Faerling

Book 1, Crystal Mirrors

Part II

The woman was dressed in black, but an odd cloth it was, as it faded into the very black of night behind her. She had not said her name, nor, in fact, had she spoken at all. Rather she sat, staring, simply watching. Finally, she turned away and started to speak.

"The Folk have always been My children, but the humans are only a pastime and an amusement. Yet, I often find their trials far more amusing than the lives of My children. And there is one of both worlds who believes that she is not one of My children. Befriend this one, and take her to..."

The images swirled, fading and then growing brght, and finally exploding into a fierce sound, startling the dreamer out of weary sleep and into the hazy light of dawn.

"Are you asleep?"

Genna yawned, rubbing her eyes. "I find myself awake now." She turned toward the voice, her darksight picking out the spot where Alec had chosen to rest. As her regular sight adjusted to the dim light of dawn, she could see him watching her. "'Tis early."

"I thought you might be awake already. You were restless."

Genna considered this. "My back itches, but I was indeed sleeping."

"My apologies for waking you, Faerling."

Alec's gaze caught Genna's, and she saw that he was laughing. "I meant no insult from the term. It simply seems to fit."

"If I am to accompany you, you could use my name."

"Genna."

"Yes, Mercenary Alec." She grinned and stretched, reaching a hand behind her to scrath a shoulder blade. "But I do have one question. Where are we going?"

-And take her to...- Alec spun to look behind him at the sound of a voice in his head. "I... I'm not sure. I was returning to Zamir to collect my payment - I freed some slaves - and then look for another job."

Genna paled slightly at the thought of entering a town. "Alec, my people are not looked on kindly by most of your people."

"If you can do a job, they don't care what you look like. I have seen Dark Elves trusted to work for pay."

Genna didn't answer, collecting together her few possessions, while Alec saw to his horse outside. Only minutes later they were both astride that horse, riding in silence to Zamir.

Upon entering the town, Genna could see people staring at her, and felt her face grow hot with embarrassment. When she heard men calling rude comments to Alec, she tried to slide off the horse to run away.

"Hey!" Alec caught her as she started to slip. "Watch your balance."

"I was," Genna said hotly. "I have no business here and think 'tis time to take my leave."

"I'll protect you."

She glared at him. "I don't want protection. I want to leave."

Alec ignored her, clamping arm tightly around her midsection, pinning her to the horse. "No one is leaving. We are going to an inn, taking a room, and getting some breakfast. End of story."

"*A* room?" Genna repeated.

He grinned at her. "You can trust me. We only had *a* room last night, didn't we? Beisdes, I'm afraid you'll take off if you get the chance."

"'Tis truth in that statement."

"No kidding." Alec slowed his horse in front of the Laughing Bear Inn and slid off, taking Genna with him. He let go of her long enough to tie his horse to the post, then grabbed her arm and led her into the dining room of the inn. "Food first, then we'll get a room. Then we can look for work."

The serving wench came over, practically falling into Alec's lap on her way by. "Greetings, Alec," she purred. "We've missed you here." But when she saw Genna, she forgot about him and simply stared.

Genna glared back. "Alec..."

"Two ales and two breakfasts, Meg. Big breakfasts," Alec ordered, waving the wench away. He watched her appreciatively as she walked away, thinking that perhaps two rooms might be in order after all. However... he turned his attention back to the unusual girl across from him.

"That's mine."

Genna wasn't paying any attention to Alec, but was rather staring at an elven man who was clutching a brooch in his hand. "That is mine," she repeated angrily.

The elf stared back at her, all wide-eyed innocence. "M'lady, I was simply retrieving it for you from where it had fallen upon the floor."

Genna snatched it from his hand. "'Tis more likely that you supposed to prey upon a hapless faerling!"

Alec laughed inwardly. For someone who didn't want anyone to pay attention to her, Genna was creating quite a commotion. "Genna." He waited until she had turned to look at him, then motioned where she couldn't see for the elf to leave.

"Yes?"

"You may want to keep your voice down. The other people are staring," he calmly informed her. When she looked ready to run at the sight of everyone watching, he put his hand over hers to keep her still.

"Where did he go?" she suddenly asked, noticing the elf had left.

Alec shrugged. "It is of no matter, as long as you have your belongings."

Genna unclenched her hand to show the brooch. It was a gold brooch, intricately wound into a symbol Alec didn't recognize. "It was my mother's," Genna explained. "'Tis my only good possession and I didn't want to lose it to some thief. It *was* in my pocket. I'd have known if it had fallen, same as I knew when he had took it."

Alec examined the brooch, trying the figure out why it looked so familiar, then handed it back to Genna. The serving wench returned to hurriedly place food in front of the two and then disappear. Alec motioned for Genna to eat.

"We have to talk about something."

Genna looked up. "We do?"

"Yes." Alec set his fork down. "You can't run away from here, because if you do, I will find you."

"Why?"

"I don't know." He shook his head as if to clear it. "I dreamt last night, at least I *think* I dreamed it, just before dawn. And I was told to take you somewhere, but I don't remember where."

"How do you know it was me?"

"How many other half humankind, half Folk have I met?" Alec grinned. Genna smiled slowly in return.

"Then you have been quested with my safety," she stated solemnly.

"I have been what? Oh, I guess that's one way of putting it. Suffice to say, I have to protect you, but I don't know why yet."

She nodded. "If some god has charged you with me, I shall remain."

Alec felt bemused by her sudden change of heart. But still, it made it easier to get along with her, that was for sure, so he'd accept it. When they finished eating, they reserved a room for the night, and went in search of work.

It was just dark, but Donal felt that was the best time to check the rooms of the inns for interesting items. He slipped in through the kitchen door, slipping a copper piece to Meg on the way by, pinching her behind and whispering a promise to return when he was done for the night. He knew she wouldn't squeal on him - after all, he had been making his living through the inns of Zamir for three years now, and no one had found him yet. And dusk was the best time, since all the room owners would be at dinner, and they often left their belongings behind. And from what he'd seen when scouting the dining room all day, the pickings should be good that night indeed.

Faerling is copyrighted by Deb Atwood.

Copies may be kept for personal use but may not be redistributed without the expression permission of the author.

Tryslora Eloran (deb_atwood@fac.com)