The Startrail: Painter's Keep

By H.A. Stephen

The second book of THE STARTRAIL fantasy series, THE STARTRAIL: PAINTER'S KEEP, is a continuation of the adventure through fantastical realms; an imaginative quest for truth and freedom.

 

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• Language: English
• Publisher: H.A. Stephen
• Release date: Oct 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781777437558

H.A. Stephen

H.A. Stephen is an entrepreneur, athlete, and lover of castles. When she is not working on writing projects, she runs her bustling coffee shop, Apartment 3 Espresso Bar, dreams up new ideas with her husband, and sprints on nearby tracks. Previously, she has represented Canada on the Bobsleigh World Cup circuit and has gathered much fuel for her imagination and writing from her travels. Follow her @heatherannstephen.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Realm Of Fairies

Down through the iridescent water, she strained her eyes to see if she could see the portal painting that she had created, that she had just gone through. It couldn’t be seen from above the surface, but when she looked briefly underwater, she could see a subtle glow beneath her. She was treading water now, trying to gain her bearings, and felt the pain from the lack of oxygen in her lungs. Sarah darted her eyes every which way, half expecting the United Ones to still be coming after her, even though she had made the ultimate escape. They had no way to follow unless they got the portal from Viggo.

You’re the one. The next in line … The words from Ivo popped into her head. Everyone was waiting for her to do something, be something, and fulfill whatever it was they wanted her to fulfill. Whether she liked it or not, she was on a new trajectory for her life.

The air was warm on her face and smelled like roses and chocolate mixed with pine. Within her view, moonlight poured over a picturesque forest. She frantically began to swim in the dark water towards it. The forest looked familiar, yet a thousand times more illuminated, highlighted, and detailed. It was like the one she was in before she fell into the portal painting, but the pond was new, and she had never seen the small lights lit beneath the trees. There were little homes built into the trees, she could see as she got closer, deep in the rooted areas.

Sarah pushed herself up and out of the water and onto the mossy ground. She was shaking. She searched for her phone but could not find it. She must have dropped it somewhere in the trails, unless it was now at the bottom of the pond. She crawled further onto the land, exhaustion taking over. The pond that she had come from looked so small and strange. How it could be that she had painted herself into this world was a very difficult concept to understand, and yet, there she was. Viggo had possessed the seafaen substance that she needed to paint a portal and she finally did it. According to him, this meant that she was a Portal Painter.

This gift had only been hinted at before. She had often wondered what to make of her visions and her unique ability to see things that others could not. It all made sense now—now that she was able to use these powers to paint herself into other realms. She didn’t know the rules of it all, and she still didn’t know exactly who Viggo was, but she did know that her father knew. This is why she had escaped into this portal. This is why she had to protect the one key out of three that she still had in her possession.

Sarah’s knuckles were white from her tight grip on the key, and she slowly opened her palm, shaking in the cold. The key had revealed itself to her, along with the two others, mysterious and powerful. She felt regret that she had handed the other two over to Panveer’s head agent, Henrikson of the United Ones. At the time, she had felt relieved. But then he had coated them with seafaen, and she was unable to get them back. Seafaen, the substance that could create impenetrable walls. The same substance that was used by the Portal Painters to create paintings.

And now she found herself in a strange and fantastical place. Was it a part of her usual mind games—the migraines and the visions—or was this for real? Her hands felt the mossy ground. It was real, very real. The life that she knew before finding the keys was like a long-lost memory. Now she was amid a strange new reality, even though she didn’t want to be, nor did she understand why she had been selected. She didn’t ask for the three keys to come to her. But she had to see past that now, she had to be willing to learn about this reality, because she couldn’t help but be a part of it. She looked around the forest, searching for something that made sense, something she could anchor herself to. Her breath disrupted the silence. She closed her eyes as tears started to flow.

Wake up, wake up, she told herself, but every time she opened her eyes, she was still in the same place. She was awake, and perhaps more awake than she had ever been in her life. The soft glow of light coming from the forest was alluring. The pine trees were thick and green, and the fall leaves on the other trees still held their place. The ground was covered with a thick layer of long pine needles that looked like shards of gold, coating the ground like a carpet. Sarah had to admit that it was a stunning sight to see. Then her eyes focused directly onto the little homes that were built into the trees.

Whoa, Sarah whispered as she stood up, soaking wet and shaking. She felt like a giant, looking down at these tiny homes within the trees. She started blinking hard, as if something was in her eye. But it wasn’t in her eye, it was floating right in front of her.

You have the key, a smooth voice echoed. Sarah looked around, uncertain where the voice had come from. I’m over here, Silver of Ocean Sky.

Hello? Who are you? Sarah searched for the source of the voice.

The glowing bounce of light fluttered. Her vision became clearer as it moved away from her, and she could see it properly. It was a fairy, just like the fairies in the stories she had heard about over the years.

We can help you, giant. Just come this way. The glowing, fluttering fairy moved towards a large pine tree with beautiful green needles and long branches. She landed on a branch and waited for Sarah to follow. 

How did I get here? Sarah asked, wide-eyed.

All will be explained if you follow us. The fairy’s voice was clear and calm.

Sarah liked the sound of that, but the fact that a fairy was speaking to her was difficult to grasp. She could try running and hope to find her way home eventually, but she was freezing, and her surroundings were unfamiliar. Who knew what else lurked in these woods? She walked forward towards the fairy and stood beneath a long, sagging pine tree branch. The fairy started fluttering her wings faster and whirling around. She finally landed back on the branch, causing a huge gust of warmth all over Sarah’s body. The gust was like a surge of dry rain, of glimmering light that poured out from the branch. Sarah fell into a dreamlike state immediately, enjoying the warmth that came over her.

She was on the ground when she woke, soft moss beneath her, and she smiled as if she had awoken from the most wonderful sleep. She was startled fully awake when she saw that a glorious-looking creature stood before her. Sarah sat up instantly. Looking down, she saw that her clothes were dry. The person before her was wearing a yellow dress that had tiny rubies sewn into it. Her hair was long and golden blond, and strands of it were placed before her slightly pointed ears. She was wearing a thin gold band around her forehead.

Sarah was speechless. This person had wings, big huge wings, behind her. 

Silver of Ocean Sky. How good of you to finally come, the person said. Her voice was familiar.

You’re the fairy! Sarah exclaimed, realizing suddenly that she was now the same size as the small fairy that had floated in front of her face. 

I am the fairy. My name is Eleska of Merimoon Forest, she said in a serious tone. And now you are our size.

Immediately, Sarah looked upwards and realized that the tree in front of her was gigantic and that the tiny homes she had seen within the trunks were now big enough for her to enter. 

What happened to me? Sarah shouted. She looked around; all of the trees around her were as high as mountains. Merimoon Forest? She had to be in some sort of dream. She pinched her arm to wake herself up, but she remained where she was.

You’re not in a dream, human. Humans always seem to think that they are dreaming and then try pinching themselves, the fairy remarked. Don’t worry. It’s shocking at first, but you will be fine.

What do you want with me? I need to get home. How did this all happen? Sarah asked. She was still trying to absorb her new surroundings.

Through the Moon Pine Showers, the usual way. You should know about those. What has got you so stunned, Silver of Ocean Sky? What you need to do is to tell me about the key that you have in your hands. The fairy looked friendly but Sarah had grown cautious. She found it strange that the fairy thought she should know about these so-called Moon Pine Showers.

Sarah’s hand gripped the newly shrunken key even more tightly.

She spoke up. I’m not Silver, my name is Sarah. You are thinking of the wrong person. She immediately remembered the random letter that her dad had sent her from his prison cell. It was written for her but had the name Silver on it instead. Questions flooded her mind as she tried to understand the connection.

The fairy looked upset and turned towards a giant mushroom nearby. Iselin, you can come out to join us. 

The one called Iselin stepped out from behind the mushroom and walked towards Sarah and Eleska.

If she isn’t Silver, she can’t help us. Take the key and send her back. Iselin’s eyes narrowed; her dark hair shimmered under the moon. She stared at Sarah for a little longer.

Please, give us the key, Eleska pleaded. It is obvious that you don’t understand what it even means, which is dangerous for you.

How about you tell me about this key, and then we can talk about who should take it. Sarah felt more protective than before over the key. She now knew the power that the keys held, and understood that, for some reason, she was the one to whom they were revealed. She thought back to when she had drawn a picture of the keys in her notebook, back in her home, without even knowing that they existed. The voice had told her to draw something, so she did. She drew three keys. It had awoken a new memory of her grandfather in his office, and seeing the symbol of these keys on the necklace he wore confirmed the importance of the keys.

The night she drew that picture seemed so long ago now, but it was just earlier in the fall. Now it was late November, although the comfortable warmth of the fairy realm wouldn’t suggest that winter was near. Her whole life, she had wondered why she could see shimmering lights in the trees of the forest by her house, and now that she had fallen into a fairy realm within that same forest, it all seemed to connect.

Eleska examined Sarah and held her gaze while speaking to Iselin. She doesn’t seem to hold Startrail memories, but within her there is more stardust than the average human. She paused and smiled, her eyes still locked on Sarah.

So, the rumor of the keys is true. Eleska appeared elated and yet, almost immediately, concern washed over her again. It’s true that they have been sent out. The Painter’s Keep is locked, inaccessible, and the Keeper of the Keys has forgone her status, sending the keys out to the next Keeper, who is Silver.

Iselin watched Eleska critically. Yes, Eleska, it’s true.

Keeper of the Keys? Sarah felt a headache twinge at her like a punch to her stomach. A flash of vision poured into her head. She saw a picture of an illuminated yet faded face, and a warm voice that she remembered as a child. Then she saw a waterfall, and her father wearing a long jacket with a hood, in a forest, hunting for something. He turned and called out for her, calling her Silver. Sarah fell to her knees. Why was she remembering this? It all was so foreign yet so familiar.

Sometimes the Moon Pine Showers can make people feel sick, Eleska shared. Are you okay?

Please, let me go back home, Sarah pleaded, her voice edged with exhaustion. Fear was creeping in.

We are surprised that you don’t already know how to get home. You don’t have to pretend with us or hide your name. If you have the key, then you should know, Eleska reasoned.

Iselin stood behind her, serious and focused. But if you must go back, we can send you there now.

Sarah was surprised at their sudden willingness to let her go.

Before I go back, please give me more information about the keys. Sarah opened her hand, but nothing was there. The key was gone.

Hey! Where is it? She looked on the ground around her, but she hadn’t dropped it. Did you take it? Give it back! Sarah noticed that the dark-haired fairy had gone. She spun around and ran a couple of yards into the forest with the giant trees. Where did the other fairy go?

Eleska looked at her with compassion, but Sarah couldn’t tell if she was being genuine or if this was all one big game to them.

It will just come back to me, in moments, you’ll see.

Haven’t you heard of seafaen covering? Eleska said.

She knew about seafaen. It’s what Henrikson had done to the other keys back at the United Ones’ headquarters in Walton so that the keys didn’t continually follow Sarah wherever she went. It was supernatural that the keys would do that, it was like they were meant for her. Henrikson had said that he’d keep them safe, but now she knew different. He was keeping them for Panveer. This one key was the last piece of leverage that she had. Now it had been taken from her. All because of seafaen coverings.

She also knew that she had used seafaen to paint her way into this realm. She considered sharing this with the fairies but decided against it. So far, they did not seem trustworthy.

You are merely human. It’s just that we are having a hard time understanding that. Eleska looked at her strangely.

Sarah wanted to chase after Iselin, who must have stolen the key, but she didn’t want to get lost. Maybe this was her opportunity to let this all go. The keys were all gone now, someone else’s problem. She could go live her normal life in Walton, go to school, forget all about fairies and random keys. But then she remembered that her father was still in jail, for nothing. And the man in the pawnshop who worked for Henrikson and Panveer had revealed that they had set him up for a crime that he didn’t commit.

Panveer. She didn’t know much about him, yet, except for the fact that he held power, wanted the keys, and would do whatever it took to get them. That included setting her father up that night, when he had left the house and wandered over to the pawnshop in search of some important necklace, in search of his own memories that had been lost because of the accident. Sarah and her father both dealt with bouts of amnesia.

She didn’t know all the details of how or why they had set her father up like that, but if the keys could help her gain power to help him now, then she couldn’t leave this one behind. She wouldn’t let them get away with this. Her father deserved better.

Eleska’s stern and steady composure was fueled with anger, but she maintained her calm. You need to listen to me. Come back underneath the pine tree. It’s time for you to leave.

Sarah ignored Eleska and started walking backwards towards the Merimoon Forest. She had to get her key back, even if she didn’t know how. 

As she turned around, she saw a crowd of fifteen to twenty other fairies, with bows drawn, standing confidently in Sarah’s way. How was she expected to get the key back now?

Stop her! Eleska shouted.

Two fairy men walked up on either side of her and took her by the arms. They had long whips of hair that shimmered like moonstone. 

She thought of an idea to delay them. Wait. Please. I have something to tell you. I remembered something earlier, when I felt a sudden headache. It was a vision. I could see memories like pieces of a puzzle—it was as if it was a puzzle that was literally a piece of my DNA.

She hoped this would work.

The fairies didn’t flinch, they maintained calm and poise.

We are pleased that you will give us information. Retrieving what we need from humans’ brains is usually easy for us. You are a weak species. But with you, it is different, for some reason. If you do not cooperate with us, then we will send you home by force, immediately. You are making it dangerous for the fairies. Eleska seemed uneasy.

Sarah was confused by what Eleska was saying. The earlier vision stirred in her mind, and she continued to think about it, trying to remember if it was real. It seemed real. Was her name really Silver? Could it be that the reason she had been so limited in the memory department was that there was more to the story? Were parts of the truth hidden so that either she could be protected, or others could be? This was the first time that this idea had crossed her mind. It was eye-opening, but it wasn’t necessarily true. Yet—why did her father address the letter to her as Silver, without any explanation? She hated that the accident had emptied her father of all his thirty-plus years of memories. It was like they were stolen from him. The amnesia limited him to his daily tasks at work and at their house. He was a simple man; he had to be.

She automatically thought of her dad and the strange and unfair turn of events that had resulted in him being behind bars. She thought of the man, Ivo, back in Walton, and how he thought that she was the one who would help the Startrail. Then she thought about her Aunt Gale. Why was it that Gale was the only relative that she had left, and yet she knew hardly anything about her? The United Ones had explained so much to her, but she wanted to know more—more about her father being in jail, and why they put him there. Grandpa, she had never questioned, but before she moved to Walton, he had been acting very strange. Strange and distracted. She regained her focus and thought of something to say to the fairies.

She was grasping for something that could work, information that they would want to hear. She fumbled out the next words. Silver is someone that I know. I feel as though I can help. But please, you must let me have my key back. Sarah felt tears rise forcefully into her eyes; she tried to hold them in, but a couple slipped out. She quickly wiped them away.

If this is all true, then it will be revealed in the oak tree meetings. King Zethra will make the decision. You will be gone as soon as possible, so that our atmosphere is not tainted by your human presence. Eleska made some sort of gesture that Sarah was unfamiliar with. It was like a bow but extremely subtle, and it included a nod, while her hands were folded in front of her chest, like she was somehow shaking her own hand.

Sarah followed Eleska to a mossy hill and they walked up together. Eleska’s wings caused her to lift on occasion. Onlookers watched as Sarah walked through a narrow pathway within the roots of the trees. The roots looked like giant gnarled tree trunks burrowed into the ground, or like snakes that dug into the earth only quickly to reveal themselves again, and the moss that covered the forest floor was as velvety as a carpet. Soft sparkles fell from the sky. Sarah breathed in, the air had a sweetness to it and a faint taste of cotton candy and roses which provided some comfort. But she couldn’t help but think that she was at the mercy of the fairies now.

Chapter 2

The Oak Wanderer

Eleska wasn’t distracted by the fairies watching them along the way. Floating slightly above the ground, she carried on flying. You will be joining us at the Entry of the Oak Wanderer. You must be properly dressed for the meeting.

Sarah realized how drab she was, how ordinary and plain, compared to these exquisite beings. Everyone had clothing that seemed to glow, whether it was an elegant circlet, a dress or their shoes, and all the fairies’ wings had this naturally. Glimmering sheen was everywhere. But Sarah was in her old jeans and sweater, her hair knotted in a messy ponytail, still damp from the water.

They walked a few more minutes and then turned down another narrow path. All at once, Eleska and the other fairies who were with her started to fly. Soon they were at the Entry of the Oak Wanderer, an enchanted-looking archway at the foot of a massive oak tree. It was obvious that it was an important doorway. Sarah observed two fairy men guarding the entrance. Their expressions were serene and the skin on their faces was perfect. All the fairies had an iridescent glow to their faces; they were remarkably bright.

Surprisingly, Sarah was not anxious about being a tiny person. Whatever it was that made her small, also calmed her nerves. It helped her to trust the fairies and gave her hope that they would send her home eventually.

The world around her was stunning. Questions about this place filled her mind. She was trying to figure out if this was another world entirely, or if it was part of the same forest that she had just been in. If it was the same forest, then the fairy world must be completely hidden from human sight. She remembered Henrikson and Gale talking about the realms within realms when they took her to their hidden headquarters through the entryway in the forest beyond Gale’s backyard. Only a few would be able to enter other realms, those with enough stardust within them. But she had accessed this realm by way of a portal. She still hadn’t told the fairies that she was the one who painted the portal entry that was now at the bottom of the pond; she wondered how they would respond.

A moss-covered doorway underneath the arch was opened and Eleska and her party walked through. Sarah followed. Her heart flipped and her eyes widened. There was too much fantastical beauty to take it all in at once. This must be a central meeting place for fairies, she thought. There were staircases winding up inside the giant tree trunk, up so high that the top couldn’t be seen. Sarah looked up, and instead of a ceiling, it was as though she could see galaxies. Stars beamed brightly up above, and yet it all seemed to be within the tree. Light was coming from droplets that fell from the sky, or strange ceiling, or whatever it was. They were like giant raindrops of light, illuminating the entire place. She tried to reach out and touch one and it went right through her hand; she didn’t feel a thing. Sarah was awestruck. It was hard to believe that this world was right inside the trees that she so often ran by on the trails in her human form.

The ground she stood on was mossy, but when she walked further in, following the others who were flying, she saw that she now stood upon a pure glass floor. Underneath the glass there were fish swimming—small fish to a human, but they were big to a fairy, and colorful. It was like walking on water. Sarah gasped. Fairies were rushing around, walking or flying up the staircases, leaning over the balconies, talking with friends. Some were at tables drinking coffee—or whatever it was that fairies drank.

Eleska and her two servants who were escorting Sarah stopped flying when they came to a carpet. It was plain and drab looking, but they told Sarah to stand on it. She followed orders and immediately the carpet started to float. The fairies all stood around her and they all began to float upwards in the center of the tree. The fairies were giggling as they saw Sarah’s face full of worry as she rose higher into the air. They flew for a few moments. Sarah clung to the carpet, trying to keep her balance.

Don’t worry, you’ll forget all this when we send you back. Eleska looked annoyed with Sarah. Humans are always dumbfounded by what they see here.

Sarah didn’t want to forget; the fairy world was glorious. Another prying fairy looked at Eleska with concern. Another dose of Minkskyrs will solve that problem before we send her back.

What is that supposed to mean? Sarah asked.

Eleska replied, You cannot remember anything you see here if you are a mere human. It’s improper, it’s forbidden. Humans must not know. They’d wreck everything. So, we have Minkskyrs, a fairy drink, to help with that.

Sarah felt her throat dry. Isn’t this Silver a human, too?

Yes, but she’s from a place soaked in stardust, well within the Startrail. She knows about the portals, she knows about— Eleska stopped speaking as the carpet slowed down in front of a door in the wall. A regal fairy opened the door. Inside there was a very large wooden table with seats all around, filled with elegant and important-looking fairies. One sat away from the table but was at the center of attention. He was sitting in a gorgeously carved chair and he held a scepter with a green emerald glistening on the top. They all turned to watch Sarah enter behind Eleska and her servants.

Eleska, daughter of Rona, you have been successful in finding the treasure that has recently been lost. You shall be rewarded with the Moonstone of Clarity. The group of fairies around the table were filled with wonder as a significant-looking fairy flew forward and then walked solemnly toward Eleska. This moonstone shall be worn around your neck. It will keep you and your loved ones from harm’s way. We thank you for your service.

Eleska bowed reverently, and so did those who were with her. Thank you, King Zethra. I am humbled and at your service.

Sarah saw Iselin in the corner, narrowing her eyes as Eleska received the glimmering moonstone necklace.

The king continued, We see that you have brought our guest here for us to question before we send her back.

We have collected one of the keys, but the person who held it is not who we expected. She does not claim to be Silver of Ocean Sky. She calls herself ‘Sarah.’ She lacks the knowledge that we believe the one we are looking for should have. However, we cannot search her mind, as we can with regular humans. We feel she may know something.

The group stirred and talked urgently amongst themselves, now and then looking up at Sarah. Iselin whispered something to a tall and handsome male fairy standing next to her.

We cannot keep her long, she’ll tell those wretched humans about us, noted a very agitated fairy wearing glasses.

Nothing that Minkskyrs can’t cure; she’ll forget she even set eyes on us, said a chubby fairy with blond ringlets. Sarah knew she did not want to experience the effects of Minkskyrs. Who knew what it would do to her? A drink that had the power to erase memories was not something she wanted. She had already lost her memories from before the accident, ten years ago. She felt protective of the ones she did have.

We should have gotten rid of her once we had the key, but it seems that Eleska is lacking the firm judgment that a Night Watcher should have. Iselin stood up, eyeing Eleska, and then moved her gaze to Sarah and then the king. Really, she should have been well on her way. And now, this human has been in one of our most sacred places within Merimoon Forest.

Sarah didn’t like to be stared at like this. She felt she was being ridiculed and demeaned. But she knew that the fairies were compelled to understand why they couldn’t reach into her mind. That was her leverage, if she needed it.

Eleska kept her composure. King Zethra, there is reason to believe she may know something about this Silver. We don’t just toss good evidence away, do we? She glared at Iselin. Iselin and Eleska were not friends, from what Sarah could tell.

"You are the Keepers of the Night Watch. You guard the portals and ensure that no human falls through. If they do, then they could have the treasures that the fairies need. That is the only way they could have come here. If they don’t have the treasures, then that means something is terribly wrong within the Startrail.

There is great judgment needed in that. Iselin is right. However, niece, you have done your best. You have brought a treasure of immeasurable value into our kingdom. Therefore, you must be rewarded. Along with the Moonstone of Clarity, you will become Guardian of the Night Watch. Iselin and the others must adjust. King Zethra leaned back into his golden throne, satisfied with his words.

Iselin closed her eyes in frustration; the male fairy beside her appeared surprised and shuffled in place. Conversation and chatter ensued within the room.

The king motioned for the talking to stop. Enough of this. We will hear from the visitor and then move forward with the human’s dismissal and the Minkskyrs.

They are such plain looking things, aren’t they? Sarah heard one of the fairies whisper.

Sarah felt awkward and ordinary amongst such beautiful and glamorous beings.

She looked to her right and saw three male fairies. They were very handsome and wore dark pants and longer shirts with vests that shone brightly. They had wings that were clear and beautiful and yet they had a darker outline compared to the females’ wings.

Come here, human. You claim to be called Sarah? King Zethra asked in his gravelly voice. His long dark beard covered his face so well it was hard to tell if he even spoke.

Yes, sir. My name is Sarah. She swallowed and breathed deeply, deciding on what she would say. But I have visions and memories with the name Silver in them. He leaned forward as he listened. In fact, my father gave me a letter addressed to Silver … which he had never done before … because my name is Sarah. She felt like she was rambling. I don’t know what that means, but I know that I am Sarah. I just have a hard time remembering much of my childhood. But this key … it appeared to me and I was told not to give it away.

The fairies whispered as she spoke. The king tried to hush them. Who told you to not give it away? he probed.

I don’t know. It was a voice, Sarah continued.

There was whispering in the room. Iselin followed Sarah with her eyes, like she was critiquing everything that she said. Eleska looked impatient.

King Zethra continued. Interesting. Yet you claim to have no memory of who exactly it was who spoke to you. No mere human should be a keeper of one of these keys. It must mean that you aren’t a mere human.

Sarah’s heart started pounding. What do you mean?

Well, you must know much more than you are claiming, for we cannot reach into your mind as we do with an average human, King Zethra slowly explained. His eyes were a mesmerizing blue and his eyebrows began to furrow. If you are not Silver of Ocean Sky, then we can conclude that you are an agent of Panveer.

Panveer … Sarah repeated the name quietly. She felt uneasy; all eyes pressed on her.

Yes, Panveer, the king replied. If you are …well, he hasn’t notified me to expect any such visitors. But I do know that he’d be happy to have the key returned. He turned towards a noble fairy at his side. The fairy wore a golden helmet and had some sort of armor breastplate that was marked with beautiful inscriptions. Bring out the mirror, Glorus.

Glorus, who stood beside the king, collected a mirror with a handle from behind his throne. It was silver and white and looked like a standard mirror. But there was a very beautiful inscription all around it.

If you are one of Panveer’s agents, then you should be able to read this writing. I warn you, if you cannot read this properly, we will not be sending you home. You will suffer the dire consequences that humans face when they dare to enter our world. We are not a weak race and we don’t deal with trespassing lightly.

This isn’t fair at all! You can’t do anything to me. I am not here to harm you. Everything is just a weird mistake! I received this key, but I don’t know how it relates to me at all. And now, here I am in your world. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen, I swear! Please, I beg of you, do not harm me. Just send me back. Sarah was starting to panic and as the room went quiet, her eyes searched the crowd for at least one soul that could be on her side.

She saw Eleska, who still looked as calm as ever. Perhaps she’d have sympathy. Then she saw an older man who looked almost identical to her sitting in one of the seats, eyes narrow and judging. Then she saw Iselin, who was looking around the room herself. She seemed distracted and annoyed with it all. Her black hair was tied in a braid and, unlike the other female fairies, she wore shimmering black pants and a pearl colored shirt. The man who stood beside her appeared to be noble. He had the darkest hair she had ever seen, with a bit of facial hair, and he had a low circling crown on his head. She wished she knew who everyone was and who would stand up for her. She felt completely lost.

Please, just let me see if I can help, then have mercy and send me back. I won’t tell anyone.

Enough. Humans always say that. And yet, there are multitudes of stories and literature written about us. How did they get there? King Zethra boasted.

Through imagination? Sarah risked saying.

Imagination is a subtle reflection of reality. There have been humans here before. And there will be again. But each time, we deal with it as we see fit. We need to preserve our race. Our kingdom within Earth Realm is already smaller, and still it dwindles while the Startrail is at stake, the king responded with vigor. There is only so much stardust left, now that the Painter’s Keep is locked.

I understand. She tried to think of something else to say.

Behold the mirror. Tell me what it says. It is different to each person and only I can see the meaning of what is presented to you.

Sarah looked at the mirror and saw a message revealing itself all around it. It looked like an ancient language, but she could not understand it.

A minute went by, she breathed deeply and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, her face looked pale. She looked up at the fairies watching her. The king waited impatiently, stroking his beard as he muttered something to the man, Glorus, at his side.

Iselin looked angry and the black-haired fairy turned toward her to say something. She wondered what their opinion was of her situation. Her headache started up again and her throat went dry. She realized that she hadn’t had anything to eat or drink since she arrived.

Please … I … And before she could say anything, all went black. She could hear people talking, but it was all a blur.

Chapter 3

Escape Plan

"S he hasn’t had