by Gavin Green
Chapter 26
In the premature dark of a cloudy evening, Enochia stood with hands clasped in front of her, idly looking about the ruins of Moylaira Castle. The nearest stone walls were illuminated by the antique lantern in Harkin's clawed grip.
Sensing the approach of the one she invited to the meeting, Enochia turned to the northwest and pointed behind her for where her servant should stand. Harkin moved quickly into place but leaned around his Mistress to see a large silhouette striding up the slope, a vague black shape against a dark and gloomy night sky.
With warped staff in hand, Aldritch of the Old Wood stepped over a low, crumbled wall and into the secondary light of the shielded lantern. Stepping no closer so as not to loom over the oracle, the huge dryad planted his staff and bowed his head to her. "Lady Enochia." His low voice disrupted the calm silence like a rumble of thunder.
Nodding her head in return, the Drommen spoke in soothing tones. "Aldritch, I appreciate your accepting my request to meet, and am glad to see you in good form."
"I think it would be unwise for most to decline an offer from you, Lady. There is always a reason for the words you might offer, and I am not fool enough to deprive myself of them."
Enochia smiled serenely in the dim light. "You were ever the eloquent fae, good Aldritch. And so as not to prove your words false, I shall forego our normal pleasantries and get to the heart of my request, if that will not offend your high regard for etiquette."
As his giant hand slowly swung out in a welcoming gesture, Aldritch said, "At your leisure, Lady."
With a slow, deep intake of breath, Enochia began. "There is a matter to be tended to, and your inclusion would be most welcome. This involves your human kin, the McCarthy's, as well as Brody Lynch, whom I believe you've met. I believe that other humans will come into play, but that is unimportant for now. There are also specific fae that are entwined in this web, and some deliberate actions have already been made by them. Devlin Ryder is obviously one of those, but you may not know that the elder Saraid of the Moon Glade has also involved herself personally."
Aldritch's heavy brows lowered in surprise. He knew of her, of course, being of the same race. However, that was where any similarities ended. Saraid was one for Lore games and ulterior motives, and her gift of sensuality was more stereotypical of a dryad, although she and Aldritch both held mastery over flora. She was a powerful fae and proud, rarely deigning to include herself into human activities other than the rare abduction, or to give a foul curse if offended. Saraid's reputation was respected, if not altogether savory in his view.
Before he could ask how Saraid might be involved, especially concerning his daughter Cora or her children, Enochia continued. "There has also been trickery in some cases, besides our own, and violence in others. The morpher, Gideon, has been banished by devious ambush not long ago. And just this morning, Devlin Ryder was banished in combat while attempting to carry out his duties. Just before that clash took place, the elder Saraid was also banished." Enochia paused for effect. "…On the back lawn of the McCarthy home."
The former curiosity and surprise of the huge fae turned into a simmering anger. "There was a clash at my child's home… and three banishments, all in such a short time? If you know, Lady, tell me if my family is well and safe."
The oracle lifted a four-fingered hand in placation. "Be at ease, good Aldritch. Your child and grandchildren are in good form, both mentally and physically. While others are acting for their own agendas, the ones at the center of the turmoil are Brody Lynch and your granddaughter, Kate."
Aldritch was dubious, and it showed on his lean face. "Kate is causing a stir? Gentle Kate, and her man, Mr. Lynch with her? He struck me as reluctant for battle, however capable; I surmised that, given his druthers, that human would seek serenity, not mischief."
Enochia pursed her lips. "Forgive me, I did not fully explain. It is their gifts that have caused a unique situation, not their actions. As you know, Kate has a gift of aura sight and has brought it to fruition. Likewise, Mr. Lynch, while not of fae blood, is also gifted in his own way."
Aldritch's skepticism was renewed. "A pure human... with a realized fae gift..."
"Gifted enough to send the magistrate back to the Lore; so, yes, I'd say realized. It matters not how at this juncture."
It had become a night of unexpected revelations for Aldritch. With a shrug, the huge dryad said, "If it is as you say, very well. So it is somehow because of their gifts that strife has arisen?"
With a sigh, Enochia came to the basis of their meeting. "Because of Kate's sight, but mostly because of Mr. Lynch's mental defenses, they are immune to glamours of forgetfulness or memory alteration. The magistrate was doomed to fail in his attempts to correct the breaches of Enigma, at least with them. Other activities that you would take unkindly to that involved your family were thwarted as well. The Circle of Prudence needs to be made aware of these unique circumstances; if not the Circle, then at least the elder who made the decree. Another session needs to be held to decide a wiser fate now that important facts have come to light."
With a small grin, Aldritch asked, "And did you not know these facts when Devlin first visited?"
Enochia returned the knowing grin. "Learning is sometimes a painful process. I believe he is wiser for his time spent around the village of Ballaghadaere."
"And what, may I ask," Aldritch queried as he leaned on his staff, "is the role you wish me to play in all this?"
"I ask that you be the one who goes to gather the Circle."
He looked stricken. "I don't think it should be I who..."
Enochia took two small steps forward. "I understand your reluctance. There may be some who still see bedding a human as a weak and unwholesome act, but it has happened before, more than you think. Most fae think little of such wild acts, if they think of them at all. We are creatures of nature and emotion, after all. And think of your progeny; they are all fit, with skill and verve, even if only half fae or a quarter. It is for them that this situation must come to a better conclusion than the dark road I see ahead. And who better to do that than you? Aldritch, you have motive, and a renown that carries weight. I realize that it may take some time to gather elders for this, but it should be you who sees it through."
With a scowl, Aldritch looked off into the black night. "You ask much of me, oracle."
"There is much at stake, sir dryad. Who better to ask?"
With a storm of emotion behind his mint green eyes, Aldritch looked back to Enochia's calm demeanor. "And if I decide that your reasons alone are not enough motivation?"
"I had hoped that they would be," Enochia's words were laced with resignation. "However, I am prepared to offer an incentive for a bound pact between us."
Aldritch had reason enough to do as she suggested and assemble elders for a Circle meeting, but knew better than to walk away from any fae agreement without as much as he could haggle for, especially when dealing with an oracle. He also knew that Enochia must have foreseen this, or at least guessed it. That she was willing to make a bound pact in order for Aldritch to follow through meant that it was a critical venture. "And that incentive is?"
"I currently hold the redcap Lorcan at bay under the curse of favors; that number is currently at four. I offer to hand the leash of that curse over to you. He would be at your disposal, and no longer under my command." Privately, Enochia had no misgivings or sense of loss with offering Lorcan over; she had used him for her purposes and had no further need of him. Not to mention that she loathed his presence. Besides, she had a good servant in Harkin to do her bidding.
Pale lips curled at the corners in satisfaction; Aldritch was intrigued with the idea of having that particular redcap under his thumb. He nodded and said, "I accept the offer, and recognize this as a bound pact. If you would, Lady, call him forth."
Enochia nodded and then closed her eyes. Only a few seconds after her mental calling, little Lorcan appeared by her side. He was currently chewing on some tiny Lore beast; one of
its feet still stuck out of his mouth while he chewed, its vitae dripping down his chin and neck. Lorcan first looked at her, irritated, and then noticed the strange surroundings. When his gaze finally met Aldritch's, his eyes shot open in unmasked fear.
Aldritch took delight in Lorcan's reaction. He said to the disgusting little fae, "Through the agreement of a pact, your temporary servitude now belongs to me."
Lorcan spit the remains out, his big teeth stained with the unfinished meal. He looked up at Enochia, his eyes filled with horror and a perverse sense of betrayal. She merely looked down on him and nodded.
Before the terrified redcap could say a faltering word, Aldritch took a step forward and snatched him up by a strap of his dirty overalls. He stepped back, holding Lorcan like a parcel in his huge hand. The giant dryad looked at Enochia and issued a formal bow. "As soon as I make a few things clear to my new charge, I shall see to my obligation of our pact, you have my word."
Enochia bowed her head and gave a slight curtsy. "However long that chore might take, I hope for your success."
"As do I," he agreed, and then looked down and gave Lorcan a harsh shake. "Let's you and I have a private chat." He looked back to Enochia. "It was ever a pleasure to see you again, Lady; may the elements be kind to you." Aldritch abruptly turned and walked out of the dim light and into the black night, carrying the pathetic redcap like baggage.
Harkin moved tentatively next to his Mistress once the powerful dryad elder was gone from sight. "Are we concerned about the fate of the smelly redcap, Mistress?" The harpy servant said 'we' so that his thoughts on the matter mirrored hers.
"Not yet," Enochia said casually, "and only if he survives his present master."
