We followed the same path we came by, only above ground. There were a ton of rocks up here to climb over and between, but I was glad to not be trapped underground this time. From the tops of rocks, I was able to see more of our path and not get so dizzy. My muscles were killing me though. I think we were all feeling it. After the relaxing weeks in the tiny cottage, we were not used to this anymore.
We collapsed when we finally made it to the edge of the forest near the hob colony. The hobs were nice enough to bring us some food before we passed out for the night. I kept my hand on Cearo’s the whole night.
The next day, we decided to take it a little more slowly for two reasons. One, our muscles were aching like crazy. Two, we were back in the thick, thorny underbrush. We couldn’t move very fast through it without the snow to cover our tracks. We’d only gone a few miles by the time night fell again.
Before we all dozed off again, Cearo told us the gate wasn’t actually much farther. It only seemed so because of how slow this area had to be traversed. She estimated we were only half a day away now. Mom and Eric were relieved. Neither Cearo nor I were jumping for joy. We set up a quick camp for the night and held onto each other’s hands one last time.
Cearo was talking in her sleep again when I woke up. It was same familiar language that I didn’t understand. When I moved, she gripped my hand tighter and her words became more urgent. I shook her awake. She jolted and gasped what sounded like “key-in.”
“It’s okay. Just me,” I said. She came to and watched me for a moment. Then she nodded to herself and let me help her up.
We got to the other side of the forest quicker than Cearo had thought. Beyond it was a small field with a rock arch right in the middle. It was maybe a football field away from us. So close but none of us moved beyond the tree line just yet.
“I take it that’s the gate?” Eric asked.
“Yes,” Cearo replied.
We still didn’t move. “It kind of looks like part of Stonehenge.”
“I am not sure who made Stonehenge, human or fae,” Cearo said. “I do think it was created as an attempt to get to this realm.”
“Did it work?”
“No. These gates are naturally occurring. They cannot be built. This arch was only built here to make the location visible.”
“What’s on the other side?” Mom asked.
“A cave. Go east. You will find a road to a human settlement in a few miles.”
“Right,” Mom nodded.
Still no one moved forward. “Does anyone else feel like something’s about to happen?” Eric could have been reading my mind. I had a weird feeling, but I didn’t know why. Mom and Cearo nodded slowly.
A branch snapped and we all whirled around. Cearo’s hands were on her belt of knives before the fairy hit the ground. He was still dizzy from his fall when the blade was buried in his neck. He had not been alone though.
Everything in and around the field shook, and at least two dozen fairies were surrounding us. The ones closest to us smiled and one gave a huff of laughter. They were way too excited for this.
“Shit…” Eric and I breathed at the same time. It was everyone’s cue to move. Cearo whipped her belt off and shoved the weapons at me. The fairy nearest threw a burst of flame at her. Mom made the ground roll to trip him, sending the fireball upward instead of at us. Another Seelie did the same ground roll to Mom. I armed Eric and myself with the knives and we immediately started swinging at whatever came near enough. Eric tackled one that got too close to Mom.
It was a free for all. We tried to run every which way but there was no breaking through. The Seelie started using their elements more, knocking us down, trapping our feet in the ground. Mom and Cearo tried to counter as much of it as they could, but when the rain started, it was next to impossible. It was hard to see through it, and my grip on my knives was slipping.
A shape grew in front of me, walking much too calmly to be my friend. I had just succeeded in pulling my foot out of a muddy hole when I saw the glint of metal. I managed to block his dagger with my own. He came at me again and again, surely knowing I wasn’t very good at this and that he’d win eventually.
“Here, I’ll make it easier for you, human,” he said to me. The rain tapered off to a sprinkle.
I could see better now at least. I didn’t bother thanking him. Keeping his dagger away was still taking all of my focus. The sudden cease in the rain had caught the attention of a yellow-eyed fairy. He was watching us now, enjoying the show even though anyone could see the ending coming from a mile away. The dagger was getting closer and closer to it’s target with every thrust.
Suddenly, a scream sounded over the fighting. It was Eric. With more force than he’d been expecting, I shoved my opponent away. He stumbled for one step and that was all I needed to turn away from him. My attention left him. I was already sprinting toward my brother.