Away with the Faeries

Chapter Four

"We will," Marcel questioned, raising a skeptical brow.

Mrs. Benett nodded before sitting on the quilt-covered couch; "A human ally is one of the most powerful things to have during times such as these," she stated simply.

Marcel swiped at the stone again as he thought silently to himself.

Mrs. Benett sat up straight, folding her hands together in her lap as she looked me over thoughtfully; "Let's begin with what you do know," she said waving a hand in the air.

What do I know? Absolutely nothing; however something told me that answer would not work. Shifting back on my heels I thought a moment; "I know my name is Rayne Aubert. I was born in France before my family migrated to America in o' five, so now I speak French and English fluently. I have one sister, her name is Carla and I love her to death, she got married two years ago to some loaded douche but they seem happy. I have two nieces, Lila and Mari.

"I had a pet goldfish I won at a fair when I was twelve, he died a day later; rest in peace, Alfred. I took up competitive fencing when I was six, and stayed with it until I turned eighteen; I was even offered a chance to go to the Olympics, didn't take it though. Thinking back to it now that was probably the stupidest decision of my life. I passed up the Olympics," I stressed throwing my hands in the air as I looked down at the horrified faces of Marcel and Mrs. Benett.

Marcel had stopped what he was doing, the tools freezing in his hand as he stared at me with an alien look. Mrs. Benett held her face, trouble etched deep within her eyes. Fidgeting nervously with the hem of my thin pajama shorts, I gnawed at my bottom lip. Had I said something wrong? No longer able to stomach their silent stares I rocked back on my heels.

"Anyways," I continued on with my mess of a rant, "After passing up the Olympics I went to University, and got my master's and bachelor's degrees. After graduation, I came home to find that my Mother had kicked me out." An awkward laugh fell from my lips as I combed my fingers through my dark hair. Why was I telling them all of this? This was far too much information. But the flow of words fell easily from my mouth as if I had no real control over what I was saying. I swallowed hard, averting my gaze from the judging ones before me.

I spoke on, "That was about the time that I was greeted by a pixie," I motioned to the door where my small friend likely slept away soundly.

A brow rose on Marcel's face as he glanced at his mother; "Pixie," He murmured curiously.

Mrs. Benett's mouth fell agape, "She has said many strange words, and what worries you is how she addresses the Nuea Folk," she hissed in disbelief.

Marcel only chuckled.

"Then I went to bed one night and woke up here," I finished softly. They definitely thought I was insane. I thought I was insane. The pair stared upon me in frightened disbelief as if I were some alien creature.

Mrs. Benett's fine brows were pulled together as she pinched the bridge of her nose; "You seemed to have forgotten to mention the dear is raving mad," she sighed.

My chest tightened at her words as I felt my heart sink. You've done it now Rayne. Marcel paid no mind to his mother's words, he instead held his curious gaze firmly upon me.

"What in the Seven Kingdoms is an Olympics," he asked leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees, brows knitting together in confusion.

Relief consumed my body as I sank to the floor. Releasing a breathy laugh I rested my back against the warm stone base of the fireplace; "It's a huge international event where athletes gather to show off their immense talent at a sport and win fancy necklaces," I smirked.

Marcel nodded the confusion still evident on his face; "I'm going to pretend I understand what you are talking about," he mumbled.

A small laugh fell from my lips as the heat from the flames spread slow kisses down my spine; "Any other questions," I asked.

Mrs. Benett was quick to meet my eye, "Yes quite a few actually," she remarked.

"Starting with," Marcel interjected from beside her, "what is fencing?"

Slowly I felt a grin seize hold of my lips; "Do you have a sword," I asked slyly.

———

Hefting the iron weapon in my hand I soon adjusted to the surprising increase in weight. I professionally fenced for fourteen years, what could go wrong? Practicing quick swings and lunges with the sword I adapted to the added weight. A shot of adrenalin and joy seeped through me at the aspect of fencing again. It had been too long.

I stood outside flaunting the worn leather boots Mrs. Benett had given me, claiming they were too big on her and would have certainly gone to waste. I had changed into an old pair of Marcel's pants that he had long outgrown, the fabric was heavily used but warm; Mrs. Benett had found the fashion choice entirely unladylike and would not rest until I had chosen one of her old gowns to add to my collection. Wind battered me from all sides; tightly I wrapped the heavy emerald cloak Mrs. Benett lent me around myself.

"I forget why I was worried," Marcel laughed from beside me, his own Longsword rested by the flat of its blade across his shoulder, "You seem to know entirely what you are doing."

"It's yourself you should be worried about," I grinned cheekily.

"Is that so," he inquired with a look of mock shock upon his dark eyes, "Then let us put it to the test, shall we?"