The Wayward Fae

A Wolf in Termonn

Amber, Sam, Mya, and Jane stopped their jeep and Sam peered out of the window. All she could see was a huge expanse of beach and an unending ocean. This huge kingdom she was supposed to be visiting for the first time, was nowhere in sight. She eyed Amber who sat watching her with a smile and then looked back at Mya and Jane. 

"You two see anything?"  They shook their heads and she shot Amber a skeptical look. "You sure this is the right place?" 

"Yes, I'm sure. Come on." Amber got out and grabbed her backpack. She waited for them at the edge of the steps leading down to the beach. At the bottom you had two options, go to Termonn, after paying the toll, or go to the beach. They would be doing the first, she just hoped that the bridge guard still took chickens as p*****t. "Mya grab the cages, please. Let's get going, we still have to negotiate with the guard." 

"Look, baby, I trust you, completely. You know that. But there's nothing here." Sam gestured with her hand. "Where exactly do you want to negotiate?" 

"Come on, and stay close," Amber said laughing. They walked behind Amber, following closely. "Watch your footing here, and please Sam, don't shift." 

"Why would I..." But her words were cut off. One moment they were standing on the bottom step, close to Amber, the next they were on a bridge that stretched, what seemed like miles into the sea, before meeting up with a huge island, filled with houses, people, and a huge castle on the hill. All around it was smaller islands, all green and filled with life. She looked at Amber and noticed for the first time that Amber was shaking hands with a small, pointy-eared man. He shot what looked like angry looks at Mya, Jane, and her. And she took a step forward, a growl in her throat. Amber reached back and touched her arm.

"No," Amber said quietly. "Root, we are expected." 

"Not all, just you, and that." He gestured with his head to Sam.  "Nothing about them."  He scrunched his nose up at them. "Wolves are not welcome here." 

"Please check with Queen Riana, I can't go any further without them. She called me here, so she should know they have to come." 

"Pirates and wolves. What next?" He grumbled and went to sit on his chair, closing his eyes. 

"Seriously?" Sam took a step forward, but Amber held her back. "He's ignoring us." 

"No, he's not," Amber said, waiting. 

"This place is amazing," Mya said. Jane nodded her agreement. "No wonder they hide it from the rest of the faction, the rest of the world. It would get spoiled by too many visitors." 

"Yes, I think that's part of the reason why the fae retreated." Amber groaned as a loud sound, like helicopters, approached them. "Don't scream." She said just as two huge green and black dragons flew over their heads. Mya fell to the ground, Jane ducked behind Sam, who stared, mouth agape at the two amazing creatures. 

"You sure they are here to protect you?" Root asked, shaking his head. "Useless it looks to me." He eyed the chickens and then turned his beady eyes on Amber. "Mine?" 

"Yes," Amber said and waited for Mya to rise and hand him the cages. "I hoped you still wanted them." 

"Never enough chickens." He said and went back to his chair. 

"Come on, let's go," Amber said and led the way up the bridge, to the island. 

Sam didn't know where to look, everywhere was something amazing to see. More of the little people, women, and children. Animals, she'd only heard of in books, books she read to Addi, she was positive she saw a unicorn on one of the other islands. A huge, what could only be a pirate ship, was anchored off in the ocean. The two dragons had met up with a red one bigger than them, and two smaller ones. They circled the islands, diving into the ocean, making splashes and waves as big as tsunamis, but they broke long before reaching the islands. Sheep and chickens were running everywhere, children all over. 

Sam felt something tug on her shirt, and looked down to see a tiny human-like being, with shiny yellow wings, she held out her hand for her to land. 

"Don't let it touch..." Amber warned but was too late. The pixie landed, touching Sam's open palm, and Sam sunk to her knees. Mya rushed forward to help, reaching out and catching Sam's arm. Amber tried to warn her too but was too late. Mya went down with Sam. Jane looked at Amber, shock, and dismay in her eyes. 

"What the hell is that?" She asked Amber. The pixie flew off and they could hear giggles echo as it went.

"Electricity pixie, they are like our fireflies, but they provide the electricity around the islands. Don't let them touch your flesh, they like playing with newcomers like that." 

"Would it be bad if I laughed?" Jane asked, a smile already playing at her lips. 

"No, but I think she might kill you," Amber said a smile on her face too.  

"I hate this place!" Sam grumbled, getting back to her feet. Mya followed, rubbing her head.

"Me too." She said, leaning on Jane. 

"Amber." Riana's slow steady voice reached them. They looked up seeing her standing on the ledge leading down to them, steps appeared and Amber started up. Sam, Mya, and Jane followed, all three of them casting wary eyes around. 

"Riana, we've had quite a welcome," Amber said and took the hand Riana held out. 

"You know how the pixies get. I'm sorry Sam." Sam reached them and took her hand too. "I hope she did not cause too much damage." 

"Hello. No, none at all." 

"Speak for yourself," Mya grumbled. Jane nudged her discreetly. 

"Mya, Jane. Welcome." She turned and led the way inside the castle. Warmth enveloped them, as soon as they stepped inside. Sam reached for Amber's hand, pulling her closer to her side. Three people stood waiting for them. "William, Blue, and Marrissa, my most trusted. We will meet in the dining room, food has been prepared, we will talk about why you are here once you've freshened up."

"Thank you, but I'd rather get to it, we left Addi with Sam's parents and would like to get home as soon as possible. "

"Okay, let's get to the dining room then, we can talk while we eat." Riana led the way inside, and everybody else followed. Amber wanted to get her wolves and her mate out of Termonn as soon as she could. She could just feel the trouble brewing the longer they stayed.