The Mists of Afar

8/10/2019 The Mists of Afar

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Anne first conceived the possibility of writing a series ofnovels as a child. Her copy of Lucy Maud Montgomerys

Anne of Green Gables, and indeed all of Montgomerys

works became Annes treasured friends. The authors first

novel, Lavender Village, is set in East Sussex and is a

tribute to her English ancestry the Howards. On a trip tothe island of Skye, set in the Hebrides, she thought it fittingto write another novel The Mists of Afar, in remembrance of

her Graham and Bruce lineage. Skye immediately capturedAnnes imagination with its soaring emerald green

mountains and nestling mists. It was a place like no other,as were the turquoise Faery Pools all but hidden in the lushlandscape. When she came upon the charming Faery

Bridge, she simply had to incorporate this into her writing.A clan of proud and loving faeries and elves sprang into

being and with them a heroine, Felania, sulking over hersorry lot. It is the Croftoniansquest to transform her into acaring individual, if, and only if, Felania can find the grace

within herself to open her heart to love.Anne feels a kinship with all things British, including

English mysteries. She also enjoys Victorian poetry andliterature, both English and French. Her university major

was French literature spanning the seventeenth to thenineteenth centuries. Anne spent many years in the antiques

business and loves travelling to England. Anne and her

husband Graham like walking on the beach near their homein Vancouver with two much-loved border terriers, Ivy and

Arthur.If you enjoy Lavender Village and The Mists of Afar, youmay also likeA Castle in the Skywhich will follow soon.


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Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil

not, neither do they spin; And yet I say unto you that

even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one

of these. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his

righteousness; and all things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:28-29,33


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Copyright Anne Graham-Biehl

The right of Anne Graham-Biehl to be identified as author of this

work has been asserted by her in accordance with section 77 and

78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any

form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the

publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to thispublication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims

for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British

Library.

ISBN 978 1 84963 673 5

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published (2015)

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd.

25 Canada Square

Canary WharfLondon

E14 5LB

Printed and bound in Great Britain


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Acknowledgments

I wish to dedicate The Mists of Afar to my mother, Lorna

Graham-Biehl, for her continued and unbridled enthusiasm forand support of my writing. She has been with me at every

dramatic and comical turn in my story. I am grateful for herbubbly feedback and for her love of my characters.

I also want to thank my aunt and uncle, Wink and Howard

Biehl, for their encouragement, wonderful comments, andsupport in telling everyone aboutLavender Village! Thank you

so much.

My thanks and gratitude as well go to my husband, GrahamPage, who has supported me as I pursue my dream.

No dedication could be complete without my heartfelt thanksto Auntie Pat and Uncle Ross MacKinnon for their love, belief

in me, and for sharing in my joy of becoming an author. They

have been life-long friends, and I treasure them more dearlythan they could ever know.


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Introduction

Standing at the edge of the emerald Faery Pools on Skye, with

cascading waterfalls and half hidden underground caverns,travellers endowed with the necessary sensibilities will soon

find themselves drawn into another dimension. This ancient

Hebridean island is steeped in mystery: a world of miracles,

protection, and little kindnesses awaits, for the faeries of Skye

hold vigil over their beloved mortals to this day.We have arrived, once again, at the Gates to Yesterday:

open them and you will encounter evidence of faery tradition

just visible through the mist. Venturing over the singing FaeryBridge has brought answers to many a problem; and there is

the well-worn Faery Flag, so named because a sylph was found

singing a Gaelic lullaby to a wee baby swaddled in thismagical silk raiment.

As dawn arises, it is as though a curtain has been lifted onHeaven itself. Skye has been left largely untouched by human

hands. It is a place one can linger and breathe in the calm that

extends from everywhere at once. Dazzling bright emeraldpeaks are masked at times by nestling mists. And the sombre

green overcast reaches only add to the richness of the scenery,

while meandering roadways are like silver ribbons leading to

that special place within, known as the imagination.I now give you a faery named Felania, a beauty with raven

black hair and eyes to match who you may remember from the

Kingdom of Beyond. Befallen and bereft, the former Mistress-

of-the-Keys will shortly be an incomer to Skye. She is, atpresent time, unaware of the gems that will encompass her

and, hopefully, capture her heart. First, however, she mustregain that essential quality known as purity of spirit. Can the

sullied soul restore itself?


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Chapter 1

Felania is Banished

My mind is made up, Felania. There is no use crying about it

now, said Queen Gwendolyn firmly. There was, however, anoticeable twitch near the corner of her mouth hinting at her

silent amusement. Felania had collapsed at the Queens feet in

a heap of tears punctuated by loud wailing. On her knees with

her hands clasped in front of her, Felania looked anything butthe cold, disdainful creature that she had in recent years

become. Her immaculately curled locks were cascading downabout her face in pathetic disarray, and her carefully arranged

pearl headpiece had fallen to one side. This couldnt behappening. Clearly the Queen had lost her mind and if Felania

cried loud and long enough, she was sure to wear her mistress

down. After all, hadnt the Queen raised Felania as her own?How could she turn on her child like this?

Felania! commanded the Queen, her patience havingclearly come abruptly to an end, Sit up at once and show

some self-respect. You are making a spectacle of yourself.

Realizing that she had gone too far, Felania sat up andinched her way toward the Queen, wiping her eyes and nose

with the sleeve of her silk gown. What did she care if she

ruined it? She had no need for pretty dresses where she wasgoing!

It is just that I dont understand Mother Queen, she

sniffed while stroking the Queens feet. She was using her pet

name for Her Majesty in a final attempt to soften her rigid

stance. This has all come on so suddenly.From now on you will refer to me as Your Majesty along

with the rest of the subjects, and you would do well toremember that I do not take kindly to being manipulated. You

know very well that I have warned you repeatedly about your

improper conduct for many seasons. It has just now come to ahead.


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Felania scowled, her lips quivering.It was that Sylvia, wasnt it! I knew she was poisoning

you against me. She probably has herself lined up to fill myspot.Giving her nose another frantic wipe, Felania turned and

looked around her, She is probably here right now, laughing at

me from behind one of the pillars!As a matter of fact I did offer Sylvia your position, but

she turned it down. Her heart, shall we say, was elsewhere. No

Felania, I have waited long enough for you to mend your ways.After Sylvia left I decided to give you one last chance, only to

watch your behaviour deteriorate further. You have made a

mockery of your position and of my affection for you.But I have always been here when you wanted me; I am

punctual and well groomed. It isnt as if you have given memuch to do all these years.

And that might have been part of the problem, I have toadmit. But there is more to living here than being clean and on

time. As you fill your days in Scotland, I would like you to

think back on how you have squandered your good fortune.

Curled up at the Queens feet, Felania wailed again. Herarms were wound tightly about her head in an effort to shield

her from what she had to face.Is that it then? Am I to be banished forever?

We shall see, Felania. I will monitor your actions and if Isee substantial and consistent improvement, which at this point

in time I highly doubt you are capable of, I will send for you.

Perhaps seeing the glimmer of hope in Felanias bloodshoteyes, Queen Gwendolyn added, Do not think that you can

fake rehabilitation either. I will know if and when you haveseen the error of your ways. You must find the right path if you

are to return.

Right path,Felania murmured, running her hand over herhot forehead. She was in shock, and could hardly take in what

the Queen was saying.

I want you to listen carefully Felania. This is the onlyadvice I will give you. From now on you will be on your own:

the right path does not consist of gossiping and schemingaway your days or in treating our guests abominably. We could


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also have done without you bending the cherubsarrows untilthey wouldnt fly straight. Was it necessary to paint the

unicorns horns orange or to hide Pans flute? And all theladies-in-waiting you tripped as they went upstairs

Who has told you these dreadful things? Felania

interrupted. She had just broken another cardinal court rule. Noone, but no one, started speaking before the Queen was

finished. That prank with the arrows was Alycias idea!

Lying to get yourself out of a corner, Felania. You haveonly debased yourself further. A carriage is waiting for you in

the courtyard. You are to leave at once.

With these words the Queen arose from her chair andglided from the room.

I have spent enough time on this disagreeable matter.As the heavy gilt double doors swung open, Felania

watched her motion to Michael. He had been waiting withapparent relish to escort the banished lady-in-waiting through

the palace doors.

Felania overheard the Queen say, See that she has

adequate food for the journey up, Michael. We dont want herstarving on route.

That would indeed be a great pity, Maam, said Michaelwith a slight smile. He held up a basket of snacks and a

blanket. Opening the lid of the basket he asked, Will thesesuffice?

Peering into the interior, the Queen said wryly, Take out

the candied hearts. We are not sending her on a picnic. Shemay as well get used to her new situation as quickly as

possible.Of course, Maam,said Michael, with twinkling eyes. He

removed the hearts from the basket and handed them to the

Queen. If I may be so bold, Maam, this has been a long timecoming. But I feel you have made the right decision.

Shuffling dejectedly toward the doorway, Felania took one

last look around her: she gazed up at the gilt encrusted ceilingwith its crystal chandelier and looked back longingly at the

Queens gleaming gold throne; the elfin pages were stillstanding at attention staring straight ahead. Why couldnt she


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have been more like them, she wondered. Because I am not asimpleton - such daft little creatures they are, she thought

defiantly. I am being expelled for having personality, sheconcluded self-righteously. They will miss me. Everyone will

probably beg for me to come back. Well, I will not. I shall have

those country faeries doing my bidding soon enough. In a finalgesture of disobedience, Felania pulled one of the gilt leaves

off a pillar on her way by. It might prove useful up there, she

rationalized. She looked back and noticed that a new gold leafhad immediately appeared to replace the one she had just

removed. Such is life in the Kingdom of Beyond.

* * *

The loneliness of Felanias new life dawned on her as

Michael bowed curtly to her in the palace courtyard beforefirmly shutting the door to the carriage behind her.

Off you go then, he said to the team of five butterflies

who were to take Felania to her new home. The grief-stricken

outcast turned to give Michael a final message for the Queenbut saw only his receding back. The front doors of the palace

seemed to clang shut with a vengeance behind him. Not one ofher fellow ladies-in-waiting was there to say good-bye as the

carriage swooped abruptly into the air and was gone. Theywere now approaching the entrance to the Kingdom of

Beyond. The vined curtains suddenly opened to reveal the

blackened tunnel leading to the outside world.The air was cold and the atmosphere was heavy somehow.

Uncertainty seemed to rise up all around her and yet, emergingfrom the winding tunnel, there was a beauty and freedom to

the passing landscape below. The sunshine seemed so much

brighter and warmer.I might like it out here after all,Felania smiled smugly to

herself. One of the butterflies, Chaucer, turned around abruptly

and gave her a penetrating look. Instead of staring at me, whydont you tell me how long I have to be on this bumpy ride?

You arent very good at managing those air pockets Goodgrief!she added as her head bumped up against the roof of the


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First off, said Cordelia from her rocking chair. All theoutside world has brought us is heartache. When will you all

start to realize that and leave well enough alone? And Glen,will you be so kind as to sit on one of the chairs instead of my

table? Youre going to upset the raspberry juice.

Glen had been swinging one leg off the end of themahogany parlour table. He bowed with mock respect to

Cordelia and plopped himself down on the couch next to

Amelia.With a chuckle, he said, Ever the optimist, you are,

Cordy.

Did we bring you heartache, Cordelia?asked WilhelminaGreenwood earnestly.

Dont twist my words. You know very well what I meanby the outside world. You are all tempted. Its like the wind

that rushes through and you have to follow it. Some would sayit is wanderlust. I call it foolishness. I have lost Sylvia and

Benjamin Fox to the world and I dont want to see our village

dwindle any further. And need I remind you what your

wonderful outside world did to our Amelia and Arthur?Her hand trembling, Amelia put down the cake she had

obviously been enjoying. She looked out the French doors ontothe darkened garden with a noticeable shiver, and moved

closer to Glen.All right Miss Wet Blanket, you have made your point!

Glen snapped. He lifted Amelias fork to her mouth in an effort

to comfort her. Serena just suggested throwing a party,Cordelia ! I am sure you have heard of it. No mortals

allowed, right Serena? Especially ones named Henry.How that name sends a knife into my stomach! Henry

took Sylvia from us. I will never forgive him! The best thing to

do is rid ourselves of that globe as quickly as possible. I wantit gone from here tomorrow. With that she put aside the

crochet shawl she was working on for a newborn Lampton-on-

the-Water village baby, and went into the pantry for morerefreshments. Thank you for making me that gismo,

Frederick, she added more quietly over her shoulder. Itsproving quite useful What did you call it?


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Smiling modestly, he responded,It is a Cordy Press.

Oh come on! Glen let out a hearty laugh. You can dobetter than that Freddie, my boy!

Ignoring Glen, Frederick went on to say,

I thought I might enter it in the annual inventorscompetition next spring. It is nice to share ones gadgets. It

helps us all collectively. Frederick had yet to come up with

that elusive faery dust recipe. But I am sure Im gettingcloser,he had confided to Jack just the other day.

In the meantime, he had constructed a combination presser

and sorter for Cordelias herbal remedies: it had a funnel at thetop into which she could drop her flower petals, a lever for

pressing, and compacting the blooms, and a wheel that pushedthe ingredients along a track into a series of holes. As many as

five amounts of herbs could drop out at once. This would saveCordelia time, a commodity she was forever complaining that

she was lacking.

Similarly, Jack had been tinkering with the idea of elf

wings for several years, ever since Sylvia had taken thatpilgrimage to the Kingdom of Beyond.

We s-still miss you, my dear, Jack had said just thatmorning. He looked about the cheerful bright yellow kitchen

where he was sharing morsels of Malsbridge muffins withSylvia. But your c-courage has left a lasting impression on us.

It m-makes us all want to better ourselves. Sylvia had

responded that she thought they were all wonderful just theway they were. Then Jack went on to describe how he had

taken off from the Big Rock and glided into the middle of thelavender field.

No small feat,Sylvia had commented with a smile as she

tickled the little elf behind one ear.Where is the competition b-being held this year, Freddie?

Jack now asked.

Somewhere in Wales. A fair distance anyway, answeredFrederick.

Doesnt anyone ever listen to me? Cordelia complainedbitterly as she returned with fresh raspberry juice and cake.


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Not if we can help it, Cordelia,Glen snickered. Amelianearly choked on her cake and Serenas hand went up to cover

her mouth; Clarissa Greenwood pursed her lips and stareddown at the floor. Her sister, Wilhelmina, was the first to break

the silence with a burst of laughter. Then the others followed

suit.The ever lazy Brady awoke with a start from his post in

front of the fire.

Yawning, he asked, Have I missed anything?Glaring at Brady and then Glen, Cordelia put down her

tray with a thump.

I give up, she exclaimed, None of you will be contentuntil this village is empty!

Amelia arose to go upstairs,That is enough melodrama for one night,she whispered.

Arthur hobbled over and put his arm around Cordelia,Its all right. No one is going anywhere.

As she rested her head on his shoulder, Cordelia looked

dejectedly at the rest of the group. But they seemed oblivious

to the seriousness of her concerns, pouncing instead on herlovingly made goodies.

Serena downed the last of her raspberry juice.Thats what you think!she said softly.


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Chapter 3

The Pine Forest

Felanias trip took a bit longer than Chaucer had estimated. A

strong north wind had slowed their journey, almost as though itwas trying its best to keep the embittered faery out of

Scotland! In fact, just as the carriage was alighting in a field of

clover, another gust rose up and made for a rather bumpy

landing. Felania, of course, blamed it on her drivers lack ofskill. Feeling a bit queasy, she planted her feet tentatively on

the sweet grasses and inhaled her first breath of Highland air. Itwas Sunday morning and a church bell chimed joyously in the

not too distant village of Crofton, coincidentally bearing thesame name as its sister faery village. Highland faeries and

mortals lived together in the olde way unlike the

sophisticated southerners who had turned a blind eye to theirfaery friends so many times through the centuries. Most of

them simply couldnt see faeries anymore. Hmpf! thoughtFelania as the last note clanged. Mortals about!

So where is it?she asked carelessly over her shoulder.

Where is what, Miss Farnia?asked Chaucer.The village the blessed faery village! You said croft,

or something like that. Yes, Cyril,she snapped, I heard what

you said. I might be an outcast, but I am not deaf!she cried,letting the masquerade crumble around her.

Chaucer responded coldly,

You mean Crofton. Her Majesty told us to drop you off at

the southern end of the rhododendron grove. That is all I

know.I dont believe you. How am I supposed to find a place

without directions? Felania shouted. She gazed about her indisbelief at the daunting, even by human standards, pine forest

that loomed ahead of her. She looked to the right, then to the

left: moreScotch pines. There wasnt a soul in sight - no faeryor elf waiting for her. Nothing.


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Apparently feeling a twinge of pity for this unpreparedlittle sylph, Cyril ventured,

Perhaps you should ask around. The wildlife know thearea with their eyes closed.

Felania shot back,

Do you see any wildlife?Cyril scowled, but continued quietly,

Actually I see a hummingbird over there. Why dont you

go ask him, and we will wait here for you.With a heavy sigh, Felania trudged over to where the

hummingbird was hovering with his beak immersed in a

rhododendron bloom. So intent was the little fellow on hisnectar gathering, and in warding off those pesky bees who

were buzzing about the bush, that he didnt hear Felania whenshe hailed him the first time.

Following a more insistent, Excuse me! from below, helooked around absent-mindedly. Before him was an untidy yet

remarkably beautiful creature with black tousled hair

cascading down to her hips, red rimmed midnight black eyes,

flushed cheeks, clenched fists, and a rather peculiar lookingsoft yellow silk gown with enormous puffed sleeves.

Well, youre a pretty little sharla! What is the matter, mydear? the hummingbird inquired kindly. Sharlas looked very

much like faeries, but had no wings.I am not a sharla. Im a faery!Felania responded, on the

verge of hysteria. Has the whole world gone crazy?

The hummingbird remained quite unaffected by Felaniastemper.

Then where are your wings?Never you mind about my wings !

You are awfully testy for a faery. You seem much more

like a sharla. They are renowned for their horrid dispositions. Iremember one little creature

You know I can interrupt as many times as you can,said

Felania with a hint of a smile. She rather liked this little fellowwith his needle-nose beak and bright yellow coat of feathers.

He was the only creature who had not been hostile toward hertoday.


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But the hummingbirds friendly manner had suddenlycooled. He zipped off to another bush some three feet away.

Say, you arent one of those varnochs are you? I heardthey were cooking up something to help them tolerate

daylight.

I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, andwhats more I am not the slightest bit interested. All I want to

know is where Crofton Village is. I am to be staying there for a

while.The hummingbird studied Felania for a few moments in

silence.

No,he said. She cant be a varnoch; she doesnt have thewhite streaks in her hair.He flew over to where Felania was

impatiently tapping her foot and observed her wings. They aretiny enough. Perhaps it is an English characteristic.Then he

looked over to the black carriage with its gilt coat of arms onthe door, glistening in the afternoon sunlight.

Well,he said, obviously greatly impressed. Why didnt

you say you were from the Kingdom of Beyond? Crofton is

just on the other side of the pine grove, which isnt very deep,but it runs for a number of miles. My suggestion would be to

fly over it. My name is MacTavish, by the way.Right! thought Felania, much relieved, I am a faery. I can

just fly over! How hard can that be? She raised her arms up asshe had once seen Sylvia do when she was demonstrating how

to fly before the other ladies-in-waiting. Felania now wished

she had paid more attention. What was it Sylvia had said?Something about an updraft? Felania looked up and felt a fresh

breeze roll over her. One two three jump! shethought. And jump she did only to land back down with an

ungraceful thud. She glanced over at the hummingbird who,

with a confused expression, had diplomatically resumed hisnectar gathering. Of course, she thought. I have to flap my

wings like a bird. Again she jumped, but still found herself

earthbound. After a few minutes, she tiptoed over to thehummingbird and said more politely,


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I seem to be having a bit of trouble with these Highlandbreezes. I suppose I had better just walk through the forest. Is

there a path?Of course. You are unaccustomed to our mists, my dear.

Airborne sea foam can be a bit heavy on the wings at first. You

will catch on. MacTavish looked over into the forest andwhispered, There is a path, but I would avoid using it, really I

would. There is nothing in that part of the woods but bats and

he swallowed hard, those dreadful varnochs veryunwise I should think.

Well, it looks as though I have no choice but to walk. You

see my drivers will not take me any farther. I am alreadygetting tired, so I cant go too far out of my way.

Thats not very sporting of them, is it now? MacTavishremarked as he glared back at them.

Enjoying her newly found ally, she said with a smirk, Youknow what butterflies are like!

Very flighty, I have always thought, he said with a

chuckle.

My name is Felania, she said, extending one finger andlightly stroking MacTavishs soft head. She took care to avoid

his rapidly beating wings. Then she felt a lump in her throat,and angrily wiped away a tear which had impertinently spilled

over and dropped down her cheek.She quickly pulled her finger away and stepped back.

What is wrong with me? she thought. Making friends with a

mere bird!That is quite the name Felania: it speaks of hidden

treasure. Yes, thats it, hidden treasure - deeply buried perhaps,but its there, said MacTavish, I think there is more to you

than meets the eye, my dear.

No one else seems to think so!Perhaps no one has taken the time to do a bit of digging.

So typical. Now then, continued MacTavish, I would be

happy to accompany you myself but if any of those varnochsgot their hands on me I would be their supper. Roasted

hummingbird is a varnoch delicacy.


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Horrified, Felania looked into the forest depths andwhispered, That is positively barbaric!

So you see my predicament,said MacTavish with anotherchuckle.

But how can you fly so close to the woods, then? Arent

you worried they might come out and snatch you?My, you really dont know anything about varnochs, do

you. Someone should have briefed you before you came up

here. Varnochs are light sensitive: candlelight is all they cantolerate. They do fly about at night though, looking for prey. I

keep my nest well hidden.

Good,said Felania with a shiver. Roasted hummingbird!How utterly carnivorous!

Felania was warming greatly to this little fellow in spite ofherself, enough so that she further exposed her ignorance and

asked the following question,Is there anything else I should be careful of in there?

No. They have the area largely to themselves. I would

hurry through as fast as possible. If you go quickly you might

make it through while they are sleeping. It was nice meetingyou, my dear.Watching Felania run back to her carriage, he

resumed his sipping, Curious child - doesnt quite know whoshe is.

Well, she announced, that hummingbird has told meeverything.

Has he now,said Chaucer.

Yes, so I wont be needing you lot anymore!With a tossof her glossy dark tresses, she headed in the direction of the

pine copse. She heard Chaucer call out,I think you are forgetting something.

Felania wheeled around indignantly.

You cant possibly expect me to thank you for such aperfectly awful trip!

Indeed I wouldnt expect such a pleasantry from you. I

was referring to your hamper.Well you can keep it! And tell the Queen that her rotting

vegetables nearly made me sick!She was eager to get started


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on the final leg of her journey, and rid herself of the butterfliescompany.

Are you sure that is the message you want me to give theQueen?asked Chaucer.

Felania took a deep breath. Perhaps it would be better not

to burn her bridges entirely. Back she went and retrieved thehamper. She didnt see why she needed a near empty picnic

basket. She knew Chaucer was just trying to goad her.

If you can remember, tell Her Majesty that I will be justfine.


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Chapter 4

You

re One of Us

Felania pulled up some black netting that was covering the

edge of the woods. It kept most of the suns rays frompenetrating the forest floor. As the net fell behind her with a

loud thud, she jumped back. Clutching the picnic basket with

trembling hands, she kept her eyes on the damp moss that

covered the pathway she had found. She tried to side step orhop over any potentially noisy bracken. The ominous looking

forest seemed to be closing in on her. Where would varnochssleep? Perhaps they hung upside down like bats!

So I wont be able to see the other side of the forest until Istumble on it! Felania whispered as she slowly progressed.

She stopped every few minutes to listen for any noise

emerging from the eerily quiet depths. There were nochattering birds or scampering squirrels here - just an all-

encompassing bleakness. I have to keep walking in a straightline somehow, otherwise I could go miles out of my way. What

if I never find my way out?

Suddenly, a flash of crimson swooped down in front of her.Felania turned to run but a hand shot out and caught her.

Something was piercing her skin. She looked down out of the

corner of her eye and saw a slim white hand with long red nailsgrasping her arm.

Felania, isnt it? she heard. Come along. We have been

expecting you. Watch your step now. There is a steep part just

ahead.

Felania realized that escape at this point was impossible.The creature, who still had Felania tightly in her clutches, was

taller and more heavily set than she was. Taken aback by thestrangers stature and authoritative manner, Felania was

uncharacteristically nonplussed. She glanced furtively at her

alleged guide, She had long, wavy midnight black hair with awhite streak cascading down either side of her face, an ashen


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complexion to match her streaks, and a pair of very large blackeyes that did not appear to have irises. The creature stopped

and held Felania spellbound for a moment with a wide,maniacal gaze. Then she smiled agreeably and directed Felania

down a series of red carpeted steps.

Where are we going?asked Felania timidly.To your new home, of course! responded the creature.

We received word by your Queens carrier dove just last

week. It was short notice, but we managed to ready a room foryou. Actually, one of our junior girls had to be evicted to bunk

with someone else. She was happy enough to oblige though.

We dont get many guests at Crofton. Here we are then - homesweet home!

Felania and her escort had come upon a monstrous brownlayered dome-like structure.

Ow-ow-wa sang her companion. A heavy sliding doorlumbered open in an uninviting manner. As they went inside

Felania looked up and read, Dun Pineon a sign overhead.

Dunpine?Felania asked.

Her companion wheeled around,Dun means fort in Gaelic. We like to keep our heritage

alive here at Crofton.Raising one arm in an exaggerated sweep, she proclaimed,

This is a giant pine cone. A freak of nature if you will. Butit is as solid as a rock. Do you like freaks, Felania?she asked

with another crazed stare.

Felania swallowed hard and whispered.Perhaps they are underrated.

Underratedshe says.The creatures laugh echoed up tothe rafters of Dun Pine, reverberating against the shingled

walls. How charming you southern faeries are!

The creature turned, raising the claw-like crimson nail ofher index finger and motioned the dazed southern faery to

follow her up a spiral fretwork staircase that ascended one side

of the pine cone. Felania studied her escort more closely: shewas dramatically decked out in a floor-length crimson dress

with a v-neck and high starched collar. So is she a varnoch or afaery? Felania wondered. Could that hummingbird have been


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mistaken? She said she received Queen Gwendolyns letter.Perhaps she is a faery without wings. But do faeries ever have

streaks? MacTavish mentioned something about streaks. ButHeaven only knows what a Celtic faery looks like anyway!

Felania wracked her brains for faery history. She now

desperately wished she had made more use of the Queenslibrary. She could never be bothered with such boring trivia.

The dizzying stairway, which stretched three quarters of

the way up the pine cone, was lit at regular intervals byunusually tall, red spiral candles. Unaccustomed to the gloom,

Felania nearly tripped on her own gown and, as she looked

down, saw a mosaic floor receding into the darkness. My poordress! she thought as she pulled it up and threw the ample hem

over her shoulder, momentarily abandoning all attempts atvanity. As she rounded another turn she looked up. The ceiling

was painted bright blue with a sun in the centre.Next they came upon a shingled wall. Her mouth dropped

open in disbelief; even in this dim light, she could see that each

shingle was painted with the face of her escort. As they were

passing the first level, Felania peered down the first of fourlong hallways and noticed a series of red doors. The nearest

one was open, and she saw a slumbering creature with longblack hair beneath a golden coverlet flickering in the

candlelight. A high headboard featuring a carved eagle withmassive wings, made something stir within Felania. She

shuddered and looked away. Out of breath, she called up.

How much farther do we have to go?The creature turned and looked down at her with an

amused grin.Just three more floors. You will get used to it.

Climbing to the rafters! This is ridiculous! Im getting out

of this place! Felania turned and rushed down the staircase,over to the front door, and frantically tried to slide it open as it

had no handle. This is a nightmare! She resisted the temptation

to call out for help. No one would be able to hear her. Nobodycared about her anymore. Felania soon felt the creatures icy

breath on the back of her neck. Biting her lip to regain control

Documents

The Mists of Afar