Magic in the Key of Joy (A Wylde & Cray Adventure) UIC2022

Chapter 14: Wild Thingh, I Think You Move Me

I eventually asked Queen Mab about The Wild Hunt, and she laughed. It seems that was yet another lie told by Selrach, to fan the flames of Sidhe hatred of the Sluagh. It was then that I learned what a truly, epically stupid move that would have been. The Wild Hunt knows no friend, and answers to neither the Sidhe nor the Sluagh: Chaos personified. It may be capricious, or purposeful, cruel or kind according to its whim and the mood of its leader, the Elf King.

In other words, he's like Hades and Hercules combined, which is a terrifying thought. I was about to ask her for more information, but Baelena motioned me to let her be. Mab was tearing up, and everywhere those tears fell the ground bubbled and steamed.

Luna returned and reported, and I had to sit down in relief when I heard that my beloved, emerald-eyed Cray was on our side, and not Selrach Windar's. Having to fight someone you love is a burden no one should be saddled with. I may not live to see next week, but at least some Fae will survive, safely hidden on the Earth plane. Madrigal and her volunteers, when they arrived at Lake Lilith, were startled at first, but surprised everyone by instantly bonding with their charges, both Sidhe and Sluagh. California firefighters in Yosemite and Klamath National Forest were getting some surprise, invisible helpers.

We were going to attack first. It was something that I knew Windar would never, in his pride and arrogance, expect of the 'weakened' Sluagh. The Sluagh, however, were taking part in a movie theatre film fest, cloaked and scattered among human audiences gathered for the sole purpose of being scared senseless. They would be as supercharged as the Sidhe, if not more so.

The Sidhe 1:1'ers were supposed to stall Selrach's forces long enough for me to sing the Sundering together. Did I have any idea what to do? Not really. There are hundreds of Broadway songs about hope, and reconciliation.

Ken and Cherriere/Chuck's suggestions about trenches, fences and booby-traps were all put to good use. Mab had cast a glamor on them, so their eyes saw only LARPers and not ogres, Dullahans and goblins. Although I hoped that the Sidhe would be too busy defending themselves to send a counter-offensive into the Shadowlands, I knew I could put nothing past Selrach Windar. That's why almost half the population were being taken to California, and some to an abandoned Dept. of Relocation site in Canada (who knew?)

It was Mara who woke me by throwing her arms around me in a big hug – the same as any normal human child would do. She's now the size of a 7-year-old. She takes both my hands and squashes them together as if in prayer, her eyes looking into mine, and says, "Remember you are loved." Then she giggles, and runs over to Madrigal, who's standing in the doorway. I shrug my shoulders, and she shouts: "She wouldn't leave without seeing you!" and rushes towards the portal, where a few stragglers are waiting.

Baelena and Mab stand at the front of the Sluagh horde, about 8,000 strong. They'll leave a squadron of 300 at every village, just in case. Sunny perches on my shoulder. "What are we waiting for?" I ask him.

"Friend, they're waiting for your signal."

I'm stupid, and delusional. "What am I doing? I'm a performer, a college professor with an aging mother to take care of! Who am I kidding? I'm no general!"

"Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they're yours," states Sunny.

"How the hell did you know that's..."

"...your favorite quote?" he answers. "It's on your Facebook page! What, you think ferrcats can't use computers? Hah, have you still got a lot to learn!"

"Remember – the Sidhe and Sluagh are one," I shout. "Choose to wound, and not to kill. Good luck!" And, two by two, they enter the portals to locations surrounding a one-mile perimeter around the Council of Elders building. As I enter one, I offer a silent prayer to whatever Gods may be watching.