Book 2 Season's Change Spring's Revenge

Part 26 A Ferret, A Fet, and A Faye

Aliekki sat quietly by the fire as she waited for the others to arrive. She had hoped that they would come and go depositing the requested equipment and supplies before Katana and Avriel returned to the clearing. She did not have the time needed to allow the other to adjust to seeing a human like the young prince. She felt the familiar magic kiss her skin and smiled as she tasted it on her tongue. Her wait was nearly over. The guard and their leader stepped into the clearing moments later. "Araguah, d'Ashen." She greeted the group leader with a smile on her pretty face.

"Araguah, Aliekki." They clasped wrists and pressed their foreheads together briefly as their noses brushed each other affectionately. "Are you well?" His voice was smooth and filled with happiness.

"Yes. And you?"

"Yes, we have brought the items and supplies that you have requested." It was not like either of them to get caught up in a large display of their life-bond. There was business to attend to. He sensed her urgency. The others were not far away, and they were not traveling alone. d'Ashen had picked up their presence as he portaled into the clearing.

"Thank you. They will need armor that fits them and food for their journey."

"Is it true? A human has come to The Wood?"

"Yes."

"Does he know what he is?"

"No. He does not, but he is a remarkable human indeed." She understood the curiosity burning in d'Ashen's eyes and briefly felt selfish for keeping interaction with the rare goddess blessed human to herself for the time being. But they did not have the luxury of time. "Another time, Ash. They have a journey that they must take. It will be long, but they will return to us again." Ash smiled and nodded then ordered the others to put the supplies down in the clearing. They did as they were commanded and prepared to return to their village. He held her wrists again and pressed his forehead to hers as he bid her fair passing. "Araguah. Until we meet again, let the light guide you."

"And you Araguah." He stepped into the portal and was whisked away to his next mission.

The fet effortlessly followed their movement through the trees back to the clearing where Aliekki waited for their return. Both Avriel and Katana stopped all advancement as they drew near, the fet followed their lead. It seemed determined to go no further as it stood on the branch next to Avriel. "What is that?"

"Feels like magic." Katana's hands flashed in the pale moonlight.

"Come closer. I cannot see your hands well enough." Katana went back around through the trees to the same branch that Avriel and the fet stood on.

"It is magic, Kotas. You can feel it?" She was a bit shocked that he was sensitive to the feel of magic in the air. It was clear that the fet was, but she expected that a creature from her world would be highly sensitive to magic.

"Yes, and I smell others, but the scent is fading as if they are no longer near."

"You can smell others?" He would never cease to amaze her.

"You cannot?"

Katana stopped and focused trying to smell anything other than Avriel, the ferret and fet and the smoke from the small fire that burned in the clearing. "No." She looked at Avriel. "I cannot smell anything outside of what is near. How do you do that?" They heard movement and their bows snapped from their backs.

"Katana? Avriel? Not this again." They stowed their bows and moved to the clearing. As they jumped down the fet remained safe in the tree's branches and showed absolutely no sign of moving to join them. Avriel shrugged. He understood. "Will it not come down, your friend?"

"Perhaps in time. He knows you not. Others were here?" Avriel smiled as he greeted Aliekki. He glanced around the clearing and noted the armor and packs. "What is this?" Katana watched the exchange between her mentor and friend and her companion with pride. She studied them both. His movements were smooth and graceful comfortable and light. Aliekki was equally relaxed in his presence.

Her voice was soft and gentle when she spoke. "Your journey will be long. For even if we are to find whom you seek before his caravan escapes these woods you cannot exact your revenge upon him whilst he is in them. You must also determine how you will capture a man who is reported to have at least fifteen well-armed guards with him. Scouts." She paused and held Avriel's eyes. "Even if I were to accompany you outside these woods the fight would be lost."

"But it would be 5 to 1. We can manage that."

"No young warrior, they would all focus on the one that poses the greatest threat first. It would be fifteen to one. Then maybe twelve or thirteen to one and finally eleven or ten to one. They would all attack one until they fell and the first of us would be the Dark." She let that sink into his young mind before she continued. "Your armor is ill-fitted, and your provisions are low. You cannot hunt and survive off just the land. You will need much more to sustain you." She moved her hand over the packs and armor. "As I gave you my word. I would see justice done and will help you to fulfill your quest in any way that I can. This, I can do for you. This is my gift to you and your cause." Her serious smile was beautiful and strong. It was an honest expression of the mutual respect they shared.

The kindness and the gesture left Avriel momentarily speechless. She motioned for them both to draw nearer and inspect their gear. Avriel bowed deeply to Aliekki. "I owe you a debt of gratitude. Should ever you have a need of me, you need only ask." Aliekki returned his bow with depth and reverence. Avriel moved to the armor that was clearly his.

As Katana moved past Aliekki she handed her the small ferret. "I think he is hungry." Warm little eyes looked up at Aliekki and the sweet little chatter of the young ferret filled the gap of silence. "So is his brother." She looked up into the tree. The fet stirred in the tree and made a soft sound of agreeance that sounded just like a growl. Both Aliekki and Avriel chuckled.

"Come down from the tree, friend. I shall feed you."