Despite Shay's warnings, Maeve could help but stare at the Fae whenever it seemed like they weren't watching her. They were unlike anything she had seen before. Their tall, lithe bodies and silvery wings gave them an almost ethereal appearance and they moved with such grace and speed that it was like they were dancing. On the other hand, their skin of various hues of green, their knife like teeth and ears, their large, solid black eyes and the harnesses of wooden armour and brown leather that they wore made them seem wild and feral. Maeve at once felt as though she was in the presence of beings that were intrinsically connected tot he magical world, yet who would also not hesitate to kill her if she set one toe out of line.
She glanced at SHay who walked silently beside her, the witch's pink eyes locked on the back of Lord Ronin's head as the High Fae led his company and their guests-come-prisoners through the forest. The witch hadn't said a word since Ronin had insisted they return to his domain and Maeve could tell that she was anxious about their current situation.
"I've never heard of the Fae before," Maeve whispered.
Shay glanced sideways at her before resuming her vigil on Ronin. "Few have," she replied darkly. "They prefer to keep it that way."
"You said you had an alliance with Ronin?" she asked.
"We did," she replied curtly. "I helped Ronin with a problem and in exchange he granted me a piece of the forest to settle in. Like I said though, that was a long time ago."
It was clear to Maeve that that wasn't the full story, yet she could tell that Shay wasn't going to reveal anything more to her so she didn't press her for the details. They continued on through the forest in silence, the Fae speaking in hushed tones as they rode alongside them, their language one of strange hisses and clicking noises that Maeve could not decipher.
After an hour or so, Maeve began to notice a change in their surroundings. The trees and flowers began to grow brighter and stranger. Toadstools as big as chairs bloomed from the trunks of trees whose leaves shimmered gold and silver. SHe could hear birds calling to one another and insects the size of her fist flitted through the air, the hum of their wings an oddly soothing sound. Streams babbled nearby and despite the density of the tree canopies overhead, Maeve felt warm sunlight play upon her face. As she looked around in wonder she spied the roots of a truly vast tree snaking between the trunks of its much smaller neighbours and after a short while they emerged into a clearing wherein was situated the largest tree Maeve had ever seen in her life. It dwarfed those that stood around it, leeching of its roots like flies on the back of a horse. She had to crane her neck to look up at it, and even then she could not see its top. Leaves of rich emerald green cascaded from its branches in which she could see small watch towers from where Fae sentinels armed with huge longbows marked their progress. Lanterns filled with glowing fireflies hung from the lowest branches and marked a path through the mass of tangled roots that spread from the ancient trunk.
Ronin turned to his guests and smiled proudly at the look of astonishment on Maeve's face. "Welcome to the World-Root," he said.
Ronin and the other Fae dismounted the stags that they had been riding, the herd wondering off together into the forest to rest and eat. The High Fae gestured towards the path and led the way towards the World-Root. Maeve followed eagerly, practically skipping up the path in her awed state. She had forgotten her notions of misgivings from earlier and not even Shay's dark mood could bring her down.
"This is incredible," she said, forgetting to keep her voice down.
Ronin glanced over his shoulder, his black eyes glinting in the glow of the firefly lanterns. "Few mortals have ever set foot inside our home," he said. "You have been afforded a great honour, elf."
Maeve nodded pursing her lips as she felt Shay's eyes bore into the side of her skull.
At the base of the tree there was an opening with a spiral staircase leading down into the ground beneath the roots. Yet more lanterns lit the staircase as they descended deep beneath the earth. Maeve had never cared for being underground and was beginning to feel claustrophobic when they thankfully emerged into a vast underground chamber that took what breath she had left away from her.
The cavern was as large as a small city and twice as high. The roots of the giant tree dangled from the ceiling and between them floated millions of fireflies, their combined glow producing enough warmth and light that they could have been standing in a meadow at the height of summer. Waterfalls cascaded over cliffs around the edges of the cavern, splashing into pools of sparkling, clear water in which other Fae bathed and swam. Flowers of every colour formed pathways and copses of trees stood like buildings in the vast, natural city. At the centre of the cavern was a raised hill, upon which sat a tangled grove of willow trees woven with strands of golden ivy and Maeve knew instinctively that that was where Ronin's throne could be found.
The High Fae snapped his fingers as his company began to disperse into the cavern and two females hurried to his side, hissing in their strange language.
"Thank you," Ronin replied in the common tongue before gesturing to the two women behind him. "This is Madam Shay and her companion. They are to be our guests for the evening. Show them to their quarters and ensure that they are comfortable."
"Lord Ronin," Shay said, an edge to her voice. "This is most generous but we really cannot tarry on our task."
Ronin's lip curled into a smile. "Nonsense," he hissed. "You have had a long day. Some rest will do you both good. Unless you are refusing my hospitality?"
The two female Fae bristled, their razor teeth flashing suddenly.
"No, not at all," Shay said, reluctantly backing down."
"Good," Ronin replied. "Get yourselves settled. I shall be along to check on you shortly."
As the High Fae turned and strode away, the two females led Shay and Maeve across the cavern. Maeve couldn't help but stare at everything as they passed, finding it all too amazing to put into words. She was so distracted by the awe inspiring scenery that she didn't notice the Fae staring back at her, or the hushed whispers that were exchanged as they passed by.
The two females led them to a lonely oak tree that stood in the centre of a meadow of wildflowers. Stairs wound around the trunk of the tree and Maeve could see a house perched between its broad branches. She followed the two Fae up the stairs and into the small treehouse, Shay trailing after her. The door opened onto a single bedroom with an adjoining bathroom. The branches of the oak tree wove their way in and out of the wooden walls and the ceiling was aglow with the light of more fireflies. A large bed made from a hollowed out tree trunk sat in the middle of the room and was draped with soft, thick furs that Maeve longed to curl up in.
"These are your quarters," one of the Fae women said. "You will remain here until Lord Ronin comes for you."
"Fine," Shay snapped.
"Thank you," Maeve squeaked as the two women threw them scathing looks and marched out.
The door slammed shut behind the Fae, leaving Maeve and Shay in an icy silence.
"What now?" Maeve asked eventually.
"There's nothing we can do," Shay snapped. "Ronin will come and I will speak with him. Until then..." She shrugged.
"In that case I'll take a bath. I'd like to wash some of this goblin blood off me."
"Be my guest," Shay muttered disinterestedly.
Leaving the witch to stew, Maeve crossed the bedroom and stepped into the bathroom. It wasn't really a bathroom. The floor was covered in soft lichen that felt spongey beneath her feet. A pool of clear water lay in the centre of the room, coils of steam rising lazily from the surface and when she looked up she saw the canopy of the oak tree in place of an actual ceiling. She closed the bedroom door softly behind her and stripped of her armour, placing it neatly in a pile near the pool. She was amazed by how filthy she was, her silvery skin covered in dark green blood splatters from the goblins that she had slain and smears of mud from their trek through the forest. Vanity rarely concerned her but she cringed to think of what the Fae women must have thought when they had seen her.
She sank into the warm water of the pool with a deep sigh and began to scrub herself clean. When she had finished she lay back against the bank of the pool and stared up at the canopy above her head, watching the fireflies and the many hued dragonflies that flitted between the branches. She had never been anywhere as beautiful as the World-Root. The magic of the place filled her with joy and even though she had only just set foot inside it, she felt connected the world around her in a way that she never had before. The Fae might have been a little unnerving, but they had saved them from the goblins and invited them into their home. She couldn't understand why Shay was so clearly desperate to leave.
Raised voices coming from the bedroom made her sit up. She slid from the water, wrapping herself in a fur towel, and crept to the door, easing it open a crack to peer into the other room. Ronin stood before the main door of the treehouse, a cloak of gold velvet draped over his bare shoulders. He was angry, his lips peeled back in a snarl, his hands on his hips, close to the sword that hung from his waist. Shay was standing in front of him, a good head and a half shorter than the High Fae but no less impressive as she jabbed a finger at his broad chest.
"Do not forget what I did for you, Ronin," she snapped. "I have paid my debt!"
"That is for me to decide," the High Fae rumbled. "Do not forget that this forest belongs to me."
"The mortals might disagree with that," she quipped.
"Mortals?" Ronin sneered. "The mortals do not scare me, Shay. Let us not forget that it was I who saved you from the Inquisitors! I who killed the ones that were hunting you! If more of them come, they shall meet the same fate."
Shay snorted. "How typical of the Great Ronin," she said, her words dripping with sarcasm. "You charge headlong into a problem without thinking. Your see but you never understand."
"Oh, I see alright," Ronin growled, his voice a low whisper that seemed infinitely more menacing to Maeve's ears than his shouting had been.
"You are up to something," the High Fae continued. "I would know what that is and who the elf girl is."
"My business is my own," Shay replied coldly.
"Not if you want to leave this place it isn't," Ronin hissed.
Silence descended between the pair, stretching on for what seemed like forever until Shay finally hung her head. "We make for Aradia," she said at last. "I have a contact there who is supplying me with a Gat'Thra."
"You lie," Ronin said without flinching. "You think that after all these years I cannot tell, Shay?" He paced from side to side in front of her, his black eyes glinting venomously as he glared at her. "I believe you are headed to Aradia, but that is not your final destination, and you would not do all of this for a simple Gat'Thra. I wonder..."
Shay raised her chin defiantly. Maeve couldn't see her face but she could imagine her expression of anger.
Ronin began to laugh. "Oh, it can't be?" he said, shaking his head. "You mean to return to Aggodar, don't you?"
"And what if I do?" she grunted.
He snorted. "I thought you had given up on this nonsense after the last time?"
"It is my birthright!" Shay shot back. "Besides, this time will be different."
Ronin's gaze darted towards the bathroom door and Maeve shrank back, fearful that she had been spotted.
