Fae Land

She's Gone

After talking with Alicia for a few hours, she laid her friend down and let her sleep. Alicia left the moment she was quietly snoring. Desvidaniya already knew they were leaving and took her position around Lela's neck. She rubbed the rodent under her chin and it purred back which filled her with calmness. She needed time to think so she began walking the halls. At one point, Macha found her and asked if she needed anything. She didn't, but asked for food for Desi as she was calling her. Macha gently guided her back to the formal dining room where she was advised that a full spread of fruits and plants were all the time. "Thanks Macha."

"Good Evening Lady Nyong'o. I am honored by your presence. Please sit." It was Lady Chamberland.

"Thank you for treating us so well. I came for some food for Desvidaniya."

"Would you care to join me. Don't worry, I won't be offended if you choose not to eat."

"Umm. Yes. Thank you." She sat down in the same place she sat this morning. Desi hopped down and quickly began munching on a crisp fruit. Bursts of mango flavors made her stomach growl. She rubbed her belly. "Sorry."

Lady Chamberland chuckled. "It happens frequently." She paused. "I suppose you probably have more questions that is what today is all about. I was hoping to speak with each of you alone."

Lela frowned, "Yes of course."

"I am always interested in hearing people's thoughts. What do you think about Fae Land?"

Lela breathed a long drawn out breath. "That's the million-dollar question isn't it."

"Well more accurately the million-dollar question would be whether or not you have decided to stay."

"Were you listening to our conversations in our rooms?" Lela asked.

"No. Alicia was very firm about giving you every opportunity to come to this decision yourself. She said you would be offended should we listen without your permission." She took a sip as Lela heard her swallow.

"She is right."

"Yes. She usually is." They sat in silence for a few minutes.

"How long have you been here?" Lela asked finally.

"Time is a funny thing. It exists but it isn't linear. We don't speak of times. The moon is our clock. When Mother and Father Time feels like blessing us with a moonrise we dance in the forest with joy. I heard some of Lady Marks' stories about your time. I couldn't imagine such wonders. I also wouldn't want to. This is my home. This is where I lived. This is where I loved. This is where my son was born and I watched him grow into an intelligent and fantastic protector. This is where I will die. I don't know how many years I lived, but I could tell you of fantastic adventures."

"I'm sorry if this is insensitive, but where is your love?"

She spoke with love and sincerity. "He was much older than I. He passed shortly after Guild, my son the Prince, reached adulthood. I was to follow my love and leave the estate to our son, but that is when the Fates decided to set us on this side journey. Nevertheless, I shall join him shortly either once my son is back or we have a satisfactory protector for Fae Land."

Lela thought about things for a moment allowing her fingers to play with Desi's little feet. She smiled as she tickled her belly which returned a teeth-grinding sound. "Oh goodness." She chuckled.

"Would you like to know how to bond with her?" She asked Lela.

Lela nodded.

"We normally perform a ceremony, but really you just drink a tea and say a spell. If the Fates accept the bonding, it will occur after a long rest. When you sleep, any magic that runs through your veins will be awoken. Meaning, that whatever enchanted creature is your ancestor, you will have that magick. The biggest danger you would have is not being able to control your powers, but having a familiar helps. They can absorb power and help you direct it."

"So drinking a tea meaning stay here."

"Of course. You really think you can bring a dragon back with you? She is already so attached. You are treading on a precipice. I should have warned you not to get close to any Fae until you made your decision. I'm afraid she may lose interest..."

Lela stopped playing with the rodent. "What are you saying?"

Lady Chamberland sighed. "Does it matter. If you leave what happens here doesn't affect you does it?" With that, she ended the conversation. "I'm sorry. I'm suddenly very tired. Tomorrow, you will make your decision and we can assess the damage afterward. Please do sleep well. If you have decided to stay, Macha will bring you to the bonding ceremony. If you decide to leave, you can make your way to the barn. Techne will ensure you get home." She made a noise of getting up. "Good Night Lady Nyong'o and thank you for giving it careful consideration." Lela assumed she bowed and left, but all she heard was soft footsteps disappearing.

"Did you know that Desi? Are you buttering me up so I stay?" Lela tickled Desi's fat little stomach. She gave an adorable purr growl back to her. "Do you want me to stay and bond to you?" She asked. The rodent nuzzled her head into Lela's hand. A small warm tongue gave her thumb kisses. Lela sighed. "You are a tough negotiator."

Her laugh was cut short by a loud scream coming from their wing.

XX

Lela ran towards Alicia's room almost crashing into Bo in the hallway.

"Lela! Are you ok?"

"I'm fine. Alicia!"

They ran the rest of the way. Bo holding her hand to guide her. He held her back when they got to the doorway. Lela felt Desi tense.

"Stay back!" Alicia screamed.

"Whats happening Bo?"

"Uhh. There is a big gaping hole where part of the ceiling was. She is holding onto a branch and it looks like there is some kind of force trying to push her through the hole." Bo yelled.

Lela heard her friend grunt. "Desi, can you save her?" She felt the rodent shake her head then suddenly her weight was gone. The warmth that was there all day was gone. "Alicia, I don't know how to help you. What happened? What's going on?"

"Shit!" She groaned again. "I'm out of time. Find the Oracles. Save the Prince. The book-" There was a loud zap noise followed by a loud train noise. Then silence.

"Bo. What's happening?"

"She...gone. A spiraling vortex just sucked her up."

"Alicia!" Lela screamed. She heard a loud thump and then a gaggle of voices crowding the hall.

"What happened." A small feminine voice asked.

"I didn't see it. Did you see it?" Another voice.

"Enough. Step back." It was Lady Chamberland. "What happened." Lela heard her firm footsteps come closer.

"She's gone. Alicia is gone." Lela cried. "Did you do this? Is this a trick to get me to stay?" She was yelling. Bo tightened her grip, but Lela was trying to claw her way out.

"This wasn't me nor any of the representatives of Fae Land. This mansion is a protected space only ancient magic could permeate it." She stopped talking and walked into the room.

Lela stopped fighting Bo and cried in his arms. "We will find her." He said over and over. "What's that?" He asked towards the room.

"It appears to be a book." Lady Chamberland walked to where they were by the door. "I haven't seen this one before. Can you read this language?"

"No," Bo replied.

"Macha! Where is she? She said she is fluent in many languages." Lela said.

"I'm here Lady Nyong'o." Macha's soft voice came from deep down the hall.

"Macha, can you read this text?" Lela asked.

"I'm sorry Lady Nyong'o. I told Lady Alicia the same thing. This is a forbidden language. I can't read it to you." Macha said hesitatingly.

"But they've taken her Macha. We have to find her." Lela pleaded with the hobgoblin.

"Ok. Thank you, Macha." Lady Chamberland interjected. "Lord Jackson. Lady Nyong'o. Let us retire to the library. We have much more discuss tonight."