The Quicksilver Faire (18 page)

Keelie wanted to kick him. "Excuse me, sixteen-year-old with limited experience standing right here listening to you. The elves are desperate. Dad is monitoring the other forests of the world, and so is my grandmother and Uncle Dariel. All of them are connected, as are we all, and that's the point they're making. I'm supposed to be an ambassador, not a tool kit."

Ermentrude interrupted, exasperated. "Arguing out here is only going to draw attention to ourselves."

Keelie put a hand on Sean's arm. "We need to stay focused on repairing the rift, and I trust you to keep me safe, but we have to take risks."

Sean tensed. "Taking risks and safety don't go together. Nor do goblins and elves."

Elia sat up as they got back into the car with Ermentrude. Miszrial, who had stayed in the driver's seat, stared at the dragon woman wide-eyed.

"What? I promise not to smoke in the car, okay?" Ermentrude sat back and dragged her huge purse into her lap. Knot leaped into the car and rubbed against Elia's belly, purring loudly.

Elia jumped. "The baby moved. Wow."

Ermentrude looked at Elia. "That's a very special baby you've got there, missy."

Keelie pulled Knot into her lap. "Leave her alone, bad kitty. She's been through enough." Knot drooled and stretched, making biscuits on Elia's clothes, still trying to get close to her belly as they drove on.

In the Grey Mantle parking lot, elves in cloaked hoods stood to one side, looking like monks. Miszrial exited the SUV and ran to the elves, leaving everyone else in the car.

Ermentrude's attitude changed from happy-go-lucky to listen-to-me as she faced the others. "The goblins were doing a battle dance back there, but I didn't want to let you know in front of that Northwoods elf. The goblins are getting stronger, and they will attack the humans and the elves."

"How do we stop them?" Sean seemed battle-ready.

Ermentrude looked at him. "You have to patrol the area with the other elves. And eventually, you will have to coordinate with the fae."

Sean frowned, but Keelie interrupted his protest. "What about me? How do I contain the magic?"

"The magic can't be contained by one person. It will take the cooperation of all the magical beings. We have to unite to repair the rift in the Earth and the crack above. That's where Vania went wrong. She thought she could take a shortcut using you."

"Why can't you convince everyone to cooperate?" Keelie asked. "A flaming dragon seems like a good incentive to listen. And the elves already know about the goblins in Big Nugget."

"And that is exactly why you need to talk to Herne about helping us."

"Me?"

"Herne will find you. And you can't delay." Ermentrude glared at Sean. "No complaints. She must do this."

On the other side of the clearing, Miszrial was pointing to the van. The elves lowered their hoods, and scowls formed on their faces.

"She can't meet with Herne," Sean nearly shouted.

"She has the blood of the fae and he looks upon her as one of his kind. Herne does not trust the high fae, nor the elves," Ermentrude replied. "It is time to join the others."

"What about the elves? Can you convince them to join their magic with the fairies and dwarves?" Keelie asked.

Ermentrude placed a hand on the door handle. "It's like I told you earlier-the elves will find me charming."

Keelie wondered if it had anything to do with the barbecue smell. The elves might find the scent irresistible. Whenever elves tried to persuade someone to like them or see things their way, they used a charm, a glamour that was accompanied by a cinnamon smell.

Ermentrude strode over to the elves, and Miszrial gestured to them to come over, too. The dragon and the elves bowed to each other, and to Keelie's surprise, the elves' scowls soon transformed into huge, goofy grins.

"I know Ermentrude says you need to meet with Herne, but I don't want you to," Sean muttered.

"I'm going to let you two love birds work this out. I'm desperate for some goat cheese. It was total misery not to be able to eat at the faire." Elia waddled off. She seemed to have recovered from her shock.

"Sean, I'll be fine. I'll take Knot with me. You'll be patrolling the area for goblins, right?"

"If I can talk the Northwoods elves into it. They may already be doing it."

Miszrial had stepped aside from Ermentrude and was watching Sean and Keelie like a huntress.

"Come on, we can discuss this later. We need to join the others."

As they walked up, all conversation stopped. One of the elves glared at Keelie. "Can we help you?"

Keelie's cheeks burned. "I thought..."

Ermentrude winked at her. "Keelie, I think you'll find what you're looking for in the woods behind Norzan's cabin, toward the north. Knot will go with you."

Sean began to follow her.

"Lord Sean, you'll need to turn to the east because the elves who volunteered as border guards are awaiting your instruction." Ermentrude smiled benevolently at him.

Sean bowed his head, but Keelie swore she heard some not very nice words being quietly uttered.

Honestly, she didn't relish the idea of meeting Herne by herself, in the woods, with goblins about. She had no idea how she was going to convince him to help with the repair of the rift. If Herne was angry with Vania, then Keelie didn't know what she could do. But she had to try. Ermentrude really was persuasive.

Dragons!

Purring thrummed against her leg. Keelie looked down to see Knot trotting along beside her.

"Glad you're doing your guardian job."

He turned his head away as if she didn't deserve any acknowledgment from him.

"Are we heading in the right direction?"

He crooked his tail forward.

"You could talk to me."

He kept walking.

"So, you want to have a mead sometime?"

He stopped and washed his butt.

"I take that as a personal insult. I'm sure you meant it that way."

He started walking again.

"Fine, I don't want to have a mead with you." Keelie wasn't even old enough to drink mead. She trudged past the village's stone buildings to the trail heading north. It went straight up a hill, through thick pine trees.

She reached out to the trees. Do you see Lord Herne?

He waits for you, the trees replied as one.

Suspicion stung her, and Keelie didn't know who to trust. Terciel, Herne, Ermentrude, King Gneiss, and Queen Vania were all powerful beings, and they probably all wanted a piece of the wild magic. She would have more information after meeting with Herne, but she was going to talk to Norzan and Dad. If any of these beings had made secret alliances, there was no point in trying to get them to work together. This was way out of her league. What she needed was a magical United Nations peacekeeping force.

The faintly marked trail that led up the hill was springy with fallen pine needles, and every step released their aromatic scent. The silence was unnerving. No birds, no rustling leaves. And no bhata followed her, as they had since she'd arrived.

A twig snapped behind her. She jumped and spun around, heart racing. "Who's there?"

Branches rattled in an unnatural breeze.

Is someone in the forest?

Yes, the trees answered.

Is it a goblin?

There was no answer.

Another twig crackled, and Keelie whipped around, ready to face the goblin. Her hand went to the charred heart that hung around her neck, and it warmed as its magic was released. Keelie's heart raced, pounding against her chest as adrenalin fired her muscles.

A deer stepped delicately into view, its head crowned by a huge rack of antlers. Keelie's fear quickly became awe. Strong muscles clenched under its sleek hide, and its powerful neck arched. It turned, pinning her with its blazing obsidian eyes.

"Do you fear me, Keelie?"

She'd expected Peascod or a goblin, not Herne himself. Keelie backed up as the deer stepped closer to her. She shielded her eyes with her forearm as a flashing swirl of light blinded her, and when she lowered her arm, she saw that the deer had transformed.

Cloaked in dark green, Herne seemed a part of the forest. Green blanketed the ground around them, and the nearby hardwoods sported fresh leaves. Flower petals drifted in a warm, sweet-scented breeze. He exuded power, far more than any fae she'd met, and the dark fae magic she'd absorbed in the Dread Forest responded to his presence.

"That was impressive." Keelie tried for a light tone, to hide the fear he'd seen.

She remembered gazing into his black eyes when they'd danced in Queen Vania's ballroom. He was just as irresistibly handsome now as he'd been as an elf. Herne was trouble, but he was also the key to keeping disaster from striking. She had to stay.

"I didn't mean to frighten you." His words seemed to be wrapped in warm caramel.

"I need answers. I came to help the fae and the elves talk to each other, and instead I find that the problem is something else entirely, and that there are dwarves here and even dragons. And you. The situation is a lot more complicated than I was led to believe. Please help by being part of the solution."

Herne's eyes twinkled. He seemed amused by her little speech.

Keelie examined the forest floor for Knot. He'd better not be off having an ale with Ermentrude when he was supposed to be her guardian. She glanced over her shoulder, and saw a curtain of leaves forming a barrier between them and the rest of the world. She realized how quiet it had become, hearing just the sound of her own breathing. "Where's Knot?"

"He's been detained." Herne smiled wickedly. Keelie shivered. The plot to a horror movie popped into her mind: Shapeshifting deer stalks elf girl. She wasn't sure what the King of the Dark Fae wanted with her, and she didn't like feeling vulnerable in front of him. Now would be a good time to make a retreat, but ... Keelie wanted to stay. She sniffed. No cinnamon.

"Do you smell something that offends you?" Herne arched an eyebrow, unsure of what she was doing.

Keelie blushed. "No, it's just that whenever elves use magic-" Should she reveal this information to him? The fairies might not know about the elven charm.

"Ah! You were wondering if I have charmed you."

Relieved, Keelie figured that by now, the fairies and elves up here knew a lot about each other. "I need you to come back with me. You must speak with Terciel and Ermentrude, and then we can go to Queen Vania once more." She tried to sound like Finch, the Wildewood administrator who certainly knew how to be blunt-spoken. She wanted a straight answer.

"You get right to the point-I like that about you," Herne said. He snapped his fingers, and a big red apple appeared in his hand. He brought it to his mouth with a flourish, then stopped and raised an eyebrow at Keelie. "Would you like one? I love a snack before making a big decision."

Keelie didn't know if he was aware of the symbolism of producing the apple. She wouldn't take a bite. It hadn't worked out for Snow White or Eve.

He bit into its glistening red peel with a loud crunch.

"Are you going to have a snack, or are you going to discuss what is going on? If not, I need to go."

He grinned. "Patience is not one of your virtues."

Keelie rolled her eyes.

"Mayhap a cup of tea to help you with your mood, and a more substantial offering."

Herne clicked his fingers, and two mushroom-shaped chairs with big poofy cushions appeared, along with a table laden with delicious cakes and a hot teapot filled with fragrant tea.

"I don't have time for a tea party, and I'm not in a bad mood."

Herne sat down on one of the chairs. He waved a hand over the table. "I have always found it easier to negotiate business terms over a meal. It keeps everyone at ease. In fact, this is my own blend. I grow it myself."

"I was warned not to eat fairy food." Keelie sat on the edge of the chair, but as it started to tip, she moved back and found herself trapped in its comfortable depths.

"You're part fairy, so eating fae food won't hurt you. Anyway this tea will help you see things more clearly." Herne poured her a cup.

"Conversation can do that, too." Keelie took the cup, bone-white china painted with acorns.

Herne chuckled. "Then let's talk."

Keelie took a sip of the tea. "Are you going to help me?"

Herne snorted as he served himself. It wasn't a reassuring sound. "All in good time." He settled himself more comfortably in his chair.

"Sean and the elves will miss me if I'm gone too long. They know I've come to see you."

"I think your young Sean won't know you're missing for a while." Herne reached into his cloak and produced a gold pocket watch, the kind that railroad engineers wore during the Wild West days. Keelie had seen a similar watch recently.

"Did you get that from the Timekeeper?"

Herne shook his head. "I got it from a friend. Sometimes it doesn't work the way I intend."

"My day in the High Court lasted a month. Meanwhile, the rift widens. Herne, I can't afford to stay here more than the few minutes that normal time allows."

"I'll do my best."

"Why couldn't we meet back in Grey Mantle, or in the forest where we first met?"