Episode 31: Part 1

After the retreat of the Fomorian invaders, the army of the Four Faerie Courts took up positions around the town of Somerset Valley, hoping to use the time to regroup and plan for a final push into the Underworld where the warlord Balor still remained. While squads of Elven soldiers went about patrolling the streets of the town, the shaken civilian population emerged from the buildings and houses where they had been imprisoned for the last few days. Despite having endured a direct monster occupation, the sight of the Elven soldiers clad in medieval armor and weaponry was still a bit strange and unsettling for the local humans.

Upon liberating the campus of the local college, the knights felt joy and relief when they saw some of their friends emerge from the auditorium they were held in. Stephen and Laura exchanged pleased smiles while watching Kayla give an exhausted smile and bury herself in Quinton's arms. Nearby, Eliza had also thrown her arms around the necks of Connor and Noelle to greet her friends with relieved hugs. As Detective pierce stepped out last after the other people, he stopped in surprise when he saw Kristen with the other knights. She was still holding her staff and wearing her green Druid's robes. She was dirty and disheveled from the battle and froze in panic when she saw him.

"Kristen? I… is that you?" he asked stepping forward slowly. "Are you also involved with all these monsters and magical things?"

"Damon! I uh… I can explain," she sputtered in alarm, "Okay… maybe not right away. It's complicated. I didn't mean to hide anything from you and…"

She was silenced as her boyfriend put his arms around her and kissed her, "I don't care about all that right now. What matters is that you're here and that you're safe."

The Druid gave a relieved sigh and hugged him back before he gave a laugh, "You know, me being a police detective and all… this is pretty embarrassing for me."

"What, that you got saved by a girl?" she smirked.

"No, that we've been together this long and I never figured out that you were some kind of wizard."

Kristen patted his cheek and shook her head, "Druid actually… but we'll sort all that out later."

As the knights and their friends regrouped, they decided to help any other students and citizens that had been hurt or trapped in the attack. Many homes, stores, and buildings had already been damaged or destroyed. If this new Faerie army was going to busy itself with waging war on the monstrous Fomorians, then the people of Somerset Valley would get back to work cleaning up and rebuilding their town.

Amid the celebration of the freed townspeople and the victorious Elves, the droning sounds of bagpipes began to echo in the air playing a triumphant tune. Most likely they were coming from downtown area as a group of soldiers from the Spring Court began to play. Laura groaned in dismay and covered her ears, "Oh my goodness! What is that dreadful racket?"

The others couldn't help but laugh as Quinton grinned and puffed up his chest, basking in the noise of his Scottish heritage, "Ah come on Laura, nothing like the sound of some Highland pipes to put some fire in the blood, right?"

The Winter Knight rolled her eyes, "There's a fire in my blood to go find some earplugs right now. Kristen, you wouldn't happen to have any in your shop… would you?"

Their mentor grimaced and began walking back toward town, "I can try looking… if my shop is still standing."

Later that day as evening fell over the town, Kristen gave a dismayed sigh as she rummaged about the ruins of her store. She was accompanied by Damon and Connor to help pick through the place while the two gargoyles Scratch and Yum-Yum scurried about and did their best to move small bits of debris from the main floor. After setting up some lanterns to provide light, Damon gave a grunt and pushed aside a wooden beam that had fallen, "Cheer up Kristen. I know it looks bad, but we can always fix it up again… I just wonder how you're supposed to report this kind of insurance claim."

The Druid gave a dispirited look and dusted off a cracked mirror before putting it back on a shelf, "I'm sorry. I just… it's hard seeing the place trashed like this. I put so much of my time and effort into this business, you know?"

Connor swept aside some broken glass with a broom before stopping to pick up Yum-Yum, "I know what you mean. This place was kind of like our home base and to see what the Fomorians did here… well, I guess it just makes me feel kinda violated. But like Damon said, we'll help fix the place up."

Kristen snorted and tried to make light of the bad situation, "Thanks Connor. I hope you don't mind putting in some overtime to do that."

The Summer Knight chuckled, "I'm a starving college kid remember? I'll take whatever bribe I can get."

At that moment, the bell above the door jingled as Noelle stepped in and gave a light knock, "Hey everyone… sorry to interrupt here. A bunch of people were getting together over at O'Doyle's pub to help him out tonight. He said he had something for the five of us so if you're not too busy…"

Connor glanced over to his boss and Kristen nodded, "You guys go on ahead. I need to find something here first."

"I'll help too," Damon added as he took the broom against the wall.

Connor set down the pudgy gargoyle and gave him a wink, "All right then. You and Scratch stay here and help Kristen out, okay? Can I count on you?"

Both of the little creatures gave a nod and dutifully got back to work while the two knights left the store. They strolled down the street hand in hand surveying the aftermath and damage from the Fomorian assault. As they walked, a cold autumn wind blew and Noelle gave a small shiver, "Oh wow… I didn't realize how cold it's gotten. Now I wish I stopped back at the dorm and picked up some heavier clothes."

"Lucky for us the pub is just a few blocks away," Connor said as he took off his red zip up hoodie and put it over her, "I'm surprised O'Doyle was still letting people into the bar. I figure he'd be waist deep in cleaning up the mess too."

"I think he wanted to try and help keep everyone's spirits up," Noelle said idly, "These last couple days have been rough of everybody… including us. If we're going to go try and take on Balor in the coming days, we can't do it with heavy hearts, right?"

"I can't wait for this conflict to be over," he agreed as they stopped at the door of the pub.

"It will be nice to have some extra time to just relax and live a normal life again," she said thoughtfully, "Or as normal as this place will allow."

"And I know just how I want to spend some of that extra time," Connor smiled as he gave his girlfriend a hug and a kiss, "Now… shall we?"

The two entered the pub and were pleasantly surprised by the sight of several local students and townspeople having an impromptu party. A warm fire crackled in the fireplace to give off some heat and warmth while some of Eliza's bandmates played some music in a corner. In the other corner of the room, a few surviving beer kegs were cracked open and the patrons there each took a glass and enjoyed them while chatting with their friends and classmates.

"Good old Mr. O," Noelle smiled before she and Connor were waved over toward the bar where their friends waited. As they stepped up to the counter, Quinton passed them all some shot glasses while Mr. O'Doyle took his place behind the bar.

"What's all this?" Connor asked in amusement, "You guys said Mr. O'Doyle needed us for something."

"That's right my boy," the old Druid chuckled as he reached down and pulled out a tall bottle of liquor. "I need you five to help me get rid of this bottle. When the spriggans came through, they wrecked most of my bar… but not all of it."

Connor examined the label, "Jameson's Limited Reserve, eh? This should be some pretty good stuff."

"Figures the spriggans would leave the Irish whiskey behind," Laura smirked playfully.

"Be that as it may… I figure now's as good a time as any to crack it open," O'Doyle said while pouring it in the glasses, "I think we earned a little respite before the final battle."

As the Druid continued to pour, Stephen wrinkled his nose, "Umm… there's a slight problem here. Laura and I are still technically underage."

Quinton shrugged with a smile and passed them their glasses, "That's okay. I think we'll make a little exception tonight."

The two younger knights exchanged a look before raising their glasses with the others.

"Slainte (good health) everyone!" Connor said invoking the traditional Irish toast before everyone took a gulp.

"Erin gu bhrath," (Ireland Forever)" O'Doyle added as he paused and took a drink from his own glass, "Now… let's enjoy ourselves for one more night!"

After a night of moderated festivity, the knights awoke the next morning and readied themselves to join their fey allies in the final push against Balor's entrenched Fomorian minions who still guarded his lair. For them, it felt good to be able to celebrate something positive again in the company of their friends and loved ones. It felt even better to finally be on the offensive and take the battle into their own hands… a battle that the five of them eagerly awaited.

They made their way out to the edge of the valley where the rocky slopes of the region opened up into the cave systems which the Fomorians used as a gate to their stronghold. A large force of Alliance soldiers stood guarding the caves while a small band of warriors from all the courts waited by the main entrance of the cave. Kristen had joined the knights and gathered together as Lord Gwydion of the Summer Court gestured to the opening in the rocks, "That way leads to the stronghold of Lord Balor. The Four Courts have assembled a small band of its best soldiers to aid you in reaching the throne. It's our hope that you will be able to reach Balor and end the One Eyed King's reign of terror for good."

"We appreciate the help Lord Gwydion," Laura said, "But we're going to be going into unfamiliar territory. Will you be able to tell us what to expect?"

"I'm afraid not," the Elf said as he shook his head, "If anyone will have the best luck overcoming the darkness and dangers of the Fomorian caverns, it will be you five."

Kristen cleared her throat and stepped forward holding a large tick green candle, "Here. You five might want to use this too. I spent all knight looking for it in the ruins of my shop."

"What is it? Some apple scented Yankee Candle?" Stephen quipped while raising an eyebrow.

The Druid shook her head, "No. This is an Unseelie Candle. Many fey monsters and pitfalls that lie deep in caverns and dungeons are often warded or invisible. The light of this candle should help protect you and reveal the dangers along the way."

"Oh joy," Quinton said hesitantly as he took the candle.

After calling upon their armor and drawing their weapons, the five knights and their Elven escorts began making their way into the mouth of the cave. Before they entered with lit torches and flashlights, the other fey soldiers who were present gave a salute and stood at attention. Lord Sigurd of Winter gave an even nod toward Laura and her friends, "Know that the five of you go with the hopes and wishes of all the people of Faerie behind you."

"We'll wait as long as it takes for your return," Kristen added as she stood back and tried to keep a brave face, "Please be careful and come back to us."

The assault team gave a wave and made their way into the dark caves to find the lair of Lord Balor. As they walked the knights led the way holding their bright flashlights while Quinton lit the Unseelie Candle and used its glow to help guide their way. With help of some of the Elven soldiers, the knights made their way further into the winding darkness of the caverns which went deeper and deeper into the earth. Everyone remained tense and kept their weapons at the ready, expecting danger at every turn. As the tunnels opened up into some larger caverns everyone halted as they saw crowds of the Fomorian minions mobbing the path.

To their shock, the spriggan soldiers and lesser monster soldiers didn't attack but simply stepped aside and cleared their path. The knights and Elven warriors exchanged uneasy looks and hesitantly made their way forward letting the crowd of soldiers guide them as the path opened. Of course, all the monsters and spriggans regarded them with murderous looks and growled threateningly, but it was as if they had been ordered to stand down and let the enemy pass. As they continued on unopposed past the monsters that would otherwise be cloaked in magical darkness, Quinton muttered quietly, "I don't like this. It all seems too easy. I'm willing to bet Balor is leading us into a trap."

"He probably is," Stephen answered grimly, "At least we'll get to fight him fresh instead of battling through this horde. Either Balor is up to something, or he's extremely confident in his ability to take us on. Both are not pleasant thoughts."

"If we've learned anything from the bad guys, it's that they always seem to have an inflated opinion on their own strength, "Laura mused, "Right now, let's stay sharp and hope that's Balor's going to underestimate us too."

Eventually, the five friends were led to a pair of large doors which opened up into the Great Hall of the Fomorians. A few long wooden tables for feasting lined the way and stood off to the side as the path forward led to a large iron throne. Sitting upon the seat was a large powerfully built figure with an intimidating visage. The tall warrior lord was dressed in regal furs and assorted pieces of jagged armor. Upon his head was a horned helm with an iron crown sitting atop it. The most striking feature of the figure was the steel eye patch he wore over one of this sockets. Even from a near distance, the knights could see a fiery energy which radiated from the edges. As the assault team entered, the warlord sat back against his throne and gave a smile, "So these are the famous knights of Somerset Valley. I've been wanting to meet you for some time."

"You told your troops to stand down? You wanted us to come here that badly?" Stephen called out.

Balor smirked, "Of course. I had to see you all for myself. What better way than by extending the ancient fey customs of hospitality to you?"

"I see you're not used to accommodating visitors," Noelle quipped grimly as Balor began to laugh again.

Laura gripped her rapier and pointed it toward the monstrous warlord, "If you've got something to say, then say it already Balor!"

The warlord growled and slowly rose from his chair carrying a large waraxe. As he did, his patched eye began to burn and glow even brighter with its malevolent eldritch light, "I've waited centuries to get my revenge on all of you. If I destroy you here, I'll take away the champions of your human people and the very glue of your precious Faerie Alliance. Make yourselves at home here friends. You are not going to leave these chambers alive!"

A/N:
The magic candle is a nod toward the reader dguice. If you're reading, I'm sorry I couldn't quite work in an official plot or monster attack centered on the Yankee Candle Company. This was the best I could do my friend but thank you though for your suggestions!