Chapter 19

"I'm telling you, ten crystals are more than enough payment for one day in a damp cave." The Gypsy stood her ground with a handful of shimmering, clear lumps. A fairy, no more than a foot tall, stood in the entrance way, one glittering blue hand rested on his hip, the other held tightly to an arrow with the flight feathers torn out. He wore animal hair crudely woven into a loincloth, and small, sharp teeth hung around his neck and wrists. Glistening dust fell from his four, fragile, iridescent wings as they twitched impatiently.

"No can do, miss. No pay, no cave."

"Damned sprite, it's daytime and you are denying a Guardian of a safe place to rest."

"That may mean something to you, miss, but this deep in the woods? We own this cave. No pay, no cave."