《Lore Unleashed》


 Chpt 1 - Moving

    I don¡¯t understand my family. My grandmother, Glore, dominates my mother and I. She hates life and is unwilling to concede to our wishes for our own freedom. Glore rarely spoke; she rarely smiled; she rarely did much but read customers¡¯ fortunes and make potions. She is a tall, stately and severe looking. Her face is long and thin with black hair that fell to her shoulders without a trace of grey. Glore looks younger than her real age. Actually, I am unsure what her age is, she won¡¯t tell me her birth year.


    My mother, Maddie, is different. She is day to grandmother¡¯s night. Mother smiles and is happy. However, sometimes she is melancholy. That happens when I ask questions about my father. I didn¡¯t know much about him except that mother misses him. Like my grandmother, my mother is tall, thin, with black hair and a dark olive complexion. Her high cheekbones stood out giving her an exotic look.


    We live in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and own a potion and divination store. Our store is successful because we now lived in the Age of Lore. Historians decided that ¡®Age of Lore¡¯ an appropriate name for Elves and other mystic people and beasts return to all the lands. I was born the year they began appearing around the globe. Grandmother knows the old myths and the various ways to keep them away from your home and how to protect from them. She will not explain how she has this knowledge. She doesn¡¯t explain much, she makes demands and orders my mother and I around.


    You see my grandmother dictates our actions and my mother doesn¡¯t do a thing to fight back. I am 19-years old and not allowed to decide for myself. I try to leave and my grandmother seems to know when I am about to try. I find her waiting for me outside our home and I have to go back inside. She always wins... life sucks.


    Looking back on my life I cannot find a time that she didn¡¯t dominate our lives. How I dressed, my friends, posture, table manners and proper speech. I spent summers at prep schools for the rich and this confused me. We never spent money. Our one vehicle is a crap van, and its better days are long past. That never bothered her, our actions and manners in public did.


    If she wouldn¡¯t spend money on a vehicle, she did on nice clothing. I wear upscale conservative clothing, light makeup and my hair is immaculate at all times. If I act out at anytime, she punishes me. Usually a slap across my face. I learned fast to do as she commands. But, in the back of my head, I assumed at 18 I would escape her and her rules. The new Age of Lore doesn¡¯t scare me. I grew up learning how to keep the mystic races away with cold iron, simple potions and spells anyone can handle. It is time to break away from my grandmother.


    I and my mother know little of our family. Grandmother beat those questions out of me as a child. I know that there are secrets that grandmother will not tell. She has slipped in a rage only two times that I can remember. Something about my mother and grandmother forced into some action and that my great-grandmother had something to do with it. The shit is vague and pisses me off. I am 19 years old and I can make my own decisions!


    When it comes to the Age of Lore, the different states within the US handles it differently. In Arkansas, the rednecks and snake charmers hunt the creatures of lore. I understand that it is very dangerous but the hatred for the creatures and the magic scared the locals into hunting them. Luckily, the creatures don¡¯t come into towns; they stay out in the countryside. People stay in towns and never go out at night, unless armed.


    As I work on ways to escape my life and grandmother, she up and changes our lives forever. Today, at the family mystic-herbal store, my grandmother announces that the three of us are moving to Cave Junction, Oregon. Why are we moving? Why across the country? This announcement is totally out of left field. And as usual, we aren¡¯t allowed to question her decisions.


    Grandmother gave us one hour to pack and now, standing in the room I had lived in for 19 years, I didn''t know what to take. One bag is all I may bring. My top priority is tech. I load my laptop, phone and their charges into the large duffle. Now what else? Clothes, a couple pairs of shoes and bathroom stuff. That still left me with a room full of memories. Trophies, pictures, my favorite stuffed animals... what do I try to stuff into my bag? Grabbing a picture of my mother and I in front of the family store, I add that to the top of the duffle and zip it shut.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Picking up my bag, I go to load it into the van when grandmother stops me, "Did you pack your laptop and phone?"


    I nodded my head yes, and she says, "Give ''em up. You aren''t taking any tech with you. No internet, no cell service, nothing."


    "Grandmother! This is ridiculous... I can''t live without my stuff. How can I talk to my friends? How can I see what is happening? You can''t do this to me!" I plead and demand.


    Looking at my mother she shakes her head ''no'', "Gwen, do what your grandmother tells you."


    "Mother, you never stand up for me. Why does grandmother make all the decisions? This is stupid."


    I feel a slap across the check and my grandmother''s face looks fierce and angry, "Give it to me now."


    I can''t believe what she just did. I gave her my phone and laptop.


    Walking over to the garbage can on the street corner for pickup the next day, she dumps them. "Now get in the van."


    Dejected and with tears running down my face I got into the van.


    The 1997 Chevy Uplander sucks. Dings lined the bottom where the van has hit sidewalks and curbs. It rides so low that the muffler hit every bump in the road. My grandmother wouldn¡¯t upgrade to a newer vehicle and my mother never argues.


    Our trip lasts 32 hours. Grandmother rarely stops. She packed our food and drinks, insisting we take turns driving and sleeping. That made the three of us tired and cranky. I spend most of the trip trying to imagine any reason under the sun for the move.


    Is my grandmother in trouble? Did something happen to our store? Something illegal? Are we out of money and grandmother is taking us somewhere else to start again? It confuses me, but that is about the only emotion I can feel. I never understand how I feel removed from the life surrounding me.


    When we finally arrived at Cave Junction, the sun is setting but we didn¡¯t stop. My grandmother drives through the small town and out into the wooded hillside. No, not a hillside, it''s a huge forest. I read a sign, Entering Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Eventually, she turns the old van onto a dirt and gravel forestry road, and I become very nervous. Where are we going? The sun is setting; we are tired, and I can¡¯t understand why we are out in the woods.


    ¡°Grandmother¡­¡±


    Glore snaps, ¡°Be quiet child, we are almost there. You will get all the information you can handle then. Now shut it.¡±


    Damn it, I thought and sighed, looking out the window and into the dwindling light. I worry about the Fae and mystic creatures. This is their kind of territory, and they love to play tricks. I reminded myself that I wasn¡¯t in Arkansas, where the country folk hunted the Fae actively. That kept their numbers down to a minimum.


    My grandmother turns onto a rarely used lane. Grass grows down the middle of the pea gravel and dirt road, while the trees crowd in from the sides, scratching and scraping the van as we drive. Suddenly, the road ends at a line of small pine trees. Putting the van into park, grandmother eases out after grabbing a pouch from the glove compartment. Walking up to the trees she opens the pouch and taking a pinch of ¡®something¡¯, she tosses it towards the trees. With a shimmer, the trees disappearedand the road continues. However, this road isn¡¯t the same. In the fading last light, I can make out stones. It is a stone roadand it looks old... as in ancient.


    Stomping back to the van, grandmother puts it in drive and guns it onto the new roadway. In the growing twilight, I see gardens, huts and large buildings that could be shops or homes. It''s quaint looking. The roofs look thatched; many homes are round and made of earth and wood. All have shuttered windows. It makes me think of peasant villages from movies I have watched in the past.


    Grandmother drives past a cave mouth and stops in front of a small castle.


    ¡°Holy crap, grandmother, that''s a castle. Right?¡± I couldn¡¯t stop my words. Who gets to drive up to a castle? A small castle but, still, it¡¯s a castle.


    Stepping out of the van, my grandmother glances back at me with a look of resignation. ¡°Gwen, I have no power here. You and your mother are on your own. Do as they tell you and make your own decisions.¡±


    Wide-eyed, I look at my mother and ask, ¡°Mother, what does that mean? What do you mean on my own? Mom? I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    My mother has tears in her eyes, ¡°You will learn the rest soon, as will I.¡± My mother pulled me into her chest for support. ¡°I am in the dark, as you are.¡±


    The double doors of the castle swing open. Two young women are moving the doors, but it¡¯s the woman walking out that catches my attention. She is tall and thin and has long blue-black hair with shots of pure white running through it. She is tall and has a presence I didn¡¯t know how to describe. It didn¡¯t take me long to recognize the old woman. I saw reports about her on TV. This is the head of the witches inside the United States; she also has some sort ofauthority over magic wielding humans. I remember her name is Damiana.

 Chpt 2 - Castle

    Now, 32-hours after leaving my home, I stand before a castle and a witch is walking towards us.


    As Damiana approaches the two young women step in behind her. One is a tall redhead and the other a tiny petite blond. They stare at me while Damiana stares at grandmother.


    Nodding her head Damiana says, ¡°Hello Gloria, my daughter.¡±


    My grandmother snaps back, ¡°It¡¯s Glore; I am no longer Gloria. That woman is long gone.¡±


    With a sneer Damiana replies, ¡°As you wish¡­ Glore.¡±


    Nodding her head to my mother, ¡°Maggie, it is good to meet you once again.¡±


    My mother¡¯s face reflects total shock and confusion, ¡°You aren¡¯t the grandmother I remember. I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    Damiana smiles secretly, ¡°All in due time. All will be explained.¡±


    Then it is my turn. I am literally shaking and holding my breath wondering what this woman will say.


    Damiana slowly looks me over, ¡°Hello great-granddaughter; I greet you as one with the same blood.¡± Looking at the three of us, Damiana pronounces, ¡°May you all be welcome.¡±


    Damiana turns, walking back through the large double doors, with the two young women following.


    Grandmother says nothing, just starts for the interior. Mother and I follow looking wide-eyed as we enter through a gate and large double doors. Globes hang everywhere, giving the open courtyard a wonderland atmosphere. Dark, a dark wonderland feeling. They glow unlike electric bulbs. I hear the gate shut, and a bar falls into place, securing the doors from those on the outside.


    Not creepy at all.


    Several doors lead off of the courtyard. Damiana heads to the farthest doorway where the two women have rushed ahead and open for her.


    The interior is ostentatious. Gold glittered off of many surfaces; furniture, light fixtures, picture frames. Crystals hanging from lights add a shifting shimmer through the room. This room seems to be a reception area? Not sure. But it is large, gold and glittery. At the far end stands a domineering stone staircase.


    The stairs look like they might morph into a monster that will eat you rather than let you walk up them. The center stairs led to a landing where two staircases lead off to eitherside and end with thier own landings overlooking the reception room. Stained glass windows line the wall and give the staircase its own eyes. I imagine the stairs case is a lion¡¯s head with glitering eyes waiting for the unsuspecting to chomp down upon.


    For a castle that looks small on the outside we are walking a lot. Daminia lead up the right stircase and down a long coridor with paintings and vases set into cubbies. The stone walls are apinted along its edges with gold-leaf vines. They make the hallway feel like it is moving. At the end of this corridor is a door leading us onto the last set of stairs spiraling upwards.


    Must be heading to the tower.


    We enter a large, round room. It smells musky, some are similiar to the herbs my family grow at our store. Taking a quick peek around the room, I view massive bookcases. Mixed with the books are glass jars containing nothing that I can easily identify. It''s then I notice the man stepping out of the shadows behind Damiana. He walks up to her side and places a hand on her shoulder as she sits there looking at the three of us from behind her hulking desk. The two unknown young women are still with us and standing back by the door we entered through.


    This is an imposing setting. Crystals, stones, scrying material, and tarrot cards lay scattered across her desk. I know whathese items are because of our store but never learned to use them. Grandmother told me it is all fake and to let our customers believe differently.


    If Damiana has these items on her desk then grandmother must have lied to me.


    I shoot an angry look at grandmother. She doesn¡¯t notice. She is standing there, looking off into space and ignoring everything around her.


    This is too much, and I just want to sit down. I am tired, thirsty angery and scared. I turn my attention to the man standing next to Damiana and notice that he is handsome. Tall with black hair, dark-brown eyes and a small smile plays on his face. I guess his age at 35, but looking into his eyes; I realize they look ancient. I look towards Damiana as she speaks.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°I will keep this short. First, my daughter¡­ GLORE,¡± she pronounces my grandmother¡¯s name with an edge to her voice, ¡°is awaiting her punishment for abandoning us.¡±


    Glaring at my grandmother Damiana continues, ¡°Your actions were inappropriate; you endangered your daughter and then your granddaughter. You have purposely stifled their powers. Now it is time to face the consequences of your actions. You shall start on your threefold path.¡±


    Damiana makes a gesture and I hear the doors open behind us. A woman in her 60s walks in. She may look plain, but she radiates authority in a flowing robe embroidered with vines, flowers and leaves. Damiana continues speaking, ¡°Glore, you leave for the Wicca enclave. There you will train as a cleric or priestess. May this start you on the path to reason. You may go now.¡±


    My grandmother doesn¡¯t look at us. She leaves with her head held high. I know my mouth has dropped open. Shutting my mouth, I continue looking at the woman holding our fates in her hands.


    How can my grandmother leave like that?


    Damiana¡¯s look at my mother is softer. ¡°Maddie, I know you don¡¯t recognize me, but I was with you when you visited so many years ago. Your mother insisted that you not know my true identity.¡± Without looking contrite, Damiana continues. ¡°Your mother kept you from your heritage and blocked your magic. You should have manifested at 16.¡±


    With an actual smile, but not exactly one that went up and into the eyes, Damiana announces, ¡°I have a surprise for you, Maddie.¡± Nodding her head, the doors once again swing open.


    I hear my mother¡¯s gasp as she looks at the man gliding into the room. Falling to her knees on the stone floor, tears run down her checks as a man approaches and kneels next to my mother. Wrapping her into his embrace I see him whispering into my mother¡¯s ear. He stands helping my mother to her feet.


    Damiana spoke again, ¡°Gwen; this is your father. He and your mother have not looked upon the other in 17 years.¡±


    This is my father?


    My mother looks at me, ¡°I¡¯m sorry I could never explain. I remember little but the love we shared.¡± Gazing up at the man, they softly kissed.


    What the hell is going on?


    I gain a great-grandmother and a father in less than an hour. I am confused and yet distant at the same time.


    Making a small noise, Damiana continues, ¡°You will leave and start training with the druids. They will help you learn to use your powers as they finally awaken. Alizon will lead you to their area.¡±


    My mother asks, ¡°What of my daughter, what of Gwen?¡± Concern is written across her face as she looks between Alizon and myself.


    Damiana advises Maddie, ¡°You will see her, but she is 18 and her powers were stunted by Glore. Gwen needs to start her own training. All three of you are staying here in our village of Cavecroft.¡± You can see the distaste at speaking her own daughter¡¯s name.


    Damiana finishes her sentencing with, ¡°You have no choice. You are witches and under my authority. We will train your powers. Now go with Alizon and enjoy each other¡¯s company.¡±


    My mother rushes to my side and hugs me, ¡°Gwen. I love you. This is where we need to be, I will see you soon.¡± Smiling shyly, my mother turns, placing her hand into Alizon¡¯s and they happily walk out.


    Again... What the hell?


    How can she leave me to fend for myself? How can she blissfully leave me in an unknown environment? My anger and fear warred with my feeling of being outside of what was happening to me.


    Damiana is observing me. With a quirk to her mouth, she asks, ¡°Penny for your thoughts?¡±


    I finally let out some frustration, ¡°What the hell? How can you send my mother away? Hell, why did she leave me so easily?¡±


    The unknown man next to Damiana snarls at me, ¡°You will not speak to the head of this order in that manner! Your youth and ignorance will not protect you from your own bad manners.¡±


    My anger doesn¡¯t subside, but I change my tone. ¡°Ms. Damiana, um, great-grandmother? I am very confused on my family situation.¡±


    The man nods his head. He doesn¡¯t look happy with me, but he backs off.


    With a nod my great-grandmother continues, ¡°Damiana is fine. I don¡¯t expect you to call me great grandmother. Too much of a mouth full and you don¡¯t know me.¡± Looking behind me, Damiana calls out, ¡°Circe and Jadis, step forward and stand next to Gwen. One on each side,¡± she instructs, pointing to where she wants them.


    Damiana pours a red liquid into a chalice. She then spoons in dried ingredients. I notice the other two women looking slightly confused.


    Ha, finally, I am not the only one confused!


    Damiana and the unknown man bring the chalice to the red-head is on my right. Damiana picks up a knife, grabs her hand and slices the girl''s wrist. She lets a few drops of blood fall into the chalice the man is holding. Moving to the petite blond woman on my left, Damiana cuts her and lets the blood drip down. Now Damiana lifts my hand and I watch in fascination as my great-grandmother slices my skin. It isn¡¯t deep. She is quick, but I am disturbed. After a few drops of my blood fall into the chalice, Damiana mixes the contents and hands the chalice to the red-head.


    Damiana intones, ¡°Drink and be one, drink and be connected, drink and be sisters.¡± Red does as instructed. Then it is the blonde¡¯s turn. She takes the chalice as Damiana intones the same blessing. She drinks and hands me the chalice.


    I listen to Damiana speak the words and know they want me to drink, but there was blood.


    Yuck!


    Looking into Damiana¡¯s and then the man¡¯s eyes I know they will broker no arguments.


    Closing my eyes, I lift the chalice and try taking a tiny sip. A large hand grabs mine and the chalice, holding it to my lips and tipping it further up, making me drink. My eyes fly open to find the unknown man forcing the contents down my throat. When finished, I started feeling light-headed.

 Chpt 3 - Drink This

    I awoke to my new life, to the strangers staring at me from the bed across the room, the two strangers I am now bound to. Life is, at this moment, a fantasy world; a world shrouded in darkness and magic. Growing up in this Age of Lore, I never expected to really be affected by it. I stay in towns and indoors at night and life is great. Now, I find out I am a witch, then separated from my family and bound into a coven.


    Coven... That¡¯s what witches call it when you are bound together, right? WTF...


    I look around the strange room. It¡¯s provincial, as in, not American country. It feels medieval country cottage; lace doilies, oil lamps, handcrafted art on the walls. Heck, I don¡¯t know what medieval country cottage is¡­ but, how else to describe my surrounds?


    Shutters hang open in the window and the room glows softly with the morning sun. The ceiling beams are exposed and rough-hewn. That is the perfect description for all the furniture. The beds, chairs and a small table all look handmade.


    I remember little after drinking from the chalice. This scares me. The room is creepy quiet and they sit there staring at me. Looking down at myself, I see I am in a stranger¡¯s night gown. This old-fashioned thing is not mine. Grandmother insisted in upscale clothing and that included my sleeping attire. Now I had to wonder who dressed me. Looking back up, I see the understanding on Red¡¯s face.


    The one I tagged as Red starts talking first while pointing to the blond next to her, ¡°My name is Circe and this is Jadis.¡±


    Circe and Jadis are beautiful. Circe¡¯s red hair is the color of glowing coals. She has it pulled back from her face with the curls cascading past her shoulders. Her hypnotic eyes glow blue in that heart-shaped face of freckles and cream. Her lipstick is deep red, matching the color of her cloak. That cloak is flung back across one shoulder, exposing the dress beneath, tight at the waist and exposing¡­ um, yeah¡­ a lot of boobs or am I supposed to call it cleavage?


    Where Circe is voluptuous, Jadis is a wisp in comparison. Blond, chin-length hair with sweeping bangs, light-blue eyes, pale complexion and a heart-shaped face that ends with a slightly pointed chin. Jadis looks delicate and fragile. She wears a cloak like Circe¡¯s, but is dressed very different. Modern and fashion model-like with designer jeans and a tiny black wrap around, sleeveless silk shirt with a deep plunging v-neck.


    At least her boobs weren¡¯t all over the place.


    Pulling cards out of her cloak Jadis shuffles and cuts them. Staring at me intently she lays them out on the bed between her and Circe.


    In a soft and gentle voice Jadis intones, ¡°This is a simple Celtic Cross reading.¡±


    I sit up, wrapping the blanket around myself and watch the cards as Jadis sets them out.


    She murmurs the name of each card as she lays them face up, ¡°Five of Swords, Page of Swords, Ten of Swords, The Tower, Inverted Empress, Devil and Ten of Pinnacles.¡±


    Looking from the cards to Jadis, ¡°I have no clue what you are talking about. The inverted thingy and the devil doesn¡¯t sound friendly.¡±


    Not feeling good about this.


    Jadis just smiles serenely, ¡°This reading covers your current state of mind and situation; your next three months, six months and the distant future of 1-3 years; your foundation and finally the last six months.¡±


    ¡°And¡­ this means, what?¡±


    Jadis stares intently at the cards and in a strange echoing voice whispers her predictions. ¡°You need rest and contemplation. Acting in your own self-interest, you will cause discord. In the next three months, you will carry a sense of victim mentality. Following that are six months filled with paradoxes and contradictions. That leaves the distant future filled with sudden changes and revelations.¡±


    Giving me an understanding look she continues, ¡°The inverse empress reveals your foundation, a foundation of nature and the use of your senses. However, the devil implies there is impulsiveness, difficulty to reason with, and it seems, a severe issue with a strong mother figure¡­ guess that would be your grandmother.¡±


    She hastily continues, ¡°Last, your past six months were in the mundane world. You felt affluent, had permanence and followed conventions.¡±


    Circe grunts and in her husky voice filled with disdain states, ¡°So, they bound us to a spoiled brat? Someone who will only care for herself?¡±


    I speak up in a belligerent tone, ¡°Well, how should I feel? I have every right to act anyway I want.¡±This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Jadis, in her soft voice, interrupts Circe, ¡°Peace, we need to remember that we are bound to each other.¡±


    Looking at me with a peaceful gaze she continues, ¡°We are bound and must learn to work together.¡±


    In my own soft voice I plead, ¡°Why is this happening to me?¡±


    Circe decides to step into the conversation and in her husky voice says, ¡°Look you ungrateful shit I am not happy with this. I was Damiana¡¯s sole apprentice, now a great-granddaughter shows up and I am bound to her. How do you think I feel?¡±


    With a fierce energy Circe stands and paces back and forth. The anger rolls off of her.


    Whirling to Jadis, Circe grills her, ¡°How can you be peaceful? How can you sit there serene? Damn you!¡±


    Looking from Circe to Jadis, I ask ¡°What will happen? Where do we go from here? What will happen to my mother and grandmother?¡±


    Circe threw her hands up in the air continuing to pace the small room. ¡°Oh, you are just going to love the next part! You are center stage for a ceremony with Jadis and I as your attendants. We can¡¯t get out of it! We must take care of you. The theme for this wonderful event is: For what you feel, we feel.¡±


    I see the revulsion and anger in Circe¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°What the hell are you talking about? Jadis, what is she talking about?¡±


    Jadis¡¯s serene look now holds some resignation that wasn¡¯t there a minute ago. ¡°Damiana explained what your grandmother did to you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand that either, Damiana... uh, great-grandmother, said something about that last night.¡±


    Jadis holds her hand up, stopping Circe from speaking and says, ¡°It seems your grandmother, Glore, kept you on potions since your preteen years, stifling your powers. The ceremony will awaken your powers.¡±


    ¡°And what does Circe mean? What are you attending to?¡±


    ¡°We have a ceremonial robe for you to wear. Change into it and start drinking water. You will need it. Part of the ceremony purges your system of everything. Instead of waiting days or weeks for the effects to wear off, this will move the process along faster.¡±


    As Jadis explains Circe moves to the small table and pours water into a clay cup.


    Handing it to me, ¡°Drink this and keep drinking.¡±


    Taking the clay cup, ¡°I am not putting on a ceremonial anything. No way. I am not taking part in any ceremony and Damiana can go to hell.¡±


    Throwing her head back, Circe laughs. ¡°Good luck with that attitude.¡± Smirking she continued, ¡°One way or another, she will have you there. Now drink your water.¡±


    Screw them. I am not getting out of this bed and that''s finally. I meant what I said; I am not going.


    The water was lukewarm tastes off. ¡°Is this water fresh? And can¡¯t I get it cold? Don¡¯t you guys have ice cubes?¡±


    Taking the cup and filling it back up Circe sneers, ¡°Oh, the spoiled brat can¡¯t handle warm water?¡± She hands the cup back to me with a challenging look.


    Taking the cup and her challenge I throw the water back and down it. I still don¡¯t like it. I like my water cold, but I won¡¯t let her make me feel spoiled. We continue this back and forth with filling the cup and me drinking while Jadis brings in a long white robe with black accents.


    The robe is simple, but elegant, like a kimono. The thick, pristine white fabric feels smooth with the stiff black edging material and matching wide sash that contrasts nicely. I wasn¡¯t having any of it. I didn¡¯t care if it looks and feel beautiful.


    ¡°Nope... not¡­ uh, not goina, not going, not¡­ what was I saying?¡± I wasn¡¯t feeling right; I was hot, flushed, warm everywhere.


    I could see Circe sneering as she grasps my hands to help me stand. Jadis helps Circe take off the nightshirt and wrap me in the robe.


    ¡°Now, uh, wait¡­ clothes under the robe... uh, shouldn¡¯t I have clothes on?¡± Jadis just smiles and shook her head no as Circe helps me drink more water.


    They held my elbows and wrists, keeping me from falling and trying for a straight walk. It was glorious outside and my gaze focused everywhere but the path. It is a cool breezy day with the trees reaching for the sky. The limbs are so numerous that they block most of the morning sun. The trees are massive and I guess they are redwood trees. It is magical walking past ancient trees and through fern-covered paths to the large cave near the castle.


    The cave entrance is large and gapping. They damn thing is scary like the stairs in the castle. It wants to goggle me up. Even in my drugged state, I noticed this detail. Walking through its maw and in to the gloom, soft candlelight flickers across the sparkling mineral rich walls. Incense and herbs swim upon the stale dank air. My warm drug-enhanced flush gives way to a wet bone-chilling cold that only caves have.


    They walk me farther in following the line of candles and after much shuffling we arrive in a large cavern. People in robes stand quietly on various ledges. They wear cloaks with the hoods pulled forward, hiding their faces. They start a low chant barely above a whisper as I am ¡®helped¡¯ further into the large space.


    Seeing an old stained rock alter a few hundred feet in front of our small group, I try pushing my heels into the stone floor. However, I can¡¯t find traction to stop our forward movement. The drugs still have me. I try one last struggle, hoping to stay clear of Damiana and that alter. I don¡¯t want to get closer to that alter, with its carved runes etched on every speck of its surface. Candles flicker on in, letting the wax flow freely down the sides. Finding it hard to fight my way through the haze, they pull me to a stop in front of Damiana. She stands there with a chalice in her hands.


    Another chalice? Crap.


    But, even in my drugged state I notice this is not a normal chalice. Its jewel studded metal sparkles in the flickering candlelight. Rough cuts gems lay inserted about the body. It is gaudy as hell and still scares the shit of me.


    They force another potion down my throat and I despair at the situation. Its bitter taste pushes me over the edge of controlling my body. I feel the robe fall as Jadis and Circe lay me onto the cave floor. My sight won¡¯t focus and the ceiling spins.


    Damiana stands over me with her arms raised, ¡°We are here today to bring a lost soul back into the fold. We are breaking through the bindings and potions poisoning her body. Raise your hands, raise your magic and raise your will to aid this ceremony.¡±


    At some point I come back to my senses shaking and hot with clothes wiping my body down and cold water falling along my skin. I try moving my arms and legs but find my limbs bound while they hold another cup to my lips.


    Repeatedly I try waking fully, but I only came back to bonds, wiping clothes and cold water. And cups, always cups, forcing me to drink.

 Chpt 4 - Ceremony

    At some point I come back to my senses shaking and hot with clothes wiping my body down and cold water falling along my skin. I try moving my arms and legs but find my limbs bound while they hold another cup to my lips.


    At some point I left my body and float above myself.


    It seems I am hallucinating now... right? This can¡¯t be real.


    I watch my body convulse on the cold stone floor. I am mortified looking at my bound naked body. All these people can see everything. Soon it becomes clear why I am naked. Excrement is leaving my body and I watch as my body vomits. This causes people to untie my body. Circe and Jadis pour water on my me and wipe up everything that is coming out. I see the disgusted look on Circe¡¯s face and some concern as my convulsion continue.


    Damiana forces another potion down my throat and I see the convulsions ease. Mages in red cloaks with hoods up come forward with a goat. Leading it near my body they slit its throat, allowing the blood to pool around my body. They drop the dying goat and raise their hands up and outwards, circling me and chanting. A slime oozes from my pores and I am convulsing again.


    If this is real, I want to hurt whoever killed the goat, that is just wrong!


    Jadis and Circe rush to wipe the ooze off of me. Jadis looks worried as she continues to wipe me down.


    At one point I watch as they lay stones from my forehead to pelvis. People talk about my chakras. Then Damiana calls forward a Chaos wizard. Others stand back chanting and doing whatever. He is in the mix of blood mages and the witches with the stones. If there is chaos anywhere, I¡¯d say it is this damn ceremony.


    I do not understand the time that has passed. Everyone looks exhausted, especially Jadis and Circe. Finally, I float back into my body. Hands wrap a fur robe around me and help me kneel. With a fuzzy head and bleary sight, I watch as shapes walk towards me. People, it is people approaching. Wasn¡¯t it?


    They have various shapes, many are thin or small. I try focusing as they come forward to lay kisses on my forehead. Some are more than people. They have to be. One is tall with a long face and huge horns and then there are so many more. This must be a dream. Escaping back to sleep, I let this dream continue on its own.


    I wake warm and snuggle into thick furs. Then I smell the dank cave, hear water drops falling from stalactites and wake remembering the ceremony. I realize I am still naked and see the cavern is empty. I feel neeter losing the audience. Circe and Jadis lay sleeping on the cavern floor next to me, wrapped in their own blankets. I see that Jadis looks like hell, and glancing at Circe, I realize that she is in no better shape. Shaking Jadis¡¯s shoulder, I work on waking her. Those light-blue eyes slowly open and widen at the site of me.


    In her soft voice Jadis says, ¡°You look different. Not a lot, just small changes. Your eyes look longer and the cheekbones seem to stand out. You look like you almost glow. You look regal.¡±


    Shocked, I reply, ¡°That¡¯s impossible. I probably look gaunt from the ceremony.¡±


    Jadis answers, ¡°You will see when we get to the cottage and a mirror.¡±


    I shrug my shoulders to see Circe staring at me, ¡°Holy fuck, you look hot. Like... stupid hot.¡± Pausing and thinking on it she continues, ¡°I will go through that horrid ceremony if my eyes and cheekbones improve like that.¡±


    Jadis chuckles as says, ¡°You don¡¯t need any help to look pretty. Your cream and peaches skin, ruby red hair and boobs men will kill for don¡¯t need improvement. You are dangerous as it is.¡±


    Circe smiles looking happy from Jadis¡¯s observation.


    I am not paying attention to their conversation on looks. Circe says I look different, just like Jadis. That is where my head is. I run hands up my face and don¡¯t feel a difference. They are exhausted and they will see out with daylight, food and a good night¡¯s sleep.


    But, there is something different and I can¡¯t feel it with my hands. I feel a connection to Circe and Jadis. It¡¯s tied within my chest, like the three of us wrap around my heart.


    Interrupting my coven mates conversation, ¡°Hey you two, can you feel me? Are we wrapped around each other''s hearts?¡±


    Closing my eyes, I try to ¡®feel¡¯ more from the two. It¡¯s like they are part of my body. I feel more than their bodies, it¡¯s their feelings and some of their power resonates between us.


    They smile and nod their heads. Circe states, ¡°Well, if I am going to be tied to someone for the rest of my life at least she is beautiful and powerful.¡± Circe looked like a cat that caught the bird its chased for years.


    Jadis smacked Circe, ¡°Stop that. Gwen isn¡¯t going to understand that she is powerful. Not right away. Stop thinking of her as your own personal battery. Becuase I know you Circe and that is exactly what you are thinking.¡± Jadis scolds.


    I ask, ¡°Battery?¡±


    Circe purrs, ¡°Yeah... your level of power swimming around inside of you is immense... I think I love you.¡± She says this and leans forward for a kiss.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Now it is my turn to smack her, ¡°What the hell?¡± I yell. ¡°You hate me remember... what the hell is wrong with you? Now you''re in love?¡± I interrogate her.


    Jadis giggled, ¡°Circe is a fickle one. She loves them and leaves them begging for more. And never mind her... she is a little drunk on your resource.¡± Jadis suggests, ¡°Stop reaching for us.¡±


    ¡°Aw, no fair!¡± Circe complains.


    ¡°Please explain.¡± I ask.


    ¡°I really don¡¯t know yet. Usually a witch or wizards builds up power or asks for power. Either way, it doesn¡¯t swim around inside of us. We build power through rituals and such. We we build it up, we focus on our intent and then the power leaves us to fuel the creation of our will.¡± She explains.


    Finishing, Jadis says, ¡°You have performed no ritual, spell, runes or anything and you just have the power. Witch craft doesn¡¯t work that way.¡±


    Standing Jadis suggests, ¡°Lets head to the cottage we woke up in. It seems it is ours for the time being.¡±


    We all keep the furs and wrap up for the short journey out of the mystic cavern. Walking out of the cave I can¡¯t tell what time of day it is and ask, ¡°How long did the ceremony last?¡±


    Circe answers, ¡°It is midday. We went into the cave yesterday morning.¡±


    ¡°Damn that is a long time,¡± I answer in a stunned voice.


    Jadis suggests, ¡°Lets talk about all of this in the hot springs. We need to clean up, munch on food and get some sleep. I suggest sleep until tomorrow.¡±


    Circe agrees, ¡°Sounds wonderful.¡±


    I nod my head because I had nothing better to offer.


    Our walk is short to our little place, it is secluded from the other cottages and quant looking. In the midday Oregon misty weather, I imagine this as a fairy tale with a happy ending. I didn¡¯t have time yesterday to inspect our housing arrangements. Herbs hung in the kitchen, the sink contained a hand pump and a large wood stove to cook on.


    Looking around I ask, ¡°Damn, is everything antiquated?¡± Then I had a horrid worry. ¡°Showers, please tell me we have a shower and a flushing toilet... please.¡± I plead.


    ¡°Nope.¡± Circe smirks. ¡°Throw lime down the hole and it is the stream all year long.¡±


    How am I going to survive? This is barbaric.


    Jadis opens a trapdoor into what I assume is the larder and reappears with a basket of cheese, bread and sausage.


    Standing in the middle of the room in complete shock, the two women laugh at me. Circe has towels, soaps and says, ¡°Drop your furs and lets get clean. We can discuss indoor plumbing, our fucked up lives and how the hell we will move forward.¡±


    Now I am further shocked. First, Circe is acting nice. Second my laughing coven mates are now butt-ass naked and walking out the backdoor. It seems we have a small garden plot without plants. Walking through the small area led to a small path lined with stones, fern and foxgloves. It is still misty with the sun barely able to break through the moisture and tree limbs. A small river funneling swift water and smelling of sulfer welcomes us. Along the edge manmade pools line the bank. The water is crystal clear and I can see the river rock bottom sparkling, while steam rose and dissipated into the air. The beauty took my breath.


    Jadis leads me past the pools and into the swifter water... the cold, swift water. We soap up and rinse... fast. Then we get the hell out of the cold water. I feel great sliding into the sulfur hot springs pools. I learn that the closer to the bank, the hotter it is. I find a spot that has a bit of the cold river water mingling with the steamy water and sat back with a huge sigh.


    Jadis passes round bits of food and juice from her basket. It tastes wonderful and as this is my first time skinny dipping; I feel a thrill of freedom. The freedom from my grandmother and her proper ways. But, I can¡¯t forget the aches and pains of my body. My forced binding into a coven and the separation from my mother.


    Circe spoke first, ¡°I know this is a pretty fucked up situation. You don¡¯t know us and I was pretty pissed to end up bound into a coven.¡±


    Jadis asked, ¡°Why don¡¯t you tell us about yourself and we will do the same. We need to start somewhere.¡±


    I explained my background in Arkansas and the family store. There isn¡¯t much to explain. I knew nothing about Damiana.


    Circe speaks up, ¡°As her apprentice I knew she worked on a special project that she kept me away from. Then the mystery man, Abramelin, arrives and my training with her stops. I am sent for intensive training sessions with the senior blood and sex mages.¡±


    I don¡¯t hold my shock back, ¡°Blood and sex? Are you serious?¡±


    Circe laughs at my shocked expression. ¡°Yes. Don¡¯t you know anything about magic? I mean, you worked in a divination store.¡±


    I shake my head, ¡°No, my grandmother said it is nothing but parlor tricks. That people are easy to read.¡±


    Jadis explains, ¡°There are many schools of magic. While Circe prefers blood and magic, I work through meditation and with tools such as the tarot cards. I know some wards and we both know basic potions. We were both raised here in Cave Croft.¡±


    ¡°You know this is a lot to take in.¡± I reply.


    Circe asks, ¡°Why? Magic is coming back to the lands. Elves and mystical creatures walk the earth again, how can you not understand that magic grows?¡±


    Jadis holds up her hand, ¡°Remember what Damiana said? Gwen¡¯s grandmother kept her power withheld. It makes sense that she lied to heras well.¡±


    I nodded my head. She is right, my grandmother lied.


    Circe stubbornly continued, ¡°No, it makes little sense. The rise of magic is on the news, magazines and websites. How in the hell can you be oblivious of the facts?¡±


    Thinking about it, I tell them how I was raised. No television, homeschooling and my access to the internet stayed monitored and controls placed on what I had access to. They kept me busy at the store. ¡°I tried leaving, but she always caught me and somehow I followed her commands to return to the store or house. She controlled me.¡±


    Circe added, ¡°And now Damiana will control you and us. This pisses me off.¡± She finished with a slap to the water.


    We became silent thinking over our situation.


    With a small cough Jadis grabbed our attention. ¡°Gwen, there is more. Do you remember people kissing you on your forehead?¡±


    ¡°Slightly, it was strange. It all felt like a bad dream or a giant hallucination.¡± I answer.


    ¡°Well, it seems you are Elven. They came to the ceremony to awaken your Elven powers.¡± Jadis explains. ¡°I think that is why your features have changed. It isn¡¯t huge but, you look different now. You have a glow about you and an elegance. You need to look in a mirror.¡±


    Nodding my head at them, I stand and say, ¡°I think I need alone time. There is so much to absorb at this point. Everything has changed for us all. I am tired, my body hurts and I think I need to look in a mirror and go to bed.¡± And grabbing a towel to wrap around myself, I walk back through the misty air and to the room I woke in.


    In the room I gaze at my reflection in amazement. Jadis and Circe are correct, my features are different. My cheek bones seem higher and I look... polished? Like I was missing a component and now it is... just there. That this person was always in me and now it is finally free. And it isn¡¯t just my cheek bones that are higher. My eyes have a slight tilt and the eyebrows have a distinctive upward sweep. My olive skin now shines with a golden glow.


    This is flipping weird and I need sleep. I will ignore the world for a while.

 Chpt 5 - Meet the Family

    In my dreams I hear my name called out repeatedly, like a child¡¯s game or rhyme. I try to ignore the sounds and fail.


    ¡°Gwenie Gwen, come out, come out. Come out our Gwen, come out and play.¡± The words are soft and repeated by many voices.


    Waking I realize that is isn¡¯t a dream, there are voices calling for me. Calling me to come out and play.


    Can my life get any weirder?


    Yes... It can.


    I feel a compulsion in the call. It pulls at me, begging me to go outside. Without realizing it, I run out of my room and the front door. To stop in complete amazement.


    The world outside glows in the morning sun. It doesn¡¯t look the same. The redwoods and ferns are missing and in their place is a wonderland. The sky is blue with a slight breeze blowing across my skin. Motes of a glitter substance dances throughout the air. The vegetation is strange. The trees look like people... well almost. Flowers are scattered everywhere and off to one side lies a bog.


    This has to be a dream... how does a bog belong with the beauty before my eyes?


    But it is the molasses-like feeling to the air and surroundings that amaze me the most. Stepping out of the front door and into the glowing and glittering environment feels the same as walking through the most humid day of my life. It is a force within itself and walking into... well; it is a joining of the soul and the body to the environment.


    Lifting my hand I watch as motes of the glittering sunlight swirl around my movements.


    Then I hear the voices again, ¡°Our Gwenie Gwen, you are here... our most precious Gwen.¡±


    Then ¡®they¡¯ appear. Faeries of all sizes slowly move out of the vegetation offering a greeting. I walk towards them as they touch me. Every touch encourages a larger smile across my face. From little winged ones to short and bulbous walking Fae. They come forward to touch and bid me a good day. Then a tree moves forward in a slow and fluid motion. It is part of the earth and yet it isn¡¯t.


    Can a tree lumber and flow at the same time?


    Then from the small bog a hideous woman slinks out of the muck with weeds hanging off her hair and shoulders. Then it hits me, most are naked. Not all but a good bit are. She is not what I want to see naked. Her tall thin hunched form has a pearl green color. Her breast sag down to her stomach and the hair is long and stringy. I can almost overlook the nakedness because her face has its own issues. She is missing her nose, and the mouth is wide like a frog.


    Holy crap... what do I do?


    Luckily she stops short of touching me and nods her head. ¡°Gwen, I hope you will visit soon.¡±


    I nod my head back and she slips back into her bog.


    Then the largest man I have ever laid eyes upon walks out and into this sunlit garden. He passes through the crowd of Fae as I look over his body. He is tall and thin, and like many of the Fae, he wears zero clothing. It seems he doesn¡¯t need it; like others, he has hair covering him from the bellybutton to his cloven feet. However, that isn¡¯t what bothers me. His head isn¡¯t human. It is a large goat''s head with huge long horns that curve backwards. The horns looked like a ram¡¯s horns and the irises of his eyes are pure black.


    He strolls towards me as the whispered welcomes halt. The world hushes in anticipation of his coming words.


    ¡°Gwen of the Fae, be welcome.¡± His voice is deep and raspy.


    Falling back on the stupid etiquette classes my grandmother forced on me I reply, ¡°Uh, thank you.¡±


    See, she got her monies worth... not.


    ¡°Come Gwen, come and walk with me.¡±


    Circe and Jadis walk out the front door behind me. I feel better with them at my side.


    A few small winged Fae fly towards me, landing on my shoulder to play in my hair. I stand stock still, not knowing what to do. Jadis grabs one hand while Circe grabs the other. Seeing one small Fae in my hair, others follow and play in my long strands. I ignore this for the obvious conversation.


    You don¡¯t go with strangers, right?


    Anyone remember ¡®stranger danger¡¯?


    Circe answers for me, ¡°No. She doesn¡¯t go with you. We don¡¯t know you. You must first prove the reasoning to take Gwen with you.¡±


    Thank you Circe! She is much better at stubborn communication.


    He bows and introduces himself, ¡°Ladies my name is Tamyson.¡± And then he does something amazing. In a shimmering grey haze his form changes to an Elf. He is slightly shorter in this form... maybe 6-foot 3-inches? His other form was huge.


    Tamyson continues, ¡°I am an Elven Lord, councilor to our king and Gwen¡¯s grandfather.¡± He doesn¡¯t smile or offer a calming effect. In fact, he acts without feelings. Like he is here for a job and not as a family member.


    Well Holy Fuck, can this shit get any deeper?


    Circe answers, ¡°Do you swear on the honor of your king, your court and your own blood. Will you bind yourself in a trust to keep her safe and bring her back to our coven in a timeframe acceptable to our standards of time?¡±


    I swivel my head with an open mouth gaping from her words.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    She smirks at me, ¡°As Damiana¡¯s pupil I learned how to talk to elves.¡± And looking at me with hard eyes she says, ¡°You and I will talk of this. You need to learn how to bargain.¡±


    Jadis adds, ¡°Just a moment,¡± and runs back in to our little cottage. Returning, she places a leather necklace around my neck with nails woven throughout in intricate layers. ¡°Do not take this off. Cold iron can stop the glamour of the Fae.¡±


    Tamyson nods his head in a formal manner stating, ¡°I swear to those term and bind myself to these oaths with my very blood.¡± And a squat Fae moves forward to hand a knife to Tanyson. Upon reaching his hand, he slashes a cut across his forearm and repeats, ¡°I so swear.¡±


    Taking a cue from Circe and actually using the lessons from those stupid summer camps I word my next question carefully. ¡°Thank you for these assurances. I graciously accept your invitation.¡± I throw a smirk towards Circe.


    See, I can talk formally.


    I tentatively reach a hand towards this new family member... my grandfather.


    ¡°Come Gwen of the Fae, come and learn,¡± and as we walk the world changes around us. With only a few steps we are far away from the cottage. The surrounding forest is different. It is a wetter forest with fog everywhere. I can hear the ocean in the distance, the waves crash and seagulls call out.


    As we move, Tamyson speaks. ¡°We walk betwixt and between now. We move from one place to another with magic. This magic will help your emotions free themselves.¡±


    ¡°What is betwixt and between?¡±


    ¡°We walk from place to place that are edges. Anywhere that holds the end of one and the start of another are places we can walk to.¡±


    As Tamyson said this, we step onto a beach where the water meets the sand. It is cold on my bare feet and the shock of it makas me gasp.


    Tamyson ignores my gasp and continues talking, while standing in the ocean¡¯s surf. ¡°Here, where the water meets the sand, is an area we can move between.¡± And taking another step we stand on the sandy dunes where the sand meets with tall grasses.


    ¡°Where are we?¡± I can still see the ocean, but we were now 400 yards away.


    ¡°I believe in your measurement system we are some 100 miles away from your cottage and your coven. Distance means nothing; it is only betwixt and between.¡±


    ¡°We will test your ability to walk between. We must also address your grandmother¡¯s actions to withhold your powers.¡± Tamyson explains. ¡°The ceremony lifted the geas held on you, yet your emotions are muffled.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean; my emotions are muffled?¡±


    ¡°When humans are cold, they wear many clothes. Your emotions and your magic were bound and wrapped up in many layers. When it comes crashing back, you will have much anger and anger will not help you or the Fae.¡±


    I thought about Tamyson¡¯s words. How did I feel? It seems fear and confusion are the prevalent feelings. With splashes of amazement.


    I disagreed with his assessment, ¡°I had anger towards Damiana.¡±


    ¡°Really, do you think you have truly acted angry? Where is your anger over your mother and grandmother? How is it easy for you to think of that cottage as yours so quickly?¡±


    I ponder his words. I hadn¡¯t fought against what happened, not really. I was a pushover.


    ¡°Why are you helping me? It seems everyone leads me around, and I let it happen. Why are you different?¡±


    Tamyson smirks, ¡°This is to my advantage; I am using you for the Fae. Never think differently. However, know this, I believe that you need control over yourself to help the Fae. I believe that you will want to help us. That is the reason I am helping you.¡±


    I stood there feeling the sand between my toes, the wind flowing against my skin and listening to the crash of the ocean as it broke against the surf. I stand there feeling the world around me. Tamyson stays quiet and leaves me to my thoughts. I appreciate that.


    ¡°How can you help me?¡± I ask.


    ¡°In Fae, time can move differently. We will walk and talk, while we keep going betwixt and between. You will stay immersed in magic and while time flows fast for us, your world will move very slowly. We can spend years in the blink of a human¡¯s eye. If we want our time to run slow, we can do that as well. But for our purposes, we will take the time you need to learn how to handle your emotions and your Fae side.¡±


    The walk was amazing.


    Tamyson didn¡¯t talk much. He moved us to places of beauty; simply, quiet, beauty. I don¡¯t know how long we walked before I start asking for answers¡­ answers that I never knew I needed.


    ¡°Can you tell me about my Fae background?¡±


    Tamyson continued walking us between places, not answering this particular question. When he explains what he knows of my heritage, I am overwhelmed. I start sweating and my sight becomes blurry. Thinking I might faint, I sat for a moment, and think back on his words.


    ¡°I am your grandfather and you are one of a few people, in a long line of families, that were bred to bring magic and lore back to life around the world.¡±


    I was bred? The shocks kept coming when I found out that the man breeding our families has lived hundreds of years. I learn my grandmother and mother were brew to Fae men and there are plans for me. And I learn that the man with Damiana, the first night we arrived, is the man manipulating us all. His name is Abramelin De La Barthe, also known as Abramelin the Mage.


    After learning this bit of news, I go back to looking at the surrounding beauty. I want to let this information sink in.


    We are on a mountain where a glacier meets the dirt, and it was here that my emotions take over. I fall to my knees crying and pounding the ground in anger. I am hurt, confused and furious. Tamyson doesn¡¯t offer to hold me, he stands and watches, detached.


    I am submerged in emotions I never dealt with. My prior life kept me separated from myself and the world surrounding me. I cry because I am so damn angry! Most of my life was half-lived. I feel like my grandmother stole all those years from me. Knowing all of this now I decide that woman shall never have that kind of power over me again... ever!


    When my tears stopped, I feel better. Not over it, but better. With an odd thought, I plop down onto my butt and look up at Tamyson.


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t I felt the cold? We are beside a glacier, and I am in a thin dress without shoes, why haven¡¯t I felt the freezing cold?¡±


    Tamyson smiles, ¡°Your Fae blood is coming out. The muffling that bound your powers are now free to work on you and the world around you.¡±


    Tamyson held out his hand to help me stand, ¡°It is time for you to move us between.¡±


    My mouth fell open. ¡°How? Are you sure? How can I?¡±


    Tamyson pointed, ¡°Look down the mountain, see the tree line? Walk us to that point. See it in your mind, feel the between of that location and step to it.¡±


    I closed my eyes trying to feel. Opening my eyes, while trying to feel, I walk us towards the between of the trees and the mountain glade. With the second step of our feet are moving through the grass at the forest¡¯s edge. I come to a sudden stop and look at Tamyson.


    In a squeaky voice, I cry out, ¡°I did it!¡±


    Grabbing my hand, Tamyson ¡®steps¡¯ and we were back by the cottage in Cavecroft.


    Gravely he says, ¡°Yes, you did.¡±


    Tamyson holds his hand out in front of my face and a small creature appears. Its tiny pair-shaped grey body has legs and arms like a frog, but thin instead of thick and meaty. Its wide, triangle-like head has long pointed ears and spikes, like twigs, that grow out from the top of the forehead and in between the ears. The wide mouth stays hidden underneath its beak. The long, angled eyes are colored yellow and black. Lastly, the twig-looking spikes run from the top of the head, down the back of his head and stops on the shoulders. The spikes become reptile-like ridges down the spine and thin tail.


    ¡°This is a Spriggan and they guard treasures. As you are our treasure, the Spriggan will protect you.¡±


    With that, Tamyson placed the creature on my shoulder and it promptly scurries behind my ear. Standing next to my neck, it hides its body under my hair as it peeks his head out, like a flower I have placed behind my ear.


    ¡°Spriggans use powerful glamour and can stay hidden from most witches, as Fae magic is very different than theirs.¡±


    Without giving me a chance to speak, Tamyson turns around and walks away.


    Saying back across his shoulder, ¡°We will practice more tomorrow,¡± and with that, he is gone ¡®between¡¯ one step and the next.

 Chapter 6 - To Move or Not to Move... That be a Fair Question

    I feel the Spriggan hoping around on my shoulder. He hisses, ¡°Remove necklace... bad... cold iron.¡±


    I reach up to the clasp and release it from my neck and ask, ¡°Can you become invisible? I would like to see if my coven mates see you.¡± I finish with my reasoning. I feel a pat on my ear and figure that is a yes.


    Walking in to our cottage, I catch Jadis and Circe by surprise. According to them I just left. Sitting down in our small kitchen, I explain what had happened, except the Spriggan. I want to see if they notice him. This is a chance to test its glamour.


    Looking concerned Jadis asks, ¡°How do you feel now? And how long were you gone?¡±


    ¡°I feel different. The time using Fae magic with Tamyson helped open my emotions and I let my repressed anger out. Not just anger, it opened all my emotions. It¡¯s like my life prior was black and white and now my life is filled with colors. I have dimensions to my feeling that were never there. I understand things much better now. And to answer your other question... I have no clue how long we walked between.¡±


    Looking at them both I explain, ¡°Knowing the truth has scared the crap out of me. It is a lot to take in. My grandfather has a goat¡¯s head and legs. I don¡¯t even know what to say to my grandmother about that one. Then there is the fact that I am part of a breeding program. And some man, named Abramelin who is hundreds of years old, has plans for me in that same program.¡±


    I ask, ¡°Do either of you know who that man was with Damiana was the night we were bound?¡±


    Circe¡¯s voice becomes syrupy, ¡°He was OMG gorgeous. I wondered who he was and had hoped I would run into him around Cave Croft.¡±


    Now I shook my head, ¡°No, that is a bad idea. That is Abramelin.¡±


    Circe and Jadis look shocked and Jadis squeaks out, ¡°He is hundreds of years old? He looks in his 30¡¯s!¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± There is nothing else to say on that subject at this point.


    Looking at both, ¡°I will try hard not to let anger rule my actions. I don¡¯t know what to do, and we are tied together in this.¡±


    Circe, in what I assume is her usual hot-headed manner says, ¡°We will fight this shit. I may not like you a lot, but I sure as shit do not want anyone else making decisions for us.¡±


    Jadis nods, ¡°I like calm and quiet. I think we should enjoy life. However, I am not up for a breeding program¡­ for any of us. Gwen, what are the plans of the Fae?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Tamyson said he will be back tomorrow to continue training. They want to protect me¡­ in fact, I guess, I should introduce you to my Spriggan.¡±


    Holding my palm up towards my shoulder, ¡°Spriggan, can you please come out?¡±


    Circe and Jaddis let out a gasp as the creature sits on my palm.


    ¡°How?¡± Jadis asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Spriggan can you help explain?¡±


    The Spriggan jumps from my palm and walks around the table to look at Jadis and Circe. Cocking its head from side to side, blinking its eyes, he came back to me and appears on my shoulder, just sitting there.


    In a piping voice and its head cocked to one side he says, ¡°Spriggan; I am. Cork, you may call me. I sneak and protect. I help Gwen. I can show how to hide and sneak, like me. No one messes with my treasure.¡±


    ¡°Now you know as much about the Spriggan and his purpose as I do.¡±


    Circe looks interested, ¡°Cork, how can you sneak?¡±


    Cork disappears from view and then reappears, ¡°Glamour; I can.¡±


    Cork looks cute, as his head keeps cocking back and forth like a bird.


    Circe isn¡¯t satisfied, ¡°OK, how do you protect?¡±


    Suddenly, he appears standing on the kitchen floor. Now, he stands 4-feet tall and coved in small boulders that look like armor.


    ¡°I protect like this. No one takes my treasure.¡±


    Circe looks impressed, but not convinced, ¡°Well, we have some help. I guess this is a start.¡±


    Suddenly my stomach grumbles and I realize how hungry I am. ¡°Do we have more food?¡±


    Jadis jumps up, ¡°Yes, we were about to gather food prior to your arrival home. Help me get stuff together.¡± And Circe and I stand to help her.


    Circe works on the fire in the stove while Jadis grabs herbs for tea and I decide to check out the cellar. Finding the latch I pull and it opens easily. Finding an oil lamp and lighter, I start the thing up and check out our food supplies. The area is a small dirt floor room. with shelves lining three walls and hooks coming out of the ceiling. Meats hang with herbs. Rolls of cheese and bread lie in baskets. I see that everything has access to air. Nothing is packed tight to help stop mold. There isn¡¯t a lot of food either. I imagine that they are careful not to spoil food. I find sausage, eggs, bread and cheese. Grabbing an empty basket, I load up and head back up the short flight of stairs. Then remember the lamp. It is bad to leave the oil lamp burning, it can start a fire.


    Once I enter the kitchen again I lower the cellar door and hand over the food to Jadis. I watch as she adds lard to a cast iron pan and scrabbles the eggs. Circe is slicing the sausage, cheese and bread. The kettle whistles and I grab it. Placing it on the table the others follow shortly with the food.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    As we eat Cork joins in. Hopping onto the table and squatting next to my plate, he inspects our breakfast. I cut little pieces of everything to make it easy for him. The little guy seems to enjoy our meal and the tea.


    I speak up as we eat, ¡°We don¡¯t have electricity? Have to pump our water and no indoor bathroom?¡±


    Circe, in what I am learning is a typical smirt laughs at me, ¡°¡°Witches had to hide. These conclaves are or were hidden everywhere around the world. With the release of magic, legends and lores, we witches can now move about openly. However, you never know if we need to hide again. There is no sense getting used to modern niceties. We are self-sufficient."


    ¡°You have to be flippin insane. If magic is ok then there is no reason not to have indoor plumbing! I mean the hot springs is awesome but damn, we have to run through the weather to get to the water.¡±


    The easy going Jadis shrugs her shoulders and smiles. Circe is the typical ass. ¡°Get over it. You need to learn how to survive in hiding. We will never be safe.¡±


    I sigh, ¡°Ok, it''s not like I have a choice.¡±


    I have other questions, ¡°We are a coven, I don¡¯t understand magic and dont understand your powers. To top it off, I am training with Tamyson on Fae magic. Shouldn¡¯t we come up with a schedule for training and fact finding. After spending all of my life in the dark... I really want to know what is going on. Where are my mother and grandmother? I almost don¡¯t care about my grandmother, but we are family so I should look into her situation.¡±


    Jadis and Circe nod their heads. Jadis suggests, ¡°I am practical magic. That means divinations are one of my specialties. That doesn¡¯t mean that you or Circe cannot perform divinations. It¡¯s the fact that I am one of the strongest practical magic witches in ages... literally.¡±


    I look at Circe, ¡°And how does your magic work?¡±


    Circe smirks, ¡°My powers are very personal. Sex and blood. I can influence people. When we have a plan, I can help our chances of success. Like Jadis, I am the strongest witch in these areas of magic in an age.¡±


    I say, ¡°Then there is me. I am supposedly a witch and I am a Fae. I have two types of different magics running through my blood.¡±


    Circe adds, ¡°I think that is why Damiana is so excited. You may be the first with the powers of both. I think she wants to use you. I wonder about the ceremony... She cleansed your body but didn¡¯t open up your emotions the way Tamyson did. Do you think that¡¯s purposeful?¡± Circe finishes with her question to Damiana¡¯s reasoning.


    Cork pops out and onto the table with a serious look, ¡°This place no good. Can¡¯t keep treasure safe here. This place of witches, not place of fae. We move you.¡±


    Circe answers, ¡°Oh hell no. You don¡¯t get to tell us what to do.¡±


    I ignore her outburst, ¡°Where will you move us?¡±


    Cork nods his head in agreement, ¡°Close... not far... must trust. We keep safe but close to witches. Your own place special. You three special. Place special... we know what you need and protect.¡± And with that the little guy disappeared.


    I look at the others and say, ¡°I would rather live in a fae home than one provided by Damiana. At least we know that fae want to keep me safe and Cork said the three of us safe.¡±


    Jadis agrees, ¡°I agree with Gwen. They moved us here without concent and we know we have zero power to control our lives here in Cave Croft if we let Damiana provide everything for us.¡±


    Circe gazes at my shoulder looking for Cork, ¡°We have specific needs if you really plan to keep us safe from Cave Croft. Jadis has to have her herbs and an area to practice her magic. I also need an area for my magic. My area should radiate a sensual aura and I need a lot of space. Lastly, if Jadis and I have our space to work, Gwen needs a space as well. It would be nice if they could attach somehow. Not that we see each other but we can access our areas through adjoining doors.¡±


    I look at Circe, ¡°Wow, that is fairly specific.¡±


    Jadis nods her head, ¡°Yes, Circe and I talked about this previously as we grew up. Not about being a coven but what we would need to perform our craft. We really are the best in our magics in an age and were planning for our future. We talked about this together because our power levels are considered immense.¡±


    I look at the two of them, ¡°Ok, does that make it easier for you Circe? If we are close but not under Damiana. Will that work? I believe Cork is right. We need our space. If the fae can protect that, then it makes total sense to move.¡±


    Circe looked thoughtful, ¡°If we are close but under our own authority, I believe that this is extremely beneficial.¡± And adds, ¡°I will work a divination as well.¡±****


    Jadis adds, ¡°I will work divinations. I want an overall picture of our situation.¡±


    I agree, ¡°Ok, Tamyson told me that Cork can teach me glamour. So, that is what I will work on. At some point we will figure out my witchcraft.¡±


    Walking out the door Cork commands, ¡°Go between, we will work both. Glamour and between.¡± I concentrate on the edge of our little front yard and between steps, I stand at its edge.


    In my ear, I heard, ¡°Is good, now do more.¡±


    So, I go between. I looked for any area that has an edge, any area that forms a coming together of two different ¡®things¡¯. From grasses that match up to trees, to rocks touching water. That one got me pretty wet. I need to think about where I will step. It would suck if I walk off a ledge because I step onto the wrong side. That little water incident sends me back to the cottage for dry clothes.


    Damn we didn¡¯t get to the glamour.


    Walking back out of the cottage, I see Abramelin standing in our little yard and understand Circe¡¯s comment better now. He is gorgeous¡­ like holy crap gorgeous, mixed with danger. He looks foreign. Dark skin, high cheekbones, arched eyebrows, bright hazel eyes and black hair that hangs in small curls at their ends. That hair fell to the base of his neck and some hung down and across his high forehead. The sex appeal is finished with a closely shaved beard and mustache.


    In a soft hiss I hear Cork, ¡°Careful. Very much power, dangerous.¡±


    Before anything can happen, Tamyson steps out from ¡®between¡¯ at the edge of the small yard. His horned head immediately drops, facing that dense forehead towards Abramelin and says, ¡°Leave Abramelin. She is of the Fae and will learn the Fae. Your time to face her is not now. You will not continue to use us.¡±


    His statement sent a chill down my body and Cork made soft sounds in my ear to calm me. I don¡¯t know if it helps, I am petrified with the unknown.


    Abramelin gives a small bow of his own head, ¡°Tamyson, I greet you. I do as I need and will ever continue to do so.¡±


    He has a small smile on his face as he eyes rove my body from head to toe. He has the audacity to walk around me, like he was inspecting me. It doesn¡¯t help that I am in a soaking wet white nightgown. It sticks to my skin and I know that it is completely see through. I don¡¯t move.


    ¡°I can see the Fae in her features. I have accomplished a lot with this family and I want to examine my latest addition.¡±


    He stands in front of me and I shake as he runs a finger down my cheek. ¡°Very beautiful.¡±


    Tamyson is suddenly beside me and I hear rustling around us. Fae appear around us. Sticking their heads out of the surrounding vegetation. They stare at Abramelin without a single emotion crossing their faces . They stand, watching for danger. They stand with me.


    Thank goodness... they will protect me.


    Through gritted teeth I tell him, ¡°I am not your next project. Leave me alone.¡±


    Abramelin chuckles, ¡°Just like your grandmother. However, you will succumb, just as all the others have and I will enjoy it.¡±


    Grabbing my hand, Tamyson moves us between to a lovely glade surrounded by giant redwood trees.

 Chpt 7 - Family Ties

    I am happy to be away from Ambramelin, but now I¡¯m with a Fae I barely know.


    Leading me to a set of large jumbled boulders in the thick shade outside of the glade we sit and Tamyson says, ¡°You have many questions, ask what you will.¡±


    Looking iat the man with a ram''s head on such a tall thin body I framed my first question, ¡°Are you really my grandfather?¡±


    Without blinking his eyes and no change to the tone of his voice he answers, ¡°Yes.¡±


    Really? That¡¯s all I get?


    Ok, let¡¯s take another try at this, ¡°Did you love my grandmother?¡±


    Those strange unblinking white oblong eyes stared back, ¡°No¡±


    ¡°Why? Why all of this? I don¡¯t understand why you did this.¡±


    "We of the Fae lost our tie to this plane of existence you call earth. The Fae are magic and our magic was failing us. We were dying, we escaped to a plane where we could exist with our magic. But that plane, known as the Gray Lands, is exactly as it sounds. We preserved ourselves, our magic, but the cost, the cost was a nonexistent life."


    ¡°When Abramelin sent a message through the astral plane, we listened to him and his plan to forge ties back to earth. You must understand the lengths Abramelin went too. Abramelin bred his family for hundreds of years. From what we know he only breeds personally with every third female, while he breeds the others with men strong in magic or from a line of strong magic users.¡±


    I opened my mouth to ask a question, but he continues before I can interrupt, ¡°He needed powerful Fae to help. They chose myself as the first. I am from an ancient line of Fae. I am part Elven and Phooka. We thought that would tie all the Fae back to the Earth realm. When your mother was born Abramelin learned he needed more Fae blood. But, Maddie¡¯s birth helped us get closer to this realm and occasionally watch the goings on. When he came back for another to breed with, we choose from a strong and powerful line of a pure blood Elf. If we added blood other than Elven, you had a chance of looking Fae and not human.¡±


    Different planes? Breeding for hundreds of years? Every third woman? Grandmother slept with a Fae who has a ram¡¯s head? Trying to get my thoughts to pick one path, I kept to my grandmother.


    ¡°Exactly how did grandmother agree to ¡®breed¡¯ with you?¡±


    ¡°She only witnessed my Elven form and none of my others. I will show you the others that you may understand part of your heritage.¡± Tamyson states as his body goes hazy.


    The haze is a swirl around the body with wisps of grey and silver. Tamyson stands in the whirlwind as a silhouette. His form morphs into an animal, but the swirling keeps me from understanding the shape he is transforming into.


    As the haze fades, a huge eagle stands before me. He is amazing and frightening at the same time. His eagle form stands 8-feet tall, pitch black feathers and very regal looking. He looks down at me over his very large beak. I see the intelligence in them and shudder. I know he is in there, but is the animal in control or is my grandfather? I end up embarrassing myself by shrieking and falling backwards over the small boulder I sat upon.


    Throwing its head back, the eagle let out a terror inducing screech into the sky. Trembling, I watch the haze form again. Now, a hound stands in front of the stones. He stands tall as a small horse and looks like a mastiff crossed with Irish wolf hound. The only thing the same are his white eyes. If I thought the eagle fearsome, the hound is worse.


    I think I would have peed myself if he hadn¡¯t immediately hazed again. Now he became a terrifyingly black-as-night horse. Again, his shape is larger than a normal horse. His body has the muscle of a Clydesdale but sleek. Snorting and pawing at the ground, those same white eyes stare at me. Hazing again, he changes back to his Phooka form.


    I need to get over being shocked all the time. I live in a time of fantasy.


    Tamyson calmly sits down and stares at me.


    Damn these Fae are weird. His actions are unlike a human''s.


    I scrambled back unto my rock regaining some composure, ¡°Did grandmother know you could change forms?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Man, he really doesn¡¯t show emotions.


    ¡°Ok, you ¡®bred¡¯ with grandmother. Let¡¯s continue with this breeding program. Who bred my great-grandmother, Damiana?¡±


    ¡°Abramelin.¡±


    I feel my face flushing, ¡°Ok, this is simple math. Abramelin with Damiana and grandmother and mother with Fae. You will tell me I am the third, right? Abramelin has plans with me?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Yes, that is all you have to say?¡± This scares me. ¡°Is that why you are helping me? You are trying to help your granddaughter escape his crazy plans?¡±


    At least I got an eye blink this time as he answers the question, ¡°Yes and no. He may try to control the Fae and our magic. To protect our people, we mustn¡¯t allow him to control my decedent¡¯s destiny.¡±


    ¡°Gotcha, no family reason, just about power and control. Great. What a great family I have.¡±


    I stand and pace the tree line. Looking at Tamyson sitting in the darkness of the trees, sitting on the stones and then to the gorgeous meadow. The meadow with the sunny skies and stirring grasses. What a difference between the two. Like my life. I think my past is that meadow and the dark is now my future.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.Walking back into that shadowy and shaded area of the rocks, I think of what I need to protect myself.


    ¡°Ok, grandfather. Since this has nothing to do with family ties, tell me how to gain power? How do I protect myself? How do I become strong enough to control my life?¡± I can¡¯t help the next sad and sarcastic remark, ¡°It¡¯s not like my family is there for me, unless it deals with them directly.¡±


    Tamyson nods his head, looking at me with approval, ¡°Yes, you must look to yourself and build your power. We, the Fae, will help stop the binding of our blood with Abramelin¡¯s¡­ unless it means we lose access to this plane. Then we will decide which is worse, the gray lands or living under the rule of a wizard.¡±


    I can only shake my head back and forth and look at the ground. Tamyson made his point; I have to grow up and grow up fast.


    Tamyson continues speaking, ¡°You gain power with help. Cork will help with the glamour and explore what you can do with your own magic. You and I will continue walking between, while I help you with our lore. Part of that lore is visiting with the different Fae. Make alliances or deals as you can. Last, you have more than the Fae magic inside of you. You can use magic like the witches. You will learn to bend the magic outside of yourself to your own will. You and your coven, you must work together.¡±


    He stops speaking and we let the silence hang between us. I¡¯m not in a hurry for more information. The silence doesn¡¯t bother Tamyson, so we sit and absorb the surrounding beauty. The dark and the light.


    Tamyson leads us back to the cottage via different areas of between letting me practice. I move the two of us easier and with more confidence. I enjoy the feeling of freedom this trick gives me. I can¡¯t help but think of it as a trick. I am not sure of this power.


    Is it a talent that will grow? Will I become comfortable with the power within myself?


    I am tired as I arrive back at the cottage. I find Circe and Jadis waiting for me in the cottage drinking teas. Jadis gives me a tired smile and looking at Circe I can see she isn¡¯t tired, but looks calm and pleased with herself.


    Well, at least someone¡¯s day was good.


    Pouring tea for myself, I sit down and explain my day. I recall the conversation about Abramelin and the breeding program involving my family. I also tell them it was the birth of my mother and mine that brought about the Age of Lore. I wasn¡¯t the only one to think this is crazy. I top it off with I am next inline to ¡®breed¡¯ with Abramelin.


    Circe is finally speechless, but that doesn¡¯t last long.


    With a big sigh she says, ¡°Well, that¡¯s fucked up.¡±


    ¡°Yep... What do you say to that?¡± I ask with sarcasm.


    Looking at Jadis and wondering why she looked tires I ask, ¡°What did you learn?¡±


    ¡°Not a lot. I know we need to learn and train. The tarot cards show too many paths to get a clear idea for our way ahead. I tried several divinations, wearing myself out. I think we stick to focusing on one person at a time. I was trying to get a larger picture of us as a whole, as a coven and more. There are too many factors with us, Damiana and Abramelin.¡±


    Jadis apologizes, ¡°I am sorry. I know better than try to divine at such a large scale.¡±


    Circe patted her hand, ¡°Live and learn... now you know better. I had better luck.¡± With a large smile she tells us what she learned. ¡°It is nothing specific, but it confirms your determination to focus on Gwen. My ceremony revealed a need to run from Damiana. We must stay as far from her as possible. But, our fates and Abramelin''s are shrouded. I don¡¯t know how he feels about us or how he will act against us. Tamyson and our paths felt¡­ ok? I know that doesn¡¯t sound firm but, he isn¡¯t a major threat at this time.¡±


    I sum up our situation, ¡°I train with the Fae, learn what I can while we work together teaching me how to be a witch.¡±


    Circe slapped my shoulder, ¡°That¡¯s the spirit.¡±


    Cork suddenly appears on the table looking into my cup of tea. It was empty and looking up at me with his little head cocked and in his piping voice he says, ¡°Cork need tea now and feed or I will go find for myself.¡±


    The three of us jump and Circe curses, ¡°Damn it! Can¡¯t you remind us about your little friend? We need to figure out a way to see him. Can we put a bell on him?¡± Circe grins at the thought of Cork wearing a bell.


    I feel silly forgetting about my little guardian. ¡°Sorry, his glamour is fantastic. I don¡¯t even feel him on my shoulder and I forget he is there. With Cork training me, maybe I can become as good as he is.¡±


    I get up to fill my cup with tea and Jadis stands to gather some simple foods to munch on while Circe stays at the table glaring at Cork.


    Coming back to the table we find Circe and Cork in a staring contest. This made me try to perform some kind of bonding math. Circe has a quick temper and I have an unknown Fae guardian. I think this is Temper vs. Trickster. What could go wrong? But the math is plain and simple, it equals a rocky relationship.


    Jadis gives me a questioning glance and shrugging my shoulders I ask, ¡°Hey Circe, Cork. You two good?¡±


    Cork disappears from his spot next to my teacup and reappears with his head down in Circe¡¯s cup of tea. Before the screech leaves her lips, Cork is back on my shoulder peeking out of my hair from over my ear... it is his favorite spot.


    Holding my hands up, with my palms facing Circe and shaking my head no I explain, ¡°I am sure he was joking with you. Maybe you two should stay away from each other?¡± I finish with that one simple hope.


    Circe¡¯s face turns red and shaking a finger at me she screeches, ¡°Yes! Keep your little guardian away from me.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± and now we have awkward silence.


    Jadis, always the easy-going one of our group changes the subject. ¡°What should we start Gwen with? We can only train her so much and then we will need help.¡±


    Jadis did it! The subject changes.


    Thank you Jadis!


    And with a smile I try helping, ¡°Yes, what do you think Circe?¡±


    After several deep breaths Circe allows the subject of Cork to drop with one last hard look at Cork.


    Jadis and Circe ramble on about defensive wards, testing for manifestations; making a small flame appear, infusing my will into spells and much more. I try keeping up with them, but suddenly they are excitedly discussing alignments, colors, stones, astral signs¡­ ugh!


    This is making my head hurt.


    I remember something that Tamyson had talked about. I broke into their excited chatter with a question of my own, ¡°What is the astral plane? Abramelin can use it or go there. I¡¯m not sure, but Tamyson mentioned this earlier.¡±


    They stopped talking and with mouths hanging open they looked at me with wide eyes. ¡°Astral plane? Really, like, The Astral Plane? Like only the top tier of all magical embodiments of power?¡±


    I didn¡¯t feel good about this. I knew Abramelin is like, old and has a sicko breeding program with my family. But the scary guy just became scarier.


    ¡°Gwen, you don¡¯t understand what this means. The astral plane is like, well¡­ like ¡®The Bomb¡¯!¡± Jadis excitingly explains. ¡°OMG, holy crap, we need to see if you can do this. Obviously not now but, yeah, we need to look into this.¡±


    Circe jumped in, ¡°Figuring out who can teach Gwen will be hard .¡±


    In a sarcastic and funny voice Circe continues with an eye roll. ¡°Ok, Gwen will learn defensive wards, needs testing, train with the Fae and we have research to complete. And to wrap it all up, we need to figure out the Astral plane. Got it, no problem¡­ what do you think¡­ a week, maybe two?¡±


    That made us laugh at our situation. What else could we do?


    I leaned my head towards Cork, ¡°You think that is good?¡± I felt a pat on my ear for an answer.


    I will take that as a yes.


    I enjoy the banter with my coven mates; laughing, chatting and cracking each other up with jokes. We can¡¯t fix the world and we need something to laugh about. As Cork and I head to bed, I realize for the first time in my life I am taking control, making my own decisions and my own path. This feels good.


    But, in the back of my mind, I still worry about my mother and grandmother.

 Chpt 8 - Coven

    Corks pulls on my hair to wake me. I am tired, yesterday lasted too long.


    ¡°Go away. Need more sleep.¡± I mumble into my pillow.


    He doesn¡¯t.


    ¡°If I am your treasure why pull my hair?¡± I continue to reason with the little guy, still talking into the pillow and hoping he will go away.


    ¡°Treasure lazy. Sleep-in plenty. Big day, big night. Up.¡± He chirps happily at me.


    Surprised I ask, ¡°What about tonight?¡±


    His answer sucks, ¡°Later with coven will tell. Now move, move.¡±


    Groaning I get up to dress and find different clothing waiting for me. Not only clothing but a tall woman in a long green dress with gold Celtic patterns woven throughout the garment. Parts of the hem fall in tatters, very different from the rest of the garment. Her golden-white hair looks as delicate as a spider¡¯s web. Her skin is an unusual pale white, but it is her face that is fascinating.


    How can a woman look beautiful, scary and kind?


    With a slight bow of the woman¡¯s head she speaks. ¡°My name is Corrigan and I will see to your proper attire.¡±


    Propper attire? Holy crap, this is etiquette school all over again.


    I ask, ¡°Is there a reason I need help picking out my clothes?¡±


    She stares at me not saying a word for many seconds. I notice the gold of her eyes while waiting for her answer. ¡°The position of your father and grandfather.¡± Is her simple answer, looking like she doesn¡¯t understand the need to ask.


    I continue my questioning, not caring if she understands the reasoning. ¡°Who sent you?¡±


    Like Tamyson, she doesn¡¯t blink or give indications of her thoughts. ¡°You require the help, I am here.¡± And Corrigan turns to pull out clothing.


    Curious I walk the few steps to the table as she lays out clothing.


    ¡°It is interesting the ideas humans have about Elven clothing.¡± She murmurs.


    ¡°How did you find that out?¡± I ask.


    Corrigan puts on a self-satisfied smirk on her face, ¡°Males. They haven¡¯t changed. A pretty face, a little ¡®help¡¯ and they give you everything.¡±


    Scared I ask, ¡°Are they still alive?¡±


    Now Corrigan looks irritated, ¡°Yes, I did not drain them of all their blood. Just a little sip.¡±


    Great... only a little blood.


    ¡°Exactly what kind of fae are you?¡± I ask.


    ¡°I am a Glastig, a water fearie.¡± She answers.


    ¡°Oh,¡± I said and realize that is a stupid reply and I do not understand what a Glastig is.


    Looking at the clothes is a little intimidating. ¡°Are you sure this is necessary?¡± I ask again.


    Stopping and staring at me in that fae strange stillness and silence Corrigan answers, ¡°Your clothing places your ranking in the court. You represent the fae in this region. You and your coven will reflect the ideas, expectations and quality that only the fae can bring.¡±


    I represent the fae of the area?


    Then I smile, ¡°Jadis and Circe are going through the same thing?¡± With her affirmative nod I feel better. Can¡¯t wait to see how they look.


    I end up dressed in an outfit I would love for Halloween, but not every day. It is beautiful and feels great. I know how to wear expensive clothes, but grandmother is conservative, and this outfit didn¡¯t check the conservative box.


    Instead of slits on each side of the skirt they cut the material out, exposing both my legs to the bottom of my thighs. The top hugs my body and stops at the tops of my breasts. The sleeves attach at the side of the corset and hang around my upper arms. Their only purpose is decoration. Corrigan adds soft suede knee-high sandals and braids my hair away from my face. Standing, Corrigan moves me to the mirror and as I look at myself she adds a decorative circlet around my forehead with small delicate chains sweeping back along my hair.


    I gasp at my image. My new Elven features standout; almond-shaped eyes tilted up at the corners, small tips at the ends of my ears and my olive skin color is lighter. The material of the dress is blue, gold and silver. My features were nice prior to the transformation, but now I have a delicate look. A strange delicate look.


    My features fit my new life... strange and exotic.


    Leaving my room I find Circe and Jadis waiting for me.


    ¡°Holy crap,¡± is all I say.


    Jadis looks undecided about her clothing while, Circe preens like a cat.


    Clearing my throat I tell Circe, ¡°You look like a sex goddess... a scary sex goddess.¡±This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Circe wears a body suit that laces up the front. The sides ride high above her hips, exposing most all of them, while sleeves fall off the shoulder and conform to her arms with laces holding them tight. A choker graces Circe¡¯s throat with chains attaching to the top of her bodysuit. They highlight the expanse of exposed breasts. At the very bottom of her exposed hips hangs a skirt. It hangs low enough to expose the creamy white skin. The skirt opens in the front displaying a thigh-high laced shoe strapped to the bottom of the bodysuit, like a garter belt. She wears a circlet around her forehead. The entire outfit is in green, gold and black.


    Beaming and running her hands down the sides of her body Circe purrs, ¡°I love it.¡±


    ¡°You look like an evil sorcerous for a movie.¡± Is my only reply.


    I move my gaze to Jadis, ¡°And you look like the good witch.¡±


    Jadis¡¯s uncertain look grabs mine, ¡°I love it, but I do not think it is appropriate for the Oregon weather, none of our outfits are good for this weather.¡±


    Corrigan breaks into our conversation, ¡°Gwen¡¯s fae heritage protects her from cold and heat. We spelled your materials to protect the coven from weather.¡±


    Looking at Jadis I tell her, ¡°It¡¯s gorgeous. Like Disney princess and a good witch mixed.¡±


    Pastel material wraps Jadis¡¯s upper body. Peek-a-boo cutouts expose her waist, abs, and tops of her breasts. The skirt of the dress are panels of shear material. Separating to top for the skirt are solid panels of pastel material hugging her hips. The dress hints of a Valkyrie. Wing like accessories wrap the hips and surround the breasts. Jadis wears matching sandals and a circlet around her forehead.


    Corrigan nods her head at us and leaves the cottage. Behind her fly small winged pixies.


    I ask, ¡°Where did the pixies come from?¡±


    ¡°They helped us dress.¡± Jadis and Circe explain.


    Jadis reminds us of the time, ¡°It is lunch. Lets eat and figure out what is going on. It would have been nice if Corrigan had stayed to explain the clothing.¡±


    While we gather food and tea, I explain what Corrigan told me about the clothes.


    Cork appears next to my plate and picks through my food and dips his beak into my teacup, sipping as he eats.


    Remembering what he said earlier I ask, ¡°Cork, why is tonight important?¡±


    Cork stops munching on bread, letting crumbles fall and explains, ¡°Tonight ask Fearie to come. Make place for fae, make place for treasure.¡± He goes back to eating.


    Tamyson arrives at our cottage and without knocking enters. ¡°It is time to prepare for tonight.¡±


    I ask, ¡°Can you explain more about tonight?¡±


    With a nod of his head, ¡°Today is Mabon. It is special to witches and wizards. It acknowledges the dark, it is time to feast and this is the perfect night to open yourselves to the fae and ask it to you. We will ask for a hollow hill, a sithen, or a form a fearie to form for our needs. Tonight we establish Gwen¡¯s court. If Fearie answers, this is our power base. This is protection from outside forces.¡±


    Looking at my grandfather in his Phooka form with the long horns and white eyes I have to wonder what we are inviting to us. But, I know that Tamyson wants us stronger and I believe that we need this.


    Circe asks, ¡°What do we need to do?¡±


    Tamyson nods his head and directs us outside. ¡°Take each other¡¯s hand, while I lead you through the Fearie of old. Cork will protect the rear of our line.¡± And appearing in his protector form, he grabs Jadis¡¯s hand.


    We end up in a line starting with Tamyson, then myself holding Circe¡¯s hand and then Jadis with Cork at the end.


    Tamyson continues, ¡°Do not let go, watch and see Fearie for what it is.¡±


    Circe exclaims, ¡°This will be so cool,¡± as we follow Tamyson between.


    We stand on a dark and dank bank of a bog. Frogs crock and hop around our feet. The gnarled trees have black moss hanging low to the ground. These trees grow from small islands of muddy moss covered islands dotted throughout the bog.


    As Tamyson leads us through the area on semi-dry paths, I see strange creatures. A winged girl with the legs of a frog squats on a huge toad stool smiling at us before she launches herself in to the water. A gnarled tree twist its trunk around to peek at us from under one of its branches. With a sucking sound, we watch as the tree¡¯s roots pull from the mud and the tree moves towards us slowly. I can see the hungry look in its wooden eyes. Tamyson keeps us moving.


    Walking out of the bog and into a still dark forest we see the winged fae playing in flowers and around toad stools. There are many without wings. All are naked and thin. Unbelievable thin. They have human shapes but foreign at the same time. Some stand at 6 inches while others stand at 5 feet. As the winged ones approach my face I see greed, hunger and a playfulness. Not a combination I understand.


    One stands out. Her skin matches the dusky background, making it hard to distinguish all her features. Her ears are very long, with pointed ends and stick out and backwards from her head. Wide eyes and check bones taper around large full lips into a small chin. Flowers, small insects and bugs swarm around her body. Tiny fae lie curled on her shoulders. The fearie is covered in such a way that she looks like her body is exuding from the forests edge. Her naked body steps out of the brush and trees observing our passage. She stands there in her naked beauty. Foreign, scary beauty.


    Walking towards a stream, hunched old women in tattered dresses wash clothes against the large rocks. One reaches into the water and pulls a human man¡¯s arm out with his body slowly following. As she lifts his body towards her, she leans over the wrist and drinks. Having her fill, she passes the floating body to the next washer woman. Blood runs down their faces as they partake in the human¡¯s blood and flesh.


    I gag and I hear Jadis and Circe do the same. I can¡¯t release my hands to cover my mouth or eyes because of Tamyson¡¯s warning. Thankfully, he moves us along.


    Our next step between leads to the outside of a grass-covered mound. It has a small door leading in. There is no way that we, let alone Tamyson, can fit through the small opening. Bending his 7 foot body in half, Tamyson reaches out and with two fingers gingerly pulls the door open.


    The door grows in height as he pulls it open. Tamyson stands upright as the door grows. Walking inside is a complete shock.


    At one end of a long table a king with lords and ladies to either side are feasting. I see a shimmer around our group as we step inside. We walk around the huge festival of Fae. In front of the feasting nobility an assortment of fae sing, dance and play instruments. It is a mishmash of strangeness.


    The little folk wear a riot of colors, looking like court jesters. Jugglers interweave themselves between the dancers. One fae plays a set of reed pipes, while dancing on cloven hooves. He has the legs of a goat but his upper body looks like a mans. Everyone is merry and throwing back drinks.


    We can¡¯t hear anything. Looking at Tamyson I ask in a whisper, ¡°Why are we surrounded by sparkles and why can¡¯t we hear anything?¡±


    Tamyson continues leading around the room and answers, ¡°We are in the old country and this is our king in a hollow hill. They are moving at a different time frame, I aligned ours with this time frame and am keeping the fearie magic away. Your coven mates might decide never to leave this place once they hear the music and taste the wine. A night here might be ten of your years.¡±


    As we head to leave the king looks me directly in the eye and nods his head. I nod mine back... I mean that¡¯s the only courteous thing to do... right?


    Holy flip, the king acknowledged my presence.


    Once outside, Tamyson closed the door. We watch it shrink as the door closes. When he stands upright again, the door stands its original one foot.


    Our next step between bring us back to our cottage. The sun is setting; the light is dim with the typical misty Oregon weather. Fae are everywhere caring items from the cottage, making a line disappearing into the forest.

 Chpt 9 - Mabon

    Circe is upset, ¡°Where are they going with our stuff?¡±


    Tamyson looks at her, ¡°Tonight is Mabon and we call to Fearie. The coven will move in. Worry not, your belongings are awaiting your arrival.¡±


    Circe looks to Jadis and I, ¡°This is too much. Elves and faeries in a magical mound, hags washing clothes snacking on a man and, well, everything. How can we move in with these things?¡± Circe stomps her foot and paces back and forth.


    Tamyson doesn¡¯t stick around for the hysterics.


    We lead Circe to the line of fae heading into the woods. She isn¡¯t happy. I get behind a short hunchbacked fae at the end of the line.


    Jadis tries to settle her down, ¡°Circe, what choice so we have? Stay with Damiana or make our own place. A place of magic.¡±


    ¡°But, aren¡¯t you a little worried about them eating people?¡± Circe asks.


    I step in, ¡°I think Tamyson wants us to see what Faerie is. It isn¡¯t our norm, culture or anything we relate to. I don¡¯t agree with eating people. I will speak to my father and grandfather about the Fae murdering humans.¡±


    Ok, that isn¡¯t something I ever imagined I would say. Geeze, eating people???


    Jadis agrees, ¡°Circe we needed to see that. It worries me, but now we have a slight understanding what the Fae are. They aren¡¯t human, but they are offering us power and I know you always wanted that.¡±


    I understand Circe¡¯s confusion and anxiety over living with the fae, but I agree with Jadis. We need our own place. A protected space.


    Pixies fly around glowing along our route and lighting the way. Ferns and small bushes curl away from the path, easing our journey. We follow the line of fae for ten minutes and I wonder when this march will end. I see the trees thinning out and hope it is our destination.


    The clearing we step into is dominated by a large outcropping of rock and what looks like a small rock fort attached to the end. Pixies fly everywhere above the clearing. Tall grasses softly wave back and forth in a light swirling wind. The clearing is about the size of a football field. Many other fae dance around the area, chattering to each other excitedly. Many types of fae dance among the tall grass. Some are small enough that I can¡¯t see them. I only know they are there by the hectic movement of the grass. Hags hold themselves to the edges of the trees. Elves gather near the outcropping of rock and the old fort.


    We walk towards the elves, seeing Tamyson in the group, hoping to find out what they require of us, on this night of Mabon.


    Tamyson is in his usual phooka form, I don''t know what I would do if he walks around looking like an elf, I wouldn¡¯t know who he is. I recognize one other elf. It is my father, at least that is what Mother and Damiana said.


    He introduces himself, ¡°We meet at last, I am Alizon.¡± He gives me a slight bow.


    Nodding my head in recognition of him and the group I ask, ¡°What do you need? What are we supposed to do?¡±


    I didn¡¯t want small talk with Alizon. I don¡¯t know him.


    Alizon explains, ¡°We will call our magic and dance with Fae. The Fir Darri, brownies, goblins, kobolds, wichlein, dwarves, pixies and so many more are here to call Faerie. Tonight is important to witch craft. Giving thanks to the darkness. As your coven mates practice thier magic it will intertwine with Faerie. That is our hope. A night of magic.¡±


    Alizon holds my hand, ¡°Make this your place. Your own court of Faerie, your protection and your life.¡±


    I don¡¯t know what to say, but Circe has questions, ¡°My magic involves more than myself.¡±


    Tamyson waves a hand and two Elven men step forward and say in unison, ¡°We are here for your magic.¡±


    Jadis speaks up, ¡°And mine?¡±


    Tamyson points to a bundle, ¡°There lies your magical items. Do as you wish as we call.¡±


    I ask, ¡°And myself? What do I do?¡±


    Alizon smiles, ¡°Be you. Partake, do as you feel. Call to Faerie.¡±


    Alizon adds, ¡°We will drink deep of our Elven wine and await the moon. Then we start.¡±


    Casks appear around the clearing. All the fae head to grab cups and drink to the night. Glancing at Circe, I see she is now looking forward to the night''s activities. As the music, dancing and singing begin the two Elven men lead Circe away. She looks at them like they are food as they disappear into the darkness of the forest. Light glows everywhere and Jadis goes through her items deciding what she needs.


    When the moon is high in the sky Alizon raises his hands above his head announcing, ¡°We of the Fae ask Faerie to us this evening. A sithen of witch and Faerie.¡±


    Now the music and signing rise in volume. Circe¡¯s and her Elves perform her craft in the dark of the woods, while Jadis sits in a meditative position.


    I drink more wine and pixies grab my hands, pulling me to the center of the clearing. Holding hands with the various fae, we dance in a circle. Round and round we move. The circle becomes larger as the Elves join. Others throw dust, seeds, and various items about the area, while the air glitters and grows warmer.


    The large circle breaks into smaller dancing groups. Some stay in circles dancing while others look like they are square dancing, switching from partner to partner. I end up in this group, laughing and enjoying myself. My father joins the partner dance and swings me around.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    I forget concerns, worries, and fear. I drink the wine and feel the surrounding power. I concentrate on calling outwards. An invitation... ¡°come to us, be part of our magic, grow with us.¡± I think of our wish for protection and a place to work our magics.


    Corrigan leads several hooved fae to me. Handing me a horn to drink out of, I drink deeply. Then taking my hands we skip around the trees. It is dark and yet the warm power growing adds a faint glow all around us. We stop at a hag to share a drink. That makes me a tad nervous... they eat people.


    Coming out of the trees I see Jadis dancing now. Her gown flows around her legs, flashing skin to the tops of her thighs. Seeing me, she runs over and drags me to her magical items. Lighting a rolled up smoke, she hands it to me.


    ¡°Smoke this, it opens your mind to everything around you... but take a small hit. You don¡¯t need much.¡±


    I do as she says, and the party continues. Later Circe is dancing with her new Elven friends. I can tell she is having a great time. I know I am. My head is woozy and I continue to call to Faerie hoping that it will hear us. That is will answer.


    Finally, Alizon and Tamyson lie us down on the now trampled grass. We lay circle upon circle, holding hands. We fill the clearing.


    Alizon calls out, ¡°Join your powers and feel the surrounding fae. Sink into the power and call.¡±


    As we lay looking up to the ink-black sky, the glow in the clearing grows. The trampled meadow grass softens. It becomes moss and small grass the color of emeralds. Flowers and herbs sprout up around our bodies. Surrounding our circles grow tall toad stools with red caps. The redwoods push back and new trees sprout and rise to full height in minutes. At a far end, a bog grows out and into the dark. The rock outcropping and the small fort morphs like it''s a living being. The fort becomes a beautiful, magnificent manor house and stays attached to the outcropping. The manor is huge and has four towers, one at each corner. These changes last hours as we lay and call to Faerie. The magic wraps around my body and fills me with energy.


    When then barest hint of light shows through the sky we stand and wander the area. The various pixies, winged or not frolic around the flora in the early morning light. The air continues to glitter and I feel a presence all around us.


    Looking at Alizon I see a satisfied smile and ask, ¡°Is this Faerie? Do we have our own piece of it now?¡±


    Nodding his head in answer, ¡°Yes, this is your piece of Fearie Gwen. This is a new court.¡±


    ¡°Why mine? Who are you Alizon, besides my father? Why do I need a court?¡± I ask.


    ¡°I am in line for the throne and part of the court you saw yesterday with Tamyson. The king is my uncle and holds Europe. You are here in America and Faerie has granted you a part of itself. You are now recognized as a power in your own right.¡± Alizon explains.


    Jadis and Circe stand behind me as we look around the area. Jadis murmurs, ¡°Nobility, cool.¡±


    Circe interjects, ¡°If we are stuck with someone it might as well be a noble.¡± She is smiling happily at her own comment.


    ¡°Gee, thanks Circe, you know how to make me feel better about our coven.¡± I tell her.


    Jadis interrupts Circe¡¯s reply, ¡°I want to see our home. Let''s go.¡±


    Alizon, Tamyson, Corrigan and a line of fae follow my coven to the castle. The closer I get the more I feel a calling. Like the manor is waiting for me. At the large double doors I raise my hand and the doors open without ever touching them.


    Amazing...


    As the doors swing outwards, I see that this area is a walled courtyard. A strange courtyard. It is water with stone walkways leading over it. The walkway is rounded making the center a pond and from the center of the pond is a small island with a large willow tree growing from the center. Pixies immediately speed past my head and into the swinging branches laughing.


    Walking around the tree on the stone pathway we come to another set of large double doors. Lifting my hand they open outwards, again on their own. Leaving the open courtyard we enter a three-story tall room with a vaulted ceiling of stone and wood beams. Skylights admit soft light into this large room.


    It is as long as the outer courtyard of 120-feet, but it isn¡¯t as deep. The courtyard is 80-feet deep while this entry room is 50-feet deep. Either way, it is a massive space. Vines with exotic flowers twist and hang from the beams and walls. Around the room, grouped sitting areas give the room an inviting feeling. More Pixies fly in and up to the flowers. The smell in the room is invigorating.


    Twirling around with raised arms and smiling I ask my coven, ¡°Well, will this do?¡±


    Circe sniffs, ¡°We shall see. We haven¡¯t inspected our rooms or work spaces yet.¡±


    Jadis elbows her, ¡°Never you mind this idiot. This is wonderful.¡±


    Behind us walk the elves and other various fae. Most split away from our group, heading to the right and disappear into a different room. I soon learn this is the great hall.


    When we enter the hall Tamyson and Alizon explain the purpose of a great hall and point out the minstrel¡¯s loft. This room contains a large stained glass window behind the head table. A head table located on a raised dais.


    Looking around the room I ask, ¡°Where did the fae go?¡±


    Alizon answers, ¡°They entered the sithen, the Faerie mound.¡± He points to a mural on the far right behind the dais.


    Jadis asks, ¡°Will we go in there?¡±


    Tamyson answers, ¡°Not today, but yes you will go deeper into Faerie.¡±


    Shrugging my shoulders I head to the door on the left that leads to the area behind the front receiving room. Upon entering I stop with my mouth wide open. Circe pushes me forward to stop and do the same thing. Finally, Jadis tires of waiting and pushes her way in.


    The 180-feet long and 60-feet wide room has to be Jadis¡¯s dream area. The wall to the right is two stories of windows, as is the far wall. That is 240-feet of windows! The wall on the left is stone with large, floating steps extending out from the wall. It is very medieval-modern.


    I chuckle to myself at the thought of medieval-modern. I think I have coined a new phrase. ¡°Shall we call this the workroom?¡±


    Jadis is practically jumping up and down, ¡°Oh yes!¡± Is her answer.


    Plants and herbs grow everywhere. Tables are arranged in various locations with an area for potion making. Wrapping around and to the left the room continues. This area is dark, well ventilated and drying herbs hang from low racks. Within the darker area grow more plants.


    Finally, we head upstairs and find three rooms. Each with its own bathroom. These rooms sit above the glass area below and is beyond my wildest dreams. With squeals we run from room to room. It doesn¡¯t take long to figure out which room is each other''s.


    Circe¡¯s is located in the center of the three rooms and decorated like her clothes; green, red and gold. Jadis is to the right of Circe¡¯s. Her room is pastel blues, lavender, pinks and silver. Mine is beautiful. It sits in the corner above the garden area and has two walls of windows. It is smaller than the other but the view is killer. My colors are jewel tones; sapphire, emerald, ruby, amethyst and topaz.


    Across from my room is a lounge area for the three of us. It is a Moroccan affair. Dark woods, pillows and gold lanterns decorate the space. Incense burns and a smokeless fire flickers from the center of a bubbling fountain. This dominates the center of the room. Across from the entrance to our lounge area is a spiral staircase. Circe takes the lead, heading up the stairs to a trap door.


    Circe murmurs, ¡°Damn, this is perfect.¡±


    I agree with Circe; the room is perfect. The trapdoor we climb through opens up to a covered roof deck. Like our lounge area pillows lay grouped everywhere. A large fire pit lies in the center, dominating the space.


    Jadis looks at Circe, ¡°This is perfect for you. Just like the lower growing and potion room is perfect for me.¡± And then asks me, ¡°Gwen, do you require a specific work area?¡±


    Shrugging my shoulders, ¡°I don¡¯t know yet. Everything is moving fast. I think I can find a space in the garden area. It is large enough for us to share.¡±


    Jadis grins like a fool, ¡°Yeah... I think I can make room for you.¡± And we all laugh.


    We spend the day enjoying our new space. Occasionally we find food in our lounge, but see none of the fae that first day in the manor. With the activities the previous two days we go to sleep early, hoping to get a good night¡¯s sleep.

 Chpt 10 - Greenteeth

    The next-day, Tamyson finds Cork and I practicing glamour. Cork explains how to wrap the view around me and project it outward, making me seem to disappear. I feel tingly but otherwise; it doesn¡¯t seem to be a problem. My glamour is ok when I don¡¯t move, but I need to change the view I project as the surrounding scenery changes. At one point I stand in the middle of trees and ferns while still projecting part of the stream. I definitely stood out amongst the trees and this made Cork laugh at my attempts.


    Tamyson nods his head approvingly, ¡°You are powerful. Glamour and the ability to walk between are rare. At least for most. Spriggans are the only Fae that are always born with those abilities.¡±


    Holding out his large slender hand in my direction, I grab it, taking the step with him leading us somewhere only he knows. We step into a swampy forest. Tall trees of Oak and Cypress, looking old as time, stand as lone guardians throughout the expanse of stinky moss-covered water. The air feels heavy, a thick misty fog, and it''s hard to the sun in the sky.


    ¡°Grandfather, where are we?¡± I used ''grandfather,'' hoping to connect with him.


    He answers, ¡°In the old lands; the lands of fens, glades and faerie mounds.¡±


    Back in Europe again.


    Tamyson stops us at the muddy edge of the water as the mossy water ripples. A hag slowly rises out of the water. Her thin, long stringy hair falls down her back. Her nose are two slits in her face, her mouth is unbelievably wide and full of pointy teeth. As she slides out of the water, I see a body so thin that I could see her collarbones and ribs. Her eyes show contempt for me but there is some curiosity.


    In a rasping voice the hag asks, ¡°Tamyson have you brought the girl? The girl whose blood broke the barrier between our planes and gave us our freedom?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Jenny of the Greenteeth. I have brought one of my blood to meet with you.¡±


    Jenny continues to raise out of the water, leaning into my neck Jenny sniffs. Cork, to my immense surprise, growls in her face causing Jenny to rear back quickly.


    ¡°She has some protection?¡± Jenny hisses and grins. ¡°I like that, this might be interesting.¡±


    Tamyson answers for me, ¡°Yes; Cork is protecting and teaching her. Gwen can step between and use glamour easily. The girl needs practice, but her power is very strong.¡±


    Jenny¡¯s hungry eyes stay locked on me. In her rasping voice she pleads, ¡°Let me taste her blood. It has been such a very long time since I had powerful blood to taste.¡±


    Tamyson looks thoughtful at this demand, ¡°And what do we gain?¡±


    What the hell? These two are talking about my blood as if I don¡¯t have a choice.


    Peg offered, ¡°One of my daughters near Cave Croft will teach Gwen to make runes. As we did for witches during the witch hunts. We can teach Gwen protective runes to hide herself and more¡­¡±


    Tamyson stops looking at Jenny and gazes at me, ¡°Now, it is time for you to make your own decisions. Will you trade blood for knowledge?¡±


    Heck, what am I supposed to say?


    Trying not to look scared of the hag I ask, ¡°First, how much blood? Second, can you do anything with it besides taste? Can you bind me or cast magic against me?¡±


    Looking thoughtful Jenny said, ¡°Yes; I can. However, I will oath to only taste the power. In return, you learn a protective rune or two. After that, bargain again with me or one of my daughters. Or¡­ bring me a child. For that I would give much knowledge. It has been a while since I tasted child.¡± Jenny cackles.


    Looking at Tamyson horrified, I expect to see the same horrified look at the thought of her eating or drinking from a child. But his face shows nothing but slight interest... like this is an everyday occurrence. He simply waits for my answer.


    I need knowledge but is it worth bleeding for? Is this creature an ally I need?


    Trusting Tamyson to have a good reason for bringing me to this hag I ask, ¡°How much blood and from where?¡±


    Licking her lips, Jenny''s grinning reply doesn''t make me feel better, ¡°A simple slice on your forearm will suffice. I will drink from your arm.¡±


    Cork sticks his head out, dropping his glamour so the hag can see him, ¡°Teeth no¡­ lips only Jenny of the Greenteeth. Make no more harm than is gifted.¡±


    It hadn¡¯t occurred to me she might bite down and use her teeth. Cork¡¯s advice and warning to Jenny seems good enough.


    Comforted by Cork, I ask, ¡°Well Jenny, do we have a deal? A drink from the forearm, an oath to only taste my blood, no teeth or causing further harm to myself and a daughter of yours will teach me two runes of protection¡­ is that correct?¡±


    With a hungry gaze at my arm, Jenny rasps out, ¡°Yes, my oath and no extra harm. Next time, I shall not act as nice about harm. What is blood without some pain and fear?¡± The hag gives me a hungry look and I believe her. I believe her and hope to never see this hag again; I didn''t want teeth marks.


    Corked walks four-legged down my left arm as I lift it up in the air. Turning around on my lower forearm to look at me, he twists his tail and lays his spiked tail against my skin. Quickly puncturing the skin he scurries up my arm leaving a five-inch long slit.


    ¡°Ohhh¡­¡± This hurts!


    Standing there at that muddy edge of swamp water, while holding my arm out, I hope I wouldn''t faint. I look away, not wanting to watch myself bleed. Stolen story; please report.


    Because I wouldn¡¯t look, I didn¡¯t see Jenny¡¯s rush forward. However, I feel her grip of steel. Glancing back, I catch her swift movements to suck and lick at my arm.


    My body breaks out in sweat and I start to shake. I want to throw up. My head feels light, I sway and faint.


    I wake to tiny slaps on my cheek. Breathing in the damp and pungent swamp air it is easy to remember where I am. With my arm still grasped, I feel the continuous sucking. Not wanting to faint again, I focus on Cork just in time for another slap.


    ¡°No faint silly treasure.¡±


    I smile. My little guardian may look odd and a bit weird, but he watches over me, and I appreciate that. My smile doesn¡¯t last long... this is painful.


    Not looking in her direction, I tell her to stop. She slowly licks the cut one last time and releases my arm.


    Cork scurries to my arm and rubs it. Amazingly, it closes. I feel the warmth flow through my skin and the pain eases. I sit up as Cork finishes and disappears back to my shoulder. He lets me feel his weight behind my ear and he pats me, letting me know he is there.


    The now kneeling hag holds her head back with closed eyes, humming and sighing to herself. Feeling my eyes upon her, she lowers her head and looks at me. Her expression is one of eagerness and hunger. I scoot backwards and up to my feet. Standing next to Tamyson, I hope he might provide a sense of security.


    Jenny stands and slowly comes close. ¡°You girl, have strong blood; tasty and powerful blood¡­ ahhhh.¡± She closes her eyes again for just a moment. Looking back at me, she says, ¡°You and I will see one another once more, and I will have more of that delicious tasting blood.¡±


    With speculation in her eyes Penny asks Tamyson, ¡°And you, have you told her all the various blood that runs through her veins? Have you told her the different Fae bloodlines she carries?¡± Cackling she continues, ¡°I am interested in knowing who chose her parentage.¡±


    I look at him. ¡°What is she talking about, what bloodlines? I have two Fae, some noble, and a bunch of witches in my bloodlines¡­ right?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Is the only answer I received.


    Tamyson stops this turn of conversation. ¡°Good day to you Jenny of the Greenteeth, until we meet again.¡± And with a slight bow, Tamyson places a hand on my elbow and leads us away. Away from that smelly swamp.


    Tamyson brings us back to the manor and I am ready for lunch. I need food after fainting.


    Circe, Jadis and I had decided that we don¡¯t like eating in the large hall and decided the corner bank of windows in the workroom perfect for our meals together. I am surprised to see Alizon with my coven at the table. Tamyson follows me and our meal ends up being the five of us. My further surprise is the help. Corrigon doesn¡¯t serve our food.


    Strutting through the herbs and plants is a male fae. Short, thin, balding with an upturned nose highlighting his large nostrils. He cares a tray filled with food to our table. As he draws closer, I can see his ragged clothing. His fingers and toes are nubs instead of full length. He wears no shoes and tuffs of hair lay in patches on his arms and legs.


    Dropping the tray on the table with a thud he says, "Here be yea food and tea." Then the wrinkled fae disappears back into the vegetation of the workroom.


    Jadis whispers loudly to Tamyson, "Is he always like that and if so, why does he want to be here?"


    "That be the Brownie way. Do not worry. They can be a grumpy lot but they grow to love their families and protect them fiercely. He asked to be here and will settle in as you three figure out how to run your household."


    My coven and I exchange glances and then I shrug. ¡°It¡¯s one more strange thing to add to our list.¡± Jadis and Circe laugh in agreement.


    Alizon interrupts our laughter with a warning, ¡°Do not laugh at the fae for our ways. We are things of magic and old. You three must embrace the differences and learn to live among us.¡± Then he looks directly at me, ¡°We expect you to represent Faerie.¡±


    Nodding my head I change the subject, ¡°Where are my mother and grandmother? When can I see them?¡±


    With a shake of his head Alizon answers, "We do not know exactly. Maddie was to train with the druids and your grandmother is supposedly with the Wiccans repenting for her actions. I have not laid eyes upon your mother since the first night of our reunion."


    Alizon continues, ¡°I was told that the initial training with the druids is long and the initiates are secluded from outside influences.¡±


    Concerned I say, ¡°This bothers me. I know that I have kept busy, but I know mother would come to see me by now. It is a week since I last saw her.¡±


    I ask, ¡°Is there a way to check on my mom?¡±


    Tamyson finally speaks up, "Cork, please attend." And to my surprise he did, appearing on the small tabletop we sit around.


    Cocking his head to the side he chirps.


    "Can your fellow Spriggans help in the search? I well know your haunt of Spriggans are masters of stealth. Will you send them to search?"


    Cork slid his eyes sideways to me and replies, "Yes, Treasure need this. We help." And without another word he disappears.


    I asked, "Haunt of Spriggans?"


    With a slight quirk of his ram''s lips he said, "Spriggans group as haunts and they enjoy gathering treasure and guard it well. As you are noticing as one of his treasures. They are mischievous... even by Fae standards. Don''t let his quiet nature lead you to believe he is a serious fellow. But, he is ancient by our standards of measuring time. He is no longer the rascal of his younger years. His haunt is another story. Their moving here will be interesting for the witches and the local humans."


    "Treasure? Like robbing banks and such?"


    "No, whatever amuses them and they decide is a treasure. They are... eclectic in what they gather. Do not be surprised if items start appearing around the tower. With Cork residing here with you, his haunt will likely be around."


    Circe jumps into the conversation with a word of caution, "If Spriggans steal and the witches find out they will be royally pissed."


    Alizon comments, "They can get angry, but they agreed to Fae in their areas. Damiana wants as many fae as will move here. She doesn''t seem to care which of the Fae come as long as they come."


    Tamyson asks the three of us, "Do you understand why Damiana wants the Fae here?"


    We all shook our heads, ''No.''


    "The Fae are ''Magic,'' and where we go magic will follow. We believe that Damiana wants our magic close to use it for her own purposes."


    Alizon explains, "There is another aspect of our magic she may want for herself. Humans that live among the Fae do not age. This is a double-edge sword. If she only depends on Fae magic for eternal youth, she is forever tying herself to the Fae. She may want our proximity and the use of her own magics to help stop the flow of aging."


    My father continues, "There is more to this than aging but this is a start to understanding Damiana''s machinations."


    Jadis asks, "What about our coven? Will we age? If we leave the Fae, will that kill us?"


    Tamyson answers, "No, your coven bindings tie you both to Gwen. You two will age as she does. As long as she lives so do you both. You need not stay within Fae boundaries for youth. Because Gwen is three-quarters Fae, I expect her life span to last a long time by human standards. Abramelin developed the family for longevity but the addition of Fae blood has increased Maddie''s and Gwen''s lives."


    Circe looks pleased and muses out loud, "Keeping Gwen alive keeps our youth for a much longer time?"


    Jadis elbowed her, "That is so... not... cool!"


    "Oh, I know that, but I don''t see the reason we can''t enjoy that perk. My magics will last much longer with youth." Is Circe''s answer.


    "Yeah, but it still isn''t cool."


    I try for optimism, "At least you two get something out of being tied to me. Now I don''t feel so bad Damiana did this to you both. You are tied to whatever happens to me... that seems like a fair exchange."


    ¡°See, Gwen doesn''t have a problem with it so I will enjoy this perk for as long as it lasts.¡±


    My father''s cryptic statement has us burning for answers when he says, "You will earn every year you spend with Gwen, there is so much more to learn." Then he stands and walks out.


    Circe grumps, "That doesn''t sound ominous or anything... right?"

 Chapter 11 - Peg

    After my father left, we wander through the plants taking an inventory. Pixies flitter about, caring for each plant or tree. Thank goodness this is something I am familiar with having worked at our potions and divination store. Jadis knows more than I do and excitedly points out the rare species.


    Frankincense, Sandalwood, Kava Kava and Bakuli are four that excite us immensely. Mugwort, Bats Head, Bloodroot, Mandrake, Belladonna, Sandalwood, Wormwood, Fleabane and so many more decorated the huge room. It must be the magic of Faerie that allows these plants to live in the same climate. Stairs lead to various landings to reach higher hanging plants. We spent a happy afternoon cataloguing our treasure of botanical supplies.


    In our dark room oils, dried herbs, and other supplies sit on shelves awaiting our use. Jadis and I mix herbs for several types of teas, herbal remedies, and charms. I am familiar with some teas and remedies but Jadis teaches me more than our simple store provided. Circe immediately makes a Kava tea and we all exclaim over the immediate tingling of our lips and tongue. The potency of this Kava is premium.


    This gets Jadis thinking of how we can make money. ¡°There is a Kava bar in Cave Junction, but this blows away their stock. This will upset the hedge witches of Cave Croft, but I think the magical influence of Faerie ups the potency and we can sell some for higher prices.¡±


    Interested I ask, ¡°Cave Croft interacts with Cave Junction?¡±


    Circe and Jadis nod their heads, ¡°Oh, yes.¡± Jadis explains, ¡°With the rise of magic, Damiana acceptance as the head of Magical Affairs in the U.S., and the influx of new mages and witches into our ranks, we have become very popular.¡±


    I ask, ¡°What do you mean, the influx of people?¡±


    Circe shakes her head, ¡°You really were sheltered from the news. Did you atleast hear about people learning they have magical powers?¡±


    ¡°I heard stories about people considered superb in their fields learning they have magic.¡± I answer.


    Jadis gets excited, ¡°Yes, it explains why certain doctors, nurses, scientist are better than their peers. Magic nows explains some miracles in our modern times. Many of these professionals have travelled to Cave Croft. They are here learning more about their powers.¡±


    Circe sniggers, ¡°We used to hide and now people want to move here. Damiana is letting tourist come from town on scheduled trips to shop and look around.¡±


    I add, ¡°Maybe that will lead to Cave Croft gaining certain niceties, such as electricity.¡± I smile with that remark. I don¡¯t have to worry about that here. Everything is magical.


    Getting back on track I ask more information about the herbalist in Cave Croft becoming upset with us. Expanding on her idea I suggest, ¡°We can make money. Can you imagine how much a restaurant could charge by advertising Elven ingredients?¡±


    Circe suggests, ¡°Some of our own witches will want the plants and trees we grow in here because they are hard to get.¡±


    Nodding my head, ¡°I believe we have a way to make money for ourselves.¡±


    Circe agrees, ¡°I like your thoughts.¡±


    ¡°Well, I grew up selling potions and such. This seems like an easy decision. This isn¡¯t a priority, but we should plan to start soon. We need independence and that comes with money.¡±


    Jadis says, ¡°We need to come up with a cool name.¡±


    ¡°J.C.G. Enterprises?¡± I ask.


    ¡°It¡¯s a thought.¡± Circe murmurs.


    Curious I ask, ¡°When can we go into Cave Croft? I want to check it out.¡±


    Jadis and Circe shrug, ¡°Why not tomorrow? It''s getting close to dinner now and starting to get dark.¡±


    I reply, ¡°Sounds good to me. Probably after training with Tamyson, he seems to prefer mornings for that.¡±


    At breakfast the next morning I learn my mother is missing. The Spriggans believe that she is at Cave Croft Castle. They and Alizon discuss the layout of the castle with Circe, as she spent time with Damiana at the castle. While they work on ideas to find my mother, Jadis leaves to gather information from the Wiccans.


    Tamyson and I leave to find Greenteeth''s daughter. I work on easing my thoughts about meeting another hag. I try to keep thoughts of my mother out of my mind; I need to focus on the here and now.


    I will not donate blood, I already went to that party.


    Walking out of the manor together Tamyson explains, ¡°You should know the lands here are changing. As the Fae come to you, they bring magic with them. A faerie mound has come to life. The Fae will come here out of curiosity, for the freedom of travel or their love of new things. Many will stay in the old lands. The lands of Europe.¡±


    He stops to look at me, ¡°You need to understand that your power will grow with your exposure to this magic. Learn fast, you have little time.¡±


    All I can do is nod my head, ¡°Sure, no problem. Easy peasie, right?¡±


    Tamyson cocks that goat''s head of his and then walks forward again. Reaching a hand out to me, he led us between.


    We step somewhere close because I noticed a few redwoods in the distance. But this new place is swampy and off of a nearby river. I can hear it rushing off to my right. The black gnarled trees look nasty, and the area smells of mold.


    Wet mold... yuck. I am so not walking through that!Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Tamyson calls out, ¡°Peg the Prowler come out and meet with us. Come meet with Gwen of the Fae as sworn by your mother.¡±


    Waiting and listening to the water in the distance and the frogs and mosquitoes all around us, I feel nervous. A slopping of water alert us to her arrival. What came peering out from behind a scraggly oak was a mix of Greenteeth and what looked like a frog. The daughter, at least, has more hair which turns out to be the only good thing going for her. Stepping out from behind the tree I notice her skin has a greenish tint. The legs aren¡¯t bone thin; they had a roundness to the thighs... kinda like a frog. This doesn''t help her looks.


    No clothes, again¡­


    Her breasts hand down her chest and the hair flows over her. This provides some coverage. But her head and face doesn¡¯t have her mother¡¯s features. Peg¡¯s head is wider than it was taller. Her mouth is wide like a frog and dark eyes peer at me. She has a human nose. An improvement on the two empty holes on her mother¡¯s face. At least by our human standards. But in one area she matches Jenny, and that is the teeth. Those damned green pointed teeth.


    With a grotesque smile and rasping voice Peg offers a greeting, ¡°Awww, it is nice to meet with you Gwen of the Fae, Gwen of the Faerie, Gwen of the Elves. Gwennie Gwen, my mother says your blood is to die for.¡± Her smile grows with that last comment.


    Slinking towards me, Peg came close enough to sniff along my skin. Not the side Cork stays on. It seems Jenny may have told Peg of my companion. She sniffs along my right arm and shoulder, practically pushing Tamyson aside.


    The whiff I get off of her isn¡¯t good and this close up Peg looks slimy. I shudder at the thought of her touching me.


    In a rush I state, "We have an agreement Peg. I need the two runes."


    With a rasping laugh, Peg walks back to the dead tree she arrived from. While sliding behind it I hear her whisper, ¡°I have runes. I have lots of runes.¡±


    Peeking her head out from behind the stark features of the dead tree she asks, ¡°But do you want more?¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡± I don¡¯t like the direction Peg is going with this talk of ours.


    ¡°I have knowledge. Much knowledge, more than druids. They think they are high and mighty with their runes.¡± She stops to peer harder at me, ¡°They come to talk sometimes. They want to bargain for more. But what can they give me? Perhaps a tender baby?¡± Peg cackles over her little joke.


    I hope it is a joke. I hope the druids won''t bring her a baby to eat. Would Damiana? I shudder, thinking of what Damiana might do... she kidnapped my mother, her own granddaughter.


    ¡°What can you teach me?¡± I ask. If this was information others wanted, this might be a good deal.


    ¡°I will give you two runes, as promised, but you must power them yourself. That shouldn''t be a problem for you.¡± She eyes me up and down like a dessert.


    Yuk!


    ¡°I have knowledge of runes lost to time itself. The hags guard this knowledge, as knowledge is power, Gwen of the Fae.¡±


    ¡°What do you want for this knowledge?¡± I have a bad feeling I already know what she wants and she answers for me.


    ¡°Blood, what other coin can you offer? Later is different but, while I have the chance, I will get as much of your blood as I can.¡± Spit was drooling out of her mouth.


    Tamyson steps forward, ¡°You will not kill, nor harm her Peg.¡±


    Cackling Peg asks, ¡°Does not Gwen make her own decisions? Does she not own the blood I want? Should great knowledge come without some pain?¡± Peg looks at me gleefully.


    ¡°I can make my own decisions,¡± I blurt out.


    Yeah right, I have had little control so far.


    Tamyson steps back and waves his hand at me, ¡°She can decide, I am here to council and help protect.¡±


    I wonder at that. It was Cork who helped me when I fainted with Jenny, not Tamyson.


    ¡°Good girlie. Good. I want your blood and in trade I will give you a knowledge stone of all the basic runes. Everything I know about the known runes including how to make them, power them and even a basic understanding of using them in spells. The last is not much knowledge for I cannot cast, but I have knowledge from witches and druids of old.¡±


    Watching me with a hopeful look Peg continues, ¡°If you exchange blood with me weekly then, after each blood exchange, I will add to your knowledge of runes. Long lost runes, but Peg knows them.¡±


    With a smile she adds, ¡°If you give me blood now I will give you a knowledge stone of sigils and how to work them with runes. This is powerful knowledge that takes years to learn. This knowledge infringes on the druids influence. This gives you power over them. This knowledge is coin to barter with. Yes?¡±


    Eyeing my arm again and still salivating she asks, "Gwen, what will it be? Will you trade blood for power and knowledge or do you want your two runes and leave? Run away and fear me?"


    Ok, this is gross, but I survived it once. I could do this again, can¡¯t I?


    Tilting my head towards Cork I ask in a whisper, ¡°Can you protect me?¡±


    In his chirping voice I hear, ¡°Treasure ok, treasure need, treasure learn. I protect.¡±


    Looking at Tammyson I watch him nod. I guess that means it''s a good idea.


    Striking for the deal I lay down my conditions with hers, ¡°Peg Prowler you will not cause permanent harm or scars. I receive the original two runes from your mother¡¯s deal and our bargain includes knowledge today of all basic runes, how to make them and the basics of sigils and using the runes in spells. This is for today¡¯s blood. If I come weekly, you will provide me with lost information, progressing my knowledge of runes and sigils. Do you agree with this?¡±


    I hope I am making a good deal and don¡¯t screw up this oath. I want her knowledge without Peg killing me... or hurting me too much.


    ¡°Yes. Peg Prowler swears to this agreement. I swear it, I swear it, I swear it. Three times binding it be.¡± And starts Peg towards me.


    Holding out my left arm, the same her mother used, I wait for Cork to do his thing. As he scurries down my arm I look away, not wanting to watch this.


    Before Cork cuts me Peg speaks, ¡°You look away? Girlie, you had better watch this. Strength is what you need in front of the Fae. They will see you as weak if you cannot watch the taking of blood and so much more.¡± Peg is leering at me and smiling.


    What does she mean by so much more? What else do the Fae do that is worse than taking blood?


    Looking at Peg, I nod at Cork to make his cut and stare into Peg¡¯s eyes. I will prove I am strong and can do this. It hurt and I know the pain is showing on my face as tears stream down my face, but I continue staring. While keeping her eyes on mine, she lifts my arm higher and sucks at the long cut.


    It hurts!


    I feel myself sway when Cork hurts my ear, ¡°Think. Not hurt. I give new pain to think on.¡± And he does.


    I yelp, ¡°Cork what in the hell are you doing¡± The hag doesn¡¯t bother to stop sucking.


    As he continues to bite my ear I hear, ¡°Think of ear. Breath.¡±


    Before I can yell at Cork again, Peg stops sucking my arm. Tamyson gently grabs my right arm, leads me to a boulder and sits me down. Cork, the little monster, scurries down my arm to heal it. Looking at Peg I see my blood covering the bottom of face. I take a deep breath and try to not get sick.


    Peg walk to the gnarled dead tree, pulls a pouch from behind it and walks back to me. Spilling the runes into her palm she points to each, ¡°This rune is unpowered and is healing, it is ¡°OO¡± the Wild Ox.¡± Pointing to another, ¡°This is protection, ¡°ZZ¡± the Elk. It too is unpowered, and that completes my mother¡¯s bargain.¡±


    ¡°Now this one is ¡°K¡± the Torch, and it holds the knowledge promised for today¡¯s bargain.¡± Peg smiles at me. She hasn¡¯t wiped the blood off and having her bend over, showing me the runes, puts her face close to mine.


    Gross!


    ¡°Now, will you meet in a week¡¯s time?¡± Peg asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I whisper and ponder giving blood every week.


    Can I do this?


    Putting her face closer to mine makes Tamyson squeeze my right arm tighter. She whispers, ¡°Good, if you cannot make the appointed time, send a little winged one. They know how to find me and they can share the message. If I cannot make it, I will do the same.¡±


    Standing and licking her lips, Peg flashing those nasty pointy teeth with her evil grin. Turning, she melts back into the dead gnarled oak.

 Chapter 12 - Grandfather and Bees

    I stay seated a while after Peg leaves as Cork continues healing my arm. I need to get my head together.


    I am supposed to be in charge of my life, right? Hell... I may soon have my own Fae court, I better be in charge.


    I stand as Cork scampers back to his spot behind my left ear, ¡°I think I can meet you back at the tower.¡± And then ask, ¡°Don¡¯t you think it is time I go between myself if I know where I am going?¡±


    Stepping away and between, I am back at the manor. I used a spot where the tower meets the hillside and those two met in a Y to the ground. If I screw up, I run face first into the stones. That would suck... Tamyson appears further away. He walks out from an area the grass meets with the tree line. I notice he likes to use tree lines. I wonder if I should learn to mix it up, where I appear. I don¡¯t want to become predictable.


    Looking thoughtful Tamyson commands, ¡°Follow me, this won¡¯t take long.¡± And instead of between he walks me further around the tower to a small trail crisscrossing the hill side. As we come to the top I hear a... humming sound? Buzzing? Standing not far back into the trees is a dead redwood. Most of the top has fallen off leaving a huge stump sticking out of the ground. The tree looked like its been dead a long time.


    Walking closer to the massive stump I see the swarming bees. ¡°I will teach you how to get honey.¡±


    ¡°Why would I want to mess with bees?¡± I ask, sounding whiny. ¡°I am sure this is not something important for me to learn. I will not use it again, right? It''s not like a life skill.¡±


    That gets me a stern look from Tamyson.


    You know... it is interesting to determine looks on a man with a ram¡¯s head and enormous horns.


    Tamyson sternly says, ¡°You have a household now. Your Brownie needs little help, but an occasional gift of honey left at the hearth will make him happy. This is easy and you need to learn more about Faerie. So, granddaughter of mine, you will learn.¡±


    Granddaughter, what? ¡°Since when did I become a granddaughter to you? Do you suddenly care for me? You haven¡¯t shown a lot of care.¡± I raise my voice and stomp a foot, ¡°In fact you let me be a blood donor twice now. You know... that is not the usual ¡®bonding thing¡¯ families do, right?¡±


    He still looks stern and then sighs, ¡°You were nothing but a hope to find our way back to this world, this plane of existence. I did not care for you.¡± His gaze wanders away as he speaks, ¡°I am a high ranking counselor to the High King, who¡¯s health is finally fading. Alizon¡¯s brother died and his oath to your mother complicates things greatly. Now, my granddaughter is in line for the throne. Now, you represent me. Your actions will reflect upon myself and the royal family, whats left of the family.¡±


    Turning to look back at me I think I see anger in Tamyson¡¯s eyes, ¡°I have to care about you now. I am forced to have a family. I may be your counselor one day. You will have the power over our deaths or our happy existence. So yes, Gwen, I care. I like my position and my power. I enjoy being here on this plane again. I can use my full powers and I like it.¡± Tamyson finishes his little impassioned tirade frustrated. It surprises me that he isn¡¯t pulling his hair out.


    I think this is the most emotion I have witnessed from my grandfather.


    I can tell he is angry. Leaning towards me, he says, ¡°You will learn our customs as we travel this path. You will reflect well upon myself and now our Family.¡±


    Well shit, what do you say to that? Can I try Fuck You? Probably not.


    I am angry and scared at the same time. This whole ¡®in line for the throne¡¯ thing hasn¡¯t sunk in. And I never considered Tamyson in any of this. But, I decide I deserve a little anger, ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t expect my family to lead me into this mess. I didn¡¯t expect my family to leave me with that insane woman of a great-grandmother. And I didn¡¯t expect my family comes with a ram¡¯s head!¡±


    ¡°Well, it is a family we are. You will learn this simple thing to please your household and to keep it running nicely. Later, others will help in this small and simple chore to make things easier.¡±


    I shrug my shoulders and grump at him, ¡°Fine, what do I have to do?¡±


    ¡°Listen to their music. Use it like your glamor, take their hum and wrap it around yourself.¡±


    I listen at the bees and then listen towards my grandfather. A hum radiates around him in almost visible waves. I try to copy his efforts. Feeling inside myself, I add that hum to the energy inside of me and wrapped it around my body. It is easier than visual glamour. Was that because the sound waves are easier replicated than bending light?


    Either way, it doesn¡¯t matter. Concentrate on the hum...


    I look up to see a small smile from Tamyson, grandfather¡­ whatever.


    ¡°Now follow me to the hive.¡± He instructs, and I follow.


    The bees dance in the air, not landing, just dancing thier humming dance around us. Grandfather looks into the large crack and points towards the colossal honeycomb.


    ¡°Make the sound strong around your hand and slowly reach in. Do not disturb or distress them.¡±


    And I watch as his did just that.


    I hadn¡¯t noticed that he held a large curved piece of bark in his other hand. But he did, and that is where he places his honey comb.


    ¡°Your turn,¡± he murmurs.


    I am afraid of bees and act like a baby when stung, I really don¡¯t want to do this. When I see Tamyson¡¯s eyes glare at me, I sigh and moved forward


    Concentrating on my hand, I tried to push more of that humming energy around it. I know I am breathing hard, but I slowly move towards the honeycomb. The bees ignore me; they fly in and out ignoring my hand. Finding a chunk without many bees, I slowly grabbed it and pull. I don¡¯t want to scare the bees. It seems honeycombs pull out easily, and I placed mine next to Tamyson¡¯s piece.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°Now keep the hum surrounding you as we move away.¡±


    Backing away we stop at the top of the path. Feeling safe I drop the sound glamour.


    Tamyson... grandfather... hands me the large piece of bark, ¡°You know how to return.¡± Turning and becoming hazy, Tamyson reappears as a large eagle. He launches himself into the air with a loud cry, while I watch in awe.


    Can I do that?


    Um, I will wait to try. Probably need grandfather''s help. I head back to the manor. But, I don¡¯t walk. Why walk when you can take a step and be where you want?


    I grab for the massive doors and am still awed they open on their own to my hand. The inner courtyard is a peaceful homecoming. The willow tree¡¯s limbs sway to and for in the slight breeze. A winged pixie swoops to my wrist, landing to look at the fresh honeycomb.


    I realize the pixie is a female and heavier than she looks. Looking up into my eyes with hers, she asks, ¡°Princess, would you share such bounty with a small one such as myself?¡±


    Looking into her black insect-like eyes I answer, ¡°Of course little one, take what you need.¡± As I watch her little form lean onto the bark plate and feeling for its safety, she scampers onto it. She snakes a small tongue out to swipe a taste and latches onto a corner, tearing at it like a dog. Breaking a small piece off, she happily sits on the bark and holds the honey comb to her mouth. She naws on it contemplatively while watching me.


    ¡°Litle one, can you show me to the kitchens and the Brownie Man? He will want this honey.¡± I ask.


    I see honey stuck to the lower half of her face and with a happy smile she nods her head, ¡°Yes, Princess, follow me.¡± Keeping hold of her honey the little pixie jumps into the air and flies into the reception area. She leads me through the great hall and flies straight into the mural behind the head table.


    I take a deep breath in and let it out as I step into the mural. This is my first visit into Farie and I am going on my own with only a little one to lead me. No, I have Cork. He is always with me.


    I hope this is a good idea.


    Steeping through brings me directly to the large kitchen. Not a modern kitchen either. Massive fireplace with a kettle hanging over the fire definitely gives that away. The stove looks like an old cast iron affair and ovens sit inset next to the fireplace, directly into the stone walls. It smells wonderful and my mouth waters. In the center of the room I see the brownie rolling dough on a large table. He looks up at me, humphs to himself and goes back to rolling the dough.


    Geeze... he is grouchy.


    Walking to the table I said, ¡°Mr. Brownie, uh, Tamyson mentioned that you wouldn¡¯t mind fresh honey.¡± And holding out the large piece of bark I ask, ¡°Is this ok?¡±


    He stops working the dough, peering closely at the honey. Looking up he says, ¡°Yea be al¡¯right girlie. It be right and proper to drop off honey and a fine bit it is.¡± Now he smiles and hold out his hand, ¡°Yea can call me Glaus. I have a longer name but yea nea be wanting to say it.¡±


    I shake his small hand and think to ask a favor, ¡°Um, Mr. Glaus, is there someone who can help teach me about the fae, about faerie and the elves?¡±


    He grumps at me, ¡°It be Glaus only girl. I nae be wanting that Mr. title. You keep that for others.¡± Looking a little nicer now, he says, ¡°I mae have some of the lil¡¯ fae to visit in the evening, when ye eat and they can tell ye tales to curl ye toes.¡± He laughs at that, thinking scary stories great fun.


    ¡°Ok¡­ that is great, um, Glaus. We will listen and learn.¡± And I got right out of there. That short, balding man with a long hooked nose is a little intimidating. He may be small but he looks a hundred years old and able to cause trouble. Trouble I don¡¯t want or need. Plus, that Brownie is cooking and cleaning. He can be as ornery as he wants.


    On my way out I hear, ¡°There be food upstairs with the other girlies and the new man ye collected. Ye can eat there.¡±


    Well, that takes care of two birds at once; food and the coven. I''m starving. Hurrying up our floating stone staircase, his words hit me fully. Man? Did he mean Circe¡¯s friend? Oh crap, how is this going to work? I walk into our personal area, and sure enough, a man lay on some pillows with Circe and Jadis. I notice the tall table moved across the room and that my coven mates opted for pillows, a low table and the floor.


    Cool... except for the man part.


    Plopping down next to Jadis, I let out a long breath. It is nice to be back with them. Cork, deciding not to wait on my help with food, appears on the low table holding the food and inspects the grub. I eye Circe to see if this is a problem, but I notice her ignoring the little guy. Cork just tugs at what he wants and eats it.


    I try for a little refinement, load a plate with food and lay back to eat it. Now for my next problem, how do I ask why the hell a man is in our private living area?


    Circe doesn¡¯t keep me waiting, ¡°This is William, he will go with us to Cave Croft this afternoon. I wanted you to meet him. He is one of the mages that works magic with me.¡±


    William interrupts, ¡°The only one she needs.¡± His tone is proprietary.


    Jadis looks concerned while Circe blows it off. With a touch to William¡¯s shoulder Circe reminds him, ¡°Remember I do not want a single partner for my magic. We discussed this in the past and I have never changed my mind. You must respect this William.¡±


    ¡°I know that is what you say, but if you just try with only me, you will see how perfect we are together.¡± William says this almost pleadingly.


    ¡°I won''t William. I don¡¯t want to settle down.¡± She answers.


    Jadis adds, ¡°William, we are a new coven and this will take most of our time. We wouldn¡¯t want you waiting.¡±


    I wonder if Jadis should jump into this conversation.


    William looks irritated, ¡°It doesn¡¯t concern the two of you. This is between Circe and I.¡±


    Hell, now I am going to add my two cents.


    Good or bad, this is our coven and he doesn¡¯t have authority here. ¡°William, what concerns one, concerns the three. We are one and support Circe in how she practices magic. On top of that, their life spans match mine now. Circe and Jadis will live hundreds of years. This may hamper any relationship either of them have.¡± I see the stubborn look in his features and add, ¡°Do not forget, I rule here. This is now part of Farie. If we do not want you, I will deny you access.¡±


    William looks shocked at this pronouncement and then angry. He asks Circe, ¡°You will let her rule you? You never let anyone treat you that way.¡± He adds shocked.


    Circe chuckles, ¡°You make assumptions. Gwen rules here and we are her coven. She doesn¡¯t try to give me orders, we work together. She has a very good point though. It may be prudent to stop our working relationship, you aren¡¯t taking my wishes to heart and want to dominate me.¡±


    With a sigh Circe finishes, ¡°You can meet with us in Cave Croft but I am pushing the rite back a day. Tomorrow night is soon enough and I think we both need time to adjust to my new life.¡±


    William stands and leaves in a huff. I whisper to Cork, ¡°Follow and make sure he leaves.¡± I feel the pat on my ear and then nothing.


    Looking at Circe I say, ¡°Well, that went well.¡±


    Circe rolls her eyes, ¡°Yeah, I think that I need to leave William alone.¡±


    Jadis adds, ¡°How long have I said that? He will never change and neither will you. Stop using him because it is easy.¡±


    Circe nodds her head, ¡°Yeah, you are right.¡± Then she breaks into a smile, ¡°Plus, I can see if one or both of the Elves are available. They were oh so good!¡± She finishes with a squeal.


    Jadis shakes her head, ¡°You will never change.¡± But she smiles to take any sting out of her words.


    They ask how my training with Tamyson went and I tell them about Peg and the bees.


    Jadis is excited, ¡°Sigils and runes... Peg is right, the druids guard that knowledge religiously.¡±


    ¡°Well, I haven¡¯t learned anything yet. I haven¡¯t had the chance to use the knowledge stone.¡± Saying that, I pull the stones out and select <, the knowledge stone.


    ¡°Peg said I push energy into the stone and place it to my forehead.¡± And so saying, I wrap my hand around the stone. Feeling to magic within myself, I will a small amount into the stone. I feel the stone radiate a warmth.


    ¡°Here goes nothing,¡± I add and place the stone against my skin. I am glad I am sitting, the information rushes in and I become dizzy.


    Opening my eyes I see Jadis and Circe looking at me. I smile, ¡°Wow that is fast and made me dizzy.¡± Giggling I add, ¡°Wish I had this going through school.¡±


    Jadis asks, ¡°And... did it work?¡±


    ¡°Oh yes, I know what I need to start making my own runes and sigils.¡±


    Calling for Cork, we gather our cloaks and leave the manor for our small town of Cave Croft.

 Chapter 13 - Cave Croft

    I shorten our walk by taking us between to the cottage. Circe and Jadis lead us down various paths past other secluded cottages. Soon thatched homes in the trees appear with the ever increasing cottages. Soon, I glimpse a view of Damiana¡¯s castle and assume we are getting close.


    The village sits below the castle. Jadis points out the community hall and gathering area. The market and shops spread around this central building. I see construction of homes and shops everywhere. Circe and Jadis take turns explaining the influx of people with awakened magical gifts coming to explore their talents. Now that the public knows of the witch conclave in Oregon and the upcoming legalization of magic people are moving into Cave Junction or into Cave Croft itself. Those allowed in Cave Croft must see Damiana first and be tested for their abilities.


    Doctors with strong magical affinities now work with hedge witches. Scientists of every variety have come to study or learn from the witches. Most are trying to understand their abilities. Artist of every kind have journeyed to this remote section of Oregon and now live in Cave Croft while opening stores within Cave Junction for the tourists. In fact, Damiana has approved daily tours of Cave Croft. Jadis points out the Pub where an inn is in its construction phase for approved overnight guests that will not stay in the castle.


    Walking past open stalls and into store fronts I am amazed at the variety of people. Some dress in robes, others in Victorian style and then, the minority, are the mainstream, contemporary individuals in jeans, t-shits or suits. Most clothing is hand made materials styled by the people. Simple tunics, pants and leather shoes is the dominant theme.


    Many witches theme their colors with the type of magic they practice. Circe¡¯s group favors red... go figure, sex and blood. Jadis and the practical magic witches and mages tend towards soothing colors. The few druids pointed out wear clothing that matches the colors of the forest. People stop and stare as we pass by. Then they whisper behind our backs.


    Circe leaves us to meet with friends of hers. Jadis takes me to a store for rune and sigil supplies. I am introduced to an apprentice Druid named Caibre. He is tall, just over six feet and has shoulder length sandy brown hair. His blue eyes sparkle and his mouth seems to stay in a smile. He is dressed in leather and wool clothing that looks very good on his lean athletic frame.


    The smiling Cairbre asks, ¡°What can I do for you ladies today?¡±


    I walk over to his stones and crystals, ¡°I need several handfuls of your polished selenite.¡± He nods and asks, ¡°Is that all?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± And I point out the carving tools, leather pouches and cording I need. It''s then I realize I hadn¡¯t asked Jadis how to pay for these items. I excuse myself and ask Jadis to step aside with me for a second. ¡°I forgot to ask, how do I pay for this?¡±


    Jadis smiles, ¡°We usually barter. Let me handle it.¡± I nod my head and let her take over.


    As we approach Cairbre he asks, ¡°You are Gwen? The great-grand daughter to Damiana and the Fae princess?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am.¡± I answer wondering if this is going somewhere or just his curiosity. ¡°I participated in the ceremony to awaken your powers. It is something I wouldn¡¯t wish on anyone, I am glad you made it through hale in your health and mind.¡±


    Hale in health and mind?


    ¡°Thank you.¡± What do you say to a man that''s looked at you naked and sick on the floor of a cave? Etiquette school never covered that one. The finishing school in Switzerland definitely didn¡¯t cover this.


    Cairbre says, ¡°I am sorry, did I embarrass you?¡±


    This makes me analyze my feelings. I am not embarrassed; I didn¡¯t know how to respond. Weird, that is something that should make me embarrassed. But, I am not.


    Not worrying about it then.


    ¡°No, I am not embarrassed. Just not a usual conversation... at least for myself.¡± I answer. It is the truth.


    ¡°Good, now what do you lovely ladies have to barter for these?¡± He asks.


    Jadis counters, ¡°What would you give to charge items in Farie? What is it worth to let your material absorb the Fae magic?¡±


    Cairbre asks with excitement, ¡°Farie is here then? The Fae have joined us? We felt something big.¡±


    I answer, ¡°The Fae have joined with me and yes, Farie is nearby.¡±


    ¡°Then we you have much to bargain with.¡± He answers and the bartering starts. He opens with a simple trade, ¡°Like items for like items. You want crystals, small tools and skins. We offer like items in the same amount to rest within Farie for one day per item. You need three ¡®types¡¯ of items, then we get three days of the Fae power for our like items.¡±


    I remember Circe¡¯s crap when I didn¡¯t negotiate better. I need to think about this. ¡°These items may not cause harm to others including Farie. They will come pristine and clean of any and all magics prior to entering.¡± Then ask, ¡°Is that reasonable?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I will advise my elder¡¯s.¡± Then Cairbre asks me, ¡°My elders discussed offering you training. Would you allow me to act as your guide in the Druidic arts?¡±A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Did I want help from the druids when I am learning from the hags? Not sure so I answer, ¡°I appreciate the offer and will consider it.¡±


    Cairbre isn¡¯t giving up and asks, ¡°Do you mind if a small contingient of Druids come to introduce themselves? They will come to your home.¡±


    Before answering I ask, ¡°You know where we live already?¡±


    This brings a laugh from Cairbre, ¡°We can ask the forest. It will lead us to your home.¡± He explains and asks, ¡°Is there a time of the day that is better to meet?¡±


    I answer, ¡°Late afternoons are best.¡±


    Cairbre gives a small bow of his head, ¡°We will bring items over and make our introductions.¡± He holds the door open to his shop, handing me my purchases in a woven basket.


    As we leave, I can¡¯t help but think how cute he is. Jadis takes us to a shop selling different types of materials. Jadis picks several colors and barters dried healing herbs in trade.


    I didn¡¯t want to stay in the market area and asked Jadis, ¡°Do you know where Circe is? I am ready to leave.¡±


    Jadis snorts, ¡°The pub, that girl needs to get her ¡®flirt¡¯ fix.¡±


    She is correct. Circe is at the pub with several women and many men, including William.


    I snort, ¡°William will be trouble.¡± And he throws a fit when we pull Circe away from her friends. It seems she has had a good time. She cannot walk in a straight line.


    I ask Jadis, ¡°This happen often?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Circe is the party girl in our small village. She drives the men nuts. The women pretend to like her, but they are jealous. Any of the men will take part in a ritual with her.¡±


    ¡°Huh, well lets get out of here.¡± I tell her and wait until we are away from prying eyes to take us between.


    Walking into the manner, I decide to bring Circe to Glaus and tea. We can sit in the kitchen to feed and sober her up.


    ¡°We weren¡¯t apart long, how can she be drunk?¡± I ask.


    Jadis answer is obvious after she states it, ¡°We are witches and mages, we can brew up some strong concoctions.¡±


    ¡°True. Now don¡¯t worry about the mural, just step through with me.¡± We were making our way through the great hall and around the head table. Jadis nods her head and trusts me.


    Glaus is sitting at the center table with a teapot, Corrigan and several pixies. The pixies giggle when they see Circe¡¯s condition.


    ¡°Hi Glaus, you have anything to help this idiot sober up?¡± I ask this as we sit Circe with the others. Glaus gets up muttering about idiots who can¡¯t hold their liquor. He places several herbs to steep in a separate pot.


    ¡°Give these herbs a we bit o time and I¡¯ll have the girlie good ae new,¡± Gluas informs us and adds, ¡°Sit yea buts down with her, I be serving yea food here and the little ones can tell thier tales to yea.¡±


    We sit as Glaus hands out bowls of stew and bread. The pixies have small bowls and tiny cups and sit on the table. The pixies are chattering away about the flora and funa of the area with the acceptance of Farie.


    I ask the Fae to tell us some Farie lore. Cork decides to help himself to Circe¡¯s food and tea. She is out of it and doesn¡¯t realize Cork is screwing with her. Jadis and I roll our eyes and laugh at his antics.


    Corrigan speaks of her race, the Glastig. Considered part of the Unseelie Court and purely evil, they are a water fairies. The Glastigs lure men with their beautiful looks but, they must hide their goat-like legs to stay attractive to human males. They drink blood, but aren¡¯t always evil. They can care for people and animals. Corrigan points out that being Unseelie doesn¡¯t automatically make the Fae evil. They are the scariest of Fairie and can make humans go mad, but they aren¡¯t strictly evil.


    The pixies talked of their ability with glamour and preferences for certain flowers and trees. They love to watch whatever is going on around them and don¡¯t feel this strange. They are comfortable dressed, undressed, small, tall, human features or not. They are... it is what it is. With waves of their hands pictures appeared in the air of the different types of pixies. Some have legs of a frog, others have wings and some don¡¯t. From thin and alien looking to childlike and human looking. Some are exotic in an errotic manner.


    Glaus tells of the brownies and how they have served Fae and humans alike throughout the ages. If a human is bad, the Brownies make them pay. Either in torment or stealing their goods. And beware the human that builds in the middle of a Farie path. They will still come through the house throughout the night and play and take as they please.


    Another favorite is switching babies. I can¡¯t imagine waking to find my baby gone and replaced with a Fae baby. No wonder the Fae are feared and hunted in Europe and now here in the US. But, that is changing soon.


    We learned more about common courtesy among the Fae... never say thank you, give expensive gifts, or make an agreement without thinking it through. They will find ways around your terms if you aren¡¯t careful. This piece of advice reminds me of Circe and looking at her, I see she is passed out with her head on the table.


    So much for sobering her up. Cork is loving it and taking advantage of the situation by braiding her hair. He is adding trinkets and ribbons to the hair. Jadis and I watch Cork. Looking at each other, we giggle and let him continue. Plus, Cork looks so serious. I wouldn¡¯t want to interrupt his ministrations.


    Curious I ask those at the table, ¡°Why are Fae coming here?¡±


    Glaus lets out a long burp while searching for a new tidbit to taste, ¡°Europe holds ol hatreds against Farie. America te land of the free and they like oddities.¡± Smiling the brownie adds, ¡°We hear a treaty is coming, we of Fae will gain rights... that be a lot in our favor.¡±


    Looking at Corrigan I ask, ¡°And the Fae who live off of human blood and flesh?¡±


    Sitting there at the table, looking beautiful, it is easy to forget her legs aren¡¯t human looking. They are the legs of a goat. Corrigan explains, ¡°We will adjust, but I have found fetish sites on the internet. I believe we will have plenty of volunteers to provide blood... we will not eat them.¡± There was something about that last statement, I don¡¯t quite believe all Fae will stop.


    A small female pixie pipes in, ¡°Princess you must spend time further into the mound communing with Farie. It is new and growing. It is here for you and the Fae.¡±


    ¡°How do I go further into the mound?¡± I ask.


    Cork looks up at my question, jumps off the table and transforms mid air into his four foot protective form. Gone is my little bird-like lizard and now an odd looking, bulky Fae with small boulders as armor stands next to me.


    ¡°Come, I take.¡± Cork answers. Then adds, ¡°Leave silly one to sleep.¡± He points at Circe. I think he is actually smirking at his handiwork.


    These two are trouble together.


    Glaus amuses us when he says, ¡°I be stay¡¯n with the lass. She be in good hands.¡±


    I started to say thank you and grabbed Jadis to stop her as well. How do you say thank you without saying thank you?


    ¡°Glaus, it makes me happy knowing you will watch over Circe.¡± Was my attempt. If I can¡¯t say thank you maybe expressing my happiness is a better alternative.


    Glaus seems happy with this and we follow Cork through a door in a dark corner of the kitchen, opposite where we entered. Corrigan followed while the pixies excitedly circle our heads. Corks opens the plain door and gestures me to enter. Stepping forward, I watch the dark space slowly brighten as I draw closer and I am disappointed. It is a stone room with absolutely nothing in it.