Nearly all of Italia from the southern coast of the Mediterranean to the Northern Alps had been conquered and civilized by the Romans in the previous decades before the wars with Carthagio. Therefore in Italia there was still some cultural and regional differences between the north and the south and even between the east and west. Most non-humans resided in the north—dwarves, gnomes, gremlins and halflings who had only recently been granted full Roman citizenship. Some like Obran, Erkin, Katrina, Tomas, Zico and Mara had moved to Roma, either fleeing the Carthiginians during the war or in search of better opportunities afterwards. However the forests, mountains, caves, and dungeons (or halls as the dwarves called them) were another matter. Humans avoided them all since all of them were said to be full of trolls, giants, undead creatures, witches and sorcerers, and even demons. Fae however were far more rare and elusive. When freed, only a few like Mara chose to stay and become citizens of Roma, most disappeared back to their own forests and Obran had never heard of any creatures visiting their lands except in myths and legends.
"Mara, will we enter the fae lands and come back to the same place?" Obran said.
"Uhm...that's not always the case but it will be in this same forest...I think," Mara said.
"You think?" Obran said.
"Well, I only went back to the fae lands once but don't worry too much," Mara said.
"Hmm, okay...so we'll take the carriage and the animals too?" Obran said.
"Yes, but we have to leave the weapons inside the carriage as well as anything that could be used as a lure or trap, including that poison of yours," Mara said.
"FIne..." Obran said.
They all had reunited by the edge of the forest but proceeding forward had been difficult since the forest was quite lush and dense. Zico walked ahead with Mara sitting on his shoulder; Erkin, Tomas, and Katrina walked behind them with Corvus and the sheep, as Obran and Tori led the two horses and the wagon. As they proceeded deeper into the forest, Obran saw that Mara's wings began to glow brighter and brighter. I hope we are close, he thought. Obran had no idea what a connection into the fae lands would like, he only hoped they wouldn't attract anything dangerous on the way. They walked for over an hour when Mara and Zico finally stopped in a small clearing.
"Here, this is the spot," Mara said.
It was just a small clearing surrounded by trees on all sides. It didn't seem like a special place. Zico placed Mara on the ground and she walked to the middle of the clearing. She couldn't fly and there was a visible tear on one of her wings but luckily Mara said her wings always grew back.
"Zico's mother use to clip my wings when they first bought me so I wouldn't escape," Mara said.
"Sorry about that dear," Zico said.
"That old shrew; I ought to cut off her fingers and see how she likes it," Mara said.
"Dear...please," Zico said.
"Yeah, yeah. Okay, everyone pick up some stones and help me form a circle at the edge of the clearing, makes sure it is big enough for all of us, the wagon too," Mara said.
Mara had explained that when the fae left the world they had left links or connections in several forests in Italia, portals only fae could use. After they made a stone circle, Mara arranged sticks inside of it, forming strange rune like shapes which Obran didn't recognize. She also piled stones on top of each other, creating three stone cairns. When that was done Mara spread fairy dust over all her creations. Afterwards, she looked noticeably exhausted.
"Sweetie, are you okay?" Zico said.
"Yeah...I'm almost done," Mara said.
Mara sat down and in the middle of the circle, between the cairns and began to chant some incantations in her fae language. Soon the stones in the cairns as well as the stones that surrounded them began to glow bright yellow, the same color as her fae dust. A white fog also began to envelop the forest around them; Now, Obran could barely see the trees that surrounded them. As she continued her chant, Mara's wings, eyes, and even her hair began to shine; they all became so bright everyone had to squint and block their eyes. Mara then ceased her chants and slowly stood up as all the stones dimmed to a warm glow. Obran felt warmer; it had been a cool autumn morning but now it felt like a spring day—the scents and sounds of the forest had vanished as well.
"I made the link but we will all need to hold hands to cross over," Mara said. "The animals just need to be in the circle."
Obran grabbed Tori and Erkin's hands as they formed a circle. Everyone looked nervous but excited as well.
"I hope they are friendly," Obran whispered to Tori.
"It will be okay, don't worry," Tori said.
But Obran didn't like the idea of going somewhere without knowing what lay ahead. Could it be dangerous?
"Everyone, listen carefully," Mara said, holding hands with her husband and Tori. "Close your eyes and clear your mind and more importantly clear your heart of any hatred or ill intention. Don't think about those elves or any danger ahead. No ill thoughts, whatsoever. The spells protecting the fae lands are extremely old and powerful. They were made so no fae could be forced to bring danger to our realms. I wouldn't be able to do this if I were compelled to and anyone crossing over with plans to hurt a fae would not like the outcome," Mara said.
Obran nodded to his brother and Tori and closed his eyes. It will be okay, he reassured himself. Mara knows what she is doing. But Obran wasn't sure how to clear his mind or his heart. He'd been a soldier, killed many humans—now elves too—but he never wanted to hurt any fae. Why would I ever want to? And the same with the others, Obran knew his brother had never even been in a fight. Tomas, Zico, and especially Tori were also very kind and benevolent people. So Obran thought about his garden and the peaceful moments at sunrise when he was alone in the gremlins forest and a new day lay ahead of him.
Obran wanted to open his eyes but decided to wait until Mara told them it was okay. Mara spoke a few more chants with Obran guessing they were actually magical spells.
"You all can open your eyes and break the circle," Mara said.
Obran opened his eyes. They were all still in the same circle but the fog around them had changed. Now it shimmered in a violet-reddish color; with the fae dust inside of it moving all around.
"Did we make it? Is it over?" Tori asked.
"We are at the other end of the portal. Once we step through the haze we will enter the fae lands. We'll leave the carriage here. All of you follow me and stay close. Remember no weapons of any kind," Mara said.
Mara glanced at Obran and he nodded; he had left all his weapons and armor in the carriage, even his smallest daggers; he would only have his claws. Mara struggled a bit but was now able to hover. I wonder if her magic stronger here? Zico walked behind her and they soon disappeared into the haze. The rest of them just stared at Obran, as if unsure who should go next.
"I'm sure it's fine," Obran said though he was a bit frightened as well.
Obran reached into the shimmering fog but didn't feel anything. The air just felt slightly cooler and thicker than the air around them.
"Okay...I'll go first," Obran said.
Tori grabbed his hand.
"Together, okay," she said.
"Okay," Obran said with a sigh of relief.
They stepped into fog and it felt as if they had passed through a sheer curtain. They continued and passed through the haze until they were walking on grass. No, it felt and looked like grass, but it was not like any grass Obran had ever known. It was softer and felt more resilient, almost like an eastern-made carpet. Obran took in his new surroundings. They were in another forest but he didn't recognize any of the trees or plants. The fauna seemed more alive in a way he'd never known before, as if they were all enervated by magic. Everything struck his senses at once. The colors were more vivid, the sounds clearer, and the smells were stronger.
Mara and Zico were a few feet ahead, after a few seconds Erkin and Tomas came through the mist, followed by Katrina and all the animals. They all stared wondrously at their new surroundings and Obran smiled at Tori as he took a deep breath. The air was so sweet and fresh; the scent of trees, flowers, and fauna were all mixed together with fae dust and more. It was wonderful.
"I guess we made it," Obran said to Tori.
But there was a look of panic in her eyes. Tori was struggling to breathe; she grasped her neck as if she were being choked by an invisible hand. She was desperate for air.
"Tori! What is it? Can you breathe...inhale slowly," Obran said.
But Tori didn't answer. She just stared wide eyed at Obran, imploring him for help.
"Mara! Help!" Obran yelled.
Tori's eyes glazed over and she collapsed; Obran was just able to catch her and lay her gently on the grass.
"Tori! Tori!" Obran yelled but she did not answer.210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JZVSk4O86
