1.14

The group found themselves standing in front of the fanciest house in all Cobbleson. It was double-storied and made of smooth stone. A small fence surrounded the property and a cracked footpath cut through the centre of the lawn. Weeds as high as Fenrick’s knees tangled with vibrant flowers. A crumbled fountain that had long since lost its shape put the finishing touches on the property.

“Looks nice,” said Bodwyn.

Bodwyn led the group and eagerly pound the door with the side of his fist. When there was no immediate answer, Bodwyn hit the door with even more force.

“Yes, hello? I’m coming.” A quiet voice rang out, and the group listened as they heard a body fall as it made its way to the door. “Who is it?”

“We’re a group of adventurers and we saw your job on the billboard. We’re here to sort out those pesky pixies for you,” replied Bodwyn.

“Oh goody, well done.” After countless clicks, the door opened to reveal a hunched elderly leporid. His ears drooped and his scrawny neck struggled to hold his head.

“May we come in?” Sharampf asked.

“Of course, of course. Can’t be much help if you’re out here, can you?” The elderly leporid moved aside to allow the group into the house. He shut the door behind them and proceeded to turn all the locks again.

“Can you tell us all about it first?” Bodwyn asked. “The situation with the pixies I mean.”

“Yes. Would you like some tea perhaps? I’ve just done up a fresh brew and its too much for me to drink all by myself.”

“Thanks,” said Bodwyn.

“Please,” said Sharampf.

“No thanks, I’m okay,” said Fenrick.

“Take some seats. I won’t be too long.” The elderly leporid hobbled into another room.

Bodwyn immediately sat but Sharampf and Fenrick continued to stand awkwardly in the room.

“I forgot to ask if either of you wanted sugar, so I just brought it all out. Here you are, honey moss tea. Imported from the Candy Kingdom. Wasn’t cheap, but you can never skimp on good tea, that’s what I say. My name is Genna, and how about you lot?” The elderly leporid set a silver tray down on a small table, grabbed his own tea and sat down in a high-backed wooden chair. Frayed stuffing could be seen poking out of the red padding.

“I’m Bodwyn, and my friends here are Sharampf, Fenrick and Tad.” Bodwyn pointed at each as he said their names.

“Lovely to meet you all. Thank you for answering my job. Only one other tried. A young buck of a minotaur. He lasted only a few minutes.” Genna stared wistfully out of one of the windows.

“Wait, what do you mean. He died? Pixies killed him?” asked Sharampf. She sat down next to Bodwyn.

“No, they just severely injured him, and he barely made it back into the house. Said he’d come back once he got stronger. Big burly fella with a huge axe. Reckon he was too slow for them pixies.”

“Can you tell us how they came to be here? What happened?” Sharampf asked.

“Is that even necessary?” asked Bodwyn.

“Why not? I’m curious as to why the pixies are here. Why haven’t they left? A story.” Sharampf drank her tea.

“Oh yes, why not. I used to be quite well known, back in the day. A major theatre performer. Always the lead, many plays across all genres. My favourites were the ones that dealt with heroic adventures, stopping the bad guy and possibly a little romance thrown in. I was a super-star.

“But by the time the war came around, nobody was interested in theatre. The crowds got smaller and smaller, and I called it quits when the last audience I ever performed in front of was only three patrons.”

“I didn’t mean everything,” Sharampf whispered.

“What was that, hmmm?” asked Genna.

“She said she wants to know everything.” A huge smile beamed on Bodwyn’s face. Sharampf shot him a look that would crack a statue.

“And I am my dear. All the interesting bits at least. So, I took all of my money, sold my small house at Dawn’s Ledge, for much cheaper than it should have been, thanks to the war, and moved out here to Cobbleson. It was quiet, even during the war. I bought this house, much cheaper than it should have been, thanks to the war.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“I’ve been living out here ever since. Sometimes I find a rare talent performing here. Generally, a travelling troupe. I take them under my wing, and I turn them into a star. Quite a few of them have become successful and they gift me quite a bit of money.”

“Sorry, I’m not much one for theatre,” said Fenrick.

“Oh, I can tell. So here I am in the loveliest house in all of Cobbleson, untroubled for years. I had the most beautiful garden, nicer than any you had ever seen. But recently, it’s all been a nightmare.”

“Go on,” said Sharampf.

“Don’t rush me. So about four months ago, I noticed my first pixie in my garden. I thought it was good luck. That fortune was coming my way, because a fairy thought my garden was good enough to live in. It must’ve reminded them of home.”

“What happened next?” asked Bodwyn.

“Don’t rush him,” said Sharampf.

“No its fine, its getting to the exciting bit now.” Sharampf opened her mouth and snapped it shut again. There was no understanding the elderly leporid.

“Well quite quickly, one became ten. Ten became twenty. At first it was just little things. They killed the birds that came to my garden, nasty sharp teeth they have.” Genna pulled up one of his ears, revealing missing pieces.

“Pixies are tricky little things, but I’ve never known them to be that aggressive. Did you do something to maybe offend them?” Fenrick asked.

“It all started when I killed this nasty looking tree that had sprung up over a week. It had strange colours. I can’t quite describe it, as it seemed to be multiple colours at once and none at the same time. It was rather ghastly looking and was killing my expensive gold rose bush.”

“You destroyed their home.” Fenrick’s tone was deadpan.

“Oh no. That’s not something I meant to do at all. Oh dear.” A troubled look contorted Genna’s face.

“Is there anything else you may have done, by accident. Anything at all?” Fenrick stared at the leporid.

“I also may have accidentally dug up one of their dead.” Genna sipped his tea softly.

“How do you accidentally dig up one of their dead?” Bodwyn spat.

“I was wanting to plant a new golden rose bush, and underneath the soil was a grey pixie. Withered, horrid looking thing. So I put it in the trash and planted my roses.”

“And you wonder why they’re harassing you?” snorted Sharampf.

“I don’t think that was all.” Genna’s voice trailed off and he looked away from the group.

“You mean there’s more?” Bodwyn exploded into an exaggerated movement of exasperation. He accidentally flung his empty teacup and it shattered against the wall.

“Really?” Sharampf and Fenrick both looked at Bodwyn. Bodwyn shrugged his shoulders, Genna didn’t react.

“I made an attempt at giving a peace offering.” Genna still faced away from the group.

“Please, go on,” said Sharampf. It was clear she wasn’t amused by the constant fumbling of Genna.

“I completely botched the meal. It was meant to be a mix of aromatic vegetables, succulent fruits, and roasted meat. A feast to make anyone jealous. I ruined everything.”

“That doesn’t seem so bad.” Bodwyn twitched in the seat.

“I still offered it to them. It was a complete, utter disaster. I wouldn’t even feed it to a prisoner.” Genna sipped at his tea, and he realised it was empty.

“You kinda sound like an asshole.” Bodwyn waited for reactions, but there were none.

“I know, I know. I’m horrible. But I can’t continue to live my life with them outside. I can’t even leave my house. I’m a prisoner in my own home.”

“I’ll go. You two wait here.” Fenrick got up and detached his sword and shield.

“Why you?” asked Bodwyn.

“Because he’s a gnome. A fairy. I’m sure he can talk to them in their native tongue. Connect as kin, something like that, right?” said Sharampf.

“That’s the plan.” With that, Fenrick opened the back door and walked out.

The garden in the backyard looked like it had once been an opulent, radiant space. Unfortunately, all Fenrick got to see of it now was bare branches and rotten leaves. Threadbare hedges and cracked marble statues.

Fenrick approached the back of the garden and felt something whizz past his head. He slapped at air.

With a steady eye, Fenrick spotted a pixie. A creature of seemingly fragile elegance. Their bodies and wings looked like flowers and leaves. Many easily mistook them for harmless nothings, but even without the use of their magic, they were dangerous, especially in larger numbers.

“You don’t smell like home,” said the pixie, its voice as sharp as a blade. Its petals were red and gold in colour. Another one, purple and white in colour, joined it.

“This is my home.” Fenrick hadn’t used the tongue of his kind for a long time. A rusty edge coated his words.

“Ah. A traitor then. What do you want?”

“To leave the poor creature of this house alone. He’s a fool but meant you no harm. Find a new, vibrant place to live. This place will only cause you to dry out.” Fenrick’s gaze never swayed.

“A traitor walks into my domain and immediately makes demands?” The pixie broke out into a piercing laughter.

“Please, I come in peace. I’m just asking you to leave him alone.”

“Be gone, before I get mad.” A faint glow began to emanate from the pixie. Fenrick took a step back.

“Come on, there’s no need for violence. I only wanted to talk.” Fenrick took a few more steps back.

“Talk-” Before Fenrick could react, a crossbow bolt pinned the pixie to a tree.

“Honestly, how did you think this was going to go?” asked Bodwyn. The leporid tossed Fenrick his sword.

“You know I think violence is the last resort.”

“I don’t think you’ve actually said it though.” Bodwyn shot another bolt and stuck another pixie at the tree right next to the first one. Eighteen pixies now fluttered in front of the group.

“Leave before this gets ugly,” growled Fenrick.

In unison, the pixies stretched their arms out. Great gusts of wind flew out like a cannon and hit the party, cutting them all over.

Fenrick rolled aside and leapt up at the pixies with a great slash. He downed four at once. The pixies stopped the gusty attack.

“I said go.”

“Give us your name. The name of the traitor, the one that defeated us.”

“I won’t. Go now before more are killed.” The faces of the pixies turned to anger when they realised Fenrick wouldn’t fall for their trick.

With a flash of blinding light, the pixies were gone. When the group opened their eyes, they realised they weren’t in Genna’s yard anymore.

“Seriously?” yelled Bodwyn.