Of Gods and Fae (25 page)

"And what exactly do you have in mind?" she asked with
a kiss to the cheek as she took my arm.

"Just keeping a promise," I said again. I was
hesitant to say too much, even to her. Half my guests already knew enough and
there was danger in too much knowledge in advance. Besides, it would spoil the
surprise.

"Indeed. Well, that is not exactly why I came. Although
you must remember that we are allies, no matter what course of action you plan.
I will stand with you in most matters. But I heard about the rescued Lilin. It
is rumored that she is a first born, is it true?"

"So I've been told," I answered. "But she's
not exactly keen on the Fae."

"Nor should she be," she replied. "But
nonetheless I would meet her."

"As you wish, I will ask Bernd to make the
introduction."

I led her into the house and brought her to Bernd. She of
course knew who he was, or at least knew of him. With everybody here, including
every Fae I had slept with in the last year, it was like old home week at the
Hoskins' household. Although I did feel a little uncomfortable with the three
of them all together. Eventually though, they headed upstairs to join the
others to see the rescued Lilin. That left me with just Siegfried while I
waited to begin the show.

"Any problems?" Siegfried asked.

"I don’t think so," I replied, filling a vintage
Space
Cadet
mug. "Anyone else I missed? I'm going to have Lucinda shut down
the house just as a precaution."

"No one else that I am aware of," he answered.
"And that is probably a wise thing to do. How is it that no one has sensed
it?"

"You remember the bag that held Diantha's jewel? The
Dragon's eye," I asked.

He nodded as it was clear he did.

"Well, apparently it blocks all magic from escaping
from within."

"I was not aware that it held such properties," he
said as the bedroom door opened behind him.

"I doubt anyone was," I replied.

"I'll be ready when you are," Diantha said as she
came back into the kitchen. She looked every bit the Greek priestess wearing a
long, off white gown, Greco–Roman style with gold braid on the sleeves and hem.
A long red scarf weaved around her neck and body. Her hair was pinned up but
long curls hung down each side of her face. "Give me five minutes to
prepare and then you can bring them out."

"Ok," I replied, calling out to Lucinda. I asked
her to check the wards on the house again and she bounded out the back door
following Diantha. It was one of the few times it looked like she was almost
enjoying herself. She only got that way in battle or when something profound
was going to happen.

I had spoken with the Garden Faeries and I could see that a
mist was already forming along the patio floor. As the sky darkened, the light
of the full moon, supplemented by the Faeries, would make the backyard perfect
for what we had in mind. It was time to gather the others.

The mists had now covered the entire backyard and I had to caution
my guests to steer around the pool onto the grass. Diantha, the red scarf
covering her head like a hood, sat at the edge of the yard, next to the oak
that I used to travel to the Fae worlds. I thought I caught of glimpse of Aeva,
the Hamadryad that guarded the tree as I walked up to where she was waiting.

She was seated upon the three legged, bronze stool. Its
lion's feet and serpentine tracings shrouded by the mist. Next to her was a
table which held two bronze bowls, one filled with water and the other, leaves
of the laurel. Besides them were several smaller bronze containers, each filled
with herbs and incense. The smoke curled up and surrounded her as the lit herbs
smoldered.

Lucinda disappeared into the mists as Charlie took up a
position behind the group, still on guard as the event began and they all
walked across the patio.

"As I expected, more theatre," I heard the Lilin,
Ella, say as she stepped onto the grass.

Delia and Bjartr walked beside her and I watched as he squeezed
her hand and then bent down and whispered in her ear.  No one else spoke as they
gathered closer to Diantha. When everyone was standing together I began.

"My friends, thank you all for coming." I heard a
distinct harrumph from Ella as I said the word friends. "I have gathered
you together to hear the words and prophesies of the Pythia. You know her as Diantha,
but for the benefit of our guest, Ella, she is the true Oracle of Delphi,
gifted long life by the Greek God Apollo."

"No offence intended," I said, turning Zeke. He
just smiled and I went on.

"I have asked the Pythia for her assistance in a matter
dear to me. That being to keep a promise. Many of you have fought alongside of
me, both against the dark Fae, Marissa, as well as against her minions as I
sought to claim my birthright among the Dryad. As faithful friends and
acquaintances, your presence is needed as witnesses to my oath.

"Priestess," I then said, nodding as I turned the
floor over to her.

She stood and looked over the group, mists like tendrils
following her movement.

"I will require an offering," she said, turning to
me.

I reached into my pocket and drew out a scrap of cloth that
I had recovered when we had pulled Ella from the dungeon cell. It was stained
with blood and sweat. I handed it to her, my body shielding it from the others
so that they could not see what I carried.

"A blood offering… again?" she whispered to me as
she took it, rolling it up and holding it in tightly in one hand. She knew
enough to keep it concealed from the Lilin it had come from.

I just shrugged. Blood offerings were like Hell on wheels in
their effect on her. She probably really would have a headache for a week.

She turned and stood over the table as she took some leaves
out of one bowl and placed them in the other. Mists and smoke roiled out and
she breathed deeply of the fumes as they made their way upward. Within a minute
or so the mists began to change form. Wisp's of magic replaced the smoke and
started streaming around her head and body as she stiffened. A moment later she
turned to me and then looked around, her eyes stopping on the two Lilin, Delia
and Ella.

Eventually she sat back down on the stool, chanting as the
magic flowed in and out of her body. Suddenly the tendrils of magic began to
encircle her faster. A moment later they poured in as she lifted her head and
stood, her mouth open as if expelling a scream.

"
Battles fought and lost, generations of unborn call
out in pain
.
The Tears dwell in their crystal prison
," she began.

"What nonsense is this?" the Lilin cried out.
Bjartr restrained her and looked over at me. He did not look happy. Delia
appeared shocked but didn’t take her eyes off of Diantha.

I motioned at him to just wait as Diantha sat back down and continued.

"Statues crumble and time passes long, the great now
less than dust. Memories fade as those that worshipped move on. Their Gods
forgotten. New ones take hold. But some things remain.

The prophecy fulfilled by Eldest foretold. Freedom on the
right. Dark is the left hand. But it is not she that controls such might. This
God of the old has become of the new. He now holds the key, the blood of the
few.

Your fate would be sealed, if the other stood true, but
this one unexpected seeks freedom for you."

As she said the last word she collapsed to the floor and
disappeared, swallowed up by the mist. Elithia ran forward to see to her when
Ella pushed Bjartr aside.

"What drivel is this!" Ella said as she pushed through
the crowd. Moving up to me she jabbed a finger to my chest. "More lies and
deceit. Think you that would fall prey to such nonsense as this. The
Tears
are lost, I would know if they'd been found. Release me or kill me, but do not
bore me with theatrics and poor rhyme."

"EgiDari," I called out as she started to walk
away. She turned and looked back, startled by the use of her ancient name.

"The Eternal Princess you may have once been, but in
defeat you have lost much more than just your identity. Have you not suffered
enough for a battle lost so long ago? Your senses deceive you. Let me ease your
pain."

A quiet settled on the others as they heard what I'd said
and even Meredith gulped when I pulled out my sword. Ella looked frightened but
did not turn away.

"Delia," I cried out. "My word I have given
to see you set free. I fulfill that promise now."

I reached into my back pocket and pulled out the bag that
contained the
Tears of Blood
that Bernd had given me in what seemed like
such a long time ago. It fell away as I held them up for all to see.

Delia stepped forward, her eyes mesmerized as the moonlight
sparkled within the crystal. She dropped to her knees as she realized what I
carried.

I lifted my sword and a beam of lighting shot up and lit the
sky. Clouds billowed and swelled as they hid the moon. The flames receded back
into the blade, now set afire with blue flame. As it burned I tossed the
crystal decanter high in the air, the others gasping as they watched it rise
and descend in the dim light. I swung my blade like a bat and cut the decanter
in two as it fell.

Blood sprayed into the air. As each tear shot outward it
burst into flame. Each shining like a miniature sun before exploding into ash. With
each pop, a shockwave formed, and it spread out like ripples in a pool. As each
ripple passed through them, the Lilin flinched. One after the other, like a
string of firecrackers, they roared. Within seconds only dust remained except
for one drop that still glowed. It hovered for a moment before streaking
forward, bursting in a ball of fire as it struck Ella. The glowing light remaining
only as long as it took for it to dissolve into her skin. She fell to her knees
as her tear of blood was restored. Then the clouds parted and moonlight
returned and the mists receded away. I put away my sword and walked over to
Delia to see if she was alright.

"The spell is broken," Delia cried as I pulled her
up.  Still weak and barely able to stand, she hugged me before Siegfried stepped
forward to help. I turned to see to Ella.

"She will recover," Bjartr said as I knelt beside
her.

"You returned them… I did not believe it
possible," she whispered as she looked up at me. Then she lowered her
eyes. "I am sorry for my words."

"You had good cause," I replied.  "It is
difficult to believe the heir of your oppressor when so much pain has been caused."

"You are not what I expected," she finally said.

"Yeah, I get that a lot," I said with a grin.
"Come, let the Elf assist you. We can speak again later, when you have
fully recovered."

I turned back to Delia who seemed to have partially
recovered.

"You should probably go with her," I said. "I
can’t believe that those Elders up north that shunned you won’t give you a
second chance if you show up with a first born."

"Wait," I heard Ella say from behind me. "You
were shunned?"

"Yeah," I answered before she could reply.
"Seems they didn't take to kindly to the transfusion I gave her when she
was attacked and almost killed by a Demon. Think you can help her?"

"Help her? I'll do more than just help her," she
exclaimed. "We'll just see what these so called Elders say when I tell
them we have both fed of the same Fae God. Come, my child. All will be well. Tell
me all about this Demon." She put her arm around Delia as they walked back
toward the house, Bjartr at their side.

Meredith had followed the Lilin in so I asked Siegfried and
Zeke to stick around a bit as I went to check on Diantha. She was sitting on
the grass, leaning against the stool with a wet towel on her forehead. Elithia,
Charlie, and Bernd stood nearby.

"Oh, you are so gonna owe me," she said as she
turned the towel over.

"Come on, I'll help you inside," I said as I
offered my hand.

"No. I think I'll just lay here in the cool grass for a
while. My head feels as if Hephaestus himself pounds it with his hammer,"
she answered, moving the towel again. "See to your guests, I'll be here
when you return."

"It appears I am no longer needed, my Lord,"
Elithia said. "She will be fine after she rests a bit. I will take my
leave then."

"Thank you for all you have done," I said as I
clasped her hand. She bowed and began to walk toward the oak.

"Charlie," I said. "Keep an eye on her."

"Of course," he said as he sat down next to Diantha.

"I must take my leave as well," Bernd said.
"I must gauge what your actions today have triggered."

"You mean the shit storm that's gonna hit us when all
those Lilin realize they don't have any limitations anymore?" I asked,
knowing that for all my good intentions I’d just popped open the biggest can of
worms seen since
The Fall.
"Or maybe the pissed off Fae I'm gonna
have at my door when they realize they can't control them anymore."

"I would not be so blunt," Bernd replied.
"Besides, it is much too early to determine the result of your actions. We
must give both sides time to adjust. Let us see what occurs."

"Ok. But can you try not to stay away so long next time?"
I asked. For all the pain in the ass he was he was the only true mentor I had.

"I will come when I am needed," he said. Where had
I heard that before? Then he turned and walked into the oak, disappearing
without another word. Figures.

I left Delia with Charlie at her side and went into the
house. I was surprised to see everyone still there.

"What's up?" I asked. "I thought some of you
were leaving."

"You have not removed the wards that protect this
place," Bjartr said. "Even I do not wish to test that magic."

"Oops," I replied, somewhat embarrassed.
"Lucinda, let's let these fine folks be on their way."

"As you wish," she said with a purr, her tail
swinging back. I knew she'd done that on purpose. But what was I supposed to do?
Cats are fickle creatures at best, with a sadistic sense of humor at times.

"This evening has certainly been interesting,"
Meredith said. "I would stay and discuss this more but it seems that several
Lilin who were in the
Neptune suddenly fell to the floor and suffered
seizures. It appears I have some worried customers to deal with."

"Sorry about that," I said, not having considered
that being released would have affected them each at the same time in such a
manner.

"I am sure you are," she said. "Fortunately,
I do not employ as many as my competitor, Sergei, does. I am sure he will be
dealing with many more problems than I will. That, at the very least, is
something else to smile about."

Of course, Sergei the Vodianoi, I remembered. The Russian
had protested loudly when I first mentioned freeing the Lilin. Somehow, the
word exploitation came to mind. Oh, yeah, he was going to be thrilled.

 
"I will take the Elf and the Lilin back to
Danu's. I have a few things to discuss with Bjartr as well and they both could
use rest. Perhaps we could meet later this week."

"You bet," I said, walking the four of them to the
door. She kissed me on the cheek again before saying goodbye. Delia and Ella
hugged me as they left, and Bjartr simply said I'd done well. We agreed to meet
at Danu's tomorrow so I went back into the house to see to the few that
remained.

Siegfried and Zeke were still at the table as I came back in.

"You surprise me, Lord Fae," Zeke said as I sat
down. "Your kind has not been known for their love of the other races.
Siegfried was right about you. You are different."

"I know, I know. I get that a lot," I said for
what have been the thousandth time.

"It was quite a demonstration," Siegfried
remarked. "Although even I must admit that you had me going with that 'let
me ease your pain,' remark."

"Yeah," I replied. "I just couldn't
resist."

"I will have to follow your progress," Zeke said
as he stood. "Although to be true, the Lilin are not really my concern.
Unless, of course, this changes the way they interact with the humans."

"I do not think that will happen," Siegfried said.
"That first born is no fool, she will quickly establish order. It would
not be in anyone's best interest to challenge the human leaders in that
regard."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Do you remember the half Demons we spoke of?"
Siegfried asked.

"Oh, yeah, the government spooks," I replied.

"They watch for such things, as do we," he said.
"If they started making themselves known to the humans they would
intervene."

Siegfried and Milagre had both told me that most governments
knew of the Fae's existence, at least at the higher levels. He'd also said that
they employed such beings to protect their interests. Hell, I already paid
taxes on Fae gold I brought over to this world, although my Fae attorney had
handled that.