ¡°Spidena, did you make Earhav forget how to find Pesch¡¯s businesses? Or make it so that he got confused any time he was close to them?¡± Ben ventured on, already sensing that he knew the answer.


    Spidena looked away from everyone without responding.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Which said enough.


    ¡°Then this should be even easier for you,¡± Obbie persisted while letting out a breath. ¡°All you have to do is extend the other incantations you cast on him to include this business.¡±


    ¡°Then he¡¯ll think I¡¯m working for Pesch again and he¡¯ll be watching out for me! He¡¯s angry enough with me!¡± Spidena¡¯s panic and fear was starting to overtake her features, revealing just how uncomfortable she was with this new plan.


    Given that it was tied to her unfortunate past it was becoming increasingly clear to Ben as well why she was so adamant about staying clear of the warlock. He¡¯d be angry too if someone had magicked his mind to stop him from finding someone who had wronged him.


    ¡°Like I was saying before, we can say Pesch is working with a new witch. Don¡¯t worry about it so much,¡± Obbie sighed.


    Ben kept staring at Spidena. While he had been just a little distracted the day before when she had been sharing the story about her past, he had been listening enough to know why Obbie¡¯s plan wasn¡¯t going to work, and why Spidena had known from the beginning it wouldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Spidena is the first witch in decades who has been able to cast memory tampering incantations,¡± Ben repeated, his gaze moving over to Spidena, who locked eyes with him when he did. ¡°So even if you say it¡¯s someone else, it isn¡¯t all that believable.¡±


    He could see the complicated emotions at war within her. She was still furious with him, but she also appreciated that he understood the gravity of the situation as well.


    ¡°Are you two sleeping together?¡±


    Both Ben and Spidena¡¯s necks snapped back round toward Obbie as they answered with a resounding, ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°Mm.¡± Obbie didn¡¯t look convinced. ¡°Look. We are running out of time and we need to figure out a solution. So, any ideas?¡±


    Ben gave an agitated huff.  ¡°Is there anything that could successfully hunt this magic duck?¡±


    Obbie arched an eyebrow and popped out his hip. ¡°Like what? A magic wolf?¡±


    ¡°Wait. That could work!¡± Spidena interrupted while stepping forward excitedly. ¡°The pixies! We could lure them to Conquestorov! He is literally made of magic! If we trap him in a swarm they¡¯d consume him!¡±


    Obbie blinked in surprise, then let out a low whistle. ¡°The duck gets torn to pieces. Brutal. I like it.¡±


    Paulav seemed a little more uncomfortable with the violent nature of the idea, but didn¡¯t voice his concerns just then.


    Filif shuddered in his place by the fire.


    ¡°How do we lure a swarm?¡± Ben plundered on, hoping that they weren¡¯t expected to be too hands on with this new plan.


    ¡°Where was it you said that the swarm attacked you?¡± Obbie¡¯s eyes flicked in Spidena¡¯s direction.


    ¡°It was the day before yesterday. Farther south down the road,¡± Paulav informed the fairy while avoiding eye contact and blushing to himself.


    ¡°Right. You lot come pick up the duck. Invite him to this wedding you¡¯re going to, convince him to travel with you. The sprite can lure the pixies to you using his mushroom paths to catch up with you. Then, trap the duck with the pixies. They get a snack, you get away, and no one¡¯s the wiser.¡±


    ¡°The only danger is if Earhav comes to see what is happening to his creation. He would¡¯ve spent years making Conquestorov,¡± Spidena worried openly.


    ¡°He never leaves his castle and we are several days away from his land.¡± Obbie shrugged.


    ¡°While I do wish to help I¡ªI¡¯m a little worried about getting to the wedding on time,¡± Paulav interrupted nervously. ¡°I don¡¯t know that we can turn around and get Conquestorov. Also, are we certain he needs to perish? He is such an interesting fellow.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not a real person. Or even a real duck,¡± Obbie informed Paulav snidely.


    ¡°The fact that this rude fairy is your taste, Paulav makes me stressed for you,¡± Spidena informed the merchant offhandedly with sincere sympathy.


    The merchant turned his palms up to the air helplessly, his eyes twinkling as he shot a wink at Obbie.


    Obbie rolled his eyes. ¡°Look, to save time we can choose to appear as close to where this wedding is happening as possible tomorrow morning to make up for the lost time. What¡¯s the name of the town?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a site near the village of Warbly.¡±


    ¡°Ah yes. We have a spot we appear in not far south of there. So, is this settled?¡± Obbie scanned the trio in front of them.


    Filif sprung up onto his feet, dusted off his pants, and bobbed his head in agreement.


    ¡°Only if Pesch isn¡¯t around to see me,¡± Spidena interjected earnestly.


    ¡°And one more thing¡­¡± Ben moved forward, drawing the fairy¡¯s wary attention ¡°You go as Paulav¡¯s date to the wedding.¡±


    Obbie¡¯s jaw dropped, as did Paulav¡¯s.


    ¡°Oh, dear. Ben, he of course doesn¡¯t have to do that! That isn¡¯t a very nice thing to force on someone!¡±


    Obbie held up his hand, silencing Paulav¡¯s objections on his behalf as he stared down Ben who peered back up unbothered. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll do it. I¡¯ll hand off the duck by the road so you don¡¯t have to come to the inn. Then I¡¯ll tell Pesch some made up story about a carnivore sprite that ate Conquestorov. I will arrange for the inn to appear close to the wedding. Just know I¡¯m only agreeing to that last part because a wedding is a good place to drum up business for the inn. People with more refined tastes can go inside and book a room to sleep.¡±


    ¡°Then I guess we have a deal.¡± Ben offered his hand.


    Obbie smiled sharply¡ªit wasn¡¯t a very reassuring look on him¡ªbut he grasped Ben¡¯s hand and pumped it up and down once. ¡°Deal.¡±

 Chapter 34: Ducking Consequences

    ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s true.¡±


    ¡°The princess? Really? Smoking?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m given to understand that is the least concerning thing she has done,¡± Conquestorov informed Paulav, his feathers ruffling a little in perhaps just a little bit of pleasure as the caravan rocked its way down the road.


    ¡°Truly? What else has she done?¡± Paualv darted a look over at the magical duck, his bum on the edge of the driver¡¯s bench.


    Ben kept his eyes wearily fixed on the road ahead; the magic minion duck sitting quite comfortably in his lap.


    ¡°It¡¯s said she¡¯s already shared her bed with multiple men for one thing. First with a young man she was fond of for a year, then another who was your typical rake of a nobleman¡ªMy supposition is that she went through a ¡®bad boy¡¯ phase if you will¡ª¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve all been there,¡± Paulav interrupted with a knowing nod.


    ¡°Then there was a sweet nobleman to follow who she would boss around, and the latest I heard was a friend she exchanged favors with before she ultimately got up and left court.¡± Conquestorov finished.


    ¡°My goodness! And she is only twenty-one?¡±


    ¡°She is indeed. Princess Alice being absent from court since her father¡¯s death has certainly made everything quite dull,¡± Conquestorov lamented.


    Ben wondered when the bloody pixies were going to arrive.


    Filif had been reluctant to set off for the task that morning, even though he had agreed, and Ben was forced to wonder just what was keeping the little sprite by their sides when he didn¡¯t seem to get anything out of being around them.


    ¡°Is your master often away at court?¡±


    Paulav¡¯s question for Conquestorov drew Ben back to the present.


    ¡°He was when the old king died. Less so in recent years now that the monarchy has stepped back and a diplomatic government has taken over,¡± Conquestorov responded breezily.


    ¡°That surprises me,¡± Paulav tilted his head over his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯d think after such a big change your master would want to be more involved.¡±


    ¡°Mm. Well. He is a newer noble. It wasn¡¯t until the prince¡ªnow our king¡ªmade it one of his conditions for reducing his power over the kingdom that my master was granted his title and land.¡±


    Ben frowned. ¡°One of the conditions of the new king giving up having power was that Callex Earhav become ennobled? But why?¡±


    Conquestorov didn¡¯t say anything.


    Ben barely resisted gripping his hands into fists. Holding the duck helped. There was a stink about that odd historical fact that reminded him of the rumors that Callex Earhav may have had something to do with the death of the former king¡­


    ¡°When was it that the legalization of magic and magic people came up? Before or after talk of  your master¡¯s ennobling?¡± Ben kept his tone mild.


    Conquestorov cleared his throat. ¡°I cannot say I know precisely. Now, Benthrop, tell me, are you looking forward to the wedding?¡±


    The shift in topic made Ben clench his jaw, but he forced it to relax when he reminded himself that no good could come from shaking a magic duck and demanding it give him answers.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be interesting to go to a wedding. I¡¯ve never been to one,¡± he responded curtly.


    ¡°Really? Never?¡± Paulav asked in surprise.


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    The merchant leaned forward eagerly. ¡°Well, you are in for a wonderful time! Though, I must let you know, witch weddings are different than most. For one, they don¡¯t exchange rings¡ªRather, not just rings. They exchange a circlet on their head, a necklace for the heart, and then a ring. To keep the weight of their vows on their minds, in their hearts, and in their actions. The ceremony must be conducted by a witch or warlock, and there must be witnesses both magical and non-magical.¡±


    ¡°Huh. So I guess they can¡¯t elope,¡± Ben noted idly, his gaze wandering over to the trees.


    ¡°Witches and warlocks are not permitted to elope, no,¡± Paulav responded gravely. ¡°When a witch gets married¡ªeven if it is to a seeb or dodder¡ªit is treated very seriously, as they must agree to not let their love get in the way of the laws that govern a witch or warlock¡¯s use of magic. They must wield magic with respect to the balance it exists for, and if they have children, they must instill the importance of responsible magic wielding as well.¡±


    ¡°It sounds like witch-warlock weddings aren¡¯t as fun as seeb weddings,¡± Ben thought aloud as he saw something shift in the woods, but after a quick scan found it was just Wolf. The raven seemed to have found a tasty mouse.


    Paulav was practically bouncing in his seat. ¡° Seeb weddings are lovely too, of course! But with witch weddings there are always enchantments that will absolutely dazzle you. The music is like none other you¡¯ve heard before, the wine never stops flowing, and the food always contains herbs that make you feel better than ever. Ever since magic folk got to live freely without fear of the king¡¯s army, their celebrations are always magnificent.¡±


    Ben shrugged. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll see.¡±


    ¡°With your big magic scent I¡¯m certain you will attract a great many young women,¡± Conquestorov speculated with a note of humor.


    For no good reason, Ben felt his cheeks grow warm, and the memory of Spidena¡¯s hair running through his hands flashed in his mind.


    Out of the corner of his eye Paulav shooting him a curious look, but he chose to ignore it.


    ¡°What type of lady is your preference?¡± Conquestorov wondered conversationally.


    ¡°Blondes. Tall ones that are physically strong,¡± Ben answered in a near bark. He hadn¡¯t actually given the question any real thought; he¡¯d only come up with Spidena¡¯s antithesis to make a point to Paulav.


    The duck gave a rumbling chuckle. ¡°I¡¯m certain with the wedding taking place in a farming community you will have no trouble finding such a woman. I confess, I¡¯m wondering with it being a magic gathering whether or not I might find another being such as myself. A minion made of magic¡­¡± Conquestorov trailed off. ¡°My master is brilliant, but he is busy, and so I find I am alone for much of my days. Traveling and meeting people such as yourselves and telling him about it is the only joy I have but when I have no one to speak with that truly understands, it is lonely.¡±


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Ben had mixed feelings about the vulnerability the magic duck was giving in that moment, and it made his fervid hope for Filif¡¯s reappearance renew itself.


    ¡°If you do find another minion like yourself,¡± Paulav began slowly. ¡°Would you be able to leave your master?¡±


    ¡°No, but¡­ perhaps I could visit them and have another creature who might empathize with my existence.¡±


    Paulav looked at Ben, his blue eyes wide and pleading.


    Ben gave his head a slight shake at the question he knew was on the merchant¡¯s mind.


    Can¡¯t we spare the lonely duck?


    Paulav looked utterly heartbroken, which made Ben¡¯s discomfort increase.


    The horses whinnied and stopped abruptly, forcing everyone to look ahead and see none other than Filif standing on the road.


    Ben leaned forward, readying himself to toss Conquestorov into a swarm of teethy pixies, but then he locked eyes with Filif. The sprite weaved his head back and forth, his mouth pressed together sadly.


    Cold dread filled Ben.


    Filif hadn¡¯t been able to bring the pixies.


    With panic already settling in, Ben¡¯s mind lurched into possible solutions for the situation. Spidena couldn¡¯t stay hidden in the caravan forever¡­ She probably needed to relieve herself in the woods. Or eat something. Or complain about something.


    ¡°Conquestorov, do you have to tell your master everything you see?¡± Paulav interrupted Ben¡¯s spiraling thoughts.


    Filif was already off hopping around the caravan toward the back¡ªpresumably to climb aboard.


    ¡°Of course. He has created me with magic, has instilled me with intelligence, and has paid greatly for me to serve him. To not serve him as he intended would disrupt the balance of magic, as he has paid for my existence in full,¡± Conquestorov responded, his tone filled with reverence for his creator.


    Paulav¡¯s face was full of conflict. ¡°Even if what you report to him leads to people getting hurt, you¡¯d tell him everything?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± There was no room for negotiation in Conquestorov¡¯s reply.


    Ben stared at Paulav.


    ¡°What do you think your master is going to do to the Fey Way when he finds out where it¡¯s been moving and that Pesch Goldbry is tied to it?¡± Ben asked, hoping to help Paulav realize that they might have to personally dispose of the duck.


    ¡°Oh. He¡¯ll probably kill Pesch Goldbry and acquire The Fey Way for himself. It is a good business, and the first of its kind. Though that fairy cook needs to work on his manners, and will most likely be fired¡ªThe nymph is a delight so I can foresee her continuing to handle the desk.¡±


    ¡°Hear that Paulav? Obbie will get fired and someone¡¯s going to die,¡± Ben called out.


    The merchant was visibly starting to sweat along his brow as he was faced with a terrible moral conundrum.


    Ben looked down at Conquestorov. ¡°You¡¯re very honest. I do like that about you.¡±


    Conquestorov leaned his head back to peer up at Ben. ¡°Why thank you. Though I believe I should be suspicious of you both right now.¡±


    ¡°Us? Nooo.¡± Ben, pinning the duck¡¯s wings to his side with his left arm, proceeded to jump off the side of the drivers bench. Luckily the horses hadn¡¯t resumed their journey yet.


    ¡°Are you going to try and kill me?¡± Conquestorov asked conversationally.


    ¡°That had been the original plan, but now I have to improvise.¡±


    ¡°Ah. If you do try to kill me, I will have to summon my master.¡±


    ¡°Will he know who wanted to kill you?¡±


    ¡°No. He will simply know I am in grave peril. But I shall tell him upon his arrival of your nefarious plot.¡±


    ¡°And have you summoned him yet?¡± Ben pounded the door to the back of the caravan while he waited on the answer.


    ¡°I am about to.¡±


    ¡°Hold that thought.¡±


    The caravan door swung open, revealing Filif, and in the shadowy back, Spidena.


    ¡°Change of plans. Spidena, might I see your bag?¡± Ben called lightly.


    He watched her eyes go round as she stared at the duck in his arms, then at her bag that was sitting on the small table inside to her right.


    ¡°Why?¡± Both her tone and face were nervous.


    ¡°Bag please,¡± Ben repeated while trying to not reveal the fact that he was more than a little nervous of his new haphazard plan.


    In the end it was Filif who did as Ben asked, and brought the bag over while smiling happily.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Ben flipped open the top of the bag with his right hand, and then in one quick motion, shoved the duck in the bag and closed the top.


    ¡°I-I BEG YOUR PARDON! BENTHROP! REMOVE ME AT ONCE! I AM GOING TO BE SUMMONING MY MASTER INSTANTLY!¡±


    Ben fixed his attention on Filif. ¡°Do you know of any other magical creatures that could eat the duck?¡±


    The sprite blinked up at him blankly for a second, then nodded.


    ¡°Are they hard to find?¡±


    Filif gave a half grimace.


    ¡°Whatever is willing to eat that duck¡ªaside from pixies¡ªis dangerous,¡± Spidena interjected her gaze boring into her closed magic bag. The look on her face suggested she felt as though she were trapped in a living nightmare.


    ¡°Right. Then our options are to face off with the duck¡¯s master¡­¡±  Ben started. ¡°Find something even more dangerous to kill him, or, ¡°Ben stared at Spidena earnestly. ¡°Maybe you figure out a way to make Conquestorov forget who his master is.¡±


    Spidena¡¯s jaw dropped as she blinked rapidly.


    ¡°And before you tell me I¡¯m an idiot and why none of those ideas are good ones, I¡¯m going to tell you to suggest something better. So. What¡¯s it going to be?¡±

 Chapter 35: Cutting Costs

    ¡°We don¡¯t have that much time! How the hells am I supposed to cast an incantation that makes magic itself forget who molded it! Earhav will still know I¡¯m the one who did it!¡± Spidena threw her hands in the air, her pacing frantic.


    ¡°He won¡¯t. Because Conquestorov will have a new master who will tell him to keep his bill shut,¡± Ben argued, his hands on his hips. He was acting far calmer than he actually was, mostly because he knew if he added to the panic it wouldn¡¯t help matters.


    ¡°Oh, and who is this brand new helpful master? You? We have enough big magic around us!¡±


    ¡°Give him to Paulav. Paulav loves the duck.¡±


    Spidena paused her movements. Evidently the suggestion was a little more tolerable. But then she shook her head. ¡°That would put Paulav in danger. Besides, the cost of that kind of magic would be enormous!¡±


    ¡°What would we need?¡± Ben pressed as Paulav leapt down from his driver¡¯s bench to join the conversation.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this! We need the pixies!¡± Spidena rounded back to the caravan where Filif was dangling off the back, his small feet kicking in the air as he tried to climb down on his own. ¡°Filif! Why couldn¡¯t you bring the pixies? Were you able to at least find them?¡±


    Dropping down on the ground and falling onto his back with a soft thud, Filif righted himself, and with a quiet croon rolled to his feet.


    ¡°You okay?¡± Ben asked.


    Filif dusted his sleeves off then nodded with an appreciative smile at Ben.


    When the sprite didn¡¯t answer Spidena¡¯s question, Ben gently grasped her shoulder and turned her around to face him once more.


    ¡°Pardon me, but¡­¡± Paulav cleared his throat, his hands clasped in front of himself. ¡°If it means COnquestorov gets to live¡­ I am fine if I become his friend.¡±


    ¡°Master,¡± Ben corrected.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like the sound of that. Best friend?¡±


    ¡°Master,¡± Spidena reiterated, the unhinged glint in her eye making Paulav stop from objecting outwardly again¡ªthough Ben could practically hear the merchant whispering in his mind ¡®Bestest friend¡¯.


    With Paulav¡¯s permission received, Ben drove the urgent matter onward. ¡°You said it yourself, we don¡¯t have much time. Come on. What would the cost be?¡±


    ¡°The cost of transferring the master the duck is tied to? I¡¯d need something rare! Something made of pure magic to start with!¡±


    Filif suddenly hopped up and down, his hand waving in the air to get their attention.


    When everyone looked down, the sprite proceeded to reach atop his head, and pluck a lovely shime mushroom from his cap and offer it to Spidena. It had a long curved white stem, and a small brown cap. There were also four others growing out of a bunch of Filif¡¯s moss-hat, but the sprite only offered the one.


    Regardless of the seemingly meager offering, Spidena¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°This¡­ Filif I¡­ That is incredibly generous of you.¡±


    The sprite smiled happily.


    ¡°Right. You have an ingredient with pure magic. What else?¡± Ben continued, keeping his tone even.


    ¡°W-well¡­¡± Spidena frowned, and her eyes lost focus.


    Ben assumed she was seeing or feeling something he wasn¡¯t able to as a mere dodder.


    ¡°Water for the magic to flow to someone new. A knife of bronze to cut the magic path to the original master. Blood and sweat from Paulav¡ªif he is alright with this. But¡­ We need something worth six years of effort. Earhav paid for five years of effort and ingredients. We need an ingredient that was tended to for six years by a human. Approximately an hour a day spent on it.¡± Spidena¡¯s eyes snapped up to Ben, once again sharp. ¡°Earhav is probably already on his way!¡±


    ¡°If we change the connection, won¡¯t he have a problem tracking us here on the road?¡± Ben persisted, though he could hear how tense his voice sounded as he struggled against his rising doubt that Spidena would be able to pull off such a spell.


    ¡°Um¡­ How much blood do you need¡­ exactly?¡± Paulav interrupted.


    Spidena didn¡¯t answer straight away, her eyes wandering off yet again to something unseen. ¡°A bit more than a teaspoon.¡±


    Paulav paled. ¡°Ah.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Paulav. Do you have any bronze knives?¡±


    The merchant swallowed, visibly struggling to overcome the idea of bleeding over a teaspoon.


    ¡°I, uh, I have a bronze letter opener. Wonderful design on the handle.¡±


    ¡°That would work,¡± Spidena nodded hesitantly.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Ben strode over to the caravan and climbed in swiftly.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be in the second drawer of the middle cabinet on the right!¡±Paulav hollered belatedly.


    ¡°The one with the little drawers?¡± Ben shouted back as he faced the cabinet that was similar to one often found in apothecaries.


    ¡°That¡¯s the one!¡± Paulav confirmed.


    ¡°Got it!¡± Ben pulled free the bronze knife that was nestled on bottle green silk.


    He then returned to Spidena and Paulav.


    ¡°There could be extra cost at the end of this if I don¡¯t get this right, or¡ª¡± Spidena shot a withering look at Ben. ¡°¡ªOr if Paulav is actually a dodder.¡±


    The merchant lifted his hand solemnly. ¡°I swear it on my life. I am a seeb.¡±


    Ben handed the bronze knife to Spidena, then pulled out the water skin he had strapped to his side that morning for their journey under the sun.


    ¡°Water, bronze knife, pure magic, and Paulav can go for a quick jog around the woods for sweat before we give him a cut. We just need one more thing.¡± Ben stared down at Spidena who was wringing her hands.


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°That one more thing is the hardest one! What has received six years of care from a human that we have access to?¡±


    ¡°Paulav, do you have any potted plants?¡± Ben ventured while turning to Paualv.


    The merchant winced apologetically and shook his head. ¡°Sorry to say I haven¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°See? Pointless!¡±


    Ben fixed his gaze on Spidena. ¡°Maybe try being actually helpful.¡±


    Spidena¡¯s cheeks darkened in color, her eyes narrowing. Her head tilted as she readied herself to make a fiery retort, making the large pile of hair atop her head shift.


    Ben¡¯s eyes snapped up. There was their answer. ¡°Your hair.¡±


    Spidena¡¯s face fell. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Your hair. It takes you at least an hour a day of cleaning, combing, oiling, styling. And given how long it is, I¡¯m willing to bet you¡¯ve been growing it and taking care of it for longer than six years.¡±


    ¡°I-I¡¯m not going to shear off my hair!¡±


    ¡°I doubt the spell needs all of it! But you tell me!¡± Ben allowed his exasperation and frustration out as he stared down wide eyed at the witch.


    Spidena¡¯s jaw screwed itself shut as she glared up at him¡­ Until her eyes lost focus. She was checking to see just how much of he hair was required.


    ¡°Two and a half feet!¡± she exclaimed horror filling her face.


    ¡°That¡¯s not that bad. Your hair is pretty curly so it¡¯s probably longer when straight,¡± Ben shrugged, eyeing the mass atop Spidena¡¯s head.


    She backed up a step.


    ¡°N-no! There has to be something else¡­¡± she trailed off, her eyes searching that unknown entity that would tell her of another option. ¡°If someone gives a whole finger nail I¡¯d only have to cut off four inches.¡±


    ¡°Right. You deal with a bad hairstyle for a few months, or someone gets tortured while we rip a fingernail out. No,¡± Ben argued, taking a step closer to Spidena.


    ¡°A few months of bad hair? The magic requires two and a half feet because six years is how long it took me to grow it this long, you idiot!¡± Spidena spat furiously.


    ¡°You can use what hair I have. I take good care of my hair,¡± Paulav offered kindly.


    Spidena¡¯s gaze swiveled to the top of the merchant¡¯s head. ¡°Alright. That¡¯s three inches.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll contribute too,¡± Ben assured.


    Spidena¡¯s attention cut back to him. ¡°You don¡¯t take care of your hair. That won¡¯t work.¡±


    Ben shrugged. ¡°I could clip my nails short if that helps. I clean them pretty regularly.¡±


    ¡°Do that, then. All of us cut our nails, Paulav shaves his head, and maybe I won¡¯t look like a boy when this is done,¡± Spidena growled.


    Ben couldn¡¯t quite tell if she meant what she said. However, the pinch of threat regarding a powerful warlock about to descend upon them as they tried to steal the loyalty of his magic duck motivated him to say, ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll start working on my nails. Spidena, you cut Paulav¡¯s hair, then he can run alongside the caravan and we can get his sweat. When that¡¯s done, I¡¯ll cut Spidena¡¯s hair, Paulav will cut his nails, then we¡¯ll get his blood. Agreed?¡±


    ¡°I hate you.¡± Spidena all but spat.


    Ben looked at her coolly. ¡°I¡¯m not the one who meddled with an evil warlock in the first place. Now, let¡¯s get going. I¡¯d like to not be turned into a slug or anything else like it if Earhav catches us.¡±


    Paulav darted to the caravan to retrieve some scissors, while Filif started hunting through the ditch along the side of the road for something. Most likely some odd or end to chew on that another traveler had discarded¡­


    Spidena continued to scowl at Ben, but he ignored her, and when Paulav returned, they set to work.


    *


    The time had come.


    Spidena¡¯s hands gripped her skirts.


    They¡¯d collected half a teaspoon of sweat from Paulav¡ªthe merchant had very little hair left atop of his head making him look significantly more intimidating¡ªand all their fingernails had been shorn off to the quick. By the end of these tasks, Spidena announced that they would still need to cut two feet of hair. Which was a greatly improved number that came about because it was revealed that Ben had long neglected cutting his toenails. Allegedly the magic had seemed to be a little forgiving as the finger and toe nails hadn¡¯t necessarily been as doted over as Spidena¡¯s hair¡ªand the witch was grateful beyond words for it. Still, upon discovering the talons that Ben called toes, Spidena had mimed retching.


    ¡°Say what you want, but this is saving your hair,¡± he¡¯d cast off over his shoulder, unbothered as he ripped them down.


    Spidena had looked away and instead focused on harvesting Paulav¡¯s sweat. When she¡¯d finished, the merchant had mopped up the remaining sweat with a dark blue handkerchief, and leaned against the caravan to catch his breath.


    But now, it was Spidena¡¯s turn.


    *


    With the scissors in hand, Ben approached where Spidena sat.


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me bangs. I hate bangs,¡± Spidena insisted tightly.


    Ben smiled dryly. ¡°You think I have big plans on how I¡¯m going to style your hair as I do this?¡±


    Spidena gulped, and Ben¡¯s grin dwindled.


    There were tears rising in her eyes, and she couldn¡¯t seem to stop them.


    ¡°It¡¯s just hair,¡± he murmured a little more gently.


    ¡°You don¡¯t get it,¡± Spidena croaked.


    ¡°That much is obvious.¡±


    Whirling around in the chair to face him more directly, Spidena tried to look fierce when she stared up Ben, but her quivering lips weren¡¯t doing her any favors.


    ¡°I¡¯m not pretty. I know I¡¯m not. I look more like a boy than a girl. Except for my hair.¡± She gripped her hands into fists and looked ahead of herself. ¡°I know being pretty doesn¡¯t matter with everything going on, but I¡­ I¡­ Never mind. Just do it. And don¡¯t you dare make fun of me or I will shave my head to turn you into food for Wolf.¡± Spidena¡¯s heart was in her throat, her shoulders hunched.


    Ben didn¡¯t move.


    Spidena started to worry he¡¯d give her some half hearted compliment out of pity. She looked away. Embarrassment burning her cheeks. When his warm breath brushed her ear, and in whispered tones he said, ¡°You were right the other night. I was feeling¡­ attracted¡­ to you. And¡­¡± During his pause Spidena shivered involuntarily as the hairs on her arm lifted pleasantly. ¡°I don¡¯t think that feeling had anything to do with your long hair.¡±


    Cold air touched Spidena¡¯s neck, signaling that Ben had stood back up.


    Then she heard the first snip, and a great weight fall away from her head.


    She closed her eyes. She wanted to cry, but she also felt¡­ Tingly. All over, and the warmth in her cheeks had turned from embarrassed to something softer and more pleasant¡­ And had spread throughout her arms and chest.


    Letting out a shuddering breath, the witch was forced to admit to herself that Ben had once again achieved the utter impossible¡­ And made her feel a brand new wave of lust for him.


    Which was annoying.


    But it did offer the perfect distraction as he proceeded to cut off the hair she loved so much.