NOVEL FROG 135. Expected
"So are you having second thoughts about not marrying the princess?" Keira asked with a grin. "You had a kind of funny look on your face when she introduced herself, cutie."
I blushed slightly but shook my head, "I was surprised, that's all. I wasn't expecting a fae princess to show up in travel gear and wearing a sword at her hip."
"You met a bunch of princesses and a queen last week," Merryweather pointed out, "And half of them were wearing swords. The other half had daggers."
My blush got a little deeper and I admitted "Ok, good point. I still wasn't expecting Princess Áine to look like that though."
Kelly asked, "What were you expecting, babe?"
The seven of us were back in our camp again. The local pixie troop were keeping an eye on the huge encampment on the other side of the Duma, and I had no doubt they were sending spies in to snoop on the king and his retinue.
I wasn't sure if they'd actually formally approach the king, or if anyone on the king's side would think to reach out to the pixies with some sort of offering or whatever. I still trusted King Greenleaf and his troop of course, especially knowing Merryweather's mother was here. I figured in the worst-case scenario if the local pixies got a better offer or were otherwise encouraged to stop helping us, Summerwind would warn her child. And I was confident Merryweather would tell us.
I finally looked at Kelly and replied, "I suppose I expected a storybook princess? I figured she'd be raised to be a prim and proper 'lady'. I thought she'd always wear huge fancy gowns with a dozen petticoats, she'd have a dozen maids and whatever. I certainly wasn't expecting her to look like a knight. In fact I didn't think she'd be here at all, I figured she'd be too sheltered and precious to bring on a trip like this."
Siobhan commented, "To be fair that's not an inaccurate description of many noble daughters. I wouldn't have been surprised if Áine matched your expectations. On the other hand, not all fae maidens are quite so docile and easily manipulated. She may well have decided she didn't like being a pawn any more than you do, Lady Tegan. Perhaps she insisted on entering military service as a way of empowering herself."
That thought left me quiet for a few moments. I finally admitted, "Maybe I should have got to know her after all. Maybe I would have liked her."
I sighed and added, "Still, it wasn't that I flat out refused. It was about timing. I just needed a few years on Earth to wrap things up. If the king hadn't been so impatient, we wouldn't be here doing this now."
"We get it babe," Kelly said as she put an arm around my shoulders. "You probably could have been more tactful dealing with the king, and he definitely could have been more patient with you."
Keira added, "I bet Colm didn't help either. Like when you declined the king's first invitation? That prick probably didn't make things any easier when he relayed your words to the king. Like he could have embellished or embroidered your refusal any way he wanted, if he wanted to make you look bad."
"I know," I sighed again. "I've lost count how many times I've thought about that. I really should have written up a letter or something, so Colm couldn't twist my words. If I'd sent a polite letter and explained everything right from the start, this all might have turned out very differently."
"Water under the bridge," Kelly said as she pulled me a little closer. "So tomorrow the king's going to dictate terms to you. And you have a little speech you want to deliver to him. Then I suppose things are going to get violent."
"Maybe," I replied quietly. "I mean, it's a long-shot but maybe he'll back down. Or maybe his terms will be something relaxed and fair that we can all live with."
Padraig quietly pointed out, "The princess said the king was really vindictive. I kind of doubt that means his terms will be very nice."
We were all quiet again after that. I knew Padraig was right. The king and I would each say our spiel, neither of us were likely to back down, then things would get ugly and there would probably be some lives lost. I just hoped none of the losses would be on our side. I hoped there wouldn't be too many deaths at all, in fact.
"I wonder if Prince Odhran is here too," Keira said, breaking the silence. "I mean, if the princess came along, I'd expect the prince would too."
Siobhan commented, "Possibly. If the king thought there was any actual danger here, I doubt he'd bring his primary heir along. If he expects an easy victory though, then it would make sense that he'd bring both his children. He'd want them to see him make an example of you."
After a moment she added, "And depending how vindictive and angry he is, it's possible he's going to retract the offer of his daughter and go back to insisting you wed his son."
I scowled, then shrugged. "Needless to say that's not going to happen."
As it got towards dinner time, Laoise started preparing our meal. It was boiled salted meat and rice again as usual. It almost made me want to confront the king tonight just so we could get it over with and go home. I really wanted proper food again. At least I had mead to drink, I didn't have to drink the sour wine the other fae liked.
My mind wandered a bit as I let myself daydream. After our victory here we'd return home to castle Brádaigh. My mom could declare a feast, there'd be a big party. Then me and my girlfriends would go back to Earth where we could enjoy another feast of our own, with hard lemonade and sushi.
Then I'd have to go deal with the human cops and the twins would want to go out east and confront Kaitlyn.
I really hoped that worked out ok. Sue would never speak to me again if the twins did anything to the kid.
I knew it was a delicate situation but Susan loved her step-sister, and I was reasonably sure Kaitlyn wasn't really up to anything evil. Maybe I was naive about the whole thing, but I kind of believed what she said. She just wanted to be able to look out for Sue and her girlfriend, and she couldn't do that as a small weak human girl. As a small weak fae girl though, she could.
"Babe?" Kelly asked, shaking me from my thoughts. "You went a little quiet there. Everything ok?"
"Yeah," I nodded. "I was just thinking about what we have to do next. Like, after we're finished here."
I gave her and Keira a smile, "We can return to the castle in triumph and maybe get my mom to organize a feast? Then the three of us can head back to Earth and treat ourselves to some sushi and hard lemonade."
My smile faded as I continued, "Then I have to go deal with the humans. The cops, whatever other authorities have been getting into our business. And I know you two want to go out east to see Kaitlyn."
Keira asked, "Have you decided how you'll handle the authorities on Earth?"
"Not yet," I sighed. "As much as I hate to admit it, I'm actually thinking mind-magic might be the best option. Just force them to cancel the investigation and forget about us. That might be the least-disruptive option."
Kelly and Keira exchanged a glance, then Kelly asked "What other options are you considering?"
I shrugged, "I could try and scare them off. Give them a magical demonstration they can't ignore? I don't know if that's worth the effort though. If they managed to rationalize me using a paralysis spell on them and teleporting away in plain view, they could probably come up with an explanation for anything else too."
Keira frowned, "How about a temporary transformation spell? I'd like to see them explain that away."
Kelly pointed out, "When it was over they could decide it was an hallucination or something? Maybe hypnosis- or drug-induced delusions. If they're that desperate to believe magic isn't real, they could probably come up with an explanation for anything, no matter how ridiculous."
"Then forget the temporary part, make it permanent." Keira stated with a shrug.
I pointed out "In that case why not just kill them? Turning them into something different enough to scare them and leaving them that way forever? That isn't about scaring them off anymore, it's about ending their current lives. Either way though there's still two missing cops, and their colleagues will come looking."
The rest of our group had been quiet while the three of us discussed our Earth situation, but Siobhan spoke up now. "We have guests coming."
She nodded towards the Duma, where two pixies were coming down the slope towards us. Probably bringing more news.
The points of light entered our camp and resolved into Greenleaf's oldest children, Rosebud and Nettlesting. It was the first time in days that Petunia hadn't come along to make eyes at Merryweather.
I greeted them both, and asked "Have you come with more news for us?"
Rosebud nodded, "Yes Lady Tegan. Our spies have been visiting King Cathal's camp throughout the afternoon, and have been collecting information about the fae king's plans."
She continued, "When he ascends the Duma tomorrow for your meeting, he will be accompanied by many of his warriors and mages."
Nettlesting took over, "Prince Odhran will be at the king's side. Eight powerful fae mage nobles will be present to protect the king and prince from your magic. And a dozen knights including Princess Áine will be armed with bows and positioned atop the Duma, to counter your own knights and soldiers."
Rosebud concluded with a sigh, "Once the meeting has begun, four units of mounted troops will be deployed from the camp. Two will circle north, two to the south. They will surround your camp here and eliminate anyone left here on guard detail. Our father believes the fae king intends a slaughter. Our spies have not been able to confirm whether or not you are meant to be taken alive, Lady Tegan. But we suspect none of your companions are expected to survive the day."
I nodded slowly, "Thank you Rosebud, Nettlesting. I appreciate the information, and the warning."
The pixie princess asked, "My father wishes to know if you would like to borrow any of his troops? He would be prepared to loan you some warriors, in return for certain favours."
That brought a slight smile to my lips. "I appreciate the offer, but that won't be necessary. Could you please let King Greenleaf know, I'm grateful for his help and his offer, but I have to do this alone. Further, I think it would be safest for everyone in his troop to remain hidden tomorrow during the confrontation. There is likely to be deadly magic in the air, and it would upset me greatly if any of his people were accidentally harmed in the crossfire."
"Very well Lady Tegan, I will pass that along." Rosebud and her brother started back towards the Duma together. She paused long enough to add, "Good luck to you all."
Then the two of them blurred into points of light as they dashed back up the slope.
With the pixies gone, Siobhan looked at me and commented "I'm not terribly surprised by any of that news. It makes sense he'd want to crush any opposition, any hint of treason or sedition."
Laoise asked, "Does this change your plan at all?"
"No," I shook my head. "When we ascend the Duma tomorrow for the meeting, we'll go early. We'll all go together. Don't leave anything in the camp that's of personal importance to you. We can leave the tents, bedrolls, pots and pans, even the food. But take your personal things. Consider anything we leave here tomorrow as abandoned and lost, we won't be returning to camp either way."
I glanced at Padraig and added, "You'll be carrying my pennant up the Duma tomorrow, and hold it high when we meet the king."
"Yes m'lady," he replied. He was wearing a brave smile, but I was sure he was nervous.
I had a feeling none of us would sleep well tonight. None of my friends knew exactly what I had planned, they were just going on faith and hope that I knew what I was doing.
And while I knew what my plan was, even I didn't know for sure how things would turn out tomorrow.
