The Known/Unknown Quantity

Chapter 193: Insight Enable You to Know Your Own Heart

Chapter 193: Insight Enable You to Know Your Own Heart

If Anathema was in awe of the Barrow's strange properties, she didn't show it in her grumbling and consternation. Her arms pumped high, and her chin stuck out as she thundered forward along with Crowley.

They were quite a pair, rolling ahead like war machines while the fay populous watched their steely-eyed entrance. Like Dorthey bringing back the witch's broom, sans the fanfare, and the smiles. It was all very grim and very unsettling.

From houses and courtyards, the fay silently witnessed the two marching forward. No one stood in their way.

No one warned them, either, of what they were headed into.

No one wanted to get involved.

Eventually the trek of the witch and the demon brought them past homes and shops into an old growth forest, and then there was a feeling of enclosure as the outside became the inside of something else. Trees become pillars, the branches overhead latticed into a sort of roof, allowing no sunlight in. Earth and stone replaced wood, lights of unknown nature lit yellow banners emblazoned with the history of the elves. They stopped in the empty throne room, and Crowley watched Anathema regard the story of Lilith. It was the only time her face softened into curiosity.

"She wore those, the last time I was here," he found himself recalling.

Anathema grunted a question.

"The banners," he vaguely pointed. "They grew off her garments and hung themselves around the walls."

"So, is she bare ass naked now?" the witch asked distractedly, not taking her eyes off Lilith.

"No, but then again, we are dealing with another queen. Just thought you'd like to know."

Anathema finally turned to him. "Why?"

"Emphasis. The queen is the court, and all therein. She is the fay. A slight to her is a slight to one and all."

"I'll watch my ps and qs then." Her eyes cast around the cavernous chamber. "But it looks like we're the ones being slighted. No welcome wagon."

"That was the welcome wagon," the demon muttered, starring at the empty throne. "They could have blocked us easily."

"They don't seem particularly interested in having anything to do with us," Anathema mused. "Or this whole situation. Don't you find that odd?"

"I'll keep it in mind, there," he pointed to a bright green flash zipping by one of the entrances. "There's our courtier."

The ball of green gold light tizzied about them, scorching the edges of Anathema's hair, and making her want to swat it. At last, it paused at chest height, and addressed them in a tinny, echoing voice.

"Thorn Tongue. Witch. Welcome."

"Thanks for penciling us into your busy schedule."

"Have you made your decision?"

"I'll speak my peace to the queen alone, not her answering service."

The light flickered, then moved away. "Follow, please," it echoed, a little curtly.

As they made their way into a corridor, Crowley once again felt Anathema's glare. He waited.