Day 204 (182nd)

Day 204 (182nd): 4 days until wedding
This day was filled with dragon business. Gretta found only one item among the merchants that was truly from a dragon. The rest were reptile or other animal: alligator, crocodile, snake, frogs, etc. Some were just leather dyed strange colors and made stiff. The merchant guild leaders were upset that this was going on. One asked for their guild license. Not a single one was a guild member. He gave them two options: tell the truth or be barred from Selvis for life. Not only did they change, they whole assembly of merchants began replacing their signs with the truth. Also, people realized they could now afford the item they wanted even if it was brass instead of gold or simple cowhide dyed a brilliant color. Merchant guilds began signing them up left and right, accepting one copper for one year's dues as reward for their voluntary honesty. We left them to their business.
It was afternoon by that time. We got lunch and headed to the wedding site. The flowers were filling in nicely. By the wedding, there would be no wood visible between the leaves and flowers. The florists had taken well to their assignments and were aiding in wrapping the stems and vines around the arch and rails. They were also keeping animals and insects from this late summer bounty. Set was assisting in his own way by eating mice and squirrels and rabbits he caught on his hunting trips.
His growth spurt was now noticeable to others as well. I could still carry him, but he only asked when he was very sleepy.
While we were looking at the area, six riders and dragons arrived. There was just enough room around the stage for them to land and not disturb anything. They said they were planning a surprise for the royal couple and had come over to see if it was possible. They positioned themselves three to a side. Two arched over the stage while the other four lay down, crossing at the neck to lay head to wing. On cue, they all rose in unison and shot thin streaks of fire, crossing in an X pattern overhead. It was spectacular! They said the flames would be much larger at the wedding, but the thin ones produced a sample to make sure no one would be accidentally hurt.
When we returned to the palace, we asked the rider cleric, Duncan, to inform the centaur cleric of the dragons' activity so he would not feel attacked. Duncan laughed and said he would.
At dinner, we kept quiet about the riders' surprise but did inform them of the status of the flowers and the success with the merchants. Mara was very happy and Gavin seemed satisfied, but he also seemed nervous.
Alone, I asked, "Gavin, what is it? You are not your usually confident self. Is something wrong?"
"My father, mother, and sister are arriving tomorrow. I am afraid they will be disappointed in what we've done here. I just want them to be proud of me."
I felt as far as I had ever reached. Droland, Darla, and Margret were already on the road. I felt their emotions and smiled.
"Gavin, I feel them. They are overjoyed at this wedding. Droland knows the challenges you are facing and is proud that you have not called for help on the ordinary things and is impressed with your judgement for asking for aid against the demon. Be at peace, you have nothing to fear from them."
Gavin smiled broadly and whispered to Mara. She looked at me as tears of joy trickled down her face. I informed my sisters of what had happened. Some of them wept as well.
I don't know if it was because I had opened myself up so much or extended so far, but I felt a curious sensation. I felt dizzy and heavy at the same time. Set's roar alerted the others to notice something wrong. My sisters got me to stand and move away from the table. The last thing I remembered was a red veil falling across my vision.

Normally, I would not write in the book of someone else, but the sisters are occupied at this moment. I am Mattis, whom Kayla has written about. This even requires documenting and I have accepted that task.
When Set roared and brought our attention to Kayla, I felt a cold no winter chill could carry. The other sisters, wisely, took her away from the table. About a dozen paces from it, she turned on her heel and faced us, eyes burning red. Her hair moved in an unearthly wind.
"Hear me, human scum! You may have defeated my agents and servants, but I am far more formidable than they. Your Faerie seer opened the path for me to address you directly. Nothing and no one short of a god can defeat me. Selvis will fall again to me and became the Abyss on earth. My masters will make you all slaves, serving our every whim. No place above or below ground will be unaffected. Your little wedding will be the introduction of a new age. The Age of Demons! Know you power are useless and your plans worthless. YOU WILL FAIL!"
As the last words echoed in the dining room, Kayla slumped and was caught by her sisters with Set right beside her as they helped her to the floor.
"Physically, she is fine," Sarah told us, "but her mind is not here. Vanity, can you help?... Vanity? Set, can you sense either of them?"
Set's whine spoke volumes. He was alone for the first time since he hatched. He nuzzled Kayla's still form and whimpered. Suddenly, they both physically vanished. We all ran to the sisters' room, but they were not there. We wondered where Set would take Kayla in an emergency. As we pondered, a letter appeared out of nowhere. Kendar snagged it before it hit the floor. He read it silently and sat heavily upon the nearest bed. Gavin grabbed it from him and read it out loud:

Dear friends,
Kayla and Set are safe. Set brought her to me in his panic. She is being tended by the best healers in the realm. I will let you know her condition soon."
Signed,
The Faerie Queen.

Bless his scaly hide. Sarroset knew the Faerie Queen would be the one person to aid Kayla in a time like this. We were a bit relieved. However, I could see and sense the loss the other six were experiencing. If I have read Kayla's numbers correctly, this is the first time they have spent a night apart in the six months since the seven of them came together. I told them to sleep and know she was well tended. They nodded and we left them to go to our own chambers. Except for the demon part, I envied Kayla. In the Faerie Realm, I can only hope to see it one day.