The Emerald Staff

by Alison Pensy

  Janessa blew a breath upwards to try and dislodge an errant strand of hair that had escaped her immaculately coiffed do and fallen onto her face. It didn’t work; the loose strand flopped back onto her face a second later to continue annoying her. Distracted, she forgot to take off her dirty gloves before carefully pulling the strand of hair back and trying to tuck it away, leaving a smudge along her cheek in the process. She took hold of the miniature trowel again and continued her weeding. Her husband diverted his gaze to look over the top of his reading glasses and watched her for a moment. He gave her a wistful smile and shook his head before returning his attention to his book.

  She couldn’t look more out of place in the garden if she tried. She was dressed in all her usual finery. The beautiful dress she wore was the color of a full-bodied Merlot, with dainty matching slippers peeking out from under the hem of her full skirt. She had on a bejeweled necklace that lay at her throat, but the whole image was completely destroyed by the big white apron tied about her waist that was smudged with dirt. Faen smiled, that was his mother and he loved her dearly. The image brought back memories of growing up, where he spent more time in her garden than he did rubbing shoulders with fae society.

  At that moment, Janessa noticed him standing in the archway and shrieked with delight, which made his father, who was just putting the mug to his lips, jump and spill his buttered rum down his clean white shirt.

  “Good grief, Nessa, are you trying to give me a heart attack?” He gave her a mock scolding as he grabbed a cloth from the table and dabbed at his shirt.

  “Faen, you are home!” Janessa squeaked with excitement as she took off her gloves, rubbed her hands on her apron and moved towards her son, arms outstretched.

  Faen pushed himself away from the brick archway and entered the garden, meeting his mother halfway. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight.

  “Hello, Mother.” Faen laid a kiss on the top of her head. She only reached his chin in height. “Mother, if you hold on much tighter, I think you may cut off my circulation,” he joked and looked over to where his father was getting up from his chair.

  His father raised his eyes heavenward at Faen’s remark and shot him a knowing smile.

  Suddenly a warm palm was holding either side of Faen’s face, encouraging him to divert his gaze back to his mother. She gave him a smile that stretched from ear to ear. Her cheeks were flushed from working with her plants, which just made her look even more radiant and beautiful.

  “Let me look at you. Oh, my darling boy, you have not aged at all.”

  Faen chuckled at his mother’s outburst. “Mother, I have not been gone that long.”

  “Twelve years in the World of Men is a long time my boy.”

  His father, who had now reached him, came to his rescue. He clapped an arm around his shoulder. “It is good to see you, Son.”

  “You too, Father.”

  After dressing in something more suitable, Faedra rushed down the stairs and headed into the kitchen. She needed an infusion of sugar water and a lot of it. Her legs were feeling weak and useless. She hadn’t dared look in the mirror to see how gray her skin was. She grabbed a tall glass from the cupboard, poured in a large helping of sugar and filled it with water. After stirring until the sugar dissolved, she downed the whole glass in one long draw.

  The familiar feeling of energy rushed through her system and she started to feel the strength come back to her limbs. She grabbed a couple of empty plastic bottles and filled them with the same sugary concoction, threw them into a backpack and headed out the door, determination of finding her father coursing through her blood.

  She arrived at the church just a few minutes later and parked her car in the corner away from the security lights. She stepped out of the car and could feel the chill in the air that seeped through to her bones; winter was just around the corner and they were getting a preview this early morning. She closed the car door with a quiet click and looked around, though why, she wasn’t sure; there wouldn’t be anyone around at that time in the morning. She tiptoed across the gravel car park, trying to make as little noise as possible, stepped through the gate and started towards the portal. Jocelyn was in her dog form sitting by the church, and Faedra stopped dead. Realizing at this point that she hadn’t really thought this through. Jocelyn may not open the portal for her; she had only given a thought to where she was headed, and not how she was going to get there.

  The black and white collie stood up and walked towards her with pensive steps, her tail doing a half-wag with uncertainty.

  Faedra took another step forward. She felt awful inside. Jocelyn had become a good friend and now the poor girl looked scared of her. Faedra didn’t know what to say to her. She swallowed hard.

  “I need to get through the portal.” Faedra’s voice was blunt and to the point. It came out much harsher than she planned and she felt a pang of guilt at how cold she sounded. The collie’s ears drooped and she put her tail between her legs.

  “Oh come on, Jocelyn, don’t do that.”

  The collie lowered her head submissively.

  Faedra hung hers in shame, her chilly resolve melting by the second. “Please, Jocelyn, I need your help. I need to get through the portal.”

  Jocelyn shimmered into her fae form and Faedra took a step back in surprise.

  “Where are you going?” Jocelyn asked.

  “I can’t tell you.”

  “Then I can’t let you through.”

  “Please, Jocelyn.” Faedra pleaded with the young fae who was now deciding to be stubborn. “I need to do this alone.”

  “Faen will have my hide if I let you go through there alone.”

  “Well, Faen is not around anymore so he’ll never know, will he? Anyway, when have you ever cow-towed to him?”

  “Hmm.” Jocelyn chewed on her bottom lip for a second. Indecisive.

  “Jocelyn, you have to let me through. I think I know someone who can help me get my dad back.”

  “Who?”

  “I can’t tell you that either.”

  “You do not know anyone in Azran other than Todmus.” Jocelyn continued with an interrogation Faedra didn’t have time for.

  “Jocelyn!”

  “Oh, all right then, but on one condition.”

  “What?” Faedra asked, apprehensive.

  “I am coming with you.”

  “No way.”

  “Sorry, that is my final offer.”

  Faedra glared at her, then an idea popped into her head and she wondered for a moment if she had the control to pull it off. She decided she did, although, she wasn’t very happy about it, but at that moment she didn’t think she had much of a choice. All that mattered was she get to her destination as soon as possible. If she had to use unethical methods to achieve it, then so be it.

  “Okay, you can come with me.” Faedra conceded, crossing her fingers behind her back.

  Jocelyn gave Faedra her usual excited grin, and Faedra’s stomach did a flip flop at the thought of what she was about to do to her friend.

  The second Jocelyn had repeated the incantation and told Faedra the portal was open, Faedra put a hand on Jocelyn’s shoulder and sent a short zap of electricity through her palm, knocking the young fairy out cold. She quickly dragged her behind one of the headstones, propped her up against it and covered her with her jacket so that she wouldn’t get cold. If Faedra had calculated it right, Jocelyn would only be out for a few minutes and could turn back into her furry form to stay warm, but just in case, she wanted to be sure her friend wouldn’t freeze to death. She only hoped it wasn’t quite this cold in Azran because she had just given up her coat.

  “Sorry,” she whispered to her unconscious friend. “But I have to do this alone.”

  She wasn’t sure how long the portal would stay open after the incantation, so she hurried back to the path and strode through.

  Once on the other side, Faedra was now hit with the stark realization that she had no clue how to get the r
est of the way. She plopped herself down on a boulder, rested her elbows on her knees, and looked down at her feet, exasperated.

  “Great plan, Faedra,” she mumbled to herself. “Got a really long way didn’t you?”

  The bushes rustled, she looked up with a start and lifted her hands, then cursed herself for being so edgy; of course, it was only going to be Todmus. She’d never seen anyone else near the portal.

  “Miss Faedra?” Todmus questioned, his eyebrows pinched together. “Are you alright?”

  “No, Todmus, I’m not,” she answered truthfully.

  “Whatever is the matter, my dear?” He shuffled over to stand in front of her, his ruddy face level with hers, as she stayed seated on the boulder, head in hands.

  “Vivianna kidnapped my dad and I need to get to Azran City. It’s really important, but now that I’ve gotten this far, I have no clue how to get the rest of the way.”

  Todmus’ eyebrows shot up at her statement. “Why would Vivianna have taken your father?”

  Faedra lifted the amulet from where it hung around her and held it in the flat of her hand.

  “Oh!” Todmus gasped. “You can’t give her that.”

  “I know, even if I wanted to. I can’t get the flippin’ thing off anyway.” She dropped it unceremoniously like it was burning her skin.

  Todmus glanced around and his expression turned from one of surprise to one of concern.

  “Where is Mr. Faen? You are not supposed to be separated from him.”

  “He’s gone,” she stated with a heavy heart. She hated to admit it but she could use his help right about now. She reprimanded herself again; it was his people that got her in this mess in the first place, she didn’t need him to help her. If only she believed that.

  “Gone? What do you mean gone?”

  “I mean I don’t know where he is.” It was the truth. She didn’t know where he was. She was a little surprised that he wasn’t keeping an eye on her from a safe distance. How could she blame him? She told him to leave, she just didn’t expect that it would be that easy.

  “Todmus, can you help me get to the City? You must know a short cut.”

  Todmus looked pensive.

  Faedra’s eyes lit up. “You do, don’t you?”

  Todmus said nothing.

  “Please, Todmus, I have to get to the City, it is the only lead I can follow to get my dad back. You have to help me.” She gave him her best lost puppy look and held her breath in anticipation.

  Todmus looked around him, then fixed a worried gaze on her and spoke in a hushed whisper.

  “I do know a way but I will only help you if you promise not to breathe a word about it.”

  Faedra looked puzzled but agreed without hesitation.

  “Of course, Todmus, you have my word. I’ll not tell a soul, I promise.”

  He leaned forward and took hold of her hand. “Come with me, Miss.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Faedra followed Todmus through the trail that led to the glade where his cottage stood. Once in the open, he whistled. Nothing happened for a moment and Faedra looked around the opening in anticipation. Still nothing. She looked down at Todmus who stood by her side and gave him a questioning look.

  “Patience, Miss.”

  She raised her eyebrows, about to ask him a question, when she heard something. She turned to look at the opening again but it was still empty. The noise grew louder and louder. At first she thought it sounded like a helicopter, but knew that couldn’t be what this noise belonged to. The soft whoosh, whoosh was getting closer and it was coming from above. Looking towards the tree tops, she saw a dark shape approaching, skimming the top of the forest before swooping down to the glade and skidding to a stop just a few feet in front of them. Faedra took a step back in surprise.

  “Oh, he will not hurt you, Miss Faedra. Will you Aesti?” He reached up to pet the creature on its nose as it lowered its face to the little man.

  “But, but, that’s a…that’s a Valkyrie’s horse!” Faedra exclaimed, taking in the beauty of the giant winged horse standing before them. Its eyes flame red. Its hair, mane, and tail jet-black. It furled its wings to nestle along its flanks.

  Todmus looked like he’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Err, yes, Miss, that is correct.”

  “But, Todmus, where on earth did you get a Valkyrie’s horse?”

  “Actually, Miss, they are not found on Earth, they come from Asgard,” he joked, trying to veer away from answering her question. “Well, hop on.”

  She gave him an incredulous look. “What? You’re kidding right? This is your plan to get me to the City?”

  Todmus gave her a puzzled look.

  “Todmus, I can’t ride that thing. He looks wild and there’s no saddle or bridle. How am I supposed to control him?”

  “Oh, you will not need to control him, Miss. He knows where to go. He will drop you at the City gates.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of, that he’ll drop me…from a great height. And don’t try and change the subject. How did you get your hands on him?”

  “Well, err, that is a long story, Miss.” Todmus averted his gaze again.

  “I have no doubt that it is. You know what, Todmus? You are just full of surprises. I’m guessing that no one knows about him either?”

  “Yes, Miss, and I would like it to stay that way. Please promise not to breathe a word about him to anyone, even Mr. Faen.” Todmus’ expression turned to one of concern. Faedra guessed he was hoping he hadn’t just made a colossal mistake revealing Aesti.

  “I already promised you, Todmus. I will not breathe a word about this, getting my father back is much more important that telling anyone about a stolen horse.”

  “Oh, Miss. He is not stolen.” Todmus looked affronted by her accusation.

  “I’m sorry, Todmus. I didn’t mean to offend you. Will you tell me the story of how you came by him one day?”

  “I may well just do that, Miss. One day.” He winked at her. “Well, hop on then.” He said again, gesturing for Faedra to mount the magnificent winged beast.

  She stared at the huge hulking mass of horse that stood before them and sighed.

  “Good Lord, Faedra, how do you manage to get yourself into these situations?” She mumbled to herself as she psyched herself up to get on him.

  The winged horse took a step forward until his nose was just an inch away from Faedra’s face. He took a couple of cursory sniffs and then snorted. Blasting warm air across her face, and blowing her hair back from her forehead. Faedra took another step back, remembering how formidable they looked with the Valkyries sitting astride their backs at Stonehenge.

  “There, you see? He likes you.”

  Faedra gave Todmus another incredulous look. “Besides the fact that he has no saddle, how am I supposed to get on him? He’s the size of a tank.”

  “Aesti, kneel for the lady so she can get on your back.” Todmus instructed the beast.

  Faedra watched in awe as the stunning creature kneeled before her, an obvious invitation to mount him. He even inclined his head in the same gracious manner that Faen did.

  “Wow.”

  “Go on, Miss. You will be fine, I promise. Aesti will not harm you, he will see you safely to Azran City,” Todmus encouraged, when he saw the look of hesitation on the young Custodian’s face.

  Faedra took a tentative step forward. She held her hand up to run her fingers along his neck. His jet-black hair was like velvet under her skin. She grabbed a handful of silken mane and swung a leg over his back. She adjusted her position and once settled Aesti pushed himself up from his kneeling position, jostling Faedra a little as he did. She clung onto his mane for dear life until she got her balance again. She looked down at the ground and gulped; it was a long way down and he still had all four hooves planted firmly on the grass.

  She gave Todmus a tentative smile. Just as she was thinking that it wasn’t so bad, after all, Aesti turned and took off at a dead run across the glade
. Faedra shrieked and grabbed more of his mane. She could feel Aesti spread his wings behind her thighs and he took off just before they reached the tree line, soaring high into the sky. Faedra’s heart leapt into her mouth and her stomach did several flip-flops.

  A scream of surprise mixed with delight escaped. Wind rushed through her hair as they ascended up and away. She looked down to see Todmus’ shrinking form waving from the opening below them.

  “Good luck, Miss Faedra,” he called.

  “Thank you, Todmus,” she called back.

  She gave him a hasty wave before clutching Aesti’s mane in a death grip. It only took a few moments for her to get used to the undulating movement of the winged horse and she relaxed her grip on his mane. A few moments more and she was just resting a hand either side of his neck.

  They flew over the forest until they got to the edge of the valley where Faen and Jocelyn had launched her off the side last time she went to the City. But this time the forest gave way to the beautiful fully restored countryside that was now alive with color. Last time she’d been there it was brown and dying. She had to admit to a little pride that it was partly due to her that this magnificent land was restored to its former glory.

  She looked ahead and saw the City looming closer and her heart started to quicken. She leaned along Aesti’s neck and whispered in his ear. She assumed he would understand her so it was worth a try.

  “Could you put me down inside the castle grounds?”

  Aesti turned his head to acknowledge her request and then banked to the right and flew straight for the castle.

  Faedra’s palms started to feel clammy, she hadn’t thought this part through either. What on earth did she think she was doing? To that, she had no answer, other than it was the only lead she could think of to try and find her father.

  A short while later Aesti landed gracefully in the gardens to the front of the castle and Faedra slid off allowing him to fly away again before anyone noticed that a Valkyrie’s horse had just landed in the City of Azran.

  “Thank you,” she said as she patted the side of his neck before he took off.