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Under a clear amethyst night sky, lit by twinkling stars seemingly big enough to touch, Saraid watched glowing wisps dance around and above her while she waited. She sat on a huge mushroom cap with her knees drawn up and her arms casually wrapped around them. Set in a field of oversized daisies, somewhere between her tree haven and the camp of assembling warriors, she was impatient for Dahlia's return.
As she gazed at the bonfire far in the distance with silhouettes moving around it, Saraid listened to harmonious instruments and masculine voices, faintly carried in the still air. She resisted the temptation to join in the revelry; her plans were for a different variety of self-indulgence.
Having time for reflection, Saraid couldn't remember an abduction ever being as troublesome as Jane McCarthy. She had gathered many humans over the Verden centuries, all for decadent purposes; children for their innocence and dreams, and adults for their carnality or talents. Most didn't last long, either slipping into insanity or aging from her eventual disinterest. Others were taken on a whim or for mere erotic diversion, and usually returned to the Verden; those who hadn't gone mad were fogged of their adventure as the law decreed.
Young Jane, however, was a prize that all of the others paled to. Saraid supposed that a greater trophy took more effort to claim, but the gifted girl was worth it.
With heightened senses, Saraid heard the remote rustling of footsteps through the wild field from over her right shoulder. Concentrating, she only heard one set of feet, and not the accompaniment of two dryad assistants - one of whom had been banished back to the haven - nor that of a human captive.
She pursed her lips and waited, irritated, but remained unmoving on her perch. Soon enough, Saraid picked up the scent of Dahlia's stained leather, and knew she was close. The lack of soft, brushing sound as she passed through the daisies, and that of the colorful wisps' departure, signaled Dahlia's proximity.
After a few seconds of expectant silence, Saraid gently asked, "How did you fail me, Dahlia?"
Over her shoulder, Saraid heard the warrior reply without hesitation, "The human was sent through a portal, I assume back to the Verden, before I arrived. She had the assistance of two other fae."
Saraid continued to watch the distant merriment. "And was it those two who attacked my servants, causing the final death of one? I felt her passing not long ago."
"It was one of the two, yes."
"Dahlia," Saraid said with a calm that belied her anger, "I placed two of my own nymphs in your care. That the human could not be retrieved is acceptable if your account is correct, but you returned with less than you departed with, not more. I am displeased."
Dahlia moved forward enough to see Saraid's face in profile up on the tall mushroom. "Elder, I will make no excuses, and consider myself in your debt until I can regain your favor."
After a moment of thoughtful silence, Saraid still kept her view of the mercenary camp but asked, "At least tell me you learned something from your failed attempt. Tell me that the banishment of one servant and the lost existence of another were not in vain."
Dahlia clasped her hands behind her back. "I learned a few minor things, elder. I realized that not all Fair fae are alike in their preconceptions. I was also informed that you supposedly owe a leprechaun a scroll of endorsement for title. Lastly, I learned that fog bears can be trained."
Saraid nodded with a faraway stare. "Many fae can be of one mind on most subjects, Dahlia, but all are individuals. As for the leprechaun, that scroll has already been sent. And, the last - obedient fog bears? While surprising, it is of little import. So, yes, I'd have to agree with you; those were indeed minor and not worth the price paid." With emerald eyes that blazed with ire, Saraid slowly turned her head to look down at the pale fae warrior. "I will have that girl, Dahlia. Just as you consider yourself in my debt, I agree. Tell me my faith in you is not misplaced. Should I offer you another chance to do my bidding, this time successfully?"
"Given the chance, I will not fail you."
Looking away again, Saraid said, "Let us hope so. In yonder encampment is a bauchan named Haas; he is merely an onlooker and allowed to remain for the sake of morale. Fetch him and return here."
"I will search him out, elder."
"I will open another portal for both of you. It will lead directly to the girl's Verden housing; I believe she would seek safety with her family and so more than likely will be there. While you, a Fair fae, cannot enter a home without permission, the bauchan has no such racial hindrances. Tell him only to lure Jane McCarthy out so that you can take possession of her; he deserves no explanation. As before, you are allowed to come directly back to my holdings."
"I thank you for another opportunity, and will successfully carry out this order."
Saraid turned to the female soldier with a look of sour dismissal. "I expect better of you, Dahlia. Another failure might bring disrepute rather than the prestige you seek. Be on your way."