"The rest?" Ayna said.
"You'll find that as different as we all are in Entwell, we all share something. We all seek to improve ourselves. Someday soon we shall ask you what you choose to be, and we shall do what we can to help you become it."
Ayna said. "I'm just a little fairy. What could I become? Everyone here is so big. I don't belong here. I won't survive."
"You are a little fairy, Ayna, but you aren't just a little fairy. I was a little fairy once, and I've survived over a hundred years here."
"A hundred... a hundred years?" Ayna wiped her eyes. "But fairies don't live a hundred years."
Fiora smiled. "You've got a lot to learn, Ayna. And we will gladly teach it. That is all we require of you: that you teach what you can, and that you learn what you wish. We have here in Entwell experts of every weapon, crafters of every spell. For a few days you should rest. Recover from your journey. But during that time, see what it is we can offer you. When you are ready, we will ask you what you would like to study, and your real journey can begin."
Ayna nodded and reluctantly let Fiora go.
"Be well, Ayna," Fiora said.
"Thank you... um..." She cleared her throat. "The Child of the Dry Breeze That Blows Over the Valley and Through the Willows."
Fiora smiled. "You are very welcome."
#
It took time, but Ayna slowly came to understand her new home, at least well enough to know that she wasn't in any danger. There were other fairies, each a bit older and a great deal wiser, but they were so different from her. They didn't hide from the larger creatures. They didn't need to. When she spoke to them, most told the same story of their arrival. They were snatched away and, when their keepers became hopelessly lost, they were used to lead the path to freedom. The only difference was the handful of fairies who had actually been born in Entwell.
As she gained her strength back, Anya journeyed to the south side of Entwell, what the locals called Warrior's Side. There were no fairies there. Instead, she found humans, elves, and dwarves. They meant her no harm, and most seemed not to even notice her, but nonetheless she barely had the courage to remain there for more than a few minutes before she felt the urge to scurry to her tree... yet something about them called to her. Something about these huge, powerful beings, some even larger and mightier than those who had brought her through the cave, was fascinating. And, of course, Gomder was there.
Ayna sat in a tree near to him, remaining there as long as she could as she watched him speak to other dwarves. Gomder was the reason she was alive, the only creature from the outside who seemed to truly care about her. The other adventurers in his party were dreadful. She wanted nothing to do with them. Even the heady fascination with the raw strength of these people could bring her to linger when they were near. But Gomder... she had to know more about him, and about those lucky few who were like him. What were they doing here? How did they come to be what they are?
When she asked the other fairies, they told her that the best thing to do was to ask the warriors themselves. None of the people she found on the Warrior's Side spoke her language, and Gomder seemed too filled with wonder and joy at this new place to even notice her. If she was to have her messages delivered and her questions answered she would need help. She sought out Fiora.
The elder fairy made her home in a small bush near the mountain. Ayna had seen Fiora drift toward it at the close of each day, but so far she herself had never had the nerve to follow, much as she'd wished to speak to fairy matron. The air in that part of the village had a charred, broiled scent to it that made Ayna uneasy, and a stone hut hid the breathing of a beast she'd been lucky enough to avoid seeing. All the same, Fiora was the only person in this strange place who seemed to calm Ayna's drumming heart when she spoke, and if she was to find someone to translate what the people of Warrior's Side had to say, she would need a steady hand holding hers to give her the courage to linger long enough to learn the answers to her questions. Only Fiora could offer both the wisdom and the strength.
As Ayna drew nearer, the air took on a sharper scent. Orange light flared from within stone structure and she could hear movement. Her eyes darted to the opening of the squat stone hut just in time to see the gray, scaled snout and fierce reptilian eyes of a predator emerge. Her heart leaped into her throat as the thing ambled forward. It was covered from nose to tail in tough gray scales and had great wings folded on its back. She knew enough of the old stories to know that it was a dragon, and though she'd been told that such things were larger than trees, This one was but the size of a wolf. It was still quite large enough to make a quick meal of her. Her mind seized with fear, she launched herself for the bush, the only shelter.
Flitting through the stiff leaves of the little bush, she immediately barreled into Fiora, who reeled backward with a start before realizing the source of the intrusion.
"Oh! Goodness, child, you startled me! What brings you here, Ayna?"
Ayna tugged madly at her hand, trying to pull her free of the bush. "M-miss Fiora, there's a--we have to go quickly! There's a dragon!"
"Calm yourself, calm yourself," she said with a chuckle. "His name is Solomon. He's simply heading off for a meal before beginning his training."
"But what will he eat?" Ayna fretted, huddling beside Fiora and clutching her hand as the hissing breath and crunching footsteps drew nearer.
"I imagine he eats fish. I don't know for certain, but he won't be eating you or me, so again, please calm yourself. What brings you here?"
Ayna couldn't bring herself to answer until the footsteps passed and retreated into the distance. She gave herself a few moments to let her heartbeat return to normal and glanced around the home of her friend. In many ways it was not so different from her own home in Ravenwood. Thick, waxy leaves from trees elsewhere in the woods had been folded and sculpted into seats and places to stow assorted clothing. The only thing that made it significantly different was the presence of a strange gem, nearly half as large as Ayna and curled in limbs of the bush as though the shrub was obligingly holding it for Fiora.
"You're sure about the dragon?"
"I've lived here for many years and he's yet to eat me. I can't imagine he'd make an exception for you."
She took a few more unsteady breaths, then shook her head and turned back to the task at hand. "I... they told me I should ask the warriors questions if I want to know more about them."
"Indeed you should. I'm pleased that you're curious. Curiosity is a fine thing to have."
"But I don't understand them. Some of them understand me but..."
"You need someone to translate. You need only ask. I haven't got any students at the moment, I would be pleased to. Shall we go now?"
"When... when the dragon is further away..." Ayna said.
"Of course, child," Fiora said sweetly. "I hope you have been comfortable here. Are people treating you well?"
"I haven't been spending much time outside the tree. I leave sometimes, to get food and to try to look around, but... it doesn't feel right. The last time I looked around I was stuffed in a jar... and there are so many people around..."
"I understand. It isn't like the home you left behind, or the one I did. It took me ages before I felt at home here."
"But if it didn't feel right, why didn't you leave? Why didn't you go back home?"
"I was even younger than you when I arrived, and the only way back is through the cave or over the mountain. I couldn't stomach the thought of either. By the time I felt strong enough, I'd learned how much there was to do in this place, how wonderful the people were. What can I say? This is my home now. Come, Solomon is quite far, let's go."
Fiora gently led Ayna out of the bush and they set off toward Warrior's Side, Ayna glancing anxiously about as they went.
"You know, I'm rather proud of you for showing interest in the warriors. Most fairies barely visit that side of Entwell."
"I know..."
"What brings you there?"
"Just want to know more."
"Again, nothing wrong at all with a bit of curiosity. But I would have thought, especially so fresh from the outside, that you would have been more interested in what the other fairies were up to."
"The other fairies are up to what they are always up to. Small, skittish things in the bushes and trees," she said irritably.
"I think you'll find if you ask around, there's a bit more than that going on."
"But none of them are being brave. They're all still small and weak compared to the warriors."
"I certainly wouldn't characterize us as weak. Our kind are among the most potent spell crafters in Entwell."
"That doesn't do me any good."
"Why not?"
"Because I haven't plucked my leaf yet."
"Plucked your... oh, heavens. Is that still the way of things? They were doing that nonsense when I was a girl. Ayna, if you'll sit down with even one of our lowest masters, you'll be plucking a leaf before the week is out."
"But that's now how it's done! I'm supposed to learn on my own. That's the tradition. It's... it's how we know I'm strong enough."
"Tradition is all well and good, Ayna, but if it holds you back from something that could make you and the world greater, it may be time to set it aside."
"But look what happened to me when I ignored it, Miss Fiora." Fiora opened her mouth to offer another assurance, but Ayna tugged her forward. "Here. This is one of the warriors who brought me here. He was the one who fed me and cared for me. I want to talk to him. I want to thank him."
Ayna led the way to Gomder, who was pacing back toward the center of the warrior's training grounds after an apparent trip to the food hut toward the center of Entwell. He had a crust of bread in his hands, and more than a few crumbs in his beard. Though he'd changed to a suit of clothes provided by the people of Entwell, he still carried his own heavy ax.
"What is his name?" Fiora said.
"Gomder. At least, I think it is Gomder. I have a hard time understanding their words."
"Ah. No matter." Fiora raised her voice and called after him. "Sir! Excuse me, sir dwarf?"
The elegant, melodious fairy language didn't seem to catch the dwarf's attention, so she flitted in front of him and switched to a language better suited to his ear.
"Hello, good sir dwarf," Fiora said.
Gomder stopped briefly, glancing at Fiora with the same expression of confusion he might have worn if a house fly had tried to speak with him. He then waved his hand irritably in his face as if to swat her away and pressed on.
Fiora flitted back to avoid the waving hand, then scowled lightly. The edges of her wings took on a red glow and her tiny fists tightened.
"Your friend hasn't learned proper Entwellian etiquette yet," Fiora said with flickering annoyance. She darted in front of him again. "Sir!"
The word was accompanied by a flash of flame which managed to catch and hold the dwarf's attention. It very nearly caught his beard on fire, in fact.
"Err... yes?" he said.
"I wonder if I could have a moment of your time? The fairy who saved your life has some questions for you."
"Eh?" he turned to see Ayna sheepishly drifting to Fiora's side. "Oh. The compass."
"He said..." Fiora began.
"I know. He called me compass. He thinks that is my name. Tell him my name is Ayna."
"The young fairy who served as your compass is named Ayna."
Gomder stared back. If he felt the words had any use to him, he certainly didn't show it in his expression.
Ayna didn't wait long before practically bursting with questions. "Ask him what sort of things he can do with the ax. And how he learned to use it. Ask him if he's always been so strong, and if not, now he made himself stronger. Ask him why he wanted to go into the cave. And... and thank him for taking care of me."
"Easy, Ayna. Slowly. We'll start with the last bit first. She thanks you for taking care of her. It was very kind."
"You have to feed a compass and let it out now and then or it won't be much good. That's basic maintenance, not kindness," he grunted.
"Is that all you wish to say?"
"What more is there to say?"
"An acknowledgment of her gratitude would not be out of place," Fiora said.
"She is a compass. What's the point of that? She was a good compass, but that's the end of it."
"What did he say?" Ayna said eagerly.
"His care for you was not as kind or charitable as you might have hoped... let's address some of your other questions, shall we?"
"But what exactly did he say?"
Fiora sighed. "He said that it was proper maintenance, and that there is no point to acknowledge what you've said."
"Maintenance... but... but tell him that I understood what he said! That he called me his 'tool.'"
The elder fairy's expression became pained. She turned to Gomder.
"Sir, I thank you for your time. I'll speak to you again if I require you."
Gomder grunted and continued on his way.
"Wait! Where is he going? What did you say to him?" Ayna asked, darting after the dwarf.
Fiora held her back. "Ayna, child, do you know what a compass is? Or a tool?"
"I told you. He thought my name was Compass. And tool means friend... doesn't it?"
"No. No, Ayna. A compass is a device. It is used to help travelers to find their way. The cage you were in was called a fairy compass. A tool is another name for a device."
"But I... but he..."
All of the words she'd heard, all of the care he'd shown her began to flicker through her mind. Yes, he fed her, and gave her water, but he always did so after he'd polished his ax and checked his gear...
"He wasn't... I was just a thing to him..."
"It is the same for all of us, Ayna. You can't blame them. They didn't know any better."
"But he was supposed to be different! He was supposed to be the one who..." Her voice caught in her throat, her eyes glistening with tears.
"Perhaps you'd feel better if we went back to your tree for now," Fiora said, taking her hand.
"No!" Ayna snapped, wiping her tears away. "I want to hear more about these people. Are there any people here who know more about that... that weapon that Gomder carries than he does?"
"I believe so."
"Then take me to them. I want to know all about how they did it!"
#
"...and when it was on its knees, I raised my sword and brought it down, splitting the ogre's head in two," crowed a human as Ayna clutched Fiora's hand and looked on.
After thoroughly establishing that her caregiver during the journey was not nearly the savior she'd worked him up to be, Fiora had led the little fairy to nearly a dozen different warriors. They were all long-time dwellers of Entwell, and as such were much more willing to indulge the interest of the young fairy. There was little a warrior liked better than boasting about their accomplishments and skills.
The warriors spoke of battles fought and won. They spoke of amazing deeds they'd performed, and their skill with this weapon and that. Most had seen war, and many were the heroes of tales that would be told for generations. Even those born within Entwell spoke of their clashes with fellow warriors to hone their skills. Frequent was the tale of a lesser fighter overcoming a larger, more experienced one through sheer dedication and skill. One by one, Ayna found her way to the other adventurers who had brought her to Entwell. They were just as filled with tales of daring. Their words drifted into Ayna's mind and flared her imagination.
"And then he split the ogre's head," Fiora said to Ayna, translating the final line. "Much like the three goblins, and the bandit, and the raiders who invaded his town. He's quite the able head-splitter." She turned to the human. "Thank you, sir, for your time."
He nodded cheerfully and continued on his way.
"He could stand to learn a bit about variety," Fiora said, watching him go.
"But did you hear those things h
e did?" Ayna said, her eyes wide and her face alight. "He never let anything scare him. Never let anyone get in his way. He fought and killed things twice his size. Even Gomder is nothing compared to these people. Come on, this way! I want to hear more!"
"Much as I've enjoyed spending the day with you," Fiora said, "I'm growing a bit weary. I'm not as young as I once was. Have you learned enough. Is your curiosity satisfied?"
"Yes, yes. I just have one more question. Who is the mightiest of warriors here?" Ayna asked.
"One moment," Fiora said. She turned to the nearest warrior and called out. "Excuse me, sir, I've not spent as much time in Warrior's Side as I might. Pray tell, could you share the name of the victor of the most recent cross-disciplinary tournament?
"Dunroth, the master swordsman," Fiora translated the reply.
"So he is the strongest? The mightiest warrior in all of this place?"
"He is the most skilled," Fiora said.
Ayna nodded. "Good. Thank you very much, Miss Fiora."
"Now that you've seen and heard what the warriors have to offer, you might benefit from some time on Wizard's Side. I assure you, there are many such stories to be heard."
Ayna shook her head. "My brothers and sisters, my mother and father, they all knew far more magic than I could ever perform, and they were nearly as timid as me. They couldn't have done such things. Magic is for weaklings, cowards..."
Fiora smirked a bit. "Among those things you've yet to learn, tact is evidently foremost."
"I'll stay here and watch the warriors... I think I'm starting to understand some more words of some of the languages..."
"As you wish. But be mindful that you'll be asked to stand before the Elder when the rest of your party is well enough."
"The Elder?"
"As I said, you are expected only to teach and to learn. The elder will decide what you have to offer, and will advise upon your wishes regarding what you will learn. It would behoove you to see all that there is to choose from before you make such a selection. The sooner you find the thing that truly suits you, the sooner you'll grow to your full potential."
"Can I... can I choose to be taught anything I've seen here? Will the people here help me to be whatever I wish?"
The Book of Deacon Anthology Page 200
