It’s #BookQW and Fern is drowning in ‘details’ to help Cor’s dream!
More from Chapter 10:
A sound like the wind blowing through power lines surrounded them. But Giuthas had no power lines. Seconds later, a small figure shimmered into view.
“This is the closest I can come to meeting your request, Mistress Fern. During my watch, I must stay alert,” said the man.
He had light brown skin and looked like an elf, though she doubted he was. His ears weren’t pointed, just large and sticking out. Or maybe his face was narrow, hard to tell because of his flailing auburn-red ringlets. Worse, he sparkled—which color, or colors, weren’t clear—and bounced from foot to foot, even in midair. The guy was a jittery mass of movement, and it didn’t help that the glowing cage ropes stood between them.
Cor elbowed her. “Get on with it. I don’t like being a sitting duck.”
“You are nae sitting. Nor are you a duck. Both can be arranged, if you prefer.” The man raised a hand.
Fern darted her hands to block him—stupid, really, because she hadn’t tried magicking a shield—but she flushed magic like she had with the protective hickory nut. Or tried to. Nothing came out. Just as well, because the man was smirking. “We, uh, this must be a misunderstanding. This is my grandmother’s house, the Meadows, where I…” Hold it, she was in charge of the Meadows. Why was she stammering around when she belonged here? “I was just coming home, to my habitat.” Cor elbowed her again. “And bringing a friend with me.”
“Aye, that I did nae miss, and therein lies the problem, Mistress Fern,” he sneered. “Your friend here is nae approved to visit the Isle of Giuthas.”
“How do I get him approved?”
“You speak to the council. They approve the visitor. They submit the person’s details to the Watchers.”
This sounded like a lot of red tape, which—her heart sank—was probably what everyone meant when they said the isle was secure. She must not have triggered this guy’s radar when she first accidently came through the portal because of her blood relationship to Gran. “The Watchers?”
“The Watchers are the wizards charged with keeping the isle secure,” said Raven.
Fern spun around, her despair lifting, though he was frowning. “Thank goodness, you’re here. Tell him who I am.”
“Fee knows who you are.”
“And?”
“Fee doesn’t know who”—Raven jerked his chin at Cor—“that wizard is. You broke a rule.”
~~~
Ah, red tape. Will Fern get through it to help Cor’s dream of working with the Isle of Giuthas’ ancient pines? Buy Guardian of the Pines today!
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