I stay seated a while after Peg leaves as Cork continues healing my arm. I need to get my head together.

I am supposed to be in charge of my life, right? Hell... I may soon have my own Fae court, I better be in charge.

I stand as Cork scampers back to his spot behind my left ear, “I think I can meet you back at the tower.” And then ask, “Don’t you think it is time I go between myself if I know where I am going?”

Stepping away and between, I am back at the manor. I used a spot where the tower meets the hillside and those two met in a Y to the ground. If I screw up, I run face first into the stones. That would suck... Tamyson appears further away. He walks out from an area the grass meets with the tree line. I notice he likes to use tree lines. I wonder if I should learn to mix it up, where I appear. I don’t want to become predictable.

Looking thoughtful Tamyson commands, “Follow me, this won’t take long.” And instead of between he walks me further around the tower to a small trail crisscrossing the hill side. As we come to the top I hear a... humming sound? Buzzing? Standing not far back into the trees is a dead redwood. Most of the top has fallen off leaving a huge stump sticking out of the ground. The tree looked like its been dead a long time.

Walking closer to the massive stump I see the swarming bees. “I will teach you how to get honey.”

“Why would I want to mess with bees?” I ask, sounding whiny. “I am sure this is not something important for me to learn. I will not use it again, right? It's not like a life skill.”

That gets me a stern look from Tamyson.

You know... it is interesting to determine looks on a man with a ram’s head and enormous horns.

Tamyson sternly says, “You have a household now. Your Brownie needs little help, but an occasional gift of honey left at the hearth will make him happy. This is easy and you need to learn more about Faerie. So, granddaughter of mine, you will learn.”

Granddaughter, what? “Since when did I become a granddaughter to you? Do you suddenly care for me? You haven’t shown a lot of care.” I raise my voice and stomp a foot, “In fact you let me be a blood donor twice now. You know... that is not the usual ‘bonding thing’ families do, right?”

He still looks stern and then sighs, “You were nothing but a hope to find our way back to this world, this plane of existence. I did not care for you.” His gaze wanders away as he speaks, “I am a high ranking counselor to the High King, who’s health is finally fading. Alizon’s brother died and his oath to your mother complicates things greatly. Now, my granddaughter is in line for the throne. Now, you represent me. Your actions will reflect upon myself and the royal family, whats left of the family.”

Turning to look back at me I think I see anger in Tamyson’s eyes, “I have to care about you now. I am forced to have a family. I may be your counselor one day. You will have the power over our deaths or our happy existence. So yes, Gwen, I care. I like my position and my power. I enjoy being here on this plane again. I can use my full powers and I like it.” Tamyson finishes his little impassioned tirade frustrated. It surprises me that he isn’t pulling his hair out.

I think this is the most emotion I have witnessed from my grandfather.

I can tell he is angry. Leaning towards me, he says, “You will learn our customs as we travel this path. You will reflect well upon myself and now our Family.”

Well shit, what do you say to that? Can I try Fuck You? Probably not.

I am angry and scared at the same time. This whole ‘in line for the throne’ thing hasn’t sunk in. And I never considered Tamyson in any of this. But, I decide I deserve a little anger, “Well, I didn’t expect my family to lead me into this mess. I didn’t expect my family to leave me with that insane woman of a great-grandmother. And I didn’t expect my family comes with a ram’s head!”

“Well, it is a family we are. You will learn this simple thing to please your household and to keep it running nicely. Later, others will help in this small and simple chore to make things easier.”

I shrug my shoulders and grump at him, “Fine, what do I have to do?”

“Listen to their music. Use it like your glamor, take their hum and wrap it around yourself.”

I listen at the bees and then listen towards my grandfather. A hum radiates around him in almost visible waves. I try to copy his efforts. Feeling inside myself, I add that hum to the energy inside of me and wrapped it around my body. It is easier than visual glamour. Was that because the sound waves are easier replicated than bending light?

Either way, it doesn’t matter. Concentrate on the hum...

I look up to see a small smile from Tamyson, grandfather… whatever.

“Now follow me to the hive.” He instructs, and I follow.

The bees dance in the air, not landing, just dancing thier humming dance around us. Grandfather looks into the large crack and points towards the colossal honeycomb.

“Make the sound strong around your hand and slowly reach in. Do not disturb or distress them.”

And I watch as his did just that.

I hadn’t noticed that he held a large curved piece of bark in his other hand. But he did, and that is where he places his honey comb.

“Your turn,” he murmurs.

I am afraid of bees and act like a baby when stung, I really don’t want to do this. When I see Tamyson’s eyes glare at me, I sigh and moved forward

Concentrating on my hand, I tried to push more of that humming energy around it. I know I am breathing hard, but I slowly move towards the honeycomb. The bees ignore me; they fly in and out ignoring my hand. Finding a chunk without many bees, I slowly grabbed it and pull. I don’t want to scare the bees. It seems honeycombs pull out easily, and I placed mine next to Tamyson’s piece.

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“Now keep the hum surrounding you as we move away.”

Backing away we stop at the top of the path. Feeling safe I drop the sound glamour.

Tamyson... grandfather... hands me the large piece of bark, “You know how to return.” Turning and becoming hazy, Tamyson reappears as a large eagle. He launches himself into the air with a loud cry, while I watch in awe.

Can I do that?

Um, I will wait to try. Probably need grandfather's help. I head back to the manor. But, I don’t walk. Why walk when you can take a step and be where you want?

I grab for the massive doors and am still awed they open on their own to my hand. The inner courtyard is a peaceful homecoming. The willow tree’s limbs sway to and for in the slight breeze. A winged pixie swoops to my wrist, landing to look at the fresh honeycomb.

I realize the pixie is a female and heavier than she looks. Looking up into my eyes with hers, she asks, “Princess, would you share such bounty with a small one such as myself?”

Looking into her black insect-like eyes I answer, “Of course little one, take what you need.” As I watch her little form lean onto the bark plate and feeling for its safety, she scampers onto it. She snakes a small tongue out to swipe a taste and latches onto a corner, tearing at it like a dog. Breaking a small piece off, she happily sits on the bark and holds the honey comb to her mouth. She naws on it contemplatively while watching me.

“Litle one, can you show me to the kitchens and the Brownie Man? He will want this honey.” I ask.

I see honey stuck to the lower half of her face and with a happy smile she nods her head, “Yes, Princess, follow me.” Keeping hold of her honey the little pixie jumps into the air and flies into the reception area. She leads me through the great hall and flies straight into the mural behind the head table.

I take a deep breath in and let it out as I step into the mural. This is my first visit into Farie and I am going on my own with only a little one to lead me. No, I have Cork. He is always with me.

I hope this is a good idea.

Steeping through brings me directly to the large kitchen. Not a modern kitchen either. Massive fireplace with a kettle hanging over the fire definitely gives that away. The stove looks like an old cast iron affair and ovens sit inset next to the fireplace, directly into the stone walls. It smells wonderful and my mouth waters. In the center of the room I see the brownie rolling dough on a large table. He looks up at me, humphs to himself and goes back to rolling the dough.

Geeze... he is grouchy.

Walking to the table I said, “Mr. Brownie, uh, Tamyson mentioned that you wouldn’t mind fresh honey.” And holding out the large piece of bark I ask, “Is this ok?”

He stops working the dough, peering closely at the honey. Looking up he says, “Yea be al’right girlie. It be right and proper to drop off honey and a fine bit it is.” Now he smiles and hold out his hand, “Yea can call me Glaus. I have a longer name but yea nea be wanting to say it.”

I shake his small hand and think to ask a favor, “Um, Mr. Glaus, is there someone who can help teach me about the fae, about faerie and the elves?”

He grumps at me, “It be Glaus only girl. I nae be wanting that Mr. title. You keep that for others.” Looking a little nicer now, he says, “I mae have some of the lil’ fae to visit in the evening, when ye eat and they can tell ye tales to curl ye toes.” He laughs at that, thinking scary stories great fun.

“Ok… that is great, um, Glaus. We will listen and learn.” And I got right out of there. That short, balding man with a long hooked nose is a little intimidating. He may be small but he looks a hundred years old and able to cause trouble. Trouble I don’t want or need. Plus, that Brownie is cooking and cleaning. He can be as ornery as he wants.

On my way out I hear, “There be food upstairs with the other girlies and the new man ye collected. Ye can eat there.”

Well, that takes care of two birds at once; food and the coven. I'm starving. Hurrying up our floating stone staircase, his words hit me fully. Man? Did he mean Circe’s friend? Oh crap, how is this going to work? I walk into our personal area, and sure enough, a man lay on some pillows with Circe and Jadis. I notice the tall table moved across the room and that my coven mates opted for pillows, a low table and the floor.

Cool... except for the man part.

Plopping down next to Jadis, I let out a long breath. It is nice to be back with them. Cork, deciding not to wait on my help with food, appears on the low table holding the food and inspects the grub. I eye Circe to see if this is a problem, but I notice her ignoring the little guy. Cork just tugs at what he wants and eats it.

I try for a little refinement, load a plate with food and lay back to eat it. Now for my next problem, how do I ask why the hell a man is in our private living area?

Circe doesn’t keep me waiting, “This is William, he will go with us to Cave Croft this afternoon. I wanted you to meet him. He is one of the mages that works magic with me.”

William interrupts, “The only one she needs.” His tone is proprietary.

Jadis looks concerned while Circe blows it off. With a touch to William’s shoulder Circe reminds him, “Remember I do not want a single partner for my magic. We discussed this in the past and I have never changed my mind. You must respect this William.”

“I know that is what you say, but if you just try with only me, you will see how perfect we are together.” William says this almost pleadingly.

“I won't William. I don’t want to settle down.” She answers.

Jadis adds, “William, we are a new coven and this will take most of our time. We wouldn’t want you waiting.”

I wonder if Jadis should jump into this conversation.

William looks irritated, “It doesn’t concern the two of you. This is between Circe and I.”

Hell, now I am going to add my two cents.

Good or bad, this is our coven and he doesn’t have authority here. “William, what concerns one, concerns the three. We are one and support Circe in how she practices magic. On top of that, their life spans match mine now. Circe and Jadis will live hundreds of years. This may hamper any relationship either of them have.” I see the stubborn look in his features and add, “Do not forget, I rule here. This is now part of Farie. If we do not want you, I will deny you access.”

William looks shocked at this pronouncement and then angry. He asks Circe, “You will let her rule you? You never let anyone treat you that way.” He adds shocked.

Circe chuckles, “You make assumptions. Gwen rules here and we are her coven. She doesn’t try to give me orders, we work together. She has a very good point though. It may be prudent to stop our working relationship, you aren’t taking my wishes to heart and want to dominate me.”

With a sigh Circe finishes, “You can meet with us in Cave Croft but I am pushing the rite back a day. Tomorrow night is soon enough and I think we both need time to adjust to my new life.”

William stands and leaves in a huff. I whisper to Cork, “Follow and make sure he leaves.” I feel the pat on my ear and then nothing.

Looking at Circe I say, “Well, that went well.”

Circe rolls her eyes, “Yeah, I think that I need to leave William alone.”

Jadis adds, “How long have I said that? He will never change and neither will you. Stop using him because it is easy.”

Circe nodds her head, “Yeah, you are right.” Then she breaks into a smile, “Plus, I can see if one or both of the Elves are available. They were oh so good!” She finishes with a squeal.

Jadis shakes her head, “You will never change.” But she smiles to take any sting out of her words.

They ask how my training with Tamyson went and I tell them about Peg and the bees.

Jadis is excited, “Sigils and runes... Peg is right, the druids guard that knowledge religiously.”

“Well, I haven’t learned anything yet. I haven’t had the chance to use the knowledge stone.” Saying that, I pull the stones out and select <, the knowledge stone.

“Peg said I push energy into the stone and place it to my forehead.” And so saying, I wrap my hand around the stone. Feeling to magic within myself, I will a small amount into the stone. I feel the stone radiate a warmth.

“Here goes nothing,” I add and place the stone against my skin. I am glad I am sitting, the information rushes in and I become dizzy.

Opening my eyes I see Jadis and Circe looking at me. I smile, “Wow that is fast and made me dizzy.” Giggling I add, “Wish I had this going through school.”

Jadis asks, “And... did it work?”

“Oh yes, I know what I need to start making my own runes and sigils.”

Calling for Cork, we gather our cloaks and leave the manor for our small town of Cave Croft.