Folk Lore (9 page)

“There are not as many as I thought there was going to be.”

“Nine is all we need. They serve their purpose and protect the lands.”

“I think ten would be a nice round number. Perhaps it could propose a mixed-folk relationship for the greater good.” She grinned, hoping her teasing tone would break down his barrier.

“You really do not understand how important the law is.”

He stood up abruptly and left her sitting alone by the river.

12

Incantations

Seraphina located Keelor in the village eating his lunch sullenly at one of the outdoor tables in the courtyard. As she’d not been given the opportunity to explore the entire village since her arrival, as she set about searching for her new tutor, Sera took the opportunity to look around. When she returned to her hut to change into another flowing dress, Sera discovered a now vast wardrobe of mystic land clothing. Although this one was more sedate than her attire for circle meetings, it was still far more beautiful than anything she owned. This dress, in brassy colours, glimmered in the sunshine as she walked.

The small hut which was her lodgings, though charming to her, was quite inadequate compared to many others within the village. The two-storey cabins which housed elfin families were luxurious. Again she was struck with a sudden feeling, as though coming home. The home she lived in with her mother was lovely, and living with her Mum had always been fun and her life filled with love, but here she felt a connection.

As she continued her search through the village, she watched as elfin children played on the grass, discovered flowering meadows, and noticed adult elfin enjoying the sun, their varying hair colour all striking and their stunning faces smiling. As she approached the tables in the centre of the village, where she would discover Keelor, Sera realised all the food was prepared here in a lean-to type building with a veranda. Inside were several male and female elfin preparing an assortment of
meals.
Sera noted they appeared to be vegetarian, which suited her perfectly.

She approached the building and was greeted by a young-looking female who was breath-taking, her hair the colour of spun gold and her eyes a few shades darker. Her hair was curly and long and her
face
pale and smooth, which seemed to be the norm for this folk.

“
Hello,
” The young girl smiled before continuing, “
you
must be Seraphina. My name is Allafee. Would you like some lunch?”

“Yes, please. What do you have?”

“Lots.”
She smiled again and Sera found herself captivated by her melodic voice and lovely smile. “I am aware humans enjoy meat, however I am sorry to say we do not indulge. We do have an assortment of salads made from vegetables, flowers or fruit. We also have tofu everything - burgers, sandwiches, you name it we can do it.”

“I’m vegetarian anyway, so that suits me fine. I would love to try a vegetable and flower salad. It sounds interesting.”

“I will bring it out for you.”

“Thanks, Allafee.”

“You’re welcome, Princess.”

Sera walked towards Keelor, who either hadn’t seen her enter or pretended not to, sitting with his back to her. She went around the table and sat opposite, noting he was eating something similar to what she’d just ordered.

“If you would prefer to eat as a carnivore, you are welcome to join the shape shifters at the witch’s coven,” he told her, without looking at her.

“I don’t eat meat.”

He stared at her with what appeared to be adoration for a brief moment before returning his eyes to his lunch. “You are in the minority for your kind. I believe your protector eats elsewhere.”

“What Sampson does is of no concern to me. I have rarely seen him since we arrived. I assume he thinks I’ll be alright with you.”

“Princess Seraphina, I would give my life to protect you,” he replied with intensity.

“Yes, because it is your duty,” she mumbled as Allafee approached them with Sera’s salad. She appeared to gaze with longing at Keelor for a moment before turning her smile to Sera and depositing her lunch. Keelor paid no heed to Allafee’s obvious affection.

“I think you have an admirer,” Sera advised him with what she realised was a tinge of envy.

Keelor noted the tone in Seraphina’s voice more than he took notice of Allafee. He knew her feelings for him and dismissed them as whimsical feelings for a chosen one rather than real love. If he thought her feelings would be hurt in any way, he would let her down easy. Many young elfin girls looked at him with the same obvious awe for his status, as opposed to love of the man he really was.

His cool demeanour and indifference were the nicest and easiest way to dissuade unreturned affections. The emotions he was having difficulty ignoring were the ones generated by the girl sitting across from him enjoying her vegetarian lunch. Her beauty, courage and continuous curiosity were engaging, and her tenacity in pursing some sort of relationship with him was alluring. The thought crossed his mind on several occasions that perhaps her feelings were as those of Allafee, merely wonderment and interest in their differences. Surely her feelings for him would fade when her amazement disappeared.

Besides the obvious reason of the law and the danger of mixed folk, he could ill afford to become caught up in some fanciful notion with this naive human girl. It would pay to remain detached and unapproachable. He realised this was becoming more difficult as they spent more time together. How could he be swept up in a ridiculous romance that could go nowhere, especially after two days? He’d never believed in love at first sight and now was not the time to start. Keelor decided if he told himself enough, his heart would believe it too.

“Keelor, are you listening to me?” the voice of his tormentor broke through.

“Yes,” he snapped.

“Well, what is your answer, then?”

“Not just because of my duty. I am used to the fanciful affections of young elfin girls whose regard for me is merely due to my place within the circle.” 

He heard her giggle, which was like music to his ears just like the river, and he realised everything he found soothing about the water was also in her.

“What is so amusing?” he snapped.

“I have asked you other questions since then and I believe what you answered were actually statements which didn’t need an answer.”

“You are so frustrating. What do you seek an answer for now?”

“I simply wanted to know what we would be studying this afternoon.”

“Incantations.
I believe we should begin to teach you the most important and relevant chants which will be required in the coming days and then move onto the others as needed. You will also need basic fighting training. I think tomorrow we can cover those along with writings from the past and how they will aid us against Mecaldorf and saving Nermina. You will need to be prepared to know everything about our enemy. We should also practice your healing power, because if we are to go into battle, you will be required to help the wounded.”

“Battle?”

“Yes, I anticipate we will face a battle either way, when we go to save Nermina or if they come to us before we depart. We will need to ensure we are fully prepared before we even contemplate saving the pixie.”

“How can we wait? What if they harm her?”

“She is a strong girl, Seraphina, and it would serve her less if we are ill-prepared.”

“How long before I need to be ready, then?”

“I anticipate we will depart within a week.”

“How many will we be up against?”

“It is hard to say. The elders will consult the visions before we depart. They could come to us before this, so we have to be prepared, which is why I would prefer to teach you to defend yourself, and soon.”

“Shouldn’t Sam be teaching me how to fight?”

“Not necessarily. As elfin and pixie, aside from vampires and hazers, are the most proficient fighters, we usually do all the training. I have trained both Tiana and Mimi.”

“Who trained Sampson?”

“Angelique.”

“A vampire?”

“Convenience.
He spent some of his time here and trained with the rest of us and the elfin elder men, however Angelique lives in the human world and volunteered to help him train. Angeles avoids human contact where he can as his thirst is harder to suppress. Angelique has unbelievable restraint, unlike any I have seen or heard of before. Some believe it is about the person they were when they were human. Although she was only twenty when turned, she was a volunteer during one of your many ridiculous human wars, I cannot recall which, and encountered a vampire whilst doing this duty. Some believe her compassion and empathy stayed with her.”

“You don’t think so?”

“She is still a vampire, regardless of the person she was while human.”

“You could be wrong. Sam would not spend time with someone he didn’t believe in.”

Keelor merely shrugged. “Shall we begin your lessons again then?”

“Yes, I have a lot to learn and I’d better learn quickly.”

“I am a good teacher.”

“Modest too.”
He offered the slight smile she was beginning to love.

Sera realised, though, he wasn’t being modest, merely honest, and he was an excellent teacher. His way of helping her learn the strange languages of the words she was to memorise was simple and assimilating, and by the end of the afternoon she understood many of the new foreign words and their meanings.

The sun started to set in a blaze of pink and purple unlike any sunset she’d appreciated before, in turn giving her another reason to fall in love with all things mystic. Keelor walked her to her hut, bid
her a swift goodnight and was out of sight before she even had a chance to respond.

This continued time together was only going to increase her newfound love for the unattainable and delectable elf. She decided she needed to speak to her mother to seek advice on how to manage her wayward emotions before her self-defence lessons in the morning.

She was falling in love and with the wrong guy.

13

Self-Defence

Sera awoke the following sunrise, startled from a light and restless sleep by the sensational dawn which was almost as spectacular as the sunset. She rubbed her eyes and realised she was sleepy, confused and suddenly felt alone. After deciding to seek out her mother before Keelor came by to collect her, Sera decided to shower and change.

She still hadn’t gotten used to the unusual shower and bath combination within the small bathroom and although the water was powerful yet soft it did little to lift her gloomy mood. After dropping her off abruptly the previous evening she hadn’t seen Keelor again. Sera sought out Sam to find him missing and assumed he was dining with the hazers and vampires again. Not wanting to expose herself to anyone who would enjoy her for dinner she had decided to eat in the courtyard. She was greeted by a different young elfin as beautiful as Allafee and this only worsened her mood. It was of no surprise Keelor’s feelings for her weren’t intense enough for him to break the law, her competition was too strong.

Besides it wasn’t like she wanted to marry and procreate with Keelor
-
well not in the near future anyway
-
so she couldn’t understand why a relationship couldn’t occur without those things. Sera determined to ask him about this over dinner the night before but he didn’t appear in the courtyard. After staying longer than she should have, she hoped it didn’t appear obvious she was waiting for someone or him; she went to bed and couldn’t sleep.

Now she was tired, cranky and a little teary. When there was a knock at her door she groaned as Keelor was early
-
or so she thought as there was no time indicator in her hut
-
and she’d not obtained a chance to talk to her mother. Upon opening the door she discovered the person she most needed to see, the tears of frustration, confusion and hurt began to tumble.

“Seraphina honey, what is it?”  Anna asked her as she guided her over to the small cosy love seat and sat her down.

“Everything, nothing, I don’t know. I’m so confused.”

With a comforting arm around her shoulders, Anna continued to console
.“
I know this is difficult for you and a lot to take in. This is partly my fault perhaps I should have brought you here earlier and showed you who you really were so everything wasn’t so hurried.”

“It’s alright, Mum. It isn’t about being a princess and my duties, it’s something else.”

“Sampson?”

“No, it isn’t him although I miss him. I can’t remember the last time I went a whole day without seeing him even for a short time or you for that matter and it is partly to do with that, as I feel very alone at the moment.”

“I’m sorry, honey. I have left you alone here and you scarcely know anyone but I really thought you being who you are could deal with it.”