The Light of My Hearts

Later…

Gillam and Twillow returned later with Sig. The human family had been happy and congratulatory of Twillow’s pregnancy and Sig seemed ready to fulfill his promise of opening the portal for them. Since Gillam was the stronger of the pair, he carried the wizard as he flew. He kept a close eye on his sister and could see she was faltering in her flight…not typical for her.

When they entered the mountain, they could see Helia sitting at the smaller table atop the giant table with Kendrick sitting in his chair. Oddly the pair seemed relaxed and peaceful. It made Twillow and Gillam share a look.

They landed on the table and Gillam set down the wizard.

Twillow was breathing hard but remarked, “Well! It’s good to see you two getting along for once.”

Kendrick gave a brief grin but then seemed like he wanted to say something, but also didn’t. Twillow noticed the look.

“What’s wrong?”

He sighed, leaned forward, and rested his arms on the table, “My light…there is something I need to do before I go to the Parliel Realm.”

The fae’s head cocked, “What do you need to do?”

Regret filled his features, “Helia says another slayer has the giantsbane and… If I’m gone and this slayer comes looking for me and finds my father…” he shook his head, “I can’t leave and open my father up to that kind of threat. I can’t.”

Twillow’s violet eyes moved, considering the implications of such a thing.

“So…” his voice faltered slightly before recomposing, “I want Sig to send you to the Parliel Realm now…and I will join you once Helia and I have quelled this threat.”

Twillow’s gaze snapped back up to his as she shook her head, “I don’t want to leave without you!”

“I know.” His hand rested on the table next to her and a single finger reached out and touched her cheek, “I don’t want this either…but I know it is what’s best for our child and for us.”

Though she leaned into his finger she also pushed it forcibly, “No! I will wait for you.”

He shook his head, “You get drained more quickly every day. Look at you now. You’re exhausted after a flight to Sig’s and back.”

“He’s right, sister. Your energy is waning here.” Gillam voiced his agreement. “The longer you stay the weaker you will grow and if you wait too long your Life Water could dry up.”

Twillow tried not to cry, but her eyes were glistening, “I want…I want us to go together…as a family.”

“I want that too my light. But I must see this done. Helia has agreed to help me find this slayer and destroy the giantsbane one way or another. Once that is done, I will join you.” He assured, trying also not to crack.

“And I will assist them as well.” Gillam announced.

Though it still seemed Twillow was stubbornly refusing the proposal, she was also deeply concerned for Alec, whom she’d come to love. Kendrick’s fears were justified. If the giantsbane had affected him so strongly, robbing him of his sense of smell, then Alec would surely be rendered helpless if exposed.

Finally, she agreed and began making her preparations as Sig began his. Once everything was in readiness, he took out the vial of Parliel Ichor, drew the symbol on the table, and began to incant. The first time they journeyed to the Parliel Realm he spun his staff before him. However, according to Hugo, that was wizardly theatrics and wasn’t needed with the stronger Sunfire Topaz and Blood Emerald. A spark cut the air and an unknown wind began howling inside the mountain until finally the golden lightening appeared and the portal opened.

Very quickly, Twillow flew to her mate and kissed his upper lip. He held her briefly to his face, kissing her belly.

“I will hurry, my light.”

“You better.” She laughed and cried. “I love you.”

“I…I love you too.”

He seemed loath to do it, but he released her. She flew down and landed next to Sig as he held the portal open.

“See you in a few months, Twillow. Bring that new baby by when you get back.” he requested.

“I will, Sig.”

Though the light was bright she could see the silhouette of Hugo waiting on the other side. She gave one last goodbye and walked through.

When she was safely in, Sig gradually closed the portal and more Parliel Ichor plopped to the table’s surface. The man exhaled with sweat on his brow but this time he didn’t pass out.

“Well done, Sig.” Gillam congratulated.

“Thanks. Definitely was easier this time.” He agreed.

Quickly he produced some more empty vials and refilled them with the Parliel Ichor left behind.

Kendrick, meanwhile, was silent. His eyes looked hollow and sad as if he felt he had made a horrible mistake.

“You gonna be all right, big guy?” Helia inquired.

“I…” his voice cracked to which he coughed, “This was the only way.”

She nodded the gestured for Gillam to come over and sit at the small table.

After Sig was done collecting the Parliel Ichor he turned around to ask Kendrick, “So…you’ll join her later?”

“Yes. I’ll come to you after this task is done.”

The wizard nodded.

Helia motioned for him to join the table, “Have a seat while we plan this out.”

“Plan?” Kendrick rumbled, “I thought the plan was pretty straight forward.”

“Don’t you mean ‘basic’ and ‘vague’?” she shook her head. “I mean, just how the Hell are we going to find Farley anyway? He could be anywhere and you don’t even know what he smells like.”

The giant frowned, “If there are humans in my forest, I can smell them easily.”

“Not that I deny the accuracy of your nose, but even that could take days…or weeks! He might be on his way now or he might be in any of the villages or towns within one hundred miles. We don’t know.” Helia explained. “And you want to get back with Twillow as soon as possible, yes?”

Kendrick nodded then tapped his finger with thought.

He looked to Gillam and Sig, “Can magic find him?”

Sig and Gillam both nodded, “Possible. But we’d need something of his in order to use that spell.”

“Do we?” Kendrick asked.

Both Gillam and Helia shook their heads.

Sig sighed, “Then my spell won’t work.”

“All right. We have no choice but to hunt him out.” Kendrick concluded.

“Which could take too much time!” Helia argued.

Kendrick arose from his chair, “Then we’d better get started. We can talk while we hunt.” he offered his hand to the wizard, “Come on, Sig. Let’s get you home.” He looked down at Helia and Gillam, “Then we can begin our hunt.”

The slayer shook her head with a conceding gesture, “All right. Let’s find Farley.”

After returning Sig to his home the trio set off through the woods to begin their hunt. Helia rode her horse, Gillam flew, and Kendrick walked. To expedite the search, Gillam flew high into the air to gain a better vantage than even Kendrick could boast.

Helia was riding her horse just behind Kendrick’s stride. He was walking at a steady pace, smelling the air every so often. Helia was shaking her head asking herself again and again what she was doing. Less than three years ago she had been hired to slay the Gray Shadow. Now…they were working together to find (and possibly kill) another slayer. And HE was paying her!

“Since when does the target pay the slayer? I must be out of my mind!” she thought.

“I can’t believe this.” She finally stated aloud from atop her horse.

A smirk curved Kendrick’s mouth as he looked back at her, “You can’t believe what?”

“I can’t believe we are hunting together.” she replied.

His laughter shook her, “Ha! I was thinking the same thing. Who knew I’d be hunting a slayer with another slayer who tried to kill me?”

“So, what are we going to do if we can’t find Farley?”

“We’ll find him…one way or another.” Kendrick sounded assured.

“Do you smell anything?”

“No. Not yet.”

Helia moved in her saddle slightly, “You know…if we find him…he’s not going to sell the giantsbane to me.”

“I thought all you slayers liked money?”

“Exactly. If I go offering to buy it all from him that’s going to validate its worth and effectiveness. Why would he take a bag of gold for giantsbane when he could use it to claim your bounty?” she pointed out.

Kendrick glanced down at her, “Then he’ll suffer the alternative.”

“Look…I don’t like Farley. He’s a coattail riding, pervert, asshole.”

The giant chuckled.

“But I don’t necessarily want to kill him for a plant.” She admitted.

One of his dark eyebrows lifted, “Hm. Never thought you’d be squeamish about killing another human.”

“I’ve killed other humans before…but in self-defense.” Helia retorted.

“Why do you think I do it?” the giant shot back.

“Because you get a sick kick out of it.”

Kendrick gave her a look.

“Don’t give me that look. I remember the look you had when we first fought. You were like a barn cat that found a mouse in the hay.” Helia reminded him.

He tipped his head, “Perhaps I did…but you were also invading my territory to kill me. So, self-defense.” He gave a questioning look, “If you won’t kill him then what am I paying you for?”

“You’re paying me to find Farley, get the giantsbane, and destroy it. I’ll do all of that. But if I don’t have to kill him that would be better.” The redhead clarified sternly.

Kendrick eyed her, “Well if he won’t cooperate and you won’t kill him…then know I will.”

“You don’t have to kill him either!” She squinted at him, “Didn’t you say earlier you wanted to “make peace” with humans?”

“You don’t want me to kill him?” he inquired with surprise, “Odd.”

“I’m merely saying if we can avoid it…let’s avoid it.”

“Going soft on me, Slayer.” Kendrick commented with a smirk.

Helia rolled her eyes but then smiled too, “But…I wouldn’t be against you making Farley piss his pants.”

Kendrick laughed, “That is one of my unsung talents.”

Helia snickered to herself just imagining that. Seeing Farley piss himself would make her year.

At that moment, Gillam descended from the sky and landed near Helia, who stopped her horse.

“See anything?” she asked.

He shook his head and stilled his wings, “Nothing unusual. Just trees and the villages beyond.”

Kendrick had stopped as well, “It’ll be dark soon. Unless they make a fire, you won’t see much.”

“Are you smelling anything?” the fae asked.

Kendrick shook his head, “Not yet.”

“Do you have ideas where Farley might be, Helia?” Gillam asked.

She threw up her hands guessing, “Wherever the jobs are…a tavern…a brothel…any town.”

Kendrick squint with curiosity, “Brothel? What’s that?”

A short laugh escaped Helia which she stopped to hide it behind a serious expression, “Later, Kendrick.”

Gillam dipped his head, his violet eyes deducing, “You and Farley share the same profession. If you suddenly came into possession of a bunch of giantsbane and you were after Kendrick’s bounty, what would you do first?”

The woman thought a moment, “Well…I would…probably test it before I’d risk my life on a job.” She shook her head, “Farley is too bullheaded to do a test…he’d try it without.”

Gillam nodded, “And then what would you do?”

“Then…if I knew it worked. I’d…incorporate it into my arsenal.” She surmised. “Like if I was hunting werewolves I’d get silver-tipped bolts for my crossbow, silver blades…”

“Would you make those yourself?”

“No. I’d commission a weapon smith…or maybe an apothecary to render it down.” she grabbed Gillam’s arms at her epiphany, “That’s IT, Gillam!”

“What is?” Kendrick tipped his head.

“If Farley has that giantsbane he’d probably take it to an apothecary to make some potions or coatings for his weapons.” She continued, “And I know one apothecary that most slayers use!”

Kendrick nodded, “Then lead the way.”

Both Gillam and Helia shared a look then looked up at him, “Is it wise to leave your forest now?”

The giant thought a moment, “If Farley is determined to claim my bounty, he’ll probably come right to me if I’m spotted.” He shrugged, “Might make our search easier.”

Gillam frowned, “That might be too brazen. Especially if Farley has amassed a large group armed with giantsbane.”

Kendrick frowned. Normally, he had the upper hand in many respects when it came to human assaults. True enough he could be hurt by them but it was little more than a few cuts and punctures. He knew he was a near invulnerable target. However, giantsbane lowered his advantage to where he definitely didn’t feel confident. It would take a massive amount of giantsbane to kill him so one branch of the stuff wasn’t anywhere close. But his allergy to it would make him much less invulnerable.

Still…if he wanted to draw out this slayer, Farley, then he would have to take a risk.

“I will trust you two to have my back should this go sour.” He stated assuredly, “How far is this apothecary?”

Helia gave a thinking expression, “I’d guess…we’d get there by morning.”

Kendrick began walking away, “All right then. Let’s get going.”

The next morning…

The trio traveled through the night until they came to the tiny village where Helia’s apothecary resided. Kendrick had followed Helia and Gillam across the fields and near a few roads, despite their misgivings of him being so visible. Luckily the cover of darkness and the fact that most people were fast asleep helped expedite their travel.

Kendrick went well outside the town and laid down behind a cluster of hills to avoid an all-out panic whilst Gillam and Helia found and entered the apothecary shop. They were gone for several long minutes before rejoining Kendrick.

He was on his back resting in a field, arms behind his head.

He rolled his head toward them, “So?”

Gillam removed his mask, “Farley was here two days ago.”

Kendrick rolled over on his belly, seeming hopeful.

“The apothecary said Farley paid him to render down and make some concentrated giantsbane from the branch he bought.” Helia explained as she pulled out two apple-sized leather bladders, “Apparently he sold a portion of it to the apothecary and we bought all he had. BUT Farley has the rest…probably triple this amount.”

Kendrick frowned, pulling his head away from the pouches, “Hm. That doesn’t sound good.”

“No, it doesn’t. And we are no closer to finding him.” The woman sounded frustrated as she handed the liquid giantsbane to Gillam, “Can you destroy that?”

The fae took the two bladders but then his violet eyes seemed to move with thought, “Didn’t that merchant say giantsbane is rare?”

Helia nodded.

Kendrick also nodded, “Thankfully, it is. My father said the conditions here aren’t right for it to grow abundantly.”

The tall fae’s eyes seemed to alight with an idea, “I think I can find him.”

“Magic?” Helia guessed.

Gillam nodded. She made a “go ahead” gesture and he set the two pouches on the ground. Gillam knelt, opening his fingers on both hands. His hands seemed to radiate a green light where his veins hid beneath his skin as his eyes closed and he concentrated. The light went from his fingers and surrounded the giantsbane. It changed color green to pink and suddenly returned to his hands. Gillam’s head bowed as he pressed his palms together and suddenly threw his arms out. The pink light shot off into the sky and flew like a firework into the distance.

Gillam sighed and opened his eyes, “Ok. What direction did the light fly?”

Kendrick was now standing at his towering height and pointed, “Out that way to the south and east.”

“Good.” He held up his hands, “Now the magic will seek out the same giantsbane and when we are close, I’ll be able to sense it. We find the giantsbane, we should find Farley too.”

Helia smiled, “Good work, Gillam.”

“Thank you, Dyashra.” He bowed his head humbly.

Kendrick blinked down at them, “What did you call her?”

Helia waved her arm dismissively, “It’s nothing. Let’s get going.”

She urged her horse over the hill.

Kendrick didn’t start walking immediately and glanced down at Gillam, “What’s that mean?”

“It means “teacher” in fae tongue.” Gillam explained.

“Hm. Sounded more like a term of endearment.” The giant commented.

Gillam lifted his chin a bit and shuffled his feet.

“Her scent changed when you called her that.” Kendrick mentioned.

Gillam looked up at him, “Changed?”

“It seems to change around you.” Kendrick grinned, beginning to walk.

“It does?” Gillam jogged after him.