by Lady Ellen
“Someone needs to teach you about Energy Veils,” murmured Persy, not sure if Unicorns could even cast spells.
“I think at this point, I just need to go rest, I’m exhausted,” Chamelor sighed, picking up the Orange Calcite in his teeth and dropping it into a small purple pouch which Persy hadn’t noticed until then. There was a fine golden cord around his neck and the pouch was hanging on his opposite side, not visible to the group.
“With this stone, if Melanthios shows up again, we’ll have half a chance of surviving a confrontation with her.”
“Thank you all again. “I’m sure our paths will cross in the future.” With that Chamelor slowly turned and trotted off toward the forest.
Persy, Thaddeus and P-C made their way back to Laurel’s manor, Benson flew ahead as usual. They were sauntering back, each deep in thought. Just as they were about to walk back over the small hill, Persy glanced back to see where Chamelor was. For a moment she definitely saw his beautiful shining tail swish back and forth, then, just as he entered the forest...it seemed…well, that his tail turned all scaly and a very black-red colour. Persy blinked and he was gone. She turned her head back and carried on walking with the others.
Weird.
Fairy Freedom
“Wolfgang Kerdling was always a bad seed,” said Laurel, while cleaning the dinner dishes away. “I believe he’s a relative of Willow’s, some cousin’s boy who was left orphaned during the trials, about nine or ten years ago. She brought him to her cottage in the forest, and then when she became less capable, age, I suppose, she moved with Wolf to Bodesnoir.”
“Is he always that nasty?” asked Benson.
“As far as I’ve ever known him--yes. I don’t think he’s ever done anything spectacular,” Laurel stated, “but I can’t keep track of all things around here and he’s old enough to have Time-Linxed, so it’s anyone’s guess what he’s been up to.”
“Is he a First Order Wizard, Grandmother?”
“Somehow, I sense he may be, but I feel he’s covering it. It seems Melanthios gives him little or no attention. If she knew he was First Order, she’d be training him in her ways as an accomplice. There are many times when throwing tricky spells and charms, that even a very talented First Order member needs another to help. So it would be to her advantage to have him ready, but as far as I’m told, she completely ignores him,” said Laurel.
“I almost feel sorry for him,” P-C sighed, “if he wasn’t so mean, but maybe he wouldn’t be if someone acted like they cared about him.”
“Oy, Prissy-doodle...Give it over...the guy’s a creepy piece of work. What’s to feel sorry about?” sneered Benson.
Although P-C is getting used to Benson’s shenanigans, ‘Prissy-doodle’ is definitely on the ‘not acceptable list’. He snorted a couple of very dense clouds of smoke from his nostrils directly at Benson, who at the time is mid-air over P-C’s left shoulder. Benson coughed, hacked, did a backward somersault and landed with a small thunk on the table.
“Ay! Wha ‘choo think you’re doing? You great smoke-snorting, overgrown lizard?” yelled Benson, most enraged.
P-C smirked and turned away.
“All right you two,” said Thaddeus. “We have more important things to do than stand around name-calling. We’re going to meet Fawna.”
P-C and Benson glared at other, but followed Thaddeus, Persy and Laurel out the door.
They walked along to the river and then upstream for about ten minutes to where the current was a little stronger.
“Many of the Fairy Folk like to live near clear running water,” explained Laurel. “Fawna and I have a meeting rock just up there.”
They arrived and Laurel sat on the one side of the rock, Benson lit on her knee. The rest were too excited to sit, so paced back and forth along the river’s bank.
Within minutes, they could see a glow on Laurel’s right side. Abruptly, it changed to a bright, grapefruit sized globe and Fawna’s form could be seen. But she was not alone. Another form soon followed.
“Hello, my friends,” Fawna said. “This is my great pal and partner in crime,” she giggled, “Durin.”
“Partner in crime, indeed. Let me tell you. This lovely lady gets me in more trouble than I can even begin to tell you,” Durin replied, smiling at Fawna.
“Hello, all,” Durin continued, looking at everyone. “Fawna’s told me so much about you. Couldn’t wait to come tonight to meet you.”
“I hope you have good news for us,” Fawna inquired.
Persy, Thaddeus, P-C and Benson chimed in with a resounding “Yes.” and then proceeded, in some fashion of taking turns, to tell her about their adventure at Bodesnoir, and bringing back the key.
“We answered Truth Tests,” P-C said, excited, just thinking about them, “both going in and coming out of the Forest of Depravation. I love quizzes.”
“Well, they’re fine, as long as you get them right,” said Fawna, then turning to Laurel asked, “Laurel, can I open the door now?”
“Yes, of course, dear. I’ve brought the herbs, too.” She took them, with the key from her pocket and handed it all to Fawna.
“What herbs?” Persy asked.
“Chicory and moonwort. They are extremely helpful with a charm like this, to unlock things. Chicory is known for removing obstacles, particularly if it has been gathered on Midsummer’s Eve at midnight. I dry it and save it for times like this. Moonwort loosens locks. Even with the proper key some of these old doors and chests that we have to open can be pretty stiff.
And of course, the Dragon’s Blood Berries to burn to help the Fairy Folk as they leave the astral plane and re-enter ours.”
Fawna and Durin flew to a small, but particularly steep bank on the river, a few feet from where the rest of them were. Fawna waved the key back and forth in the air. Slowly a foggy patch formed in front of them, which then morphed into a wooden door, not unlike the one they found to get into the green marbled library.
Fawna gave the key to Durin, while she stuffed a little moonwort and chicory into the lock, around the door and on the river bank in front of it. She took the key back from Durin. Hovering in the air before the door she chanted:
“Chicory, moonwort, key combine,
Destroy this Binding Spell on yours and mine,
Release these Fairies, set them free,
As I command, so mote it be!”
Fawna repeated this several times and as she continued, the fog rose up again, the door sprung open and the fog faded from sight. Persy noticed her Cimaruta glowing on the Vervain branch, her connection to fairy magic was piqued, it strengthened Fawna’s efforts.
Laurel placed a small pot of burning Dragon’s Blood Berries on either side of the door.
In an explosion of light, the Fairy Folk broke through the doorway. There were thousands of twinkling lights, becoming larger globes of gold as they began to form into individual little, and larger, beings.
Some, the Dryads, like Aurora, the tree spirit, Persy knew in her younger years, remained as little wisps of light. Their beautiful voices could be heard as they rushed to nearby trees, particularly oak trees, to find a resting place. A great many of these slipped inside their chosen tree, becoming invisible and seeking safety.
“Oy, where’d you go, then?” Benson exclaimed. He had taken to following a Dryad, feeling a sense of camaraderie with her size and speed of flight. She immediately vanished inside the oak of her choice.
“Not very friendly-like are ya?” he pouted, flying back to sit on Persy’s shoulder.
Dryads, like many fairies and nymphs, were often very friendly with Magical Folk. It was believed that they taught the Druids about tree magic and helped them master divination and astral travel. But it was all about the approach; it had to be gentle and in kind spirit, so zooming at one at great speed just didn’t cut it. Especially when doing it to one who was entrapped for so long.
“Don’t worry Benson,” Persy consoled, “they’ll come around once they’ve taken tim
e to adjust to being free again. Just be patient.”
“That’s just daffydown silly! You’d think they’d want a friend...someone to chat to,” he was not about to give up.
Persy just shook her head and grinned. Benson was on a small rant again, best to let him work it out.
She turned back to watch the onslaught of the Fairy Folk as they flooded from their captivity. Many spread over the meadow, into the trees and beyond; a good portion would go to reconnect to Munzes and Magicals, to continue their work together.
Persy and Thaddeus together noticed some of the Fairies coming out to the meadow were the same size as themselves and Laurel. Persy knew nothing of this type of Fairy Folk.
“Who are they?” she bent over and whispered in Thaddeus’ ear. She knew not to speak loudly, so as not to offend.
“They are called ‘the Grand Fae’ in this neck of the woods,” replied Thaddeus. “Fae also a name some give to all the Fairy Folk, but here it used to refer to this group who are Munz size, and actually can mate with Munz. Some of the most famous Fairies are born to one Munz parent and one of the Fae. They are more powerful than a lot of the Small Folk, so can be more helpful or more of a headache if they happen to be of the malicious variety.”
“Oh, yeah, I think Mom told me something of the Fae. I’ve just never seen them,” said Persy, again noting what she’d missed in her childhood.
Then she saw it. A long line of fairies, all dressed in their best garments, riding their beloved horses in a parade. The tiny horses were decked out with gems on their reins, gold and silver blankets on their backs. The fairies decorated themselves with flowers, gems and bits of moss. They all held silver chalices from which they drank.
“How gorgeous!” Persy exclaimed.
“It’s called a Rade. The fairies do this in celebration of great events. Being freed certainly qualifies as a really big deal,” said Thaddeus.
One fairy who was exceptionally glittering and bore more gems than any of the others, broke away from the Rade and trotted over on her white horse, Fawna and Durin were flying by her side.
“Persy, Thaddeus, Benson, P-C and Laurel, this is Queen Breena,” Fawna introduced. The five bowed deeply...in Benson’s case, he sort of folded in half.
Queen Breena nodded back, smiled and said, “How wonderful of you all to have helped us so greatly. Our thanks cannot be expressed in simple words. We are forever in your debt and will always be here to return the favour. Thank you again.” She bowed from her waist on her horse, which also managed to genuflect.
“It’s our pleasure, Your Majesty,” Laurel responded. “It’s a First Order Quest for Persy. She and her brave companions are the heroes here.”
Persy looked up at her Grandmother quizzically. First Order Quest? News to her.
“I must re-join my people. But know this--the Fairy Folk never forget a kindness. I want you to have this small gift.” She handed something to Fawna who flew to Persy. In Fawna’s hands was a beautifully patterned feather, with a very sharp tip. She gave it to Persy who looked at it blankly.
Queen Breena explained, “It is the feather of a Roc...a very strong and true bird. When matters seem bleak and hopeless, this feather will provide an answer to the correct path. Use it well”. She turned her horse to go back to the Rade. They watched as she blended back into the line of celebratory Fairies.
“Wow. Neat.” said P-C staring at the feather. “An enchanted feather.”
“Ah, lovely, maybe a wave of it could make you disappear, bird-brain, you know, as the homeopaths say: ‘Like cures like’?” Benson sneered.
“Don’t start, you two,” commanded Persy.
Persy took a silk handkerchief which Angelica gave her, and wrapped the feather up gently before placing it in her pocket.
“That’s an incredible gift, Persephane,” said Laurel. “It will serve you well, I expect.” She smiled down at Persy and stroked her head. She was delighted that her Granddaughter possessed such a fine magical tool. Thad quickly looked away.
Laurel glanced up in time to see Fawna and Durin soaring over to them, their Fairy light at full blast.
“Persy! Thaddeus! I’m SO excited,” squealed Fawna. “There. Down at the party,” she pointed to the centre of the meadow, which is indeed a party zone, where a good number of the Fairy Folk have convened. “Some of the Nymphs have come down to join us. They are thrilled to have their Fairy kinfolk back and they want to be part of the celebrations!” She was running out of breath.
“Yes...” Persy started, but was interrupted when Fawna continued.
“They want to meet you all. They’ve invited you to visit Rose Arbour. It’s almost unheard of...the Nymphs actually extending an official invitation. You have to come.” she rapidly finished, breathless.
Laurel smiled and sat down on a nearby rock. She was delighted to see Fawna so exuberant, she had been so sad for so long. “I think I’ll just rest here. I know what the trek to Rose Arbour is like. I’ll wait here and watch the celebrations while you visit.”
Persy, Thaddeus, P-C and Benson turned and followed Fawna and Durin back downstream, toward Laurel’s manor and past it. Several minutes after, they came to a sharp bend in the river and around the corner both fairies hovered, looking to their side. Just to their right, about twenty feet from the bank of the river was a rock face, covered with flowered vines. The strange part of this was, the flowers, while on the same vines were multiple colours, varying shades of blue, mauve, deep purples, cream, and bright white.
“Rose Arbour is just up there,” said Fawna as she pointed to the top of the face. “Anyone going to have a problem getting up there?”
“No, we should be fine,” replied Persy. Benson, of course, buzzed up to the top alongside Fawna and Durin.
“Escendorum!” said Persy with determination, as she grabbed Thaddeus’ hand and tapped them on their forehead with her wand. They slowly left the ground and were lifted up past the vines. Persy happened to glance over and saw P-C flapping his small wings for all he was worth. He was having a struggle. Poor ol’ P-C was built a tad heavy in the rear quarters. Now there was a case of a dragon…draggin’ his bottom.
Persy needed to concentrate because with this charm, one could rocket right off into the great beyond if they weren’t mindful.
They reached the top and set down on the grass. P-C huffed himself over and landed beside Persy and Thaddeus.
“Whew!” he exclaimed, “Been a while since I’ve done that. I suppose laying off the honey cakes might be a plan,” he added, blushing.
Persy smiled and rubbed his head. Couldn’t help but love the little guy.
They stood and surveyed their surroundings. Directly in front of them was an open area, about an acre in size. Field flowers flourished and small crystal-like rocks jutted out sporadically. Wild rose bushes dotted the land, both in the open area and near the edges. All around this field were towering, thick oak trees in a semi-circle, shading the borders of the meadow.
The most startling was that the field was densely populated with frolicking, dancing nymphs and satyrs, seemingly oblivious to the six newcomers. If one could imagine, the partying here was even more intense than it was back at the Fairy meadow. In a few minutes though, Fawna and Durin flew over the crowd of revellers, landed on Persy’s and Thaddeus’ shoulders. Two other of the participants broke away from the crowd and made their way to the friends.
“Hmmm,” remarked Thaddeus, quietly, “Nymphs and Satyrs. Talk about the original party-animals. Satyrs in particular are great followers of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine. You won’t see much useful work done by them any time soon.”
“Yes,” smiled Persy. “Seems like the fact we are here is lost on the majority of them.”
The two who broke away from the crowd arrived in front of the group. Fawna provided the introductions.
“Delecta and Randy,” she began. “These are the Magicals who freed the Fairy Folk...Persy, Thaddeus, P-C and Benson,” Fawna finished, pointi
ng her hand to each as she mentioned their name.
Delecta stepped a little closer to them. “Welcome to Rose Arbour, I am thrilled to meet you all. We have sorely missed our Fairy kin and to have them back is more than words can express. Randy and I as the ruling Nymph and Satyr would like to extend our invitation for you to join us and perhaps, you’d like to view our city?”
Fawna inadvertently allowed an audible gasp escape her mouth. Good grief, she thought. It was one tremendous honour to be asked to visit Rose Arbour, but to actually be allowed to see their city? Practically unheard of...ever.
Persy spoke for the four of them. “Thank you for your kind invitation, Delecta. We’d love to see your city!” She knew this was a once in a lifetime offer and to refuse would be deeply offensive to Delecta and Randy. Besides, she knew the tales of this city--underground and spectacularly mysterious.
“Of course,” replied Delecta. “Randy and I can show you around. There are also a few items I would like to share with you, Persy. We may not look it, but Randy and I have lived a very long time (they appear about eighteen or twenty years old) and have come to know much about the Magical Folk and their purposes. Through Fawna, I’ve learned something about the First Order Quests that are facing you, and I believe I can offer some strong magic to assist you. Walk with us to the trees and we will show you how to enter our city. There is a very strong energy field near the entrance, which detects anyone of an evil or ‘black arts’ vibration. Obviously, none of you will have a problem with that, but I tell you only so you understand how well protected we are.”
They more or less paired up. Delecta aligned herself with Thaddeus, apparently becoming absorbed by him, and Randy with Persy. The fairies and Benson flew beside them, taking care to allow Delecta the lead. P-C trundled along Persy’s right side.
As they started off, Persy noticed a rather hairy black spider, body size about that of a quarter, jump off P-C’s tail where it evidently was resting. They walked a half a dozen steps, when she turned back to look at the partiers and was sure she saw a glimpse of a red-black scaly tail vanishing over the edge of the field, and down the vine-covered rock face.
