Free Of Gods and Fae by Tom Keller Page A

another cup of coffee and sat back in the chair.
    "Anyway, we'll just have to see. But now, let me
introduce you to the final member of our party, thanks to Charlie," I
finally said, reaching down and patting him on the head. I sent out a mental
call to Sendy, feeling it acknowledged almost immediately.
    Within moments the Aurea appeared in her diminutive form.
With a sparkled aura she grew to full size and floated to the floor. As she
materialized, she bent around and produced a jet black cropped shirt and pair
of leather leggings and held them at her side.
    "My Lord," she said as her wings folded into her
back and disappeared.
    "Sendy, please, meet our guests, Siegfried and Gerda,"
I said as I motioned to the two seated Fae. "And this is Diantha."
    All three stood up to greet the Faerie.
    "An Aurea," Siegfried remarked. "I did not
know that any of your kind still visited this plane."
    "It's a long story, one best left for another day."
I replied for her. "Please sit with us and I will tell you what we have
planned."
    Sendy slipped on the cropped shirt and leggings and sat down
in the chair next to me. I told her that I wanted her to fly above us to scout
and that I might need her to fetch someone from this world or pass a message. I
also let her know how I wanted my aunt notified when we were ready.
    "All right then. I'll say this one more time. This is a
voluntary mission. Now's the time to bow out if you have any second thoughts."
I scanned the faces of my companions. No one said a word. "Sendy, once we
enter my lands I'll need you to stay invisible, ready to go if I need you to do
something. Ok?"
    "Yes, my Lord."
    "Oh, and drop the Lord , alright? Just call me
Robert."
    "As you wish," she replied.
    "As to the rest of us, I see that you're armed, Gerda,
and I don’t need to ask Siegfried. Diantha doesn't really do swords but I have
a gun she's familiar with."
    "She will have to keep it hidden," Siegfried
added. "I doubt that there are many firearms in the Fae lands, even those
such as the one given to you by your aunt."
    "Agreed," I answered. "It's probably best to
keep all our weapons hidden, or at least not openly displayed. As to clothing,
Charlie says that Sophie will bring suitable garments, including cloaks, for
those of us not already dressed appropriately." I looked at Gerda as I
spoke, she just nodded at me so I continued. "Anything I'm missing?'
    "I do not think it wise that call you by your human
name, at least not until after you announce yourself," Gerda said. "Perhaps
Rupertos would be appropriate. It is the Latin variant and will match your
companion."
    "Well, it's not my first choice but it'll do," I
said with a laugh. "Ok then, anything else." When no one replied I
stood up and took a final sip from my cup. "Let's do this."
    I brought Diantha the Walther and cautioned her again to
keep it hidden. The gun had once belonged to my uncle and contained a spell
that made it deadly to the Fae. She gave me one of those, no shit, Sherlock, looks but didn’t argue. Meanwhile, Siegfried had brought a bag in from the car
and changed into what appeared to be Viking garb. Well, at least as close as
I'd ever seen anyway. At least he wasn't wearing a horned helmet so I just kept
my mouth shut. With a last word to Lucinda that we were off and with all
preparations complete we headed out into the backyard.
    Charlie reached the tree first, once again barking in that
strange melodic tone. It didn’t take long for the golden glow to surround the
tree and Aeva appeared. This time she was floating a foot or so in the air and
she descended gracefully and patted the big dog's head.
    "All is as you commanded," she said as she turned
towards me and bowed. "The others acknowledge your claim and will do as
you ask."
    "Thank you, Aeva. Oh… and these are two more of my
companions, Siegfried and Gerda, and this is Sendy. They will accompany us to
the Dryad lands."
    "Greetings, Fae of the North." she said and then
turned to Sendy and