The great hilly plain surrounded by new growth forest felt like it stretched to forever in the fey realms, the sun shined brightly as I frolicked, playing games with the other sprites and pixies. We energetically tossed berries at one another flying about dodging everything we can. Laughter and games were all that mattered until I felt the booming voice of our de facto master, Sprigfiddle.
He towered twice as tall as anyone else. The largest sprite in all the lands. His massive arms wielded the great fey steel blade ‘Mercy’, he was wrapped in stone leaf armor. His fuzzy lavender hair puffed in all directions like a dandelion in the wind.
“Come my servants!” Sprigfiddle boomed from above as he looked at the group. “I shall choose one of you to head to the human realms and bring me a girl from their lands. I have seen her in my dreams, I have seen a prophecy that shows her to wield the most powerful magic. This gift will benefit us all and we must have her.” He flew in circles as he pondered. “We shall hold a tournament to find the one amongst you who will serve me in this great task.”
All of us were silent. The human realms were dangerous and only a couple of us were trained in magic. A sense of bravery filled my tiny heart and I stepped forward craning my neck to look at our leader. I believed I was one of the most gifted of our warriors and strongest of our spell slingers aside from Sprigfiddle.
My four dragonfly wings spread out behind me, a symbol of my family. I beat them furiously and floated a little off the grass covered grounds. Saluting I trumpeted, “I who am known as Shadowlily shall compete for this honor my liege!” I would prove myself and take on this quest.
Seven other pixies chimed in around the grove declaring themselves willing to go on this journey.
The great Sprigfiddle nodded as he gazed down his long hawkish nose at us. His furry moth wings beat lazily as he descended to the ground. Raising his blade into the sunshine. “We shall settle this with battles of spells and blades. Everyone prepare yourselves!”
Everyone began to whoop and holler in joy. Nothing was as exciting as contests of skill. Those of us not competing gathered their instruments in celebration. Several of the youngest ones started fighting amongst themselves too young to join the true contest.
Sprigfiddle made us stand in a circle around him as he floated gently above the grass. “Here are the rules! No sharp weapons, no use of pixie dust to make your spells more potent, no hitting below the stomach, no using Names, and no attacking another pixie’s wings!”
A cheer erupted and everyone with an instrument struck up a rousing song. I could feel the excitement around me like an electric current across my skin.
“Everyone get yourselves ready!” Sprigfiddle spread his arms and went to the edge of the circle.
I beat my wings and soared off looking for something to serve as a weapon for the battles. As I flitted around the trunks of trees I spotted the perfect weapon. I landed snatching up my mighty club, well it was more of a twig. It was straight and as long as my forearm, fitting perfectly in my hand. I swung it a few times to get used to the weight. Satisfied with my choice I buzzed back to the battleground.
The other pixies returned satisfied with their choice of weapons. Some of them wielded large two handed sticks, others had one handed twigs like mine, while another had a long thin vine. We hovered expectantly as Sprigfiddle was hand fed berries, relaxing on a thick bed of moss.
“One on one fights, I’ll call your names. First to yield or are rendered unable to fight loses. Follow the rules.” He stroked his chin weighing each of us for his first choices.
I looked at my competitors and measured them up. I felt like I was in the middle of the road, I wasn’t the tallest or shortest, neither stocky or thin. Each of our wings were different in some way from one another, something inherited through family bonds. Some of them had swooping butterfly wings, others short blunt wings quickly buzzing like a bee’s wings. My own long slender wings hummed as I hovered above the grass with anticipation.
“I call Shadowlily! Come forth,” hollered Sprigfiddle.
I glided smoothly forward and raised my weapon high looking in a circle as the spectators hooted with excitement. My parents relaxed on some moss beds clapping politely.
“Teathistle! Enter the ring!” Demanded Sprigfiddle.
The smallest of the competition came forward, his overly large wings flapped lazily as he bobbed up and down with each beat. He wielded the long vine and had it coiled tightly in one hand. His smile was huge as he too showed off for the crowd.
Facing off against one another the rest of the warriors gave us room for battle. As we both waited for the fight to begin I started to mentally prepare. Dozens of ways to use magic crossed my mind but I wondered if I would show too much to my competitors. Deciding to be cautious I’d hold off on magic right away.
Sprigfiddle raised one arm lazily, dropping it he yelled, “BEGIN!”
Immediately I darted forward intent to prevent my opponent from using his vine at range. A heavy beat of his wings infused with magic buffeted me with a powerful gust that pushed me back. The vine came snapping towards me through the air. I swung the twig I held around and infused it with magic to strengthen it hoping to catch the vine. If I could disarm him it would be best. Before I could snag it around my weapon he wrenched it back to his side.
His attacks became relentless as I bided my time thinking. Over and over I had to bolt from side to side, each time trying to close the distance with my opponent only to meet another buffet of wind keeping me at bay.
Thinking quickly I had an idea and waited for him to strike. As the vine snapped towards me I let myself drop the small distance I hovered to the ground. I instantly pulled from the earth a great strength and reinforced my weight and muscles. I let his improvised whip crack around my free arm and with a twist of the wrist I snagged it. Now rooted in place with magic, I watched Teathistle tug uselessly against me. I willed the vine back to life with my life energy, pushing energy down it to make it grow suddenly around my opponent's arm as he gripped it.
Panic filled his eyes as I smirked. I dropped my weapon and started to reel him in hand over hand. Wind buffeted me from his wings but I remained firmly in place thanks to the magic I weaved. Once he was barely an arms length away his feet scraping the ground I implemented the next part of my plan. Laughing joyously I started to spin, keeping my magic strengthening me. I felt the vine snap tight as he fought against the twirl I had begun. With great effort I overpowered his wings and watched as he was straightened from the momentum, his wings causing him to roll with each rotation.
With each spin I felt a dizziness build. I gathered that feeling into a ball wrapping it tightly as it built more and more. I watched the vine start to tear and with a powerful final spin I forced that dizziness like a blunt object into the mind of Teathistle. At the same moment I stopped strengthening the vine and it broke sending him tumbling through the air. I landed on my backside as he soared through the air and thudded heavily to the earth, rolling and tumbling violently.
Before he could recover I thrust myself to my feet chuckling as I stumbled over to him. Teathistle struggled to get even his hands under him by the time I was at his side. With a final lurch I placed my foot upon his chest and put my weight on him pinning him down.
Teathistle began to laugh heartily at the absurdity of our fight's conclusion. He tapped my leg in submission as we chuckled together.
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Reaching down I grasped his hands and hauled him to his feet. We nearly tumbled over as each of us struggled to balance through the spinning we felt. Teathistle raised my arm and the crowd clapped vigorously. Laughter like our own echoing around the ring.
I rejoined the circle as Teathistle went to the crowd. Several people wrapped him in hugs and patted his back. I smiled at the scene of camaraderie.
Three more fights took place as I rested taking sips of offered water. I paid close attention to each of the ways my potential opponents won. Everyone was offered copious amounts of applause after their battles. I made sure to clap politely as each fight concluded. It became apparent that I was now the smallest of the group. I straightened my back and knew I had more tricks up my sleeve.
“I call Redgrass and Shadowlily!” Called Sprigfiddle casually around a mouthful of food.
The largest of my opponents stepped forth, his blunt wings made a raucous buzzing sound as he struggled to fly even a little off the ground. A large two handed stick lay in his hands and he swung it a couple times testily.
My wings hummed as I glided easily forward. I flourished my weapon and readied myself pulling magic to strengthen my twig. I pulled from the wind to fill myself with swiftness.
As the call to begin was yelled I darted high knowing my opponent lacked the flying abilities that I possessed. He grunted angrily swiping at my legs as they moved out of range.
My opponent hollered, infusing his words with a magical command, “Come and face me on the ground!”
I felt the force of his will claw against my mind as my climb slowed. I focused and fought the command and its power. As I struggled I noticed my opponent start to climb the air towards me.
As I struggled against the mental command Redgrass came slowly up and soon was level with me and his smirk was full of confidence that he had won.
I fought against the command, but he had made an error in not following it himself. Had he stayed on the ground I would have truly struggled to free myself of the magic.
As he reared back his club to strike me I brought all of my focus and will like a knife and cut through the weakened command. Now free from the spell I darted forward, too close for him to swing at me and jabbed his stomach with all my might. He huffed out a heavy breath as he doubled over swinging his weapons hilt downwards at me. I darted to the side and brought my twig whistling down against the back of his head.
Redgrass yelled as one hand clutched his skull. As he was disoriented I knew my next move. I moved behind him and took him in a mighty hug pinning his wings against his back and his arms to his side. I stilled my own body and we began to plummet.
My opponent yelled in fear as we fell. He struggled against my grip and I had to fight with everything I had to hold him. The ground was coming quickly towards us when he screamed, “I surrender!”
I beat my wings as quickly as I could and slowed our descent with a great strain and placed him on his feet as gently as I could. I wrapped one arm loosely around his neck and ruffled his long hair.
“That command of yours was quite strong. If you had flown a little faster you would have had me.” I smiled as I let go and landed at his side, hugging him lightly with one arm. I pushed some of my abundant life energy into my hands and gently rubbed where I had struck him on the head.
Redgrass grumbled and begrudgingly held one of my arms aloft as a sign of good sportsmanship. “Not everyone would heal their opponent after a battle,” he muttered and patted my shoulder. I smiled at him and hoped one day to be true friends.
As the crowd roared in approval I puffed my chest out enjoying the attention. Redgrass walked into the crowd and grabbed handfuls of berries and flopped onto his rump.
I rejoined the group of combatants and accepted a hollow acorn full of water sipping lightly. It was never wise to battle while gorged and overly full of anything.
The next two were very equally matched. Their aerial sparring impressed me and the crowd. I found myself clapping vigorously as the fight concluded, noting the victor was a distant cousin of mine that I wasn’t too fond of named Whisperwillow. I was truly impressed at the display of skill though. Not many could battle so fiercely.
As the two reconciled after their fight Sprigfiddle stood and quieted the crowd. “We have seen truly impressive feats of skill and abilities. It brings me great joy to see my subjects fight so hard to earn the honor of this quest.” He motioned Whisperwillow and I to come to him. Once we were beside him he spoke to the crowd. “We will now feast in celebration of the battle that we got to watch. We will feast now and the battle will commence after. Let us celebrate!” With a gentle push on my shoulder I walked away from Sprigfiddle.
The song turned into one of jubilation. Many people pulled out roasted bug meat and berry slurry. Some people toasted with juice and some of the wine I made for a living. Someone hooked my arm and pulled me into a dance. I reluctantly followed wishing I could have saved my energy for battle.
As we twirled food was shoved into my hands. A stick of roasted beetle. I made my way to the edge of the dancing and nibbled at my food. Even as people celebrated the tournament and congratulated me on how far I had made it I felt terribly alone. My pranks as a youngster and my refusal to share the process of wine making caused me to be a pariah. Even then the people that were friendly with me often wore fake smiles. I ate roast beetle and a berry to satisfy my hunger. I drank little else but water.
I watched as Whisperwillow indulged in copious food and drink. Dozens of people were going to root for him. He shared easy smiles and shared jokes. As much as I felt uneasy around him I seemed to be alone in that notion. I watched as he let others cling to him in a way I’d never be comfortable.
Sprigfiddle danced merrily in the ring and spun many of the little pixie women that tried to vie for his favor away into other people’s arms uninterested in anyone but himself and this girl he had visions of. The festivities died down slowly as everyone became languid and relaxed. Sprigfiddle clapped loudly, silencing everyone around him. “Let us see the final bout!” He motioned and everyone cleared the battlefield we had started with.
I knelt down, and started to stretch my legs and looked across the ring. Whisperwillow had wings like mine but two fewer. He wielded a twig very similar to the one I chose. From his battles I knew he was as agile if not more than me. His fingers held his weapon lightly as he twirled the digits on his empty hand, stretching them lazily. What I didn’t like though was the malicious smirk on his face. I knew my cousin to be cruel and unforgiving.
A cold feeling filled me as I continued to warm up my body. Bouncing lightly and stretching out my arms I kept a close eye on Whisperwillow. Something was up and there was no way for me to figure it out in such a short time. I figured the only thing I could do was be careful and calculated.
Sprigfiddle and the others danced around the circle, the random instruments making music from chaos. I could not enjoy it while I was preparing for a fierce match. I kept envisioning how he fought his opponents and what I could do to combat it.
As I focused, Sprigfiddle started counting down, “Three, two, one. Fight!”
I charged across the ground borrowing its weight and stability in case Whisperwillow used the wind against me as my first opponent had.
He charged as well a glowing blue ember of magic in his off hand. As we closed he thrust it like a thrown knife and I felt emotions lance into my mind.
Suddenly a deep sense of loneliness and loss of purpose invaded every corner of my mind. It was so potent and powerful that I staggered and was emotionally overwhelmed for a few moments, my magic guttering out without my focus. Two quick strikes slammed on my free arm sending stinging pain lancing through me and I jumped away from the blows. Taking lightly to the air I twisted around to look for my enemy. As I fought off the forced emotions I desperately searched the ring.
I pulled from my feelings of joy and determination and used it like a torch to burn away the invading emotions. As I freed myself from it I glanced upwards and saw my foe diving down his weapon raised high to smite me. I rushed up at him angling myself to get directly underneath him to ruin his line of attack. As he started to pull out of his dive I closed the distance and struck out at him with my weapon.
Whisperwillow parried my strike as he started to fight for distance. I kept on his heels trying to make sure he didn’t have distance to gather another emotional attack that would slow me down. I brought forth my desire to fight face to face to the forefront of my mind. I infused and made it stronger with my magic and shouted a command, “Stand and fight!”
Whisperwillow stopped back peddling, my magic taking hold. He closed the gap between us as we charged one another. In the opening moments we traded a flurry of blows, each of us buzzing up and down trying to gain an advantage in battle. Quickly I began to gain momentum in the battle landing a few glancing blows on his shoulders. Our fight brought us ever higher into the air.
Sprigfiddle placed my hand down and drew Mercy from his side, “You will find this girl with hair of gold. You will bewitch her with your magic and bring her back to us. I will now grant you my visions so that you may find her. Use your dust wisely and bring her back to me.” He laid his blade upon my shoulder and with his other hand threw a handful of pixie dust over us. Filling it with the knowledge of his visions and suddenly my mind was filled with images of this girl he wanted to bewitch and entangle into our lives.
She laid in a bed of silken cloth the color of thorned roses. Her hair splayed across her pillows in waves of gold like the light of the sun itself. Her features were soft and round, a youthful shape more kind and warm than the harsh beauty the fey seemed to have. She breathed quietly in her sleep, her bed comfortably wrapped around her as if she was a tiny boat in a sea of luxury.
The vision faded from my eyes and I pulled myself straighter. “I must prepare.” Bowing in deference to Sprigfiddle I turned from him.