So the redcaps try to get their stolen guy back. This time they don't create a monster as bait, they just move into an abandoned cellophane factory and start bringing in faerie hit men. One reason, Bob suggests, is that they're Winter, and this is the first week of June, so they're weaker than usual. But if they bring enough fists, it won't matter.
Andrew throws firecrackers into the factory, as one does. This creates a standoff; the faeries don't want to come out, and we certainly don't want to go in. Andrew goes up a smokestack and shouts wizardly threats through it, which they totally believe. They shift all their efforts to killing the wizard. That actually makes it a lot easier for the non-wizards among us, so thanks, Andrew!
Chuck draws a circle around the factory. They shoot some arrows at him, but only as part of an arms-length bargaining duel with Andrew. They also try to stab Andrew with a stealthy faerie, then send a huge, patient reptile named Old Guy to go up the smokestack and get him. Andrew wisely withdraws.
Jack o'the Green, leader of the rescue party, negotiates with Rowena. Throwing embroidered silk ransom notes back and forth, they eventually work out a deal. Rowena will give them the redcap she captured. Jack owes her two favors, to be collected by her turning a silver ring with an emerald, which he provides. He need not grant the second favor if the first one kills him. They will swear not to kill any of us, unless we attack them or trespass on their domain, which in our universe is the abandoned cellophane factory.
As we do not seem to know the rules, Jack's minions are unsure whether they can trust the deal. Jack asks the freshmen (Lana, Jeb, and Milton) if any of them will agree to Choose. They are half-fey, he says, as anyone can see. If they Choose, they become all-fey, or all-human. But if all-fey, then the faeries can trust them. Of course, they have to choose Summer or Winter, in that case, or else be an enemy of all faeriekind. Wyldfae, as they're known, don't live very long. And there isn't any other choice than Summer, Winter, or nothing ... is there?
Deal done, they then cannot return to the Nevernever without Chuck opening the circle. He agrees to do so, which almost necessitates a second round of negotiations. In acknowledgment of Rowena returning his mirror-bright sword, the captive Redcap grants her a boon. Turns out he's the Winter Knight, the enforcer of the Winter Court, and we could have bargained for way more favors, but we never asked and Jack didn't volunteer the information.
Jack departs, instructing Old Guy to find Andrew and provoke him. We're not sure what'll come of that.
As we are withdrawing from the Faerie Realm on Earth (until July 1, when they don't pay their property tax assessment and it reverts to the county), a small green gnome with enormous yellow eyes begs, "Take me with you!" When we seem hesitant, he brandishes a chain of weasel skulls and says "Weeeeeasel magic," enticingly. But strangely, no one is tempted, despite his increasingly desperate whines of "weeeeasel magic! Weeeeasel!"
Someone suggests using Grail Water to heal Jeb's ear, which has grown back looking like a leathery lump. Instead, the water turns part of his cheek into leathery, tough, fireproof dwarf hide. Bob concludes he must be half-dwarf, and congratulates Jeb on getting one of the few faerie species that don't have iron-sickness. Should he choose to wash in Grail Water, or just turn three times widdershins saying "I am what I choose," he could be a full Dwarf! Hey hey!
Jeb does not do so at this time.
Lana dips the tip of one finger in the water. The finger turns pale, and the nail becomes long and sharp. Bob concludes she's either a Sidhe (the magic-using nobility of the Nevernever), a Bane Sidhe (the scary immortals who can kill you with their voice) or a Svartalfar, the secret, lightning-quick skulkers in the shadows. High Elf, Doom Elf or Ninja, he summarizes. But you don't get to pick.
Andrew tries to use his mind to set a match alight. The entire match explodes! He tries cupping wind in his hand and gets a pop! noise like he'd crushed a paper bag, but without using a bag. That'll save on paper bags, and may have other uses.
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