When Keelie awoke, she saw Herne hovering next to her. He looked worried. Dad’s face floated next to Herne’s. Fala waved at her from the side, his outfit sparkling clean as if he hadn’t been in battle.
She tried to sit up, head aching. “Why am I on the ground? Are we back on Earth?”
“To answer your first question, you fainted when you called out to Sylvus,” Dad said.
“To answer your second question,” Herne said, interrupting Dad, “yes, we’re back on Earth. You did well, Keelie Heartwood.”
“Keelie?” Dad asked. “Are you really okay?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
Suddenly, she remembered what Herne had been doing before she fainted and looked around wildly. “Where’s Tavyn? Did you get him?”
“He escaped in the chaos when we returned to Earth.” Fala frowned. “But we will catch him in good time. Do you recall that Peascod is no more?”
She nodded, shuddering at the memory of his death, and then grabbed hold of Herne’s breastplate and pulled him toward her. “I saw the old gods, and Sylvus, too. He spoke to me, Herne.”
“They must trust you, to allow you to see them,” Herne said. He didn’t seem surprised at her revelation.
Dad’s face appeared above her. “What did Sylvus say? Did he answer the riddle of the tree ring’s focus? Or about Lord Mariel’s Compromise?”
“I don’t know about the riddle or any compromise. He said that I’m to be a go-between for the old gods, and for magical beings too.” Fala and Herne exchanged glances. Keelie couldn’t read what passed between them.
“Things are going to be interesting from this point on-for humans, fairies, and elves,” Fala said.
A helicopter flew overhead. “Have the elves come back to the faire?” Keelie asked.
“No, that’s the media. They’re our other problem,” Herne said. “Seems the human newsfolk arrived here after reports of dragons and goblins, and they saw the entire mountain vanish.”
Fala nodded. “Then they saw it return.”
The Compendium opened its pages.
Dad’s eyes opened wide. “Did you do that, Keelie, or is it moving on its own?”
“It seems to have a mind of its own, for sure. I can’t wait to tell Elianard.”
“News reporters are all over the place, asking questions,” Herne continued. “Even worse, Homeland Security. Once, when I took a human flight over the Adirondacks, my magic responded to the land and my antlers appeared. The air marshal on board was quite upset.”
Keelie bolted upright. “So the mountain is back where it belongs?” What if it had landed in downtown Fort Collins?
Herne nodded. “Once you jammed your staff into the ground, you collapsed, and the faire and everyone within it was transported back to Earth. It seems the Compendium augmented your tree shepherd magic, allowing you to return us to this dimension.” He paused, looking troubled. “Before that, of course, you opened the portal between worlds and allowed our armies to travel to the faire. Then you used the Compendium to tap into my magic from Under-the-Hill and link it to me.” Herne frowned. “Keelie, there may be an after-effect from such magic use-”
His words were interrupted by a woman with a microphone who rushed up to Keelie, followed by a cameraman.
“Honey, can we have a word?”
Keelie recognized the woman-Teresa Smith, the news reporter from a national cable news channel. Teresa tossed back her perfect hair and looked into the camera.
“We’re here live at the High Mountain Renaissance Faire, where we’re about to talk to an injured girl waiting to be transported to the hospital for emergency surgery.” She shoved the microphone in Keelie’s face. “Can you tell me what happened? The world wants to know what you saw. Did you see dragons?”
Here was Keelie’s chance to tell humans everything. Should she expose the magic? Before the battle, she’d wanted to tell humans about the magical world so that they could protect themselves from the goblins, but now, what purpose would it serve? If this hysteria was any example of what could happen, learning about magic would tear apart society. People would be afraid, and some would covet the power. She glanced at Herne, and then at her father.
Herne’s antlers had retreated into his skull, and Dad had pulled his hair back over his ears. Fala’s fairy glow was muted as he attempted to blend in with everyone else.
She saw Vangar and Finch in the distance, back in human form, rushing around trying to help injured people.
What would the world do with the knowledge that there were live dragons at the faire? She loved and cared for these people. If they wanted the secret revealed, then it would be up to the many magical races to make that decision. It wasn’t her secret to give away.
Keelie smiled. Guess they would have to call a Council meeting.
She looked into the camera. “I thought it was an earthquake,” she told Teresa.
The reporter looked frustrated. “Come on kid, you don’t have a brain injury. You remember what you saw.”
“There’s dragons and fairies all over the faire, but you don’t believe they’re real, do you?” Keelie frowned at the woman as if she thought she was nuts.
“Come on, Herb,” Teresa said. “There’s got to be livelier interviews somewhere else.” The two hurried off.
Dad dropped back to his knees. “Keelie, are you really okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Fala turned to Herne, his forehead creased with worry. “What are we going to do about this situation? Was this Peascod’s intent all along? Revealing the world of magic to humans will upset the balance.”
“Elves will be in peril,” Dad said. “We’d be an object of scientific curiosity. I’ve seen this behavior before, when humans are confronted with something new and different. Fear compels people of all forms to do dangerous things. At least the fae live in another realm.”
Okay, Sylvus. A little help here. Keelie searched the trees for a message from Sylvus, but there was no answer.
The pages of the Compendium opened. Talk about an answer from above. She remembered Sylvus implying that it was her instruction book.
Ancient Oblivion Spell:
Have you done embarrassing things at parties that you wished everyone would forget? Made embarrassing speeches at a Council meeting? This spell will erase selective memory and not harm the participating subjects.
Important note: If used to make humans forget, and if more than one race was present at the time of the gaff, all races must be represented at the time of the spellcasting.
Keelie smiled.
Thanks, Sylvus!
She stood and held the Compendium. “I think I have an answer to our problem, but I need a dragon, an elf, a dwarf, and two fae-one dark and one High Court. Do we have everyone we need?”
Herne stood next to her as Finch, Vangar, Dad, Sir Davey, and Fala formed a circle near the Admin building. Nearby, reporters trawled the faire seeking people to interview.
Keelie stepped into the center and read the Oblivion spell. As she read, a pale gray mist appeared from beneath her feet and crawled to each of the members of the circle, who looked apprehensive but didn’t break ranks. When all had been touched by the mist, it expanded, then burst, and flowed like waves across the fairegrounds.
“Everyone will remember a strong earthquake,” Keelie said as she completed the spell.
She cut her eyes over to Herne. “I hope it works.”
The mist traveled through the faire, touching reporters, shopkeepers, and performers. A glazed look formed in their eyes when the magic settled on them.
Teresa Smith stopped nearby, her curious expression replaced by blankness. “What am I doing here?” she asked herself.
Finch winked at Keelie. “I’ve got this.”
Tarl the mud man walked up to Teresa. “You’re here to cover the earthquake.”
Several other High Mountain Faire folk joined them. “I was in my shop when all of my pottery went flying out the window,” Sam the Potter said. “I found one of Hob’s masks all the way down here.” He lifted a broken, bone-white mask, then tossed it on a heap of trash and wiped his hands. “Creepy thing.”
Finch joined the gathered group, and the cameraman swung his camera toward her.
“Can you tell us about the faire?” Teresa Smith held the microphone up to Finch.
Finch smiled. Her eyes sparkled, and she looked directly into the camera as the magical gray mist drifted around it. “Despite the earthquake here at the High Mountain Renaissance Faire, I’d like to reassure the public that the faire will be as good as new this weekend. The Middle Ages will be alive and kicking and everyone is invited to come join in the merriment.”
Teresa Smith nodded. “You heard it here first. The High Mountain Renaissance Faire will be opened to the public after the unusual earthquake that hit the Fort Collins area.”
Keelie hoped the oblivion spell would spread across the airwaves, into the minds of any people who’d seen earlier newscasts.
“Hey, where did that tree come from?” Tarl was looking up into the branches of an aspen that now spread its branches over the Admin building.
Uh oh. That one would have to remain a mystery.
Keelie juggled the Compendium from one arm to the other. It was heavy and awkward. So cumbersome. It was past time to get this thing online-the Dread Forest elves must never lose their lore again. She also wondered if she could talk to Sylvus about maybe transforming the book of knowledge into something more modern, like a tablet computer with a wooden case.
The book rose and hovered in midair, and the pages opened to a new section.
Object Transformation:
You will need a wooden staff…
This was more like it. Keelie headed to the meadow to talk to Hrok.
The next day, Keelie found Sally examining her tarot booth. The structure wasn’t in too bad shape, except for a sagging corner. It looked like the support post had suffered some damage.
“Do the cards say anything about Tavyn?” Keelie asked.
Sally shook her head. “No sign of a goblin wizard, but the cards reveal that new powers and new magic have been awakened.
Mara joined them, holding little Ava’s hand. Ava reached up to Keelie with her chubby fingers, then laughed when a bhata landed on Keelie’s shoulder.
Its twiggy face bent in a grin, and its berry eyes radiated happiness. It climbed down to Ava.
Keelie looked at Mara. “Can you see that?”
Mara nodded.
Keelie turned to Sally. “You?”
She nodded as well.
“The humans with magic in their blood can see and feel the magic all the time now,” Mara said.
“Then you remember?” Keelie whispered.
Mara winked.
Ava laughed as the bhata danced around her. Knot strolled out into the open area. Ava squealed with delight. “Kitty.”
Knot’s tail bushed out. His eyes widened with fright when he saw the toddling little girl coming after him, squealing “Kitty, kitty, kitty” at the top of her lungs.
“Are you going to tell anyone?” Keelie asked Sally.
She shook her head. “The faire folk keep their secrets. It’s an unwritten law amongst us.”
Keelie knew the secrets of the faire would be safe.
In the woods behind the tarot booth, a huge antlered stag was watching her.
“If you ladies will excuse me, I need to go and check on something.”
Herne stood there, in his deer form, head straight and chest expanded. “What do you think?”
“You make a great buck. I don’t know if I’d hang out here during hunting season, though.”
“Good point.” Herne narrowed his eyes. “I hadn’t thought of that.” He transformed into his human form. “I think there’s something you need to see.” He held out his arm. “Milady Keliel, if you will accompany me.”
Keelie mentally prepared herself for the whoosh.
A cool breeze brushed against her face, and then she stood before the spruce trees Bruce, Deuce, and Zeus. Their tangy scent filled her. She could look down and see all of Fort Collins below and the Rocky Mountains before her. Flowers grew around the stones where Cricket had been buried.
Sadly, she looked at the grave of her little friend, but she knew he rested in peace.
“Why did you bring me here?”
He pointed. “Watch.”
King Gneiss and Sir Davey stepped forward. Vangar and Finch landed in the meadow, their dragon forms huge and muscular. Dad was riding on Vangar’s back, balanced casually like an expert rider, with Sally in front of him. She looked thrilled and terrified at the same time.
A swirling vortex of light appeared and Fala stepped through, hands held high as if he were about to perform in front of an audience. He wore a gold circlet on his forehead and a glittering chain mail shirt.
Herne arched an eyebrow. “Bit overdressed?”
“What’s going on?” Keelie asked. She wondered why her magical friends were here.
Finch and Vangar shifted into human form.
Herne pointed to everyone gathered. “Keliel, since it is important for all races to work together, we have come together this day, and in this meadow, in honor of you and one whom you loved despite his differences. I decree this the first council meeting of the Circle of Magic.” He rested his hand against his chest. “I represent the goblins and the dark fae.”
Fala bowed his head. “I am here on behalf of the High Court and the Shining Ones.”
Dad smiled at her. “For the elves.”
Sally motioned with her hands. “For the humans.”
Sir Davey and King Gneiss removed their hats, both with snowy plumes. “We represent the dwarves.”
Finch and Vangar stepped up to her. “We represent the magical beasts and shapeshifters of this world.”
“Keliel Heartwood, you have done what others thought would never happen. You have brought us together in peace.”
In her mind, Keelie heard Hrok’s voice. You, my dear Daughter of the Forest, represent the Great Sylvus and the trees.
Keelie looked at her friends and wiped at the corner of her eye. Not that she was getting teary or anything. “Then I guess it’s time to open this meeting of the joint council, the Circle of Magic.”
Summers, Gillian
The Goblin's Curse: The Scions of Shadow Trilogy, Book 3 (The Faire Folk Saga)
Keelie sat on her narrow bed in the newly repaired Swiss Miss Chalet. Their salvaged belongings were packed up, and they were ready to head out as soon as Dad finished the business paperwork. Insurance adjustors had been crawling all over the faire the last few days.
She pressed the tree app on her newly transformed Compendium. She loved the wooden finish (hawthorn, High Mountain Renaissance Faire).
Words scrolled across her screen.
It was Hrok. She had the best connection to him.
Hello, milady.
She keyboarded her answer.
You know you’ll be able to keep in contact if you need me.
Yes, Keliel.
She loved how Sylvus had combined forest magic and technology. She’d used the object transformation spell he’d shown her to turn the Compendium into a tablet computer.
After the fires and the magical confrontation with the goblins, Dad had decided they needed a break. He’d been in contact with the Dread Forest, and when Alora, the Queen Tree, asked to see Keelie, they’d decided to skip the Wildewood Faire and head back to their home forest. Keelie hated saying goodbye to her friends, but Dad said they would pick up the Ren Faire circuit again in a few months. They needed to replenish their stock of furniture to sell, in any case.
Keelie looked forward to helping Dad, and of course she had to adjust to monitoring the forests of the Northern Hemisphere on her tablet computer. She would miss her friends, but Zabrina was in Edgewood, and Elia was close to her delivery date.
Sean and the Silver Bough Jousting Company had booked Ren Faire gigs year-round, so he wouldn’t be returning to the Dread Forest anytime soon. Although saddened at the loss of their relationship, Keelie knew they would become friends in time. And didn’t she have lots of time? Maybe it was for the best.
A loud ding from her tablet pulled Keelie out of her thoughts. She looked down and saw that a new icon had appeared on her tablet’s menus: an antlered deer head.
She recognized that deer. She pressed the dark nose.
“You called?” a familiar voice said. A tall, handsome man appeared before her, dressed in green that complimented his curling chestnut hair and, yes, the deer antlers coming out of his head. Herne, hottie god of the hunt.
“Did I call you?”
“You did.” He looked around the tiny camper cabin. “Very cozy. Like a turtle, but with a hotplate and a bookshelf.” He smiled at her. “If you ever need me, just press my app and I’ll be at your side.”
“A god with an app. Gotta love progress,” Keelie said. “But I don’t think I need the Herne app.”
Herne pretended to look hurt, but then smiled sunnily, with more than a hint of mischief. “Don’t delete it, Keelie. You have a tendency to find yourself in misadventures.”
“I don’t think I’ll be having any more adventures. I’m going to be working as a messenger and spending time with my family.”
“Ah, family. You’ll find that the definition of that word will change drastically for you, and soon.”
At Keelie’s wary frown, Herne smiled and spread his arms wide. ”My dear Keliel, your adventures are just beginning.”
Keelie looked down at her tablet, where other mysterious apps were popping into existence.
She grinned. Herne didn’t know the half of it.