Page 17 of Charmed

“Stay quiet,” Stone warned him, speaking from the side of his mouth. “We don’t know if we can trust her.”

“Where was this portal?” asked the woman in curiosity.

Aithrod looked over to Stone, raising his eyebrows.

Stone let out a puff of air from his mouth and shrugged. “All right, I’ll tell her. It was in the cave,” he said, hoping this woman would be helpful instead of a hindrance like Elric or the gnomes. “A crazy elf told us they are called the Quamm Caves.”

“Oh, my. The Quamm Caves are dangerous,” said the woman. “Did you have any encounters with the gnomes?”

“You could say that.” Stone rubbed his behind that still hurt from being poked and pricked.

“Yes, we did. Thankfully, Elric helped us to ward them off,” answered Aithrod.

“Did you say Elric?” The woman cocked her head. “What was he doing in the caves?”

“Pardon me, but we are parched and famished,” said Stone, not caring to talk about the elf right now. “Would there be a chance of getting some bread and ale?”

“Silly me. Where are my manners? I haven’t even introduced myself,” said the woman. “I am Alaina, Queen of the Fae.”

“Fae? As in fairies?” asked Stone. “I didn’t think they really existed. Of course, I shouldn’t be surprised since I didn’t think I’d ever see anything like those gnomes either.”

“Yes, fairies are the fae folk, and we do exist,” Alaina told them. “Actually, I am also an elemental.”

“That’s nice,” said Stone, not caring at the moment what being an elemental even meant. He just wanted something to eat and drink and to be on his way to track down Rancor.

“I’m Aithrod and this is Stone,” Aithrod introduced them.

“And who is this?” Alaina hunkered down and pet the dog, not at all afraid of him. “So nice to meet you, Fang,” she said before they could tell her the hound’s name.

“How did you know my dog’s name?” asked Stone suspiciously. He scanned the area, still looking for the men he tracked. “Did Elric tell you?”

“Nay, I haven’t seen Elric,” she answered. “Fang told me.”

“What?” gasped Aithrod.

“I am a fae,” she continued. “The Fae Folk all have special powers. I am able to communicate with animals. Fang tells me you are bounty hunters tracking down a dangerous man.”

Stone let out a deep breath. So much for keeping cautious. “I didn’t know I had to tell the hound to be discreet, too. This land surely isn’t like ours at all.”

“Is there magic where you come from?” asked Alaina.

“Nay, we don’t have magic in Taelgonoth,” Aithrod quickly answered.

Alaina stood. “I’d like to know more about you and from where you come.”

Before Stone could respond, a large raven flew overhead, squawking like crazy.

“What is it, Murk? What’s wrong?” asked the woman, looking up at the bird that landed atop the roof of her cottage. “Oh, no. That is horrible. Yes, go to Talia and tell her. I will leave at once.”

“Excuse me,” said Stone, not liking to be left out of the conversation. “What is going on?”

“I’m sorry, but I must leave you now. There are injured people who need my help. I’ll just collect my bag of herbs and be on my way.”

“What about our bread and ale?” Stone felt so hungry and thirsty that he couldn’t think straight. He also didn’t like to be ignored and left to fend for themselves in a strange land.

“Oh, yes,” she said. “I’m afraid I haven’t been much of a hostess. I suppose it would be better if you just came with me and got something to eat and drink there.”

“Go with you? Where?” asked Stone, following her to her cottage. She went inside and picked up her bag and returned.