Bert looked down at the small, broken body of the half-pixie. Her name was Rose, and she was a thief class, according to her sister.

He was about to invite a corpse to join his Court.

He shrugged.

Technically, he already had two corpses in his court if you counted Tim and Bud. So, one more shouldn’t make a difference in the long run. Something told him a couple of half-pixies would be a little challenging in a way that Bud and Tim were not.

“So, how do I do this then?” Bert whispered to Bell as Lily knelt down next to her sister’s body.

“Take their hands and invite them to join the court.” Bell shrugged. “It helps to make it sound all important and formal, but it doesn’t actually matter. The magic is in the intent, not the words.”

“So, make it look all mystical and shit?” Bert asked doubtfully.

Bell stared at him for a moment.

“You’re thinking about hitting me again, aren’t you?” Bert asked.

“Yes.” Bell giggled. “Want me to do it?”

“Hit me? No!” Bert whispered urgently.

“The invitation and summoning, idiot!” Bell chuckled.

“Can you?” Bert asked.

“I am the Lady of the Court of the Travelling Lands,” Bell flushed with pride. “Of course I can.”

“All yours,” Bert felt relieved. He was more a beer and a chat guy, not a pomp and ceremony sort.

Bell grinned before composing herself.

With a flash of light, she transformed into her human form. A small tiara was now visible on her head as she drew herself up.

“Lily, take your sister's hand,” She said kindly. “Then place both your hands in mine.”

It was a strange sight, the little half-pixie girl taking the cold dead hand of her sister in her own and then shuffling forward to take Bell’s.

“This fair evening, in the heart of the Court of the Travelling Lands, I, Bell of the Waystation, Lady of this Court, extend an invitation to you both.” Her eyes drilled into Lily’s. “Take not this invitation lightly, for to enter this court is to enter our service and be under both our rule and our protection. What say you?”

Lily gaped at Bell, her mouth hanging open blankly.

Two notifications appeared before Bert’s eyes a moment later…

Lily, Lvl 15 Half-pixie Mesmer has joined your court.

Rose, Lvl 14 Half-pixie Thief has joined your court.

“Welcome, daughters of the Travelling Lands!” Bell smiled as Lily and her sister's body began to glow. “Rose of the Travelling Lands, return to us now from the Summerlands! Your Lord and Lady have need of your service!”

The body began to twitch, then shake. Lily scrambled backward as a light flowed into it. Pale dead flesh began to flush with life, injuries healing, and broken bones mending.

A gasp sounded as Rose’s back arched, and her eyes flew open.

“Rose!” Lily flew over to her sister, dragging her into a hug. “I’m so sorry, Sis. I missed you so much!”

The two girls hugged each other tightly. Crying and laughing at the same time, they whispered to each other urgently. Finally, they pulled apart and turned to Bert and Bell.

“Thank you for returning me to this world and my sister, Mi’Lord,” Rose said, her head bowed deeply. “Mi’Lady.”

“You don’t have to do that!” Lily pulled at her sister’s arm. “They aren’t all high and mighty!”

“You were not in the Summerlands, sister!” Rose pulled herself free of Lily. “I have seen the world after this and know the truth.” She turned teary eyes up to Bert and Bell. “You have elevated me and my sister; I intend to repay that debt. I am yours to do with as you wish. Body and blood, in life and death. I am yours.”

Bell gasped.

“What?” Bert asked. “I feel like I missed something?”

Rose of the Travelling Lands has sworn a Timeless Bond to you.

From now until the end of all things, she is your sworn servant.

“Wait a minute!” Bert protested.

“Body and blood, in life and death. I am yours!” Lily dropped to her knees next to her sister, her head bowed.

Lily of the Travelling Lands has sworn a Timeless Bond to you.

From now until the end of all things, she is your sworn servant.

“Could people please stop doing that!” Bert yelled.

Bell was still frozen in shock.

================

“Ewww!” Wendy gagged. “Dad, you can’t start a harem!” She gagged again.

“I am not starting a fucking harem!” Bert protested hotly.

“You just have two young female Fae as your sworn servants?” Wendy gagged again. “It’s so gross!”

“I did not ask them to do that!” Bert snapped. “I don’t even know what it means!”

“What does Mum think?” Wendy demanded. “She happy with your little sex slaves!”

“Wendy!” Bell snapped. “Your father is not starting a bloody harem.” She looked at Bert… “Are you?”

“No!” Bert growled.

“Good!” Bell clapped her hands together. “Wendy, you know he isn’t like that.”

“Bet he would be if we let him!” Wendy huffed.

“Wendy, go away.” Bell sighed. “I need to explain things to your Dad.”

“Okay, but…” She hesitated.

“What?” Bell asked.

“Can I have a harem?” She asked. “I mean, if he doesn’t want them?”

“No, get out.” Bell shooed her away.

“But, Muuuuuuum!” Wendy wailed as she was swept out the door.

Bell turned, leaning her back against the door, and looked at Bert.

“So, that was crazy, huh?” She said.

“I still have no idea what happened,” Bert admitted.

“Yeah, no change there then,” She giggled. “Sorry!” Bell did not look sorry.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“There are a few types of bonds. One of them is the kind we have with Way Way. If either of us died, that bond would be broken.” She held up a finger to forestall any questions. “That is a Life Bond. It lasts a lifetime. The Timeless Bond is just as easy to define.”

“An eternal bond?” Bert asked.

“No, just Timeless,” Bell said. “An Eternal Bond is more of a soul bond. It means you can never be separated.” She cleared her throat. “The timeless bond lasts forever, but you can be separated by space, dimension, all of that.”

“So what did they do, exactly?” Bert asked. “I mean, why bother with that instead of just joining the Court like normal?”

“I have no fucking idea!” Bell laughed. “It’s nuts. We effectively own them for all of time!”

“Own them?” Bert grimaced. “I’m not a fan of owning people.”

“Well, not own, just control completely.” Bell rolled her eyes. “And I do mean completely.” She saw his face. “Get over your human revulsion of the idea! They have basically put themselves in our hands for the rest of time. That deserves some respect.”

“I’m trying,” Bert admitted. “But… I don’t like it.”

“We did nothing to force them,” Bell shrugged. “They did this by their own will. Hells, it is only possible to do by your own will.”

“So what do we do with them?” Bert asked.

“Anything we like, basically.” Bell shrugged. “They serve us.” She rolled her eyes at his wince. “Get used to it, oh mighty Lord of the Fae. They won’t be the last to swear that to us. Or the last that join the Court to serve us.”

Bert gave Bell the finger and then ducked the cup that sailed across the room at him.

“Okay!” He held up a hand in surrender. “What do we control about them, and what do you think we should do with them?”

“Everything. We can change their classes if we want. And anything we tell them to do, they will. They are not capable of refusing an order from either of us.”

“Fuck!” Bert snapped. “They have no free will?”

“They do, as long as we let them,” Bell said placatingly. “The whole bond was designed to be a way for powerful people to have others they could trust without question.”

An hour later, the two half-pixie sisters fidgeted under the stares of their new Lord and Lady.

“I need an explanation for why you swore the oath,” Bert said gently. “I’m afraid the whole thing is new to me.”

“I was in the Summerlands for only a few weeks,” Rose answered immediately. “But it was more than enough for me to learn a few things…

When Rose first arrived in the rolling fields and forests of the Summerlands, she was overwhelmed. After a lifetime of hiding who and what she was, with only her sister to keep her company, the multitudes of the Wild Fae were more than she could process.

She wandered freely, free of the need to eat, drink, or rest. Exploring mountains and forests many times larger than anything she had known. She spoke to other wandering Fae and learned of a great joy amongst their kind.

The Four Seasons had uprooted, going out into the universes again after millennia in the seclusion of the Summerlands. A long-lost tribe had been found, and a massive celebration would soon be held.

Searchers from the Courts were scouring the Summerlands, discovering the many places these people, who did not even know they were Fae, had settled.

Rose had been overjoyed at the celebrations and had even joined one of the parties searching out these lost and forgotten Fae.

Awed by the power of the Courts, she sought to join them in the hopes her sister would join her one day and be welcomed as well.

It did not go well.

The previously friendly Fae had only laughed at the idea of a Wild Fae, a half-Fae, joining a Court. The other wild ones had led her away, whispering warnings to her. The wild ones were tolerated by, but never welcome in, the Courts.

She was crushed. Even here in the Summerlands, her kind was not entirely welcome. And then the news came.

The word spread through the endless Summerlands like a tidal wave. The Four Seasons would each make a new Court. The wild ones rejoiced, seeing such change. But it was a short-lived joy.

The first of these Courts was established in a far-off world. The one the lost Fae had settled. It took only the Fae of that world into its embrace… and only a select few of those.

The second was gifted to the one responsible for leading the search for the newly discovered Fae. It was open to the rediscovered Fae, but only to them. The Newly discovered Fae were ushered into this court and taught in secret. Everyone else was driven away from the lands.

The third court was given as a wedding gift to a union between the Spring and Winter Courts. It was named the Court of the First Light and seemed even more exclusive than the Four Seasons.

In the days before Rose received her invitation, rumors spread that the last of the new Courts was given to a strange man in another far-off world of the living. Chosen by the Lord and Lady of the Autumn Winds, this Court was supposed to be different.

The Wild Fae spread the secret of the oath.

They would bind themselves to each other and thereby create their own version of a Court.

Rose refused, wanting to wait for her sister. Many of the Wild Fae refused. The first two Wild Courts were generous and kind, but would they always be so?

One of the Wild Fae who spoke against the oath said something that struck a chord with her.

“This oath that ties us so closely to the will of another… it is not something to be given freely or easily. It can not be undone. So be sure, my fellow Wild Fae, that the one you give the oath to has earned your eternal service.” Rose quoted it word for word.

“So when I received your offer, I was stunned,” Rose said happily. “I screamed in joy and told all the Wild Fae around me.” She flushed. “I almost forgot to accept it. I was so overwhelmed.”

“I still don’t get what makes me worthy of that oath,” Bert said gently.

“You saved my sister despite what she did.” She took a deep breath. “You spared her, then welcomed her into your young Court. That would have been enough for me to give the oath.” She beamed. “But you also invited me and brought me back from the Summerlands.”

Bert did his best to understand.

A cough from the door made him look up, seeing Scruff.

“What’s up?” Bert asked, not having noticed her come in.

“These two,” She nodded to the two Half-Pixies. “They grew up with no one.”

Rose nodded while Lily simply looked away.

“No family, no home.” Scruff continued. “They want somewhere to belong.” She frowned. “You won’t understand this… what it feels like to be alone, outside of everything. I do. They are not being stupid, maybe a bit naive, but not stupid.” Scruff fidgeted a bit. “After a while, you think about it. Giving up something of yourself to belong.”

“Scruff,” Bert started.

“No! I need to say this.” She took a deep breath. “I thought about selling myself to the guild. I did. I almost went through with it, too. Another couple of days… I probably would have.” She wiped angrily at her eyes. “You offer hope, home, friendship, and a future. Then you get all confused and pissed off when people want to show you what that means to them.” She hesitated. “I’d make the oath if I could, just so you know.” She turned and walked out, slamming the door.

Bert looked around the room. Bell and the Half-pixies were giving him a look.

“Okay,” Bert slumped. “Okay, I get it.” He stood up. “Rose, Lily, thank you for your oath. I promise not to make you regret it.”

The two Half-Pixies rolled their eyes.

“He’s new, he’ll get there.” Bell laughed.

===================

Dee found Bert on the walls overlooking Trailer One.

“You will get used to it,” Dee said easily. “You have to.”

“Get used to what?” Bert asked.

“I’m very old, Bert.” Dee laughed. “I’ve met your type before. You never wanted to lead anyone or found a Court of the Fae or any of it.”

“You’re not wrong,” Bert admitted. “I just wanted to explore this world, maybe serve a few beers and help out a little as we went by.”

“I’ve seen all kinds of leaders, Bert.” Dee laughed. “The best ones would always rather be doing something else.”

“You reckon?” Bert asked.

“The ones who want the power, and the status, and the servants… that never ends well,” Dee answered with a faraway look. “Want some free advice?”

“Sure,” Bert said. “I could use some.”

“Let go of what you used to think and start to learn how to think in new ways,” Dee said, suddenly looking her age. “If you don’t, the world will move on anyways, and you will be lost in it.”

“The whole servants without the option to leave thing? We called that Slavery where I am from. It was a horror beyond imagining.” Bert frowned. “I don’t know how to move on from that.”

“If they asked, would you let them go?” Dee said sharply. “If they ran, would you chase them down?”

“That is the worrying thing….” Bert sighed. “I’m not sure they are capable of wanting to run after taking that oath.”

“Ahh,” Dee flinched. “That is a tough one.” She laughed. “Good luck with that.”

The little woman walked on, still laughing.

Bert stared at her as she walked off before turning back to Scruff’s fields. He came here because it made him feel like he was doing something good.

Scruff was his touchstone. She had nothing, and now she had this… his actions led to a positive outcome.

Sure, he joked about not being the good guy, but what if he really wasn’t? He had changed so much since coming to this world. Was he still the good guy, or was he moving too far from the principles he used to have?

From the perspective of an outsider, would he be the good guy? He traveled around in what was basically a mobile fort with orcs, undead, a mad farmer, a daughter that was also a giant machine, a giant sloth bear, and now a pair of half-pixie sworn servants.

That certainly sounded bad. But it didn’t feel bad.

Bert sighed and dropped his head for a moment. Good or Bad, he was still him. Bert J. Hudson. A man from another world. Being a Fae Lord didn’t make him any less the person he was, did it?

Fuck, it kind of did.

Dee was right in the end. He could try to cling to what he used to know or allow himself to change and grow. Forward… or Back.

Bert laughed and raised his head. Who was he kidding?

Bert strode back into the Barn with purpose. Bell was waiting for him.

“Finished your dark and broody moment?” She asked archly.

“Yes, actually.” Bert grinned.

“Really?” Bell asked. “I was sure we were in for weeks of agonizing self-reflection.”

“Not really my style,” Bert grinned. “I’m too shallow to go all deep and shit.”

“Are you okay?” Bell asked, “Really?”

“Yeah,” Bert rubbed his eyes. “It’s going to take time, but I have to start accepting things are different now. I’m different.”

“You are,” Bell grinned. “You really are.”

“So enough of the moralizing,” Bert said. “We have a pair of sworn servants. How they are treated is up to me. I don’t want bad things for them… so why worry?”

Bell clapped her hands and smiled.

“A little break is just what we need, and since we are done in the village… let’s roll!” She grinned.

“Sounds great,” Bert admitted.

“Get off, ya great bastard!” A voice roared as it sprinted past the door to the barn. Slothy shot past after it and came back with a dwarf struggling in her mouth.

“Will ya put me down, ya daft thing!”

“Uhh, maybe we should do something about that?” Bell noted.

“Fuck! Come on, let’s go.” Bert had been that close to having a nap….