Dwarves and Rooks

Ray McCarthy

Sample Version

Six Complete Chapters

Books by Ray McCarthy

Talents Universe

The Apprentice’s Talent

The Journeyman’s Talent

The Solar Alliance

Starship Chief

The Master’s Talent

The Legal Talent

The Mission’s Talent

Tellus’s Last Talents

Celtic Otherworld

Under the Stone of Destiny

Carrying the Shining Sword

Seeking the Flaming Spear

Hero Genesis

No Silver Lining

Exiles and Rooks

Fairy Godmothers

Conspiracies and Rooks

The Fay Child

Artists and Rooks

Dwarves and Rooks

Goths and Rooks

Jewels and Rooks

Tom Óg and the Firebirds

The Wooing of Marion

The Ending of Marion

The Ensorcelled Maid

Four Kids, one Foxe

Geena and the Prince

Trader’s Isle

The Seven Talismans

The White Fire Stones

Dwarves and Rooks

Ray McCarthy

Celtic Otherworld XI

Marion is hired by the Fay to investigate the death of a Dwarf Chief. Obviously the Empress Megra has been told, but generally it must be secret. Alice wasn’t expecting Marion to bring her staff.

Extensive use is made of older sources rather than more modern ones.

The cover is based on ‘Freyja and the Dwarves’ an illustration by Patten Wilson.

Copyright conditions: All Rights Reserved, purchases may be archived securely or converted for personal use to other ebook formats. Uploading or sharing copies is violation of copyright even if the file was obtained without cost.

Copyright © 2019, 2021 Ray McCarthy, M. Watterson

Version 1.23

Smashwords ISBN: 9781005865498

Amazon ASIN: B08XNXMLC3

Also published by Corvids Press

Corvids Press epub ISBN: 9781801020800

Large Print ISBN: 9781801020244

Hardback ISBN: 9781801020107

Large paperback ISBN: 9781801020381

Medium paperback ISBN: 9781801020527

Pocketbook ISBN: 9781801020664

CC Audiobook ISBN: 9781801021487

Fiction / Fantasy / Action & Adventure

Approximately 50,000 words

Celtic Otherworld

Contemporary travel to Otherworlds is mentioned in Celtic myth and legend. Meet the Tuath Dé, Sióg, Aés Sidhe, Elves and Faerie. Also set in Limerick, Ireland and Wychavon, England.

Manannán Mac Lir led the Tuath Dé away to the Otherworld over 2500 years ago. Except for them it’s been more like 600 due to the time-slip. The Portals were often at Court Graves, Raths and other ancient Irish sites. Today Tuath Dé culture is a crazy mix of Mediaeval to Nineteenth Century styles. Now the Magi Council and the Druids of Ollathair have wakened the Sleepers, the Morrígna, – Badb, Macha and Neamhain – and the rest of Manannán Mac Lir’s Aés Sidhe Warband.

https://www.corvidspress.com/

Visit the site to make comments, corrections or visit the blogs. The link, text and QR code are all the same location. Use your phone’s QR scanner if reading on paper or an old ereader with no HTTPS support.

Contents

Chapter 1: An Unexpected Case

Chapter 2: The Citadel

Chapter 3: Arrangements

Chapter 4: Arrival

Chapter 5: The Village

Chapter 6: Alice and Grian

Chapter 7: Chrissie Tests

Chapter 8: Bluebell Asks Foxglove

Chapter 9: Nossie and Judith

Chapter 10: Marion Watches

Chapter 11: It’s Time

Chapter 12: Alice Explains

Chapter 13: Searched Again!

Chapter 14: Erasure

Chapter 15: Debate

Chapter 16: Weather

Chapter 17: Asgard

Chapter 18: Caherbeg

Chapter 19: Court Magician Florien

Chapter 20: Alice Organises

Chapter 21: The Safe House

Chapter 22: Grilling

Chapter 23: Reunited

Chapter 24: Portals

Chapter 25: Hyacinthus

Chapter 26: Inamok

Chapter 27: Frostlilja

Chapter 28: Refugees

Chapter 29: Final Report

Chapter 30: Distribution

Chapter 31: Caherknock

Other Books by Ray McCarthy

The Celtic Otherworld Series

The Talent Universe Series

The Trader’s Isle Series

Chapter 1: An Unexpected Case

Judith found Marion in the lab with her brother Tony. It was quite a crowd as Nancy the Alchemist, Anrhi the Mage, Pedar the Apothecary, and Eibhlinn the maid from Sorcha’s house were there too. They were surrounded by partially drunk cups of tea and jars of honey. There were also two jugs of milk by the gas ring and kettle.

“A letter by express courier from the Magi College, Marion,” said Judith setting it down on the bench. “It’s Princess Eilis’s seal?”

“Is the courier waiting to see does it need an urgent answer?”

“No.”

“Still, it’s marked urgent,” mused Marion. “I’ll ring if I need anything.”

“We’ll go now, Marion,” said Tony. “I’m sorry, but it makes no difference which sort of honey or if it’s without milk, or using goat or cow. The dark and pale tea types are both horrible.”

“I know the local names of the herbs,” explained Nancy, “though I’m not sure of the English names for the herbs in the dark one. The popular pale one is probably Camomile in English, Tony.”

“People think it’s very good for the digestion,” insisted Pedar.

“I’m not sure it has any health benefit,” added Anrhi, “though at least it’s not harmful.”

Marion waited till everyone was gone and broke the seal, then cut the knotted ribbon of Alice’s letter.

Dearest Marion,

A Dwarf has been killed and there is some suspicion a Fay did it. These are real Dwarves on a reservation, actually an entire isolated continent on Hy Brasil called Frischlant. They want someone independent to investigate. They don’t really suspect my Court, but I can’t be sure. Politics. So you might be the best choice. You need to visit your Empress and get permission. Have Nossie and Judith mind the shop. Tell everyone it’s a holiday, or training from your Lorinokin Magician boss. Bring the new cloak. Catch the sleeper train from the Deas Ceat terminus soonest. It’s in the north, due west of Caherbeg so bring winter clothes.

Love Mum

Marion thought about the letter. Is she mad? She’s taking this adoption thing a bit seriously. She prepared to scry with Florien and got the rooks to alert him.

“Did Eilis communicate with you or Megra?” asked Marion.

“She visited Megra in person and we have arranged to hold a train for you tonight. Can you get to the terminus this evening?”

“I’d guessed she was in a hurry, I was surprised she didn’t just grab me when I read the letter.”

“She’s been warned about that. Obviously she doesn’t want people in Magh Meall to know about your assignment or you could be using the Portals at the College or the Institute.”

“I’d gathered that. She wants me to claim I’m on holiday or doing training.”

“We are overdue for you to get the Lorinok Magi training and your exam in the Prefect’s office.”

“We should do that when I return. So I will also bring Nossie and Judith. They can do the basic exam.”

Chapter 2: The Citadel

“I’m looking forward to seeing the Hulredrinani countryside beyond the Lenithiaen mountains,” enthused Judith.

“I’m not sure how much is visible from the train,” said Marion. “I was in bed when I used it before.”

“Bed?” exclaimed Nossie.

“It’s a big train that runs on rails. The car will be loaded like freight.”

“Will we stop at Newbridge for food and see how Ben is getting on?” asked Nossie.

“We’ll stop at the inn,” agreed Marion, “however I doubt Rachael would want to see me. We won’t have time to socialise anyway.”

“Is the road complicated after Newbridge, Marion?” asked Judith.

“No, though about two thirds is a more minor road. You want to take a turn driving?”

“Yes.”

“Can I drive from Rathlurgh to Newbridge?” asked Nossie.

“I suppose you need the practice,” agreed Marion. “No overtaking!”

~

“Now you will see why the road train terminus is here,” explained Marion. She directed Judith to stop on the turning circle beside the rocks. She got out and walked over to a crack in the rocks lit by the car headlights. “Hello, anyone in?” she called out in Common. “It’s Enchantress Lady Marion.”

There was a clanking and a ragged fissure opened as two large sections of rock-face moved in and hinged back. Marion got back into the car and they drove into the tunnel and then alongside a lower rail track. Two Lorinokin stood at the wall pointing at broad straps. The hidden doors were closing.

“Drive slowly and stop with just the front wheels past the straps,” ordered Marion, “then turn everything off and unload.”

Marion had been in the back with Nossie. She lifted the big wicker basket off the front seat. “Right, you lot, into your travel nest,” she urged the six rooks in English. “We can’t have you messing up the train.”

They all watched as the car was hoisted. Then the crane moved across the tunnel roof on its beam and lowered the car on a flatbed truck. The Lorinokin workers tied the car axles to the truck.

The two that had fastened the lifting straps beckoned.

“We are behind schedule,” said one in Common. “I suppose it can’t be helped. You have a whole coach. It has its own bathroom and two sets of bunks. Will the birds be a problem?”

“They are fine with a basket. Only one would at all agree to a cage. I’ll wipe up any mess they make. Is there food in our carriage?”

“There will be, Lady Marion. We have some salmon for you and some Tuath Dé wine. Our kind of bread and vegetables.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“It’s almost seven hours, no stops till Elmarineer. You’ll probably leave the train there?”

“Yes,” agreed Marion.

Nossie put his gear on an upper bunk and came into the lounge part of the cabin. “This surely isn’t a regular coach?”

“I’ve no idea,” admitted Marion. “It does seem rather luxurious. There is a radio with a tape machine and a tape library. The radio likely won’t work in the tunnel?”

“There are ways to feed radio signals in tunnels and mines,” said Nossie.

“How?” asked Judith. She’d taken off her boots and stretched out onto a couch.

“I don’t know. I read something in the paper. Mine foremen with backpack VHF radio sets.”

“Wouldn’t the aerial catch on the roof?” suggested Marion.

“The photo had very short aerials on the sets,” insisted Nossie. “They must use a higher band.”

There was a jerk and with a grinding noise the train set off.

“I’m going for a rest, maybe sleep for the night,” said Marion. “No playing of radio or tapes. Judith, you poke me if there is food or someone wants me. I don’t think they will serve for ages.”

~

The journey was uneventful with the hot meal being served at breakfast time.

Later Judith enthused, “I can smell the sea!”

“It’s got some sort of magic in it here,” added Marion. “There will be some time for sightseeing when you are doing the Peace Office course. When we return.”

The freight yard was busy, but Marion was soon driving down the coastal highway to Hulremokineer.

“It’s a huge city!” exclaimed Judith. “No horses.”

“They have a different animal,” explained Marion. “Horses are Tuath Dé only.”

“I’ve seen the other animals south east of Dalrinath,” remarked Nossie.

The Citadel gatekeeper checked the car details and all their ID cards and waved them in. Marion drove down the ramp to the underground parking and found her space.

“Go over there and get two of the trolleys for all our bags, Nossie,” said Marion.

She and Judith started unloading everything out of the car. Then Nossie and Judith loaded the trolleys while Marion held the basket of rooks and spoke softly in English to them.

Marion took them down a passage, then up in a lift. They followed her till she set down the basket and opened the door.

“Hang cloaks, coats and jackets here.” Marion set down the basket as the rooks had flown out of it through the open door to the central room with the low marble dining table with couches around it.

“I’ve only one bedroom,” explained Marion. “I expect we will be going by Portal to Caherbeg shortly though it’s the season for Caherknock. I’ll be in the study. I’ll phone Magician Florien, though the gatekeepers have likely told him we are here. Judith, can you open the lounge window enough for the rooks? Kitchen is there and the bathroom and toilet is via my bedroom.”

Judith slid open the door sized window and went on to the balcony. She leaned over and saw the wall of the Citadel and the dunes at the sea. Vast rollers broke and washed up the beach.

“Nossie bring chairs!” she cried.

“No time,” announced Marion. “Princess Eilis is waiting! Grab everything and follow me.”

The rooks flew back in and cawed something dreadful.

“Close up the window!”

Marion waited impatiently in the hall while the others loaded up, then locked the door.

“I’m disappointed too,” remarked Marion.

They met Empress Megra, Councillor Fianel and Magician Florien at the vestibule of the secured basement area with the Portals.

Nossie and Judith bowed.

“My senior assistant Goodman Nathaniel Muirí and my junior assistant Goodwoman Judith ni Ruadhán,” said Marion in Common. “Nossie and Judith is fine. This is my boss Magician Florien.”

“The brother of the famous Muirí sisters!” exclaimed Florien. “I’m pleased to meet you both.”

Megra checked her pocket watch. “Alice will be opening the Portal again shortly. It seems that the Court hasn’t yet moved to Caherknock, they are still at Caherbeg.”

“We have winter coats and cloaks as Alice had suggested it,” replied Marion.

They went into the Caherbeg Portal room.

“Now I have given approval for you to take this job. Remember that you are my representative, not just a private detective. I have some additional papers including the approval. You’ll be taxed an additional one tenth of the gross income as it’s off world earnings. Councillor Fianel?”

Fianel passed the documents to Nossie as Marion had still a basket of rooks.

“You two go first with the baggage trolleys the instant it opens,” said Marion.

They sat and then after a few minutes the Portal opened.

“Good Health, Marion, Nossie and Judith,” said Megra. She got up and waved to Alice.

They all crossed over and Alice closed the Portal.

Chapter 3: Arrangements

“You two can’t go back for two hours!” exclaimed Alice in Lárnian. “Why didn’t you just shove the baggage across?”

“Because they are my assistants and come with me!” replied Marion in Teanga Sióg. “I’m pleased to see you too. I need forensic stuff and their help.”

“I’d not planned for it, they have to go back,” insisted Alice.

“Nossie’s the forensics expert,” replied Marion. “Judith can’t be missing out on learning from him. I could go back in two hours as well. We are a team.”

“You’ll regret this, Marion.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“No, it’s just it’s difficult, perhaps it can be done. Your Teanga Sióg is still poor, you must boost it with your telepathy and Glamour. I can’t be using more language magic on you.”

“I’ll manage.”

“You have your enchanted rook feather cloak?”

“I do. I’ve practised. I can only be a small flock and only all doing the same movements.”

“That’s normal for a human Enchantress. Most can’t do birds at all. What about Órlaith and Sorcha?”

“Sorcha can do the wolf and only the doe if she is determined to flee. Órlaith does a passable wolfhound, though not if she’s tired.”

“So no change,” commented Alice. “We’ll go up to the house and get some additional supplies. I’ll have to get more of the potion.” Don’t tell the others, Marion, but I don’t have any more. I’ll give you a placebo, you don’t need it.

Marion wondered was it because she was a Magus, or unusually Fay for a human Magus.

“You’ll need sleeping bags,” added Alice, “because the beds and bedclothes will be far too short. Also consider if you’ll accept Flinn’s offer to adopt you, though strictly speaking it’s up to me, Marion.”

“Why is he offering?”

“I’ve asked him. You’d not be under any obligation if Flinn is watching out for you. I expect you’d manage fine as the Dwarves are not particularly dangerous and have only earth magic. That lets them scry for ores, minerals and gems. It also enhances their ability to work with metals and make mechanisms.”

“Why would Flinn be watching out for me instead of you?”

“Because I’m not coming,” replied Alice.

“What do you mean you aren’t coming?” exclaimed Marion.

“Horses,” explained Alice. “Chrissie and I have arranged to stay with Grian and Freyja in Asgard. Flinn will go with you.”

“What about Angus?”

“He’ll have to go with Flinn. I can’t be taking him to Asgard, nor foisting him on someone. Next thing I’d come back and he’d be fostered!”

“How do we get there?”

“They don’t allow our aircraft and a ship is too slow, so by dragon. Your shape-changing enabled by the enchanted rook feather cloak will make it easier.”

“There aren’t any dragons?” Marion was nearly sure.

“I’ll change you both,” insisted Alice. “Flinn can carry Angus. I’m assuming you’ll come back by the ship. I’ll change your rook feather cloak to a dragon skin cloak first, Marion. You might even be able to change yourself. You’ll have to carry Nossie and Judith. Consequences.”

“So dragons are real then?”

“I don’t think so. It’s like the púca of legend. Those were all just shape-changed Fay.”

Except horses are real and dragons aren’t, thought Marion. “This is something Roibeárd taught you?”

“Not exactly, it’s something he helped me to see I can do. Only Faerie or some people with Faerie connections can do it.”

“So Flinn can’t?”

“Not without me. Technically you’ll be more like a wyvern as like a bird or bat, your wings are the forelegs. It’s like being a giant scaly rook.”

“Show us,” insisted Marion. She was sceptical.

“Later. Will you let Flinn adopt you?”

“Yes.”

“Also I need your cloak,” insisted Alice.

“Why?” asked Marion.

“I’ll get the Queen and Neamhain to help me put extra enchantment on it, so that it’s a dragon skin cloak. I’ve one done for Flinn already.”

“OK, but what about Nossie and Judith?” asked Marion.

“Can I put you two into an enchanted sleep here in the lounge?” asked Alice. “It’s safer.”

Nossie and Judith nodded.

Alice put them to sleep. “Now, Chrissie, you and I will be the witnesses to Flinn’s adoption after you test Marion’s DNA again. We’ll do it in the dining room. Angus can watch. Then I’ll get the cloak sorted.”

~

Later they stood with Chrissie in Grian’s so called Temple in Caherbeg city, basically an open air horseshoe shaped walled enclosure set in gardens with similar structures for the Norse Demigods. Other kinds of Demigods had their structures in other public parks.

Alice shimmered and was a giant golden wyvern standing on its hind legs. She ran a few steps flapping hard and was airborne. She flew up into the sky and burst into a cloud of black dots. The rooks spiralled down and coalesced back into Alice. “You’ve both memorised the maps? You really can’t miss the big island continent they call Frischlant. Just head west. Here’s your cloak, Flinn. It’s my old pigeon cloak changed to dragon skin.” Alice took the dragon skin from her bag. It was very thin. The coppery scales almost seemed iridescent. Flinn donned it. Marion’s feather cloak was now a russet and black patterned dragon skin. “Which rooks are you taking, Marion?”

“Corbie, his mate, Sinbad and Columbus,” she replied, pointing. “There is no need to leave any here, you’ll take these two Irish ones. How do I carry them?”

“They are your Familiars so you can hold them while you change. It’s not a good idea to do it frequently, but once or twice will do no harm.”

Marion adjusted her cloak and awkwardly took the four rooks in her arms, then Alice helped her change. Chrissie fastened the first harness and Judith mounted.

Then Alice changed Flinn. She gasped and sat down. Chrissie fastened on a harness to hold Angus. Marion sensed that Alice had used a huge amount of magic to change Flinn. Marion wondered why she was able to do it with so little help?

“Are you comfortable, Judith?” asked Nossie.

“I’m glad there are hand straps. The neck is comfortable enough, but I’m at risk of falling back?”

“The waist strap and Nossie will prevent that,” explained Alice. “Now I’ll fit the harness for Nossie behind you, Judith. Lean against Marion. She’ll be more horizontal in flight.”

Alice fitted the second harness for Nossie. None of harnesses included an actual saddle. Marion crouched again to let Nossie climb on.

“Now, make sure you don’t eat or drink too much,” ordered Alice. “The bags on the front straps have the food and water bottles. Don’t take off the bottle tethers. Keep still, Marion, while I lash on the baggage on your back below the wings.”

Chrissie was doing the same with Flinn.

Alice settled Angus on Flinn and spoke to him in Teanga Sióg.

“Now Chrissie and I will enchant you three so you can manage for a couple of days. Don’t eat or drink too much or you’ll get painfully bloated. Chrissie will add a healing enchantment or else you’d be very stiff and sore.”

“All done,” said Chrissie. “Make sure the hats are fastened and put on the goggles.”

The wyverns took off as soon as Alice had adjusted Angus’s headgear.

Marion glanced back and saw the two Irish rooks alight on Alice’s shoulders. Grian appeared. She took Alice’s and Chrissie’s hands on the triple spiral and the three were gone.

Soon they were out over the sea. It was amazing. She was such a big powerful dragon that she hardly felt the weight of her two passengers and the baggage for the three of them. Marion risked switching her vision and hearing briefly to one of the rooks to see did the link work. It had worked when she was at Inis Abhlach and the rooks were sent home without her. She saw Grian leading Alice and Chrissie. The rooks were obviously walking behind. Other rooks were landing in the courtyard just beyond the gates and watching. It was village sized but consisted of many large stone buildings, most with thatched roofs and not much higher than a regular house. There was a massive tower. Tall walls encircled Asgard.

Marion, Flinn sent, you are drifting off course!

I was checking if my links with the rooks works to Asgard. They do. Um, I was wondering what’s the connection between Frigg and Freyja. You remember how Odin was so keen for Freyja to return to Asgard at the end of the trial?

I’ve no idea, replied Flinn. Except some say Frigg, Heiðr and Freyja are triple aspects of one person. I doubt it as Frigg is Odin’s wife.

Who is Heiðr? asked Marion.

Also called Heidi and formerly called Gullveig. She very much annoyed the Æsir before the Vanir joined them. She’s either a Vanir or Jötunn. Gullveig, Heiðr and someone else could be a triple aspect. I don’t know as much about the Norse Demigods as Alice. I heard you used Corbie to spy on Alice’s lessons about the Æsir and Vanir?

How will we find the ship? asked Marion, ignoring Flinn’s question.

We know which direction it is off the coast and it will be hardly a day away when we get there. I memorised a map of the coast so we will know if we need to fly up or down the coast till we find it.

They flew all day, all night and saw the coast near noon on the second day. The three passengers awkwardly ate and drank.

We are too far north, explained Flinn.

I do hope it’s not much further! exclaimed Marion. I’m getting tired and very hungry!

The hunger will be more easily satisfied when we change back.

They found the ship an hour later. Marion was about to copy Alice and change to rooks above the ship, but fortunately she remembered she had passengers and baggage. Flinn landed first still as the wyvern styled dragon and became himself, neatly catching Angus. Marion landed awkwardly. Corbie, his mate, Sinbad and Columbus popped into existence on Marion’s arms after she became herself. Nossie and Judith tumbled to the deck among their three sets of baggage. Marion unpacked the cloak’s cover and carefully set the cloak – which had reverted to the feathers saved from her rooks – on it and carefully rolled it up before putting it in her bag rather than her pack. The rooks fluttered to her shoulders, which was rather awkward. She realised that now she couldn’t become a wyvern again unless she didn’t need the cloak.

“We are hungry,” cawed Sinbad in English.

“I am too, I have a potion for you to eat with the food I’ve brought or you’d get ill,” insisted Marion also in English. “You must not eat any local food till we are on the Reservation. Even then you must have the potion. Nossie, Judith and I are taking it too, though I might not need so much of it. Get some from Nossie or Judith if I’m unavailable.”

“I’m rather hungry too,” agreed Flinn in Teanga Sióg. “I imagine this crewman will want to take us to the Captain and then we can eat!”

“What are you two chattering about?” asked Judith.

“Food,” explained Marion. “Remember what I just told the rooks applies to you and Nossie!”

“You spoke to the rooks in English, Marion,” said Nossie.

“Only Flinn and Angus can eat the food and you must take the special potion or simply being here is a problem. You’d be ill.”

“I desperately need to go,” insisted Angus in Teanga Sióg.

“Are you two all right?” asked Marion.

“We are,” replied Judith. “Nossie landed on the bags and I landed on him.”

“I hope nothing is broken,” said Marion.

“It’s all well packed,” insisted Nossie, “though we both need to go more urgently than eating!”

Chapter 4: Arrival

“I didn’t realise that the Inamok looked so much like humans?” suggested Chief Amethyst in accented Teanga Sióg.

“I’m an Inamok Citizen, but a human born on the Old World, you know Ireland?”

“I do. So who are you, sir, and why do you have a child with you?”

“I’m Flinn mac Manannán, husband of Princess Eilis, that’s her House name. This is our natural child. Enchantress Lady Marion is our adopted child.”

“We don’t want a Fay investigator.”

“I’m totally in charge,” responded Marion. “Flinn is not even an assistant. He’s here to help me with any cultural issues. I know nothing of your culture. Also my Teanga Sióg is limited. He can translate for me if I’m stuck.”

“The other two are also humans?”

“Nossie and Judith are Tuath Dé humans. He is my senior assistant and she is my junior assistant. He is good at forensic work. Admittedly it’s a little awkward that they only know two languages exclusive to the Inamok world.”

“That’s acceptable. We’ll go to the Harbour Master’s Office, peruse your references and decide if you can investigate the case. Otherwise you go back on the ship. Uh, why have you two rooks on each shoulder?”

“My Familiars.”

“There is a thing?”

“What?” asked Marion.

“The ship left Caherbeg some days before the murder.”

“We caught up with it,” explained Marion. She suspected that explaining wyverns might be difficult even here.

“What did our Overlord Minister Princess Eilis tell you about us, Marion?”

“Only that as Minister for Refugees she is responsible for Fay relations with your people, who came from the old world about 3,000 years ago. So she wanted me to investigate. She’d be surprised to be called your Overlord. I’ve no preconceived notions. I’d assume almost everything in legends is wrong or misleading as I’ve found that with the Tuath Dé, Fay and Demigods.” Marion had assumed they would be short and stocky. Alice said they varied from 43″ to 51″. She’d only seen pale people with full facial hair. Either jet black hair, almost brick red, greying or grey. She’d not seen anyone that looked like a female.

[Dwarves are about 1.1 m to 1.3 m tall]

There was no more conversation as they walked down the pier accompanied by four other Dwarves, perhaps guards as they had swords, crossbows slung on their backs and similar leather outfits in a yellow colour. It didn’t look like heavy leather. The boots had wooden clog like soles and the same soft leather, but in dark brown, bound up to just below the knee. Her own boots had heels high enough to stand in the stirrups when riding, as was currently fashionable among the Tuath Dé, so she was taller than Flinn in his ordinary shoes. Judith was almost as tall as Flinn in her riding boots. He was dressed casually in jeans, polo neck and a padded PVC-like jacket with a hood. Flinn had no shoulder bag but a large backpack. Angus was dressed similarly and even had a miniature backpack. They both had sleeping bags in waterproof covers. Marion had her pack as well as her shoulder bag. Nossie and Judith also had packs. The three of them had the borrowed Fay sleeping bags tied on top. He wore his regular Lárnian professional goodman outfit and Judith, like her, was dressed in a Lárnian lady’s travelling dress, jacket and cloak with under skirt and leggings. Marion had assumed it would be cool because the Court should have moved to Caherknock, thus she knew it was turning to winter in Caherbeg.

The harbour was much larger than the rest of the port which seemed to be little more than warehouses. The harbour master’s office was tall and thin, with five floors, almost as tall as the large lighthouse at one side of the harbour entrance. Everything was built on a thin wedge of land in front of a cliff that seemed to go as far as the eye could see in both directions. Marion wondered how the port was accessed from inland.

The four guards left them as they went in. They followed the chief up the stairs to an office off the second floor. It did have a phone and a Fay styled laptop though it had what looked like oil lamps. The proffered chairs were awkwardly low for the adults, but only a little big for Angus.

Marion got out her portfolio. Each page had the copies of Lárnian or Inamok documents on the left and the Teanga Sióg translations on the right. As was the case with most Teanga Sióg and Common documents it opened at the first page with the binding on the right. It included relevant experience of Nossie and Judith.

Chief Amethyst silently read it, occasionally making notes on a pad and sometimes working the laptop. Angus was squirming on his seat. Rather than complaining out loud he was berating Flinn for the lack of food and drink telepathically. Marion could weakly pick it up. He’d not be focused till he was much older. Yet it hadn’t been long since they had eaten on the ship; Marion, Judith and Nossie had eaten their own supplies. Alice had claimed they could eat any of the locally produced food on the reservation safely for a few days as long as they took the potion.

“Certainly while you must be young and inexperienced you have solved some tricky cases and have good testimonials,” commented Amethyst. “I think we can count the Inamok Empress as the most independent leader we know of. So as you are her Pursuivant and subject, we will gloss over the fact that Princess Eilis has adopted you. Obviously without that and being an Enchantress, as a human, you couldn’t be here at all. Nossie and Judith are descended from humans that left the old world long ago and are not Magi. Won’t they get ill?”

“We have a potion that helps,” explained Marion, “though even with it we can only stay a limited time.”

“The ship can only stay for two days,” explained the Chief. “That’s what is in our treaty.”

“Likely Princess Eilis has a solution, I can’t imagine the investigation taking only two days.” Though Marion couldn’t imagine what it might be.

“It takes at least that to get to the Commune and back. You’ll want to send a message to the ship before you leave. You have accreditation?”

Marion pointed out their documents which the Chief studied.

“They are accredited as your assistants, so they are accepted. I’m not so sure about admitting Lord Flinn and the child?”

Marion looked at Flinn who said nothing.

“I didn’t see the need myself,” agreed Marion. “Princess Eilis rather insisted on it.”

“Why isn’t the child with her? It’s very irregular.”

“She’d promised to stay with her grandmother in Asgard, Macha of the horses, known also as Grian? Also she seems convinced people are plotting to foster Angus. She’s not keen on it.”

“I’m not ignorant of Fay sensibilities, it’s a reasonable concern. Flinn may accompany you then as a kind of manservant to allow you three to concentrate on the investigation. We’ll leave at once. Can the child ride?”

“I can ride Mamaí’s horse,” insisted Angus.

“He was riding practically as soon as he could walk. He’s better than me,” agreed Flinn.

The Chief rang someone and spoke briefly in his own language.

Flinn gave Angus a rusk.

“Do you and your junior assistant need to change into trousers?”

“I neglected to pack such, I’ve not worn them since I left the Dalrinath Guards. I have decent leggings and it’s a full skirt so I’ll manage fine. Judith will manage fine too. We are both wearing knee high riding boots and we did pack winter clothing.”

Marion got Flinn to write a letter to the Captain of the ship as she was still very poor at writing Teanga Sióg.

The horses were a regular full size variety that looked similar to horses Marion had seen at Caherbeg and not much different to decent Irish horses. The four guards brought them as well as ten remounts. The Dwarves had a sort of handle on the side of the saddle that let them vault up. Being extremely solidly built and broad people meant that the Dwarf saddles were fine for all of them once the stirrups were unbuckled and reattached with some shortened leather belts a Dwarf obtained.

Each saddle had a fitment for a lamp on a pole. A guard lit the oil lamps, adjusted the wicks and mounted them on ten of the horses. They set off into a tunnel behind the village. There was little light, but their eyes got accustomed to the gloom. After what seemed like a long while the horses were watered at a trough filled by a trickle of water. They were all fed some oats and then they remounted on the horses they had been leading. There had been no conversation. Marion had warned Judith and Nossie to be quiet and she certainly wasn’t an idle chatterer.

“We are about half way,” announced the Chief.

“Perhaps I could ride alongside you,” suggested Marion, “and then you can tell me some things about your culture and the case I’ve to investigate. I’m quite in the dark.”

“You don’t have any fear of the dark?”

“I was speaking figuratively. I’m not bothered by darkness, or passages. Though the four rooks don’t much like it.”

“You’ve been down mines?”

“No, so you do mine, that’s not just myth?”

“It’s the main male activity. That and metalwork. Brewing, cooking, herding the goats, tanning and leather-work is women’s work. We know our places, though some women do fine metal work and some men work above ground. Also though roles and jobs are not absolutely inflexible, it’s good that you and your junior assistant are women. The lads and lasses would be suspicious of a male investigator.”

“You have farming?”

“We grow mushrooms. The youngsters grow some fruit and vegetables. We help to harvest the flax, wheat, barley, oats, rye and hay. Planting is children’s work. The women do the ploughing and minding the animals. Some additional wheat flour and some manufactured goods are imported in exchange for our exports of mined materials.”

“So you are the Chief of a village or town?”

He laughed.

“Not at all. I’m a mining gang chief. A small council rules each Commune. They consult with the gang chiefs and the mine Chief only if it’s needed. The council picks a Village Greybeard, that’s the literal translation. That could be any mature person. They chair meetings, act as judge and village spokesperson to outsiders.”

“Are our silent companions members of your mining gang?”

They all laughed.

“By the gods, no! They are women. They are professional police officers, though it’s a part time activity and the closest thing we have to a militia.”

Marion was silent, obviously Dwarves were not as dimorphic as any species she knew, yet had very rigid ideas of male and female activities. Even the Baltie sexes could be discerned in adults. The guards, or policewomen, didn’t sport any jewellery or make-up or obvious difference to the chest or having less beard. They didn’t look less bulky either.

“Tell me about the unfortunate person?”

“Later someone on the council will explain. I was sent because we assumed an Inamok man was coming. A mix-up. You really are a human?”

“Almost entirely. My great-grandfather is Fay and my great-great-grandfather is Manannán. Also Princess Eilis is somewhat related apart from my adoption which was after my parents were killed by a pair of Murky Elves.”

“We were warned about Fjalar and Galar. All the Murky Elves are bad news as they are a kind of Jötnar called Mykálfar, literally Muddy Elves. It’s as much to be shot of them as to avoid humans that we came here.”

“Are they actually Fay?”

“They are a kind of Fay, which is why we don’t like the Sidhe and will have nothing to do with the Elves or Faerie, though admittedly most Fay on the seven worlds will have nothing to do with the Mykálfar or any sort of Jötnar.”

“Galar is dead and Fjalar was exiled to where Loki is. I was at the trial. You know who Loki is?”

“Fortunately not personally. He’s in our history books.”

Chapter 5: The Village

The policewomen had started chatting to Marion the first evening of the trip, but avoided Flinn and Angus. Angus was still sleeping a lot and had to ride with Flinn when he slept during the day. Since the Dwarves couldn’t talk to Nossie and Judith, and Flinn really only spoke with Angus, the pair had plenty of time to chat alone. Marion wondered if the understanding was ever going to be a betrothal. Neither was particularly young. Marion wondered if Judith thought Nossie was too much older or didn’t have good enough prospects.

Marion was now curious to meet the Greybeard and the council. She was still baffled as to how the Dwarves identified male and female. Perhaps they didn’t? She rode up and asked Foxglove quietly.

“I’ll explain when we all dismount for supper.”

Foxglove took her aside as they dismounted.

“We greet by sniffing to under the left ear at the end of the jaw, so you’ll have to kneel. Our scent glands are like a little wart on both sides of the neck. The men have an earthy inanimate scent and the woman have a more biological one.”

“Should I warn Flinn and Angus?”

“They might not be greeted as Chief Amethyst described him as your manservant. Also they are Fay. They might greet your assistants?”

“I’ll explain to them.”

“Also you can tell by our names. The girls have flower and tree names. The boys have names of minerals and gems. I’m sure Lord Flinn knows all this. It’s not a secret.”

~

The next day they were at the village, literally called the commune. The four rooks took off into the trees as Marion walked over to the group of elderly people, all of whom had grey beards. She kneeled. Geese cackled all around them.

Each in turn inclined their head to her neck and she reciprocated. One of the five did smell more earthy, perhaps a token man on the council or a retired miner on it by merit. Except he or she was called Tíalilja. Marion thought that Jasper smelled more like the others with plant names. Perhaps she was mistaking the faint scents.

“I know nothing except that someone was killed and Fay involvement is suspected,” explained Marion.

“We will discus it privately in my office,” replied Greybeard Bluebell. “You don’t require one of your assistants to take notes?”

“They don’t have a word of Teanga Sióg. I’ll record if it’s acceptable?”

“Fay technology?”

“I have none. I don’t know what Flinn might be carrying. We have only Inamok equipment with us. Some may be human made or designed. The camera seems based on one from Earth of maybe forty years ago. The audio tape recorder has some seventy year old ideas from Earth but is an Inamok design.”

“Officer Foxglove will show your people their quarters. Time is passing,” she said as she walked off quickly.

Marion hurried after Bluebell.

“Is Fay technology a problem?”

“It’s not in free circulation. Not in the home or public areas at all. Only the inner offices of the Community centre have any such technology.”

They came to a two story octagonal building – or at least it looked so – as they crossed the paved space in front surrounded on the other three sides by round two story buildings with stone slab roofs, certainly thicker and larger pieces of material than tiles. There was a motley collection of shops and workshops. They went in, through a locked door in the main hall, up some stone stairs and into an office with a single window. Bluebell relocked the door. There was a phone and a Fay laptop. No ceiling lamp, but two oil lamps on the wall and one on the large desk. Again Marion found the low chair a little awkward after she set down her pack and shoulder bag.

“Show me any technology you have,” insisted Greybeard Bluebell.

Marion put her camera, alternate lenses, recorder, compass, binoculars, spare films, tape cartridges and batteries on the desk. Then she opened her penner to show the mechanical pencil. “You know what all these are?”

“I’ve never seen such a camera, obviously it is one judging by the lenses. Lovely work. Electronics?”

“Only a simple light meter using a moving coil and a photovoltaic cell behind the lens in the viewfinder. The Inamok have no transistors, only thermionic vacuum tubes. You know what they are?”

“I’ve read of them. So how does the camera store images without transistor chips?”

“On light sensitive chemicals coating a flexible film.”

“This large machine is a sound recorder without electronics?”

“It has some electronics, using the tubes. The sound is stored on magnetisable plastic tape in the cartridges.”

“I can look at it?”

Marion opened it as you would to replace the batteries, took them out and removed the protective card. “Now you can see the electronics and mechanical drive using a wind-up spring. Do you have mechanical clocks?”

“We do. We just have very little that uses electricity outside of this kind of office. Please don’t flaunt these or explain them to people. Some would see it as the thin end of a wedge. It’s bad enough that we are beholding to the Fay to have the reservation, we don’t want their technology.”

“You import wheat at least?”

“Fairly bartered for with minerals, precious metals and gems.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s about community,” explained Greybeard Bluebell. “We think general use of motor vehicles, railways, aircraft, mobile phones, computers and television would destroy our communities. We do barter for medical, communication and other equipment that is only used in our community centres.”

Marion suspected it was more about minimising dependence on the Fay. She couldn’t exactly read their minds, but certainly got more impressions rather than the surface thoughts that she got from humans.

“I see,” said Marion after a pause. She hesitated again. “Nossie and Judith have some other equipment for forensic use. Monochrome film and development gear to photograph fingerprints. Colour film will have to wait till we are back home, on the Inamok world, it’s too complicated and the gear bulky to develop on the move. We have a microscope and some simple chemical test gear.”

“That’s all acceptable. Now I’ll tell you what we know and then we can see the body.”

“It must be nearly a week!”

“We have refrigeration here.”

“I better put the recorder together. I’ll take some notes on paper too.”

“It’s important that you tell Flinn and any of the Fay nothing. We will communicate with Princess Eilis when your investigation is completed.”

“I agree.”

“Then I can proceed,” said Greybeard Bluebell. “Though there isn’t much to tell. Usually Greybeard Primrose came into the office early and stayed late so as to use the library. On the morning in question she was supposed to be having the regular weekly meeting with me at 10. I found the door locked and she didn’t answer. So I checked the restaurant and she hadn’t been in for breakfast. There was no answer at her house. So I alerted Officer Foxglove, who is in charge of our police, and Willow our senior doctor.”

“Why the doctor?”

“She’d only ever missed a meeting once when she was unwell, she was quite old. The house was empty and undisturbed.”

“How did you get in?”

“Foxglove broke a kitchen window. So we came back here. Foxglove has duplicate keys for the offices here. Greybeard Primrose was slumped back in her chair. Doctor Willow pronounced her dead, probably murdered.”

“The door was locked?”

“Yes, nothing was disturbed either.”

“How was it decided it was murder?”

“The awl was still in her neck. Foxglove and Willow claimed it couldn’t be self inflicted, at least not easily. Doctor Willow will explain.”

“Who else has a key?”

“No-one, Foxglove has the spare key for each office in the safe.”

“I don’t understand, I’ve heard nothing to indicate a Fay was involved?” suggested Marion.

“We do have crime. Theft mostly. Sometimes there are drunken fights, but premeditated murder is very rare indeed. We are a warm hearted, caring folk. Community is everything to us. The Fay are cold, they lack love, they are ruled by obligation and magic. They do not even like contact.”

Marion was silent. Certainly the Fay had few if any human sensibilities. Despite the adoption she hardly knew the Fay. They did touch when dancing. She remembered Alice’s reaction when Tony kneeled and held her knees, which admittedly was daft. Except Alice had seriously hugged her once.

“It’s true I know very little about the Fay. Princess Eilis is certainly not human in outlook, though she seems a little unusual even for a Fay. Do you know her?”

“No, though we have spoken online since the murder,” replied Greybeard Bluebell. “We have never met, nor have I used video. Most of us don’t use video. In any case the Fay are not allowed to leave the trading ship. We have no airports.”

“Why does it have to be a Fay rather than another Dwarf or a Demigod?”

“Who else could come here?” insisted Bluebell. “The Demigods are forbidden by the Compact. No Dwarf would do it. You are the first humans here, ever. I don’t think it could be anyone in Ard Rígan Oonagh’s court, possibly not in the five courts. The Faerie had grudges against us in the old days. They are not to be trusted.”

“Really?”

“I suppose it’s the one that calls herself Queen Titania now that was always the problem with Faerie. She’s the only ruler they ever had and is untrustworthy.”

“Motive? Why attack Greybeard Primrose here?”

“You’ll keep an open mind? One of Queen Oonagh’s special agents would hardly consider the idea of a Fay murderer.”

“I’ll consider only facts. You realise that inherently you are a suspect?”

“Because I was her deputy and would very likely become Greybeard.” Bluebell sighed; “I do have an alibi. I’m only acting Greybeard till there is a vote.”

“Oh well, I’ll certainly try and examine where everyone thinks they where. It’s a week today, so people will be getting a little hazy.”

“No doubt Flinn will quietly investigate too.”

“He’s not on my team. I didn’t want him and Angus.”

“Angus is a convenient distraction. Princess Alice is clever. You know what Flinn was?”

“Um, he was Ambassador to the Inamok for a while.” Marion wasn’t about to admit everything she knew and was curious to find out what Bluebell knew about the Aés Sidhe Government.

“He was a special agent, a spy in Ireland, Britain and America. It’s public. Look.” Bluebell brought up a page on the screen of the laptop.

“I can’t actually read or write any Teanga Sióg very well,” admitted Marion. “I’m probably not even as good at speaking it as you think.”

“He used to work for Lord Stefan, but now works for Princess Eilis. The fact that they are married wouldn’t affect Fay working arrangements. Princess Alice’s government title is Minister for Refugees. Queen Oonagh issued a proclamation several weeks after the Princess’s majority that the reservation’s status and relationships between us and the Fay are her responsibility. Indefinitely.”

“Because technically your entire species here are still refugees even though it’s 3,000 years?”

“Frischlant, this continent, will never be ours. We have sole occupancy while we should live.”

“There are some of you still on Earth?”

“There is one commune holding out. The Fay want them to leave. The four other Sidhe worlds also have smaller continents that are Dwarf reservations. We don’t have any contact with them except via the embassy in Caherbeg, which is usually only contacted by email. The Earth commune Dwarves actually run it.”

“Greybeard Primrose’s body?”

“You are sure?”

“Yes.”

They went to the Medical Centre part of the building. Doctor Willow met them. She greeted with Marion in the traditional manner.

“It’s not a dedicated morgue, but a chill room for medicines with a freezer behind it,” explained Willow.

Marion followed them into the room which was the first she’d been in with electric lighting. Willow removed the cover from the body which was still fully clothed. Marion was puzzled.

“Have you examined the body and had an inquest?”

“Just sufficient to establish that she was dead and how.” Willow lifted the beard and pointed out the tiny wound.

“There is no other mark?”

“You can look. I found none.”

“Yet you didn’t undress her?”

“It would be disrespectful,” explained Bluebell.

“There is no doubt the awl penetrated the critical part of the brain, the gryranton,” explained Willow.

“I don’t know that word, is it something specific to your species?”

“It is,” agreed Willow. “Death would be instantaneous.”

Marion got out a magnifying glass and put on her glasses. She examined the hands, wrists and nails. Then she examined the face and head. “Help me turn her over?”

Marion parted the thinning grey hair and examined the scalp. “No other signs of violence or a struggle. I presume you bruise and the bruises remain after death, Willow?”

“Yes.”

“It’s procedure. Assume nothing. We need to check. Your species does have rigor mortis?”

“It starts after about two hours and peaks in less than eight in an older person,” explained Willow. “It lasts about a day to two days depending on temperature for someone her age. The body will be awkwardly stiff due to the refrigeration here. She can’t have been dead more than three hours as she wasn’t stiff, yet it must have been close to that as she seemed cold.”

“You didn’t take the temperature?”

“I didn’t think it was important,” muttered Doctor Willow.

“You really want to examine the body naked?” asked Bluebell.

“We should. The body core and surface temperatures should have been taken and a full autopsy done. I can’t do that. Cutting off the clothes would be simplest.”

“We’d rather not,” insisted Bluebell.

“First I’ll photograph the wound if you hold the beard, Willow.”

Marion also photographed the entire body. Then they carefully undressed her. Marion photographed the body extensively and changed the film, labelling the removed one. The dead greybeard was more obviously female without the loose clothing. The front was paler and the rear was darker as would be expected due to lying for nearly a week.

“Cover her body and I will examine the clothes. Nossie is better at this, but I thought you’d prefer me to do it?”

“Yes,” said Bluebell softly.

“Men can die in the mines, but violent death of a woman is rare?” suggested Marion.

“Mmm,” muttered Willow.

The jacket and the robes had pockets. All empty. There was nothing remarkable about the underclothes, except the under-vest had a sort of integral band to smooth rather than accentuate the small breasts. The leggings were in two parts like all species wore on the Inamok world. The socks and boots were unremarkable, except the boots were very worn.

“No keys, papers, money or personal items?” asked Marion.

“Foxglove will have them as well as the murder weapon.”

“Were there fingerprints taken?”

“Yes, of course,” replied Bluebell. “They will be on the laptop in Foxglove’s office.”

“Are you using Greybeard Primrose’s office?”

“No, we thought you might want to check it, though Foxglove saw nothing. You can see it after meeting Foxglove.”

They left Willow and headed to the police section of the building.

“I’d rather see Foxglove on my own and then check the office with Nossie. Can you organise a darkroom for us with running water?”

“I’ll arrange it in the house allocated to your group.” Bluebell knocked the door of Foxglove’s office. “Show Lady Marion whatever she wants, Foxglove.”

Foxglove didn’t move to greet and neither did Bluebell, who turned and left closing the door hard.

“She’s not cross,” explained Foxglove. “The door sticks. Now how can I help?”

“You have fingerprints and all the personal items that Primrose had?”

“I do. Also her house and office is sealed. She didn’t have to share the house, being the Greybeard. Bluebell will get the house and office if the Council elects her. She’s only acting Greybeard. I’ll get the effects.”

“You have the murder weapon here?”

“It’s a kind of awl, nothing unusual. It’s a factory produced model that’s common for leather-work. No fingerprints.”

“You all wear a lot of leather, though it’s very lightweight and flexible?”

“It’s mostly from young male goats. We eat the meat, about the only meat we have apart from occasionally chicken, domestic goose or wild deer. The dairy produce is important.”

“You don’t have any factory here?”

“Other Communes have more industrialisation as well as ore processing. We have mines, agriculture, a pottery and the tannery. We don’t weave here.”

“I’ll get my assistants to examine the fingerprints, you identified them all?”

“Yes.”

“So the reason you claim that the murderer is a Fay is the fact that premeditated murder is rare? Seems weak.”

“Not me personally, Bluebell claims it’s so. Perhaps so as to get an outside investigator, we are not experienced in this sort of investigation.”

“Ah, I see.” Marion examined the personal effects. A notebook she couldn’t read, keys, some local coins, a piece of string and a paper bag of what looked like shelled hazelnuts. She supposed it was the season. “The keys?”

“The council parts of the centre here, her office, file cabinets and her house.”

“None missing?”

“I don’t know. Certainly all the keys needed here are on the bunch.”

“Can you show me the office now?” asked Marion. “Nossie and Judith are waiting downstairs. They’ll need to look.”

“I forgot, you’re telepathic.”

Marion smiled. “My Teanga Sióg isn’t so good as you might think, I augment with my Glamour and telepathy. I can’t read it easily.” She wasn’t about to explain that it was Corbie that told the others to come. She put the notebook and keys in her pockets and tested the point of the awl. It was very sharp.

Marion waited in the upstairs hallway as Foxglove brought up Nossie and Judith. Marion handed Nossie the key at the door Foxglove indicated.

“It will be a bit crowded if we are all here,” remarked Foxglove. “I’ll go back to my office and you can bring your people to see the fingerprints later.”

Nossie re-locked the door. “What are we looking for?”

“I don’t know,” admitted Marion. “Just look, Judith and I will watch and think.”

“Did you learn anything?” asked Judith.

“Not really. The Dwarf anatomy is quite different to ours. There are two points, either side just close to the jaw and on the neck, where a stiletto, awl or needle expertly inserted would miss the skull and cause instant death. The head has to be tilted back. They may not actually think there is any Fay involvement. Premeditated murder is rare and they are not confident about investigating it. We need a motive. Most likely it’s someone she knew as there is no other sign of violence. There was no autopsy. She could have been drugged at breakfast time.”

“It’s rather too late to check that now,” commented Nossie. “Still, it’s handy that you have been learning Teanga Sióg as well as High Lorinok.”

“I can’t read it so well yet. I did actually start learning spoken Teanga Sióg at Magi College from Corbie, so that’s why I’m further on with speaking it.”

“Flinn,” suggested Judith. “If the Fay accusation is just politics to get an external investigator, they won’t mind Finn quietly investigating. Has he any experience?”

Marion laughed. “He’s no diplomat, his real job for years was as a spy and an investigator among humans and demi-humans on Earth. He probably even speaks the Dwarf language.”

“So Princess Eilis has deliberately sent him?” asked Judith.

“She’s spent her entire life putting up a façade of naivety and ignorance. I was nearly sure she had. Foxglove seems to have no guile, unlike Bluebell.”

“I don’t see anything out of the ordinary here,” added Nossie. “So we need a motive, but otherwise we are looking for someone expert on Dwarf anatomy that was trusted by the deceased.”

“What about Bluebell? She’s now the leader, the Greybeard,” suggested Judith.

“It’s true that she and Doctor Willow seem to be good friends. However the next Greybeard is elected by their Council. Bluebell is only temporarily acting Greybeard. I’ll take you to Foxglove to see the fingerprints. They must have a Fay made camera as they are stored on the Fay laptop.”

“They do otherwise avoid Fay technology in general public use?” insisted Nossie.

“It seems so. I suppose I’ll have to stay with you to translate.”

Chapter 6: Alice and Grian

Grian and Alice hugged, which surprised Chrissie.

“You’ll have to carry your own bags, I have no servants, though mother has a couple of Valkyries as lady’s maids. Uncle Freyr has a human couple, Beyla and Byggvir as well as Skírnir as a messenger and assistant. He’s hardly here, so it gives them a nice hall to share and no actual work.”

“I assumed she’d be riding with us too?” suggested Alice.

“Not her. Nor Frigg or Heiðr. Actually only the Valkyries and myself go riding much the last thousand years.”

Grian was still standing facing Chrissie and Alice and didn’t seem in a hurry to go anywhere.

“This is Chrissie,” said Alice.

“Why are you here?”

“Freyja said I should accompany Alice.”

“Where are we staying, Grian?” asked Alice.

“A room in Freyja’s Hall. I’ve always lived there when I’m here.” Grian walked off toward the gates of Asgard.

Alice and Chrissie lifted their bags off the triple spiral, picked out in blue stones among the granite cobbles. Though the design was based on horns rather than the tighter spirals used in Ireland and the Fay worlds. The plain stretched into the distance in three directions. Alice presumed it was the Peacestead. The two rooks walked after the women.

Interesting welcome, remarked Chrissie, she didn’t mention Marion’s rooks?

Either she can’t see them or isn’t interested. Look, there are rooks on the wall, probably quite tame.

How does Marion put her Glamour on them? I can see you are right.

I’d have to see her do it. Then I’m sure I could teach you, though I can’t imagine what either of us would use such an enchantment for. It’s probably the same as Glamour you can cast on people with you, but it’s a little baffling it works between Hy Brasil and this Demigod place.

You mean she’s actively sustaining it!

Certainly, because they are Familiars they are an extension of her own mind.

“Marion,” Alice said in English softly, bending to the nearer rook, “do stop that Glamour or you’ll exhaust yourself. Chrissie and I can see them anyway. Also they do have rooks here. I’d expect the locals won’t care.”

“I’ll tell her,” cawed the rook. “I don’t think she’s watching or listening as Flinn told her to concentrate on flying.”

“You rooks hear and see what she is doing?” exclaimed Alice.

“We hear sometimes, when she is explicitly telepathically chatting with us. It might not be really hearing, but her thinking about what she is hearing or telepathic contacts she has.”

Asgard’s gates didn’t look like they had been closed for a very long time. The huge courtyard was empty apart from Grian in the distance. A couple of the local rooks flew down and watched the newcomers. Grian stopped at a doorway and waited for them. She showed them to a room with two low wooden pallets piled with a variety of furs.

“Dump the bags and then we’ll go riding,” insisted Grian. “Chrissie, you can look for the kitchens and see if there is anything for Alice to eat when we come back. Or perhaps Odin will have a feast.”

See you later. Alice neatly nipped out after Grian trapping Marion’s two rooks and the two local ones with Chrissie. Likely they were Odin’s Huginn and Muninn, though usually they had a raven aspect. Alice thought they did seem the largest rooks she’d ever seen and they had the extended grey beaks characteristic of old rooks.

Alice walked around the stallion at a distance. He was snorting, pawing the ground and showing his teeth. He only had a halter.

“He’s real?”

“Oh yes,” replied Grian.

The three Valkyries laughed.

“Your friends?” suggested Alice.

“Sigrún, Brynhildr and Kára,” said Grian, “my granddaughter Alice, known as Princess Eilis ni Manannán among the Fay.”

Alice walked up to the stallion and looked it in the eye. Then she vaulted on, despite her dress, ignoring the tack sitting on the cobbles. The Stallion rolled his eyes. “Storm is anxious to be off.”

The other four mounted their stallions, all just as impressive, though saddled and perhaps a little less frisky.

“She’s serious, Grian?” asked Brynhildr.

“We’ll ride to the orchard groves beyond Gladsheim and see is Iðunn about?” suggested Grian. “Alice has eaten the fruit of Inis Abhlach. She’s curious.”

Alice thought she wasn’t at all curious about Iðunn’s apples, but it sounded like an interesting ride.

Then they were off. Racing thoroughbreds had nothing on these horses. Alice wondered about the demigod definition of real. Danu and Freyja had been rather flexible on it. Alice was sure that though Storm had never been ridden before, Grian could have easily ridden Storm if she’d wanted to. She rode alongside Grian.

“You kept this one wild for me?”

“I did think of you every time I thought of riding him since Freyja mentioned you seemed an unusually good rider.”

“You wanted an incentive for me to make more than one visit. He can’t leave Asgard?”

“Only Odin’s pets can leave without breaking the enchantment of the runes he casts.”

Alice thought that was an ambiguous answer. She sensed enchantment on the Valkyries but not on the horses.

Sigrún rode in on the other side of Alice. “Certainly you are your grandmother’s child, Alice.”

~

The two larger rooks with Chrissie flickered and became ravens. “Come follow us,” croaked one.

Chrissie opened the door and followed the ravens. So did the rooks. Eventually they came to a door in a tower and waited for Chrissie to open it. It seemed to stretch above the clouds. The ravens flew up the stairs and waited at a door. Chrissie followed and opened it. An old man with one eye was sitting at the log fire stroking an enormous wolf. The other was also on its haunches, but resting its head on Odin’s leg.

“This is Geri and Freki, Chrissie,” he said patting each in turn. Then he pointed. “You’ve met my ravens Huginn and Muninn. Your rook friends?”

“Familiars of Alice’s adopted daughter Marion. These two are from Ireland. Marion says they don’t have human names. Why, I’m not sure, as she named two Inamok world rooks.”

“How many has she got?” asked Odin.

“I think she likes to keep most people guessing. She had twelve and four were shot.”

“Obviously an amazing young woman. The Fay bloodline must be strong in her?”

“Not more so than some of the Tuath Dé when they lived in Ireland. Still, there must be a little of the demigod magic in her, like Alice.”

“Indeed Alice is like Manannán in some respects though he’s an original Fay, what you call a founder, rather than part Demigod. No doubt he’s met Lir, but they are not related.”

“I suppose most Founders like to hide what they are,” agreed Chrissie. “Have you met Alice or Marion?”

“I didn’t talk to Alice or Marion at the trial, though I was tempted. Do sit and relax. I’ll talk to Alice later.”

“Grian thought I should check out the kitchens for food for Alice and I. Though actually Grian was only concerned about Alice.” Chrissie sat in the other chair on the other side of the large fireplace. Marion’s rooks flew to the high window sill. The ravens flew up to a beam.

“We’ll have a feast,” insisted Odin. “We don’t often have visitors these days, really only other demigods. It’s a long while since we had Dwarves, Giants or Fay.”

“The Giants, that’s the same folk we call Nephilim?”

“Um, certainly similar, like you Sidhe, the Elves and Faerie are the same kind of thing.”

“Some of us don’t like that idea, though it’s true. Alice’s cousin, Morien, is half Faerie and Elf. Without any magic like Freyja and Grian used.”

“That’s a sore point,” admitted Odin, “so I won’t mention the Elves and Faerie again.”

“I’m not in that faction, I do work for Alice, who while completely Fay, certainly isn’t pure Aés Sidhe!”

“You drink beer?” asked Odin.

“Sometimes.”

A table with two glasses and a jug appeared between them.

“I didn’t see any bathroom? Alice will be wanting a bath.”

“We have a bath house. I’ll show you later.”

Then Odin started muttering and counting on his fingers. “I think we’ll have seventeen Valkyries.” He started again. “Maybe twenty-eight lads.”

Chrissie drank some beer and watched him start a third time. “Perhaps forty-one lasses.”

“The Valkyries are counted separately?”

“You really don’t know?” exclaimed Odin.

“I’ve never met any,” explained Chrissie.

“You’d make a good one if you weren’t Fay. I made them from willing human maidens. Ones that were good with horses already. No demigod could stay focused on a job long enough, except the ones that took on healing for Inis Abhlach. Even then we had to make up the numbers with Fay. The Valkyries are still my willing servants. Occasionally, in the past, one would stay on Earth and marry. She’d then start to age, though still be beautiful in old age. She’d be replaced. I haven’t replaced them since Arthur’s day and the end of the collecting humans for the repository. Few have left. What horse loving maiden would give up virtual immortality here?”

“The lads, the Demigods, don’t bother them?”

“It’s not permitted. They’d not be interested for long anyway. Now they’d find you and Alice interesting. You’d not be fragile.”

“No, though we’d not be willing either. Our magic might not be as strong, but we are physically strong.”

“Oh, I’d say our magic is different, certainly we need weapons to do much hurt. We can’t make Portals.”

“You can’t die, we can.”

“Our corporeal incarnation can be destroyed. That’s inconvenient. It takes ages to get reincarnated.”

“Actually, Alice is pretty convinced you can make Portals. Maybe not you personally, but—” Chrissie stopped realising that Odin was looking cross.

“You’re here to investigate!” he raged.

“I’m here because Princess Eilis ni Manannán is supposed to have a Lady’s maid. Or to be more honest, to make sure she doesn’t happen to someone. Though she’s more mature and thoughtful than she was and was always in reality more than she seemed. I’m not investigating anything. Alice is extremely fond of horses. That’s why she’s here. I think more than any feeling for Grian or Freyja.”

“So what’s Flinn up to?”

“Does it matter to you? He’s not here.”

“I’m curious. Also there is the child, Angus.”

“He’s minding Angus and keeping an eye on Marion. Marion is investigating the murder of a Dwarf Greybeard on the reservation on our world.”

“That’s certainly got to be a first. I remember Marion at the trial. Also her rooks giving testimony. Why are two rook Familiars here if this is an innocent visit?”

“Marion is cautious and nosy. Perhaps she doesn’t quite believe Flinn will look after her interests. Actually she didn’t want Flinn at all. Alice gave an explanation, which is true as far as it goes. I think he is also to investigate the murder. Perhaps Alice either isn’t convinced the Dwarves have been truthful or isn’t sure how good Marion will be.”

“I suppose that makes sense,” mused Odin.

“So is this the Air Throne?” asked Chrissie.

“Certainly it’s the tower of the Air Throne. The Lidskialf is up the last set of steps there on the roof.”

“I didn’t seem to come up so many stairs?”

“It seemed like enough stairs,” insisted Odin. “Were you wanting a look?”

Chrissie thought about it. “I don’t think so. Does it show you anything or only places you know or whatever the Norns decide?”

“Hmm, the Norns. Well, just looking at anything might be hard enough. Sometimes even when you… Truth is I’ve not used it for a long time. I’m not a great fan of the farming much less the industrial things and the big cities the humans do now. We like the hunting, fishing and gathering. It seems very out of fashion.”

Later the rooks told Chrissie that the riding party was returning, so Chrissie went out to the main courtyard. She sensed that whatever the three Valkyries were now, they were not demigods.

“I’ll show you the bathhouse, Alice,” insisted Chrissie. “I’ve used it, it’s all warm and bubbly. You’ll like it. There are towels and robes.” Don’t argue, we need to talk, she added telepathically.

“Thanks for the lovely ride,” said Alice and then she effortlessly sprung off the horse, despite the full dress.

They walked quickly to the bath house.

What is it? asked Alice.

Odin wasn’t very subtle questioning me. He thought we were here to investigate.

That would be pointless. We can be sure that some demigod brought the Skands from Earth to the Inamok world a thousand years ago roughly in Earth time. Surely it must have been Freyja, or some other powerful Vanir, that made the extra Portals for the Skands and gave some magic too. She has the most magic of all those in Asgard. There is no sanction we can apply. We don’t want another war. I reminded Freyja and Odin of the Compact and they agree that it also applies to the Inamok world.

Alice leapt into the pool fully clothed. “Is there soap?”

Chrissie threw a bar and sat on the bench laughing. Alice took off her clothes, soaping and rinsing them. She threw them out one at a time. Then started soaping herself. She sat so as only her head was out of the water when the two men came in.

“Who are you gentlemen?” asked Chrissie.

“I’m Thor the Thunderer and that’s Heimdallr, Lord of the Gates. Who are you two? Fay, I’d guess, as you speak the Teanga Sióg very beautifully.”

Chrissie stood and faced the two with Glamour turned to 11. “I’m Lady Chrissie ni Manannán and you have her highness, Princess Eilis ni Manannán, great-granddaughter of Freyja, at a disadvantage.”

“You are certainly one of the Fair Folk,” exclaimed Heimdallr. “I’d never mistake you for human, Valkyrie or Goddess.”

“Are you leaving till we are done washing?” exclaimed Alice.

“Why would we do that?” puzzled Thor. “You have the one in the water.” He pushed Heimdallr into the pool and stepped toward Chrissie who stepped aside. He grabbed her and was flung against the wall. Heimdallr attempted to get Alice to stand and was flung out of the pool, landing on his back.

“That’s a no,” called out Alice standing and putting on a robe. She belted it and jumped out.

“You two aren’t just playing hard to get?” suggested Thor.

“We are saying no,” explained Chrissie. “We are here by Grian’s invitation and Odin’s agreement, so the Compact applies.”

“Do we need to be more convincing?” asked Alice.

There was no answer, though Heimdallr and Thor looked at each other.

“Open the door for them, Chrissie.” Alice pointed at the wall and quietly said, “Shatter.” A section collapsed.

Chrissie pointed at the door and commanded it, “Remember!” It became leafy branches and disintegrated. Chrissie gathered most of Alice’s sodden clothes. Alice grabbed the rest and they walked out through the hole in the wall.

“They didn’t want to play in the pool,” remarked Heimdallr.

“I’d heard that the Fay have a strange sense of humour.”

Either they said nothing more, or they were now too far away for Alice to hear more.

“There is to be a feast for us,” remarked Chrissie. “Well, for you anyway. Odin sort of lost interest in me after a couple of beers.”

“That may now be more interesting. I imagine they are pretty bored here. No intrigues with Loki, the Dwarves or the Ice Giants for thousands of years. No involvement with battles since the time of King Arthur.”

“Apparently no messing with the Valkyries either,” explained Chrissie. “It seems that they start off human.”

“I’m thinking they still are, but in a sort of waking animated version of what the Tuath Dé called the Druid’s sleep,” mused Alice.

“What ever it is, Odin does it and claims they are all volunteers. In it for the horses and everlasting youth. Seems unlikely to me.”

“But I knew pony mad girls in the 1970s that would have signed up. I’d be sure that’s true.”

“No sex ever unless they leave and grow old.”

“Certainly that might reduce the number of applicants, but it wouldn’t be a problem.”

“Obviously I didn’t meet those sort of human girls in my thousands of years of experience, yet you did in a few years in one small part of Ireland?”

“That’s it exactly. Now I hope I’ve got something suitable to wear to the feast.”

“I said you should have brought the magic bag.”

“I thought it a risky thing. We are not in a real place. I can pop back anytime. I made myself a fake temple in the basement at home so that I won’t be appearing in public on Grian’s triple spiral.”

“How can that work? You’re not a demigod.”

Alice examined her pack. She chalked a triple spiral between the beds. “Back in a couple of minutes. Guard the door and spiral.” She grabbed all the wet clothes, stepped on the chalked pattern and was gone.

Chrissie threw a pillow to the door and sat on it. She wondered were they in trouble for damaging the bath house. They’d been gentle enough with Thor and Heimdallr.

Later Alice reappeared with a faint pop on the chalked spiral. She stepped off, stared at it and it blew away. “What do you think?”

“It’s certainly posh,” agreed Chrissie. “I don’t know that these people do posh. Or dancing. It may get spoiled with boar fat.”

“I’m sure that can be fixed. This is for you.” She passed Chrissie a large bag.

~

“I’ve come to lead you to the feast, Alice,” explained Sigrún.

“Also Lady Cressida of the House Manannán, known to friends as Chrissie. You must announce me as Princess Eilis nic Freyja of the House of Manannán. I should be at the right hand side of Odin, as befits my rank and position in the Five Courts of the Sidhe as Minister for Refugees. Chrissie should be seated among Freyja’s family if they are all attending?”

“Um, I’ll tell Odin.”

Alice and Chrissie were led to the top table after Sigrún announced them. Sigrún whispered to Odin and the seating was changed. The woman on his right moved to his left and space was made beside Grian.

“My wife, Frigg,” boomed Odin. “That’s Óðr between Freyr and Freyja, with Hnoss and Gersemi their daughters. Lady Cressida may sit beside Grian. You know each other, Grian?”

“Well enough, Lord.”

“Sit beside me,” insisted Odin. “I may call you Alice rather Princess Eilis?”

“You may.”

Without further comment the eating and drinking commenced. There was a choice of mead or ale. The food was roast boar, some apple sauce (entirely ignored) and bread rolls (mostly ignored). Alice looked at the body of the hall where most sat either side of a long table. The Valkyries served drink and carved the meat. Alice and Chrissie produced their own bronze daggers to cut and spear the giant hunks of meat that Sigrún served them. There was no cutlery. Brynhildr served Odin and Frigg. Kára and a couple she didn’t know served Freyr and Freyja’s family. Sigrún also served Hermóðr, who sat beside her. A young lad and a younger girl served Thor, Sif and another man she didn’t know.

“Who that is beside Freyr, Sigrún?” asked Alice.

“That’s Skírnir, Freyr’s messenger and vassal, he’s Vanir.”

“Who are the young people serving Thor, Sigrún?” asked Alice.

“Thor and Loki picked them up long ago. Odin and Iðunn keep them as they were. Thialfi and his younger sister Roska. Maybe he was jealous of Freyr having the human couple Beyla and Byggvir as servants, though Thor claims Thialfi injured his goat. No-one knows what Beyla and Byggvir did to deserve being abducted.”

At last Odin wiped his hands, dipped them in the rose scented water and dried them.

“The Compact,” he muttered and took a draught of ale. “It’s truly the twilight of the gods now, Alice. Why did you agree it?”

“My history teacher said because we were winning.”

“That’s a strange reason to shackle yourselves.”

“You want me to speak honestly of our differences? Here, now?”

“No time better.” He looked behind and Alice glanced too. His ravens and wolves were eating.

“You wasted your substance fighting among yourselves. Your ego rejoiced when humans told stories of your exploits, though our war with you was long past then. We took a while to realise the folly of human contact, though we discouraged worship. You aren’t entirely real. You’d be back eventually if we’d destroyed you. Peace was better.”

“By then you’d found your other worlds and later gave the Dwarves sanctuary. They are demi-people, with Earth magic, so could survive. Then very recently, only 2,500 years ago, you started eradicating human magic. I was surprised by the Inamok world.”

“Freyja or someone else told you about a thousand years ago,” replied Alice softly. “It was her idea to send some of the Skandi there?”

“You aren’t sure and I’m not telling.” He laughed. “Anyway we dwindle and wait for Ragnarök while you get strong.”

“You’d not be happy living in real places, you need these trans-dimensional spaces outside of the physical realms.”

“I don’t know big Teanga Sióg words like that,” insisted Odin.

Alice doubted it was true. She’d split her consciousness and had been listening to conversations at the table. Due to her language magic she now understood it and could speak it. She wondered about Marion and her rooks. She’d be foxed in her spying by the fact that Teanga Sióg wasn’t generally spoken here.

“Places that suit your nature.” Alice decided not to reveal she understood perfectly what they called the concept of Asgard.

“You can give us a demonstration of your magic?” asked Odin.

“I rarely do that.”

“You did earlier this afternoon. I suppose you never do it in front of humans?”

“Not since I was a child. Not to any not Fay, though it won’t do any harm here. Shape-changing is enough?”

“What else can you do?”

“Weather, not just lightning. Shattering, remembering. Mage stuff, but not healing. Likely I’d make the sick person explode. I learned grey pigeons first.” Alice burst into a flock of white doves. She changed into ravens dancing in all directions in the air. Then a dragon. She swooped down as everyone scattered breathing a lance of flame on to a large spitted roast boar. She grabbed it in her jaws as she flew past, cracked it and spat out the iron spit. She flew back to Odin’s table and became firebirds, then Alice as she sat down.

“That dragon was impressive Glamour as it defeated the rune I cast to check the ravens.”

“No Glamour. I can shape-change to any stereotypical imaginary animal. Roibeárd taught me, though you have to have the Faerie magic.”

“So you don’t feel the Compact shackles the Fay?”

“Not at all. It keeps the peace. Your affairs are your own, ours are our own. If some Fay interfered here, you report it to the Courts and they will deal with it. It’s up to you to deal with infractions done by your people.”

“Ah. You have something in mind?”

“Not particularly. I’m Minister for Refugees. I imagine if there was any issue that Lord Stefan would be in contact. At least for the five courts. The Elves and Faerie have their own people.”

“Lord Stefan is the Security Minister?”

“Indeed.”

Odin bent over and whispered, “I had considered speaking strongly to Thor and Heimdallr, I’ll just point out you didn’t use glamour for the dragon.”

“The boar is gone and I scorched the table a little.”

Odin stood and looked with his good eye. He looked around. “My Familiars are gone. I don’t blame them. Did you bring familiars?”

“I don’t have any. I had a wolf for a while. Too much bother. My daughter has a habit of sending hers to unlikely places.”

“The adopted human. She’s like the Tuath Dé Lords of old.”

“I suppose she is.”

“Do you think she’d like to be a Valkyrie?”

“None of them have any inherited Magic.”

“Certainly that would be novel. Well?”

“She’d laugh at you if you asked her. Besides it’s wrong to keep humans as slaves, or as pets.”

“Your people used to do it.”

“We stopped. Even Faerie.”

“They are willing,” insisted Odin.

“It doesn’t make it right.”

“Who would serve us?”

“Freyja and Danu had simulacra on Inis Abhlach,” insisted Alice.

“They had no emotion or speech?” asked Odin.

“True.”

“We call those Ellewomen and Ellemen,” explained Odin. “I prefer human maidens.”

“I admit your existing Valkyries are unlikely to want to leave. I expect that they were daughters of poor farmers a thousand to three thousand years ago. The world today would be alien to them. You’ve not even imported technology since the iron age.”

“We do have steel. I saw electricity and computers at Queen Oonagh’s trial. You imported it from Earth?”

“We’ve always been ahead of the humans in technology. We helped them a little up till five thousand years ago. Chrissie would remember. We did always pretend to be behind the times.”

“Grian never said.”

“Likely you never asked her. But it was very long ago that she lived in our courts. I don’t know what technology we had then.”

“You’ve not come to steal some of my Rune magic?”

“Why would I want it?” insisted Alice. “Besides if you are so concerned why did you ask Grian to invite me?”

“I thought I was subtle. I heard her talking about it at the last trial.”

“She’d have forgotten. I expect you were subtle. You are the smartest person here.”

“Freyja is very smart,” argued Odin.

“She’s the most magical, you are the next most magical. She certainly isn’t smart. Grian is much smarter, but you’d mostly not guess as she only thinks about horses.”

“You certainly aren’t overawed by us!”

“Nor is Chrissie. We are Fay, not at all human.” Alice stood. Stand and pile it on, Chrissie.

Chrissie stood too and they both put their Fair Folk projection Glamour to the maximum.

“We are vulnerable, we can live practically for ever, but yet are mortal. So we hide on our own worlds. We will retire while the conversation is cordial. We thank you for the feast in our honour.”

Alice and Chrissie lifted goblets of mead. “All hail, Odin, Lord of Asgard!” they cried.

They both drank and the demigods shielded their eyes from the brightness and beauty. Everyone rose and bowed to Odin, then drank. Alice and Chrissie inclined their heads and switched to invisibility.

“I hate when they do that,” muttered Thor in the language of Asgard.

“They are stunning women without the Glamour,” remarked Hermóðr. “There is no way a human could withstand that, I can see why the Keltoi called them the Fair Folk.”

Odin laughed.

Alice and Chrissie carefully and quietly left the hall.

Chrissie waited till they were near their room. I sense you are very amused?

I know their tongue now, agreed Alice. Do you think we will now be left in peace?

I’d say so, I nearly choked on my beer when you breathed out fire. I didn’t know you could do that.

I didn’t try before, though I think our magic is stronger here because it’s not a real place. Still, we’ll take turns to sleep. Now that we know our invisibility works, can you do some spying instead of riding?

That’s a big sacrifice. Why?

Alice paused while they entered their room. Odin is worried about something someone here has done.

More than Freyja and the Skandi?

Yes, I mentioned it. It’s old news and I reaffirmed the Compact, it’s up to him to deal with Freyja or anyone here interfering. No, it’s something recent that’s making him edgy. He’s invited me to his tower; I guess to find out what I know.

I wondered at Grian remembering, remarked Chrissie. Also Odin questioned me there earlier. Marion’s rooks were there. She’s good, I really have to concentrate to remember about them and see them.

Partly my fault adopting her, admitted Alice, though she was pretty good at spying in our palace. You got the DNA sample like I asked?

From Freyja as well as Grian. Using the rings worked well. I created a Glamour of mosquitoes.

Any thoughts? asked Alice.

Freyja’s body seems human, as you thought before when you met her and Danu at Inis Abhlach. Certainly the Asgard folk are not like the River Demigoddesses I’ve met. Grian seems Fay, but I can’t be sure.

Alice produced a packet of zip-lock bags from her pack. She put two of her rings in and labelled them Odin and Hermóðr. Chrissie took two bags and labelled them Grian and Freyja, then put the rings in.

“Now what?” asked Chrissie softly. “I’m exhausted with the Glamour. You did warn me, but I was surprised at your show. You must be very tired.”

Alice laughed. “It gets easier. We should test Manannán.”

“You don’t believe he’s Lir’s son?”

“No. I realised that was unlikely when I first met Danu and Freyja. Anyway he’s a Founder. They like to pretend otherwise.”

“So what now? You didn’t answer me.”

“I’ll send you home. Take these to the lab along with the two apples in the fridge.”

“I still think you are being too scientific,” insisted Chrissie. “Think of Étaín and Donal. Or your own mother.”

“I’ll think about, I admit magic is involved too.”

“How will I get back?”

“I’ll do the triple spiral under the rug. I think I might hear you if we are both on the spirals I’ve just Jaunted with. Otherwise I’ll Jaunt back after an hour.”

“That should be ample.”

Alice shifted the rug and drew the triple spiral in blue chalk. She then made a mist that coalesced on it. “Try not to smudge it,” suggested Alice, carefully stepping on to one spiral. Chrissie joined her on the next and took her hands. Then they were in the basement of Alice’s house at Caherbeg. Chrissie stepped off.

“This one is engraved and filled,” laughed Alice. “It’s my personal temple. If what I suspect is true, then it’s as real as any so called Demigod temple in the city.”

“How then do you, Manannán and Grian do it?”

“That’s a question for another day. How do you do Glamour or shape-changing?” With that and a faint pop, Alice was gone.

Chapter 7: Chrissie Tests

Chrissie fetched the apples from the fridge, already separately bagged and marked tree on one and box on the other. She wondered how Alice had obtained them. She retrieved her phone and sent a message to Stefan. She made a coffee and waited. The phone pinged. The message simply read; “OK, but what is she up to?”

Chapter 8: Bluebell Asks Foxglove

“I know you’ve only been with them a short while, Foxglove,” said Bluebell, “though surely you have some opinion?”

“I’ve never met Fay or humans. However Flinn is exactly as I’d expect.

Chapter 9: Nossie and Judith

Flinn woke Marion. “It’s time for the funeral.”

Marion quickly washed and dressed.

“Breakfast, Flinn?”

Chapter 10: Marion Watches

“Chrissie,” cawed a rook. The other one just stared at her.

“Ah, how do I know whose Familiars you are?” asked Chrissie in Teanga Sióg.

Chapter 11: It’s Time

“It’s time Alice,” Chrissie said softly. “I suppose you want me to stay here?”

“In the unlikely event of a visitor you can be both of us?”

“Certainly I can cast an illusion of you sleeping.”

Chapter 12: Alice Explains

Alice put her hands above her head and Jaunted on the triple spiral.

Chrissie laughed. “Marion’s rooks told me you were returning so I moved the rug!”

Chapter 13: Searched Again!

“You won’t let us do this searching!” exclaimed Marion. She considered using Glamour.

“It’s unprecedented,” insisted Foxglove.

Chapter 14: Erasure

Flinn took Angus by the hand and led him to the restaurant. He turned to Tansy. “Tables outdoors, I thought the weather forecast is bad?”

“We’ll help move them in tonight.”

Chapter 15: Debate

Foxglove thought that Rósey, Lilja and Tansy were nervous. Nightshade and Blomma were in Bluebell’s house.

“Are we ready?” asked Gentian.

Chapter 16: Weather

Judith woke up shivering. The Dwarves had warned them it might get cold. She pulled on her sheepskin boots and put on her cloak. Judith gently knocked on Nossie’s door, then opened it a crack. “You awake?”

Chapter 17: Asgard

“She’s with the rooks?” asked Chrissie.

“She can’t split her conscious awareness, being mostly human, so to see and hear with one, she loses her own eyesight and hearing,” explained Alice. “I suspect it’s quite dangerous.”

Chapter 18: Caherbeg

As soon as Marion was in the basement in Caherbeg Alice flickered and was gone.

“Who are you two?” asked Marion.

Chapter 19: Court Magician Florien

She could do it, but it was certainly exhausting Florien. Getting the rooks to get him to scry had been the easy bit.

Chapter 20: Alice Organises

Alice emailed Foxglove explaining that Marion was well and she was open to ideas as to how Marion could return before Spring.

Chapter 21: The Safe House

Marion sat with Sigrún, Reginleif, Byggvir, Beyla, Thialfi, Roska and three horses in the back of the massive horse transporter. It was about the size of a big articulated truck, but with windows, stalls, water, straps and seats.

Chapter 22: Grilling

Alice and Chrissie quickly washed and changed after agreeing a time for the meeting. Alice checked her pockets, bags and pack to see if there was anything important.

Chapter 23: Reunited

Kate answered the call. “You busy Kate?” asked Alice.

“Not particularly. Where are you? I heard you were having a holiday in Asgard?”

Chapter 24: Portals

Marion saw there was quite a crowd already in the private departure lounge when she arrived with Alice and Chrissie. As well as the four adopted fosterlings and Lady Niamh there were other people.

Chapter 25: Hyacinthus

Gentian led Marion to Hyacinthus’s house as the library was closed.

Chapter 26: Inamok

“I’m glad you’ve come, Marion,” said Alice. “I can’t be translating for Greybeard Gentian and Empress Megra. I was worried you’d not come in time.”

Chapter 27: Frostlilja

Marion easily sensed Frostlilja’s surprise. Alice closed the Portal, but Marion sensed it still existed. The trip to the Citadel had taken more than the six hours needed, but beat trying to cross a continent on horse or as a wyvern in cruel winter storms.

Chapter 28: Refugees

Alice read the letter sent through the College Portal to her. Presumably too urgent to wait for the schedule in Hulremokineer.

Chapter 29: Final Report

“I want to give my own report to the Council while everything is fresh in my mind,” argued Gentian. “Can you dictate yours to Frostlilja and have her translate a copy?”

Chapter 30: Distribution

“See, it wasn’t a problem, Chrissie,” said Alice.

Chapter 31: Caherknock

“Marion, can I ask you something?” asked Eibhlinn as she served porridge for breakfast.

“Go ahead.” Marion concentrated on putting honey on her porridge.

“Have we ghosts or loose tiles or something? There are funny noises at one corner of my ceiling.”

* * *

The End

The Celtic Otherworld

Contemporary travel to Otherworlds are mentioned in Celtic myth and legend. Meet the Tuath Dé, Sióg, Aés Sidhe, Elves and Faerie. Also set in Limerick, Ireland and Wychavon, England.

Court Grave, Lough Gur, Co. Limerick

Unlike Greek and Roman myth, there are many Celtic Otherworlds that appear to be magical and often inhabited by the Fair Folk (Fay, Fairy, Elves, Sióg) or sometimes the Tuath Dé (later called Tuatha De Danann). They are not realms of the dead.

Manannán Mac Lir led the Tuath Dé away to the Otherworld over 2500 years ago. Except for them it’s been more like 600 due to the time-slip. The Portals were often at Court Graves, Raths and other ancient Irish sites. Today Tuath Dé culture is a crazy mix of Mediaeval to Nineteenth Century styles. Now the Magi Council and the Druids of Ollathair have wakened the Sleepers, the Morrígna, (Badb, Macha and Neamhain) and the rest of Manannán Mac Lir’s Aés Sidhe Warband.

The Talents Universe

The Talents Universe series are all stories connected by characters with the mysterious Talent, of which there are seven kinds, or with some involvement of the Caemorian Empire, a world 80,000 light years away from Earth (Tellus) on the other side of the Milky Way. Apart from Jump Drive for the starships and the psychic like Talent, the Science Fiction attempts to be compatible with known science.

Circle College campus, Caemoria.

Mostly involving the activities of the Caemorian Empire, a single planet 80,000 light years from Earth. They are about 5000 years more advanced. Their culture dominates nearly a third of the Milky Way. Anyone developing Talent, always at puberty, must be trained in the Circle College on Caemoria.

Many of the stories involve Maisie Kelly from Ireland the only person from Earth with the special Talent. The time scale is contemporary, and as we didn’t notice any giant starship visiting, it must be an alternate reality?

Trader’s Isle

The Trader’s Isle series is set in mediaeval like world without Black Powder. The massive world wars and loss of much technology a thousand years earlier was bad, but the rise of the Sorcerers called the Silver Wolf Heads using the Arinopean Barons as puppet leaders was a disaster for the Isle of Amrat and the people curiously called Traveller Folk, even though they are not nomadic.

The painting is a detail from Le Jardin de Maubuisson by Camille Pissarro (1830-1903).