Chapter 1

An ocean of surreal blue lay in front of him, bluer than he had ever seen before. The grass crunched beneath his boots tickling he feet as he walked and sprang back into shape to remove any trace of his passing, as he lurched up the shore.

Why's the sun green? How in the heck did that happen? Purple grass, who ever heard of such things? Around him, flowers adorned the landscape, patches of red with white polka dots shaped like squares, orange and yellow stripes in triangular silhouettes, and blue with green stars. Am I havin' some strange dream? What's this sweet smell? As the fragrances wafted into his nostrils, Tyler stared at a tree a few paces away from him.

His mouth fell open as his gaze met the long white tree trunk. Its green branches snaked through the sky, showcasing the bright silver leaves that shimmered as if they danced to an unheard melody.

This can't be the North. The Yankees couldn't create anything like this. Did I float to Heaven? Where are the streets of gold? Where are the pearly gates? It can't be Hell because it wouldn't be so colorful. No fire around here either. Am I goin' out of my mind? Did Dylan do somethin' to me?

The waves slapped along the shore embracing it. He crept to the shoreline. Would it be safe for me to take a drink? Sure am thirsty.

A woman outlined by a golden glow appeared in the distance. She floated like an early morning fog over the water. Tyler wanted to leave. Wonder if she's dangerous? She looks too much like an angel to be harmful.

White hair flowed in gentle waves to her waist, and her eyes glowed like sapphires. Her face is as white as the sheets on my bed. Shock nailed him to the ground as rays from the sun made her appear transparent. Her long cerulean dress flowed along the water like mist.

She drifted in front of him with a smile. "Hello, Tyler Walsh. We've been waiting for you."

"How do you know my name? Why have you been waitin' for me?" He stared wide-eyed at her.

"This event has been foretold by the prophecy. Your arrival's very important to us."

"Why am I here?"

"You'll find out everything very soon." She turned around. "He's here!"

"You didn't tell me your name. You seem to know everything while I know nothing."

"My name's Sendie." A delightful smile spread across her lips.

Waves rippled the surface of the water, as if something were swimming toward them. As the waves got bigger, the creature's shape formed. The being stopped at the shallow end of the water. She had the upper body of a woman with the tail of a fish. Her blond hair, emerald eyes, and sun-kissed skin shone bright like the rays of the Texas sun.

"You're a dark-eyed handsome man. I like that. By the way, I'm Dimenia," she said, giggling.

"Don't know how to ask this, but what are you two?"

"I'm a mermaid, and she's a water nymph. We're citizens of the Seelie Court in the Faerie Realm."

"Why am I here?" Tyler crossed his arms and shook his head.

"You'll find out soon. I promise."

He glanced around. What have I gotten myself into? When am I going to wake up from this dream? While pondering on what to say next, a man skipped toward them.

What kind of little strange man is this? He skipped closer to them through a meadow filled with more odd-looking flowers to where Tyler stood. Can't be over three foot. Looks like that circus man I saw when I was a boy.

The man's bright auburn hair circled his head like fire. When he was closer, his grayish-green eyes, the freckles on his face, and the mischievous little grin were apparent. He wore a ruffled ivory shirt with four-leaf clovers and green pants with gold stripes.

When the man skipped to him, he said, "Me name is Charlo, the leprechaun, me friend. As long as ye don't try to steal me gold, ye will always be me friend." He offered Tyler his hand.

"Nice to know you." Tyler extended his hand with hesitation.

"Me will give ye a rainbow to lead ye to Sol and La. They will take ye to our queen."

Charlo lifted his hand, and a rainbow shot out of his palm. He blinked and disappeared.

Tyler stared at the space Charlo had occupied. His mouth hung open.

"How, how did he do that?"

"All leprechauns can do that. It's one of the things they're born to do. He had to go back to his family. He has twenty children to train and take care of," said Sendie.

"Twenty children! I can see why he has to go. What's he training them to do?"

"The special life and magic of a leprechaun. Training has to start at birth and can only be taught by the father."

"You need to go now, so just follow the rainbow. You'll find out what you need to know," said Dimenia.

"Go on and follow the rainbow," said Sendie.

"Okay." Tyler waved at them. Should I follow that rainbow and trust these so-called magical creatures?

As Tyler walked along the rainbow, it covered the trees. How's this holdin' my weight? Looks too light More odd but glorious flowers appeared. Some of them were aqua and fuchsia with an oblong shape. Others were crimson and violet clovers.

He reached the end of the rainbow and surveyed two white horses with horns in the middle of their heads. With his heels dug into the ground, he put his hands into his pockets.

The horses frolicked and played in the meadow as the wind blew through their manes.

One horse saw Tyler and trotted up to him. "You must be Tyler Walsh. Sol here, at your service."

"Never seen a talking horse before."

The other horse trotted up to him. "We're unicorns. My name's La. We need to take you to the palace to meet Queen Morganna, ruler of the Faerie Realm and Seelie Court."

"Don't have a saddle to ride either of you."

"A saddle isn't necessary. They're for horses," Sol said.

"Climb on me, Tyler," said La, giggling.

Tyler strolled up to La. Don't know about this, but don't want to miss out either. Maybe they'll take me home soon. He climbed on her back, and they galloped away.

In what seemed like seconds, they stopped in front of the castle. It glowed silver. Must be magic.

Tyler climbed off the unicorn, still staring at the palace. Pure, sky-blue water filled a big moat surrounding the building. It was six-feet wide and deep. The water sparkled in the sunlight. Six females with white hair and a golden glow splashed in the water.

A long white bridge led up to the castle. Got a queasy feelin' in my stomach. Should I cross that bridge? Tyler glanced back, and the unicorns were still there.

"Are those water nymphs in that big ditch?"

"Yes, they're Sendie's sisters. They live in the moat to help guard the palace," said La.

"You need to go now. Pegland, the Queen's personal servant, will meet you at the door," Sol said.

"We'll see you soon," said La.

So and La galloped away before he could say goodbye.

Might as well cross that bridge. Tyler marched across it. What does Pegland look like? What kind of being is Pegland?

As he approached the door, a woman flew toward him. She couldn't be over a foot and a half tall.

"Hello. We've been expecting you." She flew around his head with her white and pink wings. Her dress of violet and emerald swirled around her body.

"Are you Pegland?"

"Yes, Pegland the pixie, pleased to meet you." Her white hair bounced as she flew.

Tyler glanced at her delicate features, he pink slanted eyes and pointed ears as she smiled at him.

"Are you ready to come in? You've no reason to be afraid."

He hesitated and ambled a few steps toward her, "Lead the way."

She waved her hand in front of the silver door with iridescent dots. The door opened, and they went in. Tyler peered at the blue hallway. Colorful pictures of different lands hung on the walls. Do these lands exist? Where are they?

As Pegland led the way, she snapped her fingers.

"Why are you snappin' your fingers?"

"It's the way I dust things."

She led him further down a hall with more portraits. Dogs and cats, wonder where they are? Hadn't seen any yet. Never seen any purple ones or with several eye colors.

She flew to a red door on the right and waved her hand over it. The door opened.

"Here's the throne room. Her Majesty will meet you here." Pegland flew away.

He crept into a large room with blue walls that had more paintings. He surveyed the room and glanced at a long red table with maroon chairs. Some of the chairs were small, while others were closer to a normal size.

Tyler found a small man sitting on a pedestal that had a big red chair with onyx jewels. He hesitated to walk toward the man, but the man stood and walked to him. The man had wrinkles, white hair and beard, and wore a long black coat, gold badge, and a belt around his waist with a pistol in a holster.

"Marshall Hock, Marshall of the Faerie Realm." Hock extended his hand.

"Nice to know you." Tyler leaned down and shook his hand while staring at Hock's one lapis eye and one orange eye.

Tyler peered behind the man and observed a child wearing a purple suit. This child's different from the others. Complexion isn't as light and wears shoes just like any little boy would. Taller than the others too, got to be over four foot.

"Hi Sir, I'm Samdy." The child had a twinkle in his blue eyes and a smile on his face.

"Just call me Tyler, son." Has normal black hair, not white, orange, or any strange color.

"I'll leave you and Samdy here to talk. I've got to make my rounds." Hock turned to Samdy. "Keep Mr. Walsh company until your grandmother gets here."

As Hock walked away, Tyler caught a glimpse of his feet. They were like fish. Two eyes were in the place of toes on each foot. Gray scales covered the rest of his feet.

"Okay." Samdy turned to Tyler. "Look! I've got hands like yours with five fingers on each hand!" He held them up for Tyler to see.

"That's good. What kind of beings are you and the Marshall?"

"Marshall Hock's a dwarf, and I'm a solitary faerie. Did you see his feet?"

"Yes. They're like fish aren't they? I wasn't seein' things, was I?"

"Yep, you're right. My feet are different too. I've got ones with what my grandmother calls toes. Got five on each one. "

"Me too."

"Our ears are alike too." Samdy pointed at them.

"They sure are. What's a solitary faerie?"

"Because there's no one like me. Grandmother says that's what makes me special."

A glowing mist entered through the door and drifted over to the throne. It disappeared, and Tyler observed an older woman with long, shiny silver hair. She sat down as Samdy ran to her.

"Hi Grandmother, he has ears, hands, and feet like mine." Samdy climbed on her lap.

"That's wonderful. I need you to go and play while I talk to Mr. Walsh." The lady smiled at Samdy.

"Okay." He gave her a hug.

Tyler watched Samdy jump out of her lap and stroll out of the room.

"Are you Queen Morganna?"

Yes, I am." She glanced at him with her left sapphire eye and right violet eye.

She has such light creamy skin. Never seen any like that before. So tall and slender for a grandma.

"Tell me, Mr.Walsh. How did you arrive in the Faerie Realm?"

"Was at my ranch in Texas with my brother and about to have a gunfight with him because he robbed a stagecoach. He wanted to turn me in for it. He was about to go for his gun, and then he disappeared. Next thing I know I was standin' by an ocean."

"You stepped into my faerie ring. Do you know if your brother stepped into the ring?"

"Don't know?" Is he causin' trouble already?

“I’ll have to ask Marshall Hock if he saw your brother step into the ring. Hock, I need you to come to the throne room!” She shouted, and the Marshall appeared.

How did he get in here without me seein’ him open a door?

“How may I be of service, my Queen?” Hock bowed before her.

“Did you see anyone else besides Mr. Walsh step into the ring?”

“Yes, a man who looked identical to Tyler.”

Queen Morganna gasped and shook her head. “This could be the part of the prophecy that says two men who are two sides of the coin will come to our land.”

“The other man’s my brother, Dylan. We look just alike except for our eyes.”

“Dylan went to the Unseelie Court,” Hock said.

“This is going exactly by what the prophecy says about the two sides of the coin, one being good and the other being evil. The good are sent here, and the evil are sent to the Unseelie Court. We’ll talk later, Mr. Walsh. Go to the Seelie Court and meet our other citizens. Sol and La will take you there.” Queen Morganna stood and walked toward Tyler.

What’s goin’ to be in store for me at this saloon?

“Pegland, come escort Mr.Walsh outside!” She shouted, and Pegland appeared.

How did she come in without using the door? Didn’t even hear her come in?

“Good to meet you, Queen Morganna.” Tyler tipped his hat to her.

He followed Pegland out of the room. He surveyed the pictures on the other side of the hallway. Wonder who those girls are in that picture? They look young. Reckon the red haired girl’s the oldest, the black haired girl’s probably the middle child, and the blond’s the youngest. More pictures of strange looking dogs and cats are here too. Wonder where they are?

When they got outside, he asked, “How did you and the Marshall appear so fast?”

“We can hear our Queen wherever we are and blink to get there.” Pegland giggled and flew around his head.

Tyler shifted from side to side. “Do you know anything about the prophecy?”

“I’ve hear about it but don’t know anything about it.” She sprinkled pink powder on him.

“What did you throw on me? Why did you do that?” He waved his hand through the powder.

“Pixie dust, for good luck.” Pegland threw more on him.

“Thanks, I reckon.”

“Sol and La, Sol and La, Sol and La!” shouted Pegland.

“Why did you shout their names three times?”

“That’s how you call the riding faeries.”

Sol and La appeared in front of them.

“Queen Morganna wants you to take Tyler to the saloon.”

“We would be delighted to,” said Sol.

“Ride on me.” La trotted up to him.

Reckon it’s safe to go. When will I be goin’ back home? Will I ever go back? He climbed on La and rode away.

Tyler observed the saloon when they arrived. A blue saloon three stories tall, twice as wide and with that color? Doesn't make sense. Never heard of green and blue roses.

He slid his leg over La’s back and dropped to the ground. A peculiar fruit odor wafted out the door. Saloons should smell like whiskey. He savored an image of a glass of dark pungent whiskey.

“We have to go back to the forest,” said Sol.

“We’ll see you soon,” La said.

Sol and La disappeared, and Tyler sauntered up to the building. I’m hungry. Darn, I left my money at the house. Maybe they’ll let me have some credit?

Inside the building, the saloon was adorned with blue walls and tables. Portraits hung from the walls that resembled the ones in the castle. He surveyed the pink tablecloths with their green trimming. A woman owns this place.

Up at the bar, he sat on the pink barstool and met another being. This creature had dark wrinkled skin unlike the others he had met. He wore a pink shirt with ruffles and short green pants that were knee-length. The being did not have any hair, and his eyes were two black marbles.

“Could I have a shot of whiskey, my good fellow?”

“Sorry, we don’t have whiskey in the Faerie Realm. We have ambrosia. I recommend raspberry.”

“Reckon, I’ll try it then.” Hope drinkin’ that will be alright.

The bartender grabbed a light purple glass and poured two liquids in it. One was canary yellow and thick, and the other was crimson and runny. He placed a top on the glass and shook it. After he finished, he took the top off and handed it to Tyler.

“Thanks.” Tyler savored the raspberry ambrosia. “Not bad, can’t taste the alcohol.”

“Alcohol isn’t served in the Seelie Court. The Unseelie Court, however, serves questionable drinks.”

“You seem to have the advantage on me. What’s your name, and hope you don’t mind me askin’ what you are?”

“Name’s Markim, I’m a brownie.”

“Would you like to have a drink with me?”

“No thanks. Ambrosia’s fatal to brownies. Can only drink milk.”

“Who’s that woman in that picture?” Tyler pointed to the portrait on the wall of an auburn -haired female.

“She’s a transplanted vampire faerie. They come from another realm and are turned into a faerie after coming here. Vampire faeries are nocturnal, and male faeries fancy them. She came to us being very ill. They agreed to make her one of their own to try to cure her, but it didn’t work completely. Her name’s Cemilla. She worked here for awhile but was too sick to continue.”

Tyler had begun to say something when he surveyed a staircase. It had a ruby banister with multi-colored steps. A line of women started at the top of the stairs. They floated down the stairs. Tyler’s eyes followed the first woman with interest as she drifted to a nearby table and sat down.

“Who’s she?”

“Marta, the head vampire faerie.”

He strolled over to the table. “Hello, Miss Marta. I’m Tyler Walsh.”

“You can call me Marta. Would you like to sit down?” She glanced at him with her emerald eyes that were amethyst where the whites should be.

“Thank you.” Tyler sat down.

“Would you like something to eat?”

"What kind of grub can a man get around here?” He was spellbound by her fiery hair with silver highlights.

“I think you should try a troll steak, medium rare.”

“Troll steak, what’s that?” Should a man eat that?

“It’s made from trolls. They come from the Unseelie Court. They’re nasty vile creatures. Never trust them. They’ll slit your throat when you turn your back."

“Reckon I’ll have one of those then.”

“Order goblin mash to eat with it.”

“Goblin mash?” What the heck is that?

“Made from goblins. They come from the Unseelie Court too. They’re not nasty like trolls, but they’re just as vile. They’ll bite your head off after having a conversation with you. Blood’s how they keep their hats so red. They wash them in it and let them dry. They have the best manners to be killers.”

A pixie flew to their table to take their order.

“Two troll steaks, his medium rare and mine raw, and two orders of goblin mash, sweetie.”

“Coming right up,” said the pixie.

The pixie flew back into the kitchen with their order. Tyler surveyed others flying around the saloon. He glanced at other ladies walking out of the kitchen wearing sky blue dresses. One of the ladies carrying a tray of food strolled up to their table.

“Two troll steaks, a medium rare for Tyler and one raw for Miss Marta, and two orders of goblin mash.” The lady placed the plates on the table.

“Have we met before?” Tyler glanced at her blond hair and sun-kissed skin.

“Yes, remember me, Dimenia.”

“How did you get your legs?”

“All mermaids have legs at night, and we’re excellent cooks too. It’s getting really busy. Talk to the two of you later.”

Tyler savored the new flavors. He surveyed the room while eating. Leprechauns, water nymphs, dwarfs, brownies, unicorns, and other vampire faeries mingled around the room. He glanced toward the entrance and observed Queen Morganna and Samdy.

Tyler and Marta finished their meal when the band made of leprechauns with guitars, pixies with flutes, dwarfs with small harps, and brownies with drums started setting up. Water nymphs were warming up their vocals. Queen Morganna walked behind the microphone.

“The band’s about to start. Dance with me.” Marta stoop and grabbed his hand.

“Okay.”

When they stepped out on to the dance floor, the other faeries danced at a wild pace. The band played a fast song with a cheerful melody. Queen Morganna sang along as the water nymphs sang background. Before long the song switched to a slow mournful tune. Can’t understand a thing she’s singin’. Why are those songs changing’ so much? Why am I thinking all these thoughts? It’s drivin’ me mad!

Tyler’s lips touched Marta’s and soon they were kissing in the middle of the dance floor. Marta kissed him on the cheek, then on the neck. Her fangs popped out. She nicked his neck and made a little blood trickle from the wound.

“Ouch, aren’t you getting a little carried away?” Tyler placed his hand on the side of his neck.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you,” whispered Marta. “Would you like to leave this crowd and come up to my room?” She gazed into his eyes.

“Pardon me.” Tyler stared into her eyes but glanced away. “I don’t believe that would be proper.”

“Come on, darling. I don’t want to be lonely tonight and neither do you.”

“Only to talk. Nothin’ more.”

They strolled off the dance floor and walked up stairs. Tyler surveyed the paintings of women in the hallway. Another portrait of Cemilla hung there too. He glanced at the walls that were pink with blue and green flowers drawn on them. When they reached Marta’s room, he observed the decorations. It had blue walls with white trimming, a pink vanity table and a blue bed with pink silk sheets.

She took his hand, kissed it, then led him to the bed, and they sat down.

“I can’t believe I’m actually nervous about bringing someone in here. I guess it’s because I’m with someone I actually want to be with.”

“We need to slow down. Get to know one another better.”

“Why?” She gazed into his eyes.

Tyler gave her a long slow kiss. She kissed him back.

“Lie down beside me. Stay the night with me, please.”

“Alright, for awhile.” He lay down beside her.