As the fairies all ran screaming behind Aunt Freya. She couldn't help herself and chuckle. I turned to Jake and gave him a look that said, "I told you so." Aunt Fraya giggled as Jake looked between me and the fairies, confused.
The mother of the fairy family was saying something in a fast and angry whisper at Aunt Freya. Who waved a hand dismissively. Before I could stop myself, I blurted out under my breath. "Aunt Fraya is also a mage."
This must have been the wrong thing to say because the fairy, I'm assuming was the family's matriarch, flew in an angry sprint to my face. This time, the sound of her wings was less of an ethereal laugh and more of the buzz of an angry hornet.
She stopped her flight mere inches from my face and screamed, "She's nothing like you! She isn't a young wizard looking for new things to exploit."
I looked at her with a mixture of confusion and annoyance. And she must have realized how close she was, and her wings froze, and she started dropping. On reflex, I gently put my hand out to catch her in my palm. The other fairies must have thought the worst because they flew out from behind Aunt Fraya and charged with the same angry wing sounds. Before they reached me, the angry hornet sounds changed to a mix of laughter and bell sounds as I held up the matron fairy to eye level.
With a sigh and a sad smile, I said, "Not all wizards, mages, witches, and whatever other category you want to lump me with are the same. After all, a wizard and a witch taught you fairies how to defend yourself from those who exploited you. Why not put me in that category?"
I gently put my hand on the table to let the fairy matron step off my palm and forced a smile.
The other fairies, not convinced by my words, surrounded the matron on the table, glaring up at me with suspicion and obvious hostility. Some of them even began to shimmer. It seemed like I had much more to prove before they could trust me or at least be ready with a defense. I loaded manna into my bracelet, reading the spell to summon my wand and generate a shield.
Thankfully, Aunt Fraya stepped in. "Enough, little ones," she said in a gentle voice. She sat at the picnic table, looking at me with a small smile. "This is my nephew, John. He means no harm to any of us, you included." She seemed to be focusing on the ones preparing some sort of offensive magic against me.
The matron fairy looked at me for a moment, then nodded her head in agreement. The other fairies slowly relaxed, their angry buzzing fading into a soft hum, then back to the ethereal laughter. I breathed a small sigh of relief and dispelled my manna.
In his booming, jovial voice, Uncle Paul asked, "Who's hungry 'cause I'm starting to be!"
Jacob Lycon smiled wide at this. I was unnerved to see the sharp wolf-like teeth "I am, I brought some deer, bison and bear steaks for the omnivorous and carnivorous." Looking down at the circle of fairies still on the table, "And for our dull-toothed, we gathered some chicken-of-the-woods."
This seemed to bring the fairies back into their happy state. They took off the table and flew over to Jacob, thanking him. I met Jake's eyes, and he looked sympathetic to me for the first time since I got here. I turned to the grill, still trying to figure out the little black stones and fighting down my bad emotions. I felt an arm wrap around my shoulder, and I realized Aunt Fraya walked up to me.
"Good job, kiddo!" She said with a proud tone. "You did good. You need to get used to doing that a lot since not all people accept all people. But you did well. I'm proud of you."
Somehow her words washed my emotions away. "Than-Thank you. I really appreciate that."
She squeezed my shoulder, let go, and let go. I caught myself just in time for Uncle Paul to walk up with something in his hand stretched to me.
"Can you start the fire while Jacob and I bring the meat coolers?" I took the thing out of his hand, examining it. Jake joined me with a wry smile.
Uncle Paul walked away, so I had no idea what he expected me to do.
Looking at Jake pleadingly, I asked, "What is this."
He looked at me with a wicked smile. "A lighter."
I sighed. "And how do I use it?"
He kept smiling while answering, "You activate it and light the coals in the grill. Lighter fluid helps with that."
I clenched my jaw. "You are not going to help me, are you?"
He just shook his head.
I turned the lighter in my hand a few times, trying to make sense of how it worked. I had never used or even seen one before, but I figured it couldn't be too difficult. I mean, this wasn't something that required mastering any kind of ancient knowledge to be able to use. Suddenly, I heard someone huffing from the direction of the cars. I turned my head to see Uncle Paul and Jacob carrying the meat coolers.
I got frustrated with the lighter and handed it over to Jake. Stepping to the grill, I summoned it from my bracelet and pointed it at the grill. After briefly debating the best spell, I decided with continuous flame minimal power and activated the magic circle. A small flame appeared at the tip of my wand. Holding it closer to the coals, I slowly increased the manna flow, making the flame large enough to cover the entire pile of black stones. I at least figured that's what Uncle Paul meant when he asked me to get the coals going.
Jake's eyes widened as he watched me, mesmerized. I gave him a smug smile and continued to aim the flame at the coals and watched as they caught on fire. The coal went from black to white in seconds.
Uncle Paul and Jacob place the coolers on the table by the grill and whistle in unison.
Uncle Paul looked at me with a wry smile. "Couldn't help yourself? Had to show off?"
I was about to defend myself when Jacob slapped me on the shoulder, laughing. "When we get frustrated with it taking too long, we usually add more of this fun fluid." He was jiggering a metal can of something.
Uncle Paul elbowed me from the other side. "Want to see how it works?"
Before I could answer, I heard Aunt Freya's voice from the other end of the table. "That's how you ended up without eyebrows and poor Jacob with bald spots."
The two grown men broke down, cackling like a pair of high-school stars telling each other dirty jokes. Jake and I looked at each other and just sighed. I dispelled the continuous flame and put my wand away.
After they were done laughing, Uncle Paul flicked the trigger on the lighter, and a small flame appeared at the end of the stick portion of the lighter. He laughed at what must be my amazed and fascinated face and handed me the lighter.
Jacob picked up a long-handled tool and began scraping the coals in an even layer on the bottom of the grill. He moved the coals to the sides, making a sort of indentation in the middle. I watched him work, impressed by how quickly he set everything up. He then placed a metal grate over the top, adjusting it carefully to level it.
Meanwhile, Uncle Paul pulled out a variety of meats from the coolers - burgers, hot dogs, vegetables, and the steaks Jacob mentioned earlier. He laid them out on the table next to the grill, along with some buns and condiments.
Jacob and Uncle Paul expertly worked the meat on the grill. They were as good as my dad and without the benefit of a magic grill that responded to the cook's whims. I watched them intently, trying to learn everything they were doing. Sometimes, I had to ask clarifying questions, and they patiently answered. Jacob seemed to have relaxed all the way.
Jake seemed to have no interest in grilling. Or at least it was less interesting than the book he was quickly approaching the last pages of.
The scent of grilled meat filled the air as the meat cooked, making my stomach grumble with anticipation. I could barely wait to taste it. After what seemed like only a few minutes, the meat was ready. Jacob expertly used a pair of tongs to lift it from the grill and place it under a lid on a metal platter to rest. Meanwhile, the bread started to get toasted on the grill, and I could smell the faint aroma of charred crust.
Uncle Paul turned to me and said, "John, why don't you go get the girls and Jake to help your mom and Sarah set the table?"
"Sure thing," I said. I didn't want to stop watching the grill, but I didn't want to delay eating either.
As I was walking away from under the willow, I heard, "But I literally am on the last 2 pages."
Uncle Paul laughed. "Then you will have two pages to finish after lunch, you bookworm!"
As I got out of earshot, I heard a very faint, ethereal tinkle of bells. Looking around, I noticed one of the fairies flying in the same direction I was walking. I sped up, and the fairy kept pace. I smiled as we quickly approached the fishing docks, where Julie and Emma stood on the benches, leaning over the railing and looking down at the fish.
I stood on the ground just before the dock began. "Hey, food ready." As soon as I spoke, the Lycon girl Emma jumped and hid behind Julie.
Julie's reaction was the opposite. She grabbed Emma's hand and dragged her to me, yelling, "Yeah! I'm hungry. Wanna race?"
That was all the warning Emma and I got as Julie tore up the slope to the willow we were picnicking at. Emma gave me a scared look and ran even faster after Julie, overtaking her. I laughed and started after them, and quickly realized they were fast. I summoned my wand, activated the quick spell simultaneously, and sped up, only steps behind Emma, who somehow realized I was gaining on them and sprinted even faster, passing Julie with easy. I came in 3rd by a second, dispelled my magic, and put my wand away. Jacob gave me a funny smirk and wink as Emma ran and hid behind him.
We all sat around the picnic table, the faeries at the far end of the table from me. My stomach growled with hunger as Uncle Paul and Jacob began to dish out the food, asking for details of each request. The burgers, hot dogs, vegetables, and steaks were piled high on plates and passed down to us individually. I eagerly grabbed a burger and added toppings. I looked around the table as everyone else did the same, except for the fairies. They surrounded a pile of mushrooms and vegetables.
As we ate, the conversation flowed easily. Aunt Freya and my Sarah talked about their childhoods, while Uncle Paul and Jacob discussed the fishing trip they planned for later in the month. Julie and Emma chatted about the fish they saw at the docks, with Emma still looking a little scared at me between bites occasionally.
As I took a bite of my burger, Jacob leaned over and whispered, "Thanks for letting the girls win that race earlier. I saw you were ready to go full bolt and slowed down."
I grinned, feeling a little proud of myself for making their day. "No problem. I'm just glad they had fun. How did you notice?"
His face looked sad. "Every member of my clan has forced conscription and training. I'm not an exception. We are trained how to deal with wizards and mages being tricky." His eyes had a malevolent glint at the last sentence, but he was quickly gone as he turned his attention back to his steak. I wasn't going to press him for more information. I had a suspicion I wouldn't like his answers to the questions swirling in my head.
The food was delicious, and I couldn't stop eating. I had no idea I could eat that much meat in one sitting. For sure, I was going to regret this later, but at the moment, I didn't care. For now, I was going to enjoy every bite and morsel.
I finished the last bite of my food with a sense of heavy satisfaction, my stomach full to the brim. I leaned back in my chair, feeling content and a little sleepy. I wasn't sure how I was going to move. I even had my doubts we all could fit back in the car. As I closed my eyes, I heard the sound of the ethereal bells and opened them again to see the matron fairy flying over and standing on the table in front of me.
She looked at me with her bright green eyes, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. My brain fog was gone completely, and I was at full attention, looking down at the intimidating gaze.
This time, when she spoke, her voice wasn't angry or aggressive. She spoke, her voice ringing like a bell, clear and loud.
"Wizard John, I would like to have a conversation with you. Do you mind if we talk?"
I hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. I wouldn't be able to go anywhere after overstuffing myself anyway.
"Sure," I said, "What can I do for you?"
She shook her head and looked at me with her bright green eyes. "I just wanted to see if you understand what we fairies are?"
That made me pause. I've never met fairies. They weren't allowed in most of the magic realms other than the capitol and a few preserves. Those were not very easy to visit. We studied history and magical biology, so I understood a lot.
I smiled. "I mean, it was fairies, pixes or leshies. But realistically speaking, pixes and leshies are endangered, so I made a logical guess."
She looked hurt at me. "Please don't lump us in with those. We are not the same."
I smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I didn't know that would be offensive."
She waved a hand. "It's fine. Most people don't. You know that a single set of our adult wings can pay for your life of luxury. Even as long as your life is."
I nodded. My dad warned me well in advance of my trip to stay away from black market traps. Fairy wings were top of the list. "I'm well aware of your monetary value." I paused, waiting for her next sentence, but her family must have taken that as a threat. I glanced at them as they started beating their wings again.
The fairy waved dismissively at her family and asked me, "Are you tempted? Even a little?"
I leaned forward, groaning, as my stomach tried to find a comfortable place to lay on my guts. Looking her dead in the eyes, I said, "Not even a little. First of all, it is immoral. But it would still be illegal if I didn't have a conscience. I'm not interested in blackening my family name or rotting my long life away in a dungeon." With a pained sigh, I added, "Besides, a life of luxury gained by evil will quickly be spent drowning out the quiet voice of reason that I have done evil."
The fairy looked at me with sad eyes, and I could sense she was about to say something I might not like. "I wish it stopped far more people than it does," she said, her voice trailing off.
I frowned, not sure what she meant. "What do you mean?" I asked, my curiosity piqued against my better judgment.
She took a deep breath, and I saw the pain in her eyes. "I mean that despite the dangers and consequences, many still seek to harm us and other magical creatures for their own gain. Some of them are powerful wizards like yourself, and they do not care about the consequences of their actions because they have equally powerful patrons protecting them and buying from them."
I sighed, knowing she was right, remembering the two jerks going through the enclave at the same time as me. "Unfortunately, you are most likely right. The nature of people doesn't change. Just need to be tamed to a higher reason." For some reason, a quote from my father just fell out of my mouth.
The fairy looked at me with surprise. "Well said. Thank you for answering my question."
Before she could fly away, I asked, "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"
The Matron Fairy hovered in the air, then landed back down on the table and said. "Of course, Wizard John. What would you like to know?"
I took a deep breath, trying to manage the fullness I felt, "Is it common for magical beings to mix?"
She looked at me with a sad, understanding smile. "In the magical realms, there are strict distinctions of class, species, groups, loyalties, and the like. But outside of those realms, such distinctions become much less important, as it is simply a matter of survival. And the ones cast out of the realms are those who have offended the seats of power in the past or, in turn, were offended by those powerful."
I nodded, taking in her words. It was true that in the magical realms, there were strict hierarchies and rules governing interactions between different magical beings. But in the human world, it was much more fluid.
"Thank you for answering my question," I said. "I hope one day we can all be equal."
The fairy smiled again, and I could see the kindness and wisdom in her eyes. "You're welcome, Wizard John. I wish for the same."
I smiled, somewhat embarrassed. "You don't have to call me 'wizard' John. John is just fine."
The Matron fairy smiled, hovered in the air, and gave me a short bow. "Be well, John."
I watched the Matron Fairy fly back to her family, her wings sparkling in the sunlight, breaking through the waving branches of the willow. As she landed on the other end of the table, I noticed that many of her family were missing.
Suddenly, Jax, Apollo, and Sparky sprinted across the grass, each carrying several of the missing fairies on their backs. Emma and Julie followed close behind, their faces flushed with excitement, laughing.
I couldn't help but laugh as I watched the fairies ride the dogs. "What's going on?" I asked.
Jacob laughed. "The younger fairies love playing tag but can't fly long. So, the dogs help out. Emma is it right now. But not for long."
As he said that, she sprinted faster than Apollo could move out of the way. The fairies on the back of Apollo exclaimed in defeat. They whispered something to Apollo, who took off like a fur missile after Julie, who juked and dodged like a tag pro.
The rest of the day was spent in a relaxing manner. We sat around the table, chatting and sipping on tea as we watched the dogs and fairies play. Occasionally, one of the fairies would dart over to us to rest. Jake finished his book, and we spent the day catching up, swapping tales of the last few years of our lives.
As the sun set, we realized it was time to say our goodbyes. The fairies gathered together and thanked us for our hospitality. Then they flew off with the same ethereal laughter, getting further and further away.
Jacob told Uncle Paul that he would see him at work tomorrow and carried Emma to their car as Jake carried Julie to ours.