Rea led me through several more days' worth of the woods. The deeper we got though, the more nervous she seemed to get. Her cheerful attitude was replaced by her looking over her shoulder a bit more, getting jumpy at random moments, To the point I stopped dead in my tracks.
"What is wrong with you." I rasped.
She stopped abruptly and sighed.
"We are about to enter my peoples land, I should warn you that not all Fae are like me, most in fact are the opposite of how I am. They are nasty and rude to those who are different. Thats why we need to find you a disguise to get you through this. I have to get a few things and then we can get out of here for wherever you wish to go. I wouldn't do this if I didn't need this stuff." Rea muttered as she looked at her feet.
I sighed and scratched my orange forehead.
"When did I agree to any of this?" I asked looking at her.
Her face looked as if I had killed her mother. the pure and utter sadness written on her face.
"Fine, ok we get your stuff, but why must you be afraid of them. You won't die, and it wouldn't be my first time." I rasped as I turned away from her.
"Well, I can't let you die after all this effort I put in, can I?" Rea giggled as her face returned to normal.
I had the most sinking feeling that type of mood switch was completely normal for her. She was now skipping and humming again a few feet away from me. The woods began to shine with the days light. I could see movement in the trees a few hundred yards away from us. Rea stopped moving and motioned for me to stop moving. She walked over to a tree and cut some of the bark into a crude mask. Handing it to me she motioned for me to put it on. I sighed and slipped on the makeshift bark mask. We walked towards what I now saw as a city gate made from the trunks of trees. You could almost walk right into the side of the wall thinking it was just a tree, simply part of the scenery. Other tall, pale, lanky Fae stood at the entrance with spears and bows.
"Rea, your mother is going to be extremely upset that you are outside the walls. You know how she got after us the last time you got out." one guard said as we passed.
Rea chuckled nervously as we walked into what I could simply describe as a lush, wooded paradise. In the middle of the city was a small pool, with a large golden statue of a Fae. A larger spear at her side and a heroic look on her face.
"The matriarch, she was the queen for over a thousand years. One day though she went mad over the loss of her love. That was my great great grandmother." Rea explained as she caught me staring at the statue.
"You are part of a heroic blood line?" I asked quietly.
"Yeah, crazy right? Not that anyone really asked me if that was something I found important. Those bloodline things carry so much burden. Everyone expects you to carry the weight of the family name, to live up to those grand expectations. I never saw the point in that; I wish to be my own kind of person. Being a shinning beacon of hope for the masses is exhausting. Leave me to my adventures and dungeon diving. I get to know people and creatures like yourself. By the way I never asked your name." She suddenly said turning around.
"John. My name is John." I grumbled.
She smiled and nodded. We walked further into the wooded paradise that was the fae city. Shops were in the trunks of big trees, with open air stands lining the side streets. Everyone wore some form of silken robes, minus the guards and what I assume were the handful of adventurers on hand. They wore heavy leather armor with some steel thrown in here and there. I stood out like a sore thumb, with several people glaring at us as we walked along. No one really said anything though, minus a few hisses from those I bumped into. The streets were lined with a green mossy stone, small bushes on each side and a small river going down one end. We walked until we reached a large white marbled stairway leading towards what looked to be a green jade door with large golden and ivory handles. Two armed Fae opened the door, and we walked through. Within moments of us being inside, thunderous footsteps began pounding their way towards us.
"I should warn you" rea started before she was interrupted by a shrill shrieking voice.
"Rea Tetragold how dare you escape yet again! Who do you think you are young lady?" A howling woman flung herself around the corner grabbing Rea by the shoulders.
"Mother I am an adult, I do not need anyone to give me permission to leave the city. This is my friend John. He needs a guide to Averi. I'm getting my stuff, and I am going to guide him there." rea said shaking off her mother.
Who then turned her fiery gaze upon me. Her red hair flowing with every movement she made. She poked at my chest.
"Who do you think you are galivanting with my daughter? Are you even worthy of such an honor? Do you even have any idea who she is. She has the bloodline of hero's peasant!" She shrieked as she pushed into my chest.
I grabbed her wrist at the final jab and held it tightly.
"Madam I beg your pardon; would you refrain from assaulting me while I remain kind." I growled.
Her face went from anger to shock as she shriveled away from me.
"I'm sorry John, I'll be right back, let me get my things and we can head out." Rea said as she skipped up the ivory steps to the next floor.
The moment she was out of sight her mother rushed towards me.
"I will see you fall. If you think I'm going to allow some want to be hero, get my child pregnant to continue his line, you are insane!" she howled flinging her hands towards the guards.
I was blindsided by what she had said, as her guards rushed towards me, their weapons pointed at me.
"Now you really shouldn't have done that." I said sighing as I turned to face one of the guards.