Alder's eyes glistened. "That seems like a riddle only you can solve. Go on now." Alder pointed to a familiar wooden door in the middle of a hedgerow. "It's best for you not to be here during a Wild Hunt feast. Changelings get...overwhelmed. I think you have a key."
I glossed over the fact that he referred to me as a changeling and focused on the mention of key. "Key? I don't—" I pat my pocket and felt something hard there. No way. This couldn't be right?
But as I stuck my hand in my pocket, I knew that I was right. I drew out the metallic object from my pocket. The key that I had in my pocket fifteen years ago was still there now.
"Where does this lead?" I asked.
"Where you want to go," Alder replied. “Just think of going home like you always did, and it’ll get you there.”
When I wanted to ask him more questions, Alder had disappeared. There was only a path in front of me.
As I faced the open door, light spilled from it, growing in intensity. The air was warm and clean.
If this was where I needed to go, I welcomed it. Better than the alternative of being dirty in a church baptismal. I steeled my nerve and stepped through the portal with the hope that one day I’d know where I came from.
That was probably the reason that instead of appearing back in my body in Vegas, I stepped into the middle of a feast.
Dancing halted in mid-step. The music abruptly stopped. Even people who were eating stopped mid-chew.
Maybe no one was used to seeing someone appearing from thin air to crash a shindig?
A man seated in a raised dais stood up abruptly, the only movement in the entire hall. He wore the flowing robes of smoke that I’d seen on the lead rider. His hair was a majestic black that swirled around him. Lightning clashed in his eyes.
He lifted his arm and pointed directly at me, sighting down his finger as if he was lining me up down the barrel of a gun.
“Behold, all those who questioned the wisdom of opening the paths once more. The first of many changelings has answered my call and returned. Of course it is only fitting that the first to arrive is my own daughter, Valerian Whitestorm.”
5
The Role Only You Can Do
“Valerian...Whitestorm?”
Cue the prank music. This had to be a joke.
A funny plot to make me the laughing stock of this apparent land of dreams I’d been locked from finding for all these years.
Right?
Not only this bulk, but strong man also announce my real first name, he just told his entire congregation that I, Valerian, was his daughter? The daughter of Whitestorm.
These dreams sure love to challenge me.
The silence in the hall continued, the numerous eyes that looked me up and down made me uncomfortable. I felt like an alien when I appeared to be a normal woman who had dream walked right into this craziness.
Or with the information I'd just gathered from his announcement, I was this man's long lost daughter? This would make the perfect television drama.
"Sorry for intruding?" My voice revealed my nervousness, but I continued. "I was trying to find my way back home, but it seems I've landed in the middle of your uh...feast. Sorry about that. Seeing as I've rudely interrupted, I'll just slowly get out of your way? The exit is there, right?" I pointed in the direction of the large double doors that were guarded by men in armor.
The similar protective gear the man who claimed to be my father had worn when he and his fellow men had returned from the Wild Hunt.
When the silence continued, I wasn't sure what else to say. Another solid minute went by, leaving me to wonder if time itself had stopped in my dream and I was the only one breathing, but the crowd erupted in cheers, causing me to flinch and my eyes to grow wide.
What in the world was I missing here?
"The King was correct!" a woman cheered.
"All hope is not lost!" a man voiced.
"We shall restore the balance," two women cheered.
The waves of praise continued, leaving me even more confused than ever. Peace? Hope? Balance? What were these people talking about?
Taking a close look at them, they all had human features, but there was a uniqueness to each of them. It was similar to Adler and his whole tree bark appearance, but in this case, their beauty reminded me of marionette dolls, some of them with pale like skin with not a hint of imperfections.
Even as they're cheered, their movement was a little robotic, but the man they labeled as King and my apparent Father moved down from his throne and headed to me.
I faced his direction, hoping he'd have the answers I desired. The tugging connection was back, and I was tempted to walk forward and meet him halfway.
To kneel down on one knee and pledge my allegiance and serve him for the conquest he had in mind.
"Valerian, my daughter. You have finally heeded my call. We've been waiting for you," the man greeted as he reached me, a proud smile on his face.
"I have no clue who you are," I announced giving him a look of distrust.
"Understandable," he brushed the topic away like it wasn't important. “The minor details are not important at this time. What is important, and valuable to my loyal members of this court is that you are one of many to arrive in the coming years, now that I've reopened the connecting paths."
"I'm not following," I shook my head and sighed. "I'm currently dreaming, was able to dream walk into this universe after fifteen years of being unable to, and now you're saying those are minor details? Now knowing who you are is a tad more important here."
He chuckled with power, ignore me entirely as he turned around to peer at his congregation. "I've proved my words of change. Allow me to leave with my daughter and explain to her the new task at hand. Let the feast continue!"
Cheers of acceptance and joy burst through the massive dining hall. The King looked back at me. "Let us go somewhere private,"
He didn't give me an option to rebel, beginning his large strides away from me. Holding my tongue, I fought to keep up, not having the same long legs as him.
I tried not to make eye contact with his people, their glimmering eyes of hope trailing me as I made my way down the main path that led to a set of doors. The guards had already opened them up for the King, only keeping them open for my exit.
Once I passed through them, they closed with an eerie slowness, and I looked to see the King or apparent father had turned left.
Can't even wait for his own daughter? No wonder mother was a single mother. Had a man who's apparently a King of a dream world. Totally realistic.
This was all frustrating, making me stomp my way down the left hall to follow this King to wherever he wanted to go in "private" to discuss these plans of hope.
Did he not know what was happening beyond this made-shift reality? He didn't know about my constant travel and the chase to hide from the man who wanted me for whatever power I carried and benefited his once little organization?
Day by day, his organization was growing. He was becoming more powerful, finding others like me, and growing his forces and research. I was helpless to do anything but hide; as if I was playing a lovely game of Hide and Seek.
The only problem in this intriguing game was that I was always hiding, and it was only a matter of time when the Wizard would seek me out.
Then he'd either kill me or use some drug to manipulate my mind to his pledge of peace. Like he has so many others who only wanted a cure to their uniqueness.
Reaching the end of the hall, I noticed the large room to my right. The king's cape that rested on his shoulders caught my attention, my legs moving into the massive room.
It was something that you'd see in the movies. Like an ancient base, but was remodeled to have a new outlook to it.
The appearance gave me completely different vibes than the outside. When you viewed the beauty of the castle outdoors with the mazes, gardens, and various wildlife beyond the castle, it was like a dream that reminded me of Alice in Wonderland.
&
nbsp; Yet, the interior was like a medieval castle, or at least, the dining room had that vibe to it. This room was just an upgraded, state of the art training room, leading me to wonder if this was where they planned combat.
Or the Wild Hunt.
"What is this room? Where you plan your hunts?" I questioned.
"You shouldn't know that," the man mentioned.
I frowned, realizing I'd let myself go by revealing far too much. Nervously glancing at him, he moved to sit down at a large rectangle table, similar to a desk, but one aimed to discuss battle coordinates and options.
He ushered to the seat opposite of him, and I hesitantly stared at it.
"You haven't told me who you are,"
"And you haven't properly explained why you're trespassing on my land," he countered with a smug look. "If you think I didn't sense you in the maze, you underestimate the King of the Wild Hunt,"
"I..." holding my tongue, I gave up and shuffle to the chair he gestured for me to sit in. Once I slumped into the leather seat, I narrowed my eyes on him, ready to take over the conversation and get the answers I so desperately needed.
Enough time wasting.
"Who are you?"
"King Thallen of Fairy. These are my lands and the people you witnessed cheering are my people. This is the main castle, but I am the King of other lands. I am also in charge of the Wild Hunt. Are you satisfied, or will you continue to stare at me like a criminal?"
I wanted to reply with a bitter comment, but that tugging sensation pulsing between us was making me second guess myself.
This King...did he have the same power as the Wizard.
"You work for the Wizard, don't you?" I accused, narrowing my eyes to heighten my accusation.
My face morphed into an expression of fear when his face shifted to an angry expression.
"I am King Thallen and I am ordered by no one. The Wizard, Ryul was once my pupil and prodigy! Learn your facts before spitting nonsense," he shouted.
"How would I know about facts when I know nothing about this place?!" I shot up from my chair, staring at him in blinding rage.
"Fifteen years. That's how much time has passed since I arrived in this place. I don't even understand how I was finally able to arrive here when I've desperately trying to come back here and return that stupid key. All you've done is talk about peace, hope, connect paths, and now saying you're the king of this place and I'm your daughter. Let me remind you. I had no father growing up! I was raised single-handedly by my mom and isolated from the world whenever possible. Don't go saying my words and questions are nonsense when you know nothing about me!" I shouted back.
We were both silent, and I let out a frustrated groan.
"In fact, never mind. I'll get out of your hair. Every single second I waste here is giving the Wizard more time to hunt innocent people down and use them for whatever he's plotting. I need information on how to kill him. I shouldn't be wasting my time arguing with a man who couldn't even check in on his daughter," I turned around and began to walk away.
"Valerian," the king warned.
I stopped in my tracks, the tugging pull of my name holding me in place. There was not a hint of anger in my name that glided off his tongue.
"You have a role in being here. In order to achieve that role and seek your answers, I need you to come back and sit down," his voice was calm and a little inviting, but I fought against it.
"I need to stop the Wizard. Your words won't help me,"
"I know exactly how to stop the wizard, and you are one of the main individuals needed to do so. We both know that, as does this wizard," he argued.
Glancing over my shoulder, I looked at his calmness, wondering if this was all a trap to steal my attention long enough to trap me.
"What's in this for me? Why should I listen to you?"
"I will prove our blood bond and give you the information you seek within yourself regarding your upbringing and why you are nowhere today,"
His offer was tempting. Far too tempting to brush away. It was foolish to do so, and I had no time or patience to act like a fool. Innocent lives were at stake, and currently, my body was unattended in a church baptismal in the middle of nowhere.
I really needed to speed things up and make sure my body didn't get burned to ashes before I made it through this bump in the road.
With a deep breath, I walked back to the chair, slumping down into it and giving him my undivided attention.
"If I have an apparent role to play, enlighten me. Let's hear what my alleged father has to say," I declared.
He nodded once, ignoring my tone of voice that I was sure would be termed disrespectful if I acknowledged he was my father.
"Let me start from the beginning."
6
You Know Nothing Of My Strength
"Many years ago, the Wizard and I were friends. I had been called to these very lands, my Father who was the previous King of the Hunt, summoned my presence to take his place. My Father was dying. He'd been greatly injured in battle and wouldn't last much longer. I, too, had lived a life on earth. In the world of reality and not of mere dreams. He called to my spirit and requested for me to take my position to serve in the Wild Hunt."
I sat quietly, listening in to his story as he looked at me. His eyes weren't necessarily focused on me, having a faraway gaze as he continued his tale.
"He trained me to the best of his ability, and once he explained my role and duties as a King, he passed away. Compared to your situation, I had known my Father for some time before he offered me a chance down on Earth. I knew of where I truly came from and was willing to return to continue his legacy,"
He looked down to his hands. "Once I took over, it was time to find my warriors. The very individuals who would help me with the hunt, but would have a special bond to me specifically."
"Special bond?" I questioned quietly. He nodded.
"A perfect example of such bonds is the legends that speak of wolf shifters. In every pack of shifters, there is always a leader. An Alpha who will always lead the rest of the pack. There's always a Beta or what some would call a second in command, but the Alpha is connected to all of the wolves. It's the Alpha's duty to lead, but to ensure the members of his pack are well. He helps them stay in balance and assist them when they need guidance and comfort. It's a huge responsibility, similar to a King tending to his subjects who follow him wholeheartedly,"
He took a deep breath. "I started my search while doing my best to learn more of what my subjects needed from me in Fairy. I may have been born in these parts, but I wasn't raised in their lands to know what they desired to make the Kingdom better. It was a tough time, focused on training, learning, and searching, but alas, I grew stronger, gained immense knowledge, and finally began to find my warriors who I would eventually mark,"
"Mark? Like some type of initiation?" I requested.
Sounds like they're joining a cult of such.
"In order to claim those who are connected to you, they must be marked. When their time comes to be called to serve you, their marks will activate and teleport them here."
"I don't have a mark," I pointed out.
"You do not. You had an item that has the symbol of your marking and connection to Fairy," he replied.
Deciding to hold back my curiosity, I nodded. "Alright, continue,"
"The last individual to be recruited and marked by me was Ryul. He was strong, focused, and adapted to being a warrior of Fairy the fastest. He was knowledgeable and was able to grasp technology at a swift speed. He moved up in the ranks, and before either of us knew it, he was my Beta, or as some would say, right-hand man,"
"Like your best friend," I concluded.
"Yes. You could say that" His expression was grim as if he already regretted such a decision. "We completed many Wild Hunts together, and one of our duties was to monitor the changelings on earth."
I lifted an eyebrow at him, having no clue what the term 'challenging' meant in this world. He paused his
storytelling, picking up on my confusion.
"Changelings are individuals who carry a bit of the Fae gene. Here in Fairy, there are various species, but a common one is Fae. They are a race that is very close to the definition of perfection. They walk with grace, power, and carry immense knowledge with little effort,"
"You're saying there are people like that on earth?" I questioned.
"Of course," he smiled with pride. "Models. Celebrities. Individuals who are curing diseases that were previously marked incurable. Those individuals are all people from our world. Some of them have a more dominant Fae gene expression in their genetic code than others. There are changelings all over the world, and individuals like us with the added ability to mark them and call for them when it's time to partake in the Wild Hunt."
"Intriguing," I muttered. "But how is Ryul able to?" I questioned.
King Thallen shook his head. "He's not. Ryul was a fine warrior, but he began to grow greedy. He craved to be a leader, to have people bow under his feet like my subjects did. He didn't understand that such a position isn't solely based off of heritage or opportunity. To be a leader or inevitably, a king, those who are willing to give obedience must be proven that you are worthy. He looked at it all as a way of control and power, and began to grow impatient."
"So he left?" I questioned.
"No. He tried to kill me to overtake the throne, unaware of your existence. The act alone is ranked as betrayal and punished by banishment. He was stripped of his magic and forced to live among the humans of earth."
"But?" I pressed. "He can still mark people and his forces are growing as he gains more money and connections to find us, changelings. It's thanks to him that my real body is hiding in an abandoned church because he originally brainwashed me into thinking I was doing good for all humanity, only to lure me into his diabolical plans of gaining control of people like me!"
I didn't mean to shout, but I didn't realize how much anger was boiled up inside of me.
Shadows and Sorcery: A Collection of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels Page 20
