“What do you think?” he asked, holding up a beautiful breastplate. “I had Eorthan make a whole set of armor for you.”
I walked closer to run my hands over the odd-looking metal. If it was steel, it had a strange golden burnish to it. “What is it made from?” I asked in awe, feeling the smooth curves of the armor. He handed it over to me and it felt light as air.
“It’s steel, but Fey-forged, with their own unique magic.” He grinned wildly. “Go ahead, put it on.”
“There are no straps,” I said, looking at the formed metal. There was nothing coming off it with which to make it stay on me.
He smiled and took the breastplate from me, then simply held it to my front. I felt an odd sensation, as if it was sucking itself against me, molding to my form. When Alvere released it, the armor stayed in place perfectly. What was more… it seemed to move with me, bend and flex as if it were cloth.
“Amazing,” I breathed in awe. “I could get used to this.” I looked up at him with excitement. “You said there was more?”
He helped me into the full suit: a breastplate and backplate, pauldrons and coverings for the upper arm, then bracers. A solid metal “skirt” in two halves, which fused together when put on the front and back of me, relaxing and moving like silk, even though it was hard as steel. Finally, there were grieves and even a pair of metal boots, which fit better than any leather set I’d ever had, comfortable and snug.
“This is incredible!” I said.
Have you seen anything like this before?I asked Auwei, the Lumani spirit who dwelled within me.
No, it’s so light and comfortable. I’ve only worn armor for a couple of my previous lives and never much liked the feel of it, but this… this is a miracle!
And it was, truly.
“Thank you!” I said, overwhelmed with gratitude, throwing my arms around Alvere in a tight embrace.
“Thank Eorthan,” Alvere said. “He’s the one who made it. I’ll introduce you tomorrow, once he’s done with his ritual and you’re… safely back here with me.”
“I will,” I said, growing solemn again, releasing him from the embrace to look him in the eye. Time was short, and I’d soon be away. I knew he was concerned for me. He’d given me this gift to protect me. “And I will return safely as well. I promise.”
He nodded, but I could see the worry in his beryl-blue eyes.
As we made our way back to his pavilion he said: “There is another surprise I have waiting for you.”
I was curious but patient. The first surprise had been amazing, so I hoped the next was just as good.
When we entered his pavilion five Fey in black cloaks stood off to one side. Also present were those going on the mission tonight: Midnight, Ant, Foggy, and Sparrow. The rest of my House: Fin, Princess, Dove, and Silence would be staying behind, but they were all here for this final briefing.
“Before you begin,” Alvere said, raising his voice so all could hear, “I wish to aid you in tonight’s mission. So, I have arranged for a few Fey to accompany you.” He raised a hand at my stunned look and the questions he knew must be coming. “Surprise,” he said with a just-try-and-stop-me grin. Then, “They have their own way of moving unseen and unhindered by walls and obstructions.” He nodded to the group.
One of them stepped forward. Their cloak began to flap about them and they lifted from the ground slowly. At the same time, they seemed to fade into the darkness at the fringes of the tent. After a moment I had trouble seeing them and had to keep blinking to see their barely-there silhouette. In deeper darkness, they’d have been invisible.
“Thank you,” Alvere said and the Fey landed, becoming visible again. That one continued forward, pushing back the hood of their cloak. It was a woman, small and slight with the Fey’s blue-pale skin, raven hair, and sharp features.
“I am Ahmaia, and I serve at The Uniter’s will.” She bowed to Alvere.
“Uniter?” I whispered to Alvere.
“Long story,” he said. And now wasn’t the time for it. I’d ask him again later.
Ahmaia rose and looked up at me. “We will aid as we can, but we will not kill. Life is most sacred to our kind.” Her rose-gold eyes were hard, firm. In their depths I felt a weight of wisdom and age, though she seemed no older than myself. But then, Midnight was half Fey and seemed young, even though she was undoubtedly the oldest member of our — no,my— House. I didn’t know how old she was, but I got the feeling she was past her fiftieth year at least. Ahmaia seemed older still.
“Understood,” I said. “I appreciate your help.”
Ahmaia nodded and returned to the other Fey.
I took command from there. “The plan is simple,” I said moving in to stand in the middle of my people. Alvere leaned against a support post for the tent and smiled, watching me be all boss-like.
“Midnight will go in just after full dark and scout where the leaders are in the camp.” I turned to Ahmaia. “Is that something you or one of yours could do as well?”
She nodded. “We will all go, that will expedite things, yes?”
