Children Of Myths, Act One: Scotland

It's worth it

TW: This contains a sex scene. I didn't want the focus to be the act, but the characters' feelings in that precise moment.

While Connor was going through all those vicissitudes, Artica had arrived at Loch Fada about a couple of hours earlier.
She began to search the shore of the lake until she found a small group of people who she recognized immediately. All she had to do was find flowing golden hair and a red braid and she waved her arms around to attract their attention.

"SARA! RIRI! I'M HERE!"

The first to march towards her was Saraide, her expression indecipherable: she was furious or happy to see her.

"YOU IDIOT!!" Despite everything, the Elf pulled her into a strong hug "I thought you were a goner! We've been looking for you between earth and sky for an hour straight!"

Riannon darted to hug her back "We feared the worst, come here!" And he covered her face with kisses that left Artica completely red in the face, but she returned the hug with the same force until she felt the wound burn.

"Be careful, one of those bitch offsprings left me a present."

"I couldn't have come up with a better description... Let's see" Riannon noticed that he had been treated and stitched up. Had Artica really stitched up the wound itself?

"There... Now comes the problematic part."

She approached the group of Sidhe and Eljin, who stared at her sternly "I should scold you because you are more important than me..." Immediately afterwards, his eyes softened and he put a hand on her curls, which he ruffled "But you saved my life. For this, I thank you."

"Captain, um... Please, I need to psychologically prepare all of you."

"What happened?"

"I met the human soldiers I told you about..."

Those present became silent and serious, although they knew that this moment would come, meeting a group of human soldiers would always be difficult for them.
The British armed forces had contributed to their confinement in their realm out fear of being killed by their rifles and cannons, Artica knew this well, so it was more than right to introduce them with due calm and avoiding misunderstandings or arguments.

When Evans stood before the team of magical creatures, he straightened the hem of his uniform and cleared his throat, before extending his hand.

"Aside from Miss Neivers, I have never met any Daoine Sidhe... May I greet you this way?"

Eljin approached the man and shook his slightly trembling hand "Eljin of the Morrigan's court, Chief of the Wood Elves and Captain of the Guard."

"Jacob Evans... Of Aberdeen, Captain in the British Army. It's an honor to meet you."

"Artica is my student. She told me about you and how you're trying to keep all of this a secret."

Evans nodded, looking down. "It's not easy. I keep saying that they are pillagers raiding town, but I kept quiet about the part about the curse."

"And we are all grateful for this."

So far so good, no arguments had broken out or fights had taken place; therefore, Artica could breathe a sigh of relief.
She then turned towards the surface of the lake with her hand under the chin. "The portal is down there, right?"

"Exactly..."

"Wait a minute, underwater?!" A couple of soldiers exclaimed "And what shall we do with the horses? And the supplies? And the weapons? Everything will get wet."