Nothing moved on the forest trail where the Rangers lay crumpled in heaps on the ground. Down from the sky floated a small, blue fairy no taller than a man’s index finger. The fairy’s wings fluttered as she landed on the back of Tedi’s horse and surveyed the sleeping party.
“Why did you attack them, Pixy?” the blue fairy asked. “They would have passed through without ever knowing we were here.”
A green, and slightly larger, fairy swooped down and soared along the trail over the unmoving forms, finally landing next to the blue fairy with a dazzling flourish of outstretched wings.
“Bah, Nixy,” he grumbled. “Humans are always trouble. It is better that we have stopped them before they went any farther.”
“I think you just enjoy being mischievous,” Nixy pestered. “What if they are friends or an envoy from another land?”
“The fairies have no human friends,” rebutted Pixy. “It will be best for all if we dispose of them now. We can levitate them into the acid pits of the ogres.”
“Do you speak for Queen Mita now?” Nixy persisted. “Besides, we can never levitate them that far by ourselves. We will need a great deal of help, especially with that big one. You had trouble getting him to lie down.”
“It would have been easier if you had decided to help earlier,” growled Pixy. “That female with the long, black hair was trying to use some magic to shield herself. She distracted me. If I hadn’t been distracted, the big one would have gone down easy enough.”
“I’m sure,” Nixy drawled sarcastically. “Still, I think we need to get them into the Stay Bushes as soon as possible. If one of them has the power to break your sleep spell, they could be dangerous to us. I will get others to help with the levitation.”
“I’ll go,” Pixy offered. “You keep a watch for any signs of wakening and don’t let any of them get away.”
Without waiting for a reply, Pixy forcefully spread his wings and soared down towards the trail below before fluttering off through the apple trees. Nixy stood watching the strange party of humans for what seemed to be a long time before Pixy returned with scores of other fairies to help transport the invaders to the Stay Bushes.
“You are taking them to the Stay Bushes and not the acid pits, aren’t you?” Nixy inquired.
“Yes, yes,” Pixy sighed. “I think they ought to be disposed of, though. One human in the Stay Bushes is all right, but all of these can be dangerous. Midge found out somehow and demanded that they be taken to the Stay Bushes and that I report immediately to Queen Mita. You will have to supervise the moving. Make sure they are kept asleep even after you have delivered them.”
Pixy left the mass of fairies assigned to deal with the invaders and flew into the orchard. Soaring between apple trees which held the homes of his fellow fairies, Pixy angled towards the very center of the orchard where the great Father Tree stood, the tree that the Mage had used to restore the orchard after the blight caused by Alutar and his ogres. Father Tree had a hole through its bark, level with a human’s head and sporting a wide protrusion outside of it. It was on this lip that Queen Mita held court and Pixy set down on it with the precision of an acrobat.
“Your Highness,” bowed Pixy to the blue fairy. “We have captured a large band of humans bent on invading our homeland. Nixy, at this very moment, is escorting the interlopers to the Stay Bushes. There is one among them that uses outlander magic and I think we should send them off to acid pits at our earliest opportunity.”
“I did not know that your head was large enough to accommodate an ogre brain, Pixy,” Queen Mita rebuked. “Would you send every human who comes close to our home directly off to the acid pits? Would you have handled the Mage in a like manner when he showed up to restore this orchard?”
Flushing with embarrassment, Pixy responded, “Of course not, Your Highness, but these invaders are warriors and come heavily armed.”
“What do the humans look like?” quizzed the Queen.
“They are all dressed in black and carry great swords and large bows,” Pixy answered.
“And what were they saying when you observed them?” prompted the Queen.
“He does not know,” answered a green fairy upon landing on the platform. “According to Nixy, he issued the Sleep Spell before any of them had uttered a word.”
“Thank you, my son,” Queen Mita greeted Midge.
“Of course they were saying nothing,” protested Pixy. “They were trying to sneak up on us.”
“We have a further complication, Queen Mita,” Midge interjected. “We have transported six humans, but there are seven horses and they were all being ridden.”
Nixy arrived at that moment and settled down next to Pixy. “The blond female is the one that is missing, Prince Midge,” she said as she bowed to the Queen.
“How could you lose her?” Pixy blurted out. The Sleep Spell you put on her must not have been strong enough.”
“I did not put a Sleep Spell on her,” frowned Nixy. “I thought you had already done so.”
“I was,” Pixy responded sheepishly, “until I got distracted by the witch. I thought you realized that and finished her.”
“Enough!” demanded the Queen. “Midge, we are losing light already. Send out patrols to locate this missing human and retrieve her. Have them be careful. Pixy says that they are dressed in black and use outlander magic. We may be facing a band of Black Devils. I would prefer that she be subdued and placed in the Stay Bushes, but kill her if you must.”
Prince Midge threw himself off the balcony in a dive and soared towards a large group of green fairies clad in shiny mail and tiny helmets. The Queen turned to Nixy and fixed her with a look of despair.
“Nixy this is not the first time that you have lost a delivery,” rebuked the Queen. “You shall be in charge of watching over the captives to ensure that they do not wake. Pixy, you shall have the dubious honor of determining who they are and why they are here. I will not accept any mishandling of the prisoners, but you will remain within the Stay Bushes until you have accomplished your task.”
With a wave of her tiny hand, Queen Mita dismissed the other two fairies.
Tanya lay under the windswept pile of oak leaves from last fall’s dropping and watched with fascination as the fairies levitated the other Rangers away. She wasn’t sure why she had not fallen prey to their magic, but it was apparent that her friends were being taken captive and not harmed. She started to fall asleep like the others, but suddenly the feeling had just departed. At first she had thought to lash out at the fairies and free her comrades, but, thankfully, she remembered the reason for their journey. It was the Sapphire of the Fairies that they were after and they had found the fairies, no matter their current predicament, so Tanya slid off the trail and quietly crawled away.
Tanya cringed involuntarily as another slimy thing crawled across her leg. The half-year-old leaves still held the moisture of winter and decomposition and she shuddered at the thought of what type of creatures inhabited them.
When the last of the fairies left she thought about following them, but quickly decided to wait for the coming darkness. She spent the time trying to remember Uncle Boris’ tales about the fairies. She shoved her face further out of the smelly pile of leaves and was rewarded with the sweet, fresh smell of the apple orchard nearby.
Uncle Boris had told thousands of tales, but not many stories that involved fairies. All of the tales he did tell seemed to indicate that the fairies were a good and well-intentioned people. She could only remember one specific narrative and it dealt with Prince Midge, the son of Queen Mita, and the Great Mage traveling to imprison the Great Demon, Alutar. In the story the Mage created a homeland for the desolate fairies and centered it around a giant apple tree. She was wondering if this was that same orchard when a dozen mail-clad fairies marched by scanning the forest.
She froze as the fairies passed and pulled her head farther into the leaves when they were out of sight in case they doubled back. An hour passed and the small fairy army had not returned. Darkness had fallen over the forest and Tanya yearned to be free of the decomposing pile of leaves and the tiny creatures that lived in it. Slowly she pulled herself out of the pile of leaves and looked around. The forest was dark and eerily quiet. Slowly she crept in the direction her fellow travelers had been taken. Within a few dozen paces the oak trees thinned and the apple orchard began.
Tanya deeply inhaled the sweet scent of the orchard and squinted her eyes to make out the little figures moving among the trees. Subconsciously, she stuffed her long blond hair under her leather cap and sat behind a bush to observe the fairies. She watched for several hours and saw several armed parties returning, but no sign of the Rangers. She did observe the return of the patrol that had passed her pile of leaves, but they came into the orchard from another direction.
The amount of activity in the orchard started to diminish as fairies flew into holes in the apple trees and did not return. Remembering the lessons that Garth had given the Rangers on penetration of hostile encampments, Tanya started a methodical circuit of the orchard. Remaining in the darkest shadows of the oak forest, Tanya worked her way around the circumference of the orchard. When she had almost completed the circle, she stopped at the sight of Garth Shado.
She had seen Garth first because of his height, but the others were there, as well. Each Ranger was tied to a vertical pole in the center of a dense, circular bush. There were more bushes than Rangers and it appeared that whatever security the bushes provided, the fairies could accommodate a few more intruders. The bushes had large, sharp thorns, but Tanya failed to see how a few cuts and bruises would ensure that a prisoner did not escape. Given enough time, she was sure that Garth would be able to escape the rope that bound him and then he would be able to push his way through the bushes to free the others. Tanya saw one small blue fairy sitting on top of one of the bushes looking bored. Every once in a while, she could spot a green fairy flying from one prisoner to another.
Tanya ducked her head down as a pair of fairies came walking by between her and the bushes that held the Rangers. Only the fact that both of the fairies were looking the other way saved Tanya from detection. Holding her breath, she heard the voices of the two fairies.
“I did not know that Nixy’s head would hold the brain of an ogre,” the first fairy chuckled. “She sits on the Stay Bush without a thought to the consequences. One prick of those thorns would kill an ogre and she sits among them.”
“She will be there all night,” the second fairy laughed. “Queen Mita was very annoyed that she allowed one of the humans to escape. They have had patrols out looking for her for hours, but…”
The voices trailed off and Tanya could hear no more, but she had heard enough. Whether the fairies meant to kill the Rangers or not, no longer mattered. Tanya knew that the Rangers would attempt to escape and they were not aware of the poison in the thorns. One by one, the Rangers would die and she was not going to stand by and let that happen.
Tanya slid back into the oak forest and searched for the largest oak tree. When she finally found it, she started climbing. She continued climbing until the thin branches threatened to break under her weight. Clinging to the trunk, she gingerly settled herself down to a tenuous sitting position on a thin branch where it met the trunk. She gazed down at the orchard and had a clear view of the layout of the village. The Stay Bushes were very visible and she could now see the green fairy flitting from one prisoner to another. The fairy seemed to be searching the many pockets and pouches of the prisoners. The rest of the orchard was less visible. Tanya could detect the placement of the trees and could easily see the trunk of the largest one in the center, as it had a clearing around it, but the branches and leaves of the apple trees obstructed her view of a good deal of the orchard floor.
She clung to the trunk for a while watching the Stay Bushes. Every once in a while her vision was drawn to returning patrols. Each returning patrol sent one fairy to the large center tree and on a platform partway up the trunk the fairy bowed to a blue fairy that came out of the hole behind the platform. Tanya surmised that she was observing Queen Mita receiving the reports of the returning patrols and an idea formed in her mind.
Tanya continued watching the village until no more patrols returned and the only movement below was around the Stay Bushes. Unaware of how many hours she had been sitting in that awkward position, Tanya flexed her muscles and quietly climbed down the large oak tree. Slowly and silently, she maneuvered her way around the orchard to the point that would offer the shortest distance to the large apple tree.
Slowly, step-by-step, Tanya inched her way towards the Queen’s tree, stopping every few steps to listen for any sounds. Half-way there, Tanya had to press her back against a tree and hold her breath as a fairy came out of his hole and flew to another. Two many hours of being cramped up in a tree or behind a bush caused Tanya to feel weary, but the adrenaline of sneaking into the fairies’ stronghold kept her alert. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Tanya reached the Queen’s tree. She put her ear against the tree, but nothing could be heard. Steeling her courage, Tanya scrapped her finger along the underside of the platform on the other side of the tree. Leaning so she could just see around the large tree’s trunk, she waited. Nothing happened.
Tanya stuck her finger out and, as lightly as she could, tapped the underside of the platform. Hearing a distant rustling of cloth, Tanya got ready. Queen Mita walked out on the platform and stared around. As quickly as she could, Tanya reached out and grabbed the Queen of the Fairies.
Surprisingly, the Queen did not cry out. Tanya held one finger to her lips and brought the fairy up to her face with her other hand. Tanya quickly realized why the Queen had not cried out and shifted her grasp so the Queen could breath.
“I am sorry,” whispered Tanya. “Make no sound and you will be safely returned.”
The Queen glared at Tanya and spoke in a dignified voice. “You will gain nothing by taking me. The Fairies will not bow down to your kind for the life of their Queen. Another will take my place and your friends will be killed.”
“I wish to talk with you without ending up in your Stay Bushes,” whispered Tanya. “Will you be quiet and come with me or must we have unnecessary bloodshed on both sides?”
“I will talk with you,” declared the Queen, “but we will do so right here. If you manage to get me out of the orchard, my armies will pursue you and we will not have a chance to talk. I guarantee that when our discussion is over, you will be allowed to walk out of here freely.”
“And then be pursued with a vengeance,” Tanya snorted. “You will pledge your son’s life as my guarantee of safety. Swear on Prince Midge’s life that I will not be pursued or harmed.”
“As long as you do no harm to my people,” Queen Mita affirmed, “you have my pledge on my son’s life.”
“Very well,” Tanya accepted as she placed Queen Mita on the small balcony. “I have heard stories of your dealings with the Great Mage and he is said to have believed you an honorable and trustworthy people. I will chance my life on his words.”
“You know the Great Mage?” Queen Mita questioned.
“No,” replied Tanya, “but my uncle knows of his stories including the one where he restored this orchard and had Prince Midge accompany him to imprison Alutar.”
“So that is how you knew my son’s name,” reflected the Queen. “Why have your people come into our orchard?”
“We were captured before coming to your orchard,” Tanya corrected, “but we would have come here anyway. My friends and I seek to end the Dark One’s rule and our journey requires us to speak with you about the Holy Sapphire.”
“What does the Holy Sapphire have to do with ending the Darkness?” queried the Queen.
At that point a shout rang out from somewhere in the orchard that was quickly followed by more shouts. Tanya swung around and saw hundreds of fairies emerging from all over the orchard. As she turned back to grab the Queen, she saw Queen Mita holding her hand up to the gathering fairies.
“Hold,” the Queen shouted. “This human is my guest and will not be harmed. All of you go back to sleep, but send Midge here.”
The fairies reluctantly turned and disappeared. In an amazingly short time, Prince Midge landed on the platform. “As you can see,” Queen Mita stated, “the Mage told the truth. You may trust the word of the fairies. Son, this is the missing human and I have guaranteed her safety with your life.”
Prince Midge just nodded and stood on the platform next to his mother. “You were talking about the Holy Sapphire,” reminded the Queen.
“Yes,” began Tanya while shaking her head. “The Prophecy states that the Dark One will be killed by the Sword of Heavens which we possess. Before the Sword may be used, the seven gems in its hilt must be restored. Your Holy Sapphire is one of those gems.”
A green fairy suddenly landed on the platform, startling Tanya. He quickly whispered something in Midge’s ear and they both flew off. Dismissing the interruption, the Queen sat down.
“The fairies’ very existence is dependent on the Holy Sapphire,” the Queen explained as Prince Midge returned. “We cannot just turn it over to you even if we had a desire to do so.”
“The Sword of Heavens gave us a vision before it led us here,” Tanya explained. “The vision showed the Sapphire and a blue fairy reciting a verse. That verse said that the Sapphire was a lie. Surely you know the verse that was spoken by the fairy in the vision.”
“I know the verse very well,” confided the Queen. “This is the verse you speak of:” Your blood will flow ‘til none is left While darkness around you descends On Holy Sapphire all you have Fate of the Fairies do depend. The Crown of Light the Fairies’ Life Without it all are doomed to die The Holy Sapphire just a patch Redemption only just a lie.”
Prince Midge stared off into the forest as he said: The Bringer knows not what he does But fate has chosen only he Who bears the mark upon his chest The Winged Serpent death doth flee.
Queen Mita snapped her head to glare at her son, but the Prince returned her glare with determination.
“He is here,” Prince Midge proclaimed. “He is one of the humans which we captured today. That is what brought Pixy to the platform moments ago.”
“Wake him and bring him here,” snapped the Queen.
“What is happening?” Tanya asked. “What is this about a Bringer?”
“You have heard only the beginning of the Fairy Prophecy,” Queen Mita explained. “The rest deals with someone known to us as the Bringer. We have always assumed that the Bringer would be a fairy, but my son believes that one of your companions is meant to fulfill the Prophecy. We shall see soon enough. You have asked for my peoples’ restraint. I now ask the same pledge from you. I am having one of your companions brought here in an awakened state. You will ensure that fairies do not come to harm through his actions.”
“I shall,” Tanya agreed as she watched Arik annoyingly march towards the tree.
“What is going on?” he demanded of Tanya. “Why have they freed us and not the others?”
“Arik, please restrain your temper,” Tanya suggested. “I want to know the answers to that and many other questions. Queen Mita has agreed to talk with us in peace and I have promised our cooperation and their safety. Let us hear what the Queen wants with you.”
“So, your name is Arik,” greeted Queen Mita. “This is my son, Prince Midge. Arik, would you kindly bare your chest?”
Arik look stunned and turned to look at Tanya, who was obviously confused about where the Queen was leading. “I would prefer not to, Your Highness,” Arik finally declared.
Tanya was shocked at Arik’s answer to the Queen, but Queen Mita merely smiled. “If you have any chance whatsoever of even seeing the Holy Sapphire, you will have to comply. I am told that you bear a strange mark on your chest and as the Queen of the Fairies, I must make decisions based on what I see. I assure you that I am not asking to embarrass you.”
Tanya nodded and Arik opened his shirt as little as he could and turned so that Tanya could not see but the Queen could. The Queen’s eyes grew wide and she started shaking.
“Son,” she ordered, “free the prisoners and invite them here. I will offer them my apologies when they arrive, but yours may be needed at the time they are released. They are to be treated as guests, but I fear they may take offense at the way they have been treated already.”
After Midge had left to free the Rangers, the Queen returned her attention to Arik. “I am sorry if I have embarrassed you, Arik,” she apologized. “You are a special person to the fairy people and a very honored guest. If you wish not to be embarrassed by this in front of your people, you have only to request it and I will make sure it is not mentioned. As for Tanya’s lips, that is your own problem.”
“What does it all mean?” Arik asked. “It is only a rash which I picked up in Tagaret.”
“It is not a rash, Arik,” the Queen assured him. “It is the mark of the Bringer. You have been chosen to return the Crown of Light to the fairy people. Who chose you or how you were chosen is unknown to me and does not matter. The Prophecy foretells of your arrival and the task that awaits you. If you want the Holy Sapphire, you will have to return the Crown of Light to the fairy people.”
“Where do I find this Crown of Light?” Arik asked.
“I have absolutely no idea,” confessed the Queen. “It has been lost for ages and if any fairy knew where it existed, we would already have it in our possession. It is the very symbol of the Fairy Monarchy.”