Keeper of the Crossroads

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ints on the ground. "What do these look like to you?" The old man turned piercing green eyes on Jamie and Jamie realized for the first time

cks. "A small one." He and Albe had tracked a heron on

had never been one for generalities. Jamie looked again and

uessed. Albe

d see what was odd he didn't actually mean just the thing he was looking at. Albe tended to take a more holistic view of things. Jamie sat back a little and looked around the little trail of tracks he was supposed to be fo

" Jamie muttered. "Instead of milling

acks. Jamie bent closer. They were noticeably lower in the dirt. Jamie placed a hand on the ground. The dirt didn

led in full and Jamie had figured h

mie thought about it a second, but

ks was heavier than the other wrens

iumphantly. "Now what w

ssed. Jamie was a little unsure about the process of bird's laying eggs, but he figured they had to be formed before they came out and th

are the better ones. I supposed that is a reminder to me as well that things aren't always as they seem. Come let's go

was okay. He didn't feel like he was left out but more that he had surprised Albe in a good way which was

o Jamie's surprise they didn't scatter like they did when he walked in the woods alone. Instead the chirping increased a

re anyone off." Jamie peered into the nest and to his surprise there were four eggs in the nest.

o make certain that his breath did not waft over the eggs as Albe had caut

direction and advanced slowly. "I am warning you. I well know the use of my blade. So you had best be on your way, " She threatened

he stammered out. Albe

. But you may put your sword away. My nephew meant no harm and o

e eggs and sheathed her sword. Jamie could tell she was proud about having made him back off. Of course, he rationed if he were her si

er?" She asked, dismissing Jam

udied him for a few moments and then took flight, circling him so she could view him from all angles. The

aid watching her move. The fairy's ch

hen. I shouldn't have dealt so harshly with you, b

ite tone. She returned to the nest and gave the egg

s you do here this day Gre

Albe. This apparently meant more to Albe than it mea

ime was so soon." Albe

is leading the tovax away and I am guarding the yo

know I cannot take sides, however I take exception when it comes to the preservation of

elp would this be?"

not need them for way finding, then perhaps when I and my young charge here l

shaking her head. A

amie got when he only got half of the puzzle right. Jamie guessed that the fairy in charge was supposed to have taken care of th

kind, " the fairy

tracks so that it looked as though neither man nor bird had passed that way. Jamie smiled, his eyes full of questions. He looked up at Albe the qu

emember both.

at?" Jam

undane. Always keep both options open. At the end of the trail you might just find a fat wren." Jamie blinked and Albe started to fade. He could clearly see sun

s gone. Jamie blinked awake. He was facing the window and saw the same fairy who was in his dream. He called out her name, blinked and s