Nix turned on his side to get more rest. Plum had come to test the waters so to speak. Seeing his reaction to the current occupants of the land. Establishing his authority over the familiars. It would seem Plum fully intended to expand his forest.
Plum had always been a bit of a loner. Perhaps there were too many kinds of Fae, or they were too close to his secluded valley. Thrice Nix had gone to the valley to die. Plum had even gathered up the unburnt feathers to make a small nest.
Nix paused thinking of the young fae in Randal's group. Perhaps… peace was an option. Idril was a crown prince equivalent, but the Ranger was not much weaker. If he could grow even one plum tree he could claim a seat on their council.
Nix snuggled into the fox tails. It was no concern of his. He would be long gone before talks of peace could happen.
Sebastian glanced over the Ranger. The Ranger who should be in the capital. A full day hadn't even passed. Sebastian saw several of the smaller birds clutching the flowers in their talons, showing them off.
Of course, distance didn't seem to be a factor with the helpers, but for Duke Hammer to have kept his return quiet… that did bare thinking upon.
The Ranger pulled Randal inside before they could be waylaid. Cuddling the wee beasties to his chest for a modicum of warmth. The fae King… The Plum Fairy… one of the five kings of myth. The Ranger snapped to attention when one of the wee beasties started tugging on the flower pouch.
Mitt pulled on the vine strings, what a strong scent! Mana was leaking out of the top. Having opened the small pouch, Mitt stuffed his head into the pouch. Quickly snapping up a seed before the ranger could pulled him out.
The Ranger lifted the wee beastie by its talons. Staring as companion over the last few days swallowed the seed. "Ah, wee one! Tis no meant ta be eaten!" The Ranger cried laying Mitt on his back to massage his stomach. "Listen ta me, spit it out!"
Mitt allowed the ranger to poke and prod him for a few moments before he hopped up. Rolling his eyes as he used his wing to push the fingers away.
Randal watched the birds eyeing the pouch. "Talk ta me Ranger. What… was that?"
The Ranger pulled his attention from his wee overlord. "Ye ken the legends of the fae kings, that one be the king of Plums."
Randal had vaguely guessed as much, "What did he mean, he'd be taken the land?"
The Ranger shuddered, "I be thinkin, he means ta expand the Cerulean forest. As far as I ken, he settled there first. Planted the mother tree, and the rest followed. He be the oldest of the living kings as far as anyone kens."
"I thought the mother trees couldn't be grown. They were found, then fae would be naturally attracted to em." Randal said with obvious irritation as he plopped into a wooden chair.
The Ranger hesitated, "Well, aye, that be true… except for kings. Each has planted a mother tree of sorts… Plum's jus happens to be… the strongest. Supposedly… he be a fae of faith." The ranger hadn't believed it until he'd been tasked to… pray. Not just pray, but to be accepted.
"Faith… ta ah beast god? Ta Ru?" Randal asked in disbelief… "Are there… fae beast gods then?"
The Ranger hesitated, "I donna ken… I mean… we always worshiped the mother tree… we be… liven in harmony with beasts…"
Randal eyed the flower pouch, "What happens if ye… grow ah seed then? New mother tree?"
"Nay, from these seeds… I could… birth a new plum king." The ranger whispered, the reverence, anticipation, expectation was undeniable.
Randal chocked, "Birth? I thought ye birthed like men."
The ranger tucked the pouch close to his heart. "Nay! No like that. The fairies be born ah flowers. Tis like… beast ascending. Ye need ta be born with the possibility, or… be blessed by gods. Though I donna ken if any of the kings were blessed."
Randal rubbed his face. "What happens… if ye fail?" Surely it could not be so easy to just grow a fairy king. Nix had mentioned Ranger was forced to accept… hopefully failure would not be devastating.
The Ranger closed his eyes as he searched his soul for the fairy king's barter… then he searched again. Thrice… "I… canna tell… either their be no punishment… or I no be strong enough to see the terms of the barter."
Randal just nodded as he petted Kokono. "Well then, I guess we'll be learning more of the Sun god in the days ta come. I be thinkin, we find a neutral priest."
The Ranger blinked. "Ye… be joinin me then?"
Randal stood up, slapping the ranger's back. "Ah course, perhaps light of the sun be just what the empire be needin in these dark times."