67. Of encounters, offers and a little bit of empty skies

Cassandra Pendragon

With a thought I rose into the air and headed for her, assuming she really was the fey and not some kind of illusion. I activated my second sight again but it wasn’t much help, the whole valley was ablaze with light and I’d need ages to actually make out any useful detail. It seemed like I had to rely on my charm and hopefully a rather enticing offer.

I didn’t take me long to reach her, even though I was itching to have a closer look at the forest while I soared over it. There weren’t any animals, at least none I could see from above but the flora was unique with a multitude of plants that were obviously magical. Leaves, glittering in all colours of the rainbow rustled beneath me with an astoundingly musical sound and the smells that reached me reminded me of a trader’s ship I had visited back on Boseiju, loaded to the brim with spices and precious ingredients for potions. Much too fast I had passed over the forest and hovered over the beach, maybe 15 meters away from the girl… fey that stared at me with entirely black eyes.

She was small, not more than 1 meter and really slim. Her white skin had a mother of pearl sheen to it where it wasn’t covered by a leafy dress kept in reds and greens. Her legs and arms were bare as were her feet. Fingers and toes ended in long and sharp nails, not quite claws but close. She was proportioned like an adult women with luxurious curves and delicate features with slanted eyebrows and full lips. A necklace of gnarly roots hung around her neck. I’d have called her beautiful but her black eyes and the set of silvery horns, similar to a ram’s, gave her an alien appearance that was more intimidating than alluring. Her lustrous hair nearly reached the ground in a cascade of liquid fire that moved slightly despite the calm air. She looked up at me and smiled predatorily, sharp teeth showed behind her pink lips.

Silently I dropped to the ground and we stared at one another for a long moment until her voice, which still held an ethereal quality flowed over me:

“My, I didn’t expect the new heiress to be cowardly enough to send me a slave instead of coming herself. Tell me child, what message does your mistress have for me? Do you bring threats or bribes with you?” I couldn’t help myself, I had to laugh. She obviously didn’t know the first thing about Viyara or the situation we were in, which was a load off my chest. I had feared she might know everything that had transpired and how dearly we needed her help. Additionally I was extremely glad she hadn’t tried to simply blast me out of the sky. Apparently she was ready to talk.

My reaction startled her and I could see her eyes roaming along my wings and settling on my torn clothes and the tattoo that was clearly visible on my chest. A blood red tongue slithered across her lips when she tasted the air and her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Still chuckling softly I gave her my brightest smile and answered before she had too much time to dwell on who I might be:

“Great Lady,” a little flattery never went amiss, “I understand your mistrust but I bring neither threats nor bribes, simply an offer. If you’re willing to listen, this might very well be the last day of your servitude.” Her eyes bore into mine and I could feel the touch of magic but it was nothing more than a tingle at the edges of my perception and I didn’t pay much attention. She’d soon realise that I wasn’t going to succumb to her spells.

“Then speak, why have you come here if not on the behest of the one who now wears the lizard’s crown?”

“I came to offer you your freedom in exchange for your help in a single battle. However it turns out, if you stand by our side, you’ll leave this place with me for good.” It was her turn to laugh but it was a bitter, almost cruel sound.

“And who are you to make such an offer? Your not of the Gold’s family, you have no authority over me or my prison. Why should I trust a single word you say?”

“Lady Erya, while you’re technically correct that offer comes from the Lady Viyara and she will uphold any bargain we strike here. If that’s not enough to ease your mind, I’ll also pledge to do everything in my power to ensure you’re treated fairly.”

“Then you really are a dragon thrall. What makes you think your words are of any consequence, little kitsune? You’re as much of a prisoner as me if you follow the dragon’s bidding. Run along and tell her that if she wants my help she’ll come here herself and not send a pretty surrogate.”

I exhaled deeply, her insults were starting to piss me off. Honestly, why couldn’t she just be a little more courteous? Oh well, I’d probably be rude as well after centuries of imprisonment.

“That’s not gong to happen. Viyara can’t come here and if I leave, you’ll be stuck,” I hesitated a moment but then decided to follow my hunch, “at least until the most depraved wizard I can imagine gets his hands on your prison. What do you think will happen then? If you feel like your life has been hurtful before, you’ll be in for a rude awakening, little fairy.” I hadn’t intended to add the last part but my temper had gotten the best of me, once again. I bit my tongue and studied her closely, expecting some form of outburst but she stilled, even her hair froze while her eyes bore into mine with a burning intensity. Again magic brushed against my senses, strong enough to make my fur stand on edge. I flared my wings reflexively and my tails fanned out behind me. A palpable tension rose between us and I saw tiny sparks of energy travel along her horns and vanish into the air. A couple of seconds passed before she broke the silence:

“By the holy tree, what are you? I can see you standing before me, smell your sweat and hear your heart beat but my magic can’t touch you and you’re invisible to my other senses. That’s not possible!”

“And why should I tell you? Because of your friendly and trust inspiring demeanour? Or maybe to return one of the plentiful favours you have already done me?” I might have been a little snarky but she had tried to spell me, again! And I hadn’t given her any form of reason, I had even been the epitome of good manners until the last few sentences.

“Because you need me, don’t you? If I am to take you seriously I want to know who you are and maybe we can come to an agreement.” For a moment I was tempted to simply lie to her face but I was sure that wasn’t going to go well. If I had been a centuries old fey bound by my words I would have made sure that I always knew when someone wasn’t telling me the full story.

“I am no one’s slave and I have the ability to make good on my word. I am a friend of Viyara’s and an enemy of the one who seeks to gain this hoard. I stood my ground against the black dragon Galathon and I don’t fear your magic, Lady Erya. And, like you, I’m bound by my promises.” I squeezed the bridge of my nose and continued: “ I… we seek your help because we desperately need it. A powerful sorcerer’s lackeys and an ancient dragon are currently at the gates and they are out for more than blood. Sure enough, the dragon wants Viyara’s head and probably mine as well by now but the others are here for the riches and, I think, for you. Help us to drive them back and Viyara will set you free, this I promise.” My eyes shown brightly while the threads of transcendent energy settled into my body.

She studied me for a long time, her face rigid and her eyes distant before she said: “once upon a time I wouldn’t have hesitated. But now… it appears like your destruction is assured without me and while my fate might yet turn out dire I’m not in any immediate danger. I want more. I’m willing to help you in exchange for my freedom and I’m also willing to let bygones be bygones and not hunt Viyara in the future but you have to sweeten the deal. You intrigue me, vixen. I’m giving you a choice: spend your first night with me or give me the acorn in your pocket. Either way I’m willing to fulfil my duties one more time.” A hungry look had entered her eyes and they openly roamed over my body. A heavy blush came to my cheeks unbidden and I reflexively tried to cover my chest with my arms and the remains of my shirt. Her laughter filled the air again but this time it was melodious and free of bitterness, she was enjoying herself.

I loathed the idea of giving up the last piece of Boseiju I still had with me but I wouldn’t ever let her touch me, not in a million years. For a moment I toyed with the idea of offering her something else but I knew very well that I didn’t possess anything a magical creature would care for besides the acorn. Honestly, I didn’t see much of a choice. Even if I had been willing to try to force her, I didn’t think I would have been able to. In this little world she was probably close to omnipotent and I wasn’t particularly interested in finding out if rocks and trees from a magical place would trigger my immunity, despite what I had told Viyara and Barzuk. I was stuck with handing over what she wanted, leaving this place for good, which I incidentally had no idea how to accomplish or trying to make her fear a possible fate in the hands of the emperor more than a direct confrontation with an ancient dragon and two air ships full of the emperor’s minions.

Slowly I extracted the acorn and weighted it in my hand. Unconsciously I had always thought I’d be able to grow a new home from the little brown sphere, a place where my people could live in peace and that would truly be ours, resurrected from the ashes of our old lives. The amount of expectations I had held for the seed was hitting me with full force, now that I had to give it up.

“Am I really that hideous that you’d prefer to give up something like this?” Her voice was soft, vulnerable but when I looked up her eyes still held a predatory sheen. I answered honestly never the less:

“That’s not it,” I continued in a whisper: “but you’re not the one I love.” I threw the acorn at her. “Here, take good care of it. It’s all that is left of my home.” She curled her fingers around it but her eyes remained fixed on me. Her expression was strange, a mixture of longing and sadness but it disappeared as soon as she saw me staring. “I will. Would you tell me your name?” Huh, that was the friendliest she had ever been. I must have done something right.

“Cassandra, Cassandra Pendragon,” I bowed my head. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” The acorn lit up and transformed into a pendant that she skilfully intertwined with her necklace. She curtsied and approached me, hand extended.

“Likewise. I’d introduce myself but you already know my name. Now then, shall we leave this place?” I gingerly took her hand, her skin felt hot as if she had a fever and her fingers clasped mine gently but with an astounding strength. Her gaze was still locked on me when she whispered: “I accept,” and the valley shook.

The stream suddenly pulsed with energy and the sky shuddered under an onslaught of light. Glyphs, the size of the largest tree in the forest, burned brightly all along the mountains and the fey in front of me was covered in sigils of different colours. Most were centred around her heart and neck, shining brightly enough to glimmer through her dress. With a blinding lightning strike that came out of nowhere and struck the lake in its centre the glyphs vanished and the storm of light disappeared, silence returned. Everything had been over in a heart beat and if it weren’t for the stone arch filled with a grey void in the middle of the lake and a myriad of anchor points for enchantments that covered the rock walls around us I’d have thought I had imagined the whole scene.

Erya hadn’t changed but I could practically see the rush of energy that stormed through her and into the enchantments and spells that had powered up. She smiled at me and said: “well then, let’s go meet my new master, shall we? I can’t wait to see for myself how far up shit creek we actually are.” She didn’t bother releasing her grip and pulled me along like a doll, her tiny body was even stronger than I had originally thought. If it hadn’t been for my wings and tails I would have lost my balance and been dragged after her unceremoniously. How matters stood I managed to retain some of my dignity and allowed her to pull me along while I hovered over the ground. In the blink of an eye we reached the portal and Erya jumped through gleefully. Again I felt like I had passed through a curtain of cold water before I blinked in the glaring light of a magma and treasure filled cavern.

Viyara laid coiled up, a couple of meters away, the upper part of her body was erect and she glowered down on us when we stumbled from the ruby. Barzuk was still on her back but the moment he saw the fey appear he jumped down and stood by Viyara’s side, causing a small avalanche of gold coins. His features were set into his trademark scowl and he hung on to his cleaver nervously. My tiny companion hovered in the air, level with Viyara’s head. She had finally released her hold on me and I glided backwards to sit cross legged on top of the ruby.

“Viyara, drunk orc, may I present Erya, fey of the gem and possibly our saviour. She’s a piece of work but rather… clingy once you get to know her.” The fey snorted but didn’t even turn around.

“I’ve already been told you’re willing to let me go once I help you out of the mess you’re in, dragon. So let’s get this over with. I promise I’ll aid and protect you and yours with everything in my power and without falsehood until you have safely left this island.” I coughed. “And I’ll refrain from persecuting or hurting you and yours in anyway without provocation,” this time she turned around and shot me an angry glare. “Better?” I nodded. Pulsing energy raced around her horns and settled into her forehead. “Now then, Lady Viyara,” she continued, “it’s your turn. Release me from the promise your father has forcefully extracted. Or are you going back on your word?” The ensuing silence was longer than I would have liked but after a few seconds Viyara’s thoughts reached me. This time I couldn’t only feel the faint echo of Barzuk’s grumbling thoughts but also a rustling of leaves and the smell of wild flowers which I associated with Erya.

“In the name of my father, Shafeer the Golden, I release you from your oath, Erya, Queen of the Silent Glade. You are free and the chains that bound you to my family are broken. Esto!” I expected another light show or at least a couple of flying sparks considering how much was hinging on the oath Viyara had just annulled but there wasn’t much to see. Erya’s horns glimmered faintly and for the fracture of a second I thought I saw a series of glyphs before they simply vanished.

The fey inhaled slowly, her fingers twitched and she bowed her head. Magic danced around her fingertips before it flickered out. “Thank you Viyara, if I’m honest, I didn’t expect you to keep your word. I can’t say that your father would be proud of you but if it means anything I will say that you surprised me in the best possible way. I don’t know what happened to you but you should cherish the change. And now, before I become sentimental, we’ll see what’s going on outside.” She waved her hand with a flourish and I felt a torrent of energy race through the gem I was sitting on.

A curtain of magma rose from the sea around us, its colours changed in quick succession while blurry images started to form on its surface. The crater slowly came into view, seen from above. It had become the dead of night and a quarter moon provided just enough light to make out rough shapes. We stared at the improvised screen but no matter how long we looked, there were no ships and no dragon to be seen. “Where are they?” Barzuk mumbled.