The Prince of Neither Here Nor There mp-1

by Sean Cullen

  His father held him close then and whispered a single word into Brendan’s ear: his secret name. Brendan’s eyes opened wide and he smiled.

  “Keep it safe,” his father said. Morn dropped his hand. “It is done. You must go now and so must I.”

  Brendan blinked away tears. “Can’t you stay? Please? Just a little longer?”

  Briach Morn smiled sadly and shook his head. “I’ve stayed too long as it is. Even my will has its limits. The Other Side would have me back. I love you, my dear Breandan. I will think of you always.”

  With a final wave, Briach Morn turned away and stepped into the heart of the flames. He disappeared from sight.

  The heat and roar of the flames immediately assaulted Brendan. He put his hand over his mouth and staggered for the stairs. His feet weighed a ton. He was completely exhausted. Through slitted lids he tried to find his way, feeling along the wall as he climbed the rickety staircase.

  He emerged onto the ground floor to find the smoke completely surrounding him. He staggered a few steps in the direction he thought the door might be. He ran into a wall. Panicking, he realized he was completely disoriented. He had no idea how to get out. He could hardly breathe.

  You make it this far so you can die in a house fire? What a rip-off!

  He felt a tug on his sleeve. He squinted through the smoke and was delighted to see BLT pulling him by the arm.

  “C’mon, use your Sight.” She coughed. “You can do it!” Brendan wiped his tearing eyes and tried to concentrate. Forcing aside his panic and fatigue, he imagined that the smoke was no longer there. He blinked and it seemed as though he could focus. He saw BLT fluttering ahead of him. Beyond her, clear as day, he saw a patch of light ahead. He dashed toward it and emerged into the sun.

  He staggered through the mud until he reached the fence. Finbar grabbed Brendan by the collar and hauled him through.

  “We have to get away from here.” He heard Greenleaf’s urgent voice. “The fire crews will be coming soon.”

  Titi spiralled around him and gave BLT a high five. Greenleaf’s Lesser Faeries winked at Brendan and said “Well done!”

  Brendan raised his head to see the old brick building engulfed in flames. I got out of there? It’s a miracle, he thought. Then he passed out.

  83 A Shout is a telekinetic attack generated by a Faerie’s voice, capable of physically damaging opponents. The power of the Shout is directly linked to the concentrating and will of the Shouter. It only works for Faeries. Don’t try Shouting at people to knock them down. You’ll only get a sore throat and a few weird looks.

  ARRANGEMENTS

  Brendan opened his eyes to find that BLT seemed to have grown to Human-sized proportions. Then he realized she was straddling the end of his nose.

  “Hallo, Breandan!” She smiled, raising a tiny cup. “Slainte!” 84

  “Cheers,” Brendan answered. “What is that?”

  “Hot chocolate,” she said, grinning. “With marshmallows.” BLT’s wings whirred, and she rose into the air to hover above him.

  Brendan looked past her at what appeared to be a tangle of vines. He didn’t know where he was. Did I fall asleep under a tree? He looked at the vines more closely and realized they were not alive. Rather they were carved in loving detail out of wood.

  “You’re awake,” Kim said. Brendan turned his head to find her leaning against the wall in a chair by the side of his bed, her tattooed arms crossed over her chest. She was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. Her field hockey stick leaned against the wall within easy reach. “You were really out of it.”

  Brendan pushed himself up onto his elbows and looked around. He was in a snug room that contained little in the way of furniture. Besides the bed and the chair, there was a compact, ornately carved wooden bedside table and a full-length mirror hanging on the back of the door. The walls were panelled in wood, polished to a warm glow. A fire burned in the tiny fireplace, making the room comfortably cozy.

  “Where am I?” Brendan asked, groggily. He snapped fully awake. “Delia!”

  Kim laid a hand on his shoulder, calming him. “She’s fine. Greenleaf took her home and Compelled her to forget. She’ll be fine.”

  Brendan relaxed. “Where are we?”

  “The Swan,” Kim said. “Greenleaf brought you back. You were a little the worse for wear. The Healers worked on you and you slept through the night.”

  “Through the night?”

  “And the day,” BLT piped, her high voice filled with excitement. She fluttered down to rest on Brendan’s shoulder.

  “Like I said, you were out of it,” Kim repeated.

  Brendan stretched. “I don’t feel so bad now.”

  “We heal quickly,” Kim said in an offhand way. “One of the benefits of being one of us.”

  He reached for the amulet. It was gone.

  “It’s inside of you now,” Kim said, seeing his confusion. “You are initiated. No one knows how you managed it, but you’re one of us.”

  Brendan was about to tell her of his encounter with his father but he caught himself. That experience belonged to him and he was reluctant to share it. “I didn’t have much choice in the end.”

  Kim snorted. “You act like that’s a bad thing.”

  Brendan thought about it for a moment before saying, “It isn’t good or bad. It’s just who I am. I’m going to try to make the best of things.”

  Kim, her face a picture of seriousness, considered his words for a moment. “That’s a remarkably mature attitude for a total dumbwad.” Then she cracked her familiar smirk.

  They both laughed. Kim tossed him a bundle of clothes. “These should fit. Get dressed. Everyone is waiting for you downstairs.” She grabbed the field hockey stick and slung it over her shoulder. “I’m glad you’re okay.” She winked and left him to dress.

  “Hurry up!” BLT shouted, buzzing once around his head before zipping out the door.

  Ten minutes later, Brendan stood in front of the mirror examining the changes his initiation had wrought.

  His skin glowed with health. All evidence of adolescent acne was erased. He ran his fingers over his cheek and marvelled at the smoothness. His hair was lustrous and thick, streaked with hints of purple and gold. Holding his hands out in front of his face, he wiggled his fingers and was amazed at their elegance. He bounced on the balls of his feet. He felt as light as a feather. On an impulse, he dashed at the wall, ran up it, and somersaulted to a graceful landing. He couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

  “This is totally sick,” he said joyously.

  The most amazing change was not cosmetic. His sight was so acute he could pick out minute details of his environment. He could see the almost invisible marks of the carver’s chisel in the vines on the ceiling. He could see the pores of his skin. For a person who’d always worn glasses, the ability to actually see, without artificial aid, was truly marvellous.

  Yes, being a Faerie had its upside, to be sure. Now he had to face the downside. His Human family and his Human life were in jeopardy. He steeled himself for the coming confrontation. Opening the door, he left the room.

  He found himself at the top of the stairs he’d seen when he first came to the Swan. The room he’d slept in opened onto a hallway, facing into the pub below. The buzz of conversation almost drowned out the musicians and the DJ. Almost, but not quite. Brendan stood at the top of the stairs and looked down at the pub floor.

  Every seat was taken, and many more Faeries were jammed into the bar. The crowd was so huge he suddenly felt nervous. Could they all be here just to see me?

  He had his answer an instant later.

  “There he is!” Og’s voice roared. “Prince Breandan himself.”

  The burly Artificer stood up at the corner booth and raised a foaming pint of ale. Everyone in the room joined him, raising glasses with a mighty shout.

  He made his way down the stairs and waded into the crowd. His back was slapped. His hand was pumped. His cheeks were pinched. He was kissed and h
ugged and crushed. Finally, Leonard pushed his way to Brendan’s side and grabbed the boy’s arm. “Give ‘im some room, mon!” The massive shoulders served as a battering ram, forcing a clear path to the corner booth. Brendan gratefully scooted along behind him.

  Sitting in the booth were Ariel, Kim, Deirdre, and Greenleaf. BLT sat on the edge of a bowl full of olives gnawing on a grape that looked like a pumpkin in her tiny hands.

  “I’m trying to cut back,” BLT joked, juice dripping down her chin. “One step at a time, eh?”

  Og stood up and offered Brendan his seat on the bench beside Kim. “Ye did it, nephew!” Og was beaming with delight. “Look at you. What a fine figure of a Faerie ye are, as well.”

  The rest of the crowd went back to their conversations, dancing, and drinking. They were keenly aware that the gathering at the table was a family affair.

  Ariel smiled his sad smile. “Well done, indeed, Breandan. You found a way to survive Orcadia and somehow initiate yourself.” The grey eyes became shrewd. “I’d love to hear how you managed it. What became of Orcadia?”

  Brendan felt those ancient eyes boring into his soul. “I don’t know. Things are kind of hazy. I guess she was trapped in the fire.”

  Ariel nodded but said nothing. Brendan was sure he could see right through him. “As for the amulet, I picked it up and put it on… after that, I blacked out.”

  “Good thing I found you.” BLT sprayed bits of grape onto the table. “I saved your life, ya know. At least I gave you a few pointers, right?”

  Brendan laughed. “Yes, you did. Thanks, BLT.” He shot a smile at Og and said, “And thank you for lending her to me.”

  “I’m glad she could help.” Og shrugged. “I knew ye’d see the value in her. I had faith in ye!”

  Deirdre reached a hand across the table and caressed Brendan’s cheek. “Now I can see Bir-Gidha in you. It’s in the shape of your face.” Her eyes teared up. “I’m so glad you’re among us now.”

  “We must start your training at once. There’s so much you have to learn,” Ariel said. “You can stay here for now until you get settled. I trust that the room was comfortable?”

  “About that…” Brendan frowned. He’d made a decision in the burning cellar, and he was determined to follow it through. “I want to go home.”

  “Home?” Deirdre said, confused. “You’re home right now.”

  “I mean to my Human parents,” Brendan said firmly. “I’m not leaving them.”

  Kim laughed. She turned and held out a hand to Og. “Ha! I told you! Pay up!” Og grumbled and fished some coins out of his pocket and dropped them into her palm.

  “No,” Deirdre snapped. “That is not possible. You cannot go back. You are one of the Fair Folk! Your place is here with us. We are your family.”

  “Yes,” Brendan agreed. “You are my family. I know that, but so are the people who raised me and loved me and did all the hard work of making me into the person I am. I won’t abandon them now. Nothing you can say will change my mind.”

  Deirdre was about to protest, but Greenleaf spoke instead. “I think we have to respect Breandan’s wishes in this.”

  “It is highly unusual,” Ariel said. “In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it happening before.”

  “Breandan is unusual, to say the least.” Greenleaf smiled at Brendan before continuing. “He has displayed aptitude in at least three of the Disciplines of the Art. He has the Power of Command, Compulsion, Summoning, and Binding, and from what BLT has told us, he’s a Warp Warrior to boot. I’ve never heard of anyone having such a broad range of Talents.”

  “And there’s the prophecy,” Og said pointedly. “Ow!” He hopped on one leg as he rubbed his shin. Glaring at Kim, he growled, “That’s twice now.”

  Kim smirked.

  “Will someone finally tell me about the prophecy?”

  Ariel held up his hand. “It is conjecture, as are all prophecies. Long ago, when the Truce was struck between the Fair Folk and the People of Metal, an oracle declared that a time would come when the two tribes would be reconciled once again. A prince would come who was of both worlds. Many people believe that prince is you, Breandan.”

  “What am I prince of?” Brendan said. “Do I have my own kingdom? Or a castle or something?”

  Og laughed, “Sadly no. These titles are ancient ones, from the time when Faeries ruled the world. Now, they’re just titles.”

  “Perhaps not,” Greenleaf said. “Who knows what is in a name? I believe in the power of words. A name is a powerful word indeed.”

  “I have a little gifty for ye, nephew. Consider it an initiation gift,” Og rumbled. He held out a massive paw. Resting in his palm was a wrist watch. Examining it closely, Brendan discovered that the face was carved out of grey stone and the band was some sort of hide. “I made it meself. Your glamour is embedded in it. While ye have it on, you’ll appear Human. It’s just temporary, until ye learn to cast the glamours yer own self.” Og winked. “And it’s also waterproof to a thousand metres and it gets Wi-Fi.”

  Brendan took the watch and strapped it on. He looked up at Og and grinned. “Thanks, Uncle Og.”

  “Ye hear that?” Og laughed. “He called me Uncle Og!”

  “Speaking of gifts,” Greenleaf interjected, “I would like to take it upon myself to give Breandan his instruction… if there are no objections?”

  Ariel nodded. “I guess we have no choice, Breandan. You may return to your Human family, and we will make provisions for your instruction as far as the Disciplines go. Greenleaf will stay on at your school to watch over you.”

  Brendan stood. “Thank you. I know this is weird for you. It’s doubly weird for me, believe me. But I can’t help it. I’m doing the right thing.”

  “I hope you are right,” Ariel sighed. “You’ve chosen a difficult road, Breandan. One world is hard enough. Two worlds may be more than anyone can handle.”

  “I’ll be okay,” Brendan said. “Oh, and by the way, my name is Brendan. No extra ‘a’ from now on.” Somehow, it was important to Brendan to retain that little bit of his old self. “Brendan.”

  “As you wish.” Ariel chuckled.

  “I’d better be going,” Brendan said. “My mum and dad will be worried sick.”

  “Call them on the way home,” Og said, tossing him a small flat block of wood. Brendan caught it easily. His old clumsiness was a thing of the past.

  He walked out through the crowd. Well-wishers slapped his back and made sure he knew they were glad he’d come through the Quest unscathed. As he approached the door, someone grabbed him by the arm. He was spun around to find himself looking into the face of Finbar. The old man smiled.

  “Finbar! I’d forgotten. Are you all right?”

  “Sure, I’m fine. Never better.”

  “Are you going to be reinstated?”

  The old man shook his head. “Nay, not yet anyway. They’re discussin’ my case.” Finbar cracked a smile. “But since I gave you a hand, they’re lookin’ at me with a kinder eye. I have ye to thank fer that.” The old man offered his calloused hand and Brendan shook it gladly.

  “Thank you,” Brendan said sincerely.

  “Thank me? Fer what? If I hadn’t lifted yer token, ye would never have had all this trouble.”

  “Well, you saved Delia and I owe you a lot. I’ll lobby for you.”

  Finbar winked and let go of Brendan’s hand.

  Brendan turned and walked the rest of the way to the door. He reached the door of the Swan and looked back at his newfound friends and family.

  Og, Kim, Deirdre, and Greenleaf smiled and waved. Brendan couldn’t help but feel excited about the possibilities his new life presented. Finbar ducked his head meekly and waved. Brendan waved back. Though he was desperate to get back to his Human family, he suddenly was reluctant to leave.

  Then he caught sight of Ariel. The ancient Faerie sat unnaturally still, watching him with those inscrutable eyes, an enigmatic expression on his pale face. Brendan se
nsed that Ariel was a dangerous person for all of his benign, grand fatherly demeanour. He looked at Brendan as if he could pry open his mind and examine the boy’s inner thoughts.

  Brendan looked at that face and realized he couldn’t get out of the Swan soon enough.

  “Good luck, mon,” Leonard said, laying a massive arm around Brendan’s shoulders. “You’ve chosen a difficult path but I tink you be up to de task.”

  Brendan looked up into the smiling dark face and smiled back. “I think it’s going to be okay, Leonard.”

  “You be careful,” a feminine voice growled. Saskia, the bartender with the yellow, wolfish eyes, sidled up and took Leonard’s arm. “If you need anything, you be sure and let us know. I would be happy to help you with your Warp training.”

  “Cool! Thanks a lot. I was really wiped out after I warped.”

  “Everyone is after their first time. It gets better with practice.”

  With one last look around at the bizarre and beautiful menagerie of Faerie patrons, he stepped out the door of the Swan of Liir and into the cool, crisp November evening.

  The sun was already setting. He was standing in the grass behind the Ward’s Island Community Centre. A man came around the side of the building rolling an empty beer keg through the wet grass.

  “Whoa!” the man said. “You scared the crap outta me. I didn’t know anyone else was back here.”

  “Sorry,” Brendan said. He looked back at the wall of the Community Centre. The door to the Swan was clearly visible. He decided to try a little test. He pointed at the door. “Can you see that?”

  The man looked at the door and his shoulders fell. “I know. I really gotta paint that wall. It’s peeling something fierce. There’s just no dough, my son.”

  Brendan set off in the direction of the public ferry terminal. He would have gone to the Faerie Terminal but he still didn’t have any noble metal. The thought of the bargain he’d struck with the Ferryman sent a shiver down his spine. He was sure that bird would come home to roost one day. He went to the ferry operator and wove a tale about how his wallet and phone had been stolen. He promised to repay the man if he let him take the ferry back to the city. Though dubious, the operator agreed.