Maxwell followed them into their home. Josidia could see him for what he was quite clearly, she did not know if Katherine could see him for what he was. Once they were back to the interior courtyard away from anything or anyone that could spy on them he let his disguise drop. From his back those butterfly wings emerged and his eyes changed in color to those ever shifting patterns. Maxwell would bow more formally to them this time.
“Thank you for seeing me Guardian” Those eyes that constantly changed color focused on Katherine as he initially spoke. His attention then focused on Josidia “I did not realize you had a guest, my apologies Guardian. You were the only one that we could reach in time. And the way station needs your help.”
“It is alright. Tell me what has happened at the way station that you sought me out here?” Katherine kept her guard up, certain fae could be rather fickle at times in how they acted. She knew of Maxwell from her dealings with the Fae in the past. He was calm and collected. Knowledgeable in the ways of the Fae and of others that occupied their world with them. Weaving glamours and other magics Maxwell was quite the potent Fae.
“One of our dark kin has allied themselves with outsiders and they’ve begun to capture members of the local court. The way station is filling with those who are claiming sanctuary as they fear they could be next. We are pretty sure the one who has fallen under the outsiders to the Court. Her title is the Maiden of Tears and Sorrow. Her human name is Tara Jones and she is a local owner of several clubs. Quite popular with the night crowd.” He would watch the both of them to gauge their reaction to what he was saying.
“You want us to find this Tara Jones and stop her or find the people she has taken?” Katherine asked of Maxwell.
“Yes we want you to find those she has taken and free them” Reaching into his pocket he produced a small vial “Break this on the ground in front of her and it will disable her. We want her alive so she can face our judgement. Do not kill her if at all possible.” Maxwell continued “You are a Guardian and we ask this of you. Of course the Court would owe you a great favor and be in your debt.” That was not something the courts offered lightly or easily.
“I will accept this burden you have asked of me. And in return the payment shall be that favor and debt to me” Katherine once more responded in almost a ritualistic way.
Josidia was in awe of what was happening between Katherine and Maxwell. She couldn’t take her eyes off the Fae that was sitting across from her. “Let me get us some tea while you both talk” Quickly composing herself she got up and into the kitchen. This was a surreal moment for her. Her only other interaction with this world was when she was attacked. Now to find the Fae are actually a thing and one was in this house.
“The Fae Court thanks you and is in your debt” Bowing his head and wings curled slightly in acknowledgement. “I don’t know what happened to her. She was always darkly ambitious. Willing to do whatever she needed to get ahead in life, but betray us? I didn’t think she would be capable of something like that. Even our darker kin are loyal if not to each other but to keeping the secret of our society safe”
Josidia returned with the tea on a tray. Pouring them all cups she offered the Fae one of them. She felt awkward, not knowing if there was any ritualistic way to offer something to a Fae in your home. He would take it with a smile and a bow of his head. Raising the glass as he took a sip of the tea politely.
Katherine turned to Josidia once she poured everyone the tea and sat back down. “He is correct. We are Guardians. Walking between all of the worlds to ensure that Humanity stays safe. We also help those whom pose little risk to humanity like these Fae. In time you will come to learn their customs and the nature of their powers. And of all the different groups that exist. We will walk that path together through the long years to come.”
“You have a great teacher. Katherine is a well known Guardian and has helped the Fae many times throughout the years. I have no doubt that you two will be able to resolve this issue and we will get our missing people back and the perpetrator will be brought to justice.” His wings fluttered in excitement at the thought of a grand adventure. “Too bad I cannot accompany you. This sounds like a good time!”
“Where we go you may not be able to follow. And the danger to you is too great. Return to the way station and remain with the others until we have finished this task. We will come to you when it is completed.” Katherine stood as they finished their tea. “It was nice to see you again Maxwell. Stay out of trouble.”
Maxwell stood as well “Thank you… for everything” He would bow once more as she walked him to the door.
“Be safe” Josidia called after him. Waving to him as he got into the vehicle that had brought him to the house. Katherine closed the door once he had pulled away.
Katherine turned to face Josidia. Leading her back to the living room. Sitting down beside her. “As you can see, our lives will always be filled with such tasks. We are guardians. This life is filled with wonder but also danger. We must always be on our guard. And be wary of the Fae. They can be… difficult to deal with. Even dangerous at times. Be careful around them for they can take offense easily”
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Josidia would take it all in and nodded her head “I understand. When do we leave for the city?”
“We will leave in the morning. So rest up and get ready” Katherine would smile. Leaning in to kiss her on the forehead “Good night Josi. I will see you in the morning.”
A blush spread over cheeks like a schoolgirl from the kiss “Thank you. I will see you in the morning.”
Inside the house she had never felt more secure. It was warded to defend them against intrusion, detection and scrying. Her large four post bed was so soft and comfortable. Curling up in the blankets she fell into a deep dream filled sleep. With her bed warded as well she had only pleasant dreams.
In the morning they had got ready and headed off towards the city. The car was sleek and black. Low to the ground and crafted for performance. A custom built vehicle with arcane symbols etched into the metal frame. The drive back into the city was quiet and uneventful. Josidia reached out and touched the mark on Katherine’s hand. It would glow softly at the sympathetic touch.
“I want to thank you for everything that you’ve done for me so far. I feel much better and safer than I ever have. I feel stronger as well and it is all because of you” Josidia smiled once again as she spoke. Deciding that regardless of whether or not it was the bond between them or her genuine feelings it didn’t matter. She considered Katherine a close friend after the days they had spent together at the house.
“You are most welcome” Katherine would take Josidia’s hand and lifted it to her lips. Kissing the back of it gently as she caressed her fingers over soft skin. Deciding that it didn’t matter if it was the bond or not. She was going to let this relationship with Josidia go in whatever direction it wanted.
They arrived back at Josidia’s apartment where they would be staying while in the city. It was a small apartment, big enough for two people. Queen sized bed and all the modern conveniences one would want from a woman of her age.
“Do we just get right to it then?” Josidia would ask of Katherine. Looking around the room with her enhanced sight to see if there was anything here that she would not expect. Not that she knew what to look for but it made her feel better.
As one of the first things that Katherine did was to place a charm above the door and at the windows so that they would know if something was trying to enter without permission. Looking around the rooms just as Josidia did to ensure nothing was out of place. Satisfied that nothing was out of place Josidia returned to Katherine’s side.
“Nothing is out of place. No one has been here since I have been away. Though I do have a lot of messages on my phone about concerned friends and family” Josidia mentioned with a soft laugh. It felt right to stand beside Katherine like this. Like they were forged from the same soul. Two halves completing each other in ways that she did not fully understand just yet, but she was learning that she wanted to come to understand them.
“That is good. I have placed wards around the apartment, we will know if someone tries to enter uninvited. It should give us enough warning so that we can prepare for whatever is trying to breach the wards. Though there are certain.. Laws.. that influence the behavior of those we occupy the world with. The first of which is that we do not bring our world into sight of mortals. For lack of a better word, and one that you would understand as of now. It is the supernatural that seeks to remain in the shadows. First is to never reveal yourselves to those who are not aware of the wider world around them. Second and it branches off the first, never use your arts that could be perceived by the mortal world. If you must, keep it subtle so that the mortal would see it as something that could have happened.”
Josidia would nod her head. Taking in this information that she was being given by the much more knowledgeable Katherine. “I will keep that in mind, so the one that attacked me broke many of your laws then?”
“It is our laws now, and yes he did. If he hasn’t been punished already he will be. That had such a disastrous potential to get completely out of control. And not only that he failed to get what he was after. That alone would be enough to get him punished in the courts that he travels in”
“That was one of the scariest, if not the scariest moment of my life. It is still just a blur to me. And now here I am with you, taking my first steps into this strange new world. Finding out that I have this rare power that few others have. And now we are about to help the Fae in what could only be called a quest to find their missing members and stop an evil witch. It has all the elements of a fairy tale. Though a fairy tale drenched in nightmares and horror.”
“You are not wrong. Where do you think the basis of those tales come from? Those who have glimpsed the truth of our world and put it down to paper in an effort to understand what they witnessed. And over time stories developed around what was seen and done so that there are kernels of truth for those who know where and how to look.” Katherine would respond. Keeping her piercing gaze on Josidia as they spoke. If she felt the same way as Josidia did she, Josidia was not able to get a sense of it.
“As you get stronger physical needs will become less. You won’t need to sleep as much. You won’t need to eat as much. You will be perpetually healthy from nearly all mundane sources. Your healing will speed up. In other words you will become superhuman. When we are together we are even stronger yet. It will just take time to grow stronger. Do not worry I will protect you. I’ve spent long enough in the dark and now that there is light I will not go back. I will not wait for you to be reborn.”
There was something not being said between them, but Josidia did not know what it was. Something that was important. She would make a point of it to understand what it was. It was important to Katherine and now it was becoming important to her. Josidia did not understand this bond as clearly as Katherine did but she was going to find out.
“Alright, I understand. I think, I hope” Josidia let out a small laugh “So where and when do we start?”
“We start tonight by going to one of the clubs owned by Ms. Jones and seeing what we can find out. So we have time before we need to go.” Katherine said in response.
“Alright. Then let us get ready and we can go see what this is all about. I am excited. But scared. More scared than excited actually. But if we are guardians as the fae said then it is our duty to help them” Was it the supernatural bond and compulsion as a Sword-Born that made her think that way or was it a genuine response Josidia wasn’t sure.