Faye sat on her new bed, in her new home. Which was just a large bedroom, with a tiny bathroom. There wasn't any place to eat or cook, but according to Marka, there was a specific tree where everyone ate together. And Faye was welcome to all the food she could eat. "Maybe living here won't be so bad," she said.
"They don't know you're a non-human," Jyri reminded her. "You still have to hide."
Faye rested her chin in her hands. "I know."
"Do you think the spell is working?" Jyri asked, inspecting his still-hairy arms. They didn't look as bad as before, though it was hard to tell.
"I think," Faye said. "I can't see the horns."
"Good. Hopefully I can leave this place before sunset." Jyri rubbed the back of his head, eyes on Faye's anklet. "Any chance of that coming off?"
She pulled her foot up across her other leg, and tugged at the cold metal, then shook her head. "I can't even see a seam on it."
"I didn't think so. Only they can remove it." Jyri gave her a wistful smile. "It was nice traveling with you, even if you were a pain sometimes."
"Same to you. There's no chance of you staying?"
"I can't. I'll be found."
"Could you at least tell me why you're on the run?"
Jyri glanced down at her, then pushed his hair out of his face. He focused his attention on a lantern next to her bed, then nodded towards it. "I bet you'll have no problem lighting that every night."
Letting out a groan, Faye buried her face in her knees.
"It's too complicated, okay?" He took a step closer, and clasped his hand on her shoulder. Her body tensed, and he let go. "Just know that, I never meant you harm."
Faye averted her eyes, ignoring choked up sensation in her throat. "What do you mean?"
"You think I haven't noticed you grabbing for your knife all the time?"
"I don't."
"I've seen you sleep with it under your pillow."
Faye poked her foot at the dirt floor. "Can you blame me?"
"I suppose not. But..." He paused. "You've been a good friend. Even if you think I'm out to get you."
Friend? Faye nibbled her lip. "I'll miss you."
Jyri smiled. "Maybe the bad thing will happen soon, and you can catch up with me."
"You move too fast. You'll be in Dorendi by that time."
"Maybe you'll find me there." Jyri's eyes met hers. She swallowed, and he continued. "I plan on sticking around Brenan for a bit. It's not far from the border. When you're done here, if it's not too late, you can find me."
Faye tore away from his gaze, and focused on the wooden walls. "If I ever am. What if nothing ever happens, and I'm stuck here for the rest of my life?"
"You've got food, and shelter. It's better than your previous life."
Faye couldn't argue with that. Before she could respond, someone knocked on the door. She got off the bed, and walked across the room to answer it. Marka stepped inside.
"How are you settling in?" she asked.
"Well enough," Faye said.
Jyri folded his arms, jutting out his chin. "What do you want?"
Marka opened her mouth, but Faye interrupted, lest an argument break out. "Have you found the problem yet?"
Marka pursed her lips. "No."
"What exactly does this prophecy of yours say?" Jyri asked. "Word for word?"
"I thought you'd ask." Marka dug her hand inside her strapless dress, procuring a folded piece of paper. Jyri scrunched his nose. Marka ignored his disgust and, unfolding it, read it aloud.
"The woman who sees the true form of the evil others love, will save the Arlua from death."
"The evil others love?" Jyri frowned. "That could be anything."
Marka shook her head. "It's the Rako. He is evil, and has magic that makes others love him. But there is one woman who does not fall for him, and that woman," she pointed to Faye, "will save us."
"Are you sure?" Faye asked.
"Who else could it be?"
Jyri held up his hand. "Wait. Did that say, a woman?" Marka nodded. Jyri gestured towards Faye and himself. "Can we speak in private?"
"Certainly."
Jyri grabbed Faye's arm, leading her back to the bed, as far away from Marka as possible. "It can't mean you," he whispered.
Faye tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
Jyri eyed her. "Don't take this the wrong way but, technically, you're not a woman."
Faye scoffed. "Am too."
"You're not a human. You're part fairy."
"I'm a woman fairy."
"But not a woman. It's not you."
"So what? They think I am. Unless you suggest I tell them the truth?"
Jyri rubbed his chin. "Your secret might be safe here. King Lyon isn't fond of the Arlua, and wants to extinguish them. He just hasn't gotten around to it yet."
"Wait, do you think... Lyon is the threat they need to be saved from?"
"It's possible. But what's important is, it's not you."
"Will it be safe for me, if they know?"
Jyri silently regarded her for a moment, then let out a breath. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "I don't know much about them. I only know they live inside of trees and use magic. And you know how much King Lyon hates magic. They could be on your side."
"And if they're not?" Faye asked.
"Run?"
"Kinda hard to do, given I'm bound here." Faye held out her foot, showing the anklet.
Jyri scratched the stubble on his cheek. "I don't know. But I don't think you're that woman."
"I'll be stuck here forever," Faye said bitterly, holding her face in her hands.
"What if we fake it? We could set up a threat, that you could save them from. And then they'll let you go."
"Will that really work?"
"It's worth a try. I'll stay the night, and we can plan something."
"Are you sure you can afford to, with those goons after you?"
"You saved my life. I owe you."
"You've already paid me back," Faye said.
"But I might need you to save it again, sometime." Jyri smiled.
Faye returned his smile. "Alright."
Jyri patted her shoulder, and Faye followed him back to Marka.
"Everything alright?" Marka asked.
"It's fine," Faye said.
"Just speculating," Jyri added.
Marka looked between them. "If you need anything, go to the tallest tree. Someone will be outside it. Just ask for me." And she turned and walked out, leaving Faye and Jyri alone to plan.
The next morning, Marka and two other women showed up at her door with plates of food. Eggs, bacon, blueberries, and toast. Knotted as her stomach was, Faye managed to pile it all in. Jyri only took the toast. They ate outside, near Holger. Jyri tossed him a toast slice, and he caught it in his mouth, gulping it down. Faye shoved a handful of blueberries in her mouth, as Jyri took another slice for himself.
"Why do you only ever eat bread?"
"I eat other stuff," he said, swallowing. "Do you remember the plan?"
Faye shivered. It was a simple thing, really. She would use her magic to set their crops on fire when no one was looking, and put it out in front of everyone. She just felt guilty for damaging their food supply. Jyri had assured her that it would grow back.
"What if it doesn't work?" Faye asked.
Someone screamed in the distance, followed by another scream. The two shared a look, then ran towards the screaming. Once they found the source, Faye nearly screamed herself.
A monstrous, horned creature stood paces away from a group of people. Sharp spikes ran down its back, and it turned its squashed face towards Faye, fangs bared. She clutched her hand to her chest, shaking.
"Scared?" Jyri smiled down at her.
"You're not?"
"No. It's just a hodag."
"A what?"
"They're cave dwellers. There must be caves somewhere nearby. People think they're dangerous, but they're actually quite friendly."
The hodag let out a roar that echoed through the village. People clutched each other. Others came out to see the commotion, and screamed.
Jyri nudged Faye. "Now's your chance, savior."
"I'm not going near that thing!"
"It's not even moving. It's just standing there." Jyri pushed her forward. "Go give it a kiss."
The hodag sniffed at the ground. Faye stalked towards it.
"Our savior!" Someone called out. Others cheered.
"Quiet!" Faye shouted. The hodag whipped its head towards her, and stomped towards her. She fought back an urge to run. Which wasn't hard, as she couldn't move. How was she to take down such a beast?
The hodag stopped in front of her, Faye grew dizzy at the sight of its too-long fangs. It bent its head down towards her, and sniffed.
"Nice daggy," Faye whispered.
The hodag growled, but its expression seemed curious, as though it had never seen anything quite like her before. Faye reached a trembling hand towards it, and touched its smooth, scaly head. It jerked away, then pressed against her palm. As she stroked it, it let out a gurgle, like a purring cat. Holger was more violent than this creature.
"You're not so scary, are you?" Faye whispered to it. "Why don't you go back home?"
At this point, a crowd had formed around her and the hodag, all staring in awe.
"How are you doing that?" a woman asked.
"I have the ability to talk to monsters." Faye straightened, and pointed her finger at the hodag. "Go home."
"Kill it!" someone shouted.
Faye held up her hand, turning towards the crowd. "If we kill it, it says more will come. It wants something."
"What does it want?" a man asked.
Faye looked to Jyri, but he was too far from her to inconspicuously ask for help. But he pushed his way to the front of the crowd, and mouthed something to her. Water?
"Water," Faye said. "Are there any lakes nearby?"
Marka took a few steps towards her, but stayed several paces away from the hodag. "There's a lake, not too far from here. It's about an hour's walk."
"Can you-" Faye began, but Marka cut her off.
"I'm not going anywhere near that thing," she said. All around her murmured in agreement.
"If you tell me where the lake is, Jyri and I can take it there," Faye said. "I need this thing off my leg though."
"Right." Marka didn't move from her spot, so Faye walked over and held her leg out. Marka put both her hands around the cuff, eyes closed. The anklet fell off.
"Thank you," Faye said.
"No," Marka said. "Thank you."
ns 15.158.61.16da2
