Free Folk Lore by Joanne Ellis

they cannot produce offspring, however they could change a hazer child to achieve mixed blood and accelerated growth. Once the offspring grow, after a few weeks, they could then perhaps procreate because they are still half hazer. We are unsure how many of the banished folk Mecaldorf has within his control.”
    She stared at him for a moment and thought about the magnitude of his words. Were they going to be facing an army of powerful mixed-folk fighters? Deciding she did not want to continue with these thoughts, she went back to the law.
    “ Number eight, the chosen ones within the circle are forbidden to divulge any information within the book to anyone outside the circle. I think this speaks for itself.”
    “Not entirely, there have been instances where one of the princesses divulged information from the book to someone outside the circle who later became banished. The information in the wrong hands could be dangerous.” He paused. “This is why our concern for Nermina is paramount. As only the Chosen are privy to the information contained within, whatever Mecaldorf wishes to obtain would have to be gained another way. Mecaldorf, or one of his warlock apprentices, could try to ... coax the information he requires from Nermina. With his magic, along with that of some warlocks, he could recite the incantations with the same effect the eight within the circle have.”
    “Coax? He wouldn’t ...?” She stopped.
    “This is why we must locate her before he causes her any harm or uses her to create offspring for his army.”
    “Then I’d better learn as much as I can, and fast, so we can help her.” He smiled slightly again while his heart leaped at her show of bravado, wishing, as he had time and again over the past days, that he could break the law.
    “ Number nine, if a vampire bites or changes any human either within the circle or not of disrepute, they are banished from the circle and the mystic lands, thus breaking the treaty which in turn omits vampires from the circle making it seven once more. This is the last one. Nine seems an odd number. Why not ten?”
    “There were only ever eight until vampires were introduced into the circle and the final law was added when they were included.”
    “There are not as many as I thought there was going to be.”
    “Nine is all we need. They serve their purpose and protect the lands.”
    “I think ten would be a nice round number. Perhaps it could propose a mixed-folk relationship for the greater good.” She grinned, hoping her teasing tone would break down his barrier.
    “You really do not understand how important the law is.”
    He stood up abruptly and left her sitting alone by the river.
     
     

12
     
    Incantations
     
    Seraphina located Keelor in the village eating his lunch sullenly at one of the outdoor tables in the courtyard. As she’d not been given the opportunity to explore the entire village since her arrival, as she set about searching for her new tutor, Sera took the opportunity to look around. When she returned to her hut to change into another flowing dress, Sera discovered a now vast wardrobe of mystic land clothing. Although this one was more sedate than her attire for circle meetings, it was still far more beautiful than anything she owned. This dress, in brassy colours, glimmered in the sunshine as she walked.
    The small hut which was her lodgings, though charming to her, was quite inadequate compared to many others within the village. The two-storey cabins which housed elfin families were luxurious. Again she was struck with a sudden feeling, as though coming home. The home she lived in with her mother was lovely, and living with her Mum had always been fun and her life filled with love, but here she felt a connection.
    As she continued her search through the village, she watched as elfin children played on the grass, discovered flowering meadows, and noticed adult elfin enjoying the sun, their varying hair colour all striking and their