Faerie Lore|Beastlands

[Kender Bard]

Harmony gazed about with avid interest once they were clearly into the Beastland territory, where the trees were thick and there was a strong sense of primal life all around at all seasons.

And it was surprisingly warm, even in Seere, for spring. "I wonder how you find a faerie. Tom, how do you find a faerie?"

Tom, now three inches tall, sat on her shoulder and seemed to always look around nervously, though he had calmed considerably when they'd reached the Beastlands. "I don't think you do. I think they come to you, like the king did. Um, we aren't going to go stay with humans, are we? Humans make me nervous, and there's plenty of nice places for you to camp out here."

[Darastrix]

Schuldig rolled his eyes. Were all sprites such fucking little cowards?

"Everything makes you nervous," he said dryly. "But if there's a better chance of finding one away from people, let's just camp."

The sooner they found the fey, the sooner they could bloody go home.

[Kender Bard]

"At least there's a hint of warmth in the air," Harmony replied cheerfully.

Tom jumped off her shoulder and hovered in the air, moving to flutter in front of Schuldig momentarily. "You know, I don't think the other fey will like you."

Harmony frowned over her shoulder at Tom for that. "Tom, be nice."

"I'm sorry." He flew off into the trees and out of sight.

Harmony smiled apologetically at Schuldig and reached for his hand to hold. "You know, it's kind of nice like this. Going on an adventure, just you and me. I think it's fun."

[Darastrix]

~A lot of humans aren't too crazy about me, either,~ Schuldig sent after the sprite as he let Harmony take his hand. ~It wouldn't surprise me.~

"You know, we can do things together without you running about three nations away first," he said.

[Kender Bard]

"Yeah, but I'm trying to make the best of the situation," Harmony told him. "Besides, you've got so much to do now anyway. It's all right, though."

Tom returned almost as quickly as he'd disappeared. "There's a cozy little grove not far from here that you can make camp in!"

"Good job, Tom!" Harmony enthused. Tom landed lightly on the top of her head.

"Anything for you, friend."

Harmony took her hand away to reach up and take Tom into her palm. "Did you want to stop now then or explore a little, Dad?"

[Darastrix]

Schuldig shrugged. "We can look around some if you want. Since we're this far south, we might find some herbs Filly can use at home. Or that I can use anywhere."

[Kender Bard]

"I can't tell the difference between a dandelion and poison oak," Harmony grumbled. "How do I know what she wants?"

"I know what's good to eat!" Tom offered as helpfully as he could.

"Well I suppose it can't hurt to look for what we can," Harmony concluded.

After spending the rest of the daylight on an unhurried herb-hunt, camp was set up in the gently sloping grove and night fell uneventfully.

However, deep into the night when Harmony was fast asleep, there came a glimpse of someone--or something--moving not far away.

Tom, who was awake, perked up. He fluttered around Harmony. "Wake up, wake up," he whispered to her.

[Darastrix]

Schuldig, who'd opted to lay down purely for comfort's sake and stay awake, grumbled silently to himself. Now what?

He cracked an eye open and cast about with his telepathy, trying to see what had gotten Tom's attention.

[Kender Bard]

Sure enough, there was someone out there. Someone intelligent.

Another feyling! the feminine voice thought with excitement. I wonder if I can get her away from that nasty human, though. Strange, the little one showing himself around him. Hmm, decisions, decisions...

Harmony stirred awake but didn't rise or speak. ~What is it, Dad?~ Harmony asked Schuldig worriedly.

[Darastrix]

~Someone--I'm guessing another sort of faerie--is wondering how she can get you away from the "nasty human,"~ Schuldig told her, rolling his eyes. ~Not that it would help if she did.~

[Kender Bard]

Harmony seemed unsure what to think of that. ~Well do you think I should go with her or should we stay together then?~

The faerie began to move away--not too far--and circle around, still thinking about her options.

[Darastrix]

~Why make it easy on her? This whole thing hasn't exactly been easy on us.~

"You know," Schuldig said, sitting up, "that attitude about 'nasty humans' really isn't going to be very helpful when you all decide to march out and show yourselves. Especially when some of these feylings are too young to be out on their own."

[Kender Bard]

Interesting, it must be one of those humans that can read minds and disappear, the faerie thought with interest.

Harmony took the cue and sat up as well, looking all around.

The young faerie--it was Nua--stepped forward and observed the two.

"Wow!" Harmony enthused, sitting up straighter.

"I am Kwarenaulaen'nua."

"Hee hee, it's one of the queen's ladies!" Tom giggled happily.

[Darastrix]

Schuldig raised a brow. Ladies? She looked like a kid. He knew better than some how dangerous a child could be if trained properly, but still. "Lady" was an adult title. Well, for humans, at least.

"And what do you want with my daughter?"

[Kender Bard]

"To take her with me to meet the others, of course--other faeries, other little sprites, and other feylings," Nua answered. "Of course it is a very private little get-together and humans aren't well tolerated. She will be perfectly cared for, of course. And we will return her to you on the morn, for if my eyes do not deceive, you must be her sire."