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After much persuasion, Gaelenod let me ride upon his back once more. Lumo stayed close by this time on foot, eyes peeled on the deep shadows of the trees surrounding us instead of flying high up above the canopy. He seemed much more on edge than his typical self, perhaps due to the lingering tension.
We walked in a steady pace as opposed to the misty galloping, and even though I sat side saddle, each heavy step still sent daggers of pain though my back and the rest of my body. The fall off of Gaelenod’s back did far more damage than I expected.
We rounded another bend, air still thick with silent unease, and were greeted with a small clearing. Before us was a small pond, fed by a trickling brook waterfalling down moss-green rocks. It was a welcome serenity to the earlier chaos of the day, and the soft light through the trees was very much welcomed on my wind-chilled face of the morning ride.
“We’re here,” Gaelenod grumbled, breaking the silence.
I looked around, but saw nothing but the sun-twinkled pond before us.
“Here,” Lumo said, stepping towards me.
Lumo then proceeded to lift me from the moose’s high back, then carefully cradled me in his arms as he walked to the sandy edge of the water. I almost protested, but my pain spoke to me far louder than my ego.
It was strange being so close to Lumo’s face, and although it was masked, I couldn’t help but feel my own face redden. I wanted to both touch his sharp jaw with the tips of my fingers, and equally jump away into the surrounding forest to hide, preferably in a deep hole. I landed somewhere in the middle by staring at him with wide eyes, hoping he couldn’t see me from the periphery of his golden mask.
Unfortunately, I was wrong, as I noticed the corner of his mouth raise just the slightest as he gently set me on the ground.
I looked away, feeling my face grow even hotter, as I looked for any signs of a healer. No house or dwelling to be seen, only the small pond before me.
Gaelenod stepped forward, then proceeded to submerge his entire antlered head in the water. The pond rippled around him, and tiny waves grew larger and larger, until they splashed the shore. Originally I thought he was only cleaning off the residual blood from this morning’s ordeal, but this seemed a bit excessive. I looked to Lumo behind me, but he seemed altogether unimpressed, arms crossed as he scanned the sky above.
The great moose then threw his head back, sending a waterfall on both Lumo and myself. I watched as Lumo began to protest only to have Gaelenod respond by shaking his great furred head and neck to dry, soaking us further.
As much as I wanted to lament the possible destruction of my expensive new attire, I couldn’t help but laugh. And although Lumo seemed furious at first, both jaw and fists tight, he also soon relaxed and gave a pressed smile.
“I suppose I deserved that,” Lumo chuckled before giving Gaelenod a hearty pat on the side of his neck.
We were interrupted by a muffled humming coming from the small pond.
“What is her name?” Lumo suddenly asked Gaelenod, urgent.
“Vasati,” he grumbled back.
Lumo then crouched beside me, placing a hand on my shoulder.
“Whatever you do, do not scream,” he whispered.
Before I could respond, a pale, eyeless head arose from the dark of the water. Long dark strings of hair framed around thin pale lips which curled upwards to reveal rows of sharp needle-like teeth. The pale, blue-white shoulders lifted from the surface as the haunting being made its way towards me.
I held my breath, swallowing hard, remembering Lumo’s words.
I have only read about such a creature, a bogfae in my many books, but their descriptions were much kinder in those tales. It made sense though - bogfae only appear as beautiful sirens, dragging unsuspecting adventurers beneath the depths of the ponds if they happened to need a meal. This eyeless, sickly-white creature before me was its true form. Although incredibly unnerving, I did not dare scream. Like Gaelenod, such a powerful magic creature came with an equally powerful ego, and I would see those needle teeth not as a smile, but possibly around my neck if I were to offend.
I waited, body tense, as the creature “looked” at me from where hollowed skin should have held eyes.
“Beautiful Vasati, I hate to wake you from your slumber, but I’m afraid I need your help,” Lumo spoke, voice more velvety than ever, “Dearest Mira here has taken a fall, and we need your gifts to help.”
The bogfae moved in a slither towards Lumo, then raised her long white, webbed fingers to his face. I watched as one of her long black nails trailed over his jaw. Her head tilted to the side, questioning.
“How dare such a handsome creature bring another maiden to my dwelling,” Vasati spoke. Her voice was so hauntingly beautiful, a lilting song as her thumb brushed across his lips, and I couldn’t help but hold my breath.
“I mean no such offense, beautiful Vasati,” Lumo responded, seemingly unaffected. “But I suspect a beauty such as yourself would find no insult in a mere maiden on your shores. Your magic transcends such vanity, but I must say, never before have I come across a fae so fair while untransformed.”
Lumo seemed to find just the right words to flatter the bogfae, as her lips turned into another wretched smile.
“Handsome creature,” she responded, “I suspect promise of payment if I do what you ask. I am not in the business of charity.”
“I would not anticipate such. But what can I offer such a powerful creature?” Lumo asked.
The bogfae swam backwards, webbed hands danced in circles sheepishly as she treaded the dark water. Her face then turned towards me and I felt my stomach tie itself in a knot.
“Perhaps just a bite or two? I haven’t had human in a very long while,” Vasati spoke in the same nectar-sweet lilt, so casually that I almost did not catch her words.
I looked towards Lumo, eyes wide.
I noticed his hand briefly tense, the only sign of stress since the start of this unsettling encounter.
“Dear Vasati, I’m afraid Mira will have to leave here with all limbs attached,” said Lumo.
“Does she really need two arms?” Vasati coaxed, eyeing me up and down.
“No,” Gaelenod’s voice boomed suddenly from behind me.
The bogfae looked up, an exaggerated frown on her face.
“You’re no fun, Gaelenod. I almost forgot you were there, brooding in the shadows. You never visit me anymore,” she teased. “If not a piece of your little maiden friend, then what - what gift could you give…”
The bogfae tapped a long finger on her chin as she swam in a little circle around the pond. She then paused to give another unsettling smile, swimming gracefully towards Lumo again on the shore.
“Would you perchance part with that beautiful mask upon your face? I can feel its magic from here. Simply alluring-”
“No,” Lumo said, voice slightly more sharp than I expected.
“Fine…fine,” she said, disappointed. She then froze, skinned eye sockets wide.
“Perhaps… perhaps a confident being such as yourself would not mind being kissed by a bogfae - even without my witching form,” she said, teasing, “You even said so yourself, that I am beautiful.”
Lumo stayed stoic, watching her make her approach to the shore.
“It would be-” he cleared his throat, “It would be my honor.”
She smiled her frightful smile, then leaned her pale, sunken face to his.
I could not look.
When I was finally brave enough to open my eyes, I saw the bogfae in front of me - close enough that I could hear her shallow breaths. Her skin was so pale, almost translucent, with purple veins laced thickly beneath her skin. Her long black hair fell like oil off of her elongated face.
“Perhaps you would also like to feel my embrace, dear maiden? I’d hate to have you be left out of all this fun,” Vasati lilted in her honey voice.
I began to stutter before Gaelenod intervened.
“I believe that’s enough, Vasati,” he huffed.
“Fine. You always ruin my fun, old man,” she sighed.
The bogfae then suddenly yanked both of my arms forward, pulling me into the depths of the pond. I had no chance to scream, to protest, only to thrash about as she pulled me deeper, and deeper still through an underwater tunnel. Her long arms cradled around me, pinning my arms at my side. As I finally opened my mouth, struggling to breath, I felt a sudden rush.
My entire body felt warm, blanketed in a sudden sense of complete comfort. I surrendered to the feeling, letting the pain untwine as the magicked water filled my lungs and absorbed my every ache and pain. I had been healed before, but never like this. Usually, a bit of bewitched mud and herbs were placed on wounds - sometimes resulting in a slight sizzle or crackling, but never anything like this. She suddenly stopped; her oil-like hair twirled around me, slow and mesmerizing, as we twisted underneath the water. Her face was now near mine in the brief pause, and two hands held the side of my face. It was as if time had slowed around us, deep in the darkness of the pond. She continued to stare at me though her eyeless face - and I suddenly felt a profound sadness course through me. Such a life, to be bound here - a confined creature. To have such powerful magic, but unable to move, unable to ever leave the pond one was born in. To be seen only as monster by all you encounter.
Before I knew it, I was back on the surface, crawling on the mud and coughing up all the residual pond water from my lungs. My dress was soaked and heavy, sticking to my skin uncomfortably as I slumped to my side with a sigh, exhausted.
“There’s something else wrong with this one. Her magic is muted… faded…” Vasati mused.
“Yes,” Lumo said, hand on my back as comfort, “She used quite a bit of it this morning.”
“Oh? What school does she hail from? Who is her guide?”
“She’s a disciple of Solia.”
My eyes shot towards Lumo, shocked. How could he tell her - without even the slightest hesitation.
“Oh you poor, poor dear,” Vasati sang, making her way towards me, “I knew I liked you. But your road won’t be an easy one. Fate is a cruel, cruel thing. I see the concern written all over your face, but you will not find enemy with me, no. I am surprised, however, that Gaelenod is in your company - a pious beast is he. You must be special.”
Gaelenod only grunted in response.
“Ah, so it is she who saved you then - you still smell fresh of death, my friend. You should be grateful to know such a talent. Who would send me silent judgment after every meal if you were to leave these woods?” she smiled, “ I thought something was amiss this morning when I heard the trees begin to weep.”
Gaelenod turned away, but I could see sadness in his deep black eyes.
“Little Mira,” the bogfae started, “I have a parting gift for you, if you’ll wait just one moment.”
I watched as she dived back, deep into the depths of the water, only to return shortly holding something in her hand.
“Your path will not be an easy one. There is a dance between you and Fate, Mira. Only you know what the future holds - but I do hope this gift will make things easier.” She held out her hands to reveal a small braided ring of sea-vine. “Perhaps I am being sentimental but I know the loneliness of being given a gift you did not choose.” Vasati looked up towards Gaelenod, “To bear the weight of unfounded judgements.”
I held the ring in my palm lightly. It was certainly magic - but I wasn’t sure of what kind. She seemed to sense my burning curiosity.
“This ring will let the other fae know that you are a friend. Wear it proudly.”
“I - I don’t know what to say,” I sputtered, feeling the familiar frog in my throat, “Thank… Thank you.”
“No need to thank me,” she continued, “Just promise you will not heed judgment on my kind - we are both only passengers to Solia’s whims.” She then turned to Lumo, “Take care of her, handsome one. She needs no more enemies.”
And with that, the bogfae fell once again below the pond’s surface, beneath the dark water.
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I couldn’t help but fidget with the ring once it was around my finger. I still wasn’t quite sure how it worked, but it must’ve been powerful magic to make any fae think I was a friend. We were on the trail again with Lumo high above the treetops flying between the clouds. I suppose that tensions had eased from earlier as Gaelenod began to sing once more as I rode upon his back, much to my delight.
As expected, I was feeling much better. The strange murky pond water was unlike any magic I’ve ever experienced. Wild magic, unlike that which was taught within the four schools, undoubtedly.
I milled over the words that Vasati spoke to me, about my dance with fate, and the judgment of others. Unlike me, she couldn’t hide her true nature through her appearance, at least not unless she was magicked. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I would cross paths with such a magical creature, let alone faekind. But judging by the ring on my finger, it would not be the last time.
We were on the trail for a while, before Lumo flew down with crow wings flapping gently to land upon Gaelenod’s giant antlers. He then began to caw at me, hopping back and forth between the racks.
“Is there something wrong?” I asked.
“I believe he’s asking if you’re hungry,” Gaelenod chuckled.
It was only then that I realized that I have not had anything to eat for the entire morning nor all throughout the late afternoon. I nodded eagerly.
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We made it to yet another small clearing, this time beside a small brook. We had been traveling north for a while now, and the air had a bit more bite to it compared to back home. The trees grew hearty here, and the ground was filled with far more rocks than the black soil from home.
Gaelenod had begun walking along the stream, complaining that there were barely any of his favorite trees this far north and the bark was far too dry for his tastes. There was something so delightful to me about such a great beast only eating plants.
I waited in the clearing, looking up through the thick evergreen branches for signs of Lumo, who mentioned to me, Gaelenod as translator, that he wanted to do a final scope of the area before we settled down for a meal. My previously delightfully new clothes had grown stiff and uncomfortable against my skin, especially after the long ride.
I was alone the time that he finally flew down, Gaelenod in the thick of his hunt for a worthy meal. I heard a sudden fluttering of fabric behind me, and turned to see his familiar gold mask. To my surprise, he was holding a small, string wrapped package.
“Please, for you,” he said, handing it to me. I stood, waiting in vain for any sort of explanation, but he soon turned around. I watched, holding the surprisingly warm package as he rolled a fell log in the middle of the clearing for us to sit.
“Please,” he said again, this time gesturing to the log. “You must be starved.”
I sat on the log and unwrapped the delicate string, to reveal smoked salmon on warm toasted bread. Thick spiced fumes hit my wind-chilled face and I couldn’t help but sigh in relief.
I watched as he made a magicked fire, flickering white and gold flame at our feet. It took him only moments before the dazzling flame began to warm my chilled legs.
“Gods, you must be so uncomfortable,” Lumo said as he poked at the fire with a nearby stick. I watched, mouth full and completely distracted by the impressive show.
“Hm?”
“Your clothes. I tried… I tried to find you some replacements, but I could only find what you’re eating now at a small shop just at the edge of where we are now,” he continued.
I nearly choked.
“You - you bought this? I thought it was magic… you didn’t have to-” I stammered.
“I told you, no more magic, no more bewitching when it comes to you… I promised,” he said as he put the flaming twig out in the dirt.
“But- I mean, you wouldn’t be directly bewitching me if you were to conjure food though, right?” I asked as I took a final delicious bite.
“No… no I suppose not,” he said with a grimace as he threw the twig at a distant tree.
“Wait. Does that mean you could fix my clothes?” My eyes widened.
“Mira, I promised-”
“Lumo. I. Am. Miserable.”
Lumo winced. “Okay. Okay. This will be the absolute last time though.”
Lumo stood and walked behind me. I shivered as he placed both of his hands on either side of my neck. He then gently put my hair behind my ear, and I felt my face begin its inevitable transformation into a sultry shade of beet.
“Exsiccatus,” he whispered in my ear.
This magic was far more instant - no calming rush, no dazzling sensation - only a swirl of fine mist leaving my clothes and hair. I felt immediate relief though, and couldn’t help but smile as I stretched out my arms without resistance.
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“Lumo?” I asked when he sat down again in front of the fire.
“Mm?”
“Where are we going?”
He chuckled. “I suppose that’s a fair question. We’re meeting an old friend of mine. He will give you a place to stay and be safe while you make your… while you make your choices.”
“My choices? As in, whether to turn myself in or to hide in the Barrens?”
“Yes those… Those and others,” he said, picking up yet another twig.
“Right,” I said, knowing that fighting him on this vagueness would prove fruitless.
There was a moment of silence as we both listened to the crackling of the fire, absorbing the peace after a chaotic day.
“Were you jealous?” Lumo suddenly asked.
“Huh?”
“Were you jealous when she kissed me?” he smiled.
“I - I…” I stuttered, the horrific image resurfacing, “Jealous of whom? You or her? I suppose I was feeling more akin to pity.”
His smile widened, “Fair…. Fair.”
“Can I ask you something?” I hesitated.
He nodded, expression turning serious.
“It’s just - something you mentioned before. You said that at the ceremony - that you were sent to watch me in case I did something… something bad. I’ve been thinking - What can blood magic really do that’s so bad? Other than the giving of life - what harm could I really have done? Void mages are the harmful ones… In all my readings, it’s always so vague. It just states that it’s… That it’s wrong.”
He was silent for a moment, lips pressed tight together.
“Those who can perform blood magic, those that are disciples of Solia, are able to use their own lifeblood as magic catalyst, Mira.”
I nodded. I knew this.
“However, that magic is finite. As Vasati mentioned, your magic had dimmed after you used it to bring our friend back to life. There are several ways to restore the magic, but the most effective way… The most effective way is to take it from those around you,” Lumo sighed.
“I… I would take their blood?”
Lumo then began to laugh, “No - no… not directly. You are no vampire of the Boglands…” he straightened. “ The most direct form - the most feared form, is to turn the creature, usually human, into its pure magicked essence - and to inhale. I… it’s quite frightening.”
My stomach twisted.
“A bogfae? Really?” Lumo suddenly called out to the woods behind me.
I turned, grateful to see a surprisingly refreshed looking Gaelenod emerging from the shadows.
“She has a talent, old friend - or should I say ‘handsome one,’” he chuckled. “It’s not as if we could head back into the city - especially with how far north we are now. I was able to take a look around our perimeter and… and I think we best stay here tonight.”
“Damn… I’ll start setting up a ward then,” Lumo sighed.
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