Chapter 2

Dylan grimaced in disgust at the sight before him. Withering black grass shone in the sun. The rust colored trees spawned ebony leaves, dry and dying. The putrid smell of the swamp threatened to make him lose his lunch. A hostile wind blew through his hair and bit his face.

He surveyed the sky. A gray mist covered the sun. Before him, a pool of water swirled with a mixture of brown and charcoal. Am I in a swamp in Louisiana? Can’t be, moss don’t glow, and it ain’t orange.

Did Tyler do this to me? How could he? I was only a yard away from him. I left faster than Pa did when we were eighteen. Bet it’s my dealins’ with the Yankees. The Confederacy wants my head for sidin’ with them blue bellies for givin’ them Confederate secrets for money. They want my head on a silver platter.

Deep in thought, Dylan observed a gray mule galloping toward him. It had brown curled up horns, one on each side of his head, and a bobbed tail. What’s that mule-like critter? I’m gettin' out of here! Before he could get too far, the animal halted and stood in front of him, blocking his escape.

The animal said in a snotty tone of voice, “My name’s Soko. You must be Dylan Walsh.”

“What are you? You can’t be no regular mule.”

“Certainly not, I’m a horned faerie. An Earth realm beast can’t change shape, but I can. I’m a shape shifter.” Soko turned up his nose.

What in the heck do I do now? Know one thang for sure. The Confederacy had nothin' to do with this. Not even the big gun, Jefferson Davis could come up with this.

Dylan jabbed his finger at him. “Nothin’ can change no shapes. If you can, prove it.”

“Guess I must show you something, so you’ll come along with me to the castle,” Soko said with a huff.

Soko jumped in the air, turning into a blond-haired man in a Confederate uniform. The familiar gray suit with gold buttons startled him. He looks just like that solider who threatened to turn me in for runnin’ off with the blue bellies. Can’t be! He’s dead. Shot him full of holes!

“Why did you change into that?” Dylan’s heart raced with fright.

“I saw it in the darkest corners of your mind.”

“Change back. Don’t want to see that no more,” stammered Dylan.

Dylan stared at Soko’s strange eyes, one half-purple half-green while the other was half-blue half-red. Are those real eyes? Ain’t ever seen such.

“Look over there.” Soko turned his head to the right.

Dylan surveyed three old women floating toward him. Don’t want to get drunk at any saloon and end up with women who look like these.

“Here come the three wise hags.”

The three wigs hags drifted before him. Never seen uglier women in my life with their long stringy hair and those ragged black dresses.

“You’ve finally come, the handsome twin with hair black as the grass and eyes blue as the water from the Seelie Court. My name’s Mino.” She pointed her long bony finger at him, while she gazed at him with her red eyes.


"The prophecy’s coming true. You must help us stop it. My name’s Pino.” She faced him, showing her long skinny nose and pink eyes.

“Soko will have to take you to Queen Mabon of the ruler of the Unseelie Court. She’ll reveal the prophecy to you. I’m Sino.” She stared at him with her purple eyes.

“Are y’all triplets? Why do y’all need me to stop the prophecy? What’s so gosh dang important about meetin’ this queen?”

“We’re the triplet hags. You’ll find out everything in good time,” said the women in unison as they floated away.

Soko jumped in the air and turned back into a mule.

“Climb on me, and I’ll take you to the castle. We must leave now.” Soko trotted up to him.

Should I go with this critter, or should I run? He climbed on Soko, and they took off. Is he goin’ quit buckin’ so much?

When they arrived at the black castle, Soko threw him off. Before Dylan could say anything, Soko disappeared. All Dylan heard was laughing in the distance.

“Nobody in Texas would’ve thrown me off and gotten away with it!”

Dylan stumbled and stared at the ebony palace surrounded by a gray mist. Their waterin’ hole’s full of mud. He crept up to the bridge leading up to the castle. Dylan peered at a short creature with black fur, tall as his waist. He paused and glanced over his shoulder. Would anyone catch me if I ran away? Don’t know how to get back home from here. Reckon, I’ll go in.

He stared straight ahead concentrating on planting one foot in front of the other. When he reached the end of the bridge, Dylan stood in front of the creature.

“You, Dylan Walsh?” asked the beast in a low raspy voice.

“Yeah, who and what are you?” snapped Dylan.

“I’m Torro, the troll, Queen Mabon’s bodyguard.”

“Why do I need to meet this queen broad anyway?”

“Show respect, or I’ll cut you!” Torro raised his hands to show his long sharp nails.

“Hey, just want to know.” Dylan mumbled as he took a step back.

“Come with me and find out.”

Torro spat twice on the door, and it opened. They strolled inside the castle. While they walked down a long dark hall, Dylan surveyed half rotten heads on the wall. One the other side, some of the heads were white with a horn in the middle, and others were feminine with blond hair and emerald eyes. Dylan’s palms became sweaty, and his heart raced. Torro led him to a door and stepped aside, so Dylan could walk inside.

Dylan surveyed the room and found a cobweb in every corner. No one around here’s much on cleanin’. He peered at a big, round black table with mahogany chairs all around. Pictures of different battles showed heads of creatures being chopped off. The weapons were axes made of multi-colored jewels. These are just like them heads in the hallway.

A skinny being shuffled toward him. He wore a red jumpsuit with the words “I Hate the Seelie Court” scrawled in black on it. He also wore a dark red cap.

As the beast shuffled, he said, “Hello Dylan Walsh. My name’s Gobo, and I’m Queen Mabon’s personal servant.”

“What are you, and why does this queen want to talk to me?” He observed Gobo’s wrinkled brown skin and his left red eye and right black eye.

“I’m a goblin but more importantly, you’re here to stop the prophecy from coming true. Queen Mabon will tell you what the prophecy is.”

“Those broads said something about a prophecy.”

A black mist floated into the room and over to the big black throne with cracked rubies sprinkled from top to bottom.

“The Queen has arrived.”

As the mist disappeared, Dylan surveyed a woman. Hair that’s so black with blue in it and that smooth pale skin. She’s so short. Bet she’s just over five foot. I think I’ve seen her before.

“Have we met before?” He stared at her curvy figure.

“Why would you think that?” The Queen sat down.

“So you’re this queen lady I’ve been hearin’ about.”

“I am Queen Mabon. You'll show respect to a queen!” She shot him a cold look with her left purple eye and right black eye.

“Sorry, your highness,” he grimaced.

“You’re Dylan Walsh, an outlaw in the Earth Realm. Your twin’s in the Faerie Realm too. I believe you came here through a faerie ring. My mother usually plants them from time to time to bring joy to sad children in the Earth Realm.” She placed her hand on her hip. “Now, she wants the prophecy to become true more than ever. She’s so foolish.”

Dylan could not keep his gaze from wondering up and down her long, shiny red dress with the v-neck that emphasized her well-endowed breast. The slits on each side allowed him a glimpse all the way up to her hips.

“Who’s your ma, and why do you despise her?”

“My mother’s Queen Morganna, queen of the Seelie Court and the Faerie Realm. It’s a long story why I despise her. I’ll tell you that later. For now, I want you to go to the Unseelie Saloon and meet my subjects. Soko will take you there.”

“I still think we’ve met somewhere before. What’s this prophecy about anyway?”

“You’ll find out everything very soon,” she said, and then shouted, “Gobo, come here!”

Gobo opened the door and shuffled into the room.

“Yes, my Queen,” said Gobo.

“Take Dylan outside and tell Soko to take him to the saloon.”

“Certainly, come with me.” Gobo motioned for Dylan to follow him.

Gobo and Dylan strolled out of the room and ambled down the hallway. Dylan glanced at the other heads on the wall. Some of the heads had eyes missing and dried blood on them. I’ve seen my share of killin’ but not like this. Reckon what the saloon would be like? Wish I had some money with me because I’d love to get drunk and have a woman with me tonight.

They reached the door. Gobo spat on it three times, and it opened.

“Soko, Soko, Soko!” shouted Gobo as they walked outside.

Soko appeared, and Gobo said, “Take Mr. Walsh to the saloon.”

Dylan climbed on Soko, and he bucked. Why’s this varmint buckin’ and jumpin’ so much? He had to grip hard with his legs to keep from falling. When they arrived at the saloon, Soko threw him to the ground. Dylan fell face first into a mud puddle.

“Why do you take someone on such a rough ride and throw them off when you get to where you’re goin’?” He had grabbed a fist full of dirt to throw at Soko.

“I don’t like being ridden by humans,” Soko laughed. He disappeared before Dylan could hurl the dirt.

He strolled up to the saloon, a black building with hunter-green window panes. A sign hung crooked on the door. In scarlett letters it read, “Members of the Seelie Court not allowed.” He suppressed a smirk.

He strode into the saloon. Dull gray paint peeled off the walls, and the dizzy array of burgundy outlines made his head spin. Half of the tables wobbled on legs that threatened to fall off. The blood red tablecloths did little to enhance their charm. The bar was on the left with bottles behind it. A short creature with tan wrinkled skin stood behind the bar. The being wore a shirt that said, “destroy the Seelie Court” in red letters. Hope there’s a drink here I can stand to taste.

“What’ll it be, Mr. Walsh?”

“A beer.”

“Don’t have beer. It’s an Earth Realm drink. Try unicorn blood.” The creature peered at Dylan with his red eyes.

Should I drink this? Could be poisonous. Reckon not since I’m so important to ‘em.

“Okay, why not.”

He watched the being as he poured his drink. This man reminds me of my bald headed uncle in Oklahoma. He was tough and could rob a place with his eyes closed. Could fix a mean drink too.

The creature grabbed a white bottle that had the number seven written in purple. He poured the thick white liquid in a black glass and handed it to Dylan.

“What’s name? What in tarnation are ya?”

“Tombo, an elf.”

Dylan took a gulp from the glass. Burns all the way to my stomach like moonshine!

“This is thick and strong tastin’. What’s this anyway?”

“Blood from a unicorn. Purely good, so good they never even had one bad thought. So virtuous they make me sick.”

A group of women came in from the door past the bar.

“Who are those broads?”

“Sirens, the sexiest faeries around.”

“What’s a siren?”

“Pleasure faeries and experts at luring any kind of male. Go talk to the head siren, Avia. You’ll like her. She’s good, if ya how what I mean.” He winked and pointed to the woman sitting at a table at the end of the room.

Dylan walked over to the woman who was wearing a low cut black dress trimmed with red and purple lace. As he strolled over, she motioned him to sit down beside her.

“Hi, cowboy. You must be Dylan Walsh. Would you like to have supper with me tonight?” asked Avia.

“What do people around here partake in?”

“Pixie bites are good to start off with. Followed by brownie sandwiches and water nymph sticks.”

“What the heck are those?”

“Pixies are these annoying little things that fly around and have squeaky voices. Brownies are brown ugly creatures who are sickeningly polite with a tolerance only for milk. Water nymphs live in the ocean except for when they shape shift into other beings. They all live in the Seelie Court.” Avia gazed at him with her yellow eyes.

Dylan couldn't help staring at her black hair glistening under the light and her long slender legs.

Old women walked to the tables. They wore ragged orange dresses with black aprons. One of those women walked up to their table.

“Hello, Megone here to take your order!” She peered at them with black eyes that bulged out of their sockets.

Dylan grabbed his head. My head’s killin’ me all of a sudden!

“Don’t shriek so loud, you batty banshee. You could turn Dylan’s brains into mush with your shrieking. Queen Mabon would have your head for that!”

“Sorry. What can I get the two of you?” asked Megone in a soft but still screeching tone.

“Bring us some pixie bites to start off with and brownie sandwiches with water nymph sticks.”

“Would you like vampire faerie blood with those pixie bites?”

“Yes.”

Megone ambled away from the table.

“Vampire faeries, what are they?” asked Dylan.

“Nocturnal pleasure faeries who think they’re so great and perfect. They’re nothing but bloodsuckers, so what if they take care of abandoned children. They’ll fool many males with their beauty, and the men will end up losing their blood.”

Megone strolled back out with their pixie bites and vampire faerie blood. Avia picked up a fried brown creature with wings on it. She dipped it in a thin, light red blood, and ate it. Is she eatin’ a fly? Reckon I’ll try one too because I’m hungry. Dylan took one, dipped it in the blood, and ate it.

“Not bad, these pixie bites taste like cheese, and this blood taste like tomato.”

When they finished, Megone crept to the table with the rest of their food. The brownie sandwiches were black with a white substance coming out of them. The water nymph sticks were golden.

“This is pretty good.”

Dylan glanced over to his right and observed a group of sirens behind four microphones.

“What’s goin’ on over there?”

“The band’s setting up.”

Trolls with guitars, goblins with drums, elves with miniature harps, and banshees with violins and flutes played songs while the sirens sang. The faeries danced in circles to the music. Avia stood and motioned for Dylan to dance with her. They danced to a fast song. Can’t understand a word they’re singin’. I wish they would sing in English. Gosh dang, my head’s a killin’ me!

“Don’t think I'm feelin’ so good.”

“Play another song!” Avia shouted at the band.

The band played a slow song.

“Humans can’t listen to a complete faerie song. You’ll die if you do. Let’s go for a walk.”

“Sure, it’s too crowded here anyway.”

They walked out of the saloon and ambled around to the back of it. Dylan stared at the sky. Never seen stars or moom so big and bright.

Dylan stared at Avia. Can’t just stand here and look no more. Got to have me a little.

He gazed into her eyes and whispered, “Kiss me.” His lips touched hers. My body’s on fire, and I’m choking! He shoved her away. “What are you doing to me?”

“I’m fatal to human men. I thought it was only some human tale I was told as a child, so I wouldn’t try to make contact with a human. I’m sorry I hurt you!”

“Just stay away from me!”

Tears streamed down Avia’s face as she floated away.

“Soko, Soko, Soko!”

Soko appeared. “Why do you want to leave so soon?”

“Met a broad named Avia, and thought she was goin’ to kill me. I want to see Queen Mabon now!”

“Doesn’t surprise me. It’ll be a bumpy ride.”

Dylan climbed on, and they rode away.

They arrived at the palace and without warning Dylan flew through the air. He landed on his bottom in a black mud puddle.

“Will you ever stop throwing me off?” Dylan shook his finger.

“Never! I told you I simply don’t like humans riding me. You humans reek with stench.” Soko stuck his nose up in the air.

“Don’t do me no favors!” Dylan stumbled slinging mud everywhere.

“Humans! I wish the Queen could stop the prophecy without you!” Soko galloped away, disappearing and laughing.

Dylan marched up to the castle door. Torro guarded the entrance.

“What are you doing back so soon?” Torro asked in a low growl.

“Couldn’t stand that Avia broad. She tried to kill me, but swore she didn’t mean to. Yeah, right! ” Dylan wiped mud off of his clothes. “I want to see the Queen.”

Torro spat on the door twice, and it swung open. He motioned for Dylan to go in. Gobo shuffled toward them in the hallway.

“Good evening. Did you enjoy yourself at the saloon?”

“Would have been fine, if I hadn’t met that broad, Avia!”

“I guess that she tried to kiss you. She has always tried to deny what she really is.”

“Don’t care! Can I see Queen Mabon now?”

“Certainly.” Gobo led Dylan down the hallway to the throne room.

As he followed Gobo, Dylan observed the long dark hallway. Torches were placed every few feet to provide light. Oh, those bloody heads again. Did these belong to any of those Seelie critters I keep hearin’ about? When they arrived at the throne room, Gobo opened the door and stepped aside for Dylan to enter. Gobo shuffled down the hallway.

As he sauntered into the room, Dylan gazed at Queen Mabon sitting on her throne. She wore a low cut black dress that was almost transparent and tight in the right places. He stared at her from head to toe while lingering his gaze in the middle.

“Are you going to stare at me all night, or are you going to speak to me?” She had her hands on the arms of the chair.

“Didn’t mean to,” he mumbled.

“Of course, you did. You’re a man,” she said with a laugh. “I’m glad you came in early. I need to talk to you.”

“You never gave me a straight answer to the question I asked you when we first met. Haven’t we met before?”

“Yes, we met ten years ago. You had left an Earth Realm saloon. You were drunk, if I’m using the correct term. You were stumbling in the forest right before you were about to fall. I kept you from falling on your face. Being drunk didn’t keep you from being in the mood. I thought that would be the perfect way to rebel against my parents. You had me that night out in the forest, and you were pretty good for a human.”

“I knew we had met before, so I was just a pawn to ya.”

“You did have a good time didn’t you?”

“I’d like to have it again.” Dylan strolled up to her.

She stood to meet him and waved her hand over his eyes.

A tingling sensation took over his body for a moment. “What did ya do that for?”

“I gave you a magical gift, the ability to travel between courts. Trust me, this will prove useful. I don’t want to talk about that now.” She had a sensual smile on her face. “Come with me to my royal chamber.” She took him by the hand.

They walked out of the room. She led him down a long dark hallway. More heads were on the walls, but he did not pay as much attention to them since he kept staring at her shapely behind. They stopped at the last door on the right side of the hallway. She opened the door and led him into the room.

The room had red walls with pictures of dead creatures. A big black bed with a thick canopy adorned the room. She walked over to the bed, and he followed her. She unzipped her dress, and it fell to the floor. She took Dylan’s hat off and put it on.

“I’m ready for a ride, cowboy,” she whispered.