Folk Lore (21 page)

“I have told you this many times before and I will continue to tell you until you will listen, I love you. I am afraid of what Mecaldorf has planned for you.”

“Then free me from my confines and join in our fight. I will help you return to your home.”

“I wish to do this more than anything else, Nermina but a fate worse than death will await me if
I cross Mecaldorf.”
He reached in to take her hand so as to kiss it gently before holding it with a gentleness which surprised her.
“I will protect you for as long as you are here,” he vowed.

She smiled at Mortimer and suddenly felt an overwhelming feeling of love for the handsome hazer.

They arrived at the gardens early before anyone else so they sat by the river waiting for the others. Minato and another warlock, Figalo were the first to stroll in. Instantly Keelor pulled his hands from hers to hide their true feelings. As they’d decided to wait before revealing their secret, he thought it best not to tempt fate with the warlocks. Although they were on their side you still couldn’t trust a warlock much.

Figalo was very similar in appearance to Minato with the same blue black hair and bright eyes however his were an incredible shade of gold.

“I heard a mixed partnership had arisen however I wanted to see it for myself,” Figalo walked with grace to Seraphina and held out his hand.

“I am Figalo and you must b
e the all-
powerful Princess Seraphina. Beautiful too, my we are so privileged to have someone so wonderful within our lands.”

“Take it easy, Figalo,” Keelor grumbled.

“You are merely her proctor, Keelor. You do not or should I say cannot have any claim on her.”

“It does not mean you are entitled to either.”

“Aren’t we touchier than normal today? I didn’t even think it was possible for you to be more difficult than you already were.”

“It
is nice to meet you, Figalo.”
Sera decided to jump in before things got too heated.
“Thank you for your kind words although I’m sure you’re much more powerful than I could ever be.”

“Of course, dear.
I simply meant for a human you are unfathomable.”

Further conversation was cut short with the arrival of the group. Keelor welcomed the distraction as he was beginning to wonder whether he could hide his feelings around Sera’s constant wannabe suitors for much longer especially Nermo. He was being annoyingly persistent. The remainder of the circle arrived so Keelor and Sera reluctantly joined them. The time had come and neither of them
were
sure if they were ready.

Kalar began to run through their plan to storm the wizard’s castle. The princesses and protectors aside from Sera and Keelor would stand to the rear of the army, who were to occupy the enemy and distract them from their true purpose. The princesses would use their combined powers to aid in protecting Sera and Keelor’s entry to retrieve Nermina. Sera nerves increased as Kalar spoke. The time had come to make use of her newly acquired powers and she once again grew concerned at being able to control them under duress.

“I believe in you,” Keelor whispered to her as though he could read her thoughts. She touched his hand briefly to show her appreciation.

Kalar summoned the gate and the army filed through followed by the princesses and their protectors. Sera remained for a moment, frozen with anticipation, fear and anxiety.

As if sensing her trepidations Kalar took Sera’s hands in hers and pulled her aside.
“Princess Seraphina, I believe you could be the chosen one who will maintain peac
e and harmony within the lands.
Your powers were acquired because of who you are. It is your ability to feel strong emotions which has enabled you to channel your
powers. Perhaps all human princesses possessed these extended abilities however you feel much more than any human I have encountered over my many years.”

“Thank you, Elder Kalar,” Sera whispered.

“Now please retrieve our Nermina and return her to us.”

She nodded once as Keelor came up behind her and urged her forward towards the gate. They entered the same forest from days before to find the army getting into formation while the princesses chanted softly to themselves. Sera gazed at each princess in turn watching as they each summoned their power in different manners.

Keela was holding a long crystal like staff with a ball at the top which was lit up with tiny sparks emanating from it.

The newest addition in Athena at first glance appeared the same however with further scrutiny Sera noticed her eyes were now bright red in colour.

Tiana held a wand which was glowing bright green with similar sparks seen on Keela’s staff.

Both witches wore leather belts which contained small vials filled with potions of various colours clipped to it. Mimi’s hand were glowing and Sera determined she must summon her power in a similar way to her, exactly what she did with her power would remain to be seen.

Finally making up the group was Audrey however she was no longer in human form and was now a large rather scary looking tiger as was Andre. The sight of so much magic being generated was surreal, something Sera never had or would ever have thought she would be witness to.

All the protectors were standing alert ready to stand guard of their princesses while they used their powers on the enemy. Nermo was standing with Keelor as he would be entering the castle with them so he could help protect Nermina as they exited. He appeared to be stretching and limbering up, ready to tackle the enemy. Sera felt a sudden thrill at what she was about to experience.

Pulling herself from the sight before her to the task at hand, Sera decided she’d better concentrate and brought forth the emotion
which would serve those best to cross the field, anxiety. They knew the majority of their enemy were either full or half breed vampires and would disable them which in turn would enable the three of them to cross the large distance to the castle. Anxiety was also the easiest emotion for her to emanate at the present moment as this was exactly how she felt without trying.

She felt the familiar heat in her chest which radiated to her hands and she nodded to Keelor indicating she was ready.

He signalled the new commander of the elfin army to proceed and they did so in long lines as far as the eye could see followed by the protectors then princesses. Following in the rear were Keelor and Nermo both ready to protect her as they stepped through the trees.

As it had been on their last attempt the field was empty and eerily quiet. The troops continued to march and the princesses stopped midway on the journey, a few steps behind their protectors ready to tackle their foes.

Keeping one protective arm behind him and on Sera, Keelor led them past the army until they were to the castle door and waited. What for Sera didn’t know until she heard the sound.

It reverberated through the walls, a deep guttural sound and pounding of feet, lots of feet followed by the door being flung open. Streams of vampires and hazers in animal form poured out the door. The folk army charged forward to meet them and for a moment Sera was dumbfounded by the sight of a war between mythical creatures.

Shaking off her thoughts, she sent pulses of anxiety through her veins until she felt it radiate from her hands. Scores of vampires and hazers fell clasping at their throats as the folk warriors destroyed each one in turn.

Her concentration almost waned as she saw vampires turning to dust as they were pierced one by one through the heart.
Another myth which turned out to be real.

Keelor lightly touched her arm to indicate it was clear and safe for them to enter. Nermo entered first with swiftness and grace,
Keelor then gestured for her to follow so he could protect her from enemy attack in the rear.

Sera glanced around quickly at the cold, grey stone walls. A chill ran up her spin and she shivered, not only was it cold within the thick stone, it felt evil somehow. They were standing in a small entranceway with the same drab stones on the walls used for stairs which appeared to wind up the inside. Another set descended down into darkness.

Nermo stopped, closed his eyes and stood extremely still.

“What is he doing?” Sera whispered to Keelor.

“He is locating Nermina telepathically.”

“They can do that?”

“Yes, I could with Keela too. Perhaps a reason why there have never been mixed partnerships before as I do not think I could locate you in the same way.”

“Maybe we should try, I mean, when we return home that is.”

His only answer was a smile.

“What?”

“I am happy you are referring to my home as your own now. I sincerely hope we will both be able to continue to do so in the future.”

“I found her,” Nermo told them cutting short further conversation.

With nimble steps Nermo went down the stairs into the darkness and continued down a hallway which had an eclectic aroma of mould, sewerage and death. They walked past several ironclad doors until Nermo came to a stop in front of the final door on the right. They could hear numerous cries for help and mercy as they passed the iron, barred doors which entailed Sera shuddering once more.
This time with empathy for the prisoners and in disgust at Mecaldorf.

“Easy, Sera,” Keelor told her.
“I will not be able to concentrate.”  To prove it he kissed her gently on the lips.
“See, I cannot stop myself.”

Her concern slid away and she pushed it down deep inside.

“The door is locked,” Nermo told them.

“Watch out,” she told Nermo and stepped forward. Channelling her anger she sent heat through her body and out through her hands and melted the lock which fell with a clang to the floor.

26

Mortimer

In the quiet they sat together, his hand through the beam clasping hers. They reminisced about their home and she learned the true cause for his banishment.

“Do you remember the afternoon we picnicked in the meadow and I watched you as you collected flowers?’

“Yes it was when you foolishly declared how you felt about me.”

“
I still do.”
She frowned at him but didn’t remove her hand from his.
“You told me your feelings were not returned and your heart was with Nermo.”

“It still is
...
I think.”

“Apparently we were not alone in the field that afternoon
...
someone overheard us talking and reported me to the elders.”

“It is against the law, Mortimer, to feel such things about me.”

“I would have never have done anything about those feelings if it would have hurt you. I simply wanted you to know.”

“Who was it?”

“I don’t believe you would be happy with my response, Nermina, besides it is all in the past.”

“Not entirely in the past, Mortimer. You still miss your home dearly and have joined forces with Mecaldorf to return.”

“I wouldn’t say I have joined forces exactly but that does not matter. I want to go home Nermina and I still love you.”

“I th
ink you told me that already.”
She smiled.
“I have always been fond of you and if you were a pixie as I am I
...
things may have been different.”

“This is why the law is wrong. I have always thought so. You cannot choose who you fall in love with, it is chemistry and usually out of one’s control.”

“Yes perhaps you are right as one cannot control who they want to fall in love with them.”

“It see
ms we both have that problem.”
He brought his other hand through the beams to cup her face. She reached through and mimicked his gesture.

She gazed at him with fresh eyes to discover lurking feelings deep inside. His sandy blonde hair and warm hazel eyes along with his tall strong physique were extremely attractive, she’d always thought so. She remembered years ago, upon seeing him for the first time, how his beauty affected her but she ignored it, he was a hazer. When Mortimer declared his love for her that day in the meadow Nermina was tempted to kiss him, touch him but could not, it was forbidden.
But why?
It seemed there were many folk who mixed and became banished. If it was so wrong, why did it keep happening?

The love of her home became the reason to turn him away. Long ago she stopped wondering what happened to him and tried not to care. At the time thought she loved Nermo nearly as much. Perhaps all this time she was merely projecting her feelings for Mortimer onto Nermo. Was it possible she actually loved him too? She looked into his warm tender gaze and knew the answer immediately.

The moment was interrupted by a clanging sound on the other side of the door. Mortimer immediately pulled his hands back through the beams and stood in front of her incarceration to conceal her from view. Just as he’d been trained to do, as the protector he’d been before he was evicted from the lands.