Chapter Six

Wynne had rushed through the tree, bringing a varied group of pixies with her. A few had climbed into her hair, braiding flowers into it. The pixies favored her, though Wynne wasn't sure why. She just hoped she did nothing to offend them. Arandir had laughed when Brownie servants brought him news of the pixies cooing over her and following her through the halls. Normally, the pixies didn't like being inside the tree. But they followed Wynne happily.

She took them to the kitchens where she found Yerrow, who delightfully gave the pixies a bowl of cream and honey breads. Once the creatures were full, they flitted their own ways. All except Dehliah. Dehliah had found a spot nestled onto Wynne's shoulder. She had decided she would stay with the woman until she met the Cailleach. Dehliah had her own questions for the Queen of Winter.

Her drawing and the trips with the pixies had wore down what little energy Wynne had left. Yerrow saw to it that Dehliah would have accommodations and sent Wynne to her room with a large serving of stew and biscuits, warning her that she'd better rest as long as possible. Arandir would be having them leave shortly after dawn.

Arandir POV

Arandir wanted to rush their travels. Admittedly, it was so he could selfishly spend time with Wynne to himself. If they were fated, he wished to test the waters. After all, he knew very little about her, and that just wouldn't do. While she had spent hours sketching and playing with pixies, Arandir had spent at least an hour himself just standing in the room she occupied. Inhaling her intoxicating scent of lilacs and honey.

Visions of her luscious body underneath him filled his head. He gave himself a shake, like a dog after a bath, hoping that he could clear his mind. The brownies would pack for them, so he didn't have much to do but set aside things he felt necessary to bring. And that was already done. Groaning, he scrubbed a hand over his face. He needed to make himself focus. 2,000 years old, and he was behaving like a teenager, having daydreams about a hot girl.

Having nothing else to do, he went to the fields. There was much more than just flowers there. The crops that sustained Summergate also grew there, and Arandir had always found that working in the fields help calm him. A long afternoon of ripping weeds and moving rocks, sowing the soil so fresh crops could be grown, that would help.

Arandir ruminsted on his thoughts as he got to work, not bothering with gloves, rooting through the crops to tear out all the pesky plants that halted new growth. He needed to fully cement his suspicions before he threw the information he thought he knew at Wynne. He might not know her well, but he knew her enough to know that too much all at once would overload her. He didn't want to cause her too great a panic, not when it was unnecessary.

Arandir did long to be with her though. And he hoped it wouldn't be too long before they could be together. Thankfully, the trip to Winterbridge should only take four days, if their travels weren't halted. There weren't any fae towns or villages on the way, most folk made place in the wilderness during their travels, and they were plenty strong enough to take care of themselves in regards to the dangers of their world. The only thing that they might need to watch for during their trip to Winterbridge was rogue bands of Fae.

'Good thing I pan to give her a real knife, and train with her on the way there.. ' Arandir muttered to himself, as he wiped sweat off his brow. He'd already gone through most the field and torn out all weeds. It was almost pitch black out. He need to rest before the trip.

Wynne's POV

Yerrow woke Wynne by ripping the blanket right off the sleeping woman. Wynne woke with a grumble, shivering at the sudden cold without her protection. It was extremely light, Yerrow had already opened the curtains to show the sun barely peeking out into the early morning sky. She was chattering about getting Wynne ready for the trip and it was what brought her bolting up right.

Yerrow let out a laugh at the suddenness of Wynne's actions and settled her, picking out a tunic and some fitted leather leggings for the woman. Her ripped jeans and her tee wouldn't cut it in the fae wilds. "Are ye ready to be goin to Winterbridge, gal? The Master is keen for ye lot to begin yer trip. " Yerrow converesed, giving Wynne a mangled smile, letting fangs poke out of her misshapen mouth. It made Wynne giggle a bit.

"Can't say I'm ready Yerrow, I'm scared as piss, but I need answers. " Wynne answers. Yerrow laughed and simply helped her into her clothes, packing up her satchel with the little things Wynne had already had, a few extra sets of clothes, a bundle of travel rations, and a wicked looking dagger. It was gleaming iron, and the hilt was wrapped in waxy twine, fastened with a glimmering amethyst jewel at the end.

"The Master instructed I ensure ye have rations and a weapon in yer pack. He wishes for ye to meet him in the kitchens with yer wee Pixie friend to have breakfast, and after that I'm sure ye be making plans to set out. Best of luck, lass. " Yerrow tells her, before leaving to let Wynne get ready for the long day.

Wynne stumbled into the adjoining bathing suite of her room to take a piss, and wash her face. She was plenty clean, Yerrow had given her a bath the night before, but she needed to do something to wake herself up and prepare herself for what trials might come today. Wynne had noticed as she slept throughout the night that she hadn't been plagued by her nightmares. Nor had she even had any dreams. She didn't know if this was good or bad.

She splashed cold water onto her face and stared into the splotchy mirror, letting out a sigh. Wynne found herself looking for signs of anything different with herself. Maybe it was just how long she'd been in the fae realm, but Wynne had a gut feeling that something /was/ different.