Keeper's Justice
Copyright© 2025 by Charly Young
Chapter 6: Deidra
Deidra
Despite her training, D’eidra, heiress apparent of the Dökkálfar Rebus Forge, found herself gawking like an ignorant bellows-slave at Uonaidh, queen mother of all the Sidhe, as she lounged in her throne watching the dancers. Her polished ash-wood throne was cunningly set into a hollow of a massive white oak tree. The ancient tree, its roots many times thicker than the torso of a troll, curled deep into a granite outcropping. Its branches draped with moon flower vines that swept over the bower to form a sweet-scented vaulted canopy. Lavender pixie moss carpeted the bower floor. The moss gave off a soothing fragrance with each pace of the dancers.
A light breeze whispered through the branches, a background for the musicians hidden behind veils of silk.
D’eidra was abuzz with excitement. For the first time, her mother allowed her to attend court—and the Festival of Lughnasadh marked the beginning of her majority. Although she was trying very hard not to show it, the high-born dancers, Daoine and Dökkálfar Sidhe, awed her. Their radiant forms, clad in shimmering gowns and crowns that looked like woven starlight, whirled and twisted as they danced the stately intricate pavanes and galliards to the fairy music of the Court musicians.
At her side stood the Lady Iris, the Messenger of the Royal Court, and her mother, Ilyrana, Exarch of Rebus Forge.
Her mother’s deep violet eyes flicked over the dancers with practiced disdain, as if they were all dancing for her amusement. “Watch and learn, my daughter,” she whispered. “Formal events are ever times of extreme peril. That is why the young are not allowed at these things. A foolish misstep or casual jest, and a blood feud could erupt between a house or forge that can last for centuries.”
She turned and whistled a soft query in the fluting birdsong of High Alfar to Lady Iris. “Will he be amenable?”
Lady Iris’s jade-colored cat eyes narrowed in thought. “I believe he will. You must realize, though, this Keeper is unpredictable at best. We will have to wait and see.”
In spite of herself, D’eidra blurted, “He is a mere human, isn’t he? Humans do as they are told. Why is there a doubt? What we will—will be.”
Her mother’s fingers abruptly flashed in their Forge’s secret language. “Daughter, be silent!”
D’eidra’s face flushed, then went pale as milk with embarrassment. To make such a mistake in this environment was unforgivable. But the thought still lingered. A human? Her mother was trying to frighten her.
She signed a meek query. “Mother, why have you summoned me here?”
“Daughter, you are on the cusp of adulthood. It is time for the last phase of your training. Be silent now and pay attention.”
Queen Uonaidh gestured for the three of them to enter a room behind the throne.
Three female trolls clad all in black rose to their feet as they entered. D’eidra desperately tried to maintain her public face as their eyes swept over her. The youngest of the three, who appeared to be her age, winked at her.
“The Vistomur,” her mother’s twitching fingers informed her.
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