Manifest Page 20

  “Enough! We need to get a move on.” Takaar shouted above them all. They put the muzzle back on Kraznik, and they continued on. Gitch, for one, was glad to see the puke-berry bush disappear behind them.

  They walked for another hundred yards through the thick underbrush. Four of the fairies flew circles around Kraznik, while the others walked on either side. All avenues of escape were lost.

  They finally came to a section of the woods that appeared even denser than the rest. A mighty thicket of spiky shrubs, fallen branches, and sharp rocks completely obscured their way forward. It looked nearly impossible to enter, let alone travel through. This couldn’t possibly be their home. Fairies were supposed to live in magical wonderlands. Not at the bottom of forest trash… right? The longer Gitch looked at it, the further away he wanted to be. Something dreadful was up ahead, and Gitch wanted no part of it.

  Their escort didn’t slow, but rather pressed on through. Kraznik appeared hesitant to continue, but two fairies laid hands on him and shoved him into the brush. Gitch lost sight of him in an instant, which did nothing to alleviate his worries. Had he been wrong to trust the fairies? Maybe they were as cruel as Kraznik first made them out to be. Gitch looked for a way out, but there was nothing to be done.

  Most of the other fairies had now passed into the thicket, and soon only Gitch, a green fairy, and one of the silver fairies remained. She had not yet given her name and was even now eyeing him curiously.

  The green fairy, he thought his name was Jonad, saw the apprehensive look on Gitch’s face and offered some encouragement.

  “Go on ahead, there really is nothing to fear. The bubble charm is to ward away outsiders and for keeping all the accumulated mana inside the city so as to not attract unwanted attention. Once you pass the barrier, the discomfort will cease. Hurry now, or we will fall behind!”

  Come what may, he was done running. He would not live a coward. Not in this life. He would not back away, and he would not be pushed in like the imp. Gitch drew a deep breath and stepped forward. He met little resistance. In fact, he didn’t feel a single rock, branch, or anything of the sort. It actually felt sort of like a bubble. A thick, wet, invisible bubble that pressed up against him. He pressed back, and easily popped out the other side of his own little platform nine and three-quarters.

  The thick underbrush and terrible sense of foreboding were completely gone. Instead, he found himself standing on a white-sand river bank. He could feel the soft, cool sand between his toes, which was a welcome relief from the thorns and rocks he had been walking over on his way in.

  A fast current guided the clear water south around a sharp bend, and in the middle of the vast river was an island. The island itself could be considered big, but not necessarily large. In the center stood a mountain of a tree. It was probably 90 to 100 feet tall, but what girth! Dozens of branches, thick as normal-sized oak trees, seemed to sprout out from the central trunk. Each branch appeared to have its own plan for growth. Some were spiraled, others straight. Some shot up and then bent back towards the island. Some were so large that they just lay on the ground, unable to support their own weight. It was both chaotic and beautiful.

  Countless luminescent orbs hung from each branch, casting the whole island in a cool magical glow. Surrounding the massive trunk was a miniature city. It reminded him of a Christmas figurine village, but weirder. The myriad of unique buildings and tents were certainly eye catching, but the town itself was laid out in such a chaotic way that would have only made sense if the city manager was related to both the Swiss Family Robinsons and Jar Jar Binks.

  The ‘streets’ were not paved, straight, or grid-like in any way. Some seemed to lead off to nowhere, while others passed up and over a few of the smaller tents. A few dozen or so of the various buildings and tents were on the ground, but the rest were placed well within the various trees spread across the island. These trees were connected by several ramps and rope bridges, which seemed odd since fairies could simply fly wherever they needed to go. It was a very strange place indeed.

  The air was filled with birds and the water with fish. If he squinted, he could also see various creatures, and even a few fairies, fast asleep on the island beach. Besides the glade with the giant toadstool, this was easily the most beautiful, most magical place he had ever seen. Certainly the strangest.

  He was filled with a sense of both wonder and power! Something about this place resonated deep within him. The only way this scene could be better was if…

  “Gloop fruit!” he shouted enthusiastically. There, on the shore, was the most marvelous tree, carrying the most delectable food known to fairykind. He could almost cry. He was absolutely done eating out of strange bushes. Until he could verify it, the only berries he would be popping into his mouth would be 1 rahzen. Not those disgusting pimplepoo fruit, or whatever the hell Feckle had called them.

  He almost flew over to the tree, but then he saw Kraznik and the escort of fairies down closer to the river’s edge. Even here, the fairies were not willing to let the imp fly and were loading Kraznik into a small wooden canoe. Gitch didn’t know him that well, but he still felt pretty bad about how Kraz was being treated. He was still alive, though. That was a plus.

  The silver fairy chose that moment to fly up to him.

  “Quite a sight, isn‘t it?”

  “It‘s amazing!” he replied. “But why do they call it Fae-thil?”

  She gave him a quizzical look. When she answered, she spoke slowly and fully annunciated each word. “We call it Fae-thil because that is its name. Names are how we identify things. For instance, my name is Alyka. You are…”

  Gitch felt his ears redden. “My name is Gitch, nice to meet you. I meant, why is it called Fae-thil. Does it stand for anything?”

  She widened her eyes in understanding. “Oh, I see! You should really speak more plainly. It is called Fae-thil because that is our island! Before you ask, no it does not stand. If anything, it sits. Maybe some lie down, but I have never seen an island stand. Have you?”

  Gitch took a deep breath and briefly closed his eyes. What had he gotten himself into? How was he supposed to communicate with this fairy? Were there more like her? Oh God, he hoped not!

  When he reopened his eyes, he found Alyka smiling wide. She started giggling when she saw him stare back at her. She progressively grew louder and louder until all of the nearby fairies looked in their direction to see what the Dufflin was going on.

  “Ha, I am just yanking your wing! We don’t take things so literal or even that serious around here. Best you know that now! I had a feeling my uncle might have given you a poor impression of fairies at large. We definitely aren’t all like…” She paused to stand at attention and give a firm salute, “Sergeant Pinaki! Killer of fun, joy, and childrens’ dreams, reporting for duty!” She finished with another burst of giggles.

  “Fan-freaking-tastic! He knows his stuff, but that guy needs to chill out every once in a while. Is there some kind of middle between your uncle and that guy?” He nodded in Feckle’s direction. There had to be some sort of happy medium.

  “Well there’s me!”

  “Ummm... Really?”

  “Now what the ruddy blubber fish is that supposed to mean!” she answered sharply.

  “No! I didn’t mean-”

  “Wow, that was just too easy! I’ll see you around, Pinkie.” She turned around and sauntered off.

  Gitch stared after her, dumbfounded. Was every conversation going to be so difficult here? What he needed to do was stop being so human. He was a fairy now. He needed to embrace their nature. No, his nature, and he had a plan.

  He arrived back to the group just after Alyka. He located his target, the grey jerk fairy, Feckle, and strode up to him. He clapped him in the back and said, “Ya know, Feckle, I have a sixth sense when it comes to reading people. For instance, I happen to know you are a medical prodigy,” Gitch said with a smile.

  Feckle stared at him with utter confusion. “Huh?”


  “That’s right, my good fairy. You are living proof that fairies can survive without a brain!” Gitch finished, clapping his back again with a bit more force. The fairies around them chuckled as Feckle’s face screwed up in consternation.

  “Why you-”

  “Shut your mouth when you’re talking to me,” Gitch said, pointing a finger at the grey fairy’s face. “I’m actually jealous of people that don’t know you. I mean, last time I saw something like you, I flushed it!”

  Even Takaar snorted at that. Gitch wasn’t sure what the restroom accommodations were in Mentira, but the meaning must have been clear enough. The fairies began to huddle around the pair, some softly chanting Gitch’s name, while others looked to Feckle for his response. The grey fairy looked like he wanted to be about anywhere else at the moment. He fidgeted with one of several rings on his fingers while glaring at Gitch.

  “You son of a bastard’s third turd!”

  Gitch hmphed. That was pretty good. Fortunately for him, the fairies took offense. Not at the insult, but at the words chosen. Jonad slapped Feckle in the back of the head.

  “No cursing!”

  Gitch smirked as he went back on the offensive. “I’d agree with you, but why should we both be wrong?”

  The chants for Gitch were growing louder. His opponent, however, looked like he wanted to beat the ever-loving crap out of him. Feckle opened his mouth and said simply, “Imp lover.”

  “Not bad, oxygen thief. They say opposites attract. I hope you meet someone smart, beautiful, and overall pleasant to be around. ”

  The fairies erupted in laughter, but Feckle was done with it all. He turned to walk away, but Gitch laid a hand on his shoulder to stop him. “That’s for screwing with Kraz and I. We good?” he said, offering a hand in truce. Feckle smiled at him, and then punched him full in the mouth.

  YOU HAVE SUFFERED 3 PHYSICAL DAMAGE!

  Feckle spat on the ground and then stomped off towards the boat. He wordlessly grabbed the rope attached to the front of the small craft and began pulling the boat across the river towards the island. The other fairies took turns congratulating Gitch and slapping him on the back. He would have smiled back at them had his jaw not hurt so bad. 3 damage wasn’t much, but in a concentrated area, it still hurt something fierce. Alyka gave him a nod of approval before flying off towards the island. The rest followed her example, with Jonad giving him a wink and a grin before taking off.

  Congratulations! You have unlocked a hidden racial trait: Ribbing

  Fairies love a good-natured ribbing. A simple joke or prank can help lighten the mood and lift the hearts of all present. A true fairy can take it as much as he can give it.

  +1000 reputation with all fairies

  +500 reputation with all positive aligned creatures

  “Awww yeeeeah!” Gitch shouted out. He was alone on the shore now, but he felt awesome! He was becoming who he was meant to be, and it felt good!

  He leapt into the air and easily caught up with the rest of the fairies. Feckle was pulling the rope with gusto, but he couldn’t out pace an unhindered fairy. All of the fairies were flying now. Apparently, none felt the burning desire to ride next to an imp, but Gitch didn’t think the Kraz minded in the slightest.

  They made good time and reached the island in a matter of minutes. A few of the creatures, and most of the sleeping fairies began to stir as they walked passed. Gitch had to resist the urge to fly over and start hugging, chasing, and playing with the waking beasts. His fairy hormones were ridiculously strong, and sometimes rather annoying. It was like puberty all over again, but a fairy version.

  He could identify a few giant salamanders, but that was it. He had never seen anything that resembled just about any of these creatures. Not all of them were reptilian or amphibious, either. He spotted several hairy beasts, all of which sprouted somewhere between one to three tails. These were the color of cyan and snored eerily similar to Dwik.

  More and more of the creatures and fairies began to wake. The beasts paid the fairies no mind, but they each stared at the imp curiously and possibly a bit hungrily.

  One large reptile rose out of the sand and crawled over to him. Obviously not a fan of imps, it barred its fangs and gave a great hiss. The thing was eight feet long but just three feet tall. Gitch could only compare it to a 6-legged crocodile with several tentacles sprouting all over its back.

  Kraznik held his ground and looked the creature in the eye. The tentadile gave Kraznik a curious stare and looked at him for several long seconds. Takaar looked ready to intervene at a moment’s notice. He may not trust the imp, but he had orders to bring him along safely to Queen Tibura. He whispered something to the creature, but it paid him no mind. It just continued to stare at Kraznik. Gitch began looking around nervously as all the other creatures were now watching the exchange with interest. The only one not to seem perturbed was the imp himself. Never blinking, Kraz stood resolute.

  Without warning, the large reptilian creature lowered its head to the sandy beach, but made no attempt to swallow up the imp. In fact, if Gitch didn’t know any better, he would say the tentadile was bowing to Kraz!

  Kraznik slowly walked over to it and scratched its shining scales gently. The tentadile gave an audible moan and raised an eye to the imp. It then opened its mouth and licked the imp’s leg.

  Gitch wasn’t sure who was more surprised, the fairies or the surrounding beasts. He himself was confused until he saw the green mark on the imp’s forehead glimmer in the moonlight. Half-Tail’s parting gift was already paying dividends.

  Takaar stood there dumbfounded as he looked at the imp with new found respect. It was only when Kraznik‘s new friend crawled away, that he snapped out of it and lead them forward. Several of the beach fairies began muttering to themselves, and Gitch saw Alyka give Kraznik a furtive glance.

  Chapter 18

  The rest of the journey was uneventful. They passed through the strange city and soon stood in front of a four-foot tall archway. One side of the arch nestled against the massive tree.

  Several images of fairies were carved into the silver framed arch. Some of the fairies were playing, others laughing. One large fairy lacked any wings, but rode a beautiful bird through the sky. The arch was fascinating and offered a glimpse into the fairy history. He looked over at Kraznik to see what he thought, but the imp was staring wide-eyed at a single image on the far side.

  One fairy hovered above a great crowd of onlookers and wore a large feathered-headdress. In his left hand was a serrated dagger, and his right held the severed head of an imp. Gitch heard an audible gulp from behind Kraznik‘s muzzle as they passed under the archway.

  The path wrapped up and around the large tree and was just wide enough for five fairies to walk abreast. An intricate silver roof covered their heads, and a thin railing ran up the path on their right. The floor was made of a strong glass, which allowed for a clear view of the ground below. Pretty nifty, Gitch thought.

  Fine tapestries and portraits of regal looking fairies decorated the left-hand side of the path. Small golden orbs of light hung from the roof, providing more than enough light to see by. Periodically, they would pass small alcoves containing statues of fairy and beast alike. Some were playful, but others made Gitch glad he wasn’t an imp. Even though they were inanimate, there was still a fierceness behind their eyes.

  “Why the need for a spiraled ramp anyway? Couldn’t fairies just fly to the top?” he asked to no one in particular.

  “Normally, yes, but there is no way in Shikolm we are letting the imp fly free,” Takaar answered. “This is the guest entrance. Not all of our allies our winged, hence the glass floor. This brings them up to our level, so to speak, and gives them a sense of what we experience daily. Traveling this path also gives our visitors a chance to see who we are and where we come from prior to speaking with our great queen.”

  Gitch was rather impressed. That was brilliant in a way he hadn’t thought of. As they continued up the path, passing m
ore and more of the vibrant statues and paintings, he came to the sound conclusion that fairies loved to play and have fun, but absolutely despised evil. Pranks, tricks, jokes, and general chicanery were strongly encouraged among his people, as long as it was done out of love or a light heart. Evil was not to be tolerated but immediately vanquished. That philosophy had a strong appeal to him, and he was finally starting to see why Lily had made him a fairy in the first place.

  The tree’s girth made it so the path orbited the tree only once. Sometimes they passed over a large trunk of a branch, other times they passed right under. Not one branch resembled another.

  The path soon began to level, and they came upon a large wooden platform. There was no roof, and the railing was removed from the north and west edges. In the center stood one final statue, but this one was different. It was porcelain white and stood a good five feet tall. Her hands were outstretched, and different colored water spouted freely from each finger. The water coalesced in a basin at the feet of the statue, but did not mix together. In fact, when he looked into the pool, it was like seeing a liquid rainbow. The colors ebbed and flowed in and around each other, but stayed separate. It reminded him strongly of Todd’s pool back in the glade, but with more colors.

  The statue faced west with a fierce determination, like she alone was holding back some unseen threat. Small benches made of the same white material encircled the statue, making this a perfect spot to sit and contemplate life. Like so much else he had seen recently, it was truly awesome. Still... something seemed off. Surely this wasn’t their final destination. Where was the queen? He looked around, confused for a minute, until he saw an opening in the tree behind the statue.

  Three thick branches had grown out from the central trunk. Two of them ran parallel and were spaced at least five feet apart but only four feet tall. Each ran the length of the platform before dropping over the edge. The northern branch had then grown straight down, while the southern branch slipped underneath the ramp they had taken up before again jutting out west.