Manifest Page 21

  The third branch was much wider and sat cleanly on top of the other two. Once it reached the platform, it changed course and shot skyward. The gap the three branches created was easily large enough to fit their entire party. They entered the tree tunnel which led down a long hallway to the very center of the tree.

  The air in the interior of the massive tree smelled strongly of chocolate. He felt his stomach rumble and a new excitement filled him as he looked about in anticipation. Had he just found the home of the Keebler Elves?! There could not possibly be something in this world that could top a magical tree which could mass produce chocolate, marshmallows, and fudge. Fudge! OH, how he missed that gooey gift! If he could create a gloop fruit fudge, he might just die from happiness.

  Unfortunately, they passed no secret laboratories or giant cauldrons filled to the brim with melted chocolate. He didn’t even see a single miniature elf. He knew they were here somewhere. He would be watching, however. Always watching.

  The three branches started to drift further apart as they neared what must have been the center of the tree. The tunnel soon unraveled, and they found themselves standing in a large, flat expanse, surrounded by flowering limbs and green leaves. There was no roof or ceiling, so they were completely open to the midnight skies above.

  Towards the back of the enclosure sat a small ledge that was slightly raised. On that ledge perched a magnificently crafted wooden throne covered with carved glyphs and intricate design patterns. It was not empty.

  A fairy, white as snow, sat upon the throne. She had long braided hair that fell to one side and all the way down her seat. Each braid was a different color and interwoven in a way that seemed purposeful, yet chaotic. That is to say, it was a lady‘s haircut, and he could not make heads or tails of it, but somehow it worked. Back on Earth, he had always gone for the straight buzz cut, but the person before him was obviously royalty, and he wouldn’t begrudge her a bit of pomp. Also, her dot was purple. She could take him out without breaking a sweat.

  Nestled on her head was a thin crown with a large sapphire, surrounded by curved green thorns. She wore a purple gown and a shining ring on each finger. The rings were each a different color, similar to the statue from the platform. Gitch was beginning to see a theme with colors. There was something more going on there, but now was hardly the time to ask.

  Not one freckle or blemish appeared on her youthful face. If he were to guess, he would peg her at 20, maybe 25, years old. Young, but no child. She had a mouth that looked to hold the most beautiful smile but was now fixed into something more akin to a grimace. Her pencil-thin eye brows were scrunched together, and her aquamarine eyes were fixed on the fairy below her.

  “But your highness, the map we found showed three additional imp flocks inbound to their location. It will be a slaughter!” Sergeant Pinaki said with a hint of pleading in his voice.

  “Must I remind you again that I and I alone am queen? I realize your loyalty to the good captain, but use your brain sergeant! There are less than 500 fairies left in the forest. Total! If I send all our warriors before we are fully prepared, then we not only risk losing the battle but also the extermination of our people! This, I cannot allow,” the queen said heavily.

  “It’s not just the captain, your majesty… Teik is among them. She is my only daughter and all that remains of my kin. I… I can’t lose her. Please, allow me to take just one other squad to reinforce them.”

  The queen let out a sigh and looked down at the apprehensive fairy with sympathy. “You may take a small party, no more than five fairies, and rendezvous with Captain Selah. If they are already dead, your priority is to stay alive, scout the area, and report back. The more intel you gather, the more fairies might just live through the coming battle. Our army will follow in two days’ time, I give you my word as queen.”

  “Thank you, your highness,” Sergeant Pinaki said as he bowed low and turned to leave the ‘throne room’. He gave a short nod to both Gitch and Kraznik as he passed the group of onlookers.

  Upon his departure, Takaar approached the throne. “My queen. I present to you the imp, Kraznik, and his warden, Gitch.”

  “Ah, so you are the traitorous imp I have been hearing about. My little birds tell me you have sworn allegiance to my kind. My question is why?” she asked earnestly. It was not unkind, but Gitch could sense the caution in her voice. Kraznik was being tested, and whether he lived, died, or was imprisoned for all eternity rested on what he said next.

  Kraznik cautiously approached the throne but only walked a few feet before he was strongly encouraged to halt by the fairy guards. He gave them a look before lifting his eyes to the queen. “It is true. I have no love for imps, and they certainly have no love for me. They have done unspeakable things to me, things I would rather not repeat here. I swear to do everything in my power to see them all burn! I believe your people share that goal, which is why I would very much like to join you.”

  She looked at him with a deepening frown. “So, it’s revenge. This is what drives you?”

  Kraznik opened his mouth but shut it slowly. He looked down at his feet and then at Gitch before finally responding. When he did, his voice was full of emotion.

  “To be honest, it was at first. Not only against imps, but fairies too. Both races have had their share in killing me, and before today, all I could think about was killing as many as I could before escaping this forest. Things have changed. I have changed,” Kraznik finished softly.

  “How have you changed, Kraznik? Do you still mean my people harm?” She no longer held her frown, but she leaned forward and glanced quickly at Takaar. Gitch saw the fairy pull a small dagger from his belt and inch closer to the imp.

  “No! Not revenge! I... I have experienced more deaths than I can count. Each was a horror in and of itself, but there was one commonality each time I faced the blade and claw. I was completely and utterly alone. I was truly without hope.

  Some imps would laugh, others sneered and mocked. Most looked on with hate and disgust, but not one of them ever tried to intervene on my behalf. I was rejected by my kind, left to a horrible and lonely fate. A fate of constant death with no escape and no end.

  Today was different. I have been killed by your kind before, but today the fairies instead chose to keep me alive. Your people actually fought by my side, rather than kill me on-sight! I felt like I was part of a team. Maybe not friends, but allies nonetheless.

  The faintest glimmer of genuine hope awoke inside my soul. I cannot even begin to tell you what that did to me, but it was only upon hearing the words of the noblest of wolves that sealed the deal. She said I could be more than a devilish imp. That I had a choice before me. I did not choose to be an imp. I did not choose the death or the tortures, though these stemmed from my own actions. I did not choose many things, but I can choose who I will become and who to align myself with. Being good is within my control, and that is my choice. To be good, and fight evil alongside the fairies… if you will have me.”

  Kraznik was near tears by the end of his speech, a strange sight to see coming from an imp. His face was all scrunched up, and his tiny nose was quivering. It would be comical if not for the gravity of the situation.

  Gitch looked between the queen and imp, unsure of what would happen next. Kraznik had lowered his head in resignation, and Queen Tibura sat back in her chair, steeped in thought. No one said or did anything for several long moments. She continued to appraise the imp with neither frown nor smile lighting her face. When she spoke, it was with the voice of true authority. “Come here, Kraznik.”

  Kraznik obeyed instantly. He was noticeably shaking in fear, but he slowly walked forward until the queen held up a hand for him to halt less than a foot from the throne. Kraznik bowed his head and kept it lowered. He had said his piece, and now his fate was hers to decide. Come what may, he would not show her disrespect.

  The queen looked down at the imp’s bare-head and spoke softly. “I see truth in your words. The gods may have chos
en your race, but your identity is for you alone to decide. Your kind consistently chooses dark over light, but that does not make you inherently evil. No, I will judge you by who, and not what, you are. There is good in you Kraznik, and you may find solace among my people.”

  With her right hand she lifted the imp’s head and gently kissed his brow. A blue circle appeared between the three green dots on his brow as he fell to his knees. He started shaking uncontrollably as he was completely overcome with emotion. Kraznik let out a sob and began weeping openly.

  Queen Tibura stood and addressed the emotional imp. “Rise, Kraznik, Friend of the Fae! Be welcome in this place! You are free to walk, talk, and fly among us. I ask only that you remain faithful to our kind and aid us in the fight for this forest. What say you, Friend?”

  “I am honored, your highness! Thank you for this gift. I will never forget, and will serve as best I can.”

  “Excellent! Takaar, please arrange housing for Kraznik. Let it be known that he is a Friend and should be treated as such.”

  “It will be done, your majesty!” Takaar said as he snapped to attention.

  “Good! Rest tonight, Kraznik. Tomorrow, I would like you to give a full report and answer any questions our battle leaders may have. I trust this will not be a problem?”

  “Not at all, Queen Tibura. I will give them all the information I have.”

  “Well Kraznik, it appears we will be able to assist each other greatly. Now, I believe there is another guest among us? Brother Gitch, please come forth.”

  Gitch assumed the queen would want to speak with Kraznik, but he hadn’t been expecting to speak with her directly. He stepped forward and bowed low.

  “Now, now, what is with all the bowing? I can already see the tops of your heads from up here, I do not need a better view!”

  He hadn‘t uttered a single word and he was already making a fool of himself. Friggin luck! He could only hope his decent charisma would bail him out here. It would be a bit ironic if the imp became a friend, and he was thrown in the dungeon. Actually, that wouldn’t be ironic. That would suck.

  “I am sorry, your majesty. I am new to this land and am not accustomed to approaching someone so prominent as yourself.”

  Congratulations! Diplomacy has increased to level 3!

  +6% chance to persuade

  Ahh yeah! He might just be able to escape the dungeon after all.

  “Fair enough, Brother Gitch, just no more bowing. It makes me feel aged. I am only 408 years old; you know.”

  Gitch lost his train of thought. There was no way she was that old, right? She had no reason to lie to him, but still… He had a lot to still discover about his people. He was also not a fan of the whole ‘Brother Gitch’ thing. It made the whole experience a bit too cult-like for him.

  “Well don’t look so shocked! I just-wait! You are another alien, are you not? The other land you speak of is not of this realm, correct?”

  Craaaap!

  “Yes, you would probably consider me an alien, your highness, but I promise to be of help to our kind. You can count on me!”

  “That explains much, including your willingness to be warden over Kraznik,” she said almost accusingly.

  “Yes, my queen. After hearing his story, I was inclined to help him best I could.”

  “Well, you seem to be a good judge of character, though I caution you not to go trusting every imp in these woods. I have never met another imp on the side of good in all my years and doubt there are many like our friend, Kraznik. Now, were you being serious or just flapping your mouth, like some of you aliens are wont to do?”

  “Sorry, what?” Gitch asked in confusion.

  “About me being your queen! Are you pledging loyalty to me? Do you wish to join us?” she asked pointedly.

  “Oh, yes, of course! I do feel like I should join my people, but I have a brother outside of this forest, somewhere. Could I still leave if I choose?”

  “Should you join us, we will become your new brothers and sisters. However, fairies are a free people and can choose to come and go as they see fit. You would hardly be the first of us to leave these woods, and we would bear you no ill will. Though, you should know that the surrounding land is more perilous than you can imagine. You would be much safer staying here.”

  Gitch knew in his heart that he was destined to leave the Dufflin Forest. He needed to find his brother, Croken. Still, this was a good people, and he felt a deep connection here with them… He had changed much over the last few days indeed.

  “My queen, I accept! I will still travel outside this forest someday, possibly soon, but I would be proud to be counted among your people.”

  “This is good, Brother. And you swear to follow our laws, even while abroad?”

  “I swear.” He had absolutely no idea what all of their laws were, but they couldn’t be that big a deal. These were the good guys after all! Besides, how would they know if he broke one or two.

  “Then I declare Gitch a full Kinsman of the Dufflin Fairies! Welcome, Brother!”

  Congratulations! Kinsman status granted with the Dufflin Fairies!

  You will experience the following:

  Reduced shop prices

  Increased chance of diplomacy with all Dufflin Fairies

  Additional quest opportunities

  ???

  *Note, this is a lifelong commitment. Break faith with your kinsmen at your own peril!

  The fairies behind him clapped enthusiastically, and one even gave a shrill wolf-whistle. It wasn’t often that a full-grown fairy pledged allegiance. He almost bowed again but caught himself in time. Instead, he looked up at his new queen and smiled broadly.

  “Thank you, Queen Tibura! I will not let you down. Umm… if it wouldn’t be too much of an issue, could I get a copy of those laws you spoke of? I would rather not break any by accident.”

  “Of course! Scribe Barzan, be sure to provide our new brother with a copy of our laws.”

  A dark-green fairy leapt out from the canopy above and landed not 15 inches from Gitch. He jumped back in surprise and just about uttered a phrase not likely appropriate for royal ears.

  “Of course, Queen Tibura. As it happens, I have a spare set on me,” the scribe quickly advised, handing Gitch a sealed letter. After overcoming his initial shock, he graciously accepted the document.

  “Thank you, scribe. Gitch, I strongly urge you to familiarize yourself with these laws. There are many benefits in joining our people, but there are consequences for disobedience. Also, fairies are fun loving people, but even we have standards. It is fine if you wish to walk around half-naked outside this sacred tree, but while you are in this chamber, please wear a shirt.”

  “Yes, my queen. I, um, will be sure to do as you say,” Gitch said, looking down in embarrassment. His old shirt was somewhere in a spiders’ den, and he had no intention in going back to retrieve it. He would need to find a market and soon.

  “Very well. Now, I believe our session is concluded. If there is nothing else, I suggest we all retire for the night. Takaar, be sure to guide Kraznik and Gitch to their sleeping quarters. You are dismissed.”

  The queen stood up as two more fairies flew down from the above canopy. They took position on either side of their liege, each brandishing a large halberd. The three departed down a hidden ramp to the side of the throne, soon withdrawing out of sight.

  Gitch‘s party traveled back down the passage they had come. Once they reached the platform, Takaar addressed both Gitch and Kraznik.

  “The queen has cleared you both, and you are now free to travel about as you wish. The choice is yours on how you reach the inn. We may travel down the winding ramp yet again, however, I myself find flying much swifter.

  Both of the newcomers answered at the same time, “Fly!”

  “Then let us away! Stick close to me, and I will show you to your lodging,” Takaar said as he dove off the platform and into the night sky. Gitch and Kraznik jumped after him. Takaar free-fell for seve
ral moments before spreading his wings wide and flying back towards the village while the rest of their party flew off to the west to continue patrolling the magical city’s perimeter.

  Kraz followed just behind Takaar, while Gitch brought up the rear. They passed over the many strange buildings and winding streets on the way, and Gitch couldn’t help but be a little envious of those players that had begun their journey here. What wonders and secrets did this place hold? He was itching to do some exploring in the morning.

  The three of them soon touched down on the stoop of a 2-story inn atop a large birch tree. The sign in front read ‘The Stupored Gnome’ in large red lettering. Underneath those words was a picture of an ugly gnome that looked like he was half-drunk. Actually, besides not being pink, it looked remarkably like Dwik. Gitch would need to ask the gnome if there was anything he needed to confess next time he saw him.

  Takaar led them inside and into the front lobby. Kraz had to duck his head to enter, but otherwise the interior was as comfortable as could be imagined. Refreshments were set aside on a nearby table, but Gitch didn’t recognize any of the food and decidedly steered clear. Apart from the food, the walls were lined with comfortable looking couches, and red plush carpet squirmed between his toes like a miniature foot massage. It was glorious!

  He looked over at Kraz but saw that the lucky devil had himself a pair of shoes. Shabby shoes, but shoes nevertheless. He was about to tell him to kick them off, but noticed Kraznik was intensely focused on something across the room.

  Puzzled, Gitch followed his gaze and saw the object of the imp‘s focus. The strangest statue of a gnome stood along the back wall. He was sitting on a unicorn, backwards, with a mug of ale in either hand. He looked like he was having a good time... unlike his mount. Whether by magic or the low light in the room, the sculpted unicorn appeared to be bucking like mad in an effort to throw his 1stupored rider.