The scent of vender filled my nose as I awoke to the distant warble of robinsongs. Cool air pressed against my skin, but sleep still clung to my body, leaving me warm and heavy.

  Lavendu bathed in the brook, ripples spreading from her movements. She lifted water to her face, sighing as it trickled over her skin. For a moment, she was completely at ease.

  A breeze stirred the trees, carrying the scent of damp earth. Lavendu tilted her head, listening. Then, as if shaking off a thought, she reclined against the bank, her head just above the flowing water.

  “Aren’t you cold?” I asked, sitting up on my elbow.

  “Huh?” Lavendu turned to look at me. “You’re awake. Good morning.” A smile spread across her face. “Why would I be cold?”

  I looked around at the thin yer of frost over the leaf-covered ground. I looked through the tops of my eyes. “That brook would be frozen if it wasn’t flowing.”

  “You really haven’t ever seen a fairy before, have you?”

  I shook my head.

  “I thought you were just teasing me. How could you not know? Where are you from?”

  “Castletún.”

  “But there should be fairies all over Castletún. Are you some kind of shut-in?”

  I shook my head again. “I lived in a workhouse, but they let us roam the street freely after our shifts.”

  “You’ve never even heard of a fairy?”

  “I haven’t,” I said, frowning. “You’re magic aren’t you?”

  Lavendu burst out ughing. “I guess you could put it that way.”

  She stepped out of the brook, water dripping off her now completely transparent coverings. Her hair clung to her shoulders. She ran her fingers through it and it fluffed to life, returning to its dry wavy state. She flicked her hands and all the water on her scattered away, leaving her and her gossamer coverings completely dry.

  “I guess that would expin why you couldn’t see my full form until you crossed the creek,” she said, holding her hand to her chin.

  “Why’s that then?” I asked.

  “It seems you’ve been estranged from the world of spirits.” She began to pace. “Possibly Castletún itself considering you’ve never even heard of fairies. Have you heard of any Fay-kind or other spirits? Elves, sídhe, djinn, angels?”

  “That st one sounds kind of familiar.”

  “Hmm, This isn’t right. Not right at all.” Lavendu frowned as she continued to pace—she reeled on me. “What are you doing here Jethro? We never get visitors from Castletún anymore.”

  “I’m… Well, it’s supposed to be a secret… But I’m looking for magic.”

  Lavendu’s eyes widened. “You couldn’t find any sorcerers in Castletún?”

  I shook my head. I didn’t want to tell her about the inquisition. I suppose I thought it might hurt her, or scare her considering her magical identity.

  “This is strange,” she said, shaking her head.

  “You didn’t answer my question. Why would crossing the brook let me see you?”

  “Because, weary traveler, that brook was the boundary—you’ve stepped into the Realm of Itán.” She stood over me and offered her hand. “There’s no veil between the spiritual and material worlds here. If magic is what you seek, then you’re in luck. It’s all around you. Let me be your guide.”

  I took her hand and rose to my feet. We embraced and she gave me a peck on the cheek.

  “The Realm of Itán? Is Itán not part of the Realm of Castletún?”

  Lavendu recoiled in my arms. “What? Never. Castletún may be our ally, but we’ve never bent a knee to another.” She ughed. “It’s been nearly a decade since anyone's even had contact with you.”

  “That’s just what the schors say,” I said with a shrug.

  Lavendu scoffed.

  “Anyway, did you mean it?” I said, trying to change the subject. “You’ll be my guide to magic?”

  She gave me a wry smile. “We should talk to the vilge stewards first. They’ll want to know all about you and Castletún.”

  “Lead the way,” I said as my stomach rumbled. “I could use some breakfast though.”

  “I know just the spot, let’s go.”

  Lavendu led me up a trail close by the brook. If you could call it that. There was no visible sign of a trail as such. No worn dirt, footprints, or broken twigs. Vegetation seemed to close in around every corner, but we always seemed to find an easy way. The green mosses were soft and gentle underfoot and occasional well built boardwalks were provided at sumps and creeks.

  As we walked Lavendu told me the names of the trees and the spirits of the water. She spoke of her friends in the vilge, their favorite foods and songs. Who loved whom and all manner of gossip.

  I enjoyed listening to her talk. She reminded me of the washer women back home, but she was so vibrant and animated compared to them. I had never seen anyone so vivacious before.

  “Are you listening, Jethro?” she asked, turning toward me and walking backwards.

  “I’m trying to,” I said with a smile, “but don’t expect me to remember all these names right away- Huh!”

  Something nded on my shoulders, making me crouch in shock. I nearly threw it off me but a gentle mew and soft fur against my neck eased my bewilderment.

  “Aww,” Lavendu said with a giggle. “Look who it is.”

  “Oh hello,” I said as I pet the tabby from yesterday. “I didn’t think I’d see you again.”

  “Of course. He feels safe with you after yesterday.”

  “How do you- Can you talk to animals?”

  “Anyone can talk to animals. Anyone who can talk that is.”

  “I mean, can you understand them? Do they talk to you?”

  “They don’t talk, at least not in the ways of man. But yes, I can understand most creatures of Itán.” Lavendu approached and offered her fingers up. The cat sniffed at them but turned away to nuzzle my neck.

  “He was a wild animal until meeting you,” she continued, “but he’ll stay by your side if you treat him well.”

  “What is his name?”

  “He doesn’t have one, but he’ll accept one if you give it to him.”

  “Hmm,” I thought for a moment, looking at his grey and bck stripes. “I’ll call him Cinder.”

  “Cinder, hm,” Lavendu said with a slow nod.

  Cinder purred as he settled onto my shoulders.

  ***

  We stepped out of the thick woods onto a grassy open slope overlooking a wide mountain valley. A river wound through the red-orange fields below. Snow capped mountains stood like rugged sentinels in all directions.

  The vilge sat on a bench halfway up the valley. A-frame houses and a single tower were nestled in a clump of red and yellow trees.

  As we walked into the bustling town center market, a hush fell over the townsfolk. All eyes fell on Lavendu and I, murmurs of shock and astonishment bubbling up.

  ***

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