South

"So it's real but it is somewhere not even the Fates know…" Brinn seemed to be less than convinced. "Please tell us who is this person who can lead the way to our salvation?"

Hanna was not bothered by the elf's unsupportive demeanor. The Fate would be the same if the roles were reversed. "I thought he would be here at this meeting, but as I look about, it seems he is missing."

The group scanned the faces, trying to discern who was invited that had not shown up. A couple of Councilmen mumbled that perhaps the person had been kidnapped. Unease spread as they waited for the mystery to be revealed.

"Where is your close personal friend, Your Majesty?" Hanna asked the fiery-haired ruler. "Surely he has not left just as we finally need."

Aurora had come to the conclusion right as the question was asked. "I sent for Reyan early this morning. The old fairy does like his beauty sleep, and he often shows up long after things have gotten started, but just before food arrives. And food should be arriving...."

There was a commotion outside the door as voices were suddenly raised. Nurlan, who was standing behind the Empress at the table, gave a low sigh.

Reading his cue, Aurora chuckled. "Yes, thank you, General. I appreciate your sacrifice."

Marching to the door, Nurlan opened it wide and allowed the whole room to see the old curmudgeon bouncing his belly against a bewildered soldier.

"You let me in or I'll..." Reyan turned to the room and scowled at the general. "It's about time!"

"Sorry for the delay," Nurlan managed with a straight face. "The fairy is part of this meeting. Thank you, soldier."

"You mean 'no, thank you'!" Reyan brushed off his tunic as he walked into the room. His time in the palace had been hard on his waistline, and without some regulation his walk would soon be a waddle.

"I am glad you were able to join us," Aurora welcomed the fairy graciously. A tall stool was pulled up next to the Empress's left as Zan, who had previously held the spot, happily moved over.

Reyan shrugged. "Would have been here sooner if the blasted guard had let me through. Had me confused for a gnome or troll. Obviously he has no idea what either of those look like. How could he mistake me for them with my beautiful wings?"

"He is new," Junayd offered with a grin. "I am sure he will hear of your greatness very soon."

"Hmph, he better." Reyan plodded over and slouched into the stool. His flowing gossamer wings trailed behind looking regal in spite of their owner's crass behavior.

"We were just talking about you. It seems you can save the world," Alaron's eyes flashed. His twin could see he meant to start some mischief, but after the fairy's petulant display, Mairwen couldn't criticize the Guardian one bit.

Reyan placed his hands behind his head. "Ah yes, when the world needs saving, I am the one everyone comes to. I cannot say I blame you. I would come to me too."

"I am so glad you feel that way," Hanna smiled at him from her perch.

"What the --?" Reyan jumped.

The Fate had been so still on her resting place when he entered, that the fairy had just assumed that it was another strange human statue like the ones that lined the halls of the palace.

"Where in the world did you come from?" he looked in shocked at the blue-skinned creature.

"The Mystic Spires, of course," Hanna batted her eyes at him. "I am glad to see you haven't lost your mind enough not to recognize me."

"First I am a hero, and now I am an old codger ready to bite the dust? Oh, how the mighty have fallen!" Reyan lamented.

"We were just talking about that too!" Brinn smiled innocently.

"Were you now?" Reyan was suddenly suspicious. He had assumed this meeting was just a follow-up after all the trials. That was why he hadn't bothered to come until something interesting--like food--was going to happen.

With the appearance of a Fate, things suddenly looked very different.

"And you want me to save the world...again?" he asked slowly. Those around the table and along the walls all nodded.

"If you think you can, that would be very nice," Aurora motioned to allow the trays of food which had appeared in the doorway behind the fairy to be spread out on before the group.

"Who says I can't?! Why, I can do anything! What do you need? I'll do it or you can change my name to Gertrude." Reyan puffed out his chest indignantly.

Aurora smiled at her friend. "We need you to find the seed."

"Seed?" Reyan's bushy eyebrows shot up slightly.

"To restart the dying magic." Aurora nodded.

"Oh THAT seed. The Seed of Magic." The fairy pulled at his chin.

Aurora clapped her hands once. "Yes, will you help?"

Holding out his hand and shaking the Empress's forearm, the fairy gave a bland smile. "I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Gertrude." The curmudgeon pushed back his stool and made his way for the door.

"If he leaves, you won't see him again until this is all over," Hanna warned. She flicked her wrist at both of the Guardians in the room.

Zan and Alaron surged forward in a race to block the exit. After cutting off the escape, each man took hold of one of Reyan's arms and spun him around. Then they graciously escorted him back to his seat.

The fairy dragged his feet, but without magic to enhance his strength, he was no match for the muscular humans. "Unhand me. You would treat a close personal friend of the Empress in such a manner!"

Alaron looked over the fairy's head to his companion. "Friend of the Empress? I don't remember her Majesty knowing a Gertrude, do you, Chief Zan?"

"Doesn't ring a bell." Zan clicked his tongue.

Reyan guffawed. "Humans really are ruffians!"

Ignoring the fairy's jibs, the two men placed their 'guest' in his seat. After pushing it firmly into the table, the two men remained standing lest 'Gertrude' try to make a more daring escape than before.

Aurora pursed her lips. "I don't understand. Why won't you help? You are one of the creatures being affected."

"You said the magic is dying. Good riddance! I never liked my powers anyway. We can all just be like humans. That's fine by me..." Reyan waved his hand wildly as he spoke, nearly knocking over his cup into a tray of fruit.

"You mean we humans who you just called ruffians?" Devrim asked mildly.

"Don't go pointing out errors in logic or my whole argument falls apart! I don't have to take this kind of abuse!" Reyan tried to stand up from his stool only to helped by Alaron. The Fairy's wings beat against the Guardian. "Touch me again and I'll bite your fingers," the old grump threatened.

Aurora motioned for her son to return to his seat. She would get nowhere with Reyan in such a foul mood. Zan took the cue and sat back in his chair as well, which was conveniently next to the fairy in case he acted up again.

"I have never known you to be so skittish. Since when do you shy away from adventure?" The Empress pricked at his pride.

"There's adventure, and then there is suicide!" Reyan barked. "This clearly falls into the latter."

The Empress tried to decide if her friend was just being dramatic. He did tend to exaggerate. "Many of the things we have attempted could fall into that category, yet you have never refused before. What makes this so different?"

Reyan hesitated. He swiveled his head to stare at the Fate suspiciously. "The magic is really dead?" he asked, "This isn't some vain attempt for the Fates to grab for power?"

"I don't know what version of the tale you have heard," Hanna turned up her nose slightly. "But the Fates do not need to grab for power." Up until recently, the Fates had maintained a direct connection with the Maker. Only a fool would want more power than that. "As for the magic. You feel it in your being that it is true. I heard you have been sleeping more. Your age is catching up with you more than usual because you are becoming Common."

Reyan opened his mouth to make a retort that he was far too amazing to be Common, but he realized most of the people in the room were not Gifted with magic. His rudeness when they needed help would not do the magical folk any good.

"Fine," he said at last. "I will tell you what I know. The seed exists, but you cannot get it. It is far...farther than any of you mortals have ever traveled. And the creatures guarding it are more cunning and fearsome than anything we have ever faced."

"That sounds about right," Alaron joked, receiving a nudge in the side from his sister. "Tell us, where are the intrepid heroes going this time."

Reyan looked him up and down before sighing.

"South."