The Light of My Hearts

A sign, hanging out over a shop to capture attention was bent back on its metal pole when Kendrick passed. Several gutters were crushed from his body brushing past the buildings. He was not minding his steps now. Anyone close was startled by the mini earthquakes his boots made as he marched back to the Birchwood Estate.

“Kendrick! Kendrick, wait!” Elmry called as he flew after him.

The giant didn’t pay him any mind as he had a singular purpose and that was to get Twillow to the Estate and away from anyone who wasn’t him or her family. It didn’t take him long to reach the wall which he stepped over and finally arrived back near Twillow’s balcony. He knelt and with gentle cupped hands set his mate down on the patio cushion. Elmry landed next to her.

“Now. Tell me everything you know about this Kraskol.” He commanded in a serious tone. “What does it look like?”

Elmry looked at his sister and then up at him, “That’s just it, from what the stories tell it can look like anyone until it has to feed. Then it becomes this dark, spidery creature with large eyes and a long tube under its chin. At least...that’s what the stories say.”

Twillow made a magic gestured with her hands and a book appeared. The pages fanned rapidly until they settled on an illustration. She held it up for Kendrick to see.

He leaned in close to scrutinize the drawing of the creature. It did indeed look horribly menacing. (Though given his own experiences, he tended to doubt illustrations)

“And this thing feeds on Life Water?”

Both fae nodded.

“Kraskol have always been a fae’s natural predator, feeding off the one thing we need to procreate. But they were supposed to be wiped out centuries ago!” Twillow explained, dread in her tone.

Kendrick’s hand came up and his fingers settled beside Twillow to comfort her, “Elmry, where did you hear this attack happened?”

“I didn’t. That’s why I was worried it might be Twillow. I just heard a pregnant fae was attacked and she lost her Life Water to a Kraskol.” Elmry explained.

“Do you believe this creature will come for Twillow?”

Again, the fae brother nodded grimly, “A fae carrying Life Water is not very common. I’d bet on it.”

Kendrick gave a short nod, “How do I find it?”

“Find it?”

“Does it have a scent?”

“I-I don’t know...?” Elmry seemed confused.

“I need a scent from it or something like it. That way I know what I’m hunting.” He confirmed.

“Well...I...I don’t think that’s possible.” Elmry shook his head, “This is the first time I’ve even heard of a real Kraskol attack.”

Kendrick seemed to not be pleased with that answer but looked around, “Will the barrier surrounding this Estate keep it out?”

Elmry nodded, “It should, yes. It only allows certain people who work here inside.”

“Twillow?” Gelilah’s voice called from inside her daughter’s doorway, “Twillow are you back I...OH!”

She made a startled exclamation upon seeing Kendrick looming outside the windows, Her hand flew to her chest and her wings snapped up. Obviously, she had been unaware or at least unprepared for Kendrick’s transformation.

Kendrick made an uncomfortable face, “Sorry... to startle you.”

Her hand came back down, she cleared her throat, and she came out to address her daughter when she saw Elmry, “Oh! Elmry? What brings you out here? Aren’t you working today?”

“I was, Mother. But I’ve just heard some distressing news. There was a Kraskol attack last night.”

All color seemed to drain from Gelilah’s beautiful face and she gasped, “No...no...are you sure?”

He nodded, “Everyone was talking about it but I...I flew to find Twillow right away before I found out anymore.”

Gelilah’s wings lifted and then snapped down as she folded them, “Elmry, go to the Marlaylan Guard Building. Tell them who you are and ask them what they know of this attack. Get any information they have.”

The shorter fae nodded and launched into the air with all speed.

Gelilah then turned to Twillow and knelt beside her, touching her hair, “Twillow. Listen to me. If what your brother said is true and there’s a Kraskol out there, I don’t want you to leave the Estate for any reason until this threat is gone. Do you understand?”

Though Twillow seemed hesitant she nodded.

“These creatures are most active in the dark hours so keep yourself inside the Estate at all costs. I am going to get your father and we are going to bolster the barrier around the Estate right now.”

She looked up at Kendrick seriously, “You will protect her?”

“With my life.”

She nodded, kissed Twillow’s forehead, and rushed off to find Aemond.

Kendrick gently touched his mate’s side with a finger, “I promise my light. Nothing will harm you.”

Back in the Lower Realm, Tegath...

Gillam awoke to the smell of something sweet and cinnamon smelling. Since he could not maintain his façade while asleep, he slept with his mask on just in case. It wasn’t very comfortable in truth, but necessary until at least Helia’s parents knew of his true nature. Since he was alone, he removed his mask and yawned. In the room he had been given (Helia’s younger sister’s room), he stood up and splayed and stretched his wings in tandem with his arms.

THUNK!

The tall fae ducked when his fists and wings hit the ceiling.

Unlike his home the ceiling wasn’t very tall and his wings brushed the ceiling with a rasping scrape. He awkwardly leaned down until he was half his standing height and finished his wing stretch. Once he stretched his wings snapped down against his back with an automatic flutter. Several items in the room toppled against the powerful gust of air and something entangled itself on his wingtip and across his struts.

“Oh.” Gillam turned and set to righting the objects.

He glanced up at his left wing and saw some sort of stringy decoration ensnared on his wingtip. He could also feel something thin wrapped around his heavy wing beams. Fae’s wings stretched well beyond their arm span and bending them toward his reach was not easy given the stiff structure of the appendage. He tried to flick his wing to free himself but it wasn’t working. In fact, the movement only seemed to entangle him worse. The fae frowned and stretched to grab the object. He turned slightly and his other unattended wing knocked more of Sessinae’s things to the floor.

He swore internally.

Gillam nearly leaped out of his skin when the door opened and tried to raise his facade. Much to his relief it was just Helia dressed in pants and a simple green shirt.

“Gods, Gillam! What the Hell are you doing in here?”

Helia made a funny face upon seeing the flummoxed fae trying to untangle his wing from one of the silly decorations Sessinae hung in her room and the mess surrounding him.

“You uh...need some help?”

Gillam dropped his façade but his face seemed to glow a brighter shade of green as he straightened himself, “Just...stretching.”

Helia balked, never seeing the fae glow like that, “More like wrecking my sister’s room. Here. Sit.”

“I-I can get it.” He tried.

“My ass.” She pointed down, “Sit.”

Embarrassed, Gillam plunked down on the bed again.

Helia shut the door behind her, shook her head, and moved around to try and untangle her apprentice.

She absently lifted a stringy piece of the decoration, “Never understood why Sessinae kept this ugly thing. Think she made it in primary school or something.” Helia grumbled, trying not to laugh at her apprentice’s misfortune. “Think she said it was a ‘unicorn catcher’ or something?”

“Unicorn catcher?”

“Yeah. She had a thing for wanting to see a unicorn when we were little. But they’re not real.”

“Yes, they are.” Gillam countered.

“Well...maybe in your realm.”

She untangled a bit and grinned, “I thought fae and elves were supposed to be the most graceful of beings?”

“I-I didn’t mean to make a mess. I’ll clean it up.” Gillam apologized.

“Eh. This room wasn’t made for a tall guy with wings.”

Helia got the craft untangled from his wingtip but soon realized the fishing line that held it up was wrapped around his heavy wing base, “Man you really got yourself in a mess, didn’t you?”

“Well, I...ERK!” he jerked when suddenly Helia took hold of the edge of his wing in her fingers.

The woman blinked, “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”

“N-n-no. No.” he couldn’t cease the brightness that lit face.

“Why are you glowing like that?”

“I...just woke up.” He lied, hoping she’d buy it.

“Well hold still. I’ve got to get this stupid string untangled.”

Gillam swallowed hard. The top wing struts of a fae were a sensitive erogenous zone and Helia was gently pinching the spot. Every time her fingers moved or brushed the inner part of his wings it sent tingles through his back. Subtly he placed his mask on his lap as he desperately tried to hold still and calm himself. It made it all the more difficult since it was Helia touching him. She probably wasn’t even aware. He prayed to several deities hoping she wouldn’t notice.

“You sure I’m not hurting you? You’re acting tense.” Helia inquired, a confused expression scrunching her face.

“No! No.” he shook his head.

“Ok. There. All free.” She concluded and let go of his wing.

“Th-thank you.”

“Smells like mom has breakfast for us. After that I’ll take you to a few spots in Tegath to show you around.” She stated, walking past him to leave the room.

A huge exhale left Gillam after she was gone. The tingle in his back and wings still remained as ghosts of her touch.

Eventually, Gillam made it downstairs. He didn’t see Helia but Una was busy preparing some cinnamon sugar bread and a pile of eggs.

She looked up and smiled at him, “Ah. You’re an early riser like Helia. Here, I made some breakfast.”

He glanced around, “Where is Helia?”

“Oh, she ate her breakfast and went to tend the horses. But she’ll be back in soon.” She handed him a plate, “Lachlan is having is breakfast out back. It’s a beautiful cool morning. Best enjoy it before the heat starts today. I’ll let Helia know where you are.”

“Thank you, Una. This smells delicious.” Gillam bowed and accepted the plate.

As she recommended, he went out to the back portion of the house to a small porch outside where Lachlan sat smoking a funny shaped pipe that looked like it was made of bone.

“Morning, Gillam.” Lachlan greeted when he saw him.

“Good morning, Mr. Colborne.” he greeted back, sitting down at the outdoor table.

“Sleep well?”

Gillam nodded behind his façade, “Yes. Thank you.”

Lachlan puffed smoke lazily. Gillam was about to start eating when he realized he hadn’t gotten any eating utensils.

“Oh. I guess I forgot my cutlery.”

He rose to get some when Lachlan held out a fork to him, “Here you go. I grabbed two and didn’t use this one.”

Gillam smiled gratefully and accepted the fork. Suddenly his hand was stung painfully with a burn and he automatically yanked his hand back, dropping the fork. He hadn’t noticed the fork had an iron grip. What was odd was the utensils they used last night were not made of iron, they were bone. Gillam cringed, seeing the dark burn across his fingers.

“I knew there was a reason you made my fingers itch.” Lachlan commented, his tone taking on a darker edge.

Gillam didn’t have much time to react when the big bearded man shot up, shoved Gillam’s chair into the back of his legs to pin him against the table and shoved him down against the tabletop. Though Gillam could’ve countered the attack he suddenly felt the hot presence of another piece of iron encroaching near his face. It was a knife.

“Now... which sort of creature are you? A changeling? A Daywalker? Maybe a transformed Mer of some sort?” Lachlan inquired, keeping Gillam pinned face down to the table.

“Please, Mr. Colborne, I can explain!” Gillam grimaced as the heat from the blade was ever so close.

The force on his back increased, “Oh I’m sure you can and you will.” Lachlan frowned, “The problem I have currently is that my daughter has excellent instincts.” The blade menaced closer, “What have you done to fool her?”

“Mr. Colborne, Helia knows I’m a fae!” Gillam proclaimed loudly.

“A fae...” the pressure didn’t decrease, but the blade moved away.

With a deep exhale, Gillam dropped the façade and revealed his true form, “Yes. I’m a fae from the Parliel Realm.”

Lachlan at once felt the forms of Gillam’s wings beneath his cape and pulled it aside to reveal them. His eyes widened slightly.

“I mean no one any harm, I solemnly assure you.” his wings shifted slightly, “I was hoping Helia would tell you to avoid...this. But it seems your instincts are too sharp.” Gillam explained.

“WHAT THE HELL!?” Helia’s voice was a restrained shout as she appeared through the back door, “DAD!”

Lachlan glanced back at her and gestured with the knife, “You knew about this?”

Helia stopped just behind him, looked skyward, and admitted in exasperation, “Yes! Yes, I know Gillam is a fae. Now will you please let him up?”

With caution, the big bearded man released his hold on Gillam and stepped back. Gillam stood up and shook his wings. Lachlan stared at him for a time, taking in his true appearance.

“An honest to God fae.” Then he shot Helia an accusing look, “Some honesty would’ve been prudent.”

“Oh, come on, Dad! I’ve only been back since yesterday. I was going to tell you today or...tomorrow.” She grumbled then gestured, “But yeah, this is Gillam. He’s a winged fae from another realm and he’s my apprentice.”

Gillam straightened himself, favoring his hand, “We apologize for not revealing it sooner.”

Helia waved her hand at him, “Oh no. Don’t you go apologizing, Gillam. Dad...?”

The big man sighed, “Sorry for that roughing. Didn’t know if you were something else more...malicious. Old slayer instincts.” He blinked at the tall being, “Now there’s something I never thought I’d encounter...and I’ve seen my share of rare things.”

Helia noticed Gillam looking at his hand and stepped forward to see for herself, “Oh, damn. You gave him the iron fork, didn’t you?”

“Some creatures react to it.” Lachlan shrugged, “Had to find out why my fingers itched when he was around.”

“Dammit.” Helia cursed, “Hang on. I’ll go get the burn balm.”

“Thank you.” Gillam replied as she turned to retrieve it.

She didn’t miss the distinct look her father was giving her as she passed. The look of “Well? What else haven’t you told me?”

Helia frowned, “And YES, I’ll tell you everything I haven’t told you yet. Geez.”

“Tell him what?” Una asked suddenly appearing with a tray of more food.

She froze in her tracks, eyes wide as the saucers she carried upon seeing Gillam without his façade.

Helia winced with closed eyes and then tried to explain calmly, “Mom. Gillam is...”

“A fae...” Una’s voice interrupted in a star struck whisper.

Tears formed in Una’s blue eyes which made Helia confused.

Una blinked rapidly, her lashes throwing the droplets, “Ever since I was a little girl...I’ve wanted to see a fae.”

She walked forward in almost a disbelieving trance and set down the tray so slowly. It was almost as if she feared if she moved too fast the vision that was Gillam would disappear.

Una made a coaxing gesture to Gillam, “Come. Sit over here. The neighbors might see.”

Gillam gave an unsure smile and blinked but did as she asked.

“Um...yeah. Gillam is a fae.” Helia shook her head, “I’ll be back with that burn balm.”

Una sat down in the chair nearest Gillam, never breaking her wondered stare.

“I-I’m sorry I wasn’t forthcoming with my true nature.” Gillam apologized again.

Helia’s mother wiped her eyes and then without really giving much pause she began firing questions at Gillam, “So you really are a fae? Where do you come from? Are there other fae? How did you end up here? Can you really fly and grant wishes?”

Overwhelmed, Gillam gave an uncomfortable laugh and tried his best to answer the questions. He honestly hadn’t expected such a reaction. Normally this kind of reaction was more typical of the females who gushed over his good looks and such.

It didn’t take long for Helia to arrive with the burn balm and a bandage. She knelt and Gillam gave her his hand to mend.

“OH! Is that burn from iron? Oh my! I’m-I’m so sorry! I didn’t...” Una apologized forlornly.

“Una! Una. That was my fault. I gave him an iron handled fork.” Lachlan admitted from his seat next to her.

Helia’s mother slapped at his brawny arm, “Lachlan! How could you! We’ll have bad luck for our lives if you harm a fae!” she chastised.

Gillam held up his other hand, “No! No. It’s fine, Mrs. Colborne. And you won’t have bad luck. That’s just a fiction.”

Una huffed at her husband and watched as Helia finished the first aid.

“Can’t fae heal wounds?” Una inquired curiously.

“Yes. But iron burns and injuries made by iron make our magic slow to useless.” Gillam explained.

Una gave her husband the “stink eye” again and he grumbled.

“So, you do use magic?”

“Yes.”

She gave a small laugh, “I always thought fae granted wishes. So, I wished to see a fae when I was a girl.”

“Well...we can’t grant wishes. But I guess you got yours.” Gillam shrugged.

Lachlan looked at Helia, “So...how exactly did all this come to pass? Is anything you told us true?”

“Yes. I just never got specific.” Helia replied. “All right: So, Gillam here is a fae from the Parliel Realm, a realm that exists outside this one. It’s a really pretty place but humans aren’t allowed there.”

“You’ve been to the fae realm?” Una gasped.

“Yeah. Ok. Let me start from the beginning.”

And so, Helia told them the whole story of how she met Twillow, how she fought and met Kendrick, the whole journey to the Parliel Realm, and all up until they arrived in Tegath. It was a longer story than she told verbally, but her parents listened to every word. Una was horrified then amazed, then horrified again. Lachlan remained stoic as he listened. (He had always been a great listener when it came to his daughter’s slaying exploits.)

“And now, Twillow and Kendrick are in the Parliel Realm awaiting the birth of their baby and Gillam and I are here visiting you until winter wanes.” Helia concluded.

Both her parents seemed astonished. (Even the desensitized Lachlan who had seen so many wonders and horrors as a slayer.) As if their daughter bringing home a real live fae wasn’t amazing enough, but she had been on an adventure with a giant, a wizard, and she traveled to an entirely new realm populated by magical beings.

Lachlan laughed quietly and shook his head, “So you’re now working for the giant who tried to eat you…” he glanced at Gillam, “…and who is your brother-in-law?”

Both Helia and Gillam confirmed.

“Yeah. Sometimes I can’t believe it either.” Helia admitted with a shrug.

Una held a hand to her chest, her eyes wetting again with motherly worry, “Oh, Helia…”

Helia sighed and reached over and gripped her mother’s hand to reassure her as she always did when she worried about her. (Which was often.) She often neglected to tell her mother the sordid, life-threatening details of her job since it always upset her. Her father was never spared the details as he knew the risks and had accepted them himself when he was a slayer. He still felt concern for his daughter but also knew her capabilities.

“From slayer to envoy, eh?” Lachlan mentioned with a cluck of his tongue, “Now that’s a scary job.”