B3 – Chapter 43: The Fey Celebrants

Tristan was taken aback as it said that, and he was speechless as the rest of the Spriggan emerged from the ground, standing up, taking breaths of the crisp air, and looking around at one another. They each were slightly different in their coloration – be it a shade of green or brown – and the small vines and flower design along their bodies were slightly different from one to the other.

Felicity landed on Tristan’s head and made paw-claw biscuits, “This is Lord Tristan Winterbloom!” she shouted, her voice a roar. “The ruler of the Fey Realm.”

“Father of the forest,” the voices of the Spriggan said in unison; a rumbling, shaking, low tone that resonated through the air. The trees at the edges of the clearing began to sway slightly, and the one at the center behind Tristan seemed to straighten up, as if a proud, silent guardian standing at attention.

“Welcome to…life,” Tristan said, his voice faltering slightly. Clearing his throat, he spoke louder, “You are the Spriggan.” He looked to the first one who had rose, “Tell me what you know, and your purpose.”

The light, glowing slights of bright, green energy stared at him as the Spriggan’s eyes focused more intently. “We defend the Fey Realm, grow the forest, shepherd the trees, and will be our own people under your control.”

Tristan looked to the rest of the Spriggan who had seemingly instinctively formed orderly ranks in front of him; their large, bark-greaves feet shaking the ground slightly as they walked. “And you all are aligned in purpose?” he heard a series of affirmatives. “Good. You will name yourselves, and designate one from amongst you who will serve as Warleader.”

The first one who had spoken turned around and joined the ranks of the Spriggan. They all stood there, silent, and Onyx trotted over to Tristan, judging him with his horn. “Are we returning soon?”

“Soon enough,” Tristan replied as his eyes saw the slight, pulsating of the grass and undergrowth at the feet of the Spriggan. Roots and tendrils that interlinked and connected to one another. That must be some type of conversation, he thought. They can connect their consciousness.

Felicity echoed his idea a moment later, “Oh! It’s like an information network! Like mushrooms.” She made paw-claw biscuits on Tristan’s head, “By the way, my siblings found some amazing mushrooms that give you the nicest, most pleasant warm head-fuzzies. You should try them.”

Tristan shook his head gently, “Not interested in altering my mind,” he replied. “Drinking is about as far as I’ll go with that.”

The Spriggan all dipped their heads before the formation broke, and one who was three rows back from Tristan stepped out of line and approached. Just like the rest of his brethren, except his eyes were a brighter, almost glaring green hue, and the vine scrollwork running along his body was colored the same. “I am Krik, and will serve as Warleader.”

“Then you will also represent your species in the Fey Court,” Tristan replied. “A courtier. I would like to take you to them now.”

Krik looked back to his fellows, “Only having just awakened, may we have a day? We must discuss.”

Tristan nodded, “Of course. Do what you need to. Sunrise tomorrow, please go to the Queen’s Wood. Do you know the way?”

“The Fey Realm’s roots are like a map, Lord Tristan,” Krik replied. “I will find my way.”

Tristan held out his hand, and Krik looked down at it for a moment before using his thumb and index finger to grasp Tristan’s hand and shake it. “Good.” Tristan let go and mounted up on Onyx, “I will see you tomorrow, Krik.” Tapping Felicity on the head, he whispered, “Get word to the rest of the fairy dragons and have them disseminate the news – the Spriggan have been remade and are back.”

“Only if you promise to drink with me later,” Felicity replied.

“Deal,” Tristan replied as she lifted off. “Onyx, take us back.”

The Unicorn broke into a trot, then a full-on gallop, back through the forest and trees. Tristan had just created an entire species. People who could think, speak, dream, and have their own goals. It was an immense power and responsibility. The gravity of it pressed down on him like a weight in the training field, and he chided himself mentally. I won’t make other species unless we have to replace what was lost, he thought. I’m not going to abuse this power to make life.

Onyx was silent during the run, the only sound his deep, steady breaths as they raced through the trees toward the Queen’s Wood. It was then that Tristan looked around for Onxy’s armor, but then stopped himself from wondering where it had gone. Felicity probably has it and will deal with it, he thought. Speaking softly, he whispered to Zeltana; who was still present thanks to his constant both-direction spinning of his crucible tying him to the Realm. “Thank you for the guidance.”

You are welcome, she replied with genuine delight pouring through her voice. You are proving yourself more worthy of my mantle with each action.

“I’m going to stop connecting to the Realm. I will speak with you another time.”

Thanks for giving me the notice. I will be watching.

That left a sour taste in Tristan’s mouth, and he spoke with a slight tone of disgust. “Hopefully not watching my activities with Felicity.”

Especially those!

Tristan stopped the both-direction spin of his crucible, severing his channeling of the Fey Realm and shutting Zeltana out of his mind.

Arriving at the Queen’s Wood, he saw that the various citizens and residents were putting together some type of celebration. Colored, hanging lights were being strung up along the branches around the exterior of the Queen’s Wood clearing, and being laced throughout the trellis branches above the market area and crafting stations. The center of the clearing had been set up with tables; solid, rectangle blocks for the table itself with longer, wooden blocks for benches running down either side.

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Along one side was a higher rectangle table, that was the perfect size for unicorns to be able to eat food off of. And people hustled about – fairy dragons going around and preparing earthenware that was a shining, crystalline geode design that reflected the lights strung overhead. Gnomes were cooking over in the crafting station area, and the scents that assaulted Tristan’s senses were delightful and made his mouth water.

Dismounting, he patted Onyx’s flank, “Thanks for the ride. Don’t forget to have Felicity take your armor back for fitting.”

“Of course,” Onyx dipped his head and looked toward a group of unicorns who were standing around Midnight, the only other black unicorn in the Realm. “If you will excuse me, my mate is due any day now, and I desire to be with her until the foal is born.”

“Of course!” Tristan replied hurriedly. “You should be there for your first child’s birth. If I need to ride somewhere, I’ll ask another unicorn.”

Onyx trotted away, and The Matriarch came over holding a large glass. She appeared tipsy, but her stride was perfectly measured. The slight slur to her words was the only hint to her drunkenness. “Lord Trishtan,” she said as she dipped her head. “I have puth together a party. To shelebrate the Spriggan’s return.”

“Good,” Tristan replied. “But they aren’t planning on coming by until tomorrow. They are figuring themselves out.”