Martha and the other children stared around at them all in confusion. Bounty? Soren and Conn stepped forwards to flank the children protectively.
“Stay back, Grover, this is none of your concern,” Fenn warned, handing Callia to Reed.
The large fairy grinned menacingly, showing some missing teeth. He crossed his heavily tattooed arms and eyed Fenn with a raised eyebrow. “Well, now, I beg to disagree. I’ve been told to keep my eyes on you.”
“By whom?” Thicket asked gruffly, nudging his way through the group to stand beside Fenn.
“Do you really want me to answer that in front of our esteemed guests here?” Grover replied, gesturing mockingly at Soren and Conn.
Fenn frowned. “We are taking them to Ivy’s Tavern – we’ve had strict instructions to take any intruders there by the...” He trailed off.
Grover nodded slowly as comprehension dawned across his face. “Well, off you go, then; I’ll get a message sent as soon as Grub gets back,” he said, gesturing them through the market. Fenn scowled at him before turning with Reed and leading the way. Grover watched the group pass by with narrowed eyes.
Martha, Beatrice, and Felicity held on to Octavia and Otto as they pushed through the crowd behind Doran. Caeruleus kept close to the children, shielding them with his massive wings. Soren, Conn and Aurus followed with the rest of the unicorns.
Martha breathed easier as they came out of the market and stood before a large wooden building with a crude sign proclaiming that they were standing in front of ‘Ivy’s Tavern, the last place to get Rosehip Wine before Misty Marsh.’
The double doors were flung open and a short fairy with spiky bright green hair appeared on the threshold, her hands on her hips. Her green-veined wings fluttered impatiently. “And just where have you been?” she demanded.
Chapter Eight
The Tale of Twig and Thicket
Reed mumbled, “Sorry, Aunt Ivy,” but Fenn stood mutinously quiet, his chin up and his eyes gleaming. Twig and Thicket shuffled their feet and didn’t meet the fairy’s piercing green eyes.
Martha watched this interchange with interest. Surely this Ivy knows what they were up to?
Callia held out her outstretched arms, and Ivy’s face softened; she walked towards Reed and took the little fairy into her arms. “I’ve been so worried. You know it’s not safe wandering around alone, what with her highn…”
She trailed off as she took in the Bloom children, Doran, Conn, and Soren in their bright clothes. She then looked bemusedly at Aurus, his golden coat gleaming in the sunshine as he stood next to the brightly blooming unicorns, who were a stark contrast to the glum surroundings.
Her mouth dropped open. “Where did you find this lot? They certainly don’t look like patrons of the Middling Market,” she said speculatively.
“They are our prisoners; we need to keep them in the barn until we can send a message,” Fenn announced proudly.
Ivy widened her eyes in shock. “Fenn, what have you done?” She stared at Doran’s bound hands. “And where did you get that?” she added, gesturing at the shimmering thread.
“I did what you should have done – I struck a deal to get our parents back,” Fenn replied defiantly, meeting Ivy’s disappointed gaze.
Soren and Conn looked at each other. “If I may ask – with whom have you struck this bargain?” Soren said.
Ivy tore her gaze from Fenn’s face. “Come inside where we won’t be overheard.”
“No – you mustn’t say anything!” Reed had found his voice. “You don’t know what she’ll do… she threatened Callia!” he burst out.
Ivy gave a start. “What?! Why didn’t you tell me?”
Without waiting for an answer, she strode away from the tavern and gestured for everyone to follow her. Opening the doors of a large barn on the side of the building, she led everyone inside and settled Callia on a bale of hay. Then she closed the doors behind them and lit a few candles.
“Your unicorns can rest here,” she said, gesturing to a large stall which housed one sorry-looking unicorn with coral-coloured flowers patterned across its body and a lame front foreleg. The Bloomsville unicorns looked out of place next to the small unicorn, and it hastily dropped its gaze and shuffled to the back of the stall, turning its back.
Martha felt a ball of sympathy settle in the pit of her stomach, shocked at how different the small unicorn appeared. She looked questioningly at Soren, who was also studying the unicorn with interest.
“Oh, don’t mind Brogan,” Ivy said, “she’s harmless. Now, does anyone care to tell me what is going on here? And how Callia’s safety is threatened?” She gestured to the upturned wooden logs. “Have a seat.”
The children, Conn, Soren, and Doran settled themselves on the logs. Aurus looked down his golden snout and stood behind the children, while Fenn and Reed sat on either side of Ivy.
Fenn rubbed a weary hand across his face and huffed out a breath before finally meeting Ivy’s watchful gaze. “I hid in the rafters while you and the other elders were meeting with Queen Nesrin and her sorcerer,” he began. Conn groaned as varying gasps rippled around the assembled group.
Soren opened his mouth to speak, but Ivy held up a hand. “I explicitly told you to stay with Callia. What Nesrin wanted to say was not for innocent ears. I refused to fall in line with her plans, and I wasn’t scared of what she would do to me; after all, she could do no worse than what her sister has done. I wanted to wash my hands of them both and leave them to destroy each other with their senseless wars.”
“What? Queen Rhosyn is nothing but good and kind!” Soren expostulated, rising to his feet, propelled by his powerful wings. Octavia and Otto gave fervent nods of agreement.
Martha watched the sneers cross Fenn and Reed’s faces with interest.
“Oh really? Then why does she banish any fairy who is born without magic? Or any creature that is not born to her standards – that has some little difference that will besmirch the perfect Fairy Court?” Ivy returned calmly.
Soren’s face flushed, but he sat slowly back down. “That isn’t true…” He trailed off, looking helplessly at Aurus, who snorted a great puff of breath.
“Of course it is not true; the queen only sends those who commit crimes to the Middling Grounds.” He tossed his head.
“Hmm… then how come we all ended up here?” Ivy returned with a twist to her lips. “Most of us were brought here soon after birth and left with older fairies who cared for us, as we were told our own parents didn’t want us. Some of us had children of our own. Fenn and Reed were born here to parents that had been dumped in the Middling Grounds in their infancy. Callia was born without magic. Fenn and Reed’s parents took her in and now raise her as their own.”
Conn was sitting with his heads in his hands as he listened to Ivy. “How is this possible?” he finally said, raising his head and looking at Soren.
“I only know as much as you.” Soren shrugged, his face pale. “I was born and raised in Bloomsville; why would I question the laws of Castle Enfys? I remember from time to time that some fairies were born without magic and some creatures born looking slightly different, but we were told that they never survived, and that they went back to join the spirits of nature.”
Aurus nodded sadly. “Indeed, that is the case; these fairies or creatures never lived past infancy.”
“Pah!” Ivy shouted. “Yet here we all are.”
Aurus exchanged a confused look with Soren. “I have no notion why you are all here, but one thing I do know is that the queen would never abandon her loyal subjects.”
“Maybe the esteemed Queen Rhosyn didn’t want her perfect fairy race tainted,” Fenn said in disgust.
Aurus seethed, and his golden coat rippled in anger. “And I? Am I no longer considered ‘perfect’ because I only have one antler now? It is utter nonsense; Queen Rhosyn celebrated me as a great warrior – this is a badge of my bravery! It makes me more, not less.”
Twig and Thicket were staring at
the magnificent stag in awe, and Fenn and Reed exchanged a confused look.
Soren laid a placating hand on the stag’s back. “Aurus is right. The queen would not have any part in this,” he argued.
Conn gave a slow nod. “I am in agreement with Soren – I have worked on the queen’s guard for many years, and the queen is just and kind.”
“Then why do we languish here – what explanation is given for the presence of fairies and creatures in the Middling Grounds?” Ivy asked, her voice wavering with confusion. What she had been raised to believe was now obviously being shaken by the revelation that Queen Rhosyn might not be to blame for their predicament here.
“While it is true that the queen’s guard does banish fairies and creatures to the Middling Grounds, it is only those who seek to harm Fairy Land and commit crimes.” Aurus repeated his earlier statement.
“But we have done no wrong!” Twig said, shaking his tiny antlers. “Thicket and I remember living in Rhosyn’s Woods for a time when an advisor from the Fairy Court came to see our parents. We don’t know what they discussed, but the next thing we knew, we were being bundled onto a fairy cart and taken here.”
Thicket nodded sadly. “I remember our mother telling us that she would see us soon – that we had been given a chance at a normal life, but we never saw her again. The fairy that dropped us here said our mother didn’t want us because we were no use!”
Soren’s eyes gleamed. “And just what did this ‘advisor’ look like?” he enquired, leaning forwards.
Twig wrinkled his snout as he thought back. “He was very tall, I remember that; he had long brown-and-white hair in a twisted braid all the way down his back. I remember thinking it looked like a snake.” He shuddered as Thicket moved closer to him with a grimace.
Aurus looked at Soren, and a grim look passed between them. “That sounds like Lord Runar. He is a high-ranking member of the queen’s council. I never trusted him, but he had been on the council since before Queen Rhosyn was queen, so he kept his position when she came to rule.”
“Then maybe it’s his doing!” Fenn said. “But surely he would only act on the queen’s orders?”
“I tell you again, the queen would not have anything to do with this!” Aurus returned. “If Lord Runar is indeed behind this, then he does it of his own volition.”
Martha was horrified as she listened to the bleak conversation. She couldn’t imagine being taken from her parents at such a young age and abandoned, and she especially couldn’t believe that the benevolent queen could be behind it.
“We were lucky when Fenn and Reed’s parents took us in – we owe them everything,” Twig said, pawing the dusty ground with his hoof and looking affectionately at the two boys.
“That’s right. They are our family now, and family sticks together,” Fenn said fervently, laying an arm on the back of each of the stags.
“I couldn’t agree more – family is everything to us,” Martha said softly, her eyes shining with sympathy. “I understand your anger, but cannot believe that Queen Rhosyn would be responsible for this. She gave shelter to Otto here, when he was under a curse of Nesrin’s doing. Queen Rhosyn saved him.”
Otto nodded fervently. “I know what it’s like to be so far away from my family too – not knowing if I would ever see them.” He paused, and Octavia leaned in to give him a fierce hug. Taking a deep breath, he looked up and met Fenn’s eyes. “I believe Queen Rhosyn would never send any of you away.”
“Then will you help us? Will you tell Queen Rhosyn that there are fairies and creatures who do not belong here? Who want to live good fairy lives?” Ivy said, standing, her eyes beseeching.
Fenn broke eye-contact with Otto, and Martha could see uncertainty wavering in his eyes, when Reed gave a snort.
“They won’t help us!” he said, staring at Martha with contempt.
“You’re wrong!” Martha felt her compassion rise within her. “We will help, won’t we?” she directed at Soren, Conn, Doran and Aurus.
Felicity, Beatrice, Octavia, and Otto nodded in solidarity with Martha, and waited.
“Of course, but you need to help us first. Nesrin cannot catch us here – we need to escape and rescue the companions. We can then return to Castle Enfys, get to the bottom of this mystery, and have you reinstated in Bloomsville where you belong,” Soren said.
“How can we trust you?” Fenn asked dubiously.
“If you give me back my wand, I can try to mend Callia’s wings,” Beatrice said softly to Reed, who still had her wand.
“But isn’t it dangerous?” Ivy asked warily.
“Of course not!” Doran exclaimed. “Difficult, yes, as it is an old injury, but not impossible. Magic is nothing to be afraid of if it is wielded with love.”
Fenn and Reed looked at each other before going over to crouch beside Callia, who had been watching the Bloomsville unicorns with awe. In her hands she cradled a brown ball.
“Cal – how would you like to fly with us?” Fenn asked gently, causing Martha to once again wonder at this boy-fairy who showed so many different sides.
“Oh yes! I love it when you carry me and fly me above the trees – I feel like I could touch the stars.” Callia grinned, tearing her eyes away from Linnea’s prettily blooming coat.
“I know you do,” Fenn said with a chuckle, tickling the tiny fairy under her chin. “But what if you could use your own wings?”
The light dimmed from Callia’s eyes. “But my wings don’t fly,” she said, sticking out her bottom lip in a pout.
Tears welled in Martha’s eyes as she watched the exchange.
Beatrice took Felicity’s hand and walked forwards. “Hello, Callia – I’m Beatrice. What have you got there?” she asked, gesturing at the ball.
Callia looked at the two girls and shyly said, “This is my friend, Thistle.” The ball unfurled to reveal a small hedgehog. Its spikes, instead of being pointed, were soft like thistledown.
“Hello, Thistle, nice to meet you,” Beatrice replied, to which Callia gave a little giggle. Turning her attention back to the little fairy, Beatrice continued, “This is my cousin Felicity. When she holds my hand like this and I use my magic, I can heal.”
Callia’s eyes lit up once more. “Can you mend my wings?” she asked in a breathless little voice.
Beatrice nodded. “I would certainly like to try; it would be an honour.”
Fenn joined them and focused on Callia. “Ready, little one?” he asked her.
Callia bounced up and down and clapped her hands. “Yes!” she said, and giggled musically. Martha felt a rush of affection for this unusual family, and the precious little fairy-girl especially.
After a momentary pause Reed held the wand out to Beatrice, who took it with a smile and clasped Felicity’s hand tightly. She closed her eyes, and the tip of the wand glowed a soft green colour.
Beatrice opened her eyes and aimed the beam of light at Callia’s wings. Ivy, Fenn, Reed, Twig and Thicket watched anxiously. Fenn’s fists were clenched and he leaned forwards, as if ready to pluck the tiny fairy away should she need saving.
Nothing happened, and Martha watched as her sister aimed a desperate look at Doran, who frowned. “I told you it wouldn’t be an easy fix, but it can be done. Please let me help – I can add my power to theirs,” he said to Fenn.
Fenn stormed forwards and clutched Callia to him. “No. This is a waste of time. You’ve just got her hopes up for nothing.”
Callia’s bottom lip started to tremble, and Martha walked to her side. “Please don’t cry, Callia. Could you be brave and give us one more chance?” she asked gently.
Fenn frowned, but looked down at Callia, who stared up at him with enormous, trusting eyes. Finally, his look softened, and Callia nodded tremulously.
“Can you release Doran’s hands?” Beatrice asked Reed. He paused, indecision written across his pointed features.
“I promise that no harm will come to any of you,” Doran said, truth glimmering in his amber eyes.
Fenn patted his brother’s arm and nodded, so Reed said to Twig, “Release him.”
Twig trotted forwards and, with one slice across the mass of string, unbound Doran’s hands.
Doran rubbed his tender wrists before meeting Fenn’s eyes. “Thank you,” he said sincerely. Fenn gave a jerky nod back, worry evident in his eyes.
Beatrice and Felicity joined hands again, and the soft green light glowed once more. Doran nodded in satisfaction and joined his power to it, giving it a gentle boost.
Callia gave a joyous smile as the light surrounded her, glowing in the sunlight coming through the gaps in the barn walls. Martha gasped as Callia’s wings slowly unfurled like the petals of a large flower. The pearly white wings were speckled with multi-coloured sparkles and now looked strong and healthy.
Callia gave a laugh and fluttered her new wings. She placed Thistle onto her seat and with a rush zoomed up into the rafters, turning an unexpected cartwheel in the air that had her shrieking with glee.
“Callia! Come down,” Ivy yelled, emotion rippling across her face as her eyes filled with tears.
“I never want to come down!” the little fairy shouted back as she zipped around the barn to the happy laughs and cheers of all assembled. Martha caught Fenn’s eye, and he gave a reluctant smile and inclined his head. Martha smiled back happily and went to hug her sister and cousin, patting Doran on the arm.
A sudden banging had everyone turning apprehensively to the barn door. Grover’s voice penetrated the wood. “Fenn! Grub’s back. I’ll get him to take a message to her highness.”
The Blooms looked at Soren and Conn in horror, but Fenn held up a hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle this,” he said, and went over to the door. He slipped out of the barn, and the others strained to hear the muffled voices outside.
Grover’s voice could be heard angrily saying, “Have you got slumbershrooms growing in your head, boy?!”
Martha looked worriedly around at the faces of her family and friends, then at Ivy, who sighed before squaring her shoulders. She gestured to Soren and Conn before pushing open a side door and nodding.
Martha Bloom and the Glass Compass Page 7
