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Shaelan ran through the stillness of the forest, silent accept for her ragged breathing. She didn't feel the bitter cold or her snow-soaked clothing that clung to her like a second skin. She reached for the thick trunk of an aspen tree and wrapped her arms around it, grateful for its strength to keep her from collapsing to the ground. She was shaking from exertion, her lungs burning with every breath as if she was inhaling shards of glass. Her vibrant blue eyes were wide with fear as she paused to look back the way she'd come. Her hearing was exceptional as were all her senses. This was normal for those born of the Fae. At almost seventy-five years of age she looked to be around twenty. Seventy-four she reminded herself, still considered a child and only a few months away from her coming of age when her powers would fully manifest. She'd stand a chance had she been a little older. Being Fae and immortal didn't mean you couldn't die, it just meant that baring any major trauma you could live forever. The problem for Shaelan was those that pursued her were High Fae, like herself, capable of easily ending her life. They were from the Court of the Night, Dark Fae, unleashed upon the Fae lands by the new self-proclaimed Empress, Gwenyth, and they carried forbidden iron weapons. Beneath the mountains Gwenyth had been building an army. For thousands of years they secretly enslaved mortal men to dig iron from the ground and forge it into weapons the Dark Fae could use. Hardwood handles fused to iron became the weapons of her new army. Shaelan continued to run, even her Fae strength and speed were beginning to fade. She ran south towards the Mortal lands. Gwenyth hadn't been content to simply enslave and destroy the Court of the Light, she wanted more. The Court of Dawn would be next and then the tenuous peace that lasted between the Fae in the north and the Mortals of the south would soon come to an end as the burning hatred that fueled Gwenyth would ultimately consume the world. Shaelan didn't expect help from the Mortals, but she had nowhere else to go. Her parents, Emmeline and Ceard Scarletsun had done what they could to protect Shaelan. Knowing of the spreading dark threat, they sent their only heir to the south eastern reaches where she would be cared for and protected within the relative obscurity of the many Fae hamlets and villages near the Mortal lands border. Shaelan was fifty-three years old when they sent her away. Her parents were High Fae, King and Queen of the Court of Light. Their power was unmatched yet they ruled their realm with love and compassion. The people loved them for it. Shaelan faltered as she ran, a branch tearing the sleeve of her cloak exposing the intricate whorls of the dark blue tattoo that ran along her arm. Her parents mixed their blood with blue ink and tattooed her arm with protective spells before they sent her off. She was sent away from their loving touch and gentle caresses to keep her safe from their enemies for Shaelan's blood contained the power of two of the High Fae's strongest bloodlines. While no one knew how she might manifest when she came of age, if at all, it was always assumed she'd be a force like no other. That's why Gwenyth wanted her. She wanted to steal her essence, the power from her bloodlines to make herself the ultimate force in the world. Shaelan staggered back to her feet and paused. The silent snowy forest became even quieter. She felt it, sensed it. Shadows flickered at the edges of her vision. They darted between the trees. She ran for all she was worth. Faster than a horse or a deer, more agile than a mountain lion, she ran. Her lungs burned, but she pushed harder than she ever had before until the darkness seethed before her. She skidded to a stop as tendrils of dark mist coalesced, the dark threads pulling the light from the forest. In a flash of darkness, black membranous wings appeared and a male Dark Fae stepped forward, a wood handled iron spear in his hand. His dark skin rippled with the fine-honed muscles beneath. Shaelan turned to run the opposite direction only to stop herself as Gwenyth stepped out from behind a large tree. "There you are, and aren't you precious." Shaelan drew her blade knowing it would do little against either of the Dark Fae, let alone, a Dark Fae with ten thousand years to master her powers and skills of artful killing. She hissed at the tall, slender, and beautiful woman before her. Ten thousand years old and she didn't look a day over thirty by Mortal standards. She felt the Dark Fae male moving closer behind her but she kept her focus on Gwenyth. "Is that any way to greet your Empress, youngling? You should be on your knees." "I'll never kneel to the murderer of my parents and the enslaver of my people!" "You shouldn't snarl like that. It ruins that beautiful face of yours. You inherited the looks of your mother Emmeline, considered the fairest of the Fae... I believe you outshine her. Did you know I have her preserved in my throne room? She's pinned to the wall with an iron spear next to your father, perfectly preserved with their final throws of agony upon their faces." Shaelan hissed again and lunged forward, but instead of running Gwenyth through she slammed into an invisible shield. "Still haven't reached your seventy-fifth birthday I see. Once I feed on your essence nothing will stop me. My first task will be to destroy the disgusting Court of Dawn then the Mortal realms will fall. It's hard to expand my empire with those filthy vermin in the way. Kill her cleanly, Deverell." Shaelan whirled and slashed the male Dark Fae across his left forearm. The roar that came from him shook the forest as he leapt into the air. His iron spear suspended above her head. As fast as lightning Deverell descended, the spear aimed for her heart. Shaelan managed to catch the spear in her hands and the force of the blow buckled her knees and collapsed her onto her back. Her hands seared against the touch of the iron, wisps of smoke rose from them. Deverell pushed downward, the iron tip sliding closer and closer to her heart. The skin of her hands burned away leaving nothing but charred bone and tendons. Even so, she hung on to that last shred of life. She heard Gwenyth laughing in the background as the point of the spear burned her chest. With one final push Deverell plunged the spear through her heart and deep into the ground beneath her. The light from Shaelan's eyes dimmed quickly. Gwenyth continued her joyous laughter when the tattoos on Shaelan's arm flared brightly. Deverell, still holding onto the spear, was cleaved in two as an invisible wall spread rapidly outward from Shaelan's body. "No!!!" Gwenyth screamed in fury. Darkness gathered towards her as she stepped towards Shaelan. She was seething and shaking as she reached her hands towards Shaelan's dead body only to be repulsed by a sizzling force that pushed her away. It was the final act of betrayal from Emmeline and Ceard Scarletsun. She reached again for Shaelan again only to feel the shock against her hand once more. She screamed as the darkness enveloped the forest. *** I crept stealthily through the aspen forest on my hunt for what little food I could find. It had been a week since I had a decent meal. I was told I was a fool for moving so far north from the village, the last village before the so-called border with the Fae lands. Not only was I a fool, they said, but I'd just be one of many that never returned. Rumors of Fae coming through the wall and slaughtering or kidnapping Mortals were commonplace. Yet no one alive would ever say they saw one. The ridiculous villagers believed looking upon a Fae was the last thing you'd ever see. Fools. They were all fools. I was not a man to trifle with. I was a survivor. I looked down on my bare forearm as I held my bow at the ready. On my left arm, the burned scar of a slave of the Empire. Twenty four horizontal scars moved from that point up my arm signifying twenty-four years of fighting in the rings. On my right arm, the tattoo of the New Empire and my rank as General. I was a slave for thirty-four years, and a conscripted soldier for another fifteen. Three years ago I was finally free for the first time in my wretched life only to find freedom in this gods-forsaken land not so free. The New Empire taxed the citizens ruthlessly and prosecuted those that hunted in the Empire's land. I had no skills other than fighting and mercenaries were considered unlawful as they were a risk to the current regime. I'd travelled as far away from the cities of the Empire as I could, moving north until there was nothing left. Here, I found a broken down shack I was allowed to buy for my last gold piece. With no money or skills I was forced to hunt illegally for food as everyone at the remote edges of the Empire did. I paused and listened. Not a sound. Even the normal rustling of the leaves was silent. The only noise was the growling of my stomach. I ignored it. I'd been hungry before. Born into slavery, I never knew my parents. I'd been left to die in the mines at the end of an abandoned shaft. Someone found me and brought me to the overseer. I was only four when I was returned, deemed strong enough to at least clean the mining carts and earn my keep. By the time I was ten, my daily existence was using a pickaxe to cut through solid chunks of rocks. I was already strong, having swung the axe millions of times. The conditions were brutal, the heat oppressive, and the food barely enough for the smallest to survive on. We were expendable, yet somehow I managed to survive. I'd grown accustomed to the whippings and the beatings, my back was covered in scars. But one day, I finally snapped. Something deep within me rose up. I stood defiant as the guard lashed his whip at me. It slashed across my face cutting my cheek deeply. I roared in pain and moved toward the guard with my pickaxe in hand. He lashed out at me again but I ignored the sting across my filthy exposed shoulder. Instead, I put everything I had into my swing, my pickaxe drove deeply through the guard's foot and embedded itself into the rock below. He screamed, dropping his whip giving me a chance to grab his dagger and slice across his abdomen before I was surrounded and beaten by other guards. Mercifully, or perhaps not, the overseer whistled to stop the beatings of the guards and the guards ordered to be bring me to his presence. The order was given to stay my immediate execution so that I could die in the fighting rings for the Emperor's pleasure. I'd be heading into the ring to fight against seasoned veterans and I was the youngest to ever have that honor. I survived that fight and every fight thereafter. For twenty-four years I fought at least three fights to the death per week. They marked my years of service with slashes across my left forearm. If I received twenty-five, I became a free man, but no one ever got to twenty-five and found freedom. I looked down at my scarred arms. They were frightening. I had more scar tissue across my entire body than I did regular skin. I'd lost one of my fingers on my left hand in one battle, but I was a survivor after all. In my final year of the ring, I'd lasted longer than any other fighter in history, but my freedom would come much later. Three self- pronounced kings rallied together to fight the Emperor. I was conscripted from the ring to fight for one of them. It quickly became apparent that I was a seasoned fighter and could lead men. I was elevated through the ranks and fifteen years later, after the rebellion had been successful and the three kings set themselves up rulers over the Mortal lands, did I finally gain my freedom, such as it is. Now, in the remotest forest in the world, miles away from anything resembling civilization, my scarred and torn body ached every day. But I reported to no one. I'm free. I just don't have any food and from what I could see, there was none around. I sat down in the moist spring soil. I was close to the so-called wall between the Fae lands and the Mortal lands. I was told the barrier had existed for a thousand years. My only thought was the no wall could last that long. If the wildlife in the Mortal lands were gone, then I'd travel north until I found the wall or I found a new hunting ground that no one ever would dare travel to. I stood and marveled at how quiet the forest was. It was damn eerie. Ignoring the pain in my stomach, I continued moving north. The stories of Fae monsters were a lie. The wall was a lie. I continued my steadfast plodding until I reached a small glen. I half closed my eyes from the brilliance of the sun as it beamed down upon the little opening in the forest. Flowers abounded. It was breathtakingly beautiful. It felt out of place, this beauty in the middle of the forest. I walked halfway across the glen when I felt my hair standing on end, almost as if static electricity filled the area. I took a few more steps forward and bumped into something solid. I could see through it, but it was there nonetheless. I stretched out my hand and felt the electrical tingle. My hand found holes, as if the wall were made of stone and the stones were falling out, yet, this invisible wall really existed. I took a step back and stared at the forest beyond. It was at that moment when dark wisps of smoke entered the glen. They formed rapidly, pulling the light from everything around it. I raised my bow as a man stepped forward. He was a man and yet not a man. His dark wings and pointed ears reminded me of tales of Fae monsters. Could it be? Could the tales really be true? It stepped towards me as I raised my bow. "Put that useless weapon down you filthy Mortal human. I could crush you in an instant." The sheer force of his presence was overwhelming. I fought thousands of men through my life and even the largest and most imposing never frightened me like this creature. I had no doubt he could do exactly as he said. "You're on our side of the wall." That was about all I could say. "The wall has been slowly decaying for years. I found a way through. Prepare to die, human scum!" My head pounded with pain. He stood before me. Smug. I could feel the metallic taste of blood in my mouth and felt a sticky warmth running from my nose and ears. I gritted my teeth. "Don't kill me with your Fae magic. Give me an honorable death by fighting me like a man!" The pain in my head immediately stopped. "The outcome will be no different, but a challenge is a challenge." He moved so quickly that I didn't even have time to draw my sword. His hand slammed into my chest and I flew backwards twenty feet and only stopped because of the tree I crashed into. I staggered to my feet and drew my sword wincing at my now broken ribs. I had nothing to lose. I was never afraid of dying. He drew his sword and approached slowly this time, savoring my imminent death. Our swords clashed and I was stunned at his speed and strength, however, I hadn't survived thirty-nine years of fighting by not being good at killing. I feigned left, dove right, and slashed upwards, cutting through the skin and muscles on his chest, my iron blade burning and searing him. We battled back and forth but I was losing badly. The Fae was wounded but nothing critical. My life was forfeit so I chose to die by killing my enemy at the same time. It was a desperate move, but I left myself open, enough to allow his blade to pass into my stomach. My left hand grabbed his wrist to hold his blade within me and expose himself at the same time. I slid my blade up and under his rib cage. He twisted so violently my blade missed his heart and his blade pulled back from me opening me wide. His screams were deafening as he bled out, but he still had enough strength in him to lift me off the ground and slam my back against his knee, shattering my back. Mercifully, I now felt nothing beneath my ribs any longer. His eyes flared in anger, but I could tell he was going to die. I'd seen it a thousand times before. He lifted me high once again, flapped his wings, and threw me down into the flowers of the glen as if I was a discarded piece of trash. As I crashed into the soft earth I felt incredible pain as something hard punctured through my back and up through my chest. I stared at the aged and pitted rusted iron spike as it protruded from my rib cage. I couldn't move as darkness crept into the edges of my sight but I glanced over towards the Fae. He was on his knees as he slowly lost his breath. I closed my eyes and let the peace of my death sink into my soul. There was a warmth that spread throughout my body. I could feel my blood flowing through and out of my body. I opened my eyes again, the iron protruding from my chest was glowing. Perhaps I was hallucinating? I closed my eyes again expecting the darkness to overwhelm me yet it seem to push back. I felt almost euphoric, lighter, and whole. Could this be what happens when you die? I smelled the forest and the flowers around me. I could smell the metallic scent of the blood on the ground around me. I could smell the Fae nearby. I could feel and sense his heartbeat growing weaker and weaker. I hesitantly opened my eyes once again. The iron stake in my chest was gone. There were filaments of light floating towards me, like seeds floating on the wind. I watched as they landed on my body, slowly covering me. It felt like hands were lifting me from the ground, gentle and caressing. I floated above the forest floor. The glen filled with pulsing light. It was amazingly beautiful. So much so that I wept in my death. Never had I felt anything so wonderful and peaceful. I was freer than any time in my life. There was a flash as bright as the sun and a shock wave emanated outward from me. I closed my eyes against the light as I felt myself gently being placed upon the ground. I don't know how long I laid there. Perhaps I was now in Valhalla, my afterlife. I felt warm. There was no pain. I breathed deeply and felt the life of things all around me. I opened my eyes and was stunned at what I saw. I was still in the glen, but the colors were bolder, brighter somehow. I could see the details of a leaf a dozen yards away. I didn't think Valhalla would look like this. I heard a noise to my right and I turned my head to see what it was. The Fae was there, still alive but barely moving. His eyes were wide with fear as he looked at me. I'd turned my head. I looked down towards my body. I was dressed in lavender silk. I'd never seen fabric so wonderfully wrought. My chest... there appeared to be breasts under that fabric? I sat up suddenly expecting to see my insides exposed, but instead long golden hair fell in front of my eyes. I peered through it at my body, now clearly that of a young woman. I was alive, but how? I stood to my feet and looked at my unscarred and lithe body. I felt so strong. I sensed movement to my right and I looked back at the Fae. He was trying to reach for his sword. He stopped when he saw me looking at him. Dark blood dripped from his mouth. "It can't be! Shaelan Scarletsun is dead a thousand years." The name he spoke resonated within me. It gathered power and formed itself into my mind. Fragments of memories not my own became a part of me. I'm Shaelan, but no, I'm Marcus. I'm Marcus with the essence of Shaelan. I looked back at the Fae on the ground. An unnatural hatred washed over me. I recognized what it was. They did this to me, to her. The Court of Night, the Dark Fae, and Gwenyth. I took a step back and shook my head, ignoring the hair that moved in front of my eyes. I looked down at my hands. They were golden skinned, slender, with slightly longer fingers than normal. They were not human hands. I looked back at the Dark Fae. "Who are you?" My voice sounded so feminine, even sensual. He coughed more blood and looked at me with hate-filled eyes. "I'm your death. The magnificent Empress Gwenyth will be please you've returned. She will feast on your essence then peel the skin from your body." An image flickered in my mind of Gwenyth laughing as I, Shaelan, held the iron spear back over my chest. I reached down to my old sword and picked it up. The iron handle warmed my skin. The Dark Fae stared at my hand on the hilt. "You don't burn at the touch of iron. Yet you're Fae. That's impossible." He coughed again. I squatted in front of him and placed the tip of the sword at his chest and over his heart. His skin seared and smoked. From within me I felt a reply form on my lips. A statement my own and yet not. "I'm Shaelan Scarletsun. I was murdered by your kin, Deverell, and that wicked monstrosity you call your Empress, Gwenyth. They drove an iron spear through my heart, unlocking the power of my ancestors, forming the wall, and protecting my essence. For a thousand years my essence waited, absorbing the iron from the spear. In a thousand years my body dissolved away leaving nothing but the remnants of the spear buried in the forest floor. Your hatred for Mortals unwittingly released my essence. I will have my seventy-fifth birthday soon and then I will destroy Gwenyth and all that oppose me." I looked at the Dark Fae and desired to see him suffer. The iron sword caused his wounds to not heal magically. He would suffer a long time before he finally died. Perhaps it was compassion, something I wasn't very familiar with, but I plunged the sword into his heart. I gathered the weapons that littered the forest floor and stepped away from the scene. I moved to the far end of the glen and sat down. I was a woman. A Fae. What did this mean? Could I undo it? I took my sword and held it in front of me using the polished metal to reflect a distorted image of my face. Long golden hair framed my face. My ears were pointed at the top. My eyes were blue and intense. My lips were full. I'd been given women for a night as rewards throughout my life. They were frightened things. Some were good looking, but none were impressive like the ladies of the court. Even through the distorted view of the blade, this face was the most beautiful I'd even seen and that both frightened me and somehow put me at peace. I looked back down my body. There was not a mark on my skin. It was flawless. No scars. No marks of slavery. The realization came to me that there was also no pain in my body. I put my hands on my breasts. They seemed large to me. Their movement and sensitivity was both foreign and arousing. My hand moved between my legs knowing what I wouldn't find. I couldn't bring myself to acknowledge I was now a woman that could be raped and degraded. So now what? If this hadn't happened I'd be dead now. While I rebelled at the thought of being a woman, I was alive. I was a survivor and I could live through this. I'll live through this. To the south, my broken down home and people that would try to kill me for what I now was. To the north, Fae. Shaelan's memories were like small trickles, but I knew there were Fae that would help me. There would be food. I tried to ignore the pleas in my head for justice for the Fae that were enslaved. Have I ever cared for anyone other than myself? I had to answer no. I was selfish in my survival. But Shaelan cared for her people and believed she needed to free them at all costs. I'd been a slave all my life. How would I feel if someone had come to free me? I'd be grateful at first, but then I'd have to learn to do things for myself all over again. You can't just free people without giving them some way to also live. How could I, a Fae female, do any of these things? I stood and notched an arrow into my bow. I pulled the string back with such ease. I was stronger than I ever was. I focused on a point on a tree fifty feet away and loosed the arrow. It flew to its mark. I had my old skills still. I retrieved the arrow and modified my old trappings to secure them to my new smaller frame. I looked south. There was nothing for me there. North it would have to be. I paused another moment and considered the startling revelations of the past hour. The villagers were right. There was a wall. There were Fae. Had it not been for this... I looked down at my body... transformation, I would have died and the last thing I saw was a Fae. The legends were true. With one last look towards the south, I turned to the north. Ignoring the new graceful movements of my new body I faced the invisible wall and stretched out my hand. A tingle of recognition moved up my arm. I could feel the wall and sensed where it was weak, but my hand passed through. It was as if it recognized me and let me pass. I stepped through the invisible barrier and immediately felt the air chill around me. This land appeared normal from the other side of the wall, but from this side, I could spot signs of death in the forest. I felt the Dark Fae magic slowly killing things. I placed a hand on one of the trees and felt its life force. I could feel how I was connected to it. An understanding came into my mind. All Fae have magic from birth, but their powers do not fully manifest until they come of age. I felt a need to breathe life into the tree. A soft voice escaped my lips. "Live." It felt natural, a flowing of energy. The leaves of the tree became a vibrant green. I took my hand from the tree and looked at it. Such power and yet I was weak, a child even. The darkness must be great in this realm. I started moving northward. I moved so silently through the forest. My feet seemed to know exactly how to step to be a part of the forest. As a hunter, I trained myself and watched the placement of my feet. This new body flowed effortlessly without a sound. I realized I was still hungry, but I wasn't sure if it was because I was hungry before, or this new body needed sustenance on its own. Somehow I knew a small village was five miles north. I pushed the pangs of hunger aside and decided to test my new found speed. I jogged for a while, feeling how effortless the motion was. My bouncing breasts were disconcerting and my hair flaying around was also a distraction, but I pushed onward, faster and faster. I was so incredibly fast and yet I moved silently through the forest. I slowed when I realized I was burning energy I needed to preserve. Who knows what I might run into? I needed to protect myself. A mile to go. I felt the threads of life drawing me forward. People, my people, kept being spoken into my mind. I slowed even more as I approached the edge of the forest. Fae were working in the fields. The tiny village was in bad shape, the golden skinned people, their eyes... There was so little life in their eyes. My new heart broke at the sight of it all. I closed my eyes and extended my Fae senses as naturally as if I was breathing. I felt the darkness. A single pinpoint of dark in the village. It was another Dark Fae. My eyes were so strong I could easily see details within the distant village. There, a Dark Fae, his membranous black wings folded in stood near the field. His hate-filled eyes watching the enslaved Fae. He pulled his whip from his side. I could see the iron embedded in the tip. Lashes from that whip would take extra time to heal and be infinitely more painful. I watched as he raised his hand and let the whip fly towards a young Fae boy. My mind flashed back to that day in the mines and anger rose up in me as I heard the boy's scream. I stood and strung my bow, knowing it would do little to the Dark Fae, but I had to do something. I was a long ways off, but with my enhanced abilities I was confident I could hit my mark. I notched an arrow and fired as I ran forward. I never stopped firing arrows until my quiver was empty. Each arrow finding its mark in the chest of the Dark Fae. As I figured, it didn't hurt him too much but as each arrow hit him it slowed him down. I threw my bow to the side and vaulted for him, drawing my sword at the same time. He managed to deflect my blow but my blade still sliced through his left bicep, sizzling as it went. He was still recovering from the arrows and regaining his strength and position when I felt a magical attack from him. As before, I felt the pressure in my head, but it was far less than when I was a man. The Fae must have resistance to this type of attack. I shook my head to clear my thoughts as he moved forward with his iron tipped spear. I noted how he moved. It was so similar to the other Dark Fae, almost as if they learned to fight the same way. While I had far fewer years of training and fighting, I made up for it in the sheer variety of weapons and fighting techniques I was pitted against. I anticipated his moves easily. He thrust his spear faster than anything I had ever seen before, but I was faster yet. I dodged to the side and slashed down on his right hand, nearly severing his hand. His spear falling to the ground. I dove behind him and took advantage of his momentary hesitation and pain by slicing through his hamstrings. With his legs useless he fell forward providing me a chance to plunge my sword between his wings and through his heart. The entire fight had taken less than a minute. I looked at my hand and the sword in it, surprised at my strength, speed, and agility. I put the sword away and moved to the young boy that still lay on the ground, blood coming from his back. Other Fae slowly approached me, but I felt no threat from them. My hand rested on the boy as I squatted down. He seemed so young. Like the tree, I willed life into him, but the wounds closed only a small amount. His breathing became a little easier. "Is there a healer among you?" I shouted. I didn't realize I'd started crying. I'd never cried in my life, but there was something inside me that just broke. A dam being released. The injustice of it all. A woman approached me, bowed, and pointed to the village. "We have a healer in the village, my Lady." I didn't take time to ponder her behavior. I picked up the boy and carried him, my tears still flowing. I brought him to a small building and placed him on the table in the middle of the room. A woman came out from the back of the building. "Can you heal him?" She bowed as well but shook her head. "I'm sorry, my Lady. If I heal him we'll all be punished." "Tell them I healed him if you have to. I'll face any punishment that's given. Just heal him. Please!" The woman looked at me like I was crazy, but then something registered in her eyes. Was it recognition? She placed her hands on the boy and I could feel the magic in the air. His back slowly knit together. There would be a scar, the iron would see to that. "It is all I can do, my Lady. He'll need rest." The boy's mother ran in and wrapped her arms around him. "I heard what happened!" She glared at me. "What have you done? You've brought death to this village!" The healer looked wide-eyed at the woman. "Brangwen, you don't know what you're saying. You must apologize to the Lady." Brangwen looked at the healer angrily then back at me. Her eyes softened and she bowed her head towards me. "I'm very sorry, my Lady." I had fragments of memories of who Shaelan had been, but I was still confused. I felt drawn to these people, inexplicably entwined with them. I glanced at the boy and placed a gentle hand on him as others flooded into the small building. Someone brought the Dark Fae's weapons and my bow and arrows. A man stepped forward, I could sense the age on him and a hint of familiarity. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and I felt moisture on my face. I felt such loss. How could I be having these feelings? I wasn't Shaelan, and yet I was. I was still me but somehow I was more than I was before. "Shaelan!" He cried as he pulled me into his arms. I heard gasps within the room and I felt a magical bond and threads of memories being unlocked. I looked into his eyes and felt his name come to my mind. People began dropping to their knees. I stepped back. "No! Never kneel to me!" The people looked as stunned as I felt. I didn't deserve anyone's worship. "Darnel?" The man nodded. "I need to speak with you. I need answers." "Come with me, Shaelan." He took my hand and led me to another room where he sat me down on a bed. "Tell me how you're here." "That's a little hard for me to share as I'm not clear about everything myself. I was born as a male slave in the mines of the Mortal realms. At the age of ten I was removed from the mines and put into the slave fighting rings. I fought in those rings for twenty-four years before a revolution took place and I was conscripted into the military. I fought in the Mortal military for another fifteen years before I was finally released as a free man. The past three years I've struggled to find food and I found myself travelling further and further north. Earlier today I found myself at the barrier between the realms. A Dark Fae found me there and attacked me, but, in the fight, he broke my back and threw me to the ground. An iron spike that was in the ground penetrated my body. As I lay there, darkness forming around me, the iron spike began to glow. I was infused with energy. My body changed to this and I have thoughts and memories of Shaelan." I continued. "I'm still Marcus, the fighter, but I'm also somehow Shaelan. I see her memories of her death, I feel her heart for her people. I should be dead, but here I am." "In all my years I've only heard of something like this happening once in the history of the Fae people. To think that a Mortal male was capable of absorbing the essence of Shaelan is remarkable. There's a reason this has all happened and only the gods know why, but, I believe there is something within your character that is needed to defeat Gwenyth and retake the throne. I understand your confusion, however, you are Shaelan Scarletsun." I listened intently as he emphasized the word 'are'. "How can this be and how come I feel like I'm somehow two people?" "Marcus truly died today, but your life essence merged with that of Shaelan's. Over time, you'll learn to let go of your old self. Do you know who you really are and what you mean to all of us?" I shook my head. "No." I looked down at myself with a sense of foreignness. "You're Shaelan Scarletsun, daughter of Emmeline and Ceard Scarletsun, King and Queen of the Court of the Light." Their names triggered deep loss within me. "They were murdered by Gwenyth who, over the past thousand years, has enslaved the people of the Court of Light and the Court of Dawn. After the death of your parents, you were hunted by Gwenyth so that she could steal your essence. At the moment of your death, your essence was trapped and protected and the wall between realms was formed. That wall prevented Gwenyth from destroying the Mortal lands." "The wall is decaying, yet it seemed to recognize me. I was able to walk through it." "Yes, but with your return I believe it will be restored as you come of age. That should be in about two months. You, Shaelan, were two months from your seventy-fifth birthday. That will be when your powers fully manifest." "But I have power now. I was able to heal the boy a little bit." "Every Fae has some healing ability. When the time comes, you might be able to heal the entire realm at once. Your father was an elemental Fae, with powerful magic with earth, wind, fire, and water. Your mother was a powerful healer and transformer. If the prophecies about you are correct, you'll have their powers magnified, a force so mighty that an entire Dark Fae army couldn't stand against you." I watched as his eyes slid to my iron sword. "You can touch iron?" "It warms to my touch. I felt something earlier today that somehow my essence melded with the iron." "That's possible, but also your essence merged with that of a Mortal. You are the first Fae to withstand iron." "I recognize you but I don't remember you, just your name." "I'm Darnel Scarletsun, your uncle. We looked after you the years before Gwenyth took over." "What happens now? Why is the boy's mother upset with me?" "Gwenyth has ruled these lands for a thousand years, brutally and cruelly. Her Dark Fae minions are ruthless. Killing one will bring her wrath down upon us. She's liable to destroy the entire village." Anger rose within me. "I was supposed to let him kill that boy?" "Don't let the fear of your Court decide for you what needs to be done. Brangwen didn't recognize who you are and what you represent." "I know you tell me I am Shaelan, but who am I to all of you and what do I represent?" "You're our Queen and you represent hope, hope for the entire world." "In my Mortal life, I was a slave. I was never even given a family name, left to die as a baby. How can a slave become queen of an entire realm? How can I offer hope to people that have been enslaved for a thousand years?" "While I cannot say it will be easy, or without pain, you'll take back what's rightfully yours. Just follow your heart." I stood and felt something stir within me. Family. I never had that before. Never had a feeling of belonging. That darned moistness was upon my cheek again as I reached for Darnell and hugged him. As I pulled back I could see the joy in his face. "How and when will the Dark Fae retaliate?" "We have several days before that will happen. Tonight we celebrate and tomorrow... tomorrow's the first day the Court of Light rises up in a thousand years." Darnell led me out into the main room again. The place was filled with people and I could see more standing outside. A hushed silence fell across the room. Some knelt and others bowed. "Please!" I implored them gently. "I don't need to be bowed or knelt to. I'm here to serve you." Darnel pushed me forward into the crowd of people that had begun weeping. "Our Queen has returned to us. Tonight, we celebrate her return. Tomorrow, we plan." I needed air and I squeezed through the people towards the front door. As I did so the villagers reached out to touch me, to feel my hair, and to bless me. I noted how careful they were to avoid touching my sword. When I got outside I took a deep breath and looked back down at my body. With the exception of a hazy reflection I still had no idea what I looked like. The gauzy clothing I was wearing felt so comfortable and light. My body moved so easily and gracefully. Darnel stood nearby and seemed to sense what I needed before I even could vocalize it. He led me to another building where there was a room with a bed and a bathroom. "Rest up, Shaelan. I'll have a snack sent over and a change of clothing for later tonight. Take your time and rest." I merely nodded and sank down on the bed as Darnel left, closing the door behind him. I looked to the bathroom and saw a mirror there. I felt compelled to move towards it, like a moth drawn to the light. My hand moved to my face and my long fingers tracing my lips. I had to touch myself to make what I was seeing somewhat more real. Reflected back at me was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen in my life. So beautiful I almost felt unworthy to look upon myself. Was this why people were reacting to me as they had been? Was it my large vibrant blue eyes or how my long golden hair flowed around my face in light curls? Perhaps it was my full and sensual lips or perfect skin? I took a deep breath and continued to stare at my reflection. A knock at the door shook me out of my trance. I moved to the door and opened it. A young woman stared back at me, her eyes dropping as she was embarrassed to look me in the eyes. She stood waiting as if expecting something from me. "Please, come in." The young woman came in and placed a large basket on the bed. "I have clothing and some food and drink for you, my Lady." Her feet shuffled nervously. "What's your name?" "My name's Cadie, my Lady." "Well, Cadie. Please call me Shaelan. Why do you keeps your eyes averted from me?" "You're my Queen, Shaelan. It isn't polite to look a High Fae in the eyes." I gently touched her chin and lifted it. "It's alright, Cadie. I'm nothing special. You'll not dishonor me by looking at me. How old are you?" "I am one hundred and forty years old." I couldn't fathom living that long. She'd been born into slavery like me, but had lived it for three times longer than I ever had. "You were born a slave?" She nodded. "I'm sorry, Shaelan. I didn't recognize you. I heard the legends that one day you would return, but after so long I always believed them to be stories to try to bring a little hope to all of us and nothing more. But, you're real. You're going to defeat Gwenyth. How can you stand touching that awful iron sword at your hip?" "I may be real, Cadie, but I'm born anew. It'll take time for me to fully grasp the task before me. Were you told that I was killed?" "No. The legends said you left to build an army and would return when you had one." "A thousand years ago I was killed by Gwenyth. They used an iron spear. My essence was protected but it absorbed the iron through the years. It was only today that I was released. Iron no longer hurts me. I'm afraid I have no army and I still am not of age and don't have my powers. I've no idea how I can help everyone or how I can help you." I lowered my head, ashamed at being so unfit for the task everyone expected of me and, at the same time, confused as to why I felt so compelled to help anyone at all. "Shaelan, don't worry. You're special and worthy of all of our honor and respect. What you did to that Dark Fae today... He was a trained fighter and a brutal, vicious overseer. You killed him so easily even without your magic. Our Fae legends may have been incorrect, but you're here. I swear that earlier today I felt a wave of joy wash over me. There was a small glimmer of hope for the first time in my life. I didn't know what it was, but now, standing next to you, I feel it again. There's a thread of life that interconnects us all. It's stronger than fate and for my entire life it was missing until you arrived. I believe the world became unbalanced, the thread of life severed when you were killed, and now that you're back, it has come alive again and balance will be brought back into the world. I'll fight by your side and use what my Lesser Fae powers can do to protect you." I sat on the bed and wept at her words, overwhelmed by the thought someone was willing to fight to protect me. "I'm not worthy of you risking your life for me." "Shaelan, it's because you're so humble and not lording over people that makes you worthy. Your blood screams power to all the Fae. We can feel your royalty. I, for one, have never been in the presence of someone that makes me want to kneel before them. What do you feel towards me, towards our people?" "I feel you're my people and that from deep within me there is a sense I must right the wrongs done to you and protect you." I looked Cadie in her eyes and noticed she didn't flinch or look away this time. "If you were to die trying to protect me, I'm not sure I could live with the guilt of your loss." "Then you feel it too. That thread that connects us. If you feel this burden for us, you can understand how we also feel this burden for you. For now, we need to protect you until you come of age. We'll do so with everything we have in us. People will willingly die to protect you for you're the hope of the world and for our children. After you come of age and your powers manifest, it might take time for you to master them, but I've no doubt that you'll be able to restore the Court of Light to its former glory. Don't ever feel you're alone, we love you." Before I could say anything else, she turned, bowed her head slightly, and left. There was such power and wisdom in Cadie's words. Perhaps if I lived hundreds or thousands of years one day I would also be wise like that. I began unpacking the basket and was a little dismayed at the beautiful gown that she left me. What I was wearing was versatile, halfway between a dress and a pant set and girly enough. This was a full dress. It was light, frilly, and would leave no one doubting the femininity of my new body. I sighed and unpacked the food and water which I rapidly ate allowing it to appease my growling stomach. I headed to the bathroom and started the water in the tub before turning back to the mirror that had so transfixed me before. Once again I stared at my face for a long time before stepping back and looking over the rest of my body. I slid my clothes from my body and carefully placed them on a chair out of force of habit. As a slave I had to maintain the clothing I had and I looked after them the best I could. I hoped I would never get complacent with things. As a man I would have been fully aroused at what I saw before me. My body was flawless. I was lean and toned but had ample breasts and a sexy curve of my hips. My fingers gently caresses my skin and slid effortlessly across my flat stomach. I didn't dare touch myself between my legs. I turned and followed the line of my thighs and buttocks. The Fae were beautiful. I was beautiful. My mind struggled with the fact I was a man earlier this morning. I climbed into the bath and let the hot water soak into my bones. I floated differently and my breasts bobbed with the waves. I dunked my head under the water and washed my long hair. My male mind wanted to be practical and cut it off, but something inside of me rebelled at the thought. Perhaps I would learn to live with it being so long? With the water cooling I stepped out of the tub and dried myself off before looking at the dress once again. I stared at it a long time before I picked up the undergarments and put those on. I next attempted to put on the dress, but fought with the multiple layers. Finally the off-red dress fell into place and I slipped on the flat slipper-like shoes that were also left for me. I checked myself out again in the mirror and stood breathlessly in awe. The dress clung to every curve and accentuated everything I had. I almost began taking it off when a knock came at the door again. I opened the door to see Cadie and another young woman. Cadie must have schooled the other woman as they both merely tipped their heads towards me. "Shaelan, we've come to help you with your hair. I realized you had nothing to comb it out with, I'm sorry I didn't think of that earlier." I looked down at my long hair and noted it was already shiny and beautiful, but I thought perhaps I could learn something from how they styled it. "Please, come in. No apologies are necessary. And who might you be?" "I'm Lorwen, my Lady." "I'm very pleased to meet you, Lorwen." Lorwen bowed a little and blushed at me. They sat me down in a chair and using combs and brushes teased the knots out of my hair. "My Lady, you look absolutely beautiful." "Please call me Shaelan, Lorwen." Cadie then spoke up. "While we're with you in private we'll call you Shaelan, but in front of others we'll refer to you as my Lady, or my Queen. We hope you understand, this isn't to make you feel uncomfortable, but to show honor. Not everyone, especially the elders, will be as accepting of being less formal." "I understand." I held my hair in my hands and looked at the shimmering golden and soft ends. It was beautiful before, but now it practically glowed. "Thank you both so much!" "It's our pleasure. If you'll follow us, we'd like to escort you to the celebration." "Let me put my sword on first." I watched them frown as I strapped the iron sword to my hip. "We live in a dangerous time and I don't want to be unprepared." "We understand, although once we find weapons for ourselves, you may find you've set a new fashion trend for women. You look both feminine and threatening at the same time, especially with that iron sword. Most women might carry a dagger under their skirts, but no longer as all our weapons were taken away from us and young people like myself have never been trained how to use them anyways." "I'd be happy to teach you, Cadie." Cadie beamed a smile at me. "I've always wanted to learn how to use a bow and arrows." "Then I'll make time for you." I was led to another building that was larger than the rest. It used to be a meeting place for the villagers but had since been used for storage. Many people must have worked hard to clean the place and set it up for a celebration as it almost sparkled. Several hundred villagers were in attendance. They bowed to me as I passed them. Was the light in their eyes brighter? Darnel greeted us and introduced me to the remaining village elders. There were three of them and the ancient wisdom in their eyes caused me to falter in my steps as I approached them. By Mortal terms, they appeared no older than men of fifty. I was unaware of the protocol, so I bowed in respect to them. They huffed and pulled me into their arms, tears glistening from their eyes. "The Queen of the Court of Light does not bow to the likes of us." "I'm sorry, I bow to you in respect of your age and wisdom." The three men laughed casually and joked with each other as only friends that have known each other for thousands of years could. "I rather like it, Owen. When was the last time a beautiful queen bowed to you?" "Oh, hush, Gruffin. You're embarrassing her." He was right. I felt a blush spread across my face. I'd never been called beautiful by a man before and I felt a strange mixture of vulnerability and power come across me. "Welcome back to us, Shaelan Scarletsun. I'd thought I'd pass on before I could feel the hope within me again that now rises up at your presence. You're reborn. I can only recall one other soul that had rebirth like yours. The gods knew they were needed when they came back to us. You being here has set in motion changes of historical proportion, legendary even. Have you experienced any glimmers yet?" "Glimmers? I'm not sure what you're asking." "Glimmers of your power. As you get closer to your coming of age, your hidden powers will begin manifesting. They should start soon, so don't be surprised." Gruffin then leaned forward and looked into my eyes. "Have you given any consideration to whom you'll choose as your mate?" I know my eyes went wide and I took a step back. "Once again, Gruffin, you have no sense of timing. She's been with us less than a day and you're already trying to marry her off." "It needs to be asked, plain and simple. Of course there aren't many High Fae around that would be acceptable." "Are you saying I need to marry right away?" I was unclear on the customs. "Not at all, but it may help establish your court." "Gruffin, she may be our Queen, but there is no court yet, let alone a palace she can use until she kills Gwenyth." "Exactly my point. She needs to start thinking about these things." Darnel thankfully rescued me at this point as he took my arm and led me back into the crowd. "They mean well." "Glimmers? How will I know when they manifest? How will I control it so not to hurt myself or others?" "You'll see them. Your father was an elemental. I wouldn't be surprised if your sword burst into flames or a small fireball erupted from your hand. Unless you intend to harm someone, it won't." "I guess that's a relief." Darnel introduced me to many people, many of whom commented on my beauty and the iron sword at my hip. Walking in a dress that swished with every small movement and the feelings of my hips swaying and my breasts bouncing was disconcerting. People focused their eyes on me and I felt rather exposed even though I felt comfortable and safe with the people around me. Darnel got everyone's attention and all eyes fixed on him. "As you're all well aware, our Queen has returned. This will have significant ramifications for all of us. Gwenyth's minions will see this as a threat and will do everything in their power to stop that. Shaelan hasn't come of age, but that doesn't mean she's weak. Far from it. We all saw what she did to the Dark Fae overseer. We must prepare ourselves. We begin that tomorrow. For now, we celebrate!" There was light cheering and laughter, but I could tell people were frightened. How could people rise up after a thousand years of slavery? My heart grew heavy. Heavy for the toll they'd taken. Heavy for the burden that fell upon my now slender shoulders to protect them. The plate in front of me was full but I couldn't eat as I looked upon the gaunt faces and how their plates were nearly empty. I stood and the room went silent. "You're my people. I feel it in the core of who I am. My heart weeps for you. I pledge I'll fight to my dying breath to keep you safe and to free you from the tyranny of the Dark Fae. You've been so gracious to me, filling my plate with food when you yourselves take so little. Forgive me that I don't eat until you've all had your fill." I took my plate and placed items from it on other's plates until mine was empty. I sat back down and conversations slowly started again. "Darnel, I'm nothing special, certainly no better than anyone in this room. I don't understand the reverence for me. I can understand hope but I never could figure out why kings and emperors demanded to be worshipped." "A good leader sets the tone for all the people that follow them. How you behave is how those that follow you will behave. Did you notice that once you gave up your food that others gave up some of theirs? I can already tell you'll be a remarkable leader. No one in authority has given or cared for these people in a thousand years. In a single day, people have gone from fear of you to worshipping you." "But I don't want their worship!" I don't deserve it!" "Real worship comes from earning it, not demanding it. They worship you for who you are. You gave up your food and promised to care for them." I reached for a glass of water when suddenly the water inside it froze and the glass shattered. "I'm so sorry. Was that me?" The crowd stared in awe at me and the broken, frozen glass of water. "That, my dear, was a glimmer." "Some use that will be when I'm thirsty." Gruffin came forward. "That was more than any glimmer I've ever seen. Most elementals might see water move a little or warm to the touch, but to freeze a glass solid might indicate significant power beyond the likes we have seen an many millennia." "But what use is freezing water?" "Let's say you were facing a flying army of Dark Fae. Our bodies are made up of mostly water. You could freeze them solid and watch them fall and shatter on the ground." I frowned. "You think that would even be possible?" "Glimmers represent the tiniest fraction of power compared to your full powers, so yes, in theory you could. Think of glimmers as your body's natural way of exploring its powers and getting you used to them. Can you image if you suddenly had all your power all at once and didn't know how to use them? You could wipe out a forest merely by accident. Now that this has manifested, try it again." He handed me another glass of water. "Focus your thoughts on the water and what you want to do with it. Move it, freeze it, or heat it. The water is yours to command." I looked dubiously at the water and pictured it splashing out of the glass. The subsequent eruption of water from the glass rained down upon everyone at the table. I was shocked as much as anyone but the whole table cheered and laughed. "Very nicely done Shaelan. You're a natural. Beauty, compassion, and power, a dangerous mix." The evening slowly wound down and Cadie led me back to my room for the night. As a celebration, it was a little subdued, but I could understand the reasons why. "I must say I'm more and more impressed with you, Shaelan. I've never really met many High Fae before, but you seem so normal and not arrogant or haughty at all. Your glimmer was unbelievable! I've known Fae with their full powers that couldn't even melt a piece of ice. I'm gifted with sight, and my glimmer allowed me to see splinters in my hand easily. Now, with my full powers, I can spot an insect on a leaf a thousand feet away. It's not much of a gift, but I'm grateful for it." "I bet your gift will be even more valuable when you get a bow in your hands. I'm looking forward to teaching you. How long do you think we may have before Gwenyth sends reinforcements here?" "It'll be a few days, but less than a week. It depends upon when the overseer normally communicated up their hierarchy. This place is a little out of the way for them which is why they sent their nastiest as punishment to oversee us. The cities are where all the action is, but I'm told female Fae are often raped there." I shivered at the thought of being pinned down against my will. "I'll see you first thing in the morning, Cadie. Let's get you training with the bow." I was finally alone again. It had been a long day and I was surprisingly not very tired. Something about these Fae bodies gave them more energy, but then again, it could simply be that this is how a young, unscarred, female Fae felt like. In a way I'd both become older and younger at the same time. Seventy-four years old is still a child in the lifespan of an immortal Fae. I carefully removed the dress, realizing that after a while I sort of enjoyed the feel of it against my body. It wasn't such a foreign thing after all and it was exceptionally comfortable. As a man I'd never held power to captivate the sight of other people. The dress made me feel desirable and powerful. I moved to the bathroom and looked once again at myself. Was I Shaelan or was I Marcus? I felt a little more like Marcus if I were honest with myself, but within me I knew I wanted to yield to what I now was. My life before hadn't been much of a life and I was happy to have a fresh start, even if it meant I was a woman, a queen, the hope of the world... I continued to stare at myself as if staring long enough would either change me or make it less disturbing to see a strange face looking back at me. I never really considered life as a female before. Aside from being weaker and more vulnerable, were they really that much different? Although, the way I fought the Dark Fae overseer, I certainly didn't feel weaker or vulnerable. I only felt vulnerable when I imagined I could be raped and impregnated. How much different could it be? I moved back to the bed acutely aware of how my unbound breasts moved and the extra width of my hips made my butt sway a little from side to side. I slid under the sheets and found my hair tangled around my face and neck as I laid my head down on the pillow. I spent a frustrating thirty minutes rolling around with the weight from my breasts shifting from side to side and my hair getting caught in my mouth. I finally sat up and found something to tie my hair back before lying back down. It took a while, but I finally drifted off to sleep. I woke at the first hint of light entering the window. I felt very refreshed and filled with energy. I couldn't remember a day where I'd awakened without pain, but today I had no pain whatsoever. I went to the bathroom and sat down to relieve myself. So what if I couldn't pee standing up anymore as long as I was pain free. It didn't seem like such a burden, at least not at the moment. I hesitated a moment looking at my two sets of clothing. I actually wanted to wear the dress from last night but I put the other clothes on as they were far more practical from a fighting perspective. A knock at the door sounded and I could almost sense it was Cadie. I wondered if this was just logical thinking or if the Fae could truly sense the presence of someone. I opened the door and Cadie smiled at me. "Good morning, my Lady. I've brought you some breakfast. You must be hungry after not having eaten anything last night." I was hungry. "Thank you, Cadie. I don't feel right about taking someone else's food. Are you certain everyone has enough?" "Yes, Shaelan. The gardens seem to have sprung to life overnight and even some trees are showing signs of recovery. Perhaps this thread of life I feel from you is also affecting other living things as well." I sat down on the bed and thankfully ate the bread and cheese that Cadie had brought. Cadie moved to my dress. "Would you like me to clean this for you?" "I'm not sure where you even found the dress, Cadie. I can clean it and bring it back to whomever you borrowed it from." "It's yours. It belonged to my mother and I have many. You need it more than I do at this point." "I'm so grateful for your generosity, Cadie." I meant what I had said as no one had ever freely given me anything before. "Are you ready to start learning archery?" "Oh yes!" "Well let's go then." I grabbed my bow and arrows that were recovered for me yesterday and we headed out to the field near the forest edge. Cadie had been correct in that the fields and some trees were looking healthier. I had a hard time believing that this was caused by my presence, however, more and more I felt connected to the people and the land. It was more of a slowly awakening awareness as if my senses continued to learn their limits and stretch further and further. "I know you'll do very well, Cadie, so let's cover the basics first." I showed her proper stance, how to aim, the importance of understanding wind and how an arrow will fly upwards before it begins to fall. I then aimed at a bale of hay a hundred feet away. "Different bows have different pull strengths and different arrows weigh different amounts. It's important to learn to pull back consistently each time when you're learning so that the force applied to the arrow is also consistent. I've marked this bow for different distances. The hay bale is about a hundred feet away." I showed Cadie the height mark for one hundred feet, then slowly drew the bow back and let the arrow fly straight into the center of the bale. "Now, you try." Cadie was a trooper as her fingers were raw from several hundred shots at different distances and targets, but she was a remarkably quick study. Before long she was hitting mere inches away from the center of the targets. I felt Darnell before I saw him as he began walking across the field toward us. "Good morning, Darnell." "You seem in good spirits this morning, Shaelan. Good morning, Cadie." Cadie nodded to Darnell but she couldn't keep the smile off her face as she held the bow. "I see you have a prot?g?." "I do, and Cadie is brilliant with the bow. Of course there's a lot of practicing to do, but I believe for mostly stationary objects she's very capable." "That's good because we need to be prepared for the arrival of more Dark Fae." "Can you show me where they might arrive from and what we have to work with?" "Of course. We have several experienced fighters in the village, but most haven't touched a weapon in many years. I've taken the liberty to distribute the overseer's weapons amongst them. I'll introduce you later this morning as they'll make up the bulk of your protective guard." "You can't leave me out, Darnell. Now that I have a weapon, I won't let Shaelan fight alone." I saw the fierceness in Cadie's eyes. She was determined to be by my side. Darnell merely nodded. "Come, both of you. Let's figure out how we'll handle the Dark Fae when they arrive." We walked through the small village and Darnell pointed out the most likely direction the Dark Fae would arrive from. Northwest was the nearest city and where they would be dispatched from. "How many fighters do we have?" "We have six, but only have three weapons. Four if you count Cadie with your bow." "The Dark Fae had iron-tipped weapons. Do we have any smelting ability? Could we melt some iron down and tip the arrows with it?" "We could do that, but no one can touch the stuff but you. We wouldn't need much." "My sword has fine iron chain on the hilt. I can remove that and wrap it with leather instead." "I'll make that happen for you. It's a great idea and will put some real stopping power behind the bow." "When they arrive, is it on horseback, do they fly, materialize, or walk?" "Quite possibly materialize and fly as they like to make an entrance. Gwenyth is powerful enough to materialize from a far distance. I suspect you'll also be able to do t