Chapter 18: A Goddess's Gift

I strolled through the arches leading back to my small hut, the aftermath of Gnomegeddon now just a distant memory. The yard was spotlessly clean and I noticed the absence of any croaking frogs. Behind me, Purrlyn emerged through the arche, stretching languidly.

"So, little sister, they've put you here?" She scanned the area, her brow furrowing. "It's somewhat beneath you, don't you think? As a Lady of the Courts, you're entitled to more than these modest lodgings."

I faced her, noting the pride that underpinned her demeanor. Purrlyn seemed to believe in Winter's superiority in all things, which influenced her perspective. This gave me an idea on how to respond to her.

"It's not too bad. As long as we have what we need, we'll get by. Let the luxurious living be for those who need it. We are strong, we are Winter," I said, walking towards the door without looking back, hoping my words resonated with her.

To my surprise, laughter followed from behind. "Indeed! We are Winter, and we don't need such frivolities. For now, this is sufficient, but perhaps tomorrow we'll seize what we desire. It's all at our discretion!" Purrlyn's voice trailed off as she followed me.

That worked? Perhaps understanding her was easier than I had anticipated.

Reaching the door, I slowly pushed it open. Inside, the room appeared untouched and somewhat cold. The bed remained made, and the clothes once strewn across the floor were now gone. The doorway, once a gateway to myriad possibilities, was just an empty room again. Those little creatures had caused havoc, but they certainly knew how to tidy up.

Turning to Purrlyn at the door, I said, "I guess this is goodnight. I really appreciate all you've done today. I think I can take it from here."

Purrlyn, still amused by our earlier conversation, chuckled. "Little Sister, I'm here to look after you, and that includes where you stay. This place will suffice for tonight, but we'll need something better tomorrow. Don't settle for mediocrity, or it'll become part of you. I'll be back in the morning."

Purrlyn waved and vanished with a characteristic Fey flourish, I stepped back, slightly startled. The Fey always did love their tricks. Feeling a wave of exhaustion, after closing the door and headed to my bed. It had been a long day and honestly couldn't keep up with everything. I stripped off the dress and kicked my shoes to the corner happy to be out of the stuffy clothing. I stared around my room and felt saddened once more however I was too exhausted. My eyes felt heavy and soon I succumbed to sleep.

I awoke to an unusual sensation, akin to the smoldering embers of a magical fire, stirring beneath the surface. Instinctively, I knew something was different. My eyes, not needing any time to adjust, perceived the darkness clearly, though the colors seemed muted. Sitting at the edge of my bed was a stunning woman, garbed in pure white.

"Goddess," I murmured, a mix of awe and surprise in my voice. She had mentioned she would appear soon, but with the recent whirlwind of events, it felt like an eternity had passed.

"Good evening, daughter. How are you finding your time in our world?" Her smile was radiant, lighting up the dim room.

I couldn't help but respond wryly, "Is that a trick question? You must be well aware of everything that's been happening." Her smile only broadened at my comment.

The Goddess's expression softened, a mixture of excitement and empathy. "Indeed, I've been eagerly awaiting this moment. Let's savor it, shall we?" Her tone shifted, "I'm here to talk about you." She paused, a hint of regret in her voice. "I heard what was said today, and I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to cause you pain."

Reflecting on my earlier distress, curled up, feeling a mix of anger and helplessness, I realized I still harbored a pit in my stomach, a discomfort I had been trying to ignore. I didn't want to admit it, but her presence was a welcome distraction.

"I do not regret choosing you as my daughter. My deepest desire is to see you thrive. I believe, in time, you will find your new reality more comforting and natural," she explained, exhaling slowly. "Alex, the truth is, I cannot see into your world. When Adrian was summoned, we were surprised to find not one, but three had answered the call."

"We?"

"Yes, I am not the only Goddess in this world. There are many of us. Just for our people, there are three, but then there are the gods of humans, the Orcs, the Seafolk..." She trailed off, making a circling gesture with her hand. "Well, you get the picture."

I nodded in understanding. This world was home to a pantheon of deities, each with their own domain, specialties, and abilities. It was a concept familiar to me from the histories and mythologies of my own world.

"When you three were summoned, when anyone is summoned, I can see not who you are but who you can become. I felt the best version of you in that moment. I know who you can become, and I have faith in you." She reached out, taking my hand in hers, giving it a comforting squeeze.

"I appreciate your confidence, at least. But honestly, I don't think I can live up to what you're hoping for," I confessed. The idea of a Goddess adopting me seemed surreal and didn't change my insecurities.

"There is nothing specific you need to live up to, Alex. All I ask is that you try and be true to yourself. I promise to support you every step of the way. You have all you need to succeed, even though you may not realize it yet," she said, her voice filled with unwavering belief.

Her words were meant to be encouraging, but a deep sense of doubt lingered within me. "I don't know... Sometimes, I feel like giving up," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I know you feel that way, but I also know you won't give in," she said confidently. "You'll find your reasons to persevere soon enough. I can see it, among other things. And about your father, understand that he is not bad by Fey standards. Fey parents often view their children as instruments of power, yet they do cherish them. He never gave up on Purrlyn, even when the rest of our kind did." She spoke of Purrlyn with a hint of sadness, her smile tinged with melancholy.

"You're know what happened between Barnaby and Purrlyn?" The Goddess nodded.

"That story is not mine to share, but rest assured, you can depend on them. Their support might not be in the ways you expect, but it's there. However, more crucially, you should know that you can rely on Adrian. In fact, I believe your destinies are intertwined. I'm quite intrigued to see how it will unfold," she said, her gaze drifting towards the moonlit window.

"Aren't you able to foresee the future?" I asked, puzzled. She shook her head gently.

"Not entirely. I can only see what is certain. Paths can become fixed, yet you always retain the power of choice." Her smile was warm, illuminated by the moon's glow filtering through the window. She inhaled deeply. "I know you might not understand why, but I love you, Alex Cheshire. You are my daughter, and I cherish you deeply. My time here tonight is drawing to a close. The dawn is near, and I must leave you with a warning. There are shifts within the courts, old rivalries reawakening. War is approaching, and it's imperative that you prepare. Master yourself, rely on your family, and trust in your friends." The Goddess stood and walked to the window, her hand resting on the sill. Her form began to fade. She turned to me, her expression one of maternal affection. "Sweet dreams, dear. Until we meet again." And with those final words, she disappeared into the night.

As I snapped awake, the first rays of the sun crept through the bottom of the window, casting elongated shadows across the room signaling the start of a new day. I needed to get ready quickly; Lysandra would be arriving soon, and if I hurried, I could manage to dress myself before her arrival.

I swung my legs out of bed, my mind still lingering on the possibility of last night's encounter being a dream. Glancing out of the window, I was greeted by the sun's beautiful orange glow illuminating the yard, casting a warm light over the fields and bushes. It was a serene sight, but something unexpected caught my eye—a small glint on the windowsill.

Curios, I walked over to the window and peered down. Resting on the sill was a pair of earrings. I picked them up for a closer look. They were somewhat elongated, each adorned with moon-shaped diamonds that sparkled brilliantly in the morning light, casting a small rainbow against the wall. My initial impression was that they were rather gaudy.

Yet, despite their flamboyance, there was something captivating about them. Their design was exquisite, and the way they caught the light was mesmerizing. It struck me then – these earrings weren't just ordinary jewelry. They were a reminder, a tangible link to the Goddess's visit. She had left them here for me, a symbol of her presence and her words.

Hearing a knock at the door, I immediately tensed up. I hadn't woken up as early as I had hoped. Setting the earrings down on the table, I quickly grabbed a sheet from the bed and wrapped it around myself before approaching the door. Cracking it open slightly, I peered outside, expecting Lysandra, but to my relief, it was Purrlyn standing there.

Opening the door further, I greeted her, a touch of relief in my voice. "Purrlyn, you're here early. I was expecting Lysandra."

Purrlyn's expression held a hint of concern. "Just me, little sister. We need to get you ready. We've been summoned to the court." She stepped into the room, her posture indicating that something was definitely bothering her.

Concerned by her demeanor, I asked, "Did something happen?"

"I'm not sure. All of Cheshire has been summoned. It's unusual, and the last time this happened, it wasn't a good sign," she responded, her face stoic.

Nodding in understanding, I walked over to the empty room, trying to summon the dressing room as before. Nothing happened. Purrlyn, seeing my struggle, reached out and touched the frame. With a moment's concentration, the dressing room appeared. "Huh, what did I miss?"

"You have to channel your magic into the frame while visualizing your destination. All unanchored gates work like that. 'Unanchored' means they don't have a fixed destination. Quickly" she instructed, her voice firm but not unkind.

Quickly acknowledging her urgency, I entered the room, hastily choosing a simple shirt and white pants. I emerged moments later, now properly dressed and mentally bracing myself for whatever awaited us at the court.

Purrlyn surveyed my choice of clothing with a critical eye. "No, today we are representatives of Winter," she declared with a certain finality. Circling around me, she closed her eyes in concentration. With a swift gesture, she summoned a black dress into existence. "I have the perfect outfit. Go freshen up, and I'll lay it out for you".

A few minutes later, I found myself under the warm cascade of the waterfall shower in my bathroom. The sensation of the water flowing over my body felt different, yet not unpleasant. After what I had hoped was only a few minutes, I stepped out and looked around for a towel, only to find none. Next to the sink was a single, empty shelf. I reached out, channeling my thoughts towards a towel, and when I opened my eyes, a soft towel lay neatly folded on the shelf. I felt a small sliver or pride.

Stepping out of the bathroom, I heard the familiar cacophony of babbling and the distinct sound of a screaming fairy. A smile crept onto my face at it. as I approached the bed there lay a black dress complemented with leggings. Beside it was a black rose hair ornament, and to my surprise, the two long moon-shaped diamond earrings I had noticed earlier. It seemed nothing could escape the keen eye of the Fey.

As I entered the kitchen with the earrings in hand, I found Purrlyn sitting at the table, waiting. She gave me a once-over and then smiled approvingly. "Nice."

"All black feels a bit somber, like something you'd wear to a funeral. Don't you think it's a bit dark?" I remarked, feeling the weight of the color.

"Sister, we represent Winter, the season of death. It's as appropriate as it can be. Plus, it complements your hair and eyes beautifully. I must say, I'm quite proud of myself for this selection," she said, admiring the hair ornament on my head before standing up to adjust it.

"You certainly would know best," I conceded.

Purrlyn then glanced at the earrings in my hand. "Where did you get those earrings?"

I hesitated for a moment. "They were a gift... from someone."

She scrutinized them closely. "I can sense a faint power on them, similar to your unique energy. My guess is they're from your mother," she surmised, raising an eyebrow.

"I wouldn't have thought it would be that noticeable. I don't feel anything from them," I admitted.

"In our line of work, you learn to notice such things. Just wait until father hears about them. He's going to want them," she said, her expression turning slightly serious. "Don't give them to him. Now, put them on, and let's have a quick meal before we head to court and weave the dance of Fey intrigue."

"Dance? I thought we were summoned to the court. Besides, I can't wear these; my ears aren't pierced."

Purrlyn chuckled. "Goddess, you can be so literal. I didn't mean an actual dance. And about the piercing, just leave that to me." With that, a slender claw extended from her finger, ready to assist me.