Galen Vesa

I felt fluffy. Like the soft fluff on a young bird or the groomed fur of a cat. Such a cozy feeling. Like the sweet hold of your bed when alarm goes off in the morning.

So unnatural. So… pleasant.

“Erta, am I still dreaming?”

*No. You are quite awake. The spirits love to pamper those they wish to use. Look around you.*

One way to find out. I opened my eyes and lift myself up.

Well, they sure tried.

Formed of a black crystal and shining as if a starry sky bathed in moonlight, a chamber the size of a cathedral enclosed my surroundings. And I sat there in the middle. Resting in a French style bed, larger than a swimming pool. Drowning in a sea of pillows. Hugged by a blanket so soft it could melt your stress away.

“Dammit.”

Sparkly bed aside, my clothes were missing. Just when I got them to make me a bra with extra support. Damn perverted spirits.

“Erta, think you can cast a “loose me not” spell on a pair of pants and a bra? Just like this ring and the darn bracelet has. Something to stop people, spirits and other entities messing around with my wardrobe?”

I rolled off the bed, butt stark naked, and came face to face with an army of bowing maids. Although, instead of the obligatory “good morning master” they stayed still and dead silent. Same as the brooding dragon.

“Erta?”

*I am here.*

“Well, doesn’t feel like you are. I’m sure that hiding at this point won’t make a difference.”

She shivered.

“Not telling me something again are you?”

*We are within the spirits domain. They may have given you their names but still they are the Queens and many loopholes exist in the spirit laws. Be wary of what you say or think.*

“Said the dragon who bartered wishes off me.”

I picked one of the maids at random.

“Go call your masters and let’s be done with this nonsense. Oh, and get me my clothes.”

“That I cannot do.”

Her singsong voice trilled in my ears.

“Why?”

She bowed even lower, her golden mane brushing the crystal floor.

“Those rags were not worthy of your body and were disposed of.”

If I were to show an emotion, I am sure a vein would pop on my forehead at this very moment. Unfortunately, me being me, I just said “uh-huh” and asked for something to wear.

And the spirits were quick to comply.

*No. We are not putting that on.*

A wedding gown. A wedding gown woven from moonlight. Sprinkled with stardust glitter. Adorned with diamonds plucked from the heart of earth. Oh, and the ribbons… Nope. Just nope.

“Does it not please you my love?”

The wind swirled around me. The first one to come to my side. Soon followed by fire and earth. Water came last and without hurry. Her calm face bore a warm smile. She stopped at a comfortable distance away from me.

“Traveler,”

She bowed and the maids sunk to the floor. So many beautiful people… no. Not people. Spirits. The beauty each and everyone of them displayed made me speechless. Me of all people. During Sam’s stag night we overpaid for a much less handsome company. And at the time we though them the most beautiful.

“Welcome in my humble home.”

My own eyes reflected in the water Queen’s cleavage. Blueish and slightly translucent but a sight worth seeing. Perhaps a contender for the size against my own. I incline my head in response and the fire scoffed at this display. Her own body burned and flames danced in all the right places. Many would kill for the hips like hers.

“You called me a traveler. You know what I am?”

I asked studying the queen of earth. Aside from her height, having at least a head more over us, her looks were timid. Hidden behind a plain green dress. Still, no mortal would match her beauty. Her amber eyes regarded me carefully.

“A soul that does not belong to this world. Like those before you, arrived to die for this world. Or bleed it if you wish. Many like you came and went. You are not the first and perhaps not the last. ”

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Her eyes were blue like water and cold as ice. So unlike the ones of my dragon.

“Can I go back?”

“Can you?”

She deflected the question back at me.

“Hume children come and go. Why? They don’t know. How? They don’t know. We care not. The world goes on.”

An interesting way of saying no. I hugged my pillows and sat at the edge of the bed. The four of them now stood before me. Waiting.

“Well, thank you for not killing me. Tho, I would appreciate if you had left my dress alone.”

As one, the three of them looked at fire. She stood unmoved for a moment then raised her arm and flicked her fingers. Ash gathered in her palm and flames writhed within. Before my very own eyes, the dress un-burned itself.

“Your stinking rags you can keep if you love them so much.”

She cast the dress at my face. The wind howled but the earth stopped it.

“Thank you.”

The fabric stank like an ashtray but I squeezed myself in gladly. Still breeze around the knees but at least my arms were free again. Fire looked at me in disgust and turned away.

Well, some people never liked me. Dunno why. Must be my personal charm.

*You have promised them a deal but still they have not received their payment. Accept their blessings so they would not be able to hold us against our will.*

The spirits stirred at that.

“Let us finalize the deal then. One at a time please.”

At once they begun bickering who shall go first. Swords drawn amongst the maids, ready to turn against each other.

“Enough. The order does not matter to me. All of you will receive an equal part. We can drew lots to settle it if we must. One at a time.”

I spoke before another fight broke out.

“If I may,”

Water raised her hand.

“The safest way for your vessel would be for me to go first, then the earth and wind. That way you can have a chance to withstand the strength of fire.”

I looked at fire. She hanged in the air ablaze and ready to strike. Hate. Hate and Anger burned in her eyes.

I called her name and felt mana rush out from my heart.

“Please.”

She shivered with visible pleasure and slowly doused her flames.

“As you wish.”

The queen of flames declared with a blush reddening her cheeks and settled herself, watching. Great. First the perverted wind and now her. The fire started eyeing me strangely. Is she a masochist or what?

*No dolt. It’s just your personal charm. That and perhaps the amount of mana you just pumped into her name. *

The other spirits formed a queue before me. Each expecting a similar reward.

I looked into the water's eyes. Clever fox to plan all this. She responded with a calm smile.

“A wish has been made of me. One that requires your permission. A mother wishes that you would not bear her child's face. Will you allow me to alter your appearance?”

A reasonable request, I think. One perhaps I could use to revert…

No. Our current from is more beneficial to our survival than the old one.

Logic voiced her disapproval. Loud enough to make me wince.

*I am sorry Galen but she is right.*

In such manner they outvoted me out of my sausage. Sadly, I had no arguments against it. Ability to aim while peeing hardly could outweigh my current night vision.

“I agree. Just make sure I won’t resemble anyone dead or alive.”

*Dolt…*

Ooops. Too late I realized how broad that request been. But the words were already spoken and the spirit had her palms upon my checks.

“Interesting. So that child went this far in her skills. I must commend her.”

Whoever she spoke of, a gleam of pride appeared in her eyes.

I almost asked but then my skull cracked in several places and my face sagged like a melting wax. I’ve heard my nose pop and twist.

And the water kept on smiling while her lips placed a kiss on my forehead making the rest of my body go funny.

The last I felt were my lungs filling up with water.