Labyrinth: A Darker Season

Chapter 17

Elora asked, “You keep them warm traveling in that pouch?”

Sarah laughed and said, “Yes, I got them a proper fur lined pouch to stay in while I travel. I give them a bottle of milk for lunch when I am on the road, but they eat cooked chopped meat with milk.”

Elora said, “You are a kind person to take such good care of your animals.” Sarah said thank you. The tea was boiling in the pot.

Sarah said, “Do you have a cup and a spoon? I have tea and honey?”

Elora smiled and asked, “Can I bring a couple of friends to share tea?”

Sarah smiled and said, “Of course you can.” Elora zoomed out and got her friends and a cup. When the three of them zoomed back. There were two blonde fairies. All three were in different gossamer fabric dresses of different colors.

Elora said, pointing to the dark blonde fairy, “This is Zenthea. Zenthea, this is the Labyrinth Champion, Lady Sarah.” Zenthea nodded at Sarah. She was wearing a blue gossamer dress.

Elora said, pointing to the light blonde fairy, “This is Dalanna. Dalanna, the Labyrinth Champion, Lady Sarah.” She was wearing a pink gossamer dress that flowed as they moved. All three fairies had long flowing lovey hair with little flowers wreaths on their heads 

Sarah said, “Pleased to meet you all.” They all had large acorns for cups. Sarah said, “Let me get us tea and sit wherever you like.” She filled each of their cups and had them dip their spoons into the honey jar. Sarah did her cup too, after them. Her barley and vegetables with meat were boiling away cooking, and she added a bit of thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. The cave was getting warm and comfortable. Sarah took off her cloak and waistcoat.

Sarah made up the kitten's dinner in their two bowls. She called softly, “Magus, Merlin, dinner! Come, eat babies.” The kittens ran out and mewed, then ate.

The fairies all said, "Aww…”

Sarah said fondly, “They are my cuddle bug boys, all snuggled up to my chin and neck at night when we sleep. They are very sweet.” The fairies loved that Sarah was such a kind woman.

The dark blonde fairy, Zenthea, said, “Most humans are afraid of us.”

The light haired fairy, Dalanna, said, “Most fae ignore or dismiss us too.”

Sarah said, “That's rude. Everyone deserves respect. I was taught manners. I don't like people who treat others without value.” The fairies all smiled at her.

Zenthea asked, “Do you know that you have fairy venom in you, Lady Sarah?” Sarah looked at her in surprise.

Sarah said, “I was bitten thirteen years ago outside the labyrinth before my run. I was trying to help a tiny fairy after she was sprayed with some kind of insect repellent. She bit my finger and flew away.”

Elora asked, “Did she have white hair?” Sarah nodded and said yes. “Then it was a queen. No wonder you were infected. It must have laid dormant in you until you came back from Aboveground. Magic stimulates the growth of the venom in your blood.”

Sarah asked curiously, “What will happen once it is through me?”

Dalanna said, “You will turn fae because of your human attributes. Being you are already fae, it will increase your capacity and enhance you.” Sarah looked at them wide eyed.

Sarah said, surprised, “How soon do you think it will happen?”

Zenthea said, “Any day now in the next few days.”

Sarah earnestly said, “I appreciate you all telling me about it. It would have shocked me to have it happen and not know.” The fairies smiled.

Dalanna said, “You are very special, Lady Sarah. You are so very different from everyone else in the Underground. You are not mean or manipulative like some people. They take without asking. They try to get you to give them something in return. You don't do that. You are special that way.”