129 Omen (1/2)

\”It's a good plan… seems like you're finally starting to think first before you act!\” Darah's voice came out loud and clear from the mouth of the burly sprite sitting opposite me inside the wagon I'd just appeared in. \”I may be able to get you reinforcements in the area in case you need it but don't count on my help, Dean.\”

Darah praising me was a very rare thing so I was pleasantly surprised. But, to be honest, I was even more surprised by the sudden change in the tone of her next sentence. She almost sounded like she cared.

\”You better come back alive from this latest fiasco… and, Dean, if you're going to fight against the slave trade then give them hell,\” she instructed. \”Oh, and you can keep Vans in your unit for now. He's one of my top spies in that area.\”

\”Yes, ma'am,\” I whispered, more out of habit. Then I spared a glance at the sprite who'd given me the message. \”Why do you look so familiar?\”

The foot-tall, blonde creature, his golden gossamer wings flapping behind him, bowed his head at me in such a regal way that I remembered where I'd seen him before.

\”You played Garm in that play I saw back in Jester's Court,\” I realized.

Vans raised his head and looked back at me with glittering, amber eyes. Then he patted his own chest with one of his tiny hands. \”I am humbled that you remembered my performance, Commander Dapper.\”

\”Yeah… well, that's because that show was really bad… no offense.\”

\”None taken, sir. But I hope you do not judge me on just that as you will find I can be useful,\” he explained. \”People only really notice us, performers, when we're on stage. Once in a while, I get invited into the best parties where a little charm and a glass or two of spirits help loosen lips.\”

I nodded in agreement. This little sprite might be useful in getting us information later on.

\”Alright, I want you to attach yourself to a theatre troupe when we get to the Undercroft and get me intel on the city's movers and shakers,\” I ordered.

\”Ah, I'm already in contact with a group based in that city. I will join them as soon as we arrive,\” he answered, bowing again.

\”Cool, rest here for now,\” I said, right before I pulled open the wagon's flap and jumped out of it.

The sight that greeted me brought a smile to my face.

A caravan stretching back as far as my eyes could see was steadily making its way forward through dunes that were the size of small hills. On the outside, it looked like a group of merchants coming to trade in the Undercroft, but my soldiers were disguised and spread out across the column, some acting as merchants while others were mercenary guards.

The desert wind arrived just then and sent a chilly touch to my face.

\”Guess I should find the others now…\” I whispered.

\”What's that about the moon?\” I asked as I climbed up Myth Chaser's back.

Ashley, who was riding opposite Aura on my left, raised a finger to the sky.

I looked up and noticed for the first time that Idunn was nowhere to be found.

\”Idunn's light hastens away as the Darkness returns, bringing with him the arrival of the long night,\” she rhymed.

\”Happens every year in the week preceding Samhain,\” Aura added. \”Idunn vanishes from the sky and the nights grow darker and longer in the Fayne as winter draws near.\”

\”Doesn't the same thing happen on Mudgard?\” Luca asked. \”Halloween marks the beginning of winter too. At least it used to before they turned it into the best holiday ever.\”

I nodded in agreement. \”It was a festival even when they called it Samhain, Luca… but I wasn't aware that fairies celebrated it too.\”

\”We don't,\” answered the gruff voice of Shanks.

I glanced behind me.

The troll merchant was seated on the passenger's side of the lead wagon. Pike sat beside him with her hands holding onto the reins.

\”Most fairies consider the nights without Idunn's light a bad omen,\” he added. \”Especially this week... on the eve of Samhain's return.\”

\”You make it sound like Samhain is an actual person,\” Luca said.

\”He is… at least the legends claim he is,\” Ashley answered.

Of course, a shieldmaiden would be familiar with the fairy legends. Even one who wasn't born in the Fayne would have been grilled to remember the lore.