A Pinch of Moonlight

by A V Awenna

  Chapter 14. Deception and Defiance

  Pefryn took Demi’s hand as they approached the town, and cast a cloaking spell over both of them. The sky was deep blue now, almost black in the east, but the moon cast its silvery light over the scene.

  Demi could see that they were entering a cobbled area surrounded by low rocky cliffs and imposing stone walls. There was a huge, arched gateway in the city walls, guarded by elves, and some other elves were guarding a smaller gate off to the side, which led into a small cave.

  They moved quietly despite Pefryn’s cloaking spell. Demi could see now that they were approaching a post on a platform up near the walls.

  ‘Where is he?’ Pefryn said, gripping Demi’s hand so tight it hurt. ‘There is blood, and the smell of fear, but where is he?’ Pefryn let go of Demi and searched around the whipping post, letting the cloak fade in her panic. Demi was left alone in the middle of the twilit square, and that was how the elves spotted her, and moved in.

  Demi wasn’t the kind of girl who appreciated someone grabbing her arm and twisting it behind her back. She fought back, kicking hard and yelling the foulest words she knew. Pefryn had been recognised, and was therefore ignored. Being Nothing in Annwn, she was treated as if she didn’t exist – not an easy task for the guard she was pummelling. He got his own back by twisting Demi-Lee’s arm further, making her howl with pain.

  ‘What coarse tongue is this?’ sneered a male voice. ‘And what manner of creature? Too hefty for a fairy; too lumpen and graceless for an elf. Is it some kind of monkey, perhaps? And what is it doing in my domain?’ The voice belonged to a well-dressed elf seated on a throne supported front and back by fairies between wooden shafts. He looked ridiculous, but he was followed by a crowd of simpering girls and sneering boys, some of them holding poles with lanterns.

  The guard loosened his hold on Demi-Lee, but only enough to stop her screaming. She was retching from the assault, and glared at the newcomer. His domain. Was this Tefyn then? But Pefryn didn’t seem pleased to see him, nor was there anything wrong with his hands.

  ‘Speak, creature,’ the elf said. He gestured to a lantern-bearer, who lowered their flame so Demi’s face was better lit. It was uncomfortably close, invading her space and searing her skin. ‘You made enough noise a moment ago,’ the elf continued. ‘What are you, and what are you doing here?’

  There was a coldness to this man which she just couldn’t imagine the lively Pefryn loving. His beige robes were spotless, starched and ironed. But the thin plaited sash crossing his tunic was filthy and stained. This wasn’t Tefyn. She realised it must be Hafren, the one who’d tormented Blackbird. Nasty then, and powerful. All she could do was answer his questions and hope not to enrage him.

  ‘I’m human, and I was invited here,’ Demi said, as bravely as she could.

  ‘Not by me you weren’t,’ Hafren barked. ‘I wouldn’t allow such a base creature into this domain. Who invited you?’

  ‘The nixie. She held out her hand and I took it, and this is where I ended up. I haven’t done anything wrong. Please ask this man to let me go.’ Demi pleaded.

  ‘Is he hurting you?’ Hafren sneered.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Too bad. You shouldn’t start games you can’t finish.’ Hafren laughed. ‘Keep hold of her,’ he told the guard, then added, ‘Be grateful we don’t kill people here. I need to decide what to do with you. We can’t run the risk of you bringing other humans to Annwn. It would destroy us. It’s bad enough with fairies running riot, getting ideas above their Place.’ He paused, then addressed the guard. ‘Take her to the lock-up. Leave her there until I’ve decided how to deal with her. A memory wipe might be kindest. A total memory wipe, just to be on the safe side.’

  There was a horrified gasp from some of the elves.

  ‘You can’t do that!’ Demi-Lee protested. ‘I was invited here.’

  ‘And why would anyone want human vermin in Annwn?’ Hafren asked.

  ‘I can do magic,’ Demi said. ‘I came here to learn more.’

  ‘Magic? Oh, please!’ Hafren said. ‘I’ve seen human magic. You light a candle and blend some herbs, chant a bit of gibberish and look for a coincidence to take credit for. Your species is pathetic.’

  ‘I can do cloaking spells and cast charms and glamours,’ Demi said. ‘I’m not that good yet, but I’ve only been learning a month. And I can sense other’s magic, and I don’t sense much magic around you.’

  ‘Insolent rat. I should have you whipped.’ His hand reached for the sash.

  ‘That’s all you can do, isn’t it! Pick fights with people who can’t fight back,’ Demi said.

  For a moment it seemed Hafren was going to lose it, but then he turned icy cool and sneered, ‘You talk a good talk, monkey girl. But can you walk the walk?’

  ‘I’ll walk any walk you choose,’ Demi replied.

  ‘Excellent!’ The hoots and sneers from the elves and the look of horror on Pefryn’s face set Demi-Lee’s heart racing, although her blood ran cold. Pefryn was arguing fiercely with Hafren, her wings fluttering, but he acted as though she wasn’t even there, and Demi-Lee knew it was no use. She had just committed herself to walking through somewhere which was probably full of tigers – no, worse, goblins and monsters. There was, literally, no going back.

  Pefryn looked up, and a smile lit up her face. Demi-Lee followed Pefryn’s gaze, and saw a tall, broad shouldered man striding towards them.

  His clothes were made from fine cloth, in the same blues and greens as Pefryn’s, but they looked as though he’d been sleeping in them. His hair was longer than Hafren’s and he had a rumpled, distracted look to him. But he had an air of authority, his head held high and his brows furrowed. His right arm was bound in a sling, and the look in Pefryn’s eyes confirmed that this was Tefyn. And he was wearing Tom’s bracelet, which he must have got from Blackbird. Surely this was a good sign? Demi thought.

  ‘Release that young woman. Can’t you see you’re hurting her?’ Tefyn commanded.

  The guard looked from Tefyn to Hafren and back again before obeying.

  ‘Is this wise, First Citizen?’ Hafren sneered. ‘She has arrived without a mentor, and seems to have been mixing with undesirables.’

  Demi was amazed that Tefyn let the implied insults pass. Instead, he just reminded Hafren of the traditional hospitality Demi deserved. ‘And I heard our young visitor accept your challenge to Walk the Walk. A brave thing to do, but the rewards of success will be worth the ordeal, I’m sure. As her challenger, of course, you are responsible for providing those rewards – and her Ultimate Repast.’

  That just sounds like a fancy way of saying ‘Last Meal’, Demi thought.

  Tefyn was stern as he turned to Demi-Lee, but not hostile. ‘Think carefully. What do you desire for your last meal before the challenge. You can request whatever you desire, within reason. Not a plate of clouds or a dish of rubies. It has to be food, you understand, but you can choose whatever you want.’

  She was starving. She didn’t want any more dry seed cakes. She knew what she really wanted, but they’d never in a million years have it here…she smiled.

  ‘I request a MegaMeal,’ she said. ‘With cheeseburger, Krispi-Twist chips, cherry cola and ChokkaPie. And make sure it’s the Giraffalump toy, cos I’ve got all the rest. That one’s really rare.’

  Hafren’s jaw actually dropped. Tefyn merely smiled, and said, ‘You shall have what you request. See to it, Hafren.’

  The stand-off was broken by a guard on the city walls singing the traditional evening call.

  Hafren and his followers turned to leave, but Tefyn remained where he was.

  ‘Are you not coming with us, First Citizen? Did you not here the evening call? We wouldn’t want you to be shut out.’ Hafren’s mock concern was grating.

  ‘I am still the elected leader of this realm. I doubt my guards would refuse me entry. You may leave.’ Tefyn
replied.

  There was nothing Hafren could do without causing a scene, so he and his followers returned to the city.

  As the gates closed behind Hafren, Tefyn reached out to Pefryn, and took her into his arms. Demi-Lee saw how he changed. Less stern and intimidating, he bowed his head as he caressed his wife’s feathers.

  ‘I released Blackbird,’ Tefyn told them. ‘He is with the healers.’ He turned to Demi. ‘You showed spirit – I was impressed. But you should rest now, if you are to Walk the Walk tomorrow. Go to the Healer’s Lodge there – they will provide for you. As your challenger, Hafren is duty bound to provide food and lodging.’

  Tefyn began to walk away then, his arm still around Pefryn’s waist. The fairy broke away, and kissed Demi-Lee goodnight, sending a burst of magic through her as she did so. Then Pefryn returned to her husband, and the two of them started the long walk to the treehouse, leaving Demi-Lee all on her own. Clutching Vicky’s basket, she ran to the Lodge.