Exton

Keon watches silently from a shadow as Wish perches herself on the sill of an open window. Her eyes are old, holding a sadness as she listens to the conversation within. When the men leave the room, she slips over the sill and into the room. She cocks her head and watches the two women. Her words are soft, litling, yet carry to the two for whom they are meant.

"Nae a curse. Ye were meant ta be here, in this time, this place. Her Warrior Women, One of This Realm, One of Faery."

She watches them closely, letting it sink in. Her fingers flex on her hips. "An How, may I ask, twas the Warrior ta be birthed an Her Viking nae live so long?"

She wanders to counter, looking at the knife block. Wish pulls out a long boning knife from the block. Brandishing the blade, she smiles. Her eyes narrow as she looks along the edge. Her head cocks, and Mouse peeks through her tangled curls to peer at what is in her hands. A slow smile creeps across her face, giving it an odd expression.

"This has never been used. The handle is plastic..." She turns, eyes burning intensely. "May I keep this?"

Star nods, telling her yes. Wish carefully slides it into the sash around her waist. Raina watches her adjust it for an easy pull. The strange little fae has done this before.

Leaning back in her chair, Raina asks the Wyldfae, "What do you want it for?"

"There are those who would not want the Prophesy to come to pass. I am not one. Those same would look for magic from mine own hands, nae steel. Tis good ta be... unpredictable?"

She grins at the women and bows, disappearing over the sill. Keon steps from the shadows as she lands lightly on the ground. She drops to a knee and touches her forehead to the other.

"Rise Wish. We've missed you on the Shadow Paths. I assume Pike is with you?"

The Fae rises to her feet and looks Keon up and down. "So formal, Dealg Drubh. How fare mine kin? Tis long since Pike and I followed the trail that brought us here. Happy Magick that we found it again."

Keon smiles. "The Piskies are faring well. Wales is kind to the ones that live there still. Many still mourn your leaving the Woodlands. Pike listens to the men on the porch even now. Will he tell them what you have told the women?"

Wish grins and shakes her head. As she darts away, she calls back. "Nae, that is for ye to tell them Oh Lord of the Shadows and Hounds!"

He laughs, watching her barrel past the porch. Pike startles Tannr as he pops up and tears off after his companion. Lobo meets them halfway across the clearing and they run, giggling as Lobo gives chase. Erik shakes his head, smiling.

Keon leans against the railing, watching them. "They have the joy of children, wild and free. But they are older than they seem, and both are dangerous when crossed."

He glances up at the sun as it sinks closer to the treeline. "Wish told Star and Raina that ye are meant to be here. Bits and pieces of the stories are falling in place. The Lady of Star and Moons, her Warrior Mate, the two Women Warriors who stand as her Sworn Swords, the Man of Two Worlds... So many things of so many tales that revolve around the Prophesy seem to be gathering." He watches the trio fall into a laughing jumble as Wolf sprawls out in the still warm sunlight. "Wish has armed herself. I will replace the knife from your kitchen block, My Brother."

There is a huffing growl from the trees and Trooper lopes into the sun. Wolf growls in response, not bothering to rise. He trots to Keon's side and lays his grizzled head along the Rider's thigh.

Keon nods, then steps away from the railing. "My patrol is waiting. I will see thee tonight."

His looks up at the sun as black mist envelopes him, as it drifts away two Hounds bound for the woods, red eyes glowing. They bay farewell, the eerie sound echoing off the trees, and the shadows swallow them as if they were never there.