Chapter 500: Haste is advisable

Demi was surrounded in…butterflies. Or just floating motes of bouncing colors. Mason held her to his chest and looked around the fey, slowly breaking into a smile.

“It worked. I didn’t even struggle. Like it didn’t seem to change anything, you just came right along.”

Demi looked around with wide eyes and a growing grin, eyes sparkling with all the color and light. Mason made sure to keep her in a firm grip.

“I know it looks and sounds amazing. But remember what I said. Don’t let go of me, understand? Don’t go chasing whatever shiny…”

“Look at that! Do you see that?” Demi pointed at some kind of tree-man that glanced at them then vanished into the forest.

“Demi…”

“I know, I know, don’t let go. You could just carry me, if you want, then I

can’t

go running off.”

Mason blinked and realized that was a very good idea. He lifted her into a princess carry, and she kept on beaming until Stag ran up at full speed and made her shriek.

You’ve brought the seed again. I suggest you hurry through.

“He’s

beautiful

.” Demi reached out to touch the creature, which took a step back and snorted. “Here boy,” she said. “I won’t bite. Do you know him? He seems to…”

“Yeah he’s too grumpy for that. He’s the bonded stag I mentioned. And I’m pretty sure he understands anything you say. And he probably bites.”

Demi pulled back her hand.

Tell me where you wish to go, ranger, and I will lead you. Haste is advisable.

Mason winced, hoping his plan wasn’t a mistake. But he didn’t fear the fey nearly like he did in the past. First of all, he could actually

see

it properly (and suddenly wondered what Demi was seeing, exactly). Second, he had a guide, and third—he had a much more free, terrifying patron god.

And that wasn’t counting his growing familiarity with the place and its creatures. So it seemed even less wise than usual for whatever lived here to screw with him. And it wasn’t that easy to screw with him in the first place. At least not and get away with it. No more ‘banishing’ him from the fey. He’d come right fucking back.

“I’m dropping the seed off in Nassau,” he said. “Then we’re going to your ‘satyr king’. I have a lot of questions.”

Stag stared.

Mason couldn’t read the creature at all, and it was a lot ‘quieter’ even through their bond than Streak. Or maybe it just controlled its emotions better.

But Mason didn’t need a ‘guide’ to Nassau. He took off towards the familiar sounds, moving far faster than he had a month before. He intended to walk straight into the great tree and leave the seed there with Calypsa, heading back out without seeing anyone.

He

wanted

to see them, but if he started that he’d never get out fast. He’d have to figure out how to bring in Demi without any drama, get updates and give all his girls a little attention.

All important things, sure, but he wanted to finish with the fey first. Then it was time to go east. If he could do it…

Stag went back to his task of chasing off nosy fey creatures as Mason did the planar version of sprint. The surroundings changed so fast it was hard to keep up, and he slowed when Demi grabbed him and closed her eyes.

“I think I’m gonna be sick.”

He stopped and waited, feeling a little bad. But she took a few deep breaths and calmed down.

“It’s like…the whole world is changing every few steps.” She gulped. “Like I’m staring out the side of a bullet train. My eyes can’t focus on anything.”

Mason remembered what it was like and slowed, a few wary glances at the many gathering fey creatures. A few shrieked as Stag came charging through, snorting as he swiped at something with a horn.

But crossing with his speed and knowledge of the paths still only took minutes when he moved slow. He soon entered the apparently growing clearing that was the ‘representation’ of Nassau in the fey, the young great tree a healthy sapling in the center.

“Home sweet home,” he said, moving closer.

“I don’t see a tree city,” Demi said. “It’s just a tiny little…how can there be a city in

that

?”

“Nothing here is real. And

it’s

in the

city

.” He rolled his eyes. “Whatever. It’s bigger in the prime. And there’s a lot more. Though actually we aren’t gonna see it yet. If you want, I could just drop you off. That might be safer because I don’t know what’s…”

“No.” Demi gripped him. “I’m coming. I want to help.”

He grinned, expecting she probably would. And he just didn’t

want

to leave her. With a breath and another bit of mana, he stepped to the tree and vanished inside.

Things looked different inside the great tree already. It seemed every time Mason came back it was closer and closer to the nymph grove he’d seen in the other tree.

The small, hot-tub size water was more like a backyard swimming pool. All sorts of plants were growing along the walls and edges of the space. There was even a few stools made out of vines, or something.

“Druid!”

Calypsa materialized out of a wall with a rare smile. Her pale hair was longer, her high cheekboned face somehow less severe. And she was wearing something more like her sister might have—a kind of skin-tight green dress. She looked…incredible, actually. Happy.

“You look good, Calypsa. So does the tree.”

The nymph grinned and ran a hand over a wall. Mason could feel the thing’s pleasure—feel it humming away like it was a happy toddler playing with blocks. Then Calypsa smelled the air and frowned, looking at Demi, then back at Mason, like she was trying to work out some puzzle.

“Rare to see a druid and a wielder of the Blight get along,” she said. “Did you know what she was when you gave her so much seed, druid?”

Mason cleared his throat and did his best not to look at Demi.

“I have something I want to leave here with you. And I guess ask you about. Do you know what this is?”

He let Demi down and took out the powerful globe. Calypsa glanced at it as if only curious before her nostrils flared and her eyes went wide.

“It’s…so full of life.” She came forward with her eyes locked, her hands outstretched. “It’s…of Gaia. A

part

of Gaia. How is that possible? We must take it to Thea and give it to the pool. Or else…”

As Calypsa got closer her face twisted with pain and she recoiled. Mason hadn’t yet moved it back, but something about the nymph’s reaction had him worried. She came right at it again, like a bird that had struck a window, trying to get closer to the seed before seeming forced away again.

She looked stricken, overwhelmed, frustrated—transformed from the sweet, happy looking young woman she’d been moments before. Mason reminded himself that nymphs weren’t human—that they were very old and very alien, and he didn’t know nearly as much about them as he should. He knew fey creatures were dangerous.

“What’s wrong, Calypsa?” he said, ready to hide the seed.

“I…” the nymph was panting now. She closed her eyes and took a step away. “I must…converse with the goddess. Or…I can’t…I think she…there’s something…”

Calypsa’s light blue eyes rolled back, then flared with dark green light. She stood straight and smiled, serene now as she looked at Mason and Demi.

“Young buck. With a new doe. My, my, you are busy, aren’t you?”

Power

flooded

the grove. Mason felt it searching, felt it crawling over the walls and over his skin. He felt the great tree panic and shiver, the content little toddler running for cover.

“Careful,” Mason said, moving Demi behind him.

She looked completely confused, and he didn’t blame her. How did you explain there was a goddess in front of you?

“She’s…much more than she seems.”

Gaia looked amused, and maybe confused—as if she hadn’t consciously or actively arrived, and hadn’t intended to. The pleasant mask on her face didn’t last. As the now Gaia-possessed nymph turned to look at the seed, her jaw clenched, the light in her eyes flaring brighter. Her voice boomed and echoed through the grove.

“Where did you find that?

As usual with Gaia, Mason intuitively felt the worst thing he could do was lie.

“A great tree gave it to me,” he said, deciding not to elaborate.

“Insolent child. Ungrateful whelp.” Calypsa-Gaia took a step forward and raised her hand, then seemed to think better of it.

Mason was hoping she was talking about the tree, and not him. He didn’t know what else to do except hold his ground, and Gaia eventually calmed. She smiled like nothing was wrong.

“What do you intend to do with it?”

That was definitely some kind of trap. Mason shrugged.

“I don’t know how it works. I’d ask you, but—and no offence—you don’t look happy to see it.”

Calypsa spasmed as if fighting her possession. Mason imagined there was something about ‘rules’ if he understood. Cerebus said he couldn’t come to the prime except in animal or spirit form, and Mason expected Gaia had similar restrictions.

“Forgive my anger,” she said. “It’s not directed at you. I can’t linger in this body or it will suffer. And I won’t speak of that…mistake. What you do with it is your business.”

“You made it with Cerebus, didn’t you,” Mason said, heart beating a bit faster. “You loved him once.”

Gaia’s eyes flared, but again she calmed.

“I love all living things. Goodbye, young buck. Careful with this one, pretty doe. He’s a little smarter than he looks.”

With that the nymph sagged, the light and power vanishing as quickly as they’d appeared. Mason let out a breath.

“I’d be offended, but, I do look pretty meatheadish.”

“Was that…” Demi scoffed and shook her head. “Was that

Gaia

?”

“Oh. Yeah we talk. Well, she does, mostly. Or makes me drink poison. Or takes over a nymph. It’s a real hoot.”

Demi stared at him and blinked. “So you..talk. To a goddess, or whatever. And your…what…Cerebus’ avatar, or something? Isn’t that what your class is?”

Mason wasn’t entirely sure how she knew that. But maybe some of his profile became common knowledge in the Neutral Zone. He shrugged, and Demi let out another big breath.

“I have a lot of questions.”

“Join the club,” he said, then looked at Calypsa. “You OK? And…feeling…yourself?”

The nymph shook her head and looked tired.

“Yes. Sort of. I’m…sorry, druid.” Some wetness formed in her eyes. “You’ve been so good to me, and I…”

He wanted to go to her but felt awkward with Demi on his arm.

“It’s alright,” he said. “I get that this seed…screws with fey creatures. I was going to leave it here with you but…”

“No.” Calypsa’s tone was final as she looked up. “I’m sorry, but, you can’t. I’m not…strong enough. It calls to me. And you must take it nowhere near Thea. She is powerful but…not strong willed.”

Mason nodded, feeling the same concern.

“This is Demi, by the way.”

“Your newest mate, yes, I can tell.” Calypsa smiled but she wasn’t good enough to be convincing when it wasn’t genuine.

Mason wasn’t sure what to do now. He supposed he could leave the seed in his hall, or the temple, but he didn’t like the idea of just…having it out there.

Then he realized: a civilian’s void storage? Could Haley make it disappear like a magic trick? Putting her in any kind of risk didn’t sit well with him, either, but maybe it would be hidden with her.

“Apparently I’m going into the settlement after all,” he said, glancing at Demi. “I still don’t want to stay. I’m thinking…a stealth mission to the hall. Any chance I can get you wait here an hour or so? Hopefully less.”

“I’ve gone a few months without people or tree cities.” Demi smiled. “I can go a little longer.”

Mason gave her a small, one-armed hug.

“Alright.” He looked at Calypsa and hoped ‘be nice’ was clear. “I’ll be back. Right back.” Then he vanished through the wall, feeling the sentient tree squirm like it tickled.