Lucky XIII

I hope you'll like it, so hopefully enjoy.

MS

Quirk grabbed her sack and climbed on the bed to deal with prisoner's injuries. Woman laid with her eyes closed. Quirk saw wet trails on her cheeks. Nuada's attack must have been fierce. Quirk approached woman's face and reached out her small hand to wipe off the blood.

Woman opened her eyes and did not allow her to do so. Quirk spoke to her gently

"My name is Quirk. I'm a Green Fairy. I will not hurt you. I just want to take care of it.." her eyes focused on blood stream.

"I don't need your help" - the woman answered coldly fixing her eyes on the ceiling – " I want to be left alone" – she turned her head away.

Quirk hesitated. She searched her sack, and pulled a small bottle and a rag. She moistened the rag with red liquid and slowly approached woman's face.

"Please…. allow me. This will ease your pain.. she spoke gently reaching out her hand – "I also have to see your other wounds. I really don't want to call in Wink to help me…..

Nessa turned her head and allowed the fairy to wipe off the blood

"Now take a deep breath" – Quirk asked as she pressed the rag to her nose – " this should lessen the pain"

Nessa eyed the creature thoroughly. She has never seen a fairy before. This one was small about 1,5 feet tall. She had a pair of barely visible wings. She was dressed in close - fitting green outfit. Her skin glowed pale green. As well as her hair, eyebrows, eyes, and lips. Her forehead and temple were covered with emerald tattoo-like forms. Nessa assumed these were some kinds of runes. Fairies were Gods' minor servants. They were protected directly by them. And they obeyed only to whom they chose to. It aroused Nessa's interest; why would a free fairy choose to serve such scumbag?

Quirk felt Nessa's hesitation. She granted her with a friendly smile and said

"Don't be afraid, I'm not trying to drug you. This is a herb mixture. It disinfects the wounds and anaesthetizes. No fear. You can trust me. I really want to help you."

"Why? What do you care? You master wants me dead anyway.." Nessa replied locking Quirks eyes – "How does it feel, to bread a chase game for him?"

"I'm only following Master's orders" spouted Quirk – "And believe me, if he wanted you dead, you would be dead right now. So will you inhale this, or you prefer to suffer.." Quirk's tone became rough

Nessa examined fairy's eyes trying to sense a trap. They seemed honest, and at some point even worried. This way or another, she didn't have much choice. After elf's action, her inside burned with fierce fire. It was very painful. And she needed to turn off the pain, to focus. As Rhys always said There's always a way out. It's just some of them are obvious and the other demand searching.… Nessa smiled slightly. She will find a way out of this mess. With this strong belief she took a deep breath.

"That's much better" – Quirk's face lightened – "One more… and one more.. Very good. You should feel it working right now."

Nessa's face relaxed in relief as the pain started to fade. Instead she felt pleasant warmth spreading all over her body. She opened her eyes and looked at Quirk,

"Thank you. The pain stopped…" she gave her a weak smile – "So what now?"

"Now I have to change your bandages.. Will you allow me?" fairy asked

"And do I have a choice?" woman asked ironically. As Quirk shook her head, Nessa smirked – "I do not… well just like I expected… Get on with it…"

Nessa relaxed and watched the fairy as she untied the lacing of the shirt she wore. She realized that the shirt didn't belong to her.

"Whose is it?" – she asked

"What? The shirt?" Quirk's brows went up – "Master's" she added focusing on removing soaked through bandages. "Master gave it to you, as your own clothing has been destroyed during the fight"

"How honorable of him..' Nessa pursed her lips

Quirk however didn't listen. Her brows crooked as she rested her gaze upon the wound. It was bleeding severely again.

"Damn, you're bleeding again. You shouldn't struggle so much, It doesn't help healing! Quirk snapped

"Sorry, it's just the way I am. Just cannot stand still. And guest what? I'm not going to be anybody's toy!!" Nessa snapped back

"Alright, Alright… just calm down, I need to fix this…" Quirk's tone became gentle again

Nessa strangled inner anger. This thing was helping her, only because it was ordered to keep her alive. For his entertainment. She clenched her teeth. She had to get out of this. And this fairy was the only chance she had. And she didn't have much time. Elf said that he was leaving. He didn't say for how long, but it was the only time she had to act. She rested her gaze upon Quirk's tilted head. She was doing sth to her wound. Nessa felt that fairy tried to be very gentle, not as she was dealing with just another prisoner. Nessa's mind raced. Perhaps, she would manage to gain her trust, and then use it to escape. She had to try out every option. It was the matter of life and death.

"So Quirk, tell me something about you. You come from Mielikki The Blue Cloak right? How did you end up, healing me in this gloomy place?"

"Like you really wanted to know…" Quirk stopped bandaging her chest and gave her a doubting look – "I can do it, but for a price… I will answer all your questions IF you answer mine. Mind that I'll know when you lie. A little present from my Forest Mistress" – she replied with a roguish smile

" Worthy opponent, ay?." Nessa slightly smirked – "Ok we have a deal. I'm not going anywhere.."

"Ok finished here" said Quirk – "Now I need to see your arm. I will have to untie it. Don't do anything stupid, ok? Wink already isn't enthusiastic about you. And I won't hesitate to call him if you come up with something. Will you cooperate?"

"Yes I will, promise…" Nessa sighed. She was to exhausted to fight. – "I really wish to stretch my legs. My muscles are all stiff. Do you think I could get up just for a moment?"

"I'm afraid it's impossible for now. But Prince should be back within 5 days. It's his decision as you belong to him now." Quirk freed Nessa's hand and helped her remove a sleeve.

5 days. I have 5 days. I need to hurry… Nessa's mind was again possessed with one thought. Escape.

"Prince didn't put you here for his safety. He did it to protect you against yourself. You're a strange creature you know? Why did you do it? Why did you try to take your life away?" Quirk crooked her head

"Because I didn't want all this to happen" – Nessa's answer was very quiet –" I was weak, I was not able to sacrifice a frie… a human's life . So I offered Gods' mine in exchange. Guess they didn't like it." – the memory of Jon's state made her inside strain – "Ok, now your turn. What brought you here? Why do you willingly serving…him?

"The simplest answer would be, because I want to.." Quirk shrugged

"Aand more complexed would be..?' – Nessa investigated

"He saved my life. I owe him everything." Quirk articulated

"How melodramatic… I should have guessed." – Nessa scoffed – "You see, I know when you lie too. It's not a gift from Gods, rather an ability. Maybe I'm young, but I hate to be taken for fool. I don't care what you are doing here, I just want to know why. Now, the truth? Or we finish here."

Quirk's face remained serious and still. Nessa's scornful smile faded, as the fairy spoke.

"You're right. Green Fairies come from Mielikki. The Forest Lady brought us to life to assist her in managing her reign. Although it was ages ago, she had already foreseen that humans are threat to her domain. Our domain. She gave us power to heal trees and animals. The most powerful among us were even able to heal the ground, to make it fertile again. At first there were many of us, which allowed us to control human's proceedings. Unfortunately Earth wounds became more and more severe, as humans came up with more ruthless ways of exploring its resources. Our population, deprived of home, started to shrink. More and more of us lost their lives in this unequal fight…." Quirk's voice trembled. She sighed and continued – "I watched my tribe slaughtered, and our grove burned to the ground. Just because we tried to prevent some humans from destroying the trees in our forest. I watched their faces as they took our lives away, one by one. I still see them, although the years should have erased them by now…" Quirk's eyes now burned – " I was spared, because one of them knew, that Green Fairies can heal.. They took me and intended to sell me on some slave market. I spent weeks locked in a small cage, in darkness, tied to a saddle. I had to heal wounds given by my family. … Eventually, grief took my healing powers away from me. I needed a forest to recharge my vital energy, but they stuck mainly to towns and stinky taverns. Green Fairies are bound to the forests, without them their magic fades, and then we die. Humans noticed, that I became useless. They were mad that they wouldn't earn on me. But they wouldn't just kill me. They had to make it spectacular…" - now Quirk's face grimaced in pain – " They hanged me on a tree and made me a target. It was a game. They bet on who would kill me first. I prayed for accurate throws. My torment would probably stretch to hours, if it hadn't been for Master Nuada. I believe he was Lady's messenger. He killed them all. They squirmed like pigs, begging for mercy…." Quirk studied her hands in silence.

"So that's how it started.."- she continued after a while – "Master released me. My arm and ribs were broken, and my body was a wound. He asked me if there was anything he could do for me. I asked him to take me back to the forest. I wanted to end my life right where it had begun. He took me there. Once he laid me on the ground I felt, that it was not my time. I gathered all my strength to heal myself. The process was not complete. I was too weak. He offered me shelter, and protection till I'm absolutely cured. It lasted a week; Master Nuada took really good care of me. We enjoyed our company, we spent nights having these long conversations. He was happy to see me recover… One day he just said: Your wounds are healed Quirk. I really treasure your company, but now you're free to go. The forests are awaiting you. It was when I decided to stay. And to be honest… I have never regretted this decision. And I don't think I ever will." Quirk nodded as if she wanted to add more power to her statement.

"Now your turn.. I also want to know what you are doing here. Master Nuada wouldn't bring in a human, just like that. There must be something more to it. I'm all ears.. And please don't lie…" Ouirk smirked at Nessa threatening her with a finger.

"To be honest… I don't know it too" Nessa shrugged " I mean, we had a little…. argument in a tavern, but I would never suspect you master would fondle his pride so much to bring me here…"

"What is your name?" Quirk asked leaving Nessa astounded

"Nessa…"- she replied hesitantly – " Why? Does it matter?"

" Well yes it certainly does." Fairy frowned – " I like to know who I am talking to… So Nessa, pride is the only thing the Prince has now. But it's not me who should tell you these things…. So what did you do to him?"

" Nothing big, just taught him manners. He mistreated a girl in a tavern. So I had to straighten him up… With his lance. That's all. I didn't even touch him.. Well maybe stung him a bit, but I'm sure I did him no harm…"

Quirks eyes widened in horror – "You did WHAT? You took his lance? That was very stupid Nessa, extremely stupid.!

"Well, now I guess I know.. Now it's a little bit too late for regrets. So what will happen to me? – Woman asked

" I don't know. I really don't. It is true that master Nuada wanted you badly. You were his obsession for a time. Yes, he wanted to kill you. But now, I really don't know what he's up to. He brought you here and ordered to save you. I have no idea what his intentions are. Perhaps he doesn't know it either. You impressed him, Woman. That's unique. Now you need to rest. I will check on you. Sleep" Ouirk finished tying Nessa's hand to bed.

"Wait.. I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I didn't mean to disrespect you." – Nessa spouted quickly

"Disrespect me with what?" – Quirk's brows went up in surprise

"I accused you of lying to me." – Nessa answered- " It just seemed very unbelievable to me, that this elf would save your life. I have extremely different view on him. I'm sorry. I would have killed those scumbags too."

"That's ok. And you don't know many things about my master. Perhaps you'll have a chance to see him as I do. If not, you'll simply die poorer. Have a good rest."

Nessa watched the fairy as she left the room. Her story was touching. It was true, humans were dangerous creatures. Self- indulgent, greedy, ruthless – only such attributes came to her mind. Her work was nothing more than satisfying the needs of darkest side of human nature. There was one more thing that puzzled her. Quirks loyalty towards the elf. She knew that many slaves remained loyal to their masters, no matter how bad they were treated. But Quirk was no slave. She laid for a moment allowing her thoughts to drift. Finally sleep took her away.

****************************************

Nuada watched the sun beams sparkling on the lake's surface. Nature was the greatest artist. He could admire its creations and never get tired of them. Although he preferred nighttime, the view of water-sun serenade pleased him. He laid down lacing his fingers behind his head. The big day has come. He finally knew where the humans had hidden the crown piece. He was supposed to meet Nathaniel, the only one of his kind, that shared his dream of regaining the glory of Unseen Kingdom. Nathaniel was the one that Nuada could trust. They pledged to awake The Golden Army together, and return to the old order; the Elves as a superior race. Nuada smiled at that concept. He will do what he has to, and then he will have a lot of time to convince his father and sister that is was the best way. Sooner or later they would understand. He was brought back by his servant's voice

"Master Nuada?- he heard fairy's voice

"Yes, Quirk, what is it?" – he sat and turned his head to face the fairy

"Your nose…. " Quirk hesitated – "Would you like me to take a look at in before you set out?"

Nuada' hand went up and touched the nose. It was not broken, but it hurt. Nuada's face grimaced in pain. That damn human was really good in injuring him.

"Yes Quirk, I'd very much appreciate anything that would stop the pain…" – he smirked – "But yet, another lesson learned. Never come to close to the prisoner…"

Quirk smiled back and didn't comment. She just approached the elf and hummed a simple enchantment. Within a moment Nuada felt as nothing ever happened.

"Thank you Quirk. I don't know where would I be if it hadn't been for you. You're my treasure." Nuada smiled at his little servant making her beam and blush at the same time.

"If it hadn't been for you Master, I just wouldn't be here"- she whispered

"Quirk, I'm setting out today. I'm leaving Wink to help you with the human. If she causes any trouble to you, just tell Wink. I've instructed him what to do. Be careful. As you can see, she's very cunning and dangerous,. Don't be mislead by her looks. I saw her in action. Just keep her alive till I come back." Nuada stated. Then he added "When she gets better, you can untie her and take her out. I want her to regain full strength. But remember, ALWAYS HAVE WINK BY YOUR SIDE. Understood?" Nuada's voice became commanding

"Yes Master Nuada" – Quirk bowed

" Good. I wouldn't forgive myself if anything happened to you. Now come, I need to pack some things before I go."

They left the clearing leaving the sun behind. The sunset was breathtaking, just as it knew that it was an introduction to one night that would trigger the avalanche.