Fate/Curadh Beag

Chapter 28: Breakdown in Relations

FATE/CURADH BEAG

"Little Champion"

Chapter 28: Breakdown in Relations

Connla's eyes widened as much as they could, and she inadvertently canceled the spell keeping the apples and baskets afloat, causing them to clatter to the ground behind her. She exclaimed in a shrill tone, "Eh!? That's Lady Fand!?"

"What is the meaning of this!?" Mini Cu demanded.

Both Mio and the new faerie glanced away uneasily. After a brief pause, the silver-haired woman replied, "Since it's come to this, I have no choice but to come clean. I am indeed Fand, Manannan's wife. My friend has told me everything about your entourage."

"I'm sorry, Connla," Mioruilt moaned. "I didn't want you to find out, so that's why I had you gather apples all the way on the other side of the grove."

The child warrior raised an eyebrow. "Find out about what?"

"That I've been... sheltering Fand from the others..."

"Uh... um... I'm not sure I understand..."

"Hold on a sec," Mini Cu interrupted them. "As tempting as it is to just stand around asking questions with our jaws agape, it would be better for Fergus and Conall to also hear what she has to say. Let's save it for when we rendezvous with them, 'kay?"

"R-Right..."

"In the meantime," he glowered at Fand, then hopped up and forced her to grab his tiny hand, "you're coming with us."

She brusquely snapped her hand away from his and exclaimed, "I am perfectly capable of guiding myself, thank you very much! I certainly don't need some... some... 'whatever you are' bossing me around!"

"Fine by me. If you attempt to flee or try any sort of funny business though, you're going to regret it very quickly, woman."

"Pah! As if I have anything to be frightened about from a pint-sized creature like you!"

"Uh, Lady Fand?" Connla murmured. "I don't think you should get on his bad side. Despite his appearance, he can still be dangerous."

Fand sighed in resignation, then said, "Oh, very well. If you're here to take care of Manannan's problem, then I have to do my part and take some responsibility for it."

"'Some' responsibility?" Mini Cu grumbled. "This whole damn thing is your fault, through and through. Seriously, this is why I can't stand faeries. Even if they show some semblance of goodness, they always wind up half-assing it in the end."

"Why, I never!"

Connla barked, "That's enough! No more talking until we meet up with Uncle Fergus, understand!?"

Mioruilt followed behind the others, silently growing more and more anxious about this unexpected turn of events.

****

Back at Mioruilt's hut, Fergus and Conall already had a fire going so they could cook some vegetable soup. As Fergus started to pour some drinks for them, that was when the others returned with Fand in tow. The instant he spotted the new faerie, he shot to his feet and exclaimed, "Well, well, well! Took you long enough to return! And what's this? Who do I have the pleasure of making my acquaintance with?"

He asked that question while gently taking Fand's hand upon his own. Conall rolled his eyes and muttered, "Oh, boy... Just like the sun rising in the east and setting in the west..."

"Goodness," Fand smiled. "I'm glad to know that at least one human knows how to treat me with respect, unlike a certain pudgy jerk I'm thinking of."

"Better get away from her while you can, buddy," Mini Cu warned Fergus. "That's Manannan's wife, Fand. Only the gods know what will happen if Manannan finds out a second human tried to woo the very same woman that I did."