Free Fairy Lies by E. D. Baker Page B

“You won’t be with me then.”
    “You’ll have to choothe between Troll Woodth, Thphinx Alley, or the Land of Forgetfulneth.”
    “Troll Woods are full of trolls so stupid that they’re really dangerous,” said Tobi. “And no one knows what a sphinx will do. It’s impossible to tell what they’re thinking. I vote we go through the Land of Forgetfulness. I’ve heard that you’ll forget where you’re going unless you write it down, but if you do, it’s the safest route to take. Here, take a pencil and a piece of parchment.” The little goblin scurried across the room and took what he needed from a table.
    “Then that’s how we’ll go. Thanks for all your help,” Jak said, turning from Lamia Lou to Herbert.
    “Any time, ole buddy,” said Tobi. “Any time at all.”

Chapter 7
    Dasras was off on another mission for Oberon when Malcolm brought Tamisin her new shoes. Tamisin was surprised that he had finished them so quickly. She picked them up to examine them, half expecting hurried and shoddy work. But although they looked as delicate as newly opened rosebuds, Tamisin was delighted to see that they were sturdy and well made.
    “So are you just going to stare at them like some gapjawed fish or are you going to try them on and see how they fit?” asked the brownie.
    “Do you talk to all fairies that way, or just me?” Tamisin asked as she sat down and pulled on one of the slippers.
    Malcolm grunted. “I don’t generally talk to fairies.”
    Tamisin glanced at him, expecting to see a smirk on his face, but he looked as if he was serious. “Why not?”
    “Because I can’t stand ’em. Most fairies are either conceited idiots or just plain idiots. But if you ever tell anyone that I said that, I’ll deny it with my last dying breath.”
    “And I’m not an idiot?” Tamisin asked as she wrapped the vinelike laces around her leg.
    “Not as bad as most,” he replied. “You’re different.”
    “I know. It’s my big feet, isn’t it?”
    The brownie snorted. Tamisin had a feeling it was the closest he ever came to laughing. “It’s not the size of your feet I’m talking about. It’s the size of your heart. I think you have one, and I can’t say that about most fairies. There’s something else about you, though. I’m trying to figure out what it is.”
    A shadow fell over Tamisin and she glanced up. It was Irinia, and she looked as surprised to see Malcolm as Tamisin had been. “What are you doing here?” the woman asked the brownie.
    Tamisin held up the shoe she had yet to put on. “He brought my new shoes. Aren’t they beautiful?”
    “They’re lovely, Your Highness,” said Irinia, looking even more surprised.
    Grumbling to himself, Malcolm stomped off, leaving Tamisin and one of Irinia’s faces staring after him. “What an odd little man,” said Tamisin. “He says the strangest things.”
    “Malcolm talked to you and he wasn’t insulting?” Irinia asked.
    Tamisin nodded.
    “This is a first. I’ve never known him to leave the other side of the briar hedge, let alone hold a conversation with someone. He must really like you.”
    “Please sit down,” said Tamisin, patting the groundbeside her. “I’d enjoy your company. And you don’t need to call me Your Highness.”
    Irinia took a seat on the grass beside Tamisin, sighing as she sat down. “It feels good to get off my feet. I was due a break, so I thought I’d come see you and ask if you have everything you need. I know fairies aren’t very good about that kind of thing; they rarely think of anyone but themselves. Do you need anything?”
    “I’m fine, thank you,” Tamisin told her. “Dasras has been taking care of me.”
    “What do you think of our blue boy?”
    “He’s very nice,” Tamisin replied, not sure how much she should say. She’d had conflicting feelings about Dasras all day, although she wasn’t sure why. Then Tamisin thought of a question she’d been dying to ask someone. “I thought Dasras was