Remind, Replace, or Merge

General Summary

I found myself in a small clearing in a deep forest of golden and red leaves. The leaves crumpled under my foot as I stepped out of the mushroom circle. A knight in crimson armor on a red horse stood in a clearing in front of the creature I’d chased through. The creature stood in front of him as if in a daze talking to himself. I heard a brief scuffle behind me and Cap stumbled out and looked around in a glassy stare before bursting out crying. Lily stumbled out, and finally Milli. “My mistress is waiting upon you,” and the knight, Red Sun, gestured across the creek to the house on chicken legs behind us, “The time draws nigh.” I paused thinking, “I was not aware we had further business with the Good Granny. I have pressing business with the creature before you. Will he still be here when I return?” “That depends on how quickly you return,” he replied calmly flicking his finger idly at the creature, “It appears we did capture this creature, so it is our bounty.” “Then I best speak quickly with the Good Granny,” I answered inclining my head. I turned to Milli, “What’s wrong with Cap?” “I don’t know,” she answered. “The naga said something to him, and he was like this. His shield flared with light, and he collapsed on the ground-hugging it, and her two followers that pulled him to her turned into humans again. They ran away, and I heard you yell for us to come through, and I dragged him along. Oh, and Lili can turn into a dragon.” I looked at Lili as I started to cross over the bridge. As I reached the height of the bridge, my shoulder drooped as the familiar weight of the fairy ring came back. “I guess, that answers that,” I said, “You turn into a dragon?” I asked Lili as we walked through the clearing of her house. “That was her ‘gift’ to me,” she answered shrugging. “It was a unique experience.” Baba Yaga emerged from her hut with a wooden spoon in hand, and wiped her free hand on her apron, “I’m so glad to see you. You haven’t been eating enough. Come, eat up.” I don’t remember just how, but somehow we ended up sitting and eating at Baba Yaga’s table. As before, her food was delicious. I looked over and she was spoon-feeding Cap complete with sounds to make him open up as you would do for a baby. “We approach the mid-game. I didn’t want you to think I’d forgotten my pieces in motion, so I thought it was time to have another chat. It’s been so long since we’ve talked.” She patted Cap on the cheek, “Such a good boy, though a bit confused right now. As are you, my dear,” as she looked at me. “That’s a good boy, go play with your toy boat.” Cap went and sat on the floor with his toy boat. I watched in shock as he happily played with the toy boat and I’m assuming used some cantrip to bring water to play with. I heard splashes and crashes as he happily played. “That’s better,” Baba Yaga said happily, “He grows up so quickly,” and she looked at me, “How is the world now, dearie?” “That is an important bit of information Grannie. Information is power,” I answered carefully. “You’re right dear, but how am I to help you, if I don’t know the events?” “I thought we might make an exchange, your noble knight entertains someone who took something from me, and I wish it returned.” “Ahhhh,” Baba Yaga smiled knowingly, “Your friend. He is part of which I speak. You have gained many new trinkets since last I talked to you. How stands the world?” I pondered my answer for a moment, thinking how to phrase it, “Important pieces emerge on the world’s chessboard, but this game is played by more than two players.” Baba Yaga’s eyes lit up, “Yes, but which are the players, and which the pieces?” “The raven fairy,” Milli commented. “Yes,” Baba Yaga said, “Is she a piece or a player?” “Indeterminate right now,” I said slowly puzzling it over, “She strives to be a player by taking the Scythe, but it is unknown if she will succeed.” Granny’s hand turned in a circle urging me to continue the thought, “She gave up my new toy to gain the scythe.” “Perhaps it wasn’t meant for her,” Baba Yaga said. “So she is a piece or a player, who else plays?” “The pirate captain,” I slowly said, “No, he thinks himself a player, but truly he is a piece in the game, but who plays him?” “That is the question, is it not?” She turned her hand over and a new ship appeared in her hand, “There is a gathering to the North, you talked with some of them I believe. Where does that stand?” “The Blade of the Thanes,” I answered. “They gather in moot to choose the new Thane.” My eyes widened as I realized the player, “The Winter Queen. She plays in the North, does that mean the Summer Queen plays as well?” “Once there were four. Now there are two queens, and but one king,” On her outheld palm a man danced with one lady frosty and cold in his arms then turned to dance with the other bright and glowing, “They have continued this dance for many years since the Lady of the Forest did fall into an endless slumber. Though one is guarded who might become what her mother was.” “The Raven Fae guards her (Follow the bloody footprints),” I murmured. “Even so, but the fae do fear change, and the waking of the sleeping daughter brings change. What are the fae?” “I know not ma’am. I know who they are heirs to, but I do not know what they are.” “Tell me, what purpose did your friend serve?” I watched as he stood on her hand naked blade in hand flickering the light. “He called those who had forgotten their purpose back to their purpose,” I answered her. “He reminded them of their duty.” “And if they would not return?” “He..” I struggled for murder was not the right word, perhaps, “He killed them and put another in their place.” “Remind, Replace,” she said, “and there is a third, Merge. Which would you do?” I blinked and struggled to find the answer, “I have tried to remind him, but he did not go forth. We fought, and we had started to merge. I think.” I shook my head, this was a far deeper conversation than I was quite prepared for. “Pieces and players, which are you?” She held up her hand and in one stood a pawn and on the other stood the board. “Come, we have not named all the players or the pieces. The Cold Queen, what is she?” “She moves to crown a thane, and prepare for war?” I phrased it as a question. “The Cold Queen holds the Midwinter Ball in several weeks, you will be expected or another depending on how you decide this day.” Cap continued to play with his ship and acted out a great storm with winds blowing all about. My head snapped back from him where my eyes had strayed to Baba Yaga. “The Wind,” I muttered, “Who do the Children of the Wind follow?” “That is a good question,” Baba Yaga said, and she glanced at Milli, “Eat up dear girl. Eat up. You have not eaten enough.” Milli started eating again. “There are many powers that do not follow the job given them by the Creator. The Catcha who ride human forms.” “Those who ride,” I asked as I thought, “Do they ride willingly, or unwilling? Must they be asked in, or can they subsume their host?” “Do you ever ride an unwilling horse?” I laughed picturing a few friends who had tried such a thing, “Not for long. You either break it or you are broken.” “Even so, who do the Catcha fear?” I glanced over at Cap who was playing with his ship again but looked to be paying more attention to the conversation now. “His shield.” Baba Yaga laughed briefly, and amended her question, “What two things do they fear?” “His shield,” and I paused struggling to think of what else, “My friend!” “Yes,” and her eyes sparkled dangerously, “And what if your friend is not doing his job? What then?” I glanced down at the hilt by my side, “Remind, replace, and merge.” I answered. “I ask again, what are the fae?” “They are those who accepted the power of she who was the Lady of the Forest.” She nodded, “And what would happen to those if the Lady returned?” I shook my head thinking briefly, “I do not know.” “Nor do they, and that scares them. Would they change from what they are now, would they cease to be? It is unknown and that scares many of them. Some move to prevent it. What tool did the Raven Fae take?” “The Dark One’s Scythe,” I answered dreading the reason. “The same blade that felled the Lady of the Forest,” and she held up a hand and a young girl in a casket formed above it, “What would happen if the same happened to her daughter?” “What would it take to wake her daughter?” Milli asked. “For three of the Sidhe to yield their power,” came the stark answer from Baba Yaga. “Does that mean we must slay the Raven Fae?” I asked swallowing. “She may leave you no other choice, but her and two others.” I sat back, to slay a fairy queen, or the like in power was frightening. “I think you are not looking at this right. It is not one game with many players, but several games in play.” “The Raven Fae plays at becoming queen,” I said. “The Winter Queen plays for more power. There is a power play within the fae, that is one game.” I looked out the window, “The Outsiders, they are another player at the game.” “They wish to be players but are held back. Should a player fall, they will take that place.” “They have nearly taken a place,” I replied. “We’ve seen it several times now.” “That you have, but those plays were turned back. You will be expected at the Isle of Crystals several weeks hence. All are expected, and your friend who seeks you with the hounds shall be there. As will other pieces and players.” “You know, Granny,” Milly said, “Since you don’t wish your children to come to harm, perhaps you could turn him aside, and stop him.” “But children must grow up sometime. I would not hinder your growth at all,” Baba Yaga answered. “Besides, you have had such fun new toys since last you met him. It could be an interesting meeting now. One that might now turn out how you expect.” “The shield, and my sword,” and I glanced over at Lili who was curiously quiet today, “And her staff.” “Quite so. But time is passing,” She stood up and gathered dishes, “Many things begin to wake above and below. Find the players. Find your plays. Remember the Good is the enemy of the Best.” She pulled Cap to his feet, “Come, dear boy, your time of play is at an end. It is time for you to rejoin your friends.” “Thank you all for visiting me,” Baba Yaga said, “I regret our time has come to an end.” “Thank you for the good meal ma’am,” I answered. “Yes thank you,” Milly said, “It’s the best I’ve ever eaten.” We walked out the door and as we stepped onto the grass, the house turned and ran. “Addie,” Cap said looking down at the boat in his hands, “Can I put this boat in the bag?” I shook my head as if waking from a dream and narrowed my eyes, “Not now Cap. I’ve some business to finish.” I trotted over the bridge scanning the forest for the creature we fought before. “Tick tock, dear children, tick tock,” Red Sun said he turned his horse to chase the running house. “There he is!” I took off running towards the black-robed figure turning around in confusion. “What have you done to me bringing me here? I will slay you all?” he screamed at us. “This was your own doing,” I answered. “I went to my own land, but you turned me here,” he snarled and threw fire at us. I slashed to the side with my unseen blade and turned the spell from me speeding up to a sprint. Addie pulled out her arrows and murmured a phrase and they burst into flame. She hit him twice, but the creature seemed to strengthen from her fire arrows. I closed ranks and slashed him with my sword and he screamed in rage. A great blaze of heat hit me, and I closed my eyes in shock. I opened them to see him 30 feet away and my feet encased in rocks. Cap ran up and incanted a minor spell and my feet were freed up as Milly shot him twice more, this time opting not to hit him with more fire. He screamed in outrage as I ran back to him, holding up the crystal with my friend inside. I paused briefly, but my resolve was strengthened as I knew this was his job and if he fell doing it, he would rejoice. I swung on the creature, and my first blow hit him full on the chest. He dodged and my second blow hit him, but not before it shattered the crystal. I heard the voice of my friend shout exultantly, and I dropped to my knees as I struggled to assimilate all that was happening. I felt impressions of hundreds of fights with many powers. I remembered the time spent waiting in the tower. I blinked furiously as all this passed into me, and I could feel a mantle settling about my spirit. I struggled to frame what I saw and felt. Milli and Cap ran to me, but I pushed past clenched teeth, “Get him! Take him down!” and my hands covered my ears as I heard the screams of so many crying out in anger or frustration as my friend had fought them over and over again. I watched my friends run after the creature. I saw him throw fire at them and watched Cap drop to the ground on fire, rolling to put the fire out. I saw Milli run on ignoring the flames that clung to her and shot him. The creature burst into flames and from the ashes of the body a small creature looked up at Milli marking her, “You took that form from me. I will take that body back, and I will haunt yours until I have taken my revenge.” Then Milli looked down at herself as if she just realized she was on fire and dropped to the ground putting it out. I don’t know how much later it was, but I finally pulled myself together, and stood up looking back at my friends, and said, “Let’s go back and finish this. We left friends behind.” I dropped the fairy ring on the ground and stepped back through back to the island.

Report Date

23 Dec 2021