Under a False Face

Artus escorts me back to the feast and I cast about for my boots. I curse myself for being so ensnared, so very enthralled by the siren’s nature, I became her plaything and nearly became her supper.

I take in jewels held fast in wooden settings, beetles are used in place of broaches, butterflies and bits of branches secure hair in messy, intricate styles. I spot my well-worn boots being used as hats by two brutish kobolds conversing with one another in a quiet guttural language that sounds like the gurgling of a brook.

I quickly pull the ties securing my braids free and strip them of any loose hairs, shoving those long strands into my pocket. I wind the ribbon around my fingers like the fanciest of rings and approach the boot thieves. Again, I feel the slight pressure between my shoulder blades and know Artus is watching. It is unsettling.

“Distinguished gentlemen, happy tidings.” I greet them. Twin pairs of small beady eyes turn to me. “I noticed your fine hat, kind stranger.” I point to the one on the left. “I came to inquire about a trade.”

The creature on the left puffs out his chest and bares his teeth at the other in what I suspect is a smug smile.

“Ugly, cold lady, you did well to ask for this trade with me.” He was calling me ugly? I shrug it off and listen to him. “It is indeed a fine hat. The finest in all the human realm!” He explains. “We kobold know much about humans and will do you the favor of entertaining your bargain.”

The kobold on the right snorts.

“His hat is a sad, tattered imitation of mine own.” He pulls the tongue of my boot out further to sit upon his brow like the brim of a cap.

“Is not!” The first one shouts, swinging at the second. They continue grappling and slapping at each other until I let out a loud whistle.

“Kind strangers, please! Peace?” I beg them, placing my palms together in front of me, intentionally showing off the tangled rings. I make a show of straightening them and returning my attention to the kobolds.

“Ugly lady, what do you offer? Milk? Memories? A babe, perhaps?” The first kobold brightens and licks his lips at the last trade suggestion, which has bile rising in my throat.

“I could offer you the dust from my feet or the seam of my skirt.” I motion downward. “But I believe you to clever to accept such things in trade for such a fine hat. That only leaves me to offer you my ring.” I display the small bit of ribbon wrapped and tied around my thumb. “But it is awfully dear to me, and it is agony to consider parting with it.”

“Fine, ugly lady, I can see the value in such an item. I promise to treat it with care.” Eager greed is etched deep into the face of the first kobold.

“But I…oh, but I must have your fine hat. Is it an acceptable trade?” I ask, trying to look as reluctant as possible.

“It is, cold girl. It is.” He removes my boot from his head and places it on the table in front of me. “Now, let this humble kobold keep safe this ring you cherish. Your agony adds to its value.”

I slide the ribbon from my finger and kiss it, presenting it to the kobold and taking my boot.

“A kiss, for free.” I steal a look at where I left Artus and find them speaking to another creature. The discussion is very animated with Artus pointing across the glade at nothing I can see.

“A bargain struck!” The kobold shouts as he snatches the ring and disappears into the crowd.

“Coldest girl, you should trade for mine!” The second kobold has come to stand beside me, eyeing the boot in my hand.

“And why is that, kobold stranger?” I ask, peering down at him.

 “Mine is better!” He exclaims, throwing out his arms.

“I have no second head to keep warm. One is all I need.” I gage his reaction and am pleased when he tries harder to convince me.

“You have bought a copy of a real human hat. It is counterfeit, your coldness.” This kobold looks me up and down as if to propose a bargain of his own making. I raise an eyebrow at him and seemingly fiddle with my second hair ribbon absently.

“A counterfeit?” I ask, faked astonishment in my voice. “Well, that will never do. I must have a real human hat.”

“Girl lady, will you trade for it then?” He asks curiously and I wonder if he too will inquire after the flesh of a child as tender.

“I would but I have nothing of value left.” I huff. Out of the corner of my eye, I swear I see Artus smirk.

“Surely you might trade a feeling or memory you don’t need. Why, even this memory will do.” He exclaims and I have a sense of Déjà vu.

“What a poor thing to trade for such a great treasure, though. Are you sure yours isn’t a fake as well?” I wring my hands in false worry.

“Fake?” He yells. “Never! But it is a very great treasure. Do you have nothing else?” The greedy shine in his eyes tells me I’ve about won this round.

“Well, I do have this ring, but it is much too precious. Worth so much more than the one I traded to your friend.” I clutch the ring to my breast and crease my brow.

“Cold ugly, I can promise you, this hat is worth it.” He beckons me down towards him. I bend down and he cups my ear to whisper: “It is a magic hat. A fantastical hat of magic. Why, when I put it on, it gifted me wheat kernels!”

I cover my mouth in faked wonderment, though in truth I am trying not to laugh. Those kernels where from last planting season, but he need not know.

“Well! That is something!” I look to the boot, still perched on his head in longing and then down at my ring.  I give it another few moments and then begin to reluctantly pull the hair ribbon from my finger.

“Yes, yes, that will do nicely.” The second kobold is rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

“The boot for my precious, precious ring?” I innocently ask one more time.

“Yes, yes, agreed.” He gently plucks my second boot from his head and places it gingerly in my hand. I smile and turn to him.

“Here is the ring, as promised.” Before handing him the hair ribbon, I rub it lightly against my cheek in fondness, then hand it to him. “A goodbye, for free. Bargain struck.” I announce this time.

Artus appears at my side, as if summoned and I shrink away from them to put my boots on. My stockings are long gone, and I will not waste time looking for them.

I hear the soft whimper of a dog and search the glade for my hounds. I am about to call out for them when Artus kneels in front of me and finishes tying my boot.

“I truly mean you no harm, love.” They say softly, trailing their fingertips up my calves and to the backs of my thighs. I have the strangest feeling I have heard them say those words to me before. Artus looks up at me, their gaze bouncing between my eyes, mesmerized. “Stunning. I knew you would be.”

“Knew I would be what?” I ask, standing quickly to move away from them and smooth down my skirts. I need to break physical contact with them lest I fall back into their arms and consign my bones to this ground.

“Exquisite. Had I known that when I first met you, I might have kept you.” They let out a low growl. “All. Mine.” Those last two words are said in a deeper tone makes me uneasy. Their eyes are lit, luminous and a touch too large for a mortal. Their long, starling hair is blowing in a breeze I cannot feel, and I find myself nearly breathless at the sight.

Again, a loud mournful baying breaks through the spell Artus is weaving and I move towards their chorus of howls without thinking.

“Ada, love. Do not leave me.” They sound desperate now, but once again my mind is completely clear, and I do not feel compelled to return to them.

I take off at a run towards the cacophony that are my unhappy hounds. Artus flits beside me.

“I will not allow it. You are mine! Found. And. Promised.” The last word stops me in my tracks. Promised. I cannot explain it, but I feel there is something about this word that is very important, something I should never have forgotten.

“Explain promised, Artus.” I demand, stepping into their space careful not to touch them. I forget I am dealing with one of the Folk and they step further into mine, like a taunt. 

“Promised, Ada. You promised to be my bride!” Their eyes are still luminous, but now I watch in horror as the pupils stretch into vertical slits, and the illusion of human teeth melts away to reveal twin rows of serrated fangs in a too wide mouth. “I will have what was promised!” They roar and a set of huge starling wings springs from beneath Artus’s long hair with an audible snap. I would be mesmerized if I were not currently attempting to flee the glade with my memories and now, my life.