Fae Land

The Entrance of Lady Lela

Walking down an unfamiliar staircase, there is only one thought that crosses one's mind. "Don't fall." Lela told herself. She took a deep breath and reached to see if there was a and rail. She felt something cool and bone or wood like texture. She jerked back her hand. "Its probably wood Lela." She whispered to calm herself. The music from below pulled at her legs and they took the first step. She imagined a beautiful staircase that wound in a circle to a large open ballroom in her head. She trusted her gut and took the rest of the stairs with her head high and shoulders back. Voices whispered around her in all directions. The pit in her stomach grew, but she steadied her breath. Show no fear as no good comes of that. She thought.

When she was half-way down, she heard a thunderous announcer voice. "The honorable Lela Tahini Nyong'o heiress presumptive of the Lore Estate House of Fea Land." Lela took in this information as a roar of applause, cheers, and horns blared. She also felt a pressure in her heart that only happened a few times in her life like when she had her first kiss and when she realized she had a crush on her neighbor.

As she took five more steps, she heard another voice nearby. "Lela!" It was Bo. "You are breathtakingly beautiful."

"Bo!" Lela responded and held out her hand for him. He slid his hand in her and guided her down into his arms. He gave her a tight hug. There was that feeling again followed by warm cheeks as she hid her face in his chest. Was he naked? Oh my gosh. He smelled like roses and cinnamon and a touch of masculinity.

"You aren't going to believe this, but your neighbor Alicia is here too and she is nothing like earlier." He said like nothing else was odd about this whole thing.

"Alicia?" Her heart skipped a beat. She felt Bo's arms release her and he guided her a few steps away.

"Lela!" She heard Alicia's soft voice as she felt Alicia's warm arms embrace her.

"Alicia!" She smelled of vanilla and cinnamon again. "Alicia. I have so many questions."

She laughed. "I know. I know. I'll try to explain what I know." She released her friend from her tight hug.

"Why were you so rude earlier? Where are we? Did you do this?"

"Oh gosh. Ok." She released her friend. "First... I would never be rude to you. The Fae sent a Golum in my place when I was taken last year."

"Last year?" Lela exclaimed. "What?"

"Ya. Time moves differently here. Sometimes a minute is a year and sometimes a year is a minute."

"Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey, Alicia." A strange but familiar voice said.

"Who's that?"

"Sorry. This is our benefactor Lady P. H. Chamberland of the Lore Estate. She is the one who invited you to the ball upon my request."

"So you did do this? Well, let's go home. Take us home."

"Slow down Lela."

"You have three days here in Fae Land to decide if you want to stay. The first is the Annual All Hallow's Eve Ball. The second is yours to explore or recuperate. The third you will decide. You can't be killed during the three days, but it's important for you to know that if you eat or drink anything at all from here you not only can't go home, but also your immortality disappears."

"What?" It was all Lela could get out.

"I know it's a lot to wrap your head around. Let me finish. Pea has graciously offered her entire estate to her heirs. You have been chosen as a candidate. If you decide to stay, you would have to prove that you have the skills to run the estate."

"Why would I stay? Alicia this is crazy."

"I know. I know. It's insane. I can't affect your decision. All I am allowed to tell you is that Fae Land is extremely dangerous and you would be safer to leave."

"If you know that, why did you bring me here?" Lela asked.

Alicia didn't respond. Instead, she recognized Bo's warm voice in her ear.. "Lela, I'm just as confused and scared as you are, but I have agreed to give it the three days so we can assess where we are, why we are here, and for what reason. I don't know if I believe or trust anything Alicia says. I don't understand what a Golem is, but I'll protect you and do what I can to get us home." Lela nodded.

"Now that the unpleasantness has been discussed! The heirs must choose their dance partners for their first dance as a signal to all Fae Land to let the Masquerade begin. Lady Alicia May Styles heiress presumptive of the Lore Estate House of Fea Land please do us the honor of selecting your dance partner out of the representatives of Fea."

"Thank you, Lady P.H. Chamberland. Your graciousness is surpassed by none. Since my dearest friend Lady Lela Tahini Nyong'o is unfamiliar with the court, would you do us the honour to allow me to describe each representative and advise who they are to her. It would be a quick first lesson of Fae Land. I would also be so honoured if they might bless us with a wisp o' magick tonight so that Lady Lela and Lord Bo might fully see the delights of this magnificent world as I have this annual. May with such a splendid display they decide to accept your gifts and honour us with their continued presence." Alicia's voice was kind and soft, but spoke with intelligence and class that impressed Lela.

A quick roar of applause interrupted the silence. When it quieted down, the benefactor spoke again. "As always, I am humbled by your compassion and candor. Please bless us with a Human's Scholarly Lesson on the Fae Indigenous Folk."

Alicia squealed with excitement to which several giggled were returned from the crowd. "Ok. Lady Lela Tahini Nyong'o and Lord Bo Baxter Jackson, please have a seat at the main table. I will be your herald thusly. Bo... please guide Lela. Thanks." Alicia said with confidence.

Lela felt Bo's warmth as he placed an arm around Lela's waist to guide her to the table. "If there is danger, I will shout duck. Get under the table and stay there until I tell you it's safe. If I tell you to run, try to get to the closet door which is only about five feet from the main table at the twelve o'clock position" He whispered in her ear as he walked her to the table. "We are surrounded by what could only be described as mythological creatures from a fairy tale including that Bird-Snake thing we met earlier. The table is about ten more steps ahead of us. The ballroom is a large room with six windows that stand at least 3 stories high. There are twelve doors like a clock and a thirteenth that you descended from earlier. I don't know where the other doors go, but it may be the safest exit." He turned them and walked her to the chair. She felt his callused hand on top of hers guide her fingers to the back of the chair. "Its made of something that looks like Ivory."

"I'm scared."

"Me too. I'll be sitting to your right." He replied.

She pulled out the chair and sat. She felt the table which was empty but had a silk-like textured cloth on it. "What's going on now?" She asked. She was trying to listen, but the room was frighteningly quiet.

"Alicia is walking up to us. She is smiling. Everyone else is watching waiting. That P.H lady is still by the staircase." Bo explained.

"How many creatures are there?"

"The room is filled. Maybe two hundred." He answered. "And they are all just staring."