Fairies, treason and plot part two

The cave is surprisingly warm and not dark. The walls glow with a muted, otherworldly light that illuminates a narrow passage way. She follows it, all the while experiencing a feeling of de ja vu. 

Eventually she comes to a branch. She chooses the larger passagway and finds herself standing at the edge of a large pool. Sunlight drifts down from an opening in the roof, pale rays mingling with the turqoise water, like spun gold over sparkling jewels. The vision is breathtaking. Sinking down to her knees, she cups her palms into the pool, filling them with the cool water and drinks deeply. She feels relaxed and rejuvenated in a manner that goes beyond the mere quenching of thirst. She suspects that the water, much like the cave wall, might have some unnatural quality.

Now that she is calmer, she remembers the diary in her pocket. Taking it out, she opens it and detaches the small pen at the side.

Are you there? She writes. Without her consent, her hand continues writing.

OF COURSE 

It is an odd sensation to witness what she had suspected was happening all along: control by another being. She finds it fascinating and unsettling all at once.

The crows? That was you?

YES

And my eyes, you fixed them?

MORTAL LIMITATIONS WOULD BE...INCONVENIENT.

So I have perfect vision, bird super powers and if I am correct from the incident on the plane, I can read minds? Anything else?

MUCH MORE

But?

THERE ARE LIMITS WITH A HUMAN BODY. THERE ARE PROBLEMS THE LONGER I REMAIN.

Like what?

MY MIND WANES. POWER FADES. AUTUMN WILL END. TERRIBLE WINTER.

So what do we do?

WE MUST ACT NOW. WAIT. HELP WILL COME TO GUIDE YOU.

What?

The last question remains unanswered. She closes the notebook. The bone weary sensation returns and she wonders if communicating with Tatania has taken a toll on them both. She moves over to the pool again and takes another drink. She remains sitting at the side, staring at her reflection in the pool.

Suddenly, her reflection winks at her.

"What the...Tatania?"

Her reflection sticks out its tongue. She leans over, trying to peer under the surface, and is startled by a splash as something jumps out of the water. She falls backwards and stares in amazement at a mermaid. The creature winks at her again, lets out a musical laugh and dives back under the water. The pool becomes still again and the cavern silent as the echoes of her mirth dies away.

Who? She scrawls in the journal.

AVA. SHE HAS A WICKED HUMOUR BUT SHE WILL FIND CONNOR OR BRAG. NOW REST. WE NEED REST.

....

She is dreaming again, of water this time, a rushing, raging river. The water swirls all around her and she is carried away by its force. But there is no fear, no panic, only elation. This fury belongs to her now, it's power is hers to command. The dark waters swirl under her, coalescing into a mighty beast, a great black stallion with red eyes. In her hands she holds the reins, knoted leather with a silver medallion that dangles from it.

"Your majesty," a voice rouses her.

Brag is there before her. She sits up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Brag? What time is it?"

"Late, lass. We have to hurry."

"What? Hurry? Where?"

"To my Lady's castle. I've found her body. Come."

"Wait. What about Conner?"

"Busy. Providing a distraction. Now, come. Follow me."

......

They walk along pathways that snake in a disorienting fashion, eventually stopping at a stone door. Ornate carvings decorate the surface and words inscribed in an unknown language. Brag looks at her expectantly.

"What?"

"Begging your majesty's pardon, but the stone answers to her alone. You have to open the door."

"What? I don't know anything about opening fairy doors!"

"It will answer to you."

"What, I'm just supposed to say open sesame and then voila..." she pushes on the door as she says the words and almost falls as it gives, swinging to reveal a dimly lit corridor.

"As I told you, the stone answers to your majesty. Now come."

Brag leads her down the corridor, at first she hesitates, seeing the shadows of what appeared to be soldiers. But Brag is not bothered, and as she follows she realizes that these guards are statues, carved of the same stone as the door.

"Shouldn't there be guards in a castle?" Her whispers sound too lound to her in the sepulchre like silence.

"Distracted, elsewhere. Now her majesty awaits, hurry, through there," Brag replies, almost shoving her through an open doorway.

She finds herself in an empty throne room.
"Brag, there's no body here, maybe you..."

Before she can finish her sentence, the heavy doors swing shut. A figure, tall and pale, steps out from behind the throne. Her dark hair frames a face that is at once beautiful and terrible. She smiles, a cruel emotion in an ageless face. There is no doubt that the woman before her is Queen Mab.

"Well Tatania, how good of you and your pet human to join me. Well done, Brag. For a moment I was concerned you had forgotten where your loyalties lie."

"Always happy to please your majesty," Brag replies, bowing slightly to the woman. 



"And now my dear Tatania, your pet human and I have much to discuss. Brag, leave us."

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