Fay Warrior, Fay Master

Chapter Five

Fay Warrior, Fay Master
Chapter Five

The old crone quickly made her way through the Blue Elderian Mountains. She had spent some time lately preparing for the inevitable and had lost track of time. Surely, she had been missed by the King. She could ill afford any mishap as the moment of truths neared. She breathed deeply the mystic blue mist as it filled her body with pictures of the past, present, and future. If not careful, she could easily confuse one for the other spoiling what must occur. What had her brother set in motion so long ago? Were he here, she would surely wring his neck for all the pandemonium his choices had caused to come about. But with his last breath, he had assured her that he had chosen well.

Again, she inhaled deeply feeling how electric the air had suddenly become. Mother Earth knew as well…knew that all would soon change. But there remained no time to ponder such things. She must hurry back to learn of the latest news. A girlish giggle of glee erupted from her for she could scarcely contain herself. “Almost time, it is almost time, brother,” she spoke into the mist. In response, the mist concentrated and swirled about her encouraging her speed.

“I am traveling as quickly as these old bones will allow,” she admonished while pushed along at a faster pace. “Any more interference from you and I will not be able to arrive at all.”

With that said, the mist dissipated and melted back into the mountains while the ground grumbled with protest yet leaving her to her travels. Some hours later, she could finally see Wikkenwind Forest looming in the distance. Hmmm, made better pace than expected. Swiftly, she hobbled into the dense fold with purpose. She glanced about for a sign that would direct her to her destination and was not disappointed. Tucked between a towering fir tree and purple flowering pashawal bush gleamed an intricately woven spider’s web sprinkled with fay dust.

Though not a word lay within it, she recognized the imbedded crest symbols as well as the singular color of the dust. For all fay folk carried upon them a most unique hue of dust specific to them. She knew this family well…knew this faerie well. The old woman reached up, grabbed the web, and destroyed it then waited.

“Old woman, I heard you approaching a mile away,” whispered a voice barely past her shoulder.

“Rubbish, you only just arrived yourself,” she returned from the corner of her mouth as she walked backward into the dense foliage. Once completely hidden, she turned with a smile.

A cloaked figure stepped forward into better light then removed her hood. She returned the woman’s smile with a grin. “One would think that as loud as you are, you have nothing to hide.”

“And so I do not,” she replied with a wink as the two friends embraced.

“How goes it, mother crone? Where have you been these last few days?”

“Taking care of some very important errands. What tidings have you for me, my dear?”

“The news I bring to you is not good. I overheard the king discuss with his brother that a certain royal party’s hand has been promised to him.”

The old woman frowned at this information. This was very bad news indeed. She would have to speed up her efforts. “And you say you overheard this?”

“Well, not exactly,” the faerie blushed. “The king’s brother is extremely accommodating with his information while in the heat of coupling.”

“Why Merina, you wicked little thing. And how long has this been going on?” the crone chuckled delightedly. Though brother to a beast, Marrabus had proven himself to be a loyal Fay Warrior.

“I confess, it has been awhile now…but believe me, he is nothing like his brother…”

“No need to defend him. I already know where he stands. He has a good heart, that one, so do not give it another thought. Instead, we must concentrate on the task at hand.”

“But I do not understand where all of this can possibly lead. After all, the true Wikkenwind Forest Royals are long past. How could the throne possibly be reclaimed? And should we be caught planning such treachery…surely it would mean our deaths.”

“You must have faith, my dear. There is much that you do not understand but it will come to pass. Do you trust this old woman?”

“You know that I do,” replied the Fay woman earnestly.

“Then you must remain my eyes and ears for the moment. You will know when it is time, I assure you.”

The young fay nodded her head then hugged the old woman again. These meetings must be brief else she be missed. And even though she trusted her lover, Marrabus, he did not need to know where she disappeared to because he was still the king’s brother. Were she not so loyal to the old woman and the cause, she would have given up long ago for how could the throne actually be reclaimed? What did the crone know to make this dangerous affair worth the risk? She knew not but knew she could not deny the woman. She only hoped that it was not a hopeless effort. Quietly, she replaced her hood and moved away until she disappeared into the leaves.

The old woman determined the area safe to depart and stepped out upon the path. True, the information she had received had not been good but it only assured the importance of her work. Quietly, she made her way through the woods unworried about her passage. After all, I am but a harmless old crone, she chuckled to herself. Now she must make her way to Fayring Valley with hopes of furthering her efforts. Surely, her words would not fall on deaf ears. There were many good families that would listen…would trust her no matter how dim the outlook seemed. And she must approach the Queen. Now was the time to reveal a long kept secret to Keltra…one that surely a part of her had suspected so many years ago. But would this help the cause? Only time would tell…



McKinzie S. Heart
~Live to write, write to live~