The Fae Realm: Faery Tales, #1

By Ronel Janse van Vuuren

Shadows.

Magic.

Fae.

Learn their ways – and the original folklore behind the Fae Realm – in six magical stories.

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*This is the first book in the Faery Tales series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ronel Janse van Vuuren
• Release date: Nov 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386116202

Book preview

The Blue Festival

Sia jumped from the roof and ran down the alley. She didn’t need anyone to see – or know – where she was going.

For the most part, the varsity kids she hung out with as a contemporary had no idea what kind of bargains they were entering. And even if they did figure it out, no-one cared. Having reckless fun before graduating to the real world was what they all desperately sought. If she helped her Court in the process...

She jumped over the hedge and entered the forest. No-one ever went there, not even the most foolish of mortals. After the deaths during the last festival...

Sia swallowed and moved silently through the trees. Dryads glared at her from their gathering beneath the elms; Pixies hissed at her as she ducked beneath their thorn tree; even the will- o’-the-wisps scattered when she came close.

She ignored them all. She had an important task. Finally, she made it to the clearing in the middle of the forest. She picked up a fallen leaf, pricked her finger and ripped the blood on it.

‘Blood of mine, summon those for who I pine.’

It didn’t take long for the clearing to be filled. Faeries of all colours, races and sizes appeared from the borough beneath.

‘You’re late.’

She glared at the man who probably inspired the modern portrayal of vampires as handsome creatures to be tamed.

‘I’ve done my part,’ she said, ignoring his accusation. She never had much patience for him or his posturing. ‘The Festival can go forward as planned.’

He raised an eyebrow in surprise.

‘You found...’

She held up a hand. ‘Just let them know, alright? I have to return before I’m missed.’

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Just after sunrise on a Saturday morning, Sia stood surrounded by intoxicated students. They were the ones who constantly stayed at parties long after it had ended. They were the mortals too reckless and foolish to know when to stop.

She watched as the sea of blue descended on them for the festival. Faeries from all over came: blue water Fae and blue veld Fae; even the blue muse Fae made an appearance.

Sia didn’t flinch when the mortals were led away to dance themselves to exhaustion during the revel before becoming the main course. She had done her part to keep her Court fed and safe for another year. She grabbed a passing Phouka and joined the revel.

Vila

The previous story – The Blue Festival – has a Vila as a main character (Sia).

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According to verified folklore sources.

In Thomas Keightley’s Fairy Mythology (1828), this is how the Vila is described:

VILAS

CHERRY! dearest Cherry!

Higher lift thy branches,

Under which the Vilas

Dance their magic roundels.

Them before Radisha

Dew from flowers, lashes,

Leadeth on two Vilas,

To the third he sayeth—

"Be thou mine, O Vila!

Thou shalt, with my mother,

In the cool shade seat thee;

Soft silk deftly spinning

From the golden distaff." [a]

And in The Forest in Folklore and Mythology by Alexander Porteous (1928):

"A female being peculiar to Serbian mythology is the Vila, who partakes of the characteristics of both the Fairy and the Elf. These Vilas, represented