Sean Cullen - The Prince of Neither Here Nor There

“Home?” Deirdre said, confused. “You’re home right now.”

“I mean to my Human parents,” Brendan said firmly. “I’m not leaving them.”

Kim laughed. She turned and held out a hand to Og. “Ha! I told you! Pay up!” Og grumbled and fished some coins out of his pocket and dropped them into her palm.

“No,” Deirdre snapped. “That is not possible. You cannot go back. You are one of the Fair Folk! Your place is here with us. We are your family.”

“Yes,” Brendan agreed. “You are my family. I know that, but so are the people who raised me and loved me and did all the hard work of making me into the person I am. I won’t abandon them now. Nothing you can say will change my mind.”

Deirdre was about to protest, but Greenleaf spoke instead. “I think we have to respect Breandan’s wishes in this.”

“It is highly unusual,” Ariel said. “In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it happening before.”

“Breandan is unusual, to say the least.” Greenleaf smiled at Brendan before continuing. “He has displayed aptitude in at least three of the Disciplines of the Art. He has the Power of Command, Compulsion, Summoning, and Binding, and from what BLT has told us, he’s a Warp Warrior to boot. I’ve never heard of anyone having such a broad range of Talents.”

“And there’s the prophecy,” Og said pointedly. “Ow!” He hopped on one leg as he rubbed his shin. Glaring at Kim, he growled, “That’s twice now.”

Kim smirked.

“Will someone finally tell me about the prophecy?”

Ariel held up his hand. “It is conjecture, as are all prophecies. Long ago, when the Truce was struck between the Fair Folk and the People of Metal, an oracle declared that a time would come when the two tribes would be reconciled once again. A prince would come who was of both worlds. Many people believe that prince is you, Breandan.”

“What am I prince of?” Brendan said. “Do I have my own kingdom? Or a castle or something?”

Og laughed, “Sadly no. These titles are ancient ones, from the time when Faeries ruled the world. Now, they’re just titles.”

“Perhaps not,” Greenleaf said. “Who knows what is in a name? I believe in the power of words. A name is a powerful word indeed.”

“I have a little gifty for ye, nephew. Consider it an initiation gift,” Og rumbled. He held out a massive paw. Resting in his palm was a wrist watch. Examining it closely, Brendan discovered that the face was carved out of grey stone and the band was some sort of hide. “I made it meself. Your glamour is embedded in it. While ye have it on, you’ll appear Human. It’s just temporary, until ye learn to cast the glamours yer own self.” Og winked. “And it’s also waterproof to a thousand metres and it gets Wi-Fi.”

Brendan took the watch and strapped it on. He looked up at Og and grinned. “Thanks, Uncle Og.”

“Ye hear that?” Og laughed. “He called me Uncle Og!”

“Speaking of gifts,” Greenleaf interjected, “I would like to take it upon myself to give Breandan his instruction… if there are no objections?”

Ariel nodded. “I guess we have no choice, Breandan. You may return to your Human family, and we will make provisions for your instruction as far as the Disciplines go. Greenleaf will stay on at your school to watch over you.”

Brendan stood. “Thank you. I know this is weird for you. It’s doubly weird for me, believe me. But I can’t help it. I’m doing the right thing.”

“I hope you are right,” Ariel sighed. “You’ve chosen a difficult road, Breandan. One world is hard enough. Two worlds may be more than anyone can handle.”

“I’ll be okay,” Brendan said. “Oh, and by the way, my name is Brendan. No extra ‘a’ from now on.” Somehow, it was important to Brendan to retain that little bit of his old self. “Brendan.”

“As you wish.” Ariel chuckled.

“I’d better be going,” Brendan said. “My mum and dad will be worried sick.”

“Call them on the way home,” Og said, tossing him a small flat block of wood. Brendan caught it easily. His old clumsiness was a thing of the past.

He walked out through the crowd. Well-wishers slapped his back and made sure he knew they were glad he’d come through the Quest unscathed. As he approached the door, someone grabbed him by the arm. He was spun around to find himself looking into the face of Finbar. The old man smiled.

“Finbar! I’d forgotten. Are you all right?”

“Sure, I’m fine. Never better.”

“Are you going to be reinstated?”

The old man shook his head. “Nay, not yet anyway. They’re discussin’ my case.” Finbar cracked a smile. “But since I gave you a hand, they’re lookin’ at me with a kinder eye. I have ye to thank fer that.” The old man offered his calloused hand and Brendan shook it gladly.

“Thank you,” Brendan said sincerely.

“Thank me? Fer what? If I hadn’t lifted yer token, ye would never have had all this trouble.”

“Well, you saved Delia and I owe you a lot. I’ll lobby for you.”

Finbar winked and let go of Brendan’s hand.

Brendan turned and walked the rest of the way to the door. He reached the door of the Swan and looked back at his newfound friends and family.

Og, Kim, Deirdre, and Greenleaf smiled and waved. Brendan couldn’t help but feel excited about the possibilities his new life presented. Finbar ducked his head meekly and waved. Brendan waved back. Though he was desperate to get back to his Human family, he suddenly was reluctant to leave.

Then he caught sight of Ariel. The ancient Faerie sat unnaturally still, watching him with those inscrutable eyes, an enigmatic expression on his pale face. Brendan sensed that Ariel was a dangerous person for all of his benign, grand fatherly demeanour. He looked at Brendan as if he could pry open his mind and examine the boy’s inner thoughts.

Brendan looked at that face and realized he couldn’t get out of the Swan soon enough.

“Good luck, mon,” Leonard said, laying a massive arm around Brendan’s shoulders. “You’ve chosen a difficult path but I tink you be up to de task.”

Brendan looked up into the smiling dark face and smiled back. “I think it’s going to be okay, Leonard.”

“You be careful,” a feminine voice growled. Saskia, the bartender with the yellow, wolfish eyes, sidled up and took Leonard’s arm. “If you need anything, you be sure and let us know. I would be happy to help you with your Warp training.”

“Cool! Thanks a lot. I was really wiped out after I warped.”

“Everyone is after their first time. It gets better with practice.”

With one last look around at the bizarre and beautiful menagerie of Faerie patrons, he stepped out the door of the Swan of Liir and into the cool, crisp November evening.

The sun was already setting. He was standing in the grass behind the Ward’s Island Community Centre. A man came around the side of the building rolling an empty beer keg through the wet grass.

“Whoa!” the man said. “You scared the crap outta me. I didn’t know anyone else was back here.”

“Sorry,” Brendan said. He looked back at the wall of the Community Centre. The door to the Swan was clearly visible. He decided to try a little test. He pointed at the door. “Can you see that?”

The man looked at the door and his shoulders fell. “I know. I really gotta paint that wall. It’s peeling something fierce. There’s just no dough, my son.”

Brendan set off in the direction of the public ferry terminal. He would have gone to the Faerie Terminal but he still didn’t have any noble metal. The thought of the bargain he’d struck with the Ferryman sent a shiver down his spine. He was sure that bird would come home to roost one day. He went to the ferry operator and wove a tale about how his wallet and phone had been stolen. He promised to repay the man if he let him take the ferry back to the city. Though dubious, the operator agreed.