Page 68 of Within the Veil

"There is a small one called Deireadh Gach Dòchais, you will have to retrieve something, and you will also have to bring the sword from the battle that is steeped in Kalen's life force. That is all I can tell. Everything is still yucky in my head," she frowns harder, groaning as she rubs her head. Poor little one. So much responsibility in such a tiny little body.

That village... is known to be on the edge of Unseelie territory. It would not be safe for us to venture there,Ceri speaks up, his worry leaking through our connection.

"It's important," her little eyes glare at us as she picks up her head. "We need it. I can feel it." It's amazing how little people can look so scary. I shudder at the thought of four Hudsons running around. It's terrifying, really. Hudson is already a handful.

Okay, so Hudson's sister and the village. Do we know where to start looking? Or a name?

"Her name is Charlie, known as Ellie. She has five mates. Find them. Hudson will have to go to them when she wakes up," she stands up with a yawn. "It's time for my nap," she turns around and walks inside.

I take a deep breath and look at Ceri. I finally understand what the word 'clusterfuck' means.

____

Over the next several days, we do as Li'Ella said. Only stopping for brief breaks. We found Charlie, she was starting a training camp to infiltrate a group of warriors in the magic community called the Shadows. This part of the Magic community was odd and stuck in its' ways, but Charlie, a lot like Hudson, is going to change all of that. It is clear. But once we cataloged her location, we moved on.

How much longer until we are there, and why are we traveling by wings and foot instead of just popping in?I asked.

Ceri is getting more anxious the closer we get to the village. His growing anxiety is grating on my nerves only because he is being so damn cagey. Which, considering he is a bird half the time, makes sense.

Because we will be dead the moment we appear. As old as I am, this village is older. These beings are not something you actively seek out,he says softly in my head as if our thoughts could be overheard.

He keeps saying 'beings' instead of just telling me the kind of creatures we would be seeing. As if he wants me to make my own connections and assumptions. How can I make connections when I still don't know what the hell is going on, I'll never know.

Okay. So answer my first question before I rip off your wings.

He scoffs at me,we are here.

I look at the outcropping we just entered and sniff, trying to pick up on what was here, but I can't. My eyes widen as I realize why.

You said the outskirts of the Unseelie village. But this village is outside of the Veil? How? Why?

It is why this place is so dangerous. Not only is it outside of the Veil, but we will also be close to the Unseelie portion of the Veil. Humans, who are technically able to roam these lands, feel the danger of this area and do not venture here. Any Fae who come here are killed. Familiars who travel here often are forced to stay or are killed.

* * *

Stay?Why?I ask. What kind of creatures can reside within the grasp of the Unseelie and still remain safe while they kill Fae or force their familiars to stay or suffer the same fate?

He scoffs,It will torture a Fae to be without their familiar, these beings take great pleasure in that.

But why?I ask again.

He switches forms and coils around me, with a sigh.

The Fae used to like to keep them as pets once upon a time. Mostly Unseelie. They grew too strong once in their full form and were punished severely. Tortured. As time progressed, Gaia grew angry on their behalf and interfered. When their skin grew impenetrable by magic and weapons, they slaughtered all of the The Unseelie who held them captive. After the battle, Gaia appeared and when given a choice whether to stay within Tir Ag Nog or leave, they chose to leave but stay on the outskirts as they are still magical beings with ties to the land. They are...in a crossroads... of sorts. Magic, powerful, but unable or rather, unwilling, to be a part of the world that they were technically born to first, during its inception. They are Gaia's first creations, as such they hold a special place in her heart. Like the Fae, they are pure magic, but they are also completely immune to any magic that is used against them. They hold the Fae in utter contempt, considering their lives an insult. The Seelie have no quarrel with them, however there is no love lost between them. And after the stories of the depravity they suffered at the hands of the Unseelie it is easy to understand why they cannot serperate the two groups. Or rather why they choose not to deal with the Seelie either.

I grow unsettled the longer he speaks. But there is an undercurrent of excitement as well because imagine the possibilities if we are able to get them over to our side? The thoughts thrum through my head and Ceri shakes his serpent head sharply.

They are like Li'Ella, Xena. They have to know we are coming. Yet, have not made moves to reach out to us. To assume they will follow us and help the Seelie when they have been so long hunted will be a folly. Do not hold out for them to trust us, nor should you trust them for they would sooner rip you to shreds, without even trying, before they live up to that trust. I trust Li'Ella but I cannot imagine what they will have to give us other than a long drawn out death. Just as well, I suppose. I have lived long enough.He dramatically flops to the floor and I paw at his large body.

If they knew we were coming we might as well get on with it. I felt no need to be without Hudson. I popped in a few times during my journey just to check on her but nothing has changed. Although her mates had, in looks and strength.

Let's get on with it then. We have no choice, if they know we are coming and if we have to get something I would rather go now. We have no time to waste.

He continues to flop and I roll my eyes, stand up and confidently walk through the Veil, stopping suddenly as I look into the biggest eyes I have ever seen. A loud roar echos through the forest, shaking the ground under my feet and causing the leaves to fall off the trees surrounding us.

Fucking, shit.

ChapterFifteen

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