by Brandon Mull
“I didn’t come here to lecture you,” Kendra said, not wanting to argue.
Risenmay gave a relieved smile. “That moves us in a better direction. Why have you come to me?”
“I need your help,” Kendra said.
“I see,” Risenmay replied. “Something you cannot do for yourself.”
“Yes,” Kendra said. “My friends need help too. All of Wyrmroost needs help. The whole world, really. I’m the caretaker here.”
“Now, child, I am a fairy, and not a mortal, but if I needed help, I might not approach my benefactor with a lecture on empathy for lesser beings, but rather pleading, begging, on my knees, perhaps.”
Kendra got down on her knees. “Please.”
Risenmay shook her head, lovely tresses bouncing. “Nay, child, rise. Begging loses all effect once the petitioner has been invited to grovel.”
Kendra stayed on her knees. “I mean it. I’m sorry if I was rude. It was hard getting here and I’m worried about my friends. Please help me.”
“I see you are trying,” Risenmay said. “Arise, dear one, I insist, I detect your sincerity. You are fairykind. A gift from the Fairy Queen?”
“Yes,” Kendra said, getting to her feet.
“Are you aware the current Fairy Queen is not a fairy?” Risenmay asked.
“She’s a unicorn,” Kendra said.
“Do you know who was Fairy Queen before her?” Risenmay asked.
“I didn’t know there was another,” Kendra said.
“Queen is a position, not an individual,” Risenmay said. “Just as Horus was Dragon King before Celebrant.”
“I don’t know who preceded this Fairy Queen,” Kendra said.
“She was actually a fairy,” Risenmay said. “They were all fairies, in fact, before our current queen. True fairies, like me.”
“You seem different from other fairies,” Kendra said.
Risenmay laughed richly. “You mean the tiny ones who flit about plagued with insecurity. Yes, child, I am a great fairy. We have various designations. Some mortals have taken to calling us fairy godmothers.”
“You’re a fairy godmother?” Kendra asked.
“A quaint title, but yes, it helps make the proper distinction,” Risenmay said. “We watch over the little ones. And one of us has always been queen. Until now.”
“Does that upset you?” Kendra asked tentatively.
“No more than it would upset you if a lovely, intelligent swan were queen of all humans,” Risenmay said.
Kendra scrunched her brow. “That would be weird.”
“But not completely undesirable,” Risenmay said. “Lovely in some ways. And peculiar that the ruler of humans would not be a human.”
“The Fairy Queen can look like a fairy,” Kendra said.
“Then imagine instead a swan with a human avatar,” Risenmay said. “But first and foremost, a swan.”
“I have seen other large fairies,” Kendra said. “Were they great fairies?”
“More likely small fairies made large,” Risenmay said. “The great fairies were never small. Our powers and comprehension exceed theirs. We can do far more, and can be generous benefactors when the mood strikes us. How may I help you?”
“We need transportation,” Kendra said.
“Patton suggested you come to me for transportation?” Risenmay asked.
“We all brought mounts,” Kendra said. “We have to get to Stormguard Castle an hour after the festival night begins.”
Risenmay narrowed her gaze. “Did this stingbulb tell you what I can do?”
“He couldn’t,” Kendra said.
“That at least is a relief,” Risenmay said. “I thought perhaps his temporary reincarnation might have bypassed his pledge to silence. He hinted, and then made sure you came prepared.”
“Can you help us?” Kendra asked.
“I can,” Risenmay said. “But will I?”
Kendra got down on her knees. “Please, Risenmay, most beautiful of fairies. My friends need help getting here before the festival night begins. And we must reach the castle at the right time, or Wyrmroost might fall to the dragons. All dragon sanctuaries might fall.”
Risenmay stifled a little yawn. “You don’t know why greater fairies take an interest in mortals, do you?”
“I’m not sure,” Kendra said.
“You are fairykind,” Risenmay said. “I can’t read your mind. The wishes of your heart are hidden from me. Hints to what might motivate me survive in some of your stories.”
“Cinderella had a fairy godmother,” Kendra said.
“Did she?” Risenmay asked innocently.
Kendra thought. What might pique her interest? “The boy I like is in danger.”
Risenmay brightened. “You like a boy?”
“I do,” Kendra said. “He’s older than me, so he’s resistant. But he doesn’t seem old.”
“That sounds thrilling. Do you love him?”
“So much.”
Risenmay clapped. “Your love is the important part! I see that you mean it. Sometimes love is better when not fully returned. Juicier. More interesting.”
“I’m so worried about him,” Kendra said.
“Is he handsome?” Risenmay asked.
“Insanely handsome,” Kendra said. “It’s not just me who thinks so—naiads, fairies, everyone!”
Risenmay seemed delighted. “He is mortal?”
“He’s a unicorn.”
“Wait, really? Does he have a name?”
“Bracken.”
Risenmay covered her giggle. “Of course you love Bracken! Who doesn’t love Bracken? Sadly, this weakens your case a little. Makes your love a bit more generic. He is so aloof, and admired by all. I’m sorry, my dear.”
“He likes me back,” Kendra said.
Risenmay looked at her skeptically. “Can you be sure? The youth has a kind and jovial nature often mistaken for affection.”
“He gave me his first horn,” Kendra said, touching it.
Risenmay’s eyes widened. “Did he indeed? Goodness, child. Why didn’t you say so? Getting to Stormguard Castle will help your relationship?”
“He’s been captured,” Kendra said. “Getting to the castle could save him.”
Risenmay laughed with delight. “Children!” she called in a singsong tone. “To me, my children! Mummy has an errand for you!”
Winging It
“The sun is getting lower,” Calvin said.
“That’s how it works,” Babak said. “After midday. As time passes.”
“Right, but when the sun sets, the festival night starts,” Calvin said. “And we all die.”
“Makes the position of the sun an important topic,” Patton said. “We have maybe half an hour left.”
“Can we make it back to the Zowali place in half an hour?” Knox asked.
“Maybe,” Captain replied, “if we leave now. And we run. And the trees don’t mind.”
“Are those fairies?” Seth asked, pointing into the Bewilderness.
Patton looked where Seth was pointing and then let out a whoop. “Kendra did it, friends! Risenmay sent escorts! Mount up!”
As Seth climbed onto Noble, eleven fairies arrived. None looked like the rugged Wyrmroost fairies Seth had seen. These were colorful and delicate.
“Mistress Risenmay requests your presence,” one of the fairies announced in her high voice. “We were sent to guide you.”
“Lead on,” Patton said. “We were hoping you would come.”
“Stay with us,” the fairy said. “The way ahead is fraught with peril.”
Patton took the lead, and Seth rode up beside him. The others fell in line behind. “Kendra made it?” Seth asked. “She’s safe? For sure?”
“No doubt,” Patton said. “It’s the only reason these fairies would come for us. Follow them closely.”
The game of follow-the-fairies seemed a little absurd, the route unnecessarily circuitous over uncomfortable terrain. No roads. No paths. Lots of wi
nding.
The talking mounts did not complain and maintained a brisk pace. Seth kept glancing as the sun slipped toward the horizon. Every time they made ridiculous turns that assured an indirect route, Seth clenched his teeth, reminding himself that they were steering around unseen death traps. But the setting sun was a death trap too! Being exposed on Midsummer Eve at Wyrmroost would kill them as surely as anything else.
A little space remained between the sun and the mountaintops when a promising pond came into view. An island at the center emitted a suspicious glow, and ethereal music chimed in the air. The fairies led them past the pond to an opening in the bluff beyond.
Patton dismounted, and the others followed his lead. The fairies led them into the cavity in the bluff. Despite the close confines, the horses and the camel followed. The way wound back and forth around sharp bends.
Seth emerged into a crystal cavern, where a radiant, human-sized fairy stood in a dazzling white gown. Kendra waved to him. He waved back, relieved to see that his sister was actually all right.
“This is Risenmay,” Kendra said.
The fairy was gorgeous. Seth was not sure if he had ever seen a more beautiful woman, even among the Fair Folk.
“Welcome,” Risenmay said. “Come inside—there is room for all, horses too. Oh, and a camel and a rabbit! Quite a menagerie! I met you back when you actually existed, Patton Burgess.”
“I remember,” Patton said. “You look as enchanting as ever.”
“Oh, stop,” she said, color coming into her cheeks as she brushed a hand across one shimmery hip. “I wasn’t expecting company.”
Seth rolled his eyes. The fairy looked like she was about to walk the red carpet at the Academy Awards.
“Sun is getting low,” Patton said.
“You’ll be safe here,” Risenmay said. “I would give you shelter for the night, but I understand you hope to make it to Stormguard Castle an hour after the festival night begins.”
“That’s right,” Patton said.
“What’s with the island out there?” Seth asked. “It had music.”
Risenmay laughed lightly. “I suppose that is terrible of me. It’s the last little trick on the way to my abode. A ferocious predator dwells in that pond. More visitors have succumbed to that trap than any others, the poor dears. For some reason, they decide the end of the road is when they should stop following instructions.”
“They get eaten?” Seth asked.
“Well, injected with toxins and left to ferment underwater in a gelatinous cocoon,” Risenmay said. “But yes, eventually devoured, bones and all.”
“How will we get to the castle?” Knox asked.
“Don’t be too hasty,” Risenmay said. “To time this correctly, you want to wait several minutes before departure. And you must all make a solemn promise.”
“What promise?” Seth asked.
“To keep my abilities a secret,” Risenmay said.
“It’s a generous offer for the aid we will receive,” Patton said.
Risenmay extended her hand. “Lay your hands on mine.”
“All of us?” Patton asked.
“Yes, well, all of you with hands,” Risenmay said.
Seth approached with Patton and the others, including Kendra, and they huddled around Risenmay, arms extended, hands piled on hers.
“Two-four-six-eight, who do we appreciate?” Knox chanted. “Feels like a cheer after a game.”
Seth snickered. It kind of did feel like that.
“The little one too,” Risenmay prompted.
“I sometimes get forgotten at times like these,” Calvin said. Seth helped the nipsie from his pocket and put him on the top hand, which belonged to Lomo. Calvin knelt and placed his hand down.
“Repeat after me,” Risenmay said. “I solemnly swear to keep what happens here a secret.”
They repeated.
“And I grant Risenmay permission to bind my tongue and hold me to this oath.”
They repeated again.
Smiling, Risenmay withdrew her hand. “Marvelous. Now the animals, rabbit included.”
Risenmay repeated the exercise surrounded by the animals, each of them touching her with hoof or muzzle. The animals who could talk spoke the words.
“Thank you for being so compliant,” Risenmay said. “I felt agreement even from the silent ones. I hope Kendra will be able to recover her true love, and perhaps the high and mighty Bracken will finally succumb to Cupid’s arrows.”
“Is this about Bracken?” Seth asked.
“Eventually,” Kendra said. “We can’t save him if we lose the war.”
“True,” Seth said. He wanted to help Bracken too, but he was unsure why it was suddenly the top concern. His focus was on surviving the night and foiling the dragons.
“What are you going to do?” Knox asked.
“I have many abilities,” Risenmay said. “Perhaps my signature talent is the power to bestow wings.”
“You’re going to give us wings?” Seth asked.
“I prefer not to bestow them upon humanoids,” Risenmay said. “I don’t want common beings mistaken for fairies. But your mounts are another matter.”
“This must be where Mickette got her wings,” Charlemagne said.
“What?” Kendra asked.
“Mickette was a mare who showed up with wings one day,” Captain said. “Like a Pegasus. She refused to explain the origin.”
“She died at a ripe old age,” Charlemagne said. “A legend among the Luvians.”
Patton was trying to say something.
Risenmay waved a hand at him. “Go ahead, in this company.”
“Mickette was my horse,” Patton said. “For a time, at least. I brought her here and helped her get wings.”
“And you brought us for the same purpose,” Seth said.
“Each with a mount,” Patton said.
“I’m going to have a flying rabbit!” Calvin exclaimed. “Thistleton, do you want wings?”
“Yeah,” Thistleton said. “My family won’t believe it.”
“Does this hold true for all of you?” Risenmay asked. “Will you accept my gift of wings? I must have confirmation to proceed.”
“With these wings we’ll be able to fly?” Charlemagne asked. “Like Mickette? Like a Pegasus?”
“The wings would be rather absurd if they didn’t enable you to fly,” Risenmay said. “These wings will not only let you fly—you’ll be able to maneuver really well.”
“And we’ll always have the wings?” Babak asked.
“Always,” Risenmay said. “Though you will not pass them to offspring. And you, sir, would be the first camel I have ever enhanced.”
“I might be the first flying camel in history,” Babak said. “I know of no others.”
“I need confirmation first,” Risenmay said.
The five horses, the camel, and the rabbit all assented.
“You’re just going to make them sprout wings?” Knox asked incredulously.
“You be the judge,” Risenmay said. She spread her arms, and suddenly she gleamed with an intense white light that reflected off the calcite and refracted in the crystals. Vivid rainbows quivered in the intense glare. Risenmay chanted unintelligible words that filled Seth with buoyant excitement.
When she lowered her arms, the radiance dimmed, and Seth was left blinking in an attempt to regulate his eyesight. As his vision adjusted, Seth saw the horses, the camel, and the rabbit all investigating their new wings, experimentally stretching one, or flexing the other, or tentatively flapping both. The rabbit leaped into the air and started darting around the cavern like a bat.
“Looking good, Thistleton,” Calvin said.
“I suggest the larger creatures resist the urge to fly until they get outside,” Risenmay said. “Looks like the enchantment was successful for all.”
Seth crossed to Noble. “You look great,” he said.
His horse stamped and tossed his head.
Kendra stroked Glory a
s the horse nuzzled her. “Won’t it be really dangerous riding to Stormguard Castle on a festival night?” Kendra asked.
“Risenmay?” Patton asked.
“I can help there, too,” Risenmay said, extending her arms again. A golden light infused the cavern, less intense than the previous glare. When the light faded, a golden glow lingered about the animals, particularly illuminating their wings. “I gave you my blessing. It will ward you from harm for a time, especially from the undead, and it will serve as a powerful distracter spell. As Kendra may have noticed on her way here, diverse attractor and distracter spells are a strength of mine.”
Patton clapped his hands and raised both fists in the air. “That was what we needed. Thank you, Risenmay! We’re all in your debt.”
The beautiful fairy smiled and gave a gracious nod. “You owe me nothing, except to keep the nature of my abilities a secret. Do rain and sunlight ask repayment for the nourishment they provide? Do flowers require recompense from those gazing at their blooms? I help living things to blossom. I am a giver of gifts.”
“Unless people die trying to make it here,” Seth mumbled.
Risenmay glanced at him archly. “That nourishes the flowers too.”
“What’s the timing?” Tanu asked.
“We want to get there an hour after the sun went down,” Patton said. “Not sooner. Preferably not much later.”
“Depart in a few more minutes,” Risenmay said. “As the camel flies.”
Babak fluttered his wings and hovered a foot or two above the ground for a moment. “Sorry,” the camel said. “I know—not inside. It’s hard to resist.”
“What is the plan when we get there?” Lomo asked.
“I will not be admitted to the castle,” Patton said. “Calvin might be denied as well, unless his small size allows admittance. Entering the castle will strip away all magic while you are inside. Potions won’t work and magical items will lose their power. Kendra will no longer be fairykind and Seth will not be a shadow charmer. Lomo will lose whatever abilities are part of his nature.”
“Not permanently?” Kendra asked.
“Only while inside the castle,” Patton said.
“What do you know of conditions inside the castle?” Tanu asked.
Patton gave a weak smile. “Very little. I backed out before fully entering. I crossed the drawbridge to the gate and found a message embossed in a plaque on the wall: ‘Conquer or Withdraw.’ It was a festival night, but my instincts warned me the castle would be worse. I withdrew.”
