Eye of Prophecy

Chapter Tri: No one likes a smart ass, and I'm just here for the food.

Chapter Tri aka Chapter Three:

I was having a stare down contest with a poison slap happy Fairy. Now, don't get me wrong, a small part of me understood her initial ire (kind of understood, okay really didn't understand it at all) but the bigger part of me wanted to jab her with an electric cattle prod.
    The Fairy lady, Elara, had administered to Tala's wounds and wrapped her in a healing spell that even I, with my minimal healing magic, could feel. The second that the spell was finished, she turned to me and hadn't dropped her gaze since. We were now locked in a battle of wills. It honestly felt like a showdown at high noon in the Outerlands. And yes, I had participated in a few of those myself. Hey, just because I have magic doesn't mean I can't shoot a firearm with the best of them. I'm particularly fond of the Smith & Wesson Model 3 revolver and the Colt Walker revolver. They're artifacts and hard to come by these days, but I had had mine since I was old enough to handle a knife and fork. Magic can make you dependent and honestly, it can make you lazy. Some Supers became so dependent on their magic that they forgot that there were beings and creatures out there that didn't respect it, and frankly would kill you any which way they could. Growing up on The Compound sucked seven which ways to Sunday, but if growing up in Hell taught you anything, it taught you that there are many ways you can be killed—so there are many, many ways you have to learn to fight, and to defend yourself. I found scavenging on The Compound to be relaxing, and one of the few moments that I had any time to myself. When I came across scrap metal buried under the scorched Earth and blazing sun I hoarded, stockpiled and hid it. I was able to use my magic to transmute much of the scrap metal to usable weapons, and even make bullets for my beloved antique guns that I had found when I was digging out past The Compound grounds one day. I was punished severely when it was discovered that I had set foot off of The Compound. But my treasures, my beloved antique weapons, were worth the lashes I had received and the week without food. I took my weapons when I ran. And now they remain safely hidden under deep wards in my crumbling cottage.
"Ach, Elara.  Leave Del be." Tala's voice was soft and still laced with pain.
Elara dropped her gaze and whipped her head around when she heard the young Fae's pain filled voice.
"Child...shhhhh...you should na be up, ye should be sleeping...I put that healing sleep spell on ya for a reason."
Tala waved her concern away like one would swat away a buzzing fly.  "I already feel much better, Elara.  Why are you glaring daggers at my friend?"
I snorted.  Oh, was that what she was doing? I thought she was trying to memorize my beguiling features.
"I dunna like it, child.  You go a missing, and then ye are returned by a Earthen creature.  Ach, and she understands our tongue." Elara turned to glare at me, and I settled for plastering a huge fake smile on my face and wiggling my fingers at her in a greeting.  Her eyes narrowed even further and I puzzled over the fact that even a Fae's glare was pretty. 
"Elara...can you not tell that she is not Earthen? She is not a norm, Elara." Tala said.
I stiffened considerably at this.  I cleared my throat.  "I am Earthen, Tala.  Maybe not one hundred percent norm, but I am Earthen." I scowled at the look of disbelief that crossed Tala's face.  "What?" Hell, it wasn't a lie...exactly.  I had been born on The Compound, on the Earthen Plane.  Therefore I was Earthen.  So there.  That was my story and I was sticking to it.
"Child, you are healed enough to transport you to the castle." Elara said abruptly.
I watched as Tala's already pale complexion went stark white.  I felt a bit of discomfort in the pit of my belly.  She was clearly terrified.  Was some awful fate awaiting her at the palace?
Delphine.  No.  You have done your part.  You have done MORE than your part.  It was time to get the hell out of Dodge.
"Lara..." Tala's voice had gone small, "Canna an stay here a bit longer? We can tell him that I was na ready yet...my wounds need more time."
Elara planted her hands on her slim hips and shook her finger in Tala's face.  "Ach child, na I say.  You will na get to me so easily.  You are fare well enough to make the short distance.  The rest of your healing and recovery can be done at the palace.  Your uncle must be told," Elara's face went suddenly ashen, "Aye, he'll be furious will me that I did na scry him immediately." She began to nibble on her bottom lip.
"Lara," Tala whined, "he'll be furious.  I...I...just want a lil more time to prepare, please.  Chan eil mi ag innse dha mura heil thu ag innse dha (1)."
I fought against the grin that was trying to break its way through.  I caught on quick.  She wasn't frightened because she was about to face torture or abuse.  She was rightfully frightened to face a very worried, very angry uncle.  Well, Earthen child, or Fae child, it seemed that when facing the disappointment and wrath of a loved one, the feeling was the same in all species.  This seemed like the perfect time to make my exit.
"I'm glad you're going to be all right, Tala," I smiled, "I'm going to make my way to the portal now." Hopefully I would make it in time for the dawning and subsequent wash of magic that came with it.
"You will na be going anywhere, Earthen." This came from Elara.
Could she have said Earthen with anymore disdain? Hmmm...probably.  I narrowed my eyes.  "Okay, lady," I knew saying lady was disrespectful, but it was akin to her calling me Earthen, "I don't know what your problem with me is.  I didn't have to rescue Tala," lie, lie, lie, oh Del you're such a liar, "I didn't have to bring her back here," lie, lie, oh Delphine you're going to Hell.  "I think I've been more than a Good Samaritan.  It's high time I take my lowly Earthen self back to that squalid place you call the Earthen plane." I watched the heat build in Elara's eyes and readied myself in case she attacked.
"Lara!" Tala's voice was strong now, in fact it was commanding.  "You will stand down, Lara.  Del is my friend, and you have been unconscionably rude to her."
I smiled.  It seemed that the little Fae had some fire to her.  "Thank you Tala," I said. "I appreciate you saying that." I liked this kid.
Tala inclined her head. "You're welcome, Del. You will however, have to accompany us to the palace to have an audience with my uncle."
    Like I said—I hated this kid.