The next few days were much like that. The fae did not eat, and Brookvoice explained that while they were able to eat and drink, they did not have to. "Most do, on occasion, simply to enjoy it." Apparently they did not need to sleep, either.
Notaku had also finally asked is Brookvoice was male or female, and it was explained that fae had no gender. "We are born as infants from the earth, and given to be raised by they who are willing."
"Oh! Wow. So there are fae cubs? Er...children?"
Brookvoice smiled. "Yes. They are simply called children, or innocents. I am sure you will see some when we reach our lair. And so, we refer to ourselves by name when we can, and are quite comfortable with 'it' as a pronoun."
"Oh." Notaku wondered what fae children looked like, and found himself eager to meet them.
Later that day, it began to rain, startling Notaku considerably at first. Concerned for his paper belongings, he hugged his pack to his chest, looking up at the sky. He knew what rain was, but had only seen it perhaps three times in his life. "Here," said one of the fae. It took the leaf from around its waist (there was nothing underneath but smooth skin) and handed it to Notaku. "This will protect your parchments."
Notaku smiled, and thanked the fae, wrapping his bag completely in the leaf. Once sure that he would not lose the record of his journey, Notaku was able to enjoy the warm, fierce rain, actually laughing and running through the puddles. And for just a little while, he was able to forget the grimness of his quest, and the darkness of what he had gone through so far. It rained through the night, but Notaku did not mind. He put his pack under a large plant and curled up in the rain.
Halfway through the third day, Brookvoice pointed up into one of the trees, where after a moment, Notaku was able to make out a dwelling of leaves. A natural ladder of vines led into the dwelling, and fae face poked out to wave at Brookvoice. Brookvoice waved back.
As they continued, more and more dwellings were apparent if Notaku really looked. And it was very strange, that while the forest itself remained blurry, the fae and anything they made or wore were in perfect focus. Notaku asked why this was so, explaining that normally, he wore glasses.
At this, Brookvoice stopped and turned around to explain. "Mortals do not look at fae with their eyes. They do not hear fae with their ears, or smell fae with their noses." Notaku frowned and cocked his head, eager to hear more of this. "You, Notaku, what do you see when you look at me?"
Taken aback by the question, the young bear looked Brookvoice up and down and described what he saw. Brookhaven smiled, and nodded his head. "It is as I suspected, then. You see us as we are. Those of pure heart see fae exactly as they are, with nothing changed. Those of evil heart, when they look at us, see horrid beasts whom they must crush beneath their heels, or kill with their swords and maces. And those are the ones whom we kill. Those of vain heart tend to see us as pretty, glittery things with iridescent wings and sparkly eyes." Notaku giggled at the thought of Brookhaven being all glittery. "There are many legends that describe fae folk as having wings, and that is why. Those we do not kill, but we do not permit them to enter, either. Tell me, the stories you hear of folk coming to this place, and never returning...who are they who never return?"
Notaku thought about this, and realized that he was not quite sure. The stories were never very specific. All they said was that grown warriors had gone in and never come out, and he told Brookvoice this.
Brookvoice nodded. "Grown warriors, yes. There are very few who can escape a fae's bow. But we never kill those of pure heart, only those with a heart to kill or conquer. And as for children, we never kill or harm children. In the rare instances where children become lost here, we will either help them get home safely, or they come to live among the fae until they are old enough to decide where they want to live. For sometimes a child's home is unsuitable for it."
Notaku turned this over in his mind for several seconds, before he nodded his head. "That makes sense," he decided. After all, he had heard of people who even hurt their own children. No one brought up in the Barbic way would understand such a thing.
The fae smiled, rested his hand briefly on Notaku's head, then continued to lead the way.
Their destination was a big, open clearing that sort of reminded Notaku of the assembly area in the Valley. It was clear of logs and the like, except around the edges, which were lined with them. It was obviously a place of gathering. Brookvoice made a noise like wind, making Notaku blink, then simply stood quiet. Soon, a fae adult who looked no older than Brookvoice did, leapt lightly down from an overhead tree branch. Despite its youthful appearance, Notaku had the feeling it was very, very old. "This is Windsong," said Brookvoice. "Windsong is our chief Guardian."
"Oh," said Notaku, nodding politely at the fae. "Hello, sir."
The fae was a bit taller than Brookvoice, with wild, dark green hair that reached its waist. It was clad with a loincloth of leaves, and a slim dagger held onto its waist with a green vine. It looked very wild. Windsong favored Notaku with a slight smile, and spoke in a soft baritone. "There is no need for such formalities, though I appreciate your respect, young Notaku. Please call me Windsong."
"Okay," he agreed.
"There is someone that I would like you to meet, before we continue our conversation."
"Er...okay." Caught a bit wrongfooted, Notaku waited to see whom he would meet. He had the nervous feeling that whoever it was would determine greatly how he was regarded from then on. But he was completely surprised when a tiny fae climbed down a nearby vine ladder to stand at Woodsong's side. Its eyes were a clear green, its hair the same dark green as Windsong's. It wore nothing at all.
"This is Earthkin, my child. Earthkin is very young for a fae...were it Barbic, Earthkin would be five years old or so."
Woodsong nodded to the beautiful child, smiling, and the child approached, and to Notaku its eyes held the very essence of innocence and wonder. "You're a mortal!" said the child eagerly. "But you're not human, are you? Are you an archer? Why've you got fur? Are you a beast? Are you a grown-up or a child? Do you like to play? Where are you from?"
Notaku blinked, quite overwhelmed by the barrage of queries, and then laughed delightedly. "Um..." He glanced at Woodsong, who looked very pleased, then back down to Earthkin, trying to remember all of his questions. "Er...yes, I am mortal, but not human. I am a Gummi bear...Barbic. I'm not an archer, I use a sling...I'm not a beast, all Gummies have fur. I'm a child for now. I like to play, and I live in the Valley."
The child started to ask something more, but Windsong chuckled and put a hand on the child's arm. "There will be time for talk later, little one. For now, he and I must talk."
"May I stay?"
"Certainly, but you must be quiet, unless you've something to add to what we are saying."
Looking pleased, Earthkin sat on a log and watched, swinging his feet up and down. Notaku looked quite bewildered, and was glad when Windsong explained. "There are several tests that determined whether an outsider can be an ally to the fae. Most never get past the first...and that was how they act upon meeting the border guardians." A nod to Brookvoice, who stood nearby, watching interestedly. "Most who come here come with the intention of gaining power, or of conquering those who live there, and do not make it out alive. And even those who are not of evil heart are too selfish to be admitted. The second was your honesty. Fae can tell if a person is lying, and you did not."
Notaku blinked, and scratched his head. "Wow, I wish Barbics could tell that!"
Windsong chuckled. "I do not doubt that you do. It is a gift of magic that we receive from the earth. The third test was simply observing how you acted, and realizing the sincerity of your actions. You thanked the vine that helped up stay on your feet, and the tree that gave of its fruit. You fertilized the new growth when Brookvoice suggested it." Notaku's face grew red under the fur, making him look a bit tawny. He laughed, shaking his head. "Earthkin here was the final test. Fae children will refuse to approach anyone who is not pure of heart. Children always know, and fae children more than any."
Notaku stood there for several moments, taking in all that had been told to him. It was strange, that this fae made such a big deal out of things that seemed like second nature to Notaku. Simple respect, and honesty. "I'm...I'm honored," he said. "But it wasn't really anything special, I mean...I was just being me. You know..."
The smile that Windsong gave to Notaku reminded the boy very much of his parents, and felt at once both comforted and homesick. "But that is special, Notaku." He smoothed the youth's hair back and continued talking, in a slightly brisker voice. "And so. Word has reached my heart that you seek a blue gem, taken from the volcano a week north of here."
Notaku nodded. "I have to put it back, else the - it's a volcano?" Windsong nodded. A volcano! That could explain the danger! Notaku knew that not only did volcanoes spit molten fire into the air to course along the ground, but it also somehow affected the ground underneath...or maybe it was the other way around. Either way, Notaku better understood why it was such a threat. "I...I guess the gem's magic keeps the volcano calm. Without it, it will destroy my Valley and kill everyone."
"How do you know this?"
"Our mages got visions. They said that only someone under thirteen, and who acted the right way, would be able to do this quest. So this is my Rite of Passage."
"It is true," said Windsong, "that an adult would very likely fail in his task. You see, oftentimes among faekind, and according to what we know, thirteen is the age when the earth allows a youth to understand the things that begin to take his innocence. Before then, his mind is innocent. If he acts otherwise, he is simply mimicking what he sees in adults, and can be taught the right ways. Afterwards, it is still possible to teach, but far more difficult. And so, only someone whose heart is pure, and whose spirit still retains its innocence can hold the gem without it destroying him."
"That's what happened to that first human!"
"Yes. It killed him quickly, simply advancing the corruption that was already there, and manifesting it into a physical malaise. It reduced his body to bones in a matter of days."
Notaku gave the fae a searching look. "So...you guys have the gem?"
"We do not have it; the earth has it. It has been put in a safe place, and we watch over it."
"Oh. Well...hold on, how come you guys have kept it here, and not brought it back."
"May I answer that?" piped up little Earthkin eagerly.
Windsong smiled at the child. "Of course."
Earthkin stood up from the log, nearly bouncing with energy. "One of us did go and get the gem from the caves." He mentioned a name that sounded like a rushing river, or waterfall. "He and his friend went and got the gem, and left the parchment. But the caverns aren't magic. The volcano is, though! It's got a lot of magic in it, that's why the gem's there to..." He looked at Windsong, a slightly bemused expression on his face.
"Balance," the adult suggested.
"Oh yes! Balance! The gem balances the other magic. See, the volcano has a lot of stone magic, and fire magic. And we're water magic and earth magic, and growing magic." He looked around at all of the jungle foliage. "And the magics are so different that we'd die if we tried to go there. So we had to keep the gem safe until a person who could get it to the volcano got here!" He paused, and then added, "Your Valley is magic too. Earth magic, and Air magic. We could go there because it's not so different, but we couldn't stay long."
Notaku frowned, a little confused. "So...so because you use the magic of water, and fire's the opposite, they kind of...can't clash?"
Earthkin shook his head, his mop of hair shaking back and forth. "No, we are magic. See, mortals have spirits. Fae have magic instead! They do the same things, like telling you what's right and wrong, and letting you feel things, they're just made of different stuff."
Blinking, Notaku tried to imagine what substance a spirit could possibly be made of, and asked the child if he knew. Earthkin shook his head.
"Though we fae know many things, and can see many more, we do not know everything. I wish we did...that way my child here could not get into so much mischief!" Windsong looked down at the tiny fae who grinned big and gave an innocent look that wouldn't fool anyone. Notaku giggled. "But you are weary," said Windsong. "And you are injured. I have seen what the humans did to you, and I only hope that they try to enter here, for we shall make sure they hurt no others."
Notaku winced, and looked down at his fur, which was filthy and bloodstained, and shivered a bit. He almost said "I hope that too," but then he remembered Gregor, whose body lay by a large boulder in the middle of the desert, and bit his lip. It was sometimes easy to say, that one wished a certain person would die, but when it came right down to it, death was not something to take so lightly.
Windsong put a hand on Notaku's shoulder. "You have a few hours until dawn, my young friend. Brookvoice can clean you up, and tend your wounds. You can visit those who live here for a bit before you go to bed, and tomorrow, we will take you to where the gem resides."
Notaku gave the fae a grateful smile. "Thanks. I mean...I dunno how to thank you for all this help."
"There is no need. You have gone through many trials, and proven yourself quite well enough. We have helped very little; it is you who have fulfilled the requirements of your journey. Now go on. Use the rest of this night to rest, and enjoy yourself, without the burden of your responsibility weighing you down."
The boy nodded, as the fae turned to leave. Little Earthkin stayed, though, eagerly taking Notaku's hand. He rather thought this implied a great deal of trust, allowing the child to stay in Notaku's company without the parent being there with him. He felt flattered. "Come! I will show you where the pools are! Brookvoice, you're going to come too, right?"
"Of course," said Brookvoice's soft tone. "Someone needs to accompany you and keep you out of trouble."
Earthkin made a snort as if to say "Pah!" and began to lead Notaku into the foliage.
There was something very refreshing about being in the company of the fae. The purity of their magic and the energy of the Jungle were very powerful indeed, and Notaku could see why some people wanted to conquer it. How could they resist such power?
Earthkin lead Notaku into a little grove, where Notaku was surprised to see many natural pools and fountains, as well as a little waterfall. The little fae kept pointing out the different areas of the water area such as swimming pools for romping and playing; bathing pools with a waterfall for cleaning and bathing, and other pools for simply relaxing. Steps of vines and soil lead up and down to the many different levels. There were a few young looking fae children laughing and roughhousing in one of the swimming areas, a couple of adults lounging in what seemed to be a hot spring, and one fae bathing under a waterfall.
"You can take off your tunic and put it in the water, and it'll get clean," said Earthkin. Notaku agreeably took the wraparound from his waist and placed it in the waters of a shallow bathing pool. "I am going to go play in the swimming places, okay, Brookvoice?"
Brookvoice nodded and ruffled the child's wild mane of hair. "You behave."
"I shall! I promise!" With that, Earthkin darted off towards the wrestling youngsters.
Brookvoice led Notaku over to an area near a wall of earth, in which there were many recesses. The fae reached into one and brought out what looked at first like cloth to Notaku, but upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a very soft, flexible bundle of leaves. Brookvoice handed this to Notaku. "These are for cleansing," he said. "They will clean your body, get the filth and the blood from your fur. That must be very uncomfortable."
Notaku nodded, crouching down in the water. "Is there...is there no soap?"
Brookvoice scowled, the expression actually frightening on its ageless face. "I sometimes forget the things that mortals make and use, that hurt the earth and her creatures."
Notaku scowled at this rebuke, and then it was his turn to be offended. "Barbics do not harm the earth or her creatures! If we hunt, we do it so that there's no unnecessary pain, and we thank the animal's spirit. Our soaps are made so they don't hurt the earth. Everything we do, we keep the earth in mind!"
Brookvoice blinked, looking quite taken aback, and looked at the offended cub. And then he spoke. "My apologies. Fae sometimes forget that not all mortals are alike."
Notaku finally nodded, accepting the apology, and on impulse, asked how old Brookvoice was.
"Not very old," it admitted. "I have seen only ninety seven summers." Notaku's brow rose. "Fae age at different rates. But I age fairly slowly. Were I mortal, I would have seen perhaps seventeen summers."
"Ohhh..." So not very old at all. That explained Brookvoice's quick (thankfully mild) temper. "Got it."
"Anyway. Go ahead and bathe up. I will wash your back, places not easily reached, if you like." At Notaku's surprised look, he chuckled and said, "Among fae, modesty means very little, and there is no shame in helping another bathe or the like."
And oddly enough, Notaku found that he really didn't feel embarrassed. He shrugged agreeably. "Thanks."
"You're welcome." As Notaku used the soft leaves to bathe himself in the waters, Brookvoice took a second bundle and gently scrubbed Notaku's back. It hurt a little bit, but as the lashes were more than halfway healed, it was little more than a twinge. "So many humans are evil," Brookvoice whispered as he looked at Notaku's back. "So many are cruel. How one of Earth's creatures could have gone so badly astray. I can't understand it."
"Me neither," said Notaku.
"Well...hopefully the waters will help. They have restorative qualities." He explained that this meant it would help him heal.
"When people bathe, where does the dirt go?" asked Notaku.
Brookvoice smiled. "It doesn't go anywhere. The dirt is cleansed from the body, and the waters cleanse it into something that's not dirty. And it simply goes back into the earth. You see, fae do not deal with disease, or infection, or the like. This place does not allow such things."
"That's why you can't die?"
"Well, partially. We cannot die of sickness or old age. We can, unfortunately, die in combat. Though it is extremely difficult to kill a fae, it is possible. But yes, we are immortal in that we do not age once we hit a certain point in our development. What many mortals call the prime of life."
"That must be nice," said Notaku quietly.
"Mostly it is. We are very grateful for this gift." Notaku rather thought that Brookvoice sounded a bit wistful. "But it looks like you are nearly clean, Notaku. Perhaps a few moments under the water to cleanse your face and hair."
"Good idea!" Notaku ducked under the water, and was astonished at how cool and refreshing it was on his face. He stayed under as long as he could hold his breath, shaking his hair around in the waters, and actually feeling the filth leaving it. When he surfaced and stood up, he felt one thousand percent better than he had before coming into the Jungle.
He retrieved his kilt, which indeed was as clean as it had been new, and decided to toss his cloak in as well. A few moments' swishing got it clean and bright. "Thanks," he said to Brookvoice.
"You're welcome. And now, feel free to wander. I daresay many of the innocents, and likely many adults will want to pester you with questions. We do not often get mortals in here, and the children and those not on border patrol rarely see them. Some of the younger ones have never seen a mortal before in their lives."
Notaku giggled, simply because he felt good. "I don't mind!"
"I am glad. Well, I've got to get back to my patrol. I am certain that we will meet again, Notaku."
"I hope so." He watched the fae leave, finding he meant every word. He liked these people a great deal.
Notaku spent the rest of the darkness hours meeting the various fae who lived in the Jungle, and Brookvoice had been right; many people asked him about mortal life. He did not mind telling them, especially the wide-eyed children who asked. He realized that he was as much a novelty to them, as they were to him.
And once they tired of asking, Notaku spent a good deal of time simply playing among the leaves.
Before bed, Notaku saw Big Brother, who had been fed and even groomed. He was resting among the trees of the little area Notaku was led to for sleeping. He grinned and hugged the giant horse's leg, which was all that he could reach. Big Brother snorted and nibbled on Notaku's hair. He giggled, stifling a yawn.
Notaku was shown a soft patch of moss to sleep on, and he thought he had never found a more comfortable bed. It really must be wonderful to live here, he thought.