by Crystal Dawn
Once her food came, she ate it with relish enjoying the taste of those foods she couldn’t hunt. The hot spiced cider went down well and dessert was delicious. When she was done, she paid with a small amount of gold and took her baked hens with her. Sir was happy to see her once she made it back and she could tell he’d been left alone. He gobbled down the hens and he was ready to sleep.
Heading back to the inn, she was yawning and ready to sleep when she was set upon. The two fools had no idea who they were attacking. With short swords, they had no way of reaching her. She knocked their swords out of their hands then proceeded to beat them soundly. When the last man fell, she heard the clapping of hands.
“Good job. I guess I won that bet. Some of the others suggested you weren’t a warrior and only dressed as one to keep the thieves at bay. I, on the other hand, could tell by your bearing that you were not only a warrior, but one of substance.” The man explained.
“And who exactly are you? I would know who this discerning and knowledgeable person was.”
“As you should. I am Prince Damian, future king of all you see. What might your name be, Friend.”
“I am Sere.”
“That’s an odd name. What does it mean?”
“It’s an old family name from a language long lost. No one knows what it means anymore so I say it means unmatchable warrior.”
“I like you, Sere. Let me buy you a quart of ale and you can tell me all about yourself.” Damian actually grabbed her arm and began dragging her toward The Elk Horn.
Serena was at a loss as to what she should do. To refuse him would be an insult and she didn’t need to start her stay here by upsetting the future ruler and the brother of her fated mate. There was no choice but to allow him to lead her to the tavern. Fae, at least those in her kingdom, weren’t fully immune to drink, but it took an unbelievable amount to affect them. They were immune to many drugs and had the superior senses that could detect them which saved them from being drugged.
Knowing those things helped make her choice easier. She would party with them until they were unconscious then she would go get some rest. The room was rented for a week, she needed to make progress quickly. It was unfortunate that her rest would be compromised for the night, but she could do without sleep if she had to. Seeing Damian in action was supporting the description of a spoiled useless prince that Henri had given her. Had she been more careful, maybe she could have avoided him entirely. Now, it was too late and she would have to deal with him.
As soon as Damian escorted her through the door a table was cleared, its occupants sent throughout the room. They didn’t seem to mind as a gleam of anticipation lit everyone’s eyes. Those in the room were ready for a show. Damian must be known for providing entertainment and she suspected it was at the expense of his guest. On guard, she intended not to provide whatever these people were expecting.
“Bring us all quarts of ale!” Damian demanded and she saw that every customer in the place got a quart. She was confused because most places served a pint and then she noticed the specialty of the house was a quart of beer laced with whiskey.
No wonder they expected her to provide a show. A person unknowingly drinking hard liquor could get drunk to the point of being ill. Her supernatural hearing was picking up a storyteller in the far corner telling about Damian’s last guest. He had gotten the man drunk and he and his friends had taken turns with him on the table in view of the whole bar.
The man and his family had moved soon after. He’d been emotionally damaged by the attack and embarrassed by the fact that all his friends had seen it. Serena wished the circumstances were different so she could teach Damian and his horrible friends a lesson. Maybe she could cast a spell and make them think something bad had happened to them after she left without doing anything physically.
The power of magical suggestion was an amazing and useful thing. Serena would wait and do what she could to teach the would be king a valuable lesson about how anyone could be victimized. Damian shoved the quart in her hand and she smiled as she took it. Tipping the glass, she drank little but magically removed some of her own and put it in Damian’s glass. He never noticed a thing and probably thought he was immune to the effects of the alcohol.
It wasn’t long before the men started getting boisterous and those easily affected began to leave or pass out where they sat. Damian and his fellow low lifers watched her with interest, no doubt imagining the horrible things they would do to her if she became inebriated.
“So tell me more about yourself, Sere.” Damian directed.
“There’s not much to tell. I’m traveling the world to meet interesting people and see amazing places.”
“I’ve noticed your horse. Any interest in selling him?” Damian asked and she noticed his eyes were beginning to glass over.
“None at all. He’s a rare breed.”
“Too bad. I hope no one bothers him.”
“If they do, they may not survive. His breed are flesh eaters.”
Damian’s eyes widened, but then he laughed. “You have a sense of humor.”
“I do, but not where my horse is concerned. He’d eat a stranger that bothered him as soon as look at him.”
“That’s not possible. Horses eat grass and grains.”
“Maybe they do here. I’m from farther away than you can imagine. No one will bother my horse and if they do, well, they’ll pay in flesh. Have some more beer.”
Damian took another long drink. To her, it appeared that his mind was torn and his solution was to do nothing. This man would make an awful king if he didn’t change. A little humility and some hard lessons would change him or push him to the dark side. Either way, he was worthless as a leader and a human being in his current condition.
His buddies were starting to lose consciousness one at a time as they tried to outdrink him. Damian barely hung on desperate not to go out before him and be at his mercy. When he finally hit the table, Sere was relieved and more than ready to go. A wave of magic and those there that still could see saw him leave. Then they saw a devilishly handsome and muscled up man enter. The things he did to Damian and his men, or at least they thought he did, would help convince them to leave other people alone unless they had permission to touch them.
Serena wasn’t the cruel type, but Damian was and he needed to know he wasn’t above being used the same way he used others. Was it terrible that she felt a sense of accomplishment and pride in what she’d done? Probably, the bad memories would fade, not just his, but those of all involved. That was more than his victims could say.
She entered the inn and went to her room, utterly exhausted. Changing the world, even one small part of it was hard work. Tomorrow she needed to find a way to meet Flint. Was she asking too much that it would be easy? Probably.
Sleeping the deep sleep of someone who felt they had done a good deed, she woke around noon. Things weren’t busy at the inn where she ordered lunch and two more hens for Sir. Once she finished eating, she took them straight to him and was relieved to find no bodies or overly large bones in his stall. Everything was on track and she headed up to the arena the townspeople spoke so proudly of.
This was where she would get the opportunity to watch her mate fight and possibly get close enough to meet him. It was a thirty minute walk, but she thought walking was better than risking Sir misbehaving. The top of the hill was where the castle stood and the arena was set just below it. It was a nice arena, but nowhere near as lavish as the one at home.
She watched as the warriors drifted in and began to exercise to loosen up their muscles. It was much like what her routine had been in her younger days. That stirred memories and she wished she was down there fighting. Serena had always loved a good battle like nothing else.
“Who are you exactly?”
Taking a deep breath she scented a fresh breeze, salty sweat, and man. It was her mate and she turned to look at him taken aback by how attractive he was close up. “Excuse me?”
“You
’re a stranger here. I want to know who you are. You were with Damian last night and now he’s locked in his room and refuses to come out and all the men who were with him are in hiding. All except you, that is.”
“Damian gave me an invitation I couldn’t refuse. As soon as he passed out, I stumbled to the inn and passed out on my bed. If something bad happened, it must have been after I left. Had he not insisted on my presence, I would have been sleeping much sooner.”
“You’ve still not told me who you are.”
“I am Sere. I am traveling for adventure and I am far from home.”
“Are you a warrior?”
“I am.”
“I would like to spar with you.”
“You might get hurt and then I would have to fight all your soldiers.”
“You have confidence, I like that. Have no fear. I am a capable warrior and can keep up with any I’ve ever met.”
“You’ve never met me before.”
“Choose your weapon.”
“I’ll choose staffs so you won’t lose any body parts.”
“I hope your confidence is not misplaced. I would like a challenge.”
Serena laughed. “I would like one, too. It’s been a long time since I had one.”
“Arcan, bring us two staffs and call the men to the circle. I will take it easy on you, if you ask. I’ve no desire to hurt anyone just to test your ability.”
“Perhaps you should ask me to take it easy on you?” Arcan threw her a staff and she hefted it to feel its balance. She twirled it and moved it around and then she nodded to show him it was acceptable. Flint caught his staff and did a similar ritual.
Chapter 4
Warriors
Excitement ran through Flint at the thought of testing his skills against those of this stranger. The warrior was so confident it made him feel that he must be good. Right now, they had just finished getting comfortable with their staffs. It was a weapon he rarely used, but was he felt confident his abilities remained.
They began to circle around each other looking for obvious weaknesses. Flint smiled when he saw none. “Perhaps you will test my skills, but I do have height and reach on you.”
“We’ll see.” Sere said and he began to test Flint with careless staff jabs.
“Is that the best you can do?” Flint taunted, hoping to anger his adversary.
Sere only smiled and continued doing what he had begun. Now, Flint was irritated. Most of his battles were over by now. He started to attack in earnest. Things weren’t working out the way he had planned. Sere was fast and seemed to see every move before Flint made it. It was beginning to look like the battle would drag out and Flint even worried he might lose.
The faster he struck, the faster Sere blocked and he seemed to be putting almost no effort into the fight. This male was truly a magnificent warrior. With his best effort being used, he could see Sere wasn’t even being challenged. How could someone be that good? His speed was almost blinding when he finally tired of the game. Sere struck his legs out from under him and moved his staff across his neck. Arcan’s words the other day about someday seeing Flint knocked on his ass came back to him.
He glanced toward Arcan who was staring in wide eyed amazement, his mouth hanging open from shock. Arcan may have taunted him that this day would come, but clearly he hadn’t expected it or at least not so soon. Sere moved the staff and held out his hand. Flint took it and electricity ran through him.
“What are you?” He asked once the shock had passed. It seemed today was full of firsts. A voice in his head told him this person was important to him. Fear shouldn’t rule him.
“Someone you will wish to spend more time with privately.” Sere’s voice wasn’t suggestive, but Flint felt his body react. He knew there were men who lay with other men and he had no problem with consenting adults doing as they liked with each other, but that was not his thing. Women filled his dreams and fantasies.
“I don’t like where this is headed.” Flint admitted.
“Don’t be frightened by the unknown.” Sere said.
“Okay. I will meet with you, but without expectations.”
“That’s fair enough.”
Now Arcan moved to them. “I’ve never seen anyone kick Flint’s ass before. Where did you learn to fight?”
“In a land far away from here. It’s far beyond the setting sun.” Sere described.
“Could you show me some of those moves?” Arcan asked.
“Sere and I have some things to discuss. You can talk to him later.” Flint informed. He grabbed his arm and escorted him to the castle. They walked by and everyone seemed to watch.
“I thank you for this opportunity. I know your people find it hard to trust.”
“We only find it hard to trust when we feel deceived. Are you deceiving me, Sere?”
“All will be revealed once we are alone. Then you can decide what to do.”
“Your words are mysterious and give me no hint of what’s to come.” Flint observed as he opened the door at the side of the castle. It was nearest to one of the rooms guests were entertained in. This particular room had a lock on the door. For some reason he felt the need for complete privacy.
Ushering Sere into the luxurious room, he closed and locked the door behind him. “Now, we are alone. Reveal your secrets to me.”
“I know almost nothing about your people. Do they have legends of magical people and animals?”
“You mean like wizards and witches?”
“No, I mean like fairies and dragons.”
“Dragons? Yes, we have many stories about those, fairies are more for children’s bedtime stories.”
“What if I told you those stories were true?”
“Magical beings that fly around and sprinkle magic on flowers exist? Or maybe you mean the tooth fairy? I always thought my parents gave me the gold coin.” Flint chuckled. “I thought this was going to be a serious conversation.”
He looked intently at Sere and shook his head to clear the dizzy feeling. Was he going crazy or was Sere changing? The odd shadowy features were changing into more feminine ones until this beautiful creature stood before him.
“I hope you can understand why I couldn’t travel the roads in my natural form? My name is Serena and I have come a long way to find you.”
“Is any of this real or am I dreaming?”
“Believe me, this is real. I can’t reveal myself to your whole world, but I can show you and a few others who and what I am.”
“Why me?”
“I see you want to get to the heart of things.”
“That would be helpful. There’s no use in beating around the bush.”
“Okay. You are my fated mate. Normally, those in my position do not chase down their fated mates, but something happened that created the need for me to find you.”
“In your position? What position might that be?”
“I am a princess.”
“Of course you are. What else would you be? So what is this event that made you search me out?”
“It’s a long story.”
“What do I have, but time to hear you out? Tell me everything.”
“It starts with the legend of how magical beings came to be.” Serena went on to explain about the Source of all life and Allendra and Zaan.
“So, these are the ones that created all magical beings?” He asked.
“Yes, and now they plan, or at least Allendra plans to turn all of us back to human.”
“Why would I care if this happens?” Flint asked the big question, the one that to him mattered the most.
“Other than the fact that it would affect your fated mate in a really bad way?” Serena asked and he nodded. “Okay, imagine the divide between dozens of aggressive pissed off races and your kingdom disappearing. They are all human, but many have lived in perfect health at their peak for hundreds of years. They are superior warriors and strategists because they have lived and fought through so many battles.”
&nbs
p; “Okay, but why would they attack us?”
“My people are aggressive, arrogant, and they would be angry. Right now many of them don’t consider humans worth their effort, what happens when they are human too? You may not realize this, but your kingdom is surrounded by kingdoms like mine and all of the fae are warriors at heart. Our females can fight and many of the males and females are savage when they battle. It will be like a rooster battling a fox. There’ll be a bloodbath.”
“Is that why these beings want to make you human? Is it because they are disappointed in you?” Flint asked curiously.
“It’s that or she wants to cause change. No matter how things turn out now, a change has begun. I have kept this from my father and disobeyed him to come here. If we join, you and me, it will be like a slap in the face that he’ll not take lightly. I will face judgement and will have to fight for the right to mate you.”
Flint stepped closer to her. All of this was a lot to take in but he felt compelled to kiss her. His lips fell to hers and he gobbled them up. Serena gave into his desire and opened her mouth to him. He could not deny that this felt right and true. This female was his fated mate and he’d never been so sure of anything.
She was strong, beautiful, capable, and completely foreign to him. How could fate deal him such a bad hand? Serena was the stuff of legends and children’s tales, but as he kissed her, nothing had ever felt so real. Reluctantly he pulled back struggling to breath, but he noted with satisfaction he wasn’t alone. His mate had been equally affected by the kiss.
“I shouldn’t have done that, but I’m glad I did.” Flint admitted. “I don’t know what to think or what to believe. You’ve challenged the way I view my world and what I’ve always known to be true. Now you tell me magic exists and we are surrounded by worlds we can’t see. You can visit us but we can’t visit you, unless one of your kind allows it. Even crazier is this story about two omnipotent beings who elevated some humans to a magical status while leaving others, like my people, human. They experimented with your kind and now they don’t like how you turned out, so your people are being undone? Did I get all of that right?”
