Free Of Gods and Fae by Tom Keller Page B

bowed. "And blessed greetings to you, Sendy of the
Aurea. Not since my mother's time have your kind graced our lands. A fair wind
to she that travels with the sun."
    Sendy did not reply but bowed in return.
    "I have chosen a tree at the outskirts of the village
where the Temple is located. Sophie is already there and has prepared for your
arrival," she said after turning her attention back to me.
    "Thank you, Aeva, for all you have done. But before we
go, may I ask one more thing of you?"
    "Of course."
    "While I have promised you not to start a war, there
may be followers of the dark High Fae among the Dryad. Before entering the Temple
I will have Sendy contact Cacilia, the Lady of the realm, to let her know of my
coming. Just prior to this occurring, Sendy will notify you and I would ask
that the ways in and out of these Fae lands be closed until the matter is
concluded." I stopped and got on one knee to finish. "You have my
word that I do this only to prevent followers of the High Fae Marissa from
waging battle against me and our kind and you may reopen the gates to those
friendly to our lands when we have concluded."
    "We would not willingly let an enemy of the Dryad
enter," she replied.
    "I know that, but I feel it is better to err on the
side of caution. Although not of our clan, Marissa is herself a Dryad and I
cannot know if she has allies among us."
    "But the trees are not the only way in and out of Fae,
even if the most common."
    I should have thought that, hell, I was bringing Sendy along
for just such a possibility, among other reasons.
    "True, but it is the one we have some power to control.
With your help, that is."
    "It shall be as you say," she answered after a
moment. "The Hamadryads will close the gates when you ask. We will also
watch the trails and roads and call for the Aurea if we sense danger. That is
the best we can offer."
    "I could ask for no more," I replied. "Thank
you. I will not forget this." She nodded her head and motioned at her
tree. "Then if you are ready."
    I turned to the others and everyone nodded ascent. Sendy
removed her clothes, spread her wings, and then disappeared. I felt her now
diminutive form perch on my shoulder as we entered the golden glow.
    The first thing I noticed when we entered the Fae lands was
the smell. Fresh and clean, not polluted with the trappings of the modern
world. Then I was suddenly overcome by an overload of sensations as the magic
took over. It was if the entire world was flooding in. Like the first time it
happened, I could feel everything and even sense the emotions of those around
me. Then I could feel the Fae, the Hamadryads and Dryads of this world, as well
as others. I tried to hold back but felt myself being sucked in. I fell to my
knees as I tried to slow the sudden input of information. Suddenly, I felt
Siegfried grab me and Charlie's tongue on my face, then with a slap I slowly
came to my senses.
    "You must force the magic back," he yelled. "Do
not let yourself be drawn in, look at me!"
    I focused on his voice and slowly pulled back. It seemed to
take forever but I was finally able to focus on Siegfried. I slowly processed
what was happening.
    "Meredith told me this might occur. I should have
warned you," he said, pulling me to my feet. "I did not think it
would happen so quickly."
    "What just happened?" I asked, trying to shake the
cobwebs from my head. "What did she warn you about?"
    "She told me that when you touched the water of her
home you could feel the Nereid in the sea," he answered as he took me by
my shoulders. "I have heard of this. It is said that when one goes into
battle with the Gods, their emotions flow into you and strengthen your own."
    "Are you saying I can control them?
    "No, not control exactly, at least not that I have
heard. But it is said that in battle a God can bolster their subject's
confidence and strengthen their blood lust. Meredith feared that if you became
too connected then the more powerful Fae of this realm may