Just Another Day

"I really shouldn't be surprised you're this curious about them," Nari chuckled as they sat together on the bank of the creek.

"Have you ever known me to shun what the clan fears?" Shanku asked slyly.

"Never," Nari sighed, remembering all too well the history her daughter had.

"How exactly did you ever begin talking to them anyway?"

"I saw something shiny," Nari began bashfully. "It was the strangest little butterfly I had ever seen, and it could speak. I started looking for them and talking to them, and before I knew it, I was a fae witch."

"Isn't that the big, bad, evil witch they hang you for in the clan?" Shanku asked warily.

"Yes, and literally. You can practice nearly any craft you want but fae craft," Nari replied. "Fae, demon, and many other spirits are considered too dangerous to consort with and are forbidden."

"Are they?" Shanku asked.

"It just depends on which ones you deal with," Nari replied with a shrug. "You learn who you can talk to and who you should avoid. Fae are tricky little things, so you do have to know how their games are played so you don't get caught up in a mess."

"What about that naiad in the pool? Has she ever tricked you into something?" Shanku turned to face her mother and studied her closely.

"No, naiads, dryads, and similar spirits are more trustworthy, although not by much. They can usually be satisfied with gifts and offerings," Nari said.

"What did you talk to her about before Turai and I were exiled?"

"Hunting, mostly. To better understand the forest so I could better provide for my family. I made it clear I did not desire an inappropriate amount of wealth, power, or other things, just what was necesarry to take care of us comfortably."

"What did that cost?"

"An awful lot of time and proving that I knew how to keep the balance in the forest without taking so much I disrupted life too much," Nari replied as she looked up to the sky. "I had to learn what animals could be taken in what seasons, how to take them as quickly and painlessly as possible, and how to set out food for them and care for them at other times so they could flourish. I was further tasked with trying to teach it to the other hunters as much as possible without getting caught. It's a lot of work, really, but worth it."

"Might as well have an official herd to look after like Dai does with his cattle," Shanku giggled. "It'd be a bit easier."

"Perhaps, but there is something to be gained by stalking your prey for hours until it's exhausted," Nari replied with a grin.

"What are they afraid a fae witch will do?" Shanku asked after a moment.

"They fear new curses," Nari answered. "Koru paid a high price for going to them for help with a minor problem, then another paid even more dearly when he angered a spirit, and of course many others who didn't leave a permanent mark on our people but still destroyed their own lives. I often wonder how much the fae could better our lives if we let them become more involved with us, but I don't think the clan would ever go for it."

"If they are as tricksy a bunch as you say, it may be just as well," Shanku said thoughtfully. "Could you imagine the havoc I could have unleashed on us if I had gotten mixed up with fae instead of gryphons and dragons? We would all be blue-spotted hop-toads or something!"

"That is a good point," Nari laughed.

"Do you think Hilael is a fae witch? Innugati is a fairy dragon, after all. She may count," Shanku said.

"Time will tell. Little creatures like her are a bit different, but I have been suspicious of her intentions. I don't know if she is one of many rogues, or if she was sent by somebody. She certainly took a liking to the two of you."

"Hilael more than me," Shanku said and drew her knees to her chest. "She never seemed too happy with me, but went almost immediately to Hilael when she set eyes on him. I haven't really spent much time with her since I came home."

"All the more curious," Nari nodded. "They are quirky beings. She may simply like him."

"Well, she'd better, 'cause if she hurts him, I'll swat her," Shanku teased. "But, at least I know she'd do the same if I ever inadvertently did something to him too."

"But what is your interest in them?" Nari asked with a raised eyebrow. "What mischief are you planning now?"

"Understanding," Shanku said coldly. "I want to know what they're like so I can better avoid them. I don't fancy getting caught in any more traps or schemes."

"Fair enough," Nari said. "Come on, it's about time to head home and feed everybody."