11
Catching the admiring eyes of nearby fae, Saraid Moon Maiden strolled through the mercenary camp. In the light of small campfires and the glow from many present wisps, her snug emerald gown sparkled and accentuated her curvaceous figure. Reflections from the fires and the full peach moon in the black night sky above gave her long green-and-white streaked hair further radiance.
She stopped near the communal dance fire, belonging to no particular tent, and waited for her small entourage to gather close and hear her words.
The broad-shouldered troll Cadell Arms-Caller stood next to Saraid, a head and a half taller than her and three times her girth. He looked formidable with his chin spikes, topknot and stern mien, but Saraid was of the guarded opinion that he was simply a greedy fae who exploited the loopholes in his race's code of honor. Still, he brought a sense of order and structure to the encampment; she wondered how firm of a grip he would have on the reins of the warriors once they were loosed on the Verden village. Not that she cared overmuch, as long as they were enough distraction for her prize to be easily claimed.
On the other side of Saraid was her newest lover, Tobias. He was a dryad like herself, but nowhere near worthy of elder status. He stood a head taller than her, with skin the color of dark wheat. His brown hair shone with highlights of bronze, and had alluring eyes resembling glazed caramel. He either had or adopted the appearance of youth, free of facial hair and the wear of age. Dressed simply in a green brocade robe at Saraid's request, Tobias was fit and vigorous, but his mind was weak.
Saraid found it laughably easy to reassign Tobias's emotional priorities - so much so that his brazen subservience to her matched any low-borne she commanded.
Along with Saraid and her two escorts were numerous servants. Her own nymphs hovered close by, lest they catch some amorous warrior's attention; to be taken to a tent without their Mistress's consent was not allowed. Cadell's own gruff spriggan guards kept to the rear of the group, ready to defend him at his mental command. Not that the troll was in danger; it was all a matter of posturing.
Saraid turned to Tobias and ran a finger delicately down his toned arm. "I have felt the presence of Oriana Solemn Sight just returning to my lands. Her tent sits apart from the camp, just there." She pointed between nearby tents to a small, dark renaissance pavilion pitched further out in a field of large wild mushrooms. "Politely bring her to me." Tobias silently took her hand, kissed it, and then jogged off into the night to do her bidding.
Cadell rolled his piercing light blue eyes. "It is a shame what you've reduced that one to."
Saraid turned to him with one thin eyebrow cocked high. "And you would have him follow his former dream of glorious battle? He would be fodder, and we both know it."
The troll replied with a shrug, "All wars must unfortunately have their casualties. The cause is stronger for their sacrifice."
"Save your gallant drama for the mercenaries, Cadell. Tobias is enthusiastic, but on a warrior's field is not where his talents lie. I've saved him from his own delusions."
"And have given him new ones." Cadell shook his head in disgust. "You've rescued that young fae from a painful fate, but only to have him licking your feet - and everything else - like a groveling pet. I would run my own heart through from the dishonor and indignity of it, were I in his place."
"Ah, but that's the beauty of my gift," Saraid said with a wicked grin. "With the finesse I can achieve, poor Tobias has no idea he's humiliating himself, and won't listen to others who might point that out. And before you wonder - no, I am not manipulating you as well... as far as you know."
Cadell scowled down at her. "You overestimate yourself, Saraid. Stay content with corruptible fools."
"Foolish, but euphoric; most males secretly wish it. Now stop your sour musings - Oriana comes."
Saraid, Cadell, and their respective retainers waited a short time in silence as they watched the petite sprite being escorted to them. In the meantime, Saraid nodded to any warrior who gave a passing greeting; Cadell waved off two mercenaries who approached with questions. Tobias walked next to Oriana until she stood before the group; he was then kindly ordered back to Saraid's tree haven in the distance to wait for her there. The young dryad obeyed without question and jogged off once more. Cadell shook his head but said nothing.
Oriana glanced at the young fae as melded into the night; it was not her place to mention the strong colors of his aura. She looked slightly up to meet the green eyes of Saraid and then over and further up to Cadell's supercilious gaze. A small curtsy was offered to them but nothing more; Lore etiquette was followed, letting the host speak first.
"Elder Solemn Sight," Saraid began with a dazzling smile, "it is good to have you amongst us again. While your title is certainly apt, it also lengthens a chat, don't you agree?" She went on without waiting for any response. "Since you are to be one of the members of my 'gate party', as I like to call it, let's dispense with formalities, shall we? May I call you Oriana?"
"Please do, elder." Oriana felt that Saraid's strong mental defenses were up; she couldn't glean even a passing thought. Despite that, the colors of her aura were light enough, which helped to set the returning sprite at ease.
"You may call me Saraid in return, of course. I hope the travels and toils that took you away from us fared well?"
Oriana clasped her small hands behind her back. "As well as I could expect." Her huge amber eyes quickly took in the part of the encampment she could see without turning her back on Saraid and Cadell. "Are the other members of our 'gate party' not yet prepared? I do not see them."
Cadell, with his smooth baritone voice, answered, "Elder Fergal of the Twisted Path is currently tending to other actions which aid our cause, but makes periodic returns. Elder Gregori the Glut is preparing for a duty of a tactical nature. Is this of some concern to you?"
His aura told Oriana that it wasn't suspicion, but rather conceit, that formed his vague and curt response. "Their activities are none of my affair, elder Arms-Caller, save that of our combined effort. I merely wondered about the status of that event."
"So, you have harvested enough glamour to meet our needs and have it at hand, yes?" he asked with a tone that wouldn't be appeased with whatever answer she might give.
"Yes, I am prepared." As a form of subtle rebuke, Oriana turned her head away from Cadell to make it apparent she was finished conversing with him. Before addressing Saraid once more, she made a show of hesitating when catching sight of a particular fae back among the tents. She already knew the fae in question was still in camp, but wanted to make the situation appear spontaneous.
"Has a warrior caught your eye, Oriana?" Saraid asked with a lopsided grin.
"A fae, yes," she answered distractedly, still looking toward the shadowy tents, "although he is no warrior." Turning to face Saraid, she said, "For your agreement to claim a seat at a Circle of Prudence, and for further casting your vote in favor of me gaining title, I owe you a minor debt, do I not?"
"That you do," Saraid slowly answered, curious as to where the soft-spoken sprite's question might lead.
"Then if you will allow it, I would like to repay your favor. An infiltrator loiters in your camp."
Saraid and Cadell shared a glance. "If your claim can be proven," Saraid said quietly, "then I will consider that debt paid. Who is the spy you speak of?
Keeping her hands casually behind her back, Oriana nodded toward a tent on the far side of the communal dance fire behind them. Both Saraid and Cadell turned just as the accused fae strolled back into the campfire light from the stark shadows.
"Lorcan," Cadell called out, "we would have a word with you."
The little redcap froze for a moment at the unexpected command. His dark eyes darted about warily before walking slowly toward them. Lorcan's long orange hair shone like luminous snakes in the firelight, flowing out from under a battered porkpie hat. Coming closer, his unnaturally wide mouth curled into a sneer when he Saw Oriana. Stopping a few
strides away, he growled, "You."
Being on Saraid's land, Cadell stepped aside to let her oversee the matter. With his spriggan guards around him, the troll crossed his thick arms and watched. He noticed that the activity was getting the attention of a few other milling fae.
Saraid quickly gestured for her nymph servants to fly off, and then looked from the calm but serious Oriana to the seething Lorcan. "It seems you two have formerly met. Know this, both of you: I will not wait for the elements to bestow damning curses should either of you offer falsehoods. Being quite versed in them, I know a lie when I hear one. Whosoever gives fictions to condemn the other will have me and the full power of my vast holdings bringing you low."
"Understood, Saraid," Oriana replied while keeping her eyes on the one she referred to as the scoundrel. Lorcan stared right back at her, only nodding his acknowledgement of Saraid's warning.
"Very well," Saraid said, glancing from one to the other. "Oriana, make your claim."
"My first of three accusations is that Lorcan openly and personally attacked humans. While he did not break the law of Mortality and didn't cause enough damage to kill them, he used his gift of suggestion to have one human attempt murder on another."
Saraid turned with narrowed eyes toward the redcap. "Defend," she hissed.
Lorcan noticed that warriors were beginning to gather. He glared once again at the sprite he'd nicknamed 'Goldie' for her big, bright eyes. "I had a game afoot, and she stepped in. I gave no nudge for anyone to murder; I only gave a nudge of aggression and let the humans decide from there. In further defense," he pointed a little finger at Oriana, "she somehow forced me into mundane sight. Isn't that like her breaking the law of Enigma, but just using me to do it?"
Saraid's glare turned into a frown. "Many fae can make another show themselves - it is no rare trick. But the target's defenses must be quite weak to allow it. You do yourself no service with that claim, Lorcan. If you allowed yourself to be seen, it then becomes your responsibility to fog all minds present." She turned to Oriana. "You may defend, if you choose."
"I will explain, so that all may understand," Oriana replied while looking around at the gathering crowd. "It was for no mean or petty reason I did this. I was collecting glamour from a lively party of humans at a public establishment when Lorcan interjected the suggestion of violence. It has always been held that to disrupt another fae's harvesting is considered extremely rude." There were nods of silent agreement throughout the crowd.
Saraid let the tension linger before stating, "You mentioned three accusations, Oriana. The first was valid, but defended enough that no external action is required. Continue."
Oriana nodded. "I further accuse Lorcan of causing the formation of this righteous mission in the first place. When he later attacked humans, he broke the law of Enigma; he did not fog their minds afterwards. That other fae of the area did not intercede on his behalf - letting the knowledge and memories of us persist - is secondary to his criminal actions."
There was a murmur from the encircling crowd of fae; many of them were looking at Lorcan accusingly.
His dark, beady eyes shot around nervously and then locked on Saraid. "That was beyond my control!" he shouted. "She forced me to be seen again! Another fae attacked me while this bitch kept me occupied. I was taken from the scene without a chance to modify any memories. It wasn't my fault!"
Keeping a composed expression, Saraid let her glare linger on the whining redcap before turning to Oriana. "You did not or were unable to fog memories in his stead?"
Continuing to look directly at Lorcan, Oriana calmly answered, "And clean up his mess, especially after he attacked me? No, I am under no obligation to do so. I had no desire to rectify this one's illegal activities and let him avoid fault. As I understand it, it is the duty of a magistrate to correct such situations and impose punishment on the wayward offender. I had heard that one was sent, but he was headstrong and foolish and never completed his mission." Oriana intentionally didn't mention that at least one of the humans was immune to memory alteration. She knew that such information would not deter Saraid's campaign at this stage; it could even make Brody Lynch more of a target.
Saraid was silent for a moment, letting her gaze lock on nothing in particular. She took no personal insult at her former paramour Devlin being an incompetent magistrate. She might, however, lose some respect when word spread that it was she who sent him. There was little to be done for it. She looked back to the fidgeting little redcap and asked, "Did the magistrate meet with you?"
"No, elder, he never called for me." Lorcan went on in a louder voice, "But the same one who attacked me was also the same fae who took the life of the magistrate in grisly fashion! I saw it myself!"
"Your words lead to my third and most critical accusation," Oriana said. "Under whom are you held by a debt of favors? Which fae is your current liege?" She let the questions linger a fleeting moment before answering them. "It is the powerful dryad elder Aldritch of the Old Wood. He is one of the rebellious fae to be held accountable for the breach of Enigma, and you, Lorcan, currently do his bidding. You have infiltrated this righteous war party on his behalf. You are the enemy's spy."
The wide ring of onlookers growled or shouted their outrage. They then began to slowly close in around Lorcan, snarling with their dark intent. When Saraid raised her hand, signaling for everyone to halt as she turned in a slow circle, the warriors reluctantly complied with their hostess's silent command.
Saraid finished her revolution, lowered her arm, and gazed at Lorcan once more. He looked pathetic and terrified, and more than likely preparing to escape by means of some gift.
"Lorcan," Saraid called to him, catching the attention of the frightened redcap. "Know this: if you manage to flee, I will make it my next great mission to have you hunted down. Even if you manage to evade me and my hunters until the Lore fades from existence, I will make sure you are an outcast from fae society. Now," she continued in a less threatening tone, "you are allowed to defend against this serious accusation. I suggest you make the attempt."
Fearful of the angry fae all around him and furious at the sprite bitch that exposed him yet again, Lorcan was left only with Saraid to make a reasonable plea. He stammered before saying in a groveling voice, "Elder Moon Maiden, I have no allegiance to the lord of the Old Wood. He holds debt over me, true, but he's abusive to me at best, and then cruel and sadistic in his darker moods. My loyalty lies here, as always. Didn't I supply you and your council with his activities, and of a few other fae bastards I know of from near that village?"
Saraid nodded. "That you did, and the information was useful. For that alone have you been given this opportunity to defend yourself. But now I wonder what information you have been giving to Aldritch as well during your infrequent absences."
"Nothing useful, I swear it!" Lorcan yelled in a panic. "I am pressed to serve and report, but I only give scraps of worthless details!" His dark eyes reflected the flickering dance fire as they focused on Oriana. "Maybe it's this bitch that's in league with him! She points her finger at me to take any suspicion away from her!"
Oriana released her hands and held them to her sides in clenched fists. She took a step forward and replied, "That is a wild claim, without basis or merit. I take severe offense to it, redcap. While our hostess might show you compassion or mercy, I will not. By my right, and to defend my good name, I challenge you to combat - right here, right now."
Lorcan's mood altered; he was still scared of what his eventual fate might be, but at least he could exact some revenge first. His wide mouth stretched in an evil grin, curling up at the ends. "My, oh my," he murmured, "this is going to be fun." While he took a few steps further away from the communal fire, he saw Saraid backing up. 'Goldie' simply stood in place. He searched and felt that her mental defenses were up, and they were strong; throwing nudges at her would be useless. Still, she had no little Verden beasts to throw at him here. His confidence grew with his grin. Lorcan crouched
in a ready stance and sneered, "Go ahead, bitch - make your move."
Oriana unclenched her fists and softly said, "I already have."
In her recent travels through various lands of the Lore, Oriana noticed a creature known as a sky serpent in its natural habitat of dark forests. It was a black snake no more than four feet long with a crimson underbelly and lava slit eyes, but unlike mundane snakes it had black feathered wings with red edging. Sky serpents were known for their sudden aerial strikes and potent paralyzing venom; those fae that knew of the rare creatures knew to avoid disturbing them.
When the latest message from Enochia found Oriana, it mentioned her getting an 'assistant'; such a creature would fit her needs nicely. Returning to those dark woods in a neutral land just before returning to Saraid, Oriana used her potent gift of fauna to befriend and tame the elusive creature. The poison from either the sky serpent's bite or tail would prevent the 'scoundrel' from using his lightning speed against her. The devious little fae would finally have the fate he deserved.
Lorcan narrowed his eyes in confusion at the stationary sprite. He then thought she was trying to confuse him and put him off guard. He scoffed at her poor attempt; the weak bluff only stalled her pain.
Just as Lorcan was about to use his great speed for a charge, he heard calls of alarm from behind. Before he even had a chance to turn, there was a quick stab of pain in his right shoulder blade.
Instantly dizzy, Lorcan could barely focus on the slim, dark creature that flew past him and melded into the night sky. His eyes swam with vertigo setting in. Stumbling, he could no longer feel his feet or make them work properly. Suddenly, he was looking up at the black sky above; he didn't even feel the impact of falling backwards. His jaw tried to obey his command to speak; all his efforts only made him look like a fish out of water, making feeble grunts instead of words. Even his mind was jumbled; Lorcan felt fear, anger and confusion but couldn't focus on their source. That is, until a face came into his blurry view.
Oriana stood over the fallen little fae, looking down on him without remorse. "Look at you now, Lorcan," she said to him almost gently. "You have reached your end with no one who cares enough to avenge your downfall. You are surrounded by nothing but darkness and distain and hatred; can you not feel it?"
Lorcan could only stare up at her; he wanted to at least offer the sneaky bitch a hate-filled glare, but his muscles betrayed him. Gone were his plans and aspirations. All that the helpless redcap was left with was bitterness and fear and those big amber eyes staring down at him.
Oriana felt the closing proximity of her new pet - which she'd fittingly named Justice - just before it landed on her shoulder and curled around the back of her slim neck. She waited until it settled before unsheathing a roughly-hewn stone dagger from inside her open coat. She stood to the side of Lorcan's prone body and pushed his arm further away from his body with her small bare foot, and then knelt on one knee next to him. Holding the stone blade over his chest, she prepared herself to finish it.
To the militant onlookers, the petite fae appeared to be hesitating, attempting to gather resolve and send her traitorous foe to the elements. They could see that she was no warrior; a few spectators whispered quick offers to each other, betting that she either couldn't follow through or would simply banish him. The mercenaries otherwise waited with silent anticipation. If the newly-titled sprite elder couldn't commit to cause the redcap's final death, a number of them were willing to do it for her.
Oriana was not vacillating on Lorcan's fate, nor steeling her resolve to do so. She simply gave herself a few moments to gather glamour in order to force a message into his mind. 'You will not be missed or mourned,' she pushed into his fevered thoughts with enough power that he could not ignore it. 'You will soon be forgotten. No fae will care enough to squabble over your pitiful holdings.'
The blade was placed with careful position over Lorcan's chest. His panicked eyes glanced at it, and then back up at her.
'For the peril you may have placed my friend Aldritch into with your treacherous bartering, I send you to the elements on his behalf.' Leaning into her thrust, Oriana drove the long dagger down into him, skewering his heart. In a matter of moments, Lorcan's body reduced to a pile of ash. Festive fae would later trample the last of his remains underfoot while they danced and celebrated his death.