The Clearing: Origins

Chapter 14

Kristy bowed before the smug little leader. "I accept the appointment."

"How dare you!" Mistress Fawn stood up, glaring at the little fae. "You can't do that! Krysania is my subject!"

Gigi gave the woman a dismissive stare. "Kristy is half-fae. I can assign any fairy I want to any court I want, so there!" She stuck her tongue out at the enraged Mistress Fawn.

The minister added himself to the argument. "Gigi, I am Speaker! My proclamation—"

"Doesn't extend to the sovereignty of its members," said the child, causing the minister to scowl. "The fae have the authority to govern ourselves. The Tribunal cannot tell its members how to rule. Read the rules, chumlee."

Gigi met Victor's eye and winked. He understood with Mistress Fawn firmly behind the minister, the fae were sorely outnumbered. Whether the little irritant was making up for the trick she'd played on his siblings during their party in the early fall or wanted his backing, he didn't care. Saving Kristy was paramount, and Gigi had earned his support.

Victor bowed to the fae leader and mouthed 'thank you' to the little girl who decided now was the best time to throw a massive temper tantrum. The child began her tirade by screaming obscenities, crying, and throwing things, which quickly progressed to include nearby people. All hope of continuing the proceedings ended in chaos as several fairies joined Gigi in solidarity. Soon, furniture, books, papers, and bodies began flying around the room.

Kristy grabbed the Duo by their collars as both giggling children moved to enter the fray. "Vic, the witches oversee security. Let's go before they restore order." Stepping past a group of fae and genies who rushed to the floor to join or stop the ongoing melee, she led the Grants to a side exit.

Urged on by the genie, they slipped through the door, entering the quiet of a candle-lit corridor. The paneled walls were deep mahogany, accented with decorative wall sconces that shone with muted light. The rich burgundy runner on the marble floor completed the look of luxury.

"Do you know where we are, love?" asked Victor, still reeling from the encounter with the witches.

"I went this way the last time Gigi started a ruckus during Arabella's trial." Kristy led them down the deserted corridor with confidence. "This leads to—"

Suddenly, the genie stopped.

A young man stepped out from a wall crevice and moved to the center of the passage. Dark hair accented his tanned skin, and the muscular torso was bare. His pants and boots were made of quality materials, and an ornate sword sat in its jeweled scabbard attached to a shoulder belt across his back. He gazed expectantly at Kristy as the color drained from her face.

Her reaction worried Victor. When the Duo began whining about missing the fight, he silenced them, his eyes on Kristy.

"Krysania, I thought you'd come this way." The man's voice, smooth and refined, grated on Victor's nerves.

Kristy said nothing.

Sighing, the man stepped closer, stopping several feet away. "You may greet me."

Kristy motioned a bristling Victor back, who rolled his eyes and relented. She spread her arms, her bow graceful in a type of ritual of acknowledgment before the stranger. "My humble greetings and blessing to the mighty Cataran, Ten of the Fifty."

"I accept your greetings." Cataran folded his well-built arms and frowned. "You dare to appear before the Tribunal dressed in that apparel? And you stand before me in shoes?" He shook his head. "What has come over you, Krysania?"