CHAPTER 7

—--Day 23

Sarah woke up to Azrael sucking on her neck. He was nuzzling and pushing with his paws. She giggled and said, "Are you trying to milk my neck, you silly boy?" She kissed him and rubbed his little head. She got up and put him in his pouch until she took care of the bathroom. She noticed her ears itched and she scratched her ears and found points. Her underwear was full of hair. Her body hair in her arms was gone. She flipped out. She wiped and jumped up from the toilet and grabbed her mirror. Sure thing, pointed ears, eyebrows slanted, no body hair. She drew water for a bath. She stoked the fire, put a log on and put the kettle on to heat up. She kept pacing.

It hit her in her thoughts. The gypsy lady said I was about to change. She grabbed the scarf and remembered, 'You will change you know? Soon, very soon, you will be one of them like he told you, but you thought it was the babe. You have been bitten long ago and it takes time for it to build up inside of you to cause change.'

She thought about it, 'Jareth said Toby would be one of them forever, if she lost. He never said a goblin. I was bitten long ago by a fairy. Is that what she meant by it takes time for it to build up inside of you to cause change? What builds up, Magic? She said I had my own and other magics inside of me I didn't know about. The book did say, "But what no one knew was that the King of the Goblins had fallen in love with the girl and he had given her certain powers." Whatever powers he gave me is inside of me too. Oh, this is just so weird. I have been in the Underground for three weeks. I guess it's enough to change me. I'm not human anymore and I don't know how to use magic.' Azrael started crying.

She brought a little piece of moss with her and laid down and fed Azrael, rubbing his tummy. She was fascinated with his tiny little baby feet. They had the most perfect black soft pads. When he was done she sat up and got him to go to the bathroom. She got up and tossed the moss on the fire and took the boiling water off the fire.

She laid back down and was playing with Azrael on the bed. He did a high pitch howl, was grunting and smacking at, or trying to, put his paw on her hand. She giggled at his noises and antics. She said smiling, "You're so adorable, Azrael." She put him in his pouch when he got tired and got up to have her bath. She twisted and pinned her hair upon her head. She washed all of the body hair from her body. At least her head wasn't affected. She shook out her clothes out the window and wiped down the bed.

Sarah got up and got dressed in her girl clothes, as she called it. She wore an all black outfit, skirt, blouse, corset, leggings, boots and her belt over it. She put fifty gold in her hidden coin purse under her skirt hanging from a ring on her belt. She had her knife, other coin purse on top attached and her boot knife as always in place. She brushed her hair and put each side back in hair combs. She put on her green earrings, owl pendant and a bit of makeup. She filled the tiny bottle and put on her pouch and cloak. She put her gloves in the inside pocket. She went downstairs for breakfast.

Sarah sat down at the counter and Kelvin came in from the kitchen. He stopped dead and stared at her. Sarah looked up at him and locked eyes.

He said, "Sar?" Sarah nodded.

He walked over slowly and said, "I didn't know you were fae. I mean… I thought you were human… Not that it's bad either way, but… Wow! You're so beautiful and you have such dark, almost black, but very dark brown hair. I've never met a fae with dark hair before. Only blonde and red haired people live here. But, you're not from here, you're from far, far away." He smiled. "You want breakfast?" She smiled.

She said, "And tea, please?" He smiled back at her. He went and got her tea. Sarah put six coppers on the counter.

Kelvin said, "Here you go. I'll go get you a plate. We have eggs, potato hash, mutton and toast." He turned and went into the kitchen and came out with a plate of steaming hot breakfast. It smelled wonderful to Sarah being her dinner was ruined.

Sarah said, "This looks wonderful. I'm extra hungry this morning." She dive in

Kelvin said, "You didn't have to leave last night. I'm so sorry that happened."

Sarah said, "I was embarrassed. I know he deserved it but I hate having to revert to violence."

Kelvin said, "That's because you're not a thug like Burr is."

Sarah took a sip of tea and said, "Was that the tree's name?" Kelvin started laughing and Sarah giggled. She continued eating. Kelvin went and got a plate and sat down next to her and ate with her.

Kelvin asked, "So Sarah, I asked my brother last night if he knew anyone who had unicorn milk and the girl he's seeing has some. I asked him to find out if she could sell you a cup. It's going to be pricey. I thought I could take you to meet him and we could see what he says?"

Sarah took a sip of tea and said, "Sure. I'd like that." Kelvin smiled. Sarah pulled Azrael out of his pouch and held him up to show Kelvin.

He smiled and said, "He's so little."

Sarah said, "I know. Azrael, I want you to meet Kelvin. Kelvin, I want you to meet Azrael. There you're both introduced." Kelvin shook Azrael's tiny paw.

Kelvin said, "The pleasure is all mine, Az.. Azreal." Sarah giggled at his antics.

Sarah pronounced, "Azrael. It means 'dark angel', where I come from." She put the pup back in the pouch.

Kelvin said, "Fitting."

They finished their breakfast and Kelvin had his helper watch the counter. He walked Sarah down to his brother's store. They walked in as the bell tinkled over the door. Devlin came up front. Sarah took down her hood and was looking around. Devlin stared wide eyed at Sarah.

Kelvin said, "Quit staring at my friend. Devlin, this is Sar. Sar, this is my rude brother, Devlin." Sarah found Devlin still staring.

She giggled and said, "It's really funny when they get stuck like that."

Kelvin asked, "What's funny?"

Sarah whispered, "Brothers. They are strange creatures."

Kelvin snapped his fingers in front of his brother's eyes and said, "This one's stranger than most. Snap out of it! Yes, she is fae. Yes, she was the one last night. Yes, she has dark hair. Yes, she comes from very, very far away." Devlin blinked.

Devlin said, "You're so incredibly beautiful."

Sarah smiled and said, "That's only because I have great hair." Devlin and Kelvin chuckled.

Kelvin asked, "So what did Darcie say last night about the milk?"

Devlin said distractedly, "She said that she'll sell you a cup for ten gold. I brought it back to the store in a half pint bottle in the back. I already put a stasis spell on it. Do girls where you're from have dark hair like yours? I've only seen humans with dark hair like that."

Sarah counted out ten gold on the counter and said, "Yes they do." She slid the money over to him. He took the money and counted it quickly. He went back and gave her the milk in a cute smaller bottle with a stopper.

Sarah asked, "Where can I get a couple quarts separately of goat's milk? Oh wait, I can't put a stasis spell on anything."

Kelvin looked confused and said, "I'll do it. Why can't you?"

Sarah looked at the ground and said, "Because… I was never taught magic. I was raised by humans." Which wasn't a lie. Devlin and Kelvin gasped.

Devlin asked, "You don't know anything at all?" Sarah shook her head no. " No wonder you fight so we'll. You have to so you can protect yourself." Sarah nodded yes.

Kelvin said, "We can teach you some while you're here for the next six days. Enough to protect yourself and get by until you can be fully trained." Devlin nodded yes.

Sarah smiled, "I'd love that. I was afraid to ask anyone in case they thought I was stupid."

Devlin said, "Your many things but stupid isn't one of them. To have survived without magic is like cutting off both of a fae's hands. It becomes part of who and what you are when you're raised with it. Being you weren't makes you extremely skilled at everything else you learned in skills. What else, other than fighting, do you know how to do, Sar?"

Sarah said, "Archery, singing, survival training on how to live off the land in the wilderness in all seasons, academics, math, and books."

Devlin said, "Archery? Have you ever been in a competition?" Sarah rolled her eyes.

Sarah said, "I won first prize at the Flower Festival on the first day."

Devlin excitedly said, "That was you! I was there that day and saw that and the joust between the Goblin King and the Unicorn King."

Sarah said, "Yes. I saw the joust too."

Devlin said to Kelvin, "That purse was fifty gold. She competed against 150 others to qualify. That's no easy task she even beat out the elves that entered."

Kelvin said, "Wow. You did that, Sar? That's amazing." Sarah nodded yes.

Sarah said, "My teacher was a top competitor. He was amazing and human." They shook their heads.

Devlin asked, "Sarah, that necklace you have on is really beautiful. You know that is the Goblin King's crest don't you?"

Sarah said, "I was told that after I bought it but it was so pretty, the abalone shell. I just love owls."

Devlin said, "Heard you have a wolf pup?" Sarah nodded and pulled Azrael out and showed him to Devlin.

Devlin said, "Look how tiny he is."

Sarah said, "He's three weeks old."

Devlin said, "I'm glad his mother killed the guy but not the other babies."

Sarah turned to Kelvin and said, "You spilled all my secrets did you, you naughty man."

Kelvin put up his hands and said, "Only to my brother. I swear." Sarah grinned and hip checked him. Kelvin nudged into her shoulder. Devlin laughed. She put her puppy back in his warm pouch. Sarah started looking at all the pretty things in the glass display counters on shelves.

Sarah asked, "Do you have magical jewelry?" Devlin showed her one of the display cabinets. She saw an old silver Celtic scrollwork ring with an insert oval Dendritic Opal and two emeralds on the sides in the band.

Sarah asked, "What is this one?"

Devlin smiled and said, "You go for the most powerful piece in this whole cabinet. It's a self-protection ring. The wearer can't be harmed by all magic. It wasn't made by me. It was acquired in an estate sale about fifty years ago. The ring is very, very old and was owned originally by a wizard from over a millennia ago."

Sarah asked, "How much do you sell it for?"

Devlin said, "For you? I'd sell it for twenty gold. You need it, not just want it." Sarah pulled out her hidden coin purse and counted out twenty gold coins. Devlin took it out and handed it to her. It was self sizing. She looked at it armiring it in her index finger on her left hand.

Kelvin asked, "Sar, how do you have so much gold?"

Sarah laughed and said, "Maybe I sat on a leprechaun, maybe I didn't. I got a pot of gold to stand up again though." The brothers laughed at her, not realizing what she said was a twist of words to make it true.

Sarah asked, "Did you know the wizards name? Did you test it out?"

Devlin said, "The old wizard's name was Merlin, I believe. Yes, I did test it with my brother here. He threw a mild curse at me and no matter what he threw it didn't do anything to me." Sarah blanched on the inside. She thought, 'Oh my God, I have Merlin's protection ring!'

Sarah smiled and said, "It's old and beautiful. I just love it. Thank you so much, Devlin. It is very much appreciated."

Devlin smiled and said, "You're very welcome, Sar."

Kelvin said, "Let me take you to the market and get you a couple bottles of milk, ok?" Sarah nodded yes. Sarah brought her hair to the side, put her hood up and put on her gloves after closing her cloak again. She smiled and waved goodbye to Devlin and followed Kelvin.

They walked up to a market store and Kelvin held the door open for her. A beautiful blonde fae woman came up to him. Kelvin said, "Darcie, this is Sar. Sar, this is Darcie. My brother and I grew up with her, but we turned out ok, after the experience." Sarah laughed and Darcie smiled. She took down her hood and shook her hand. Darcie gasped.

Darcie said in wonder, "Your hair. It's so beautiful and dark."

Kelvin said, "She comes from very far far away. She even talks funny." Sarah laughed and shoulder nudged him.

Darcie laughed and said, "Kee and Dee are big blabber mouths." She whispered, "They tell on everybody. I can't tell you how much trouble they got me in." Sarah laughed when Kelvin pouted.

Kelvin said, "Our parents knew she was the corrupting influence and she tried to ruin their innocent charming sons." Sarah laughed. Darcie rolled her eyes. Sarah thought they were funny.

Darcie locked arms with Sarah and said, "You need goat's milk right?" Sarah nodded and raised a brow at Kelvin.

Darcie said, "Devlin blabbered this time and Devlin talked in his sleep." The girls laughed as she took her to the milk.

Darcie gave her an extra pint bottle for the extra milk once she filled both up. Sarah said she would give it to Kelvin for his kitchen supplies. Sarah and Kelvin made it back to the inn and Sarah went up and got her bottle of milk and brought it down.

She started mixing until she had two quarts of milk mixed, one spelled, one not and a little bit she put in the half pint small bottle. Kelvin put a stasis spell on her other quart. He said he was going to teach her the stasis spell.

Kelvin said filling up an ale for a customer, "Can you make a crystal?" Sarah thought, 'God please don't make me look stupid.' Sarah did the wrist movements and a sea green crystal formed in her hand.

Kelvin asked, "You ever do that before?" Sarah shook her head no.

He asked, "That was your first time?" Sarah nodded yes.

He said, "Most fae don't get a round crystal until their twenty five." Sarah thought she was twenty five so it fits. Sarah spelled both the little one and on the tiny feeding bottle. Sarah kissed his cheek and offered him money but he said he wanted to do it for her. He went in back and brought them both out sandwiches and got her a wine. Sarah fed Azrael when he woke up during her lunch.

Sarah spent the rest of her week there learning magic and having fun with Darcie, Devlin and Kelvin. They were wonderful friends and funny together. On the last night they all had dinner together at the inn, they all said they wished she didn't have to go and that they would miss her.

Sarah said, "I 'wish' all the love, happiness and prosperity to all three of you for the rest of your lives. Bless you all." The magic swirled and this time not only did the fae's see it, but so did Sarah. All three gasped with huge eyes.

Darcie said, "You… have the… power of wishes? Oh my stars, you gave us love, happiness and prosperity for the rest of our lives? That's the most… the most unbelievable gift that anyone could ever give." Darcie jumped up and crushed Sarah into a hug.

Darcie whispered, "I love you, my friend." Kelvin and Devlin got up and both wrapped arms around Sarah and Darcie, all together.

That night, Sarah took a bath, washed her hair, washed her clothes up, laid out her men's clothing for the ride and packed up all her bags. Sarah laid in bed looking at her rings on her hands and said out loud, "I guess with both rings of luck and protection against magic, I don't have to be afraid of Jareth being angry and hurting me anymore. I 'wish' the Goblin King can see me here now." The magic swirled and settled. Sarah rolled over and snuggled with Azrael falling asleep.