Of Gods and Fae (24 page)

"You could say that," I replied. Well, at least
this one I could understand.

"Fae God's are not known for their mercy. What do you
ask in return?" Demons, go figure.

"Is it not true that you were summoned here against
your will?" I asked, knowing that it was time for me to assume my High Fae
role again.

"Yes."

"Did you fight us willingly or were you under the
Mage's command?"

"We were bound to him. These battles were not of our
choosing," he answered.

"Then I have no quarrel with you or your kind. You and
your kin are free to go. How can we help you return?"

"This place is closed to us. That one can take us
somewhere that we may return to our own lands," he said, after looking
around. He was pointing at Zeke.

"So be it."

"Then we are in your debt. I am Ukobac, the other is
Bachor," the Demon said as Zeke and the other joined us.

"I am Robert Hoskins, High Fae of the Dyad. I welcome
you both to my lands," I said in return.

The two of them began speaking to one another in their
language. I heard a chuckle from Zeke before he leaned over towards me.

"Sorry, I couldn’t help it," he said. "It's
just that Ukobac called you the Fae with a funny name that acts strangely."

"Nothing new there," I said, shaking my head. Then
I walked back to the dais where Siegfried and Cacilia were standing.

"Not as bad as I thought it was going to be," I
said to Siegfried as I stepped up on to the platform.

"Indeed," he replied. "They are not what I
expected either."

"What will you do now?" Cacilia asked.

"We'll take them back and let Zeke sort it out. I would
stay longer but I have other things to attend to at the moment. Thanks for
being here."

Cacilia nodded and we accompanied them back to the pool
where we had arrived. Once again, we stepped through the tree and returned to
my backyard, Siegfried and I, once again, in our human guises.

Before leading them out I asked Siegfried and Zeke if they
could return this afternoon. Both agreed and then made ready to leave. As we
walked through the house to the front I asked the Demons if they knew of Usag,
the other Demon I had battled before.

"He is a prince of a neighboring land," Ukobac
said. "Why? What is he to you?"

"A friend," I replied, using the term loosely. We
hadn't exactly been on best terms after the fight, but it was close enough. "Seek
him out, he may know a way to prevent what happened to you from reoccurring."

"Yes," he hissed, eyeing me up and down. Then, as
we walked to Siegfried's vehicle, he removed a ring from his finger that held a
deep red, almost black stone, and handed it to me.

"What is this?" I asked.

"For killing that Mage that bound us I am in your debt.
Speak my name to the bloodstone and I will find you." he replied and then got
into the back of the SUV.

"So you want both of us here this afternoon, do you,"
Siegfried asked out of earshot before opening the driver side door. "What
are you up to?"

"Trust me," I said with a wink. "You’re gonna
love it.

"More Demons and an Angel as well," I heard Bernd
say as I closed the front door behind me. "There is also the winged horse
to consider. Your list of allies grows."

"Maybe," I replied as I went into the kitchen.
"But I lost a good one last night, as did Siegfried."

"Ah, yes. The Lilin, Lucius," he said. "Many
more lives were saved by his act. The enemy has been hurt badly. The Mage he
killed was powerful, second only to Marissa herself in his knowledge of
magic."

"You would know that," I said, sitting down at the
table. Elithia must have cleaned up as my cup was nowhere to be found.

"I have not been idle," he retorted.
"Contrary to what you may believe."

"I know, I know." I said, deciding to back down.
"You've got rules. Doesn't mean I have to like it. How's our Lilin, by the
way?"

"She will live. She rests now," he answered.

"Can I see her?"

"It would be best to wait," he replied. "Although
she is glad to be rescued she is not exactly happy with who her rescuer is. Besides,
she is still weak. I would recommend you wait till the others get here before
you speak to her. Otherwise she may not respond well to what you plan to
do."

"So she's a first born?"

"Yes," he said. "EgiDari, the Eternal
Princess, she was once known as. Although I doubt she will tell you that name
when you meet her. She led the final charge against Demeter on the banks of
what is now called the Euphrates in your tongue."

"You know her?"

"I know of her," he replied. "It is not hard
to know the names of generals when so few survived. But enough of her for the
moment. Show me that which the Demon gave you."

"He said I could contact him with it," I said as I
handed him the ring. Not even bothering to ask how he knew I had it.

"Indeed, you can," he replied as he looked it
over. Then he handed it back to me saying only to keep it safe.

"What is it?"

"A bloodstone, not a powerful one, but it may prove
useful."

"Ok, I'll bite. What exactly is a bloodstone?" I
asked. "Other than just another gem, I mean."

"It is a token of his lineage. The stone contains his
blood, collected at birth. This Demon is not high ranking, but powerful enough
in his own right. He has ceded that you defeated him in battle and owes you a debt.
If you use the stone to call him, he will do your bidding, in payment for his
life. Use it wisely."

"That's kind of crazy," I said. "He's trading
one master for another."

"It may indeed seem so," Bernd said. "But you
are not a dark Mage and he knows it. He gave you the stone willingly, in
exchange for the life you saved. He is of an ancient clan and it is one of the
old ways. It was the noble thing to do."

"I suppose," I replied. "But this shit just
gets weirder and weirder the more I learn."

"Perhaps you need another drink of the Mnemosyne,"
he said. Yep, that was another thing I hadn't had a chance to talk to him
about.

"If it taught me how to use magic and all the history I'd
ever need to know, then I might agree with you," I said as I got up and walked
into my downstairs office. I opened the safe, placing the ring next to some
other items of magical interest before returning to the Dwarf. It was almost
noon so I sat down on the couch, asking Bernd if we could continue this
conversation after a short nap. I'd had enough for one morning.

****

I went to scratch my nose and found a cat in my face.

"He says to come upstairs, the Lilin is awake,"
she said before jumping off.

I rubbed my eyes and went into the kitchen, starting the
coffee before heading upstairs to see my new guest. Charlie still sat at the
doorway as I walked in, Bernd and Elithia next to the bed. They got up and left
as I entered.

As for the Lilin, she was propped up on pillows on the bed.
She looked pretty good for someone that we'd just pulled out of a dungeon. Good
looking, but not magically beautiful as so many of the Fae are. Early 30s
maybe, with long black hair and blue eyes. Her eyes were old. I could almost
see her true age in them, as I sometimes did in Diantha. There was something
else, perhaps a bit of cruelness? Or maybe it was just the weight of all those
years. It was hard to say.

"Ah, my rescuer finally makes his appearance, does
he," she said.

"To be truthful, he's been by your side all
along," I replied, pointing at Charlie. "He's the one that found you.
I just helped pull you out."

"Do not expect me to thank him, either. A guard is a
guard, and one prison is as bad as another, no matter how comfortable the bed
may be."

"Prison," I said with feigned surprise. "This
is my home. I brought you here to be treated by the healer, nothing more."
Okay, so I wasn't being entirely honest. I had my reasons.

"Then I can leave?"

"I would hope you would stay for just a little while
longer," I replied.

"As I said," she snapped. "As if being
polluted by your blood was not enough."

"It was that or die. Excuse me if I thought you would
prefer life over death."

"I have heard that before, Fae," she countered.
"Even now I must wonder if the price I paid was worth it."

"I am not one of those that fought you so long ago,"
I said, moving closer to the bed. "If it were up to me I would release you
from that decree."

"The other one said the same. And when I would not help
her find the
Tears
she imprisoned me in a tomb. Do not expect me to find
your words soothing… or any less deceitful. I have endured millennia of such
venom from your kind."

So Marissa had been searching for the
Tears
. I guess
it was a good thing that she had looked in the wrong place. I could see that I
wasn't going to get anywhere with her for the moment so I told Charlie to go
get Bernd.

"I am here," he said as the two of them came back
into the room.

"I am Robert Hoskins, High Fae of the Dryad," I
said, turning to the Lilin. "Heir to Demeter, she that defeated you in
battle. While I had no part in that fight I did lead the attack against the
Mages that held you. For that I will claim the right to be called one of those
that rescued you. For this act, I ask your indulgence. I swear that everything
I say in this room will be the truth. This Dwarf is my witness and will
guarantee my words. Will you recognize his authority to do so?"

"I have no love for his kind either," she said
after a moment. "But I do recognize his place among the Fae. Say what you
will."

"Will you tell me your name?"

"You may call me Ella," she replied. "I have
used that name in this part of the world."

"Then Ella, I offer you this. Shortly, several others will
arrive, including an Oracle. I ask only that you join us as they gather to hear
what is said. Do this, and I will guarantee your well-being as well as safe
passage to wherever you wish to go. I swear it." I asked.

"As it seems I have little choice, I accept your bargain,
Fae. But do not expect me to do more than be present. I cannot fathom what you
hope to gain by keeping me here."

"Then the accord is struck," Bernd said before I
could say more. "Elithia will attend to your needs. There is a bath and I
have had suitable clothing brought."

I walked out of the room with Bernd right behind me as
Elithia entered. Once downstairs I grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down.

"How'd I do?" I asked Bernd as I took a sip.

"She that defeated you in battle was a bit harsh but
she has agreed to the terms," he admitted. "You have done well."

"So you don’t think I am making a mistake using this
one?"

"Fate brought her to your door. You will find none any
more agreeable. It is nigh impossible to defeat the fear brought on by the
years of hardship they have endured. If this is your wish, then now is the
time. Only you can make that decision."

Yeah, with a little urging by a certain Dwarf, I started to
say, but was interrupted when my phone announced someone at the gate. Diantha had
arrived.

"Okay then," I said as I got up to meet her.
"Let's get this dog and pony show on the road."

I met her at her car, a brand new Mercedes S65 AMG, and
helped her unload her gear. Three legged bronze stool, bronze bowls, five
gallon jug of what I could only assume was spring water and small containers of
herbs and laurel leaves.

"You need anything else?" I asked as I started
carting things into the backyard.

"Some mist on the ground before we begin, just for
effect," she said as she followed.

"No problem," I replied. "I'll have a word
with the Garden Faeries, and nice car." I hadn't even known she had a
license.

"It'll do. Oh, do you have a small table I can place
the bowls on," she asked as I put down the heavy stool.

I retrieved one from the patio as she started setting up.
When she was done she took a final look around.

"Okay," she said. "You realize that I'm going
to have a headache for a week after this, right?"

"I'll make it up to you."

"Sure you will," she replied. "If you can
find the time between jaunts with the Nereid and nights out with the
Lilin."

"Excuse me?" I said.

"I saw the way Meredith acted after returning from the
Underworld."

"Jealous?" I asked with a laugh. I hoped she
wasn't, but you could never be too sure with Diantha.

"Hah!" she countered. "You'd be jealous if
you saw the cute little Pixie I've been trolliping with the last few nights.
Even I could barely keep up with her." Then she walked up to me and gave
me a kiss. "I know where we stand, my Fae Lord. Just don’t forget about me."

"Never," I replied, kissing her back.

"Good, then I think we're done here. I'll go get my gown.
Do you have any tea?"

I went back into the kitchen. Bernd was waiting for me as I
started the water.

"All is in place?"

"It is," I replied. "Once the guests have
arrived we can begin."

"What have you told her?"

"She knows what I need to do. As to the Lilin, she
asked me not to tell her anything about her. As usual, she'd rather do it the
hard way."

"Ah, yes, she remains true to her calling."

"Tea ready?" Diantha asked as she came into the
kitchen.

I fixed her a cup and sat down as she turned to Bernd and
bowed.

"Welcome, Father Dwarf," she said.

"Priestess, thank you for coming."

"I live to serve," she said as she sat down.

"Yes, of course," Bernd replied. There was no love
lost between the two of them but Diantha was smart enough not to anger him.
"I believe the others have arrived," he continued, just as my phone
announced the gate.

I went outside to find Siegfried's SUV pulling into the
driveway. He was accompanied by Bjartr, Zeke, and Delia. I hadn't expected
Siegfried to bring the Elf but at least he was here. They stepped out of the
vehicle and I waved them into the house. As they entered the kitchen, Siegfried
knelt at the Dwarf's feet.

"How good to see you, Fader," he said.

"Welcome, Siegfried, Bjartr, and a welcome to you as
well, Delia of the Lilin," Bernd said as she bowed. Then he got out of his
chair and turned to Zeke.

"Ezekiel. I had heard that you were here," he said
as he grasped the Angels hand. "Many an age it has been."

"Bernd of the Svartálfar," Zeke replied with a
nod. "Not since Rome fell have we seen each other. Always you appear in
interesting times."

I had no idea the two of them knew each other, nor, could I
tell, had anyone else. Except maybe Bjartr, but with Elves it was hard to tell
anything. It would have been interesting to learn more about the Angel,
especially as to why he was working at a Vegas casino.

"Now that we all have arrived perhaps we could
begin," Bernd said.

"I'll go get ready," Diantha said, taking her tea
with her into the bedroom to change.

"What's going on," Delia asked, whispering in my
ear as she walked up beside me. "And how's the other one doing?"

"Just keeping a promise," I replied. "Thanks
for coming, I think you'll find it interesting. Diantha is an amazing Oracle. As
to the other Lil, she's upstairs. Elithia is up there with her. You can see her
if you like. Second bedroom."

She headed up the stairs with Bjartr in tow as Siegfried
took her place, Bernd and Zeke still deep in discussion.

"What are you doing with an Angel," I asked.

"An Archangel, to be precise," Siegfried said.
"Long story… but he likes to work with us when he visits here. Gets to
keep an eye on the humans, or so he says. But what about you? What are you
planning here?"

"You remember that promise I made to Delia after we
stormed Olympus?"

"Of course."

"I'm going to keep it," I replied.

"But that would mean…" he said in surprise.

I didn’t answer, just flexed my eyebrows in response.

"You realize, of course, that many of the Fae would not
agree with such a course."

"Probably a good thing I don’t need their permission
then" I answered. "But what about you? Do you agree with it?"

"You know my position on the matter. I have no stomach
for that which amounts to slavery," he replied. "And I thank the Gods
that no one has gleaned where it is has been hidden. As to the Milagre's, well,
you can tell her yourself. She is on her way here."

"Meredith is coming?"

"She called as I was on my way. She should be here any
minute."

My phone rang just as he finished speaking. Damn, that was
good timing. I went to the front after lifting the wards long enough to buzz
her in.

"Robert," she said as she got of the car.
"Did you forget to invite me?"

"Honestly, Meredith," I replied. "I didn’t
think you would want to be here for what I had in mind."