Children Of Myths, Act One: Scotland

Market Day

Bakhur had seen very little of that parallel realm inhabited by supernatural beings whose existence he had not known until a few days before. So why not take the opportunity to visit around? He also had the Banshee Caireann to guide him and explain as best as possible how that magical land was structured.

"There are many rulers, two main leaders, and they take decisions all together."

The older Banshee explained, pointing him towards the forest where the Tree of Thrones once stood. Bakhur nodded and asked a series of questions about how big it was, whether it was multiple kingdoms or just one.

"Let's say that each of them has their own residence. For example, Queen Brigid dwells in a prairie, King Cerunnos in a forest, McLir in the ocean, Goibhnu in a remote volcano where he built his forge."

"Forge??" Bakhur already had stars in his eyes.

"Yes, he was the one who fixed Artica's axe. As well as the citizens' weapons"

He explained that there were also subspecies of Sidhe for each court, again taking Cerunnos as an example, all the part-bird fairies reporting to Ariel who acted as representative. Eljin was the captain and representative of the elven race, and so on.

They were a decidedly varied people.

"What does a Banshee do?" The boy asked after that talk about the various kind of Sidhe.

"We protect homes and commemorate the dead. Your friends, the Church Grims are protectors too, you know? They protect burial places from evil spirits or thieves."

In the meantime, some spirits and pixies had approached the young man. Just like with Artica, they had started to feel the skin and the thick black curls, out of pure curiosity.

"We have never seen a human with this color! It's like chestnut honey!"

Honey was a good thing, so it should have been a compliment...? Right? At least they didn't call him a Saracen, rat, parasite or anything else...

"Where do you come from? Lord Goibhnu has darker skin because he is so close to the fire, is it hot in your place?"

"Very hot. Lots of sand"

The fairies were perplexed, how could anything grow in a land made mostly of sand? Bakhur explained that the cities were concentrated near the waterways and to cross the deserts it was necessary to prepare properly and know where the oases and rivers were to refuel.

"Are there Sidhe there too?"

Bakhur explained to them that where he came from, there were legends about Jinn, supernatural creatures born of heat and flames that could have benevolent but also malevolent natures. They were born at the beginning of everything, it wasn't easy to find them, some could perform great prodigies or cast curses.

The sprites were enthusiastic about that story "There are Sidhe even outside Albion and Europe!" they squealed, still using the poor boy's curls as ropes to swing on. He let himself be overwhelmed by those affectionate attentions and then he was offered some berries.

At that gesture, however, Caireann raised an eyebrow.

"They're not enchanted, are they?"

"No, absolutely no! He is friends with the Child of Beira, we would never put a spell on him"

The boy asked for explanations and the elderly Banshee rolled her eyes "Many of us, whether they like a human being or even out of spite, enchant the food made here. It prevents mortals from returning to their realm."