5 Chapter IV: Dancing with Fairies (1)
"That bitch is crazy," said Anise.
"That's the Acolyte complex." said Puck, "The slavers purchased her from a man that couldn't control her. He even tried small doses of drugs to calm her psychosis, but sold her after she killed another slave preparing her master's food wrong. This is the first time she's talked in months."
"It's going to get worse now." said Mattix, "Most people with Acolyte complex kill themselves after the first betrayal."
"Betrayal?" Ceinwen was shocked, "Our slavers were never loyal to us."
"People like her don't see it that way. Being sold is a betrayal. The fact that she survived this long and a found man like Oberon…" Puck shivered, "It's like she was looking for him, waiting."
"By the saints…" Anise cursed.
"Just tread carefully around her. She is no different from the wolf now. She's his animal." Ceinwen added.
"Are you finished?" Oberon asked.
"Captain. We thought you were dead," said Puck.
"She told me." Oberon chuckled and gestured for them to sit around the fire.
"I got caught up hunting the Anchorage Bear. I didn't know at the time. I just thought it was a big animal for Vaslof to hunt."
"Is it dead?" Craig asked.
"Yes. Killed it last night," said Oberon.
The Yarwood twins looked at each other. But didn't say a word aloud.
"That's enough to last us until we leave the woods."
"No." Oberon and the Yarwood siblings spoke.
"I heard the Anchorage bear is bigger than ten men." Puck argued.
"It belongs to Vaslof. It's his food. And that's the end of that matter." Oberon's gaze became cold.
Puck nodded in understanding.
"So everyone else is truly gone?" he asked.
Puck nodded.
"Mmm, I'll hunt them down later," Oberon spoke lightly as he pulled an iron slab from his pouch. Hen then pulled out nicely wrapped meat and put three large cuts on the slab as it began to sizzle.
The crew was puzzled.
"What is that bag, Captain?" Mattix asked.
"What do you mean, hunt them down?" Puck asked.
"It's a storage pouch crafted by an ancient Durast. And I have to kill them. If they spread the news of my power it can be bad. We need to set sail incognito. Don't worry. Didn't you want me to purchase more slaves? Now I am. After I kill the traitors."
"So if we had left in the beginning?" Craig asked.
"You would be dead," Oberon spoke nonchalantly. As he seasoned the meat he spoke, "My father abandoned me and my uncle… it's complicated. A traitor killed my wife and child. I have no mercy for useless things, especially things that threaten my existence. I love to do good, but not at the sacrifice of myself and my people."
"I would love to be in a world away from bias and persecution. But a place like such is out of all of our reach."
Dum dum. Dum dum.
Oberon's focus drifted. He began to look around to find the rhythm of the ever-so-distant yet present drum. A pull then hooked him as it did when he first entered the forest.
"It's back," he whispered.
The five looked at each other. All hoping they hadn't chosen the wrong man to follow.
"I'm not crazy," he growled. "I can hear it, you can't. It's here! Follow me"
This sudden and abrupt change gave the crew whiplash. But Oberon didn't weigh as he picked up the huge Vaslof like a sack of potatoes and left the tent.
The crew quickly followed as Oberon took off in a sprint. He want to catch it before it left again. All the while the crew struggled to keep up. He was more than human after using the Merzots to merge with Rahab and the Eternal Flame Sea Urchin.
His speed and strength shocked the crew further, but in the distance, something watched with a pleased smile as it tapped its methodically.
"Puck! We can't be here!" Craig shouted.
"Craig shout up! He killed the woodland king, we can be where ever he is and he can go wherever he wants." Ceinwen hissed at her brother.
"What?" Puck asked, "Why not?"
Ceinwen glared at her younger brother. "Its Yarwood law."
"It's a hunting ground…for wolves." Craig lied.
Puck chuckled.
"Fuck those wolves. We can hold the lot of them!" Zhura shouted.
For Oberorn the drumbeat had picked up and began a dancing rhythm as if it was pleased that it was soon going to be found and finally it stop and Oberon stop.
Oborn then looked up at a mountain and at its base was a large cave.
"Ceinwen, please. This is dangerous." Craig lowly begged his sister.
"What if his not crazy? If he's hearing the flap of the fairy wings, then he truly is a great man, Craig. Just by killing the Woodland King, Uncle Marc would have offered Elain to him to rule the clan. He can save them all." Ceiwen explained to her brother.
"Puck, what is this place." Oberon smelled a sweetness from deep in the cave. So sweet he could taste it and the taste was familiar,
"It tastes of magic," Oberon added and Ceinwen was convinced while her brother was terrified of the forbidden land.
"I don't know captain. I'm not from here….Craig, why aren't supposed to be here?" Puck suddenly remembered.
"Captain, this is fairy caves," said Ceinwen.
"Fairies aren't real." Puck laughed.
"I once saw a troll," said Mattix.
"You guys cain't be serious," said Puck.
"It's true." Craig spoke with a shaky voice, "It's true, Puck. Istamere isn't the home to fairies, it is the home of the gateway to fairies. Through those caves, are a race of beings only rivaled by dragons and the Sildroher of old.."
"You said you something." said Ceinwen, "It could be the flap of the fairy wings. They're calling you here."
Above the cave entrance, the invisible being watched with an amused looked. It then sniffed the air and hummed in delight. It then vanished and appeared deeper into the cave before it began to tap its thigh again.
"I have to go inside." said Oberon, "You lot can come if you like."
Entering the cave, Oberon traveled deep into the earth. The further he went the more magically charged the air became. So rich and pure, the crew even began to feel the power. Then suddenly, Oberon stopped, facing a beautiful woman with sand skin and golden eyes. Her hair is long and straight with gold and silver luster that shines like pure light. Her body is sensual and curvaceously seductive. She stood as tall as Oberon and her existence was alluring.
She sniffed the air and moaned whiled licking her pillow lips. Her tongue was long, pink, and beautiful contrasting against her pearly white teeth. She smiled, and even her six fangs conjured an exotic lust with both the men and women.
She stepped forward and ran her wall-manicured hands over Oberon's chest. She put her lips to his ears and whispered, 'You found us on accident, my Dragon of Sea and Storm. I have been yearning since the moment you entered Istamere. Our races have deep ties.'
The woman licked Oberon's neck and kissed his cheek before she vanished. A moment later, the space in front of the group fluctuate, and a portal of light opened.
"We found this place by accident," Oberon spoke before entering.
Puck was shocked and curious, so he entered next. Zhura went where her master did. Mattix and Anise were next, while Ceinwen hit her brother over the head before carrying him through the portal.
A moment later, Oberon walked out of a cave on a mountainside that overlooked a vast land of thick vegetation, surrounded by mountains and clear sky. In the center was a great golden city filled with flying creatures and fairies.
The group took in the city from a distance as they witnessed hundreds of fairies with wings made of light and incomparable beauty.
Next, they registered the sweet intoxicating aroma of the fairy world. But unknown to them, the world had also smelled their arrival. Next to the stench of humans, was the overwhelming and euphoric aroma of a dragon.
Fairy World, Throne of Light, Capital City
"Sire! They've been sighted!" A royal entered the throne room.
On the throne, an elderly man sat, enjoying the dragon scent that filled his realm.
"Where are they?" he asked.
"In the Shadowed Grove. Without their interference, your guest should arrive shortly." the royal guard replied.
"Fantastic. Inform my son and daughter of their arrival. I want them dressed in their finest. Prepare a banquet and a festival!" the King of Light ordered.
"About Princess Mairiam, she is still out exploring. Last time we checked she was near the Isle of Mann." the Royal Guard explained.
"Summon her back to Avalean now!" the King ordered, "If all goes right, Avalean will reclaim The wandering Isle."
-Outside Avalean-
"Isn't this place supposed to bustling with life?" Anise asked, "We haven't encountered a single creature since we arrived."
Oberon had a feeling that they wouldn't until they reached the city. Mattix also felt the same as he could sense the beings around but could not see them.
As time passed, the first thing the group noticed was that the sun did not move. But they were tired. After a short nap, they continued and made it to the gate of Avalean by what they assumed should be dawn. But still, the sun had not moved and there was no sense of time in the Fairy world.
Arriving at the golden gates, to armor clade fairy men descended and they smelled the air. After a moment of pause, they focused on Oberon and bowed.
"What the fuck..."Puck whispered, "Captain, are you some sort of lost fairy king? If so, call me your great advisor and I will serve you till the end."
"Haa, you already are my servant. I just allow your candor." Oberon replied with a smirk
"Prince of Sea and Storm, the King of Light has been expecting you." the head guard spoke and the grand gates opened to a cheering city of fairies. From the gate to the castle, fairies gathered as the road was laid out. In the end, Oberon could see three thrones. the one in the middle was the largest and there were two small thrones to the left and right.
Upon those thrones were three beacons of light. Oberon looked to the left throne and felt a familiar presence that poked at him.
"No one speaks. And tried not to be shocked when secrets are revealed," he spoke calmly, in a low tone.
The group could only wonder what secrets Oberon could have. Oberon quickly pulled out a large cloth and gave it to the crew.
"Cover me," he ordered.
A moment later, Oberon was changed and dressed in clean fine attire crafted by his own hand. He had planned to the golden white themed noble attire to the Ravkan Grand Placed. It was styled for both battle and pleasantries.
Now looking at Oberon, the crew had to admit that he looked of royal blood. He was six feet three and his body was tempered from years of training that his clothes couldn't hide. His stature, upright and confident in his power revealed it all. His silver hair with the sides cut low in a northern style and serene ocean blues worked well with his sand brown skin of Suli descent.
On his hip was a long sword beautifully crafted and Oberon appeared very familiar with its presence.
Once Oberon entered the city in his new attire, those who doubted, now acknowledge that he could be the Prince of Sea and Storm.
After a five-minute walk, the group stopped at the bottom of the palace steps. Oberon gave a slight bow at the hips and his crew followed suit.
"Oberon Hel, King of Sea and Storm, Successor of Rahab, greets the King of Light" Oberon spoke it was Mattix's turn to shiver.
The Yarwood siblings sensed this. And wanted to ask Mattix a few questions but there answered quickly by the King's reply.
"King! The Old Dragon finally died..." The King of Light sighed, "We are getting old after all. My son and his wife are nearing 200 years old."
The crew now wondered how old Oberon was.
'Is he a dragon?' they thought.
"Sire, while Rahab was ancient, I'm not that old. I was born nearly twenty years ago and only recently took the throne. Forgive me if a lack proper decorum." Oberon spoke and the King sucked in a sharp breath.
"Just like the old bastard!" he said, "When Rahab was younger, his power had already trumped mine. At the same age, I can tell you're even stronger!"
The light curtain then fell and Oberon got a good look at the old fairy King that appeared to have the sun on his back.
"What are you two doing? Hurry up and greet your elder. He's a King!"
Two more light curtains fell and Criag gasped but a pinch from Ceinwen quickly reeled him in.
"King Oberon, I am Andal Alfheimr, Scion of Light and Prince of Avalean." A man with golden hair and eyes spoke with a charming smile. His skin was like jade and his build was tall and slender, "This is my wife, Mairiam of Tír fo Thuinn."
Oberon looked at the familiar woman as if she was a stranger. But he took in the appearance of the beautiful woman with sand skin and golden eyes. Her hair is long and straight with gold and silver luster that shines like pure light. Her body is sensual and curvaceously seductive. She stood as tall as Oberon and her existence was alluring.
"Pleasure to meet you, King Oberon Hel. Welcome to Avalean." Mairiam spoke with a soft smile and she revealed no signs of knowing Oberon nor did she act as lust driven and unbridled as she had in the Fairy Caves.
