The Light of My Hearts
A Request

Three days prior...

It had taken some detective work, but Helia and Gillam finally located Mortimer, the one-armed merchant she bought the giantsbane from. But her search was not as she expected.

“What do you mean you sold the rest?” the outrage was creeping into her tone.

“I mean someone paid me for the lot of it last week and I’m out.” He replied almost shortly.

Helia shook her red hair with frustration, “Who? Who did you sell it to?”

Mortimer shrugged, “Some big guy. Wore a black werewolf fur on his back and carried a big sword. Paid me gold and silver for all of it.”

Helia cursed under her breath, knowing immediately who he was talking about. ”Farley...fuck!”

Mortimer leaned on his wagon wheel, “You were skeptical of it last time...why do you want more? Did it work?”

“Never tested it but I figured I’d want more of it if I’m going near the North Woods. Just in case.” Helia lied.

“Huh. I thought it was because of what happened in Fowllen.”

Helia squint her blue eyes, “Fowllen? What happened in Fowllen?”

“Heard from a friend of mine who was at the Saint’s Festival that the Gray Shadow attacked Fowllen early Saturday morning.” He proclaimed in a secretive sounding voice.

The woman couldn’t hide her shock, “The Gray Shadow attacked Fowllen? Why?”

Mortimer shrugged, “Cause he wanted to I guess?”

“Is...is there anything left?” Helia questioned.

“See I asked that too. But he claimed the leaders placated that beast with some offerings and sacrifices and he left. Town is still intact. Word is some witch summoned him but I dunno about that.” Mortimer shook his head with a relieved sigh, “Sure glad I wasn’t there this year.”

Helia was stunned by the story. It certainly was well within Kendrick’s power to raid a city but honestly it puzzled her as to why he would do it. He mostly kept to himself and only showed up if provoked. But what would have spurred him to leave the North Woods?

Circling back to their previous conversation Helia asked, “Did the guy you sold the giantsbane to say he was going to the North Woods?”

The one-armed man shrugged, “Didn’t ask, didn’t say. He just asked what it was, I told him, and he paid outright, then left.”

“Damn you, Farley.” Helia cursed to herself.

Then Mortimer wagged a finger as he remembered something, “But you know what? I’ve been hearing a lot of stories in the towns we stop at about people seeing the Gray Shadow more and more outside the North Woods.”

Helia blinked, “Outside the North Woods?”

“Oh yeah. Fowllen, Merino, Deer Run...” he rattled off a few.

Again, Helia was stunned. Merino wasn’t out of the possibilities as it was closest to the North Woods but Deer Run and Fowllen were quite far. (Perhaps not by giant standards but they weren’t close.) But why was Kendrick showing himself at all? It didn’t make sense.

“Makes me wish I didn’t sell that giantsbane. Might come in handy if I accidentally come across that monster.”

“Where did you get it in the first place? I mean, surely you know of other merchants who deal in the stuff?” Helia pried.

Mortimer flipped his hand, “Like I told ya, I got it from my cousin up North. But I rarely see him...and I don’t know of anyone else who sells it around here. Rare stuff.” He then pointed at her, “But! I did make some more giant spider anti-venom... if you’re interested?”

Though she truly wasn’t, it would probably (literally) come back to bite her if she didn’t get some, so she bought two vials and moved away from his cart. Gillam was disguised nearby, waiting. Her stalking walk and expression told him something was amiss.

“Any luck?” he inquired, handing Helia the reins of her horse.

“He sold it all...to fuckin’ Farley.” She sounded pissed.

“That other slayer? Are you sure?”

“No other asshole I know goes around wearing a black werewolf pelt and carries a big sword.” she shook her head, “I don’t like it.”

“You think he’s trying to claim the bounty on Kendrick?”

Helia scoffed, “He can try... it’ll be the last bounty he tries to claim. But...if he’s got the giantsbane that might be problematic.”

Then she told Gillam all the gossip she’d heard about Kendrick. Gillam, too, was shocked.

“But...are you sure he attacked? Why would he do that?”

Helia frowned, “I don’t know. He could do it...the only question is why would he?”

Gillam’s expression seemed disbelieving and also disappointed. It didn’t sound like his appeal to the giant about making peace with the humans had sunk it. Unless this was all hearsay.

Helia groaned, “Ugh. Kendrick is actually going to kill me this time if I don’t have that giantsbane.”

“No, he won’t.” Gillam reassured.

Her blue eyes held doubt tightly, “Uh...do you know him? He’s always looking for an excuse to end me!”

Gillam shook his masked face, “Don’t worry, Helia. I think he likes you...he’s just too proud to admit it.”

“Right.” The woman rolled her eyes.

The fae pulled out a familiar looking sack from under his cloak, “Well, if you think it’ll be that tenuous you can always give him a peace offering.”

Helia recognized the sack filled with same little, fruit-filled candies Gillam had bought for her last time.

“Where did you find those?”

His head gestured to the left, “The same little boy and his grandma were over there selling them again. They remembered my mask.”

Helia stared at the bag a moment before taking it pointedly from the fae’s hand, “To Hell with Kendrick...these are mine.”

Gillam surprisingly laughed behind his mask which made Helia tip her head. He had a pleasant, distinctly male laugh.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you laugh before.”

His shoulders shook a moment but he coughed behind his mask, “Forgive me.”

“Forgive you for laughing? You can laugh if you feel like it.” She proclaimed, taking out a sweet and popping it in her mouth. “Thank you for these.”

“You’re most welcome.”

Helia chewed the candy and sighed, “Well, we can’t do anymore here. Let’s go.”

As they were walking out of the village, Gillam’s masked face looked up toward the sky suddenly. Helia paused, looked in the same direction and spotted a bright, golden ball of light high in the sky. In an instant the light shot down to him. Helia jumped back when the fae suddenly caught the light in his hand and hid it beneath his cloak.

“The hell...?!” Helia started but then noticed a several villagers near a wagon staring at them.

Helia raised her shoulders defensively, “What? You’ve never seen a slayer catch a...a demon firefly before? Consider yourselves lucky! That could’ve burned your wagon to dust!”

The people on the wagon seemed horrified as their eyes darted skyward for more of the lights while Helia and Gillam walked faster down the road. When they were well out of sight of anyone Helia prodded the fae.

“What was that?” she hissed.

“It’s a message parchment from Twillow.” The tall fae pulled his hand out from under his cloak to reveal the glowing ball.

“A what?” the woman was confused.

Gillam whispered something to the ball and it seemed to shrink in on itself. Then the light appeared to unfold like a piece of paper until it actually became one. Gillam opened the silvery parchment and began reading the fae characters. Helia tried to see what he was reading but it looked like gibberish.

“What does it say then?” she asked.

All at once, Gillam removed his mask, his eyes scanning the words again, “Twillow is pregnant.”

The redhead nearly stopped in her tracks, “Excuse me? What?”

He smiled, “She’s pregnant!”

Helia returned the smiled, laughed, and shook her head, “Holy shit. No kidding? You’re going to be an uncle?”

Under his cloak, Gillam’s wings flicked with excitement as he read more, “Yes...yes. Good.”

“What?”

“She writes that she and Kendrick are going back to the Parliel Realm and she wants us to return to see them off and possibly go back with them.” He announced.

“Go back? Why would they go back?”

Gillam then explained how the fae birthing process worked and Helia was amazed at the particulars.

“Well. That’s...different.” she commented.

Not only was the process different the parentage was completely unique: a giant and a fae. A few disturbing questions of how that happened flickered through Helia’s mind but were quickly squashed by a one-word explanation:

Magic.

But perhaps Twillow being pregnant was the answer to why Kendrick had attacked Fowllen and was spotted in so many places? Helia wasn’t sure why, but it sounded plausible.

“Well good for them. But... are you going to go back then?”

For a second Gillam pondered, “Mother and father would probably like to see me...even though it’s only been a few months.”

Helia nodded, resuming her walk, “Well that might be nice for you. It’s always good to see family.”

“You...you could come too.”

“Ha!” Helia scoffed, “Did you forget how humans like me aren’t welcome in your realm?” she shook her head and tapped her temple, “I’d like to keep my memories intact and not get arrested for being human again.”

Gillam frowned, knowing she was justified in her caution. It wouldn’t be a good idea nor would it be safe for Helia. (Not to mention his mother would probably lose ten centuries of her life if she knew he was trying to court a human woman.)

Helia gestured with her hand, “But don’t let me stop you from visiting your family. If you’re going to be gone then I can start heading south to Tegath to see my family. We could meet up in the spring if you decide to come back.”

"If I decide to come back?” Gillam sounded mildly appalled by the wording.

“Well...yeah. I imagine you’d be homesick and I know your home realm is far more appealing than this place.” She shrugged. “So, if you decided to stay, I’d understand.”

Gillam suddenly stepped in front of her, making her stop, “I’m not going to abandon you.”

“Abandon me?”

“I committed to be your partner. I won’t go unless I’m killed or you dismiss me.” He stated resolutely.

Helia shook her head and stepped around him, “So dramatic.”

The tall fae resumed his position in front of her, his hidden wings rustling his cloak, “It’s not dramatics! It’s the truth!”

She blinked at him, “Ok. I believe you. I’m just saying you don’t have to feel guilty if you want to go home.” Helia replied.

Gillam shook his head and then said, “I...I would rather meet your family. Go to Tegath with you.”

For a moment Helia was taken aback by the admission and didn’t know what to say. Her first response was shaking her hand and head in refusal.

“Oh no. No no no.”

“Why not? We’re partners, aren’t we? Where you go, I go.” He argued.

Helia made a swiping gesture with her hand, “I haven’t seen my family in almost two years. They don’t know I have a partner...they don’t know I have a fae partner!”

“Is...that a problem?”

“It... I...I don’t know!”

Helia was flustered again. (Gillam seemed to have a talent for flustering her.) What would her mother and father say if she waltzed through the door with Gillam in tow? She could just imagine the barrage of questions they’d pelt her with:

Who is this? Where is he from? Why is he wearing a mask? Are those...wings?! On and on...

Even though she was only twenty-four, nearly twenty-five, Helia had never brought anyone home. She’d taken up the job of a slayer officially when she was fifteen, tagging along with her father to learn how it was done. Then when he became too injured to continue, she took it on alone. While young people her age were making friendships, getting wed, and so forth, she was knee deep in bloody monster parts. She never had time to form many relationships outside her job. Her mother always bemoaned that fact.

“Helia, you’re so young and beautiful. You should be chasing boys, not hunting monsters! When will you ever start settling down and start a family?”

The usual.

If she was brutally honest with herself, she was odd. Most women her age were married with a pack of kids by the time they were twenty and here she was hovering near twenty-five with no such direction.

But why was she even considering this? Gillam wasn’t her beau; he was just her business partner! Why was she alikening this to bringing home a boyfriend to meet the parents? Because it wasn’t!

“I promise I will wear my façade.” The fae tried to convince her.

Helia sighed, “Gillam, we’ll probably be there for a solid month or more and my parents don’t live in a palace. You can’t hide that long.”

He seemed frustrated, “If-if you don’t want me to go... I won’t go.”

The woman shook her head, “It’s not that I don’t want you to go, Gillam. It’s just that I can’t guarantee you’ll be treated any better than humans are treated in your realm.”

“I will manage.” He insisted.

Helia flopped her hand downward in a relenting gesture, “I guess...if you really want to. But I’m not so sure it’s a good idea.”

The fae gave a smile and bowed his head minutely, “I would be honored to see your home and family.”

“Hold that thought...you may want to return it.” Helia commented.

Gillam laughed quietly again, his dazzling smile appearing again. Then he spoke something in a fae language to the paper and glowing characters appeared. With a flip of his hand, he turned the parchment into a ball of light, and it shot up into the sky and flew out of sight.

“Wha?” Helia blinked.

“I just sent a message to Twillow stating that we are on our way.”

Helia gave an impressed expression, “Huh. Efficient.”

Two days later...

Twillow was sitting comfortably on the patio of her tree house, watching Kendrick picking and pruning the plants below. Normally she’d be helping him but he’d already made it very clear she was to conserve her energy. Though miffed, she couldn’t argue she was feeling tired more and more with each passing day.

Fall was starting to nip and the garden plants were giving their last produce of the year. Kendrick had already gone to his father and given him a bounty of vegetables and fruits and now he wanted to harvest as much as he could and possibly bring it along so his appetite wouldn’t put too much strain on the Birchwood family when his curse wore off. Twillow insisted it wasn’t going to be a problem, but he wasn’t taking chances.

As she sat, Twillow suddenly felt the presence of a strong magic drawing closer. Her head perked, knowing instantly that it was Gillam.

“They’re here!” she announced, flying from her tree house and toward the front entrance of their home.

Kendrick barely heard her clearly but saw her shoot away, “Huh? Twillow!”

It didn’t take Twillow but a few seconds to exit their mountain home and spot Gillam and Helia approaching. She landed and rushed to hug her brother and Helia.

“You’re here!”

“We came as soon as we received the parchment.” Gillam embraced her warmly and tightly, “Congratulations, Sister. How are you feeling?”

“I’m good.”

“Are you feeling weak?” he peered at her carefully.

Twillow have a short nod, “Somewhat. But Kendrick’s been taking very good care of me and I’ve been staying near the Amethyst Well.”

Gillam nodded, “Still. You need to get home as soon as possible.”

“I didn’t want to leave without telling you both and if you wanted to come back home, we didn’t want to leave you behind.” Twillow explained.

To that, Gillam shook his head, “No. I’ll be going with Helia to Tegath for the winter.”

“You are?” Twillow looked to Helia with shock.

Helia nodded, “He insisted.” Twillow seemed to want to say something but Helia held up a hand, “And I’ve already told him I’m not risking getting my memories wiped in the Parliel Realm. Nor get you both in more trouble. I can just bet your family having another human visitor is not going to go unpunished.”

At that moment, Kendrick’s footfalls vibrated their boots as he exited the mountain. He made a slight growling noise in his chest but then surveyed the scene and exhaled slowly.

“Hello, Gillam, Slayer.” he greeted the pair. “Good to see you.”

“You as well. And congratulations.” Gillam returned the greeting.

Kendrick nodded, “Thank you.”

Twillow patted her brother, “Since you’re here, would you mind flying out with me to retrieve Sig?”

“I can do that.” Kendrick insisted, “You shouldn’t be flying that far.”

“Sweethearts, I’ll be fine. I’m pregnant, not helpless.” she shot back firmly.

“But...”

“No buts. I want to say goodbye to Leida and the kids too. And Gillam will be there to help me if I need it.” Twillow bat her wings sharply in enunciate her insistence.

Gillam nodded and began taking off his cloak to free his wings.

As he was doing that, Kendrick knelt down and eyed Helia, “So Slayer... did you find the merchant?”

The woman cringed, “Yeah. But he already sold the giantsbane to someone else.”

“Who?” Kendrick’s jaw moved to the side slightly.

“Just warning you, he sold it to another slayer named Farley. He might be trying to come after you.” She explained with seriousness.

Kendrick raised his eyebrows with a quick flick, “I see.”

The redhead went to her horse, rummaged around in the saddle bag, and procured the sack of gold he’d given her.

“Here’s your gold back.” she held up the hefty weight with a grunt. “Sorry I couldn’t get it.”

He sighed and his hand came down to take the sack from her...at least that’s what she assumed. Quite unexpectedly, his fingers circled behind her and he picked her and the gold up in one swoop.

“HEY!” she protested as he stood up with her in hand.

Gillam rushed forward, wings snapping up. “What are you doing?”

“Kendrick, please put Helia down. You know she doesn’t like that.” Twillow chided.

He looked down at the fae siblings and stroked Helia’s head with his thumb like a little kitten, “Well since you two are going to get Sig, Slayer and I have a few things we need to discuss.”

Helia looked down at Twillow, shaking her head and mouthing, ”Help me!”

Kendrick winked at his mate, “Trust me, my light.”

Even though Helia was thoroughly unconvinced, Twillow relented with a nod. The redhead gaped at the fae, feeling forsaken. Gillam only seemed a bit worried but he also trusted his sister.

With that, Kendrick carried Helia inside. His grip was gentle and he wasn’t restraining her arms, but Helia was still paranoid.

“Look, if you’re pissed about me not getting the giantsbane I don’t know what to tell you!” Helia started.

Kendrick chuckled, “Do I look pissed?”

“Well...no. But sometimes you don’t show it immediately.”

He patted her head again, “Relax, Slayer.”

Helia stole a glance at the height she was held, “Easy for you to say.” she looked up at him suspiciously, “What are you wanting to talk about, exactly?”

“Business.” Was all he said.

Once he was inside, he placed Helia on the surface of his table along with the bag of gold.

“Have a seat.” He stated before he moved off to the back exit tunnel and disappeared.

Helia was confused but did as the giant asked. What the Hell was he up to? The last time she was left alone with Kendrick he pestered her like an obnoxious older sibling until she whipped out the giantsbane. She wasn’t exactly trusting of this scenario.

“Are you thirsty?” his voice inquired. “I have a barrel of mead.”

“Um...sure I guess.” She shouted back.

He was offering her a drink? Now she knew something was up. But what?

When he returned, he pinched up a tiny mug from his pantry (Twillow’s no doubt) and delicately set it down on the table next to her. His hand appeared with a large oak barrel gripped between his fingers like a shot glass and set it down next to her. Though it looked a bit dusty Helia noted the eagle symbol burned into the wooden top. That was the mark of Sabar mead...a foreign, high-end alcohol reserved for royalty and the wealthy. She herself had never tasted it but had seen it displayed in some of the nicer taverns on the highest shelf.

Her blonde brows lifted, “Sabar mead? Where they Hell did you...?” she shook her head, “No. Never mind. I don’t want to know how you go that.”

Kendrick grinned, “Help yourself.”

As Helia filled her mug from the tap, Kendrick sat in his chair.

She raised the mug, “Um...to your new baby.”

He nodded, “Thank you, Slayer.”

“Gods... he actually sounded sincere!” Helia thought as she took a sip of the smooth beverage.

Best mead she ever drank...most mead tasted like pig piss.

She squinted up at the giant suspiciously, “Alright Kendrick. What’s the game? You’re never this nice to me on purpose.”

To that, Kendrick laughed and reached into his pocket. Suddenly he deposited a second sack of gold even bigger than the first next to her with a metallic sound.

Helia blinked, almost spilling her drink, “The Hell...? What’s that for?”

“I have a couple jobs for you.” He started, “Complete them and all this gold is yours.”

“Jobs?” Helia made a face of perplexity, “You want to hire me? For what?”

Kendrick held up two fingers, “Two jobs. The first is I need you to be my liaison between me and the human rulers of these lands. Namely the king of Rumstead.”

Helia almost choked on the mead, “A liaison? What for?”

“After my child is born in a few months, Twillow and I will return to this realm and I...” he glanced away a moment as if loath to say it, “I mean to barter a peace treaty with the humans.”

Helia set her drink down so she wouldn’t drop it, “A...peace treaty?!”

“Yes.”

Her blue eyes were suspect as she shook her head, “No way. You’re bullshitting me.”

“No, I’m not.”

“If you want peace then what were you doing attacking Fowllen?” she challenged.

Kendrick tipped his head, “You heard I attacked Fowllen?”

“Yeah. I also heard you’ve been popping up in all kinds of towns WAY out from the North Woods. So, what’s the deal?”

“Figures...” Kendrick growled and then sighed, “The reason I went to Fowllen was Sig got arrested.”

To that Helia grew worried, “Arrested? For what?”

“Witchcraft.”

“Shit.” The puzzle was clearer and falling into view, “So, you “attacked” Fowllen to rescue Sig?”

“Well... “attacked” is too strong a word for what I did.” The giant explained. “But I did rescue Sig.”

Helia nodded, “And he’s ok?”

Kendrick recounted the story to Helia and she listened intently. He also told her of the wager made (and lost).

“You’re serious then? You really want to make peace?”

“I...promised I would.” He admitted, knowing full well Twillow and their unborn child was the biggest prompt for the change.

“So...you want me to do what exactly?”

“I will most likely return to this realm with my family by early summer. When I do, I need you to send word to all the human leaders in these lands about my desire to barter a peace.” He explained.

Helia laughed aloud, “And how exactly am I going to convince them what I’m saying is true? They’d laugh me out of the kingdom if I said the “Gray Shadow” wants a peace meeting.”

Kendrick frowned, “I’ll...have to think of something. But I know one thing for certain: if I show up at the gates of Rumstead, or any other city, they’re going to shoot me, hide, and not speak with me. I need YOU to be...my ambassador.”

“Kendrick...I’m-I’m no ambassador! I’m a slayer, remember? I kill monsters for money. I’m anything but a diplomat.” She argued with gestures of her hands, “Why don’t you ask Sig? Sig would be a much better choice! He’s way more diplomatic than I am!”

The giant sighed, “I considered that. But after Fowllen, I’m not so sure Sig can be so...visible.” He eyed her, “Are you refusing, then?”

Helia sat back in her chair with a frustrated sigh, “You probably won’t get what you pay for...”

He tipped his head, “So...you will?”

After a few moments she nodded, “Ok? But I’m not guaranteeing success.”

Kendrick nodded back, “Good.”

“Wait...what’s the second job?” Helia inquired.

The giant took a deep breath and said, “Helia…I need you to protect my father while I’m away. I’ll pay you whatever you ask.”

Helia nearly fell out of her chair. “You…you just… called me by name.”

“Then you know I’m serious.”

“But…your father is a giant too. What could I possibly protect him from?”

Kendrick leaned back in his chair, “You said you knew the slayer who purchased the giantsbane?”

“Yeah. Farley the Wereslayer.”

Kendrick continued. “If this Farley comes after me with this plant and I’m not around, he may find my father instead.” He shook his head, “I won’t be around to protect him and if he gets hit with giantsbane he’ll be helpless. Do you understand?”

Helia remembered Alec, the blind giant she had met. So similar in looks to Kendrick but so different in personality. He had been very kind to her and Gillam in their chance meeting.

“Well…yeah. I get it. But I’m going home to Tegath for the winter to see my family.”

Kendrick thought a moment. Winter was usually quiet in terms of trespassers and slayer attacks. His home in the North Woods was hard to traverse without snow so when it did snow it was nearly impassable for humans. But if there was a slayer out there armed with giantsbane he knew there was impending danger.

“Then I need you to find this Farley and buy the giantsbane from him so you can destroy it.”

Helia made a gesture with her head, “And if he won’t sell it to me?”

“Then you kill him to get it.”

Though Helia had no liking for Farley the idea of Kendrick paying her to kill him made her squirm uncomfortably, “You want me to kill another slayer for that plant?”

“Name your price.”

“Kendrick…I don’t know if I can find Farley. He might be on his way now…I don’t know.”

The giant tapped his fingers on the table, clearly thinking. Then he stared at Helia and lifted an eyebrow.

“Oh God…what are you thinking?” Helia asked with dread.

“I think…you and I need to go hunting.”

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