“Come, children, we have a long day ahead of us,” Amethyst calls out.

“What time is it?” Tundo grumbles.

“Dawn from what my body tells me, but there is no sun here in Sanctum, so it’s hard to tell,” Feren replies as she refreshes her clothing before dressing.

“We’ll do something about that, won’t we, Mother?” Ciël probes as they gather in the kitchen.

“The day cycle?” Amethyst asks, and the girl nods. “Yes, those sun crystals I had you gather we’re keeping to create an orb.”

“For what purpose?” Adam queries.

“I’ll create a sun for you,” the Fae smiles. Adam raises an eyebrow. “It won’t be a real sun, no. I’d need my sister Ignis here, she’s the specialist in solar bodies. If we can connect to the Fire Realm, then we could enlist her aid.”

“So each elemental plane…” Adam muses.

“Has a mistress, such as myself,” Amethyst finishes for him. “We are the embodiment of our home realm, entrusted by the Creators to manage the prime elements of the Cosmos. It’s no small feat,” she reminds him casually.

“You are a…” Luke blinks.

“Try not to think too hard about it, High Magus. Like any other creature in the universe, I serve a purpose,” Amethyst waves him off.

“But the power you wield!” Luke exclaims.

“Power that your race would likely abuse,” she hisses at him. “I am but a simple Grotto Fae and nothing else. I serve my purpose and will help where it is needed, but do not ask me to abuse what abilities I have. You will be sorely disappointed when I deny your request.”

“Do Lyric and Angel know what you are?” he narrows his eyes at her.

“No, they do not, and you will not tell them. The fewer people that know the true scope of my abilities the better, do I make myself clear?” she growls.

“Crystal,” he squeaks, leaning back.

“Why tell us, then?” Adam frowns.

“You are Earth’s Arch Mage. Those present here are either part of your Council or important to the cause. Fae do not abuse our powers. The deceptive manipulative creatures that your myths make us out to be is completely over-exaggerated. We Fae are not purposefully malicious in that way.”

“No, you just like to hide who you are and what you can do,” Luke digs.

“Does knowing the scope of my abilities change this arrangement or what we have planned?” she challenges.

“No, it doesn’t. I doubt we can fathom the full scope of your abilities,” Adam replies. “Let’s get on the road; we have a long day ahead, and you have a town to build,” the Arch Mage shoots his best friend a look.

“I do,” Luke smiles. “I’ll go see if Steven and the crew are ready, is it fine if I call on more bodies?”

“Use whatever you need to get the job done,” Adam nods. “We’re building the future town for our people to live in. I rather move families to Sanctum as soon as possible. Some communities are likely to be discovered soon — if they haven’t already. I want them to have a place to fall back to if things turn ugly.”

“Right,” Luke returns a grim smile. “On it!”

“You’ll join us Arch Mage?” Amethyst probes.

“As powerful as you are, I’m sure you still need help in opening a stable and permanent Dimensional Gate. Otherwise, you would have been here years ago,” Adam remarks.

“How perceptive of you,” she smiles.

“If we’re using the ritual I think you have planned, we’ll need three. I’m pretty sure Elphaba isn’t strong enough, so that means you’ll need me and Mélodie to help.”

“Sadly, you are correct,” Elphaba nods. “I’ll stay here and help Morgyn plan for the campus.”

“Wouldn’t Morgyn be able to help open a Gate?” Feren pipes up. “From what I read of his aura, he should be strong enough…”

“Ask any Sage here, and you’ll find out why we keep mobility spells out of Morgyn’s grimoire,” Adam smirks, causing Simeon to chuckle and the blond Sage to huff.

“Seriously? Whatever makes you doubt my abilities?” Morgyn crosses his arms.

“It’s not lack of ability, my friend, it’s what happened the last time you opened one,” Adam reminds him.

“How was I supposed to know that opening a portal to summon a water elemental would flood the ritual room!” Morgyn objects causing some laughter.

“That’s why you write the runes on the ground and not on the wall,” Simeon teases, causing more laughter.

“I was only eighteen, how was I supposed to know that?” Morgyn continues to object. “I’m more responsible now than I was then!”

“We’ll need your help with Gates to the Elemental Planes, but let me handle the nature one, alright?” Adam returns in a soothing tone. “You have the campus to work on and you’re our best manipulation mage.”

“Right,” the Sage of Elements nods.

Amethyst stares out into the void at the end of the garden courtyard. To her left Morgyn and Elphaba are standing at some sort of portable drawing board as they sort out what buildings they want to put where.

“You do know where we’re going, right?” Adam probes.

“Unless the land masses have shifted, the portal we seek is a nearly straight line from where I’m standing,” Amethyst replies.

“Should I fly out and confirm?” Ciël queries.

“No, Dear. It’s too far and I rather not risk you becoming disoriented or lost. We’ll start building from this point and pull it back in place if we need to,” Amethyst replies.

“Provided it’s still in one piece,” Adam frowns.

“Yes, let’s hope the wards kept the Druid Grove intact. Without it we lose our focal point for the Gate,” the Fae frowns. “Children, we’re going for speed, not making things pretty. Only collect enough material to make a land bridge we can stitch together with grass, vines and roots.”

“Yes, Earthen Mother,” the other Fae respond and scatter about as they start collecting debris.

“Susan, I’m entrusting that you and Penny will work at stitching this all together. If I just fuse the stone, it’s likely to twist and break with how long of a bridge we’re making,” Amethyst remarks. “Tundo, I hope you brought enough tree seeds.”

“How far is it?” he asks.

“Nearly a day’s journey at a slow walk, we’ll probably take two with the work we’re doing,” she replies.

“So… a tree every hundred to two hundred meters and I should have enough,” Tundo remarks as he dips into his bag. “Provided we don’t plant more than one on each side of the path. Ready when you are.”

“We’ll work on making it pretty later; our goal is to reach the Elves as quickly as we can. We’ll call for Angel tomorrow; she asked to meet Lyric when we connect the Gates.”

Amethyst’s eyes glow purple as she starts fusing the debris together. There’s a nice patterned two-metre white pebble path forming in the middle. She instructs the others to extend it two more on each side, ten where the trees will grow, or their root systems will buckle the path when they are pushed to grow.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

After an hour, Penny looks back and their trail resembles some sort of suspension bridge in the void. A white path with green trim and two-meter-tall trees forming the ‘cabling’ that’s keeping this all together. There is a slight curvature to their construction, it weaves slightly in the ‘breeze’ which is the flow of essence streams.

“This is why Mother wanted the trees. Without the roots, this undulation would eventually tear the bridge apart,” Mélodie remarks.

“Since when do you know about nature, My Love?” Penny teases her wife.

“I know physics. I watched the science develop throughout history,” Mélodie smirks.

“Once again, you remind me how you are ages older than I am. Whatever did I do to deserve such a smart and lovely wife?” Penny smiles.

“You forgot charming, My Darling,” Mélodie teases and they giggle. “It was Fate that drew us together. I could no more ignore you than I can the need to drink when I am thirsty. You fill my heart and my life more than anyone ever could.”

“You are such a romantic,” Penny purrs and kisses her wife. “I love you more than words can describe.”

“More building, less smooching,” Tundo calls back to them.

“Yes, we’re on a schedule, I know,” Mélodie rolls her eyes, causing some giggles.

“He’s just jealous he doesn’t have a porcelain doll to love and cherish,” Penny teases Tundo.

“If I wanted a porcelain doll to admire, I’d gather the raw materials, form it to my desires, and bake it myself,” he retorts.

“My darling Dark Witch is more than a treasure to admire. She’s smart, agile, resourceful and ten times more powerful than you’ll ever be!” Penny snaps.

“Now, now, My Darling, do not let the child’s rudeness ruffle your feathers,” Mélodie places a hand on her wife’s arm. “He spends most of his days in the woods, surrounded by near mindless wild animals. We can discount his lack of civility and manners for he has learned none of them.”

“Why you sanctimonious entitled piece of…” Tundo flutters into the air, his hand glowing as he prepares an attack.

“Children!” Amethyst snaps. He drifts a little as he looks her way. “Save your energy for building. I want to reach the mid-point by our evening meal,” she commands.

“If you would just control your…” he retorts.

“Do I need to make an example out of you? Can you grasp the powers you dare to challenge, Child?” Amethyst’s eyes glow purple as does the gem around her neck. “I’ve had enough with your attitude. You either learn to get along or I’m shipping you back to Earth. It won’t be hard to exchange you for a well-mannered replacement!”

Tundo gasps and he drops whatever spell or ability he was conjuring. He hangs his head. “Yes, Earthen Mother. I’m sorry.” He draws a breath, glancing at Mélodie, “You’re right, I’m not used to people and civilization. I’ll behave. Please, this project is a great honour and means a lot to my clan.”

Amethyst flashes Mélodie a look. “I too apologize. I was rude and judgmental,” the Dark Witch bows slightly.

“Earthen Mother, we welcome your wisdom and counsel in this important task. Please forgive my cousin,” Feren pleads.

“Such a well-spoken leader,” Amethyst smiles. “Shame that your family will not be crowned as the next royals for the Spring Court. I hope you will welcome your new king and queen with equal respect.

Feren gasps. “My clan are not the next Stewards to be crowned?” she squeaks and Amethyst shakes her head. “Then who will it be? Where are they? When will this happen?”

Amethyst raises a hand, “All in good time, My Child. We’re not yet ready for the Courts to mend.”

“Please tell us. Earth is already on the verge of collapse; any longer and my Court will be powerless to stop the erosion of plant life,” Feren pleads.

“I can’t tell you, Child. I’m sorry,” Amethyst returns a sad smile. “Other events need to be put into motion. You will know when the time is right.” The surrounding Fae return pleading looks. “The grove in Lantafalma is the key. When they activate the standing stones, cleansing the Vale, then you have found the sign you seek.”

“Lantafalma?” Adam frowns. “What are you planning to do with my peaceful valley, Earthen Mother?”

“Absolutely nothing, Arch Mage. The Voice of Gaia, on the other hand, will have a purpose for the grove. It is well suited and well protected for what she needs,” Amethyst returns a playful smile, leaving Adam to frown.

“Thank you Earthen Mother. You did not have to tell us this much; we are grateful for your foresight,” Leaglin bows as he approaches.

“Brother!” Feren beams. “That was quick, we weren’t expecting you for at least another day.”

“Apparently word travels quickly through the steward clans, and Veld here was already on her way from the Everglades when I was gathering Pixies,” he smiles. Behind him, a dozen Pixies follow a blue-green Swallowtail Sylph. She’s taller and her skin more blue than her West Coast cousins. She could be mistaken for a Human if it weren’t for her skin tone and butterfly wings. “From there, it was just a matter of following the white pebble path,” he grins, causing some chuckles.

“Everglades? However did you get here so fast?” Tundo gasps.

“I am called Veld in the common tongue,” the new Sylph bows. “We have an active grove by my home. Finding one on this side of the continent that was still active was a challenge. I came up from Mexico where Mountain Dwarves live with our Orolanda cousins. The grove is well protected there.”

“Would this already active grove in Mexico be better suited than the one in my valley of Fallcrest?” Adam probes.

“It’s a national park. While it is useful for ceremonies and travel, we don’t want to spend too much time around it or we might draw attention. Whatever would you need it for?” Veld queries.

“Whatever your Voice decides they need it for,” Adam shrugs.

“A Voice? We’ll see a Voice of Gaia in this lifetime?” Veld chimes excitedly.

“Is there something special about this Voice of Gaia?” Penny queries.

“Our world has not seen a Voice of Gaia, a Druid Priestess of the Earth Mother since Elvenkind fled to distant realms. When Gaia lost her Voice, the Fae Courts fell into disarray, bickering over how to deal with the growing Human threat. Instead of fighting them, we chose to hide. It was a horrible decision. In two millennia, only half of the Fae population remains, and even fewer of our groves. Most have been turned into tourist traps as the nosy Humans push us out of our sacred places and poke at the holy sites. They still have no idea what they are for, yet they won’t leave them alone! Our world has not been the same without her Firstborn, we desperately need a Voice if we are to save our planet.”

“You’re placing a lot of responsibility on one person,” Penny frowns. “What if they can’t pull off what you’re seeking?”

“The Voice will know their purpose and embrace their role. Gaia will lend them Her power to overcome the challenges that lay before them, so it is written,” Veld bows, her hands motion to form a glyph in prayer to Gaia.

“Not to sound impatient, but can this wait for our meal break?” Tundo grumbles. “We’re falling behind schedule, we’re not quite halfway there.”

“Halfway to where?” Veld tilts her head.

“To the Arvandor Gate, we’re summoning the Elves for aid,” Amethyst replies.

“Will they be coming home to Earth too?!” Veld pipes up.

“That will be up to the Elves, not me, Child,” Amethyst replies.

“Oh,” her wings droop. “Well, let’s get underway then,” she perks up. “Pixies, gather some debris and let’s get to work.”

Veld seems to command the Pixies better than the others. They reply promptly to her commands and follow her instructions without question. It leaves Feren to wonder if this East Coast Fae’s family will be the next royals. She certainly has the posture of a noble, she stands several fingers taller than everyone else.

Having doubled their manpower, the road project progresses much faster. They reach what Amethyst calls the halfway point earlier than she had predicted. Amethyst guides the Fae to make a large glade, where they trap the remains of what looks like a Greek Wayside Shrine or pavilion — sort of a gazebo without a roof. Adam and Melody are summoning food and drink for the group while the Fae are fabricating tent-like structures from vines.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m fried and ready for a little pick-me-up,” Susan pulls Penny aside.

“What do you have planned?” Penny queries.

“I have these seeds. If we can just get them to germinate…” she mumbles. They’re off to the side from the others.

Penny recognizes the growth spell they’ve been using all day on the trees and two blueberry bushes grow from the new green grass.

“Do you know the Goodberry spell?” Susan probes, and Penny shakes her head. “Darn, I don’t either,” she frowns. “I’ve heard about it, but have yet to find a book that contains the spell.

“Druids can learn magic from spell books?” Penny raises an eyebrow.

“Oh yeah! Druids learn their magic through spell books and have to pray to their God every day for spells. Nature tomes are rare though, usually written by a High Druid and passed down through their grove. As there have been no High Druids since the time of the Elves, the few books that could have survived two millennia are hard to find,” Susan remarks and then is quiet for a moment as she focuses on the berry bushes. “If we can enchant them with a little magic, we might get something even better,” she smiles.

Penny is quiet as she watches Susan draw in the magic to enchant the bushes. Once she sees the pattern of the weave, she adds her chant to the spell. She tries to maintain focus and suppress her fascination as the bushes grow to about waist height. They resemble a hybrid between grapevine and high bush blueberry. So does the fruit that’s growing in front of their eyes, as the grape-sized blueberries almost glow with arcane energy.

“Oh, that worked!” Susan claps gleefully. “I was studying this spell before we left.”

“What are they?” Penny raises an eyebrow.

“Manaberries!” Susan beams plucking a newly ripened berry and popping it in her mouth. Her face scrunches. “Oh, not quite ripe, that’s really sour!” she complains. “Oh!” Susan’s eyes glow as if she just drank a Fulfilling Needs potion. “Oh, that’s nice!” She smiles dreamily. “You should try one, they’re amazing!” she grins then giggles a little.

“Okay, I’ll bite,” Penny returns a curious smile. She walks around the bushes, finds the largest of them and plucks it. Susan’s right, they are a touch sour, but… “Oh, hmm!” Penny sighs as her eyes glow golden. “That’s soooo good!”

“What are you two conspiring about, My Darling?” Mélodie probes, walking up to them.

“Honey, you really need to try these berries!” Penny returns a lopsided grin. “They’re amazing!” she falls into Mélodie’s arms and kisses her passionately.

“Darling, you are acting as if you are tipsy!” Mélodie comments pulling herself away from her wife.

“It’s the berries. These are amazing!” Susan smiles dreamily. She whispers a spell maturing the bushes a bit more and gathers what she can hold; running into the camp to announce what she found.

“My wife is drunk on magic fruit, will we get any rest tonight?” Mélodie smirks.

“Now that you mention it, I could really use some relief,” Penny purrs.

Mélodie chuckles and shakes her head as she half drags her wife back to the camp. “No more berries for you, My Love.”

“But, Honey!” Penny objects and they both giggle.