14 New Avalon

   Warren found it hard to believe New Avalon was new in any fashion. Fully formed buildings made of wood and stone stretched to the heavens, paved roads and primitive street lamps dotted the sidewalks. Seelie people of all shapes colors and descriptions carried on their day. The sight of the Dodge Charger got more than a few finger points and astonished looks. 

     Warren waved to the people outside the vehicle, “How is this possible? New Avalon was just formed the other day.”

    Vasilia laced her fingers in Warrens, and gave them an enthusiastic squeeze, “Time moves slower where we are from. We had time to prepare for the big change. It’s the reason why humans had to be careful how long they spent in our realm.”

     “Yeah one guy came to a wedding, it lasted a week, he returned to the earth realm, and thirty years passed, he returned to our realm and lived a quiet life in the woods alone.” Plume added.

    Nerea kept one eye on the road, and the other on Vasilia. “So Nerea how old are you?”

    “I am a teenager in the eyes of my people, and that’s all you need to know.” 

    “It’s just you seem very attached to Warren already, and I worry you might be moving too fast,” Nerea said. Warren wanted to crawl under the nearest rock. He knew there was a chance things wouldn't work out. He refused to let go of a perfectly normal teenage moment. A pleasure he had been denied.

   Vasilia rubbed Nerea’s shoulders, an impish smile filled her perfect face, “I will be careful with his heart, Ms. Vasquez I promise.” 

    Warren pulled her back and shook his head, “Give her time to think.”

    “You two just met on the boat, and now it’s like you’re inseparable now, I feel I brought up a valid concern. Warren has his whole life to fall in love and figure out what he needs in a relationship, not what he wants,” Nerea looked back at them and shook her head, “I wish Melanie were here she’d set you straight.”

   Warren knew his surrogate mother was right. Melanie Vandal would have said something along those lines. He turned to Vasilia, “Maybe we should get to know one another better as people.”

   Nerea let out a sigh of relief, “Is it like this with young Seelie?”

  Plume almost fell out of his seat with laughter, “No,” He stopped and knitted his eyebrows, “Although, we should give our young ones more thought since they are mortal now.”

   Soft breath touched Warren's shoulder through his shirt. Vasilia caressed his face, and then whispered in his ear, “I’ll explain everything later when we have a moment alone.”

    “Fair enough,” Warren knew his mother would urge him to hear her out. Although in his mind if they hadn’t swapped spit, it didn’t count. Still, he wanted to do her proud.

     Plume pointed to a large house made of shaped trees and amber, “Pull in there, we are a bit behind schedule, but you made it here in one piece. So it should not be too bad.”

    A troop of guards closed in on the Charger, pikes raised, with menace written all over their faces. Nerea looked over at Plume, “Are these friends of yours?”

    “Royal guard is officially no one’s friend. The eidolon would think twice before tangling with these guys,” Plume's voice was devoid of humor and rife with seriousness.

    “Occupants of the unknown horseless carriage, please step out and identify yourselves. A heavyset Seelie with stubby wings said in a deep mighty voice.

    Nerea stepped out first, “I am Warren Vandals caretaker.”

   A guardsman looked over a scroll, “Captain Fleet, she is not on the list.”

   The captain growled low and faced his subordinate, “Corporal Doonce, other human children have come here with their caretakers, why should we treat this one any different?”

    “Warren is a priority, I assumed for safety reasons…”

   Captain Fleet adjusted his thick wooden breastplate, “On any other day I would agree, however, Warren is a priority one, and we should give him some leeway.”

    “Yes, sir,” Doonce replied. 

    “Forgive me, Ms. Vasquez, we are in a training phase. Some of my men are a bit wet behind the ears. I trust Plume acted appropriately while he was with you?”

     Warren stepped out of the car and nodded, “Plume is a good friend and traveling companion. He’s the reason we made it in one piece.”

    Fleet gave Plume a nod of approval, “Good work, we’ll talk about getting you an advance in rank. The gods know I could use some sensible men.” He shot a withering stare over to Doonce, who appeared to be perturbed by it. “Come on, Vasilia, will you be joining us?”

   Vasilia put her arm around Warren’s waist and giggled, “I refuse to be left behind.”

   Fleet studied them and shook his head, “I can’t wait to see how this plays out. Come on Plume, we’ll talk about your transfer on the way to the throne room.”

   “Why did he say that?” Warren asked Vasilia.

  Vasilia smirked mysteriously, “Once again, the explanation will have to wait.”

                                                                           ****

    The entire house had the lived-in feel to it, fresh flowers in vases. Servants dusted cabinets and washed walls. Men moved great cabinets, around. The sweet air calmed the nerves and relaxed the mind. A formal man dressed in a paget jacket and tie met them in the hall. His stiff gait made Warren think of those wind-up tin Soldiers. He extended a white-gloved hand and bowed to Nerea.

     “Mr. Vandal, Ms. Vasquez welcome to New Avalon, I am Renfru, the queen's most loyal servant. Please, follow me. The queen is anxious, she believes your survival is an omen of things to come,” the butler motioned them down the hall. 

     “What do you mean omen?” Nerea had an urge to get between Warren and Vasilia. She forced them apart and stood in front of him protectively. “I’d like an explanation for that please.”

     Renfru shook his head, “The queen wished to explain it herself. She gave me very little to go on. You are not prisoners, Ms. Vasquez, but Warren will be asked to make a choice, and you cannot interfere.”

     “Like hell, I can’t,” Nerea shrieked, her entire body vibrated, and she raised two tightly balled fists.

      Warren put his arm on Nereas shoulder, “I at least want to hear the queen out. She is helping us. I don’t want to appear rude.” He turned to Renfru, “To be clear I have the right to decline?”

      Renfru smiled and nodded, “But of course. It is the oldest of fairy laws.”

     Nerea’s muscles relaxed and she lowered her fists, Her breathing slowed, and her eyes gave up on the murderous glances, “Next time, lead with that.”

      “It’s been an adjustment for us all, I’m afraid Ms. Vasquez. We are mortal now, and the transition is not going well. Religious zealots call us demons, governments eye us with suspicion, but are more than happy to take our magical solutions. Worst of all we are blamed for the state of the world,” Renfru clasped his hands behind his back, “We only want to coexist. If that means we stick to ourselves, so be it.”

      Warren let go of Vasilia, and caught up to the butler, “If it makes you feel any better, I don’t hate you. I know you guys didn’t ask to be here.”

      “Your words give me heart, Mr. Vandal,” He turned to Nerea, “You have done an excellent job with him...why the long faces?”

     “We’ll save it for another time,” Warren put his arm around Nerea, “It's a long story.”

     Renfro gave Vasilia a suspicious look, “Vasilia, I thought you were assigned elsewhere?”

    “No, I was assigned Warren,” She beamed with pride. The gown floated along with her back to Warren’s side. “I am quite content with my lot.”

     Renfro opened the doors, took five steps in, and shouted, “Introducing, Warren Vandal, Heir to the line of Troy,” The fanfare of trumpets and cheers burst Warren’s eardrum. 

      Queen Elphame, drifted down the stairs of her throne and up to Warren, “On behalf of the Seelie people, we welcome you.”