Todd and the Fae, Chapter 1, Scene 3 – The God of Mischief
Marcus huffs “Apparently. He refuses to leave. From what I’ve gathered, he was forced from his home by his people. He stowed away in my wagon during my last visit here 6 months ago. I’d like to leave him here this time.“
I nod. “Ah, the park Fae then?”
Marcus “With certainty, I would like for you to negotiate a peaceful return.”
I grin. “Really? Peaceful? ”
Marcus “Annoying little thing, but he grows on you. “
I shrug and say “Alright, negotiate his return to his tribe, and you’ll find what you can?”
Marcus “Absolutely. I’ll get started now. I’m confident you’ll be successful.”
I nod and sit, looking over at the Fae and say “Hello. May I cut that for you?”
The Fae narrows his eyes at me, suspicious. Then sniffs the air. “You are similar to the tall one and yet very different.” The Fae drops the slice and stalks across the table, slow and tense. When close, he launches at me, grabbing a finger and licking it.
I try to jerk back, without harming him and yelp, “Little Fae, stop!”
The Fae stops and lets go. “You are a druid, and taste good, very sweet.” Stepping back away.
I mutter under my breath, “Wonderful.”
Marcus arches a brow and frowns, muttering “Fae pest”.
I frown and say “Look little Fae. Do you have a nickname that you can share with me?”
Fae: “Well, Druid, you may call me Tarloch of the clan Chattan. “
Tarloch rubs his hands together, “Though my friends may call me Tarloch. Will you be my friend, druid?”
I tilt my head, considering him. “That’s an interesting name, Tarloch, a Celtic god of mischief?”
Tarloch grins. “Was he?”
I return the grin. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Tarloch. I am the Cernous Druid.”
Tarloch “Yes, I know. My people have heard of you, and my grandfather gave you your name.”
I nod slowly, frowning gravely. “Well, Tarloch, are you from the local tribe or clan here in the park?” Pointing at the grazing horses.
Tarloch shrugs. “Aye, but they exiled me. I can not return.”
I nod. “Why were you exiled?”
Tarloch shrugs, “It’s not important.”
I cock a brow. “I’m tasked with negotiating your return. To do this, I must know what happened.”
Tarloch looks at his feet and scuffs the tablecloth.
I reach over and pick up the slice of apple and, using my small pocket knife; I whittle small wedges off the larger piece. Then I do the same for a piece of cheese and a cookie. When I’m done, I offer the small bits to Tarloch.
Tarloch produces a small platter and loads the food on it. Then, he returns to his place setting. He sets the platter down and picks up a teapot, which he brings to me to fill. I fill the little teapot carefully with a few drops of steaming tea.
Tarloch nods his approval and returns to his place setting. He sits cross-legged on the table and serves himself. Then he looks up at the humans with a huff and waits. Glaring at their empty plates.
Marcus chuckles. “Quite right. Albescu, let us sit and break our fast while Tarloch tells us his story.“
He sits and I serve us both and pour the tea. Then we sit and munch, each processing our thoughts for a moment before Tarloch sighs, “Alright, the story in exchange for a delicious meal. “, then with a little bop and shimmy in place, he begins.
Tarloch leans forward. “I was exiled because … “
Tarloch stands with a flourish and deep dramatic sigh and announces “ of love. “
Tarloch widens his stance, shoulders back. “I am the son of my clan’s Chieftain and next in line to be the draoi, or clan healer. My father has been the draoi for 1000 years. “
I nod. “Congratulations. When is the ceremony?”
Tarloch mutters sitting back down. ”Never if I can help it.“ shrugs then continues “The ceremony is in next week during the full moon and immediately after my wedding.”
I cock my head to the side, “If you’re getting married in a week, shouldn’t you be with your clan preparing?”
Tarloch leans back on his hands. “I should. However, I will not be getting married. I refuse.”
My eyebrows raise, “Is this refusal the reason for the exile?”
Tarloch nods slowly. “Yes, That’s why I’m here, and traveling. The Chieftain declared that if I refused to marry, then I was banished. “
I lean forward, “I see. What do you want? You can’t travel forever.”
Tarloch leans forward and picks up an apple piece, nibbles on it, “No, I don’t want to travel forever. I rather like my home and my clan and I miss them. I want to return to my clan and family, but no wedding or ascension.”
Tarloch picks up his cup and sips. “Well at least not for another 200 years. I want to get to know my betrothed and to be courted. I like human romance stories. I want to be swept off my feet.”
I lean back, shifting in the seat. “Oh, uh. You want to be …?”
Tarloch leans forward. “Yes. I want romance. My betrothed is an accomplished warrior princess, devious, cunning, vicious and, rumor has it, gorgeous. ” then he pauses and shrugs “But we’ve never met as adults. “
Tarloch nods emphatically and says “ I want to meet her, and to have a whirlwind romance, picnics, dates, flowers, poetry, walks in the moonlight on the lake shore, all the romance.”
Tarloch stands with his hands on his hips. “I demand it.”
I fidget with my fork and watch Tarloch. “Ah, I see. That’s very different. With humans and druids, it’s the male’s responsibility to romance the female. Generally.”
Tarloch nods. “Yes, I noticed human females lack the warrior’s grace, boldness, and prowess of our Fae females. How sad. Even the Elves like Marcus here, their females are warriors. “
I wave my fork towards Tarloch, and grin at Marcus. “So to clarify, you want me to find your betrothed, convince her to romance you, and then you’ll marry her?”
Tarloch shrugs his shoulders, “Yes and No. I want a long engagement so you’ll have to negotiate with the Chieftain to postpone the wedding, for at least 300 years. “
I shift in my seat and set the fork down, “300 years? That number’s gone up again, a moment ago it was 200. Is that negotiable? How about 100 or 20 years? As your friend, if I am to attend your wedding, you’d have to be married in less than 50 years.“
I tap my chin, considering our options, “What about your betrothed’s wishes? What if she is looking forward to the wedding and doesn’t wish to wait? A human female will move on if you wait too long.“
Tarloch shakes his head. “She can not “move on” any more than I can. We are fated mates. The magic grove showed my parents and hers on my birth, that we are fated. We have been bonded since, the wedding is just a formality. “
I tilt my head struggling to understand and cautiously say “Ah, so she’s older?”
Tarloch nods. “Yes, she’s 98 years older than I.”
I stretch my legs out a bit, shifting in the seat again. “Will you work with her on the wedding date? I’m sure a warrior will have wants, needs, and expectations. Perhaps she has battles planned, or conquering to do?”
Tarloch grins. “Yes, she will have demands. I’m willing to negotiate with her, as her needs and desires are very important. I do not want the Chieftain dictating the terms though. I can’t give in, even an inch, to Mother or she will think we are weak, and trample all over us. We have to stand up to her and do it our way. “
I narrow my eyes and martial my thoughts. “Very good then. Our bargain then is thus…
I will locate your betrothed. I will negotiate a bargain to postpone the wedding, to introduce you to her, and her to you. I will convince her to court you and you will concede to her wishes or at least compromise on them. Then, when you two have an agreement, I will negotiate on your behalf with the Chieftain, for her agreement to you and your betrothed’s new terms and timeline. In case you and your betrothed can not come to terms, you agree to let Marcus mediate your dispute with your betrothed, and seriously consider his advice on any dispute that arises. “
Marcus jerks, focusing on me. “What did you just…”
I grin at Marcus and focus on Tarloch. “In exchange, you will return to your clan, leaving Marcus in peace, and mark him as a friend to the Fae.”
Marcus groans and mutters “Pest, their all pests, not friends, they are pests!”
Tarloch eyes Marcus and then grins. “Yes, I agree to the terms of our bargain.”
I chuckle, finishing the last few bites of food and my tea. “Alright, then you’ll need to share some information with me. Where do I find your betrothed? Is her clan nearby? What’s the best way to approach her clan without getting maimed or killed?”
Tarloch shrugs. “Well. Her people live down on the east end of the Lake, I believe they are well east of the City. That is why Mother is eager to unite our clans. Together our combined territories encompass the entire city and the harbor. When my younger sister comes of age and marries her betrothed, our united clans will form a triad encompassing the whole of the lake, and its shores on the north, east, and southern sides. Our cousins and their clans control the west end of the lake. We will have peace among the Fae for the first time in 2000 years. It’s all the elders can talk about. “
I lean back a bit surprised. “Oh. I thought your clan territory was just the park.”
Tarloch focuses on me. “No druid, we control the southern shore of the lake south to the horizon. Where you see the giant cedar forest. “
I raise an eyebrow, thinking “So the human territory and city is on Fae lands.” Then say to Tarloch. “Oh, that’s a large territory.”
Tarloch nods slowly. “Yes, the largest on this land mass, the entrance to our capital city is in the park. Our Chieftain enjoys watching the humans up close. ”
I nod, thinking “How do I avoid the politics in this mess?” Then nodding to Tarloch “What city does your betrothed live in and where do I find it? The east end of the lake is a rather large area. In human terms, it’s part of Pennsylvania and part of New York.“
Tarloch stands and shrugs. “True, I’m not certain what city she lives in normally, but as prep for the wedding, she would be a guest of my clan. Traditionally the bride travels to her new clan in the month before the wedding so she can learn more about it and adjust to a new culture. She needs to learn how to rule, and how politics work in her new court since she will step up as the new Chieftain when Mother steps down. She will be in training for about 100 years, possibly more.”
I pause thinking, and then ask “Ah, but would that happen while you are exiled? ”
Tarloch groans, “Yes, the Chieftain is unlikely to have changed her plans. She will assume that I will cave and show as she expects. Also, she has strong compulsion magic. It’s difficult to refuse once she decides to use it. “
I tilt my head, puzzled “So if I fail, you will be forced to marry regardless?”
Tarloch shakes his head, then nods, then shrugs. “Yes and maybe no. This medallion” he pulls a pendant from under his shirt, on a chain. “is supposed to protect me. I paid a human witch, a rather gifted one too, for a human, for it. It specifically protects me from the Chieftain’s compulsion magic. “
I lean forward inspecting the tiny pendant. “ Fascinating, it has a very strong magic signature.”
Tarloch nods, and it pulses in his hand. “Yes it pulses like that, when Mother is attempting to compel me.”
I lean back. “All right, so I should inquire at the park for you betrothed. What is her name?”
Tarloch waves his hand in the air. “She is known as Princess Seathach the 3rd of clan Anstruther.”
I roll my shoulders, feeling the weight of the task. “Anything I should know about protocol for approaching your clan or the princess? “
Tarloch nods, and widens his stance. “Oh yes, far too many to cover in the time remaining. Best you just give it a go. Be polite, and follow whatever rules you already know about the Fae.”
I sigh and nod “I was afraid of that, well” I stand up and face Marcus. “That’s rather ominous instructions.” Then look back over at Tarloch.
Tarloch grins. “Marcus was your teacher, you know enough. You’ll do fine. The worst thing that will happen is the Chieftain may compel you to marry a human of her choice. She’s rather fixated on matchmaking this century. Father says it’s just a phase. “
Tarloch crosses his arms and taps his chin. “Let’s see, oh yes, instructions on how to enter the city. “ He pauses and thinks for a moment. Then says “Go to the park and walk the path. As you walk the path think friendly thoughts towards the Fae, when you cross the first bridge think about our bargain. When you cross the second bridge, think only of the princess. When you cross the third bridge, think only of the outcome you wish to achieve. Then when you are deep within the forest the path to the city will appear. Follow it to the city. Intend no harm to Fae folk and the forest will welcome you. “
I shake my head in surprise, and then finish my tea in a single gulp. “Well, I best be on my way. I’ll need the rest of the day to prepare.“
I stand and shake Marcus’s hand, and nod goodbye to Tarloch. Then with another shoulder shrug, I slide my hands into my pant pockets, and slowly amble past the wagon, and the horses, down the street, through the festival to the trolley stop.