I chuckled again. “No, you don’t have to curtsey.”
I then outlined to the falcon everything Fee had done and requested his help in returning her to her mother. The bird nodded his head and lifted up one of his talons. The jar with the fairy inside was placed on the ground and Tridae took hold of it, gripping it tight. Fee started screaming once more as the giant bird took to the air and was soon lost in the night’s darkness.
“What will happen to her?” Rachel asked as she watched the pair of them fly off.
“I know Fee’s mother well and she is not a tolerant fairy. As soon as Tridae tells her what her daughter has been up to she will think of a suitable punishment.”
“Tells her?” Rob asked. “That feathered dinosaur can talk?”
“Not what you would call talking, no, but fairies can communicate with some animals, the giant falcons included.” I looked at the sky once more. “There are still a few hours before daybreak so I suggest we get some more sleep.”
I awoke before sunrise and was shortly joined by Rob. By the way he was rubbing his legs they must have stiffened up overnight. I secretly hoped that Rachel’s had as well. We made small talk as we watched the sun make its way upward, Rob talking mainly about sports while I nodded my head as I half listened. I was concerned that Rachel had yet to rise, so after a while I decided to make breakfast, hoping the smell would tempt her from her slumber. By the time we had finished eating she had still not ventured out of her tent, so Rob went in and physically dragged her out. I was shocked at some of the colourful language she used.
“It hurts too much,” she said as she slumped down by the fire. “Can’t we spend a day relaxing so my muscles recover?”
“No,” Rob replied unsympathetically.
“Why aren’t your muscles hurting?”
“They did when I first awoke,” he said. “But unlike you, instead of feeling sorry for myself I got out of bed and slowly walked around the camp until my muscles loosened up.”
“Good for you.” She really was grumpy and I could not help smiling.
Eventually I took pity on her. After all, it was my fault that she was in pain. “Are you open to a little bribery?” I asked, hiding my disappointment that she had not asked me to give her a rub down.
“No,” she snarled. Then she changed her tone. “What are you offering?”
“Our route takes us through a field that is populated with flying horses. Pegasus himself may be among them. How would you like a ride?” Actually our route took us nowhere near that particular field and it would be a large detour to get there, but Rob and Rachel didn’t need to know that.
“Are you kidding me?” she said with excitement. “Pegasus really exists? Your aunt told me he fathered the four horses that the four horsemen ride, but I thought she was joking.”
I nodded my head. “Of course he exists. Haven’t you realised by now that most of your myths and legends are based on fact?”
After a quick bite to eat she reluctantly got dressed. She was in the tent for a long time and Rob frequently shouted through the canvas at her, telling her to hurry up.
I knew that she was having trouble putting her jeans on due to the stiffness in her legs and was not in the least surprised when she asked me to provide a long skirt.
I grinned mischievously and winked at Rob before telling her to look inside her bag.
“Very funny,” she yelled at me. “Try again.”
“What did you do?” Rob asked as I made a different skirt materialise.
“I guess she doesn’t like bright green,” I said innocently, making Rob laugh.
Eventually she exited her tent, fully dressed with her rucksack on her back.
“About time too,” Rob said.
She looked up into the sky and I could guess what she was thinking. “Sorry,” she said. “I didn’t realise I was taking that long.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I said. Rob and I set about dismantling her tent and loading it into my bag. Why I didn’t just make it disappear I have no idea. Habit, maybe.
I set a relatively moderate pace, but still the gap between the two of us and Rachel began to grow wider. The distance did not stop us hearing her almost constant grumbling though.
“Can’t you shut her up?” Rob asked after a while. “What’s the point of being related to a god if you can’t do a simple little thing like that?”
“I probably could, but it would be wrong.”
Rob grinned at me. “You’re tempted though, aren’t you?”
“Oh yes.”
Midday had yet to arrive when we walked into a field covered in grass and daisies. Rachel stopped and stared when she noticed the animals that were standing in front of her. The pair of pure white stallions each had wings sprouting from their backs.
“He wasn’t lying,” she said softly as she gazed at them in amazement.
“Of course I wasn’t.” She had not intended for me to hear the comment and I smiled as she went red with embarrassment.
The two horses looked over at us, whinnied to each other, then took to the air, beating their wings powerfully. “Just seeing this was worth every bit of pain and discomfort,” Rachel said as she watched them ascend into the sky and fly across the field. “Thank you for bringing us here.”
“My pleasure. Come on.” I took her arm and pulled her forward. “The rest of the herd is this way.” I knew she would like the flying horses and her reaction pleased me.
Soon we were surrounded by dozens upon dozens of the magnificent beasts. Most were grazing and did not seem at all bothered by our presence. There were even some females with their foals.
“You said Rachel could ride one of them,” Rob said as we walked. “Any chance we can all catch a ride all the way to War’s place?”
“No.” We were there to make Rachel happy, nothing more.
“But−” Robert started to say but I cut him off.
“I said no. Do not ask again.”
We walked in silence for a few more minutes until I held up my hand to stop them. “You see that big stallion standing at the top of that small hill?” They both nodded. “That is the mighty Pegasus.”
I whistled and Pegasus swivelled his ears around as he listened. Then he took to the sky and flew toward us. I glanced at Rachel and she seemed to be rooted to the spot as she watched him approach. The rush of wind caused by his beating wings as he landed made her hair fly all over the place, but she didn’t seem to care.
Pegasus nuzzled me as I stroked him behind the ear.
“Hello Pegasus,” I said quietly. “I am sorry to invade your lands, but I have a huge favour to ask. Will you allow the young lady I have brought with me to ride you?”
Pegasus shook his head, his long white mane flying about majestically as he did so.
“I love her,” I told the horse solemnly. “But she has already met Ankou. You doing this for me would go a long way toward me winning her heart. I need all of the help I can get.”
The horse looked at me with sympathy. He knew Ankou almost as well as he knew me so he understood why I was asking for this favour. Eventually he nodded. “Thank you old friend,” I said loud enough for Rob and Rachel to hear, then I turned to her. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” she said in excitement. “I mean no. I mean, how do I climb on him without damaging his wings?”
“His wings are a lot less delicate than they look.” She burst out laughing as Pegasus gave me a shove from behind with his nose. “Though apparently he appreciates your concern. He will lie down and I will pick you up and place you on his back.”
I gently took her in my arms and lifted her onto him. As soon as she said she was comfortable, the horse stood up.
“How do I hold on?” Rachel leaned down and asked.
“Grab his mane. He won’t mind.”
Rob and I both watched as horse and rider took to the air, making Rachel yelp in delight. They must have flown around for a good half hour and there were tears of joy in her
eyes when they finally descended. As soon as they landed she slid off Pegasus’s back and threw her arms around me.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she kept saying over and over again as she kissed my cheeks. I was rather taken aback and was glowing bright red with embarrassment and pleasure when she eventually let me go. Pegasus winked at me.
Rachel then turned back to the horse and bowed low to him. “Thank you for allowing me to ride you,” she said. “I feel deeply honoured.” She gasped in surprise when Pegasus bent one of his forelegs and bowed to her in return. Then he straightened up and took off once more.
“What was that all about?” she asked once Pegasus was out of sight.
“You showed him the respect he is due. He was merely showing you his appreciation.” I looked at Rob. “Do you want a go? I am sure I can persuade one of the others to give you a lift across their meadow.”
“No, thank you,” Rob replied, waving his hands in front of him and backing away. “Seeing as it would just be a joyride, I am more than happy to keep my feet firmly on solid ground thank you very much.”
I shrugged. “Suit yourself. It’s your loss. Come on. We still have a long way to go.”
Though her legs were obviously still hurting, Rachel didn’t complain. She appeared to be almost in a trance as she walked along and was not paying any attention to where she was going. A number of times Rob had to call out her name loudly to get her attention.
“I’m beginning to think I preferred the complaining,” he told her one time after he had called her three times before she had acknowledged his presence. “At least then we didn’t have to keep an eye on you to make sure you don’t walk into a river or off the edge of a cliff.”
“Sorry,” she said. “I just can’t get my mind off how fantastic an experience I have just had.”
“Let her be,” I said. “Flying with the horses seems to affect all females that way for some reason. Must be something to do with the way their brains are wired.”
I expected her to take the comment as an insult and felt slightly disappointed when she didn’t react. She had enjoyed riding Pegasus even more than I had thought.
After that Rachel seemed to pay more attention to her surroundings, allowing Rob and me to relax and not worry about her putting herself in danger.
When night arrived Rob and Rachel both retired early, leaving me alone by the fire. As soon as I was sure they were both asleep I disappeared. I visited my uncle, giving him an update on their progress, but before returning to the campsite I took a slight detour.
Pegasus rarely allows people to ride him, so I understood the enormity of the favour the horse had done me. I wanted to thank him once again and to let him know just how big an effect he had had on Rachel.
Pegasus was pleased to hear about her reaction and wished me luck in winning her heart.
War
The next morning I woke earlier than usual. We were in my father’s part of the realm and I was eager to be on our way. I prepared breakfast and called to Rachel and Rob. Rob soon emerged, looking wide awake, but Rachel looked like she had hardly slept. She slowly picked at her breakfast and I soon lost patience with her.
“Eat faster or we will leave without you.”
“What’s the hurry?” she asked.
“We’ll reach my family home before the end of the day.” My face must have lit up with pleasure.
I set a faster pace than normal, unconsciously increasing it the closer we got to my father’s house. Rachel was having trouble keeping up and after a while she requested that I slow down, which I reluctantly did. Drink breaks were few and short and my two charges hardly had time to finish swallowing down their sandwiches at midday before I told them it was time to get moving.
“How long has it been since you were last home?” Rachel asked as we walked.
“I was there a few days before you and Rob arrived down here.” I had not been to visit my father to let him know when we would be arriving, choosing instead to surprise him. The other reason for staying away from my home was my feelings for Rachel. My family can read me well enough to know when something is bothering me and I did not want to be quizzed about it before they had a chance to meet her.
“So why are you so eager to get back there?” Rachel asked in surprise. “Surely you can’t miss your family that much after such a short time away from them.”
“I have my reasons.” I wanted them to meet Rachel and give their opinions, but I wasn’t going to tell her that.
It was approaching mid-afternoon when what looked like a large farmhouse appeared on the horizon. I stopped and stared ahead of me. “Home. The only place I can ever be truly happy.”
It is a two storey building made from light grey stone. The front façade is wide and it goes back a long way. The roof is covered in terracotta tiles and the numerous windows are made from multiple small rectangles of glass instead of being huge single panes. Smoke was pouring out of the chimney, making it feel warm and inviting. A mid-height brick wall surrounds the property. The wooden gate was standing open, revealing a carefully manicured lawn surrounded by lovingly tendered flower beds. My mother spends a lot of time looking after the garden.
We walked through the gate and two wolves ran toward us, closely followed by a couple of cubs. I ran ahead, going down on one knee so they could reach me without having to jump up. They climbed all over me, fighting each other to lick my face. I miss these loveable animals whenever I am away from home.
“I would like to introduce you to Canini and Lupus,” I said when I had managed to calm them down enough to stand up. “And these two little rascals,” I continued, picking up the cubs, “are Cuon and Vulpes.”
I handed one over to Rachel, who passed it straight to Rob. “He’s the dog lover. I’m more of a cat person.”
I grinned at her. “You’ll like Death’s pet then.”
“Kris,” a voice called out from the direction of the house and everyone glanced over to see a middle aged woman walking toward us. My father came into view and Rachel exclaimed in surprise. He is a fat, jolly looking man who looks more like Father Christmas than a military leader.
My mother gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, then addressed the two visitors. “You must be Rob and Rachel,” she said in a welcoming voice. “We have been expecting you.”
“Nice to meet you,” Rachel said. “And you must be Boudica.”
I watched nervously as Rachel and my mother talked. I desperately wanted them to like each other.
“Call me Bo,” she said. “Everyone else does.”
“You are not quite as the history books picture you,” Rob said.
I saw Rachel tense up. She must have been anxious as to how my mother would take the comment. I smiled as I heard her breathe out in relief while my mother laughed a deep rich laugh.
“Let me guess. You pictured me as a more sumptuous woman wearing armour and carrying a shield?” Rob nodded. “Then I hope I don’t disappoint you.”
“Of course not,” Rob said hastily. “I’m a little surprised, that’s all.”
“Kris looks a lot like you,” Rachel said before Rob could open his mouth and put his foot in it again. “Except for the eyes.” Despite the fact that my attention was on my father, who was welcoming me home, I overheard the comment and was pleased with it. She must have been looking at me quite closely for her to have noticed that so quickly.
“Yes,” mom replied. “Unlike my daughters, my son has his father’s eyes. My daughters were lucky enough to get my eyes and War’s hair. A perfect combination.”
Dad finished greeting me and slipped his arm around his wife. “I guess I need no introduction,” he said. “And I know I am definitely not what you were expecting.”
Before Rachel could respond, a young woman called out. “You’re back I see.”
“My sister, Spatha,” I said as she walked across the garden toward us. She looks to be in her early twenties and, as my mother had said, she is blessed with long blonde
hair and green eyes and is absolutely stunning. She greeted me warmly before turning her attention to Rachel and Rob.
“Welcome to our humble home,” she said with no trace of sarcasm. “I hope you have had a good journey.” She had not been told anything about their adventures so far in the underworld, so the statement was a serious one.
“It has been long and tiring. I really don’t think they will want to talk about it right now,” I said.
“And how about you dear brother? Have you been having fun?” I didn’t like the look on her face as she spoke; it was as if she knew something I didn’t want her to.
“Yes, actually. Perceval says hi, by the way.”
“Why don’t we catch up over a cool drink in the house,” my mother said. I was surprised to see her take Rachel by the arm and lead her into the house as though she was an old friend or an honoured guest. What was going on?
Glasses of cool, fresh, homemade lemonade were waiting for us in what mom likes to call the ‘sun room’. I would have preferred a cold beer, but she would disapprove. The room is made entirely of glass and is bright and cosy. The furniture is so comfortable Rachel was soon struggling to keep her eyes open. She was startled awake by a new arrival entering the room and throwing herself into my arms.
“I have missed you so much big brother,” my youngest sister said.
“I’ve only been gone a few weeks.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “It feels like longer.”
Knowing she hates it, I ruffled her wavy blonde hair and she glared at me. “I’ve told you not to do that.”
“Rachel, Rob, meet my baby sister Katana.” Katana is small and slim and very pretty. She looks young, eighteen at most, and adores me, as I do her.
“Come with me,” Katana said, taking hold of Rachel’s hand before I could intervene. “I will show you to your room.”
“I’ll come with you,” Spatha said.
I looked at my sisters suspiciously. They were being a little too nice to Rachel and it was making me worry.
“Bo,” dad said as Rachel was led away. “Please show Rob where he will be staying while he is with us. I want a word with my son.” I groaned. The tone of my father’s voice suggested that I was not going to enjoy the conversation.
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