My whole body tingled as Trixie’s magic spread through my frame. She hadn’t said anything yet. When Ensley had done this, I’d heard his voice in my mind. I’d presumed the same would happen with Trixie. But she was exploring my mind, my memories, and evaluating my trustworthiness.
“You stole the Bubblicious?” Trixie asked.
I cocked my head. “Are you serious?”
“When you were a kid. You stole a pack of Bubblicious from the place you called the supermarket.”
I snorted. “Yeah. Is that really an issue?”
“I don’t know…”
“Keep looking,” I said. “I didn’t keep it.”
“Ah!” Trixie exclaimed. “Your mom made you bring it back and apologize to some woman called Manager!”
“It was a job title,” I said. “I don’t think that was the woman’s actual name. Is that really the worst thing you found in my memories?”
“No,” Trixie said. “The stuff when you were drinking…but you’ve made amends for that. It is honorable. I was just curious about this Bubblicious stuff. It looks, and from what your memories told me, it seems incredible.”
I smiled. “It is. For the first couple minutes at least. It’s like an explosion of sugar and imitation fruit flavors in your mouth.”
Trixie started giggling again. “Oh my! I want to blow a bubble! Can I blow a bubble?”
I nodded. “You realize, one piece of Bubblicious is like the size of your whole head. A whole pack would last you a long time.”
“Forget the price of your pinkie. Get me some Bubblicious. Oh, and some Fun Dip, and I’ll do what you’ve asked with the Furies.”
“It’s a deal,” I said, shaking my head. A pack of gum and some Fun Dip were a small price to pay for a move that could potentially save the world. “I’ll even get you some Pixie Styx.”
“That sounds disgusting!” Trixie protested.
“It’s not that different than Fun Dip. Just comes in a straw rather than a packet with a sugar spoon.”
“Pixies are like fairies, sort of. We’re related. Would you want to eat something called ground-up human dust?”
I bit my lip. “Probably not. But it’s just a name. I promise you if you eat Pixie Styx, you will not be committing any form of cannibalism.”
“Still,” Trixie said. “I think I’ll pass. I just can’t get past the name.”
“It’s okay,” I said. “They aren’t that great, anyway. Plenty of other candies you can try. I’ll get you whatever you want.”
I felt a sharp pain as Trixie extracted herself from the back of my neck. Again, her magic quickly healed the wound. I rubbed the spot where she exited.
“It’s a deal,” Trixie said. “I’ll go back with you. I’ll tell the Furies the truth about the elves, and I’ll feast like a queen on your Earth delicacies of sugary-sweet goodness.”
“First, we have to go back and get Layla.”
“The elf?” Trixie asked. “I’m so nervous.”
“She won’t hurt you,” I said. “I promise.”
“I know, I know… I’ve seen your memories. I know she’s good. But you must remember, to see an elf… Would you cuddle a viper, even if you had evidence that it was tame?”
I shook my head. “Probably not. But Layla isn’t a viper. I promise.”
“I know,” Trixie said, taking a deep breath and releasing it. “But you’ll have to excuse me if I keep my distance. From her, and from your cat.”
I laughed. “I can’t blame you on the latter part. He doesn't appreciate the smell of fairy.”
“No cats do,” Trixie said. “Not that I’ve met many. The elves only had a few felines, and from what I’ve seen in your memories, they aren’t exactly like yours. But one thing they did have in common. Well, two things, actually. They don’t like fairies, and like the elves, they are determined to dominate the world.”
I smiled. “A fair assessment. Just so long as he thinks he already rules the world, we’re good. I’m not one to ever tell him otherwise.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Having Trixie as an ally was helpful on several fronts. First, of course, she’d help make our case to the Furies. Second, I had the ability to make portals again. On a hostile New Albion, it was an enviable ability. With a fairy gate, I could not only get Layla and me back to the giants quickly, but we could create a portal in the giants’ village that would take us all back to the gateway back to Earth. It also meant, ultimately, that the giants wouldn't have to use the rest of the magic they had remaining to make the trip. One less reason, I supposed, for them to refuse.
Not that I intended for the giants to ever come back. Nor did I think they’d ever want to. However, if they were at all reluctant to come with me, at least having the option to come back to New Albion on the table rather than presenting this as an irreversible decision might make their choice less anxiety stricken.
I was able to visualize the inside of Echor’s spire. We created a portal, Trixie and I, and stepped through it together.
“Well, welcome back!” Layla exclaimed as we stepped through.
“It looks like it was a success!” Echor said with enthusiasm.
Trixie ducked behind my shoulder, peering over it to look at the two elves.
“She’s a bit nervous being around elves,” I said.
“Understandable,” Echor said. “I must apologize on behalf of my race. We’ve not treated your kind with the honor you deserve.”
Trixie huffed. “Thank you, sir.”
“Just call me Echor,” he said. “Sir is not necessary.”
“As a Brightborn,” Layla said. “I also apologize for our past indiscretions. It wasn’t right to hunt your people like that.”
“I appreciate it,” Trixie said, her voice hushed more than before.
“She’s reluctant,” I said. “With good reason. But she’s agreed to help us, provided once we’ve secured her position with the Furies, we come back to bring the rest of the New Albion fairies back with us to Earth.”
Layla nodded, making eye contact with Trixie. “If we can’t get the Earth fairies on our side, it will be of great value to have you as an ally.”
Trixie nodded. “I will do what I can to help. Do not forget, Caspar. Our agreement also included Bubblicious.”
I chuckled. “I won’t forget. All the Earth candy and gum you could ever want.”
“Are you sure you won’t come with us?” I asked Echor. “We could really use your help, too.”
“My decision has been made,” Echor said. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Caspar, and a great gift to have a chance to enjoy a conversation with my princess.”
“All right, Trixie. You ready to go meet the giants?” I asked.
Trixie nodded. “I like giants. They have always been kind to us.”
I smiled. “All right, then. Let's go.”
Layla hugged Echor and whispered something in his ear. He nodded. I didn’t bother asking. I was sure, more or less, that she was simply offering her gratitude for his assistance and well-wishes for his last days on New Albion.
I extended my hand, and he shook it awkwardly. I don’t think handshakes were a part of elven custom, but he took the cue and picked up on the significance of the gesture.
“May the grace of the Furies be on your side,” Echor said.
“Peace be with you,” I said, nodding.
I visualized the giants’ village, and drawing on fairy magic, formed a portal. Layla and I stepped through, with Trixie flying close behind.
We appeared right in front of the hut where Brag’mok and Targigoth were conducting their sweat lodge ritual.
Gronk approached us. “You were faster than anticipated.”
I nodded and gestured toward Trixie, who perched herself on my shoulder. “We had the help of a fairy to travel back here.”
“Impressive,” Gronk said. “How are you, Trixie?”
“Wait,” I said. “You two know each other?”
“
Oh, we go way back!” Trixie exclaimed.
Gronk laughed. “We have a pretty strong relationship with the fairies. We’ve striven to preserve whatever magic used to vivify our planet, even as the elves wasted it in their effort to eliminate us.”
“You didn’t use magic to fight back against them?” I asked.
“We used what we had to in order to survive,” Gronk said. “But we did not use magic as a weapon.”
Layla shook her head. “It’s incredible that you’ve been able to thwart the elves so effectively for centuries without using magic. If you had, think of the tragedies that your people had endured that could have been avoided.”
“If we had, it would have expedited the crisis that has now befallen our world. We did what we could to sustain the planet, despite the likes of your father and those who came before him who squandered whatever magic they could find in an effort to squash our people.”
“Then you’ll be especially valuable allies on Earth,” I said. “To face Brightborn again without resorting to his methods.”
“Except for what you can do, of course,” Layla piped up.
I nodded. “But even I am not prepared to weaponize the elemental powers.”
“You can use them with or without our assistance,” Gronk said, “to tame whatever the elven king attempts. If we’d had such mastery over the elements that it seems you have as the chosen one, we could have simply shut down the king when he tried to leverage the power of magic against us.”
“So you’re saying you agree that I’m the chosen one?” I asked.
“I’m saying,” Gronk said. “That if the high priest confirms what you’ve told us, and if you are indeed the one the prophet foretold, then you should be able to quell any act of elemental or magical violence.”
I pressed my lips together. “Well, let's hope that we get good news from the high priest. Any idea how much longer it will be?”
Gronk shook his head. “It could take another day. Or they could emerge at any moment. Either way, in my experience, the ancestors typically reveal something different to the high priest than whatever we thought was likely.”
I huffed. “When dealing with priests and prophecies, interpretations are often vague and varied. I’m sure, based on what I know of your traditions, the answer will be just and honorable.”
“Come with me,” Gronk said. “I imagine all three of you could use something to eat.”
I nodded. “That would be generous of you.”
“Thank you,” Layla said.
Gronk grunted and nodded. “You will be the first elf to dine with giants since our first ancestors arrived in New Albion, Princess.”
A subtle smile formed at the corner of Layla’s mouth. “Then I should say that I am quite honored. This is a rather momentous occasion.”
“Indeed,” Gronk said. “Momentous, or foreboding. I haven’t decided which, yet.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Who would’ve thought that giants could be vegetarians? When I think about giants, I imagine massive beasts stomping around with their fee-fi-fo-fums and chomping on giant hunks of meat. Not a turkey leg. That would be too small. Maybe the hindquarter of a bull or something.
What they served us looked like quinoa, some kind of blubbery protein like tofu, and a collection of greens all mixed up in one bowl. By itself, it was rather bland. But then they passed their dressing. I don’t know what was in it. I was a little bit afraid to ask. But it totally transformed the bowl into something scrumptious. A little bit like soy sauce, but with a richer, deeper, less salty flavor. It had a hint of sweetness to it.
“The giants have always been rumored to be good cooks,” Layla said. “I had no idea.”
“Do you know what all this stuff is?” I asked.
Layla shrugged. “Mostly. No clue what’s in the dressing, though. That stuff is amazing. It’s like sex in a bottle!”
“I seriously hope you’re being metaphorical.”
“My God, Caspar. Of course I am. Ew! What did you think I was suggesting?”
I chuckled to myself. “Sorry, I knew you weren’t being literal. What can I say? Adolescent sense of humor.”
Trixie didn’t eat much. Just a couple grains of their quinoa-like substance was more than enough for her. So, she was buzzing around the room greeting the various giants who’d showed up to watch us eat.
Yes, us eating was almost like a show to these giants. Not entirely shocking. I knew, from my Biblical studies, that meals between notable persons were often public affairs. That’s why Jesus was so heavily criticized about who he ate with. Sharing a meal with someone was more than an occasion for small talk in those days.
Gronk was the only giant who joined us. He was clearly their leader. We sat around a table together. It was an odd arrangement. Layla and I had to stand on our chairs to reach the top of the table. They offered us boosters, blocks of wood meant for giant children so they could reach the table. Based on the way the giants were joking about it, Layla declined, and I followed suit. Sure, the booster would have been practically beneficial. But since boosters were reserved for children, it would also be mildly humiliating.
Aside from such visual oddities, however, it struck me that this meal must’ve been something quite momentous for the giants. For the first time ever, both a human and an elf joining a giant for a meal. No wonder the whole village, albeit not at once, rotated in to watch us while we ate. For them, this was a meal on the scale of Jesus’ Last Supper or the first Thanksgiving with the pilgrims. Sadly, what followed those meals wasn’t pleasant. Jesus was betrayed, and well, we know how the colonists treated the natives.
Still, I was optimistic that this meal portended only good things.
If the giants came with us to Earth, we’d have to throw something together, adding Aerin and the drow. We’d serve McDonald’s fries. Who doesn’t like McDonald's fries? As far as the giants knew, they’d be luxurious. Maybe we’d throw together a vegetarian pizza.
Not St. Louis-style Provel cheese and cracker crust. We’d have to go deep dish, Chicago style. Much better, despite what the native St. Louisans might try to argue.
One step at a time. At the moment, I simply appreciated the gesture. Despite what Jack might tell you about his whole beanstalk debacle, the giants were good people.
I barely finished my last bite when one of the giants came bursting into the room.
“Gronk, sir! The ritual is done! The high priest would like to see our guests immediately.”
Gronk nodded. We climbed down from our oversized chairs to the cheers of the giants who were still gathered in the room. It was awkward. Should I belch? In some cultures, burping after a meal is complimentary. I decided against it. They were already cheering. I didn’t want to spoil the moment with a potential cross-cultural faux pas.
Layla and I followed Gronk outside, past a bonfire that the giants had built while we were eating. We approached Targigoth and Brag’mok, who stood side-by-side outside of the hut where they’d held their sweat lodge ritual.
Targigoth was holding a large scroll in his hands.
I approached them. Targigoth extended both hands, holding the scroll out to me.
“What is this?” I asked, taking it in both hands.
“It is the final prophecy,” Targigoth said. “The ancestors tell us that the final seal can only be broken by the chosen one and that each of the races has their own final prophecy. If you open it and prove yourself the chosen one, and the contents of the prophecy do not tell us otherwise, the ancestors advised that we follow you to Earth.”
I exchanged glances with Layla. “How do I open it?”
“Only the chosen one,” Brag’mok explained, “can channel all five elements. Like the prisms that contained the celestial artifacts held by the drow, I believe a similar method will open the seal on the scroll.”
“I concur,” Targirath said. “It is fitting that all of the giants who remain have gathered to witness this event.”
I
cleared my throat. “All right, I’ll see what I can do. Does it matter which element I use first?”
Targigoth shrugged. “We cannot say. I imagine it does not matter. Once all five elements are channeled into the seal, I believe, the prophecy will be revealed.”
Trixie perched herself on my shoulder. “How exciting!”
“You have a fairy?” Brag’mok asked. “What of the elves?”
“The elves are already on Earth,” I said. “But she’s agreed to come with us and help with our appeal to the Furies.”
“You are brave,” Targigoth said, addressing Trixie. “We honor your decision, no matter the outcome of this revelation.”
“Thanks!” Trixie said, giggling after she spoke.
I focused on the seal. It looked as though it was made of wax, but based on the fact that it had lasted for so many centuries, I figured there was a lot more to it than that. The seal itself was stamped with a symbol vaguely resembling an oak tree.
I remembered the trials. How I’d acquired water first and used it to subdue fire and then the subsequent elements in their proper order. It struck me that in this instance, it might be best to do them in the opposite order. Maybe it didn’t matter. But it seemed appropriate.
I gathered aether, the human spirit, and focused it into the seal. The seal started to glow a golden hue. Then, I cast air, earth, fire, and water in that order. All the elements swirled around the seal in a luminescent display. Then, with a loud sound, vaguely similar to a trumpet’s blast, the seal shattered, exploding into a shower of colors, almost like fireworks.
Targigoth unrolled the scroll. He examined it carefully, narrowing his eyes with a definite focus.
“What does it say?” I asked.
Targigoth cleared his throat. “It’s unbelievable. Uncanny in its precision.”
“And?” Layla asked.
Targigoth waived his hand. “Everyone gather around. This is something all should hear at once.”
The giants surrounded us, their bodies casting a shadow over all of us.
“The noble giants shall fulfill their call,” Targigoth said. “Under the leadership of the Chosen, they shall save the Earth from those who would harm it, human and elf alike. They shall serve the one who wields the power of the Divine, and together, they shall immerse Earth in blood.”
Junkyard Dogma (The Elven Prophecy Book 4) Page 18
