Fractured Infinities

Goblin Market

I watch until I'm sure that the old man makes it to the harbor unobserved, then take my leave. The bulk of the action will take place a few days hence, when the king makes a great ceremony out of the tributes' walk into the labyrinth, so I don't need to focus on this world in the intervening time. I leave a few fragments of myself scattered around to warn me if anything changes, and remind myself to return in a couple days.

Then I cast the majority of my attention back to Ben.

He's currently engaged in a chat with our erstwhile guide, who seems puzzled by Ben's willingness to hang around the castle for days on end. Ben, in his turn, doesn't seem to understand why most mortals. – indeed, most fae – quickly grow bored with the unchanging life in the staid high court, and wish to venture to more adventurous parts of Underhill.

As it happens, I can sympathize with both points of view, but right now I'm on the elf's side. I have a thousand questions I want answered, and none of them will be answered here.

When the elf asks, for what's probably the fifth time, if the huntsman would like to go anywhere, I make a sound that approximates the clearing of a throat. Both men jump. The elf, who recovers from his surprise first, frowns at me. "Yes, cousin?" His tone, though barely within the bounds of politeness, holds a wealth of skepticism. I suspect that he's bored chaperoning us around, and fears that anything I say will only increase, not alleviate, that boredom.

I'm rather pleased to surprise him. "If it's no trouble to you, I'd like to visit the Goblin Market," I declare.

Ben pales. "Didn't ya say that that was dangerous?" he asks incredulously.

The elf nods, looking dour. "It is not a safe place for mortals," he warns.

I tell my mask to frown. "However, it's the best place to find answers to questions, even the questions you don't know to ask," I reply. "And really, it isn't too dangerous if you follow the rules." Or at least that's what I'm told. I've never actually been able to explore there, though one of my wielders took me there once, so I hope my information is accurate.

The huntsman's expression clears. "Alright, well, I think I can do that." He pats my mirror, turning it around in his belt to make sure I have a clear view. "Besides, Mary's not mortal, so we should be fine."

Our guide sighs. "On thy head it be." He gestures towards a small door set into the wall. "Follow me." As the huntsman does so, I feel an unusual quiver of excitement dart through me. Am I finally going to get some answers about this tangle slowly closing in around us? If I had a body, I would smile. That would be wonderful.

And maybe, just maybe, I'll even hear word about my elusive creator.

* * *

The golden gates that lead to Goblin Market are kept perpetually open, and a steady stream of traffic passes through them at any hour of day or night – not that day and night mean much here. The sky above the market is tinted with violet and illuminated by a trio of stars scattered across the heavens. The words 'Buyer Beware' are emblazoned on the banner welcoming travelers to Goblin Market, spelled to be readable in any language. The words flicker back and forth in my vision as the spell attempts to figure out which language is my native one; it's not having much luck. I reluctantly pull in the scattered fragments of myself, completing the uncomfortable task as the spell finally settles on Latin: 'Caveat Emptor.' I hate being confined to one point of view, but the strictures of the market necessitate it.

Our guide comes to a halt in the packed dirt just outside of the marketplace. "Here is where I leave thee." He bows to the huntsman with one hand pressed over his heart. "To return to Lord Oberon's court, thou may enter the portal there." He indicates the shimmering portal that had disgorged us moments before. "Think hard of Lord Oberon and it will deliver thee safely to his demesne." I notice that he neglects to mention that it might dump us into the chaos lands if the huntsman fails to muster the proper willpower, but I suppose that doesn't matter much to him.