The Autumn Fairy of Ages

by Brittany Fichter

  Katy closed her eyes and flexed her fingers at her sides. Could she do it? She had used as little of her power as possible, the most of which she’d expended on Saraid, Peter’s former suitor, to warn her against trying to sully Peter’s reputation. And that had been little, so very little. Her thin dress suddenly felt like a wool coat, and Katy had the urge to bolt for the nearest window, if only to throw it open and let some fresh air inside.

  “You don’t have to do it.”

  Katy looked down to see Peter earnestly looking up at her. The little smile the sword chant had brought to his face earlier was gone, and his blue eyes burned into hers.

  “I mean it,” he said, his voice low but hard. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t feel comfortable doing.”

  In spite of her discomfort, Katy felt a surge of grateful warmth run from her head to her toes. He was so good. Even now, when she was powerful enough to probably annihilate the entire room should she let her gift loose, he was protecting her. She looked back up and worked to steady her voice.

  “I do not believe that would be wise.” She glanced at the walls around them. “At least not in here.”

  “Wise?” King Ethemu coughed and looked at Donella as though Katy couldn’t see or hear him. “Didn’t she just manifest?”

  “What Ethemu means,” Donella said, shooting a warning glance at the king, “is that you are quite young, my dear. You may think you’re incapable of handling your gifts, but you’re not the only fairy here. You have no reason to be afraid.” She took a step forward, her eyes kind. “We can help you.”

  “Not to seem disrespectful…” Peter stood as well. Even among so many kings and princes, his stature and bearing were impressive. “But how would you know what she is capable of? You weren’t there to see her. My uncle even sent out missives, begging for your help, pleading for you to come and rescue one of your own. And no one came.”

  Katy stared at Peter. No one had told her that.

  For the first time, Donella’s face lost its confident calm, and she looked at the ground, one hand rubbing her other hand’s wrist.

  “I know,” she said so softly Katy could barely hear her. “There was a great debate over whether or not we should break the shunning.” She turned her clear eyes on Katy. “Unfortunately, you manifested faster than we had anticipated, from the description sent by your then-king. I’m sorry, Clarisant. Truly. We failed you. But…” She took another step forward. “I promise you that we have no intention of failing you again. Now, won’t you share with us your gift?” Her voice was so kind that Katy nearly forgot her fear.

  Almost.

  But as much as she wanted to, something inside, some unnamed source of knowledge, told her not to.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered, shaking her head. “I wish I could, but…” She drew in a shaky breath. “It’s too dangerous.”

  Donella let out a visible sigh and turned to glance back at Ethemu, who scowled and stalked over to the man at the little desk on the stage. Katy then looked at the fairies and men sitting in the front row, but what signs they gave, she couldn’t say. All she could feel was the chancel’s heavy disappointment.

  “You would really refuse your chosen orator her request?” Ethemu stomped back up to the front of the stage to glare at Katy.

  “Katy didn’t choose anyone,” Peter snapped.

  “That doesn’t matter! She’s here now, so she’s subject to the law of the isle!” Ethemu said.

  Katy watched the exchange with a growing desire to turn and flee. What had happened? This was supposed to be a session about starving people. How had it become about her?

  “And just where did these laws come from?” Peter asked. “Atharo? Will I find them in the Chronicles?”

  “It is tradition!” the king sputtered. “Not that you would know anything about that.”

  “I assure you…” An older female fairy from the second row stood and turned. “It is quite safe, my dear. We have all done it upon our introductions to the chancels. It’s how we express our good intentions to everyone at the Summit.” She glanced at Peter. “Just as your betrothed did with his sword.”

  “I comprehend that.” Katy’s eyes began to prick, and her voice hitched with frustration. “But you don’t understand. My power is different!”

  “Are there any other autumn fairies on the isle?” Peter asked.

  “That doesn’t—” Donella began.

  “Are there?” he pressed.

  Again, there was a long pause. “No,” Donella finally said.

  “Then how do you know what she is capable of?” He paused and looked about the chamber. “When was the last autumn fairy anyhow?”

  Katy noticed that most of those he tried to make eye contact with averted their eyes quickly.

  “Well?” Peter pressed.

  “We don’t remember,” came a small voice. Katy and Peter turned to look back down at Nikki. Her saucy expression was gone, and she had turned rather pale. But even as her voice trembled, she answered once more. “No one can recall the last autumn fairy. We don’t even know if there was one.”

  “So wouldn’t it seem at least possible that she might exceed your expectations?” Peter turned back to the stage.

  “Tearlach said he’d never seen anything like what I can do” Katy offered quickly. Maybe together they could convince the chancel and its witnesses that this was a very bad idea.

  One of the other fairies in the front row snorted. “That fool said little worth even remembering.”

  Peter stared at him for a long minute before sitting down with a thump and folding his arms across his chest. “Fine then. Show them.” His voice dropped to a growl. “You have my blessing, no matter what happens.”

  But Katy shook her head and sent Donella a pleading look. “I don’t want to hurt anyone. Please don’t ask this of me.”

  The whole room was silent for a long time. Katy could feel their eyes moving back and forth between her and Donella. The air was hot and sticky. But to her vast relief, Donella eventually gave her a slow nod.

  “I can see that your intentions are pure, even if a bit misguided. But you are young, and you’ve been alone for most of your life. So I’ll allow it this time.” Several groans and sighs began to trickle through the crowd, but Donella raised her voice. “I want you all to remember that Katy is not familiar with our customs. She will have her chance soon enough during the trials, where we are outside and she doesn’t have to worry about damage.” She looked back up at Katy. “Will that be more comfortable for you?”

  Katy nodded and nearly collapsed with relief. And yet, while she returned to her seat and let Peter rub her arm, she couldn’t help wondering. What kind rule had she just broken? And though Donella didn’t seem as though she would punish her, Katy felt deep down that there would be consequences.

  5

  Interesting Indeed

  As people began to leave their seats and drift in the direction of the two doors at the rear of the room, Katy fell back in her seat, shaking. She felt exposed, like a caged animal on display.

  This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. She had come here to find her people, to relax in a place where she was no longer alone. But now she felt more alone than ever. Not only were the humans looking at her with wide, wary eyes, but now so were the fae.

  “That was incredible,” Nikki said. Katy turned to see their new acquaintance’s dark eyes bright as she regarded them again, arms folded in front of her. “I’ve never seen anyone say no to the chancel before. At least, no one’s lasted long after to tell the tale.”

  Katy tried to think of how to respond to such a strange statement, but before she could, another voice called her from behind.

  “Good morning, Nikki.”

  Katy turned toward the voice to see Donella standing on the steps as everyone walked up the aisle around her.

  Nikki fingered the knitting needles that were now stuffed in the basket she held. She glanced up at Donella and gave her a quick b
ob. “Hello, Donella.

  “Nikki, I need to speak with our newest guests. Would you excuse us for a moment?”

  Nikki colored slightly and nodded before flying off toward the doors.

  “Come with me,” Donella said, turning toward the doors they had entered from, near the bottom of the room by the stage. “I’d like to show you to your rooms.”

  Katy nodded and stood, her heart in her throat and heat flooding her face all over again. Peter followed her, although he kept hold of Katy’s hand and gave her fingers a little squeeze. She clung to him tightly in return, lest someone tear them apart in all the jostling.

  She didn’t need to worry about being separated, however, for everyone who walked by them gave all three of them a wide berth. Once they reached the doors, they were completely alone, back in the grand entrance through which they’d first come. Sounds leaked into the hall from the room they’d left, but the entrance itself was silent, save for the taps of their footsteps on the polished, white stone floor.

  “Where’s Firin Reaghan?” Katy whispered back to Peter, new guilt washing over her as she realized they hadn’t seen the firin since he’d climbed into another carriage back at the docks.

  “I think Firin Reaghan can take care of himself,” he said softly, giving her hand another squeeze. Katy nodded, but the knot in her stomach only tightened. It didn’t loosen any as Donella led them up several flights of steps on the other side of the grand entrance without speaking a word. Instead, she was robbed of the delight she should have found in the walls of stone and glass. The ocean to the west glittered in the light of the afternoon sun, the beach invitingly empty. On the other side, she could see corners of all four of the seasons, even the mysterious Autumn. And yet, so great was her shame by the time they stopped, she could enjoy none of it.

  Donella had brought them over one of the pink arching glass bridges that connected the main palace with the palace to its south. They stood just before two doors. But instead of talking, Donella only looked pensively out at the crashing waves below.

  After another half minute, Katy could stand it no longer. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I don’t wish to cause trouble.”

  “I know.” Donella sighed. “You’ve grown up in a world where you are an anomaly, and much of that isolation is our fault, I’m afraid.”

  “Most?” Peter asked.

  Donella’s eyes flicked up to meet his before moving to Katy. “That fault is the reason we are willing to allow you time. But I must stress that we have rules for a reason.” She gestured out at the magical expanse of isle below them. “The fairies and humans have never lived in perfect harmony, to be frank. The humans are often frightened by magic, which is understandable, and fairies cannot keep up with the growth of human populations. But since the death of the High King, the two people have done their best to find peace.” She raised an eyebrow. “Particularly at the summit.” She looked at Peter. “Our ambassadors, including King William’s eldest son, reported that your crops are struggling.”

  Peter nodded. “That’s right.”

  “Since the isles began suffering food shortages several hundred years ago, our fairies have worked to find ways to end the famines that are sweeping across the lands. With the right combination of magic, we have been successful in alleviating the worst of the famine effects all over the isles. If you wish to have such help for your isle, the fairies involved will need to be convinced of your good intentions. In order to keep the delicate balance the chancels have struck between man and fae, and even between the isles, we must each offer and receive.”

  Katy wanted to melt into the pale pink glass floor beneath her. Then, maybe, she could slip all the way through and float down to the trees beneath, where she would shrivel up and hide for the rest of time. But no matter how much she wished, Donella only continued looking at her as though she expected an answer.

  “I will,” was all Katy could say.

  At this, Donella reached out and put her hand on Katy’s cheek. Katy looked up at her in surprise.

  “Don’t despair,” Donella said kindly. “You’re here to learn. If you let us teach you, you have nothing to fear. Now, Katy, you will come with me. Peter, I have a servant ready to take you to your quarters. You can prepare there for tonight’s feast.”

  “There will be a feast?” Katy asked.

  “Oh, yes. It’s a chance for everyone to catch up and talk. To become reacquainted since the last year and get to know one another better. We’re all just going to freshen up first.”

  “I can’t come with her?” Peter asked, his brows drawing together.

  Donella laughed. “Not just you, dear boy. No men are allowed in the women’s hall. For propriety’s sake. Did you think you could share chambers without matrimony?”

  “Of course not,” Peter muttered. “I only wanted to escort her.”

  “Malachi, the boy who showed you to your seats, will be waiting in the hall to the right as soon as we walk in, and he’ll bring you to your room. Actually, he’ll be acting as your personal servant the whole time you’re here.” When he hesitated, she added, “Does that work for you?”

  Peter gave Katy a long look. He worried about her, she could tell. He was always worrying. Katy gave him what she hoped was an encouraging smile. “It would be nice to freshen up,” she said. “The sea air makes me feel like my hair’s filled with sand.”

  Peter didn’t answer, but after another long look, he nodded. With that, they turned, and the door swung open, held by a bright-eyed Malachi.

  They entered a long hall, which split, a hallway at their right and one at their left. Malachi gave a quick bow and held out his hand to the right.

  “If you’ll follow me, Your Highness.”

  Peter gave another tight nod, but he looked over his shoulder at Katy as he went.

  She shouldn’t be surprised, Katy chided herself as she watched him walk away. But for some reason, she’d thought this new world might be a little…well, smaller. And that she would be with him all the time. Not that they would share chambers, of course. Her face had colored when Donella had even suggested such. But Peter wasn’t next door, either. Her disappointment deepened. The sunny sky that had risen in her heart at the beginning of that day had been covered by layer after layer of clouds, making the sky that should have been bright with rainbows one of muted colors and overcast feelings instead.

  “Well, now,” Donella said, as though their previous conversation had never happened. “Let me show you to your room. I do so hope you like it!” With the flutter of her wings, she lifted into the air and floated down another hall, inches from the ground. Katy followed on foot.

  There were doors every forty feet or so, each one with a mural on its large wooden door. Each mural was different, however, and used elements from what Katy guessed to be the original inspirations. A room with a dark green forest mural had pine needles that covered the trees in all the appropriate places. Another door had lichens growing at the base of the large tree trunk that had been painted in a scene set in Summer. Katy would have liked very much to examine every one, but before she could even pause to ask about the unusual decor, Donella was opening a door halfway down the hall.

  When she peeked to the room, however, she found her disappointment melting into delight.

  The room wasn't even half the size of her chambers back at home, but the sheer number of colors and textures that dripped from the ceiling, walls, and even from the bed onto the floor were breathtaking. The walls were painted to look like a scene from the magical places that she had just witnessed on the carriage ride, but rather than using simple paint, the artists had carved real leaves, stones, and even moss out of the walls so that they extended into the room. A little brook with real water bubbled up from the corner of the room, where it ran down the length of one wall and exited through an opening in the main wall, which was made up nearly completely of blue glass, where the brook joined other streams of water to become one of the many waterfalls Katy had s
een floating down the front of the palace. The trees’ leaves weren't merely green, but every shade and hue of green Katy had ever conceived. A rainbow of precious stones soared above her bed, and when she got closer, she could see that each band of the rainbow was made up entirely of pea-sized precious stones suspended from the ceiling by nearly invisible string. The floor was a mosaic of river rock in every color imaginable, and real flowers and other little plants stuck out of boulders all over the room. The scent itself was like nothing Katy had ever dreamed was possible. Roses, lavender, lemongrass, basil, and a dozen scents she couldn’t name.

  A bed made of white polished wood was nearly hidden by the great canopy of weeping willow branches that covered it. And the bed itself was so big that the luxurious white tub behind it was nearly invisible. A vanity and mirror, as well as a large wardrobe, were also carved of the polished white wood. And while the vanity and mirror were lovely, the wardrobe was what caught her attention the most.

  Someone had unpacked her trunks and bags and had thrown their contents onto a little pile on the floor. This would have annoyed her, except that they had also opened up the wardrobe.

  Even from across the room, she could see the gleam of iridescent gowns in the light of the sun. They were much like the ones Tearlach had brought back to the Third Isle for her. But these were far better. Katy gasped as she wandered over and ran her hand down the length of a yellow skirt. She looked up to see Donella smiling.

  “How did you know I would need gowns?”

  “We suspected it would be difficult for the human seamstresses to provide gowns for you once you manifested. Actually,” Donella paused to pull out a blue dress and hold it up to Katy, “I commissioned these gowns as soon as Peter’s uncle signaled for help. I didn’t know when the chancel would choose to intervene, but…” She smiled wistfully. “I knew it had to be soon. If they don’t fit properly, and I think they might be a little long, I can have one of the women from the village come up and hem them for you.”