Dumb Luck

by J G Jerome

  She nods slowly. “I swear they are glowing right now.”

  I smirk at her, “So stop turning me on.” I drop my hand to the console.

  She scoffs as her smile returns with a vengeance, “As if I have any control over your innate pervy-ness.” Then she shrugs saying, “Besides, I kind of like it when you look at me like that with glowing green eyes. It’s like a billboard on your face says, ‘Trina, I think you’re hot!’ What girl wouldn’t love that?”

  “I don’t think there’s any secret about how hot I think you are.”

  “Stop it! You’re making me squirm in my seat!” She points a finger at me, “This is why I like my passengers in the back seat!”

  “Okay, I’ll move to the back,” I grin.

  She grabs my hand with both of hers, “Don’t you dare!” We both laugh. “So...I’m turning the ship, Captain. Course set for Cherry Creek. All ahead, aye!”

  “All ahead, aye!” I repeat. Then we look at each other and grin before shouting in unison, “ARGH!”

  She literally squeals with laughter, clears the road for traffic, and pulls a U-turn followed by an immediate right onto the dirt road.

  Before I lose my signal, I google Cherry to discover that it’s an old mining ghost town - currently the surrounding community is homes for retired folks. Well, not the small vibrant community my fantasy home borders on, but still worth a look. We drive past a sign for Cherry Creek Bed & Breakfast and turn left onto Cherry Hill road, which seems to follow the curve of the hillside.

  “This has more promise than anything else we’ve seen today.”

  “What are exactly are you looking for, Jack?”

  “Honestly Trina, I think it’s a dream.”

  “Well today you discovered that Fae actually exist. You probably picked up that elves exist, too.” I nod. “So dream big, Jack. There is more in the realm of the possible than you can ever know. You never know what you’ll find!”

  I point to an elderly gent poking a shovel into the ground near his mailbox. We pull past, and I get out. Trina pulls the SUV forward and then backs into a forest road about 30 yards past the mailbox.

  “Hello, sir.” I call to the older guy as I approach. He’s skinny to the point of looking emaciated, with an angular face and shoulder-length white hair tucked under a wide-brimmed garden hat. It looks like he is turning the ground for a flower bed. “My name is Jack. May I ask you a few questions about the locale.”

  He rests his hands on the shovel handle and leans into it. “Okay.”

  “I’m looking for a country retreat. Cherry has a lot to recommend it from a location and terrain perspective.” The old gentleman nods. “This is a small community like the one I grew up in. I imagine you know the people here pretty well. What can you tell me about the community here?”

  He nods again, “Well, we tend to all stay out of each other’s business for the most part, but I think we’re all pretty well acquainted.” He looks over at Trina as she gets about ten feet away. His eyes bug, and he whips the shovel blade up to point at her as he steps forward with his right foot into a spearman’s stance to my 11:00.

  I start moving an instant after he does by stepping towards my 9:00 with my left foot and snagging the haft of the shovel as I step through with my right foot to 10:00 from the new direction I am facing. Then I pivot to face the old man, dragging my rear foot forward circling the handle overhead continuing down as I step to put my right foot outside his right foot going for a sweep. He launches straight back about eight feet to his 6:00 raising his hands in a defensive posture. I hold my position. ‘He’s damned agile for an old guy!’ He looks at with me like I have a horn growing out of my head.

  “Sir, I will defend my own like you can’t even imagine.” Trina walks about a step past me on the right, allowing me to see her.

  The old guy points at her, “Her kind are not welcome here! We’ve been running and hiding from the Unseelie for thousands of years!”

  “You have nothing to worry about from her unless you attack her. You have a world of hurt to worry about from me if you don’t stand down.”

  Trina addresses the old man in a language I have never heard, kneeling to a seiza in the dirt and bows to the old man with her forehead touching the ground. I feel like I almost recognize her words, but the meaning slips away. She sits back on her heels with her hand on her thighs and continues in the same language. He responds to her, indicating with his hand in my direction. She seems to explain something to him. He gives her a curt nod adding something else that doesn’t sound threatening - I feel my body relax.

  Then she looks up at me. Nodding she gives me a ghost of a smile and points to her eyes with two fingers and then points her index finger at me. I suspect I look confused because that’s exactly my response from her gestures. She says, “Calm down, Jack. You’re well past green and deep into glowing. There is no doubt your eyes glow. He has extended guest right to us both. He won’t hurt me.”

  I give her a hand, and she rises. She brushes off her knees and then takes the shovel from my hand, sitting the blade on the ground in front of the old guy and presenting the handle to him.

  He looks at me with a grim smile, “You would have had me if you had tried to sweep me with blade instead of the handle, Green Lord.”

  “I was trying not to damage you...what did you just call me?”

  “Green Lord. Are you familiar with the term?”

  I nod, “I first heard it earlier today and got a short history lesson about it.” I see Trina’s inquisitive look. I tell her, “Remember me telling you I have quite a story to tell you tonight.” She nods, and I look back at the old guy. “I think you’re mistaken to apply the term to me.”

  He shakes his head and tells me, “I am completely certain I’m not. Please come to the house, and I will explain.” He looks at Trina, “You may park your vehicle by the house.” She nods and trots down the road to retrieve the SUV. I am mesmerized with the action of her motor as she runs.

  I hear the old guy’s voice, “The Sidhe are indeed lovely to look at, but be sure you know them before you trust them.”

  I look at him, “That’s a lesson I also learned earlier today. It’s been a hell of a day - feels like I stepped through the looking glass. That one and one other I trust with all that I am. Others only about as far as I can throw them.”

  His laugh reminds me of Scooby-doo for some reason. “My name is L’ric. It’s an honor to meet you Green Lord.” Then he bows from the waist holding the shovel across his body. “My neighbors struggle with correct pronunciation of my name, and generally opt for ‘Elric.’ I won’t be offended if you do the same.” He waves a hand towards the house and starts walking along the driveway. I join him.

  I shake my head, “No, I’ll learn it correctly, but you may need to coach me, L’ric. Please call me Jack.”

  “That is fair, Lord Jack. Your pronunciation is not bad. I would spell it in English characters as ‘L-apostrophe-r-i-c.’ Think of the apostrophe as an instruction to pause or a slight swallow without ceasing to speak, depending on the word and dialect.”

  I try again, “Okay, L’ric.”

  “Well done, Lord Jack.”

  “L’ric, I think you’re doing that to mess with me, aren’t you. My new friend Durec does that too.”

  He stops suddenly and puts a palm on my shoulder. “Durec? You have one of the relics?”

  “Yes,” I say as I tap the three-knotted cord around my throat. Trina drives past us. “I take it you know the name.”

  L’ric nods and then resumes walking. I ask him as I follow, “Then I suppose you also know Jacob and Eventide, right?”

  He stops again and looks at me dumbfounded. “Yes. How did you get them?”

  “I took them off the body of the Summer Court’s Green Knight.”

  “Did you get Morningstar, Bobo and Pauly?”

  “No. I didn’t see any other armor or arms on him.”

  “That’s a shame. The Unseelie have the r
est of the set. They knocked the helm and shield loose in a battle years ago. It appears they don’t know their origin or significance.” At this point we approach the front door. Please wait until I send someone for you, Jack. I need to have everyone stand-down. It should be just a moment.”

  L’ric yells something in the other language as he cracks open the door. He pauses for a rough five-count and then walks inside the door. I got an impression it was something like, ‘don’t shoot’ and ‘y’all ain’t gonna believe this shit.’

  Trina walks up behind me and wraps her arms under mine to embrace my chest from the back, laying her chin on my shoulder. “Everything okay, Sir?” She’s looking at me innocently with her bottom lip tucked into her teeth.

  “I think I told you this once already, Trina, but when I see you bite your lip like that it makes me want to bite it.”

  She laughs, “You know, I read 50 Shades, too.”

  I pin her hands to my chest, take a short step towards 2:00 with my left foot, and then step the right leg back to 7:00 releasing her hands to face her. I wrap my arms around her and grab an asscheek in each hand, hoisting her tushy up to my waist height. She accommodates me by wrapping her legs around my waist and arms around my neck, freeing me to give her ass a sharp smack with my right hand. That elicits a squeal. Putting my nose on hers, I look into her eyes, “That doesn’t make it any less true, My Pet.” Then I bite down gently on that delectable lip. That elicits a moan, and then she squeezes her tongue into my mouth. I slurp it in, and we chase tongues around and moan into each other’s mouth while I knead and caress her ass. I forget all about the rest of the world for a moment until I hear a squeak behind me at the door.

  We both stop to look over my shoulder to see someone holding the door open. I squeeze that world-class ass again as I look into her eyes, “To be continued, My Pet.”

  Nodding, she drops her eyes and whispers, “Yes, Master.” I slide her down my body where of course she slides across my cock. I set her on the ground. She leans her forehead and left palm against my chest while gently hammering her right fist on my pec twice. My hands slide up to rest under her elbows, but she turns away from me for a minute. She stands there a moment with her hands steepled against her lips.

  I hear her whisper, “I am so confused.”

  I’m not sure a hug would help, but knowing that touch is a comfort, I place my palms on her shoulders and assure her, “Trina, I will not take you anywhere you don’t want to go. I haven’t forgotten your declaration this morning. I am trying to walk a fine line between providing you comfort, reciprocating your flirting, and respecting your boundaries. Don’t hesitate to tell me to back off, or to be very explicit about what you want or need at any one time. You will not hurt or offend me.”

  “Thank you, Jack.” She turns to look at me, clasping her hands in front of her. “I appreciate how careful you are being with me. I would discuss this with you this evening rather than here and now. Is that OK?”

  “Of course. Shall we?” I motion around with my left to the door behind me. She nods, and I turn to face the newcomer.

  Chapter 15 - Making New Friends

  The waif at the door is slight enough to look like a child. About 5’2” and slightly built with narrow shoulders and hips. Her small breasts create small tents in the light fabric of the yellow sundress she is wearing, and slender but strong legs peek out of the hem about 2” above her knees. Her face is narrow and elegantly pretty. Noticeable points extend her ears about the length of my thumb taller than a standard human ear. ‘I guess I’ve just met my first elf. She is going to be deadly beautiful when she grows to adulthood.’

  She tilts her head and says, “Thank you, Lord, but I’m already 26. By the laws of the land I am adult enough for you to love; although, I have a few more years before elven law agrees and allows me to marry. It pleases me that you appreciate my form. Also, I am the second elf you have met.”

  Okay, color me gobsmacked. I think to her, ‘L’ric?.’ She nods. ‘Just so you know, I already have way too many voices in my head. It might work best if you speak with your voice.’

  “Just so, Lord. Lord and Lady, this way please.” I hear a giggle in my head. ‘I thought “just so” meant that you agreed, you little minx.’

  Trina whispers into my ear, “Appreciate her form, do you?”

  “Not like appreciate yours, Dear. I thoroughly enjoyed squeezing that lovely bottom of yours.” She smiles primly and wraps her arm around my waist with a squeeze.

  We walk into a large room where L’ric, two other older males, four older females, a couple of adult males, and five younger ones who may or may not have been children stand in a semicircle around the entrance from the corridor. I hear the giggle in my head again as the minx listens to my assessment.

  The waif stands next to the adult males, then all of them fall to their knees and bow like Trina did earlier. The exception is that they don’t sit back up.

  I mimic the form of Trina’s first bow to L’ric, and she follows my lead a heartbeat later.

  As I sit back after my bow, I tell them, “Please rise, honored hosts. I am not worthy of such consideration.” After about three heartbeats, they sit back too.

  L’ric says, “On behalf of the household, I offer you guest right, Green Lord. Please accept some refreshment now and stay the evening with us” He looks at the elder ladies and ‘children,’ and they scatter. The ladies disappear, and the children return with large pillows for the remaining adults to sit upon. L’ric says something in the other language that causes them to turn to me, bow, and leave the room.

  “I can’t stay the evening L’ric, but I am honored to share some refreshments with you and get to know you all for an hour or so.”

  “So short a time, Lord? We cannot get to know you in such a short visit.”

  Trina speaks to me loud enough all can hear as she looks me in the eye. “Lord, please allow me to clarify.” I nod. She faces the elves, “Honored hosts, please remember that the Lord has lived as a human for the 50 years of his lifetime. He just learned of your people and all the people of Faerie today. It is honestly overwhelming. He doesn’t know your customs or the customs of any of these people we introduced him to. This was not a planned visit - he literally made a impromptu decision upon seeing the sign for Cherry Creek Road. He has made other plans and commitments for this evening. If we could spend the available time getting acquainted, I am certain my Master...er...the Lord will make time to return and visit for a longer engagement.”

  I jump in quickly, “L’ric, I think we have much to discuss. You have my commitment to come back.”

  He nods his acceptance. “Let me introduce you to the group, Lord.”

  I interrupt, “Kph. L’ric, please call me Jack. You appear to be convinced I’m the Green Lord, but I am struggling to think of myself as anything other than human.”

  Sorrow paints the face of every elf there. ‘Damn! What did I do wrong?’

  “Yes Lord...er...Jack. I will circle back to the evidence in a moment. Let me introduce everyone. We are essentially a retirement community for the Elven. People mostly join our community to withdraw from active duties in the last few decades of their life, or they visit to learn from those who live here before moving on to an assignment in another community.”

  “Let’s start with O’ren.” The oldest-looking of the bunch sketches a head bow from his pillow. “He is our Lore Master. He keeps the histories of our people. Each settlement has a Lore Master. O’ren trained most of them for all our people globally. Jo’ry and E’lian are here to apprentice with O’ren in his dotage.” The younger men bow.

  The other elder gent has a stern face and his eyes are locked on Trina. I turn to see she is watching him with tears in her eyes.

  “Next is Tr’niel.” He finally turns away from Trina to bow towards me. “Tr’niel is a Weapons Master. Until quite recently he was enslaved by the Unseelie Court to train the Sidhe children. He escaped six years ago, and made his way h
ere from Missouri.”

  Tr’niel speaks with a contralto voice that catches me by surprise. “Lord Jack, I pray you see the truth of your destiny quickly. This planet desperately needs the influence of a Green Lord.” He bows again.

  Trina gets up and walks to stand in front of Tr’niel with tears running down her face. She looks at him for a moment and then collapses to the ground into a supine bow to the weapon master. He reaches out and caresses her hair as he speaks quietly to her in the other language as his visage softens. Still supine she raises her head with tears pouring out of her eyes while speaking rapidly. The old elf hooks a finger under her chin and pulls her into a hug with tears in his own eyes. He holds her as she weeps away her pain while everyone watches. Suddenly the waif loudly gasps, causing us all to see what caused it. Apparently, it’s me.

  The all look at me and gasp. Trina releases Tr’niel and looks at me over her shoulder and gently smiles. She says to me, “You’re glowing again, Jack.” She comes back to sit on the pillow beside me, leaning on me to kiss my cheek. I pull her to me and hold her for a long moment.

  I let her go, but she holds onto me. Saying something to the elves in what I assume is their own language. She looks at me and explains, “I’m overcome seeing him again. I never heard from him, and thought he was dead. I asked them all for a moment’s indulgence because I need my man to comfort me.”

  I whisper to her, “I am your man?”

  She leans into my ear, “Without a doubt, Jack. You are the only man I will ever claim. I don’t know if I will ever be able to be your lover, but love you I do. You are my man.” She lays a gentle kiss on my cheek. Then she sits on her pillow, leaving a hand resting on my knee.

  Tr’niel explains. “Your lady is among the rarest of Sidhe. She is full of compassion. If not for her kind heart and generosity, I would likely still be enslaved or maybe dead. Instead, I am surrounded by friends and family as I recover from the privations of my servitude. She arranged my escape, arranged transport, and gave me cash to get away. All of this after I spent years literally beating discipline and fighting skills into her without mercy. She was my star student, but she is much more than a fighter. She is a true warrior who follows her heart. I am very proud of you, Tr’ina.”