Chapter Ten

The lengthening shadows darkened the tall canyons between the city buildings. The wind shifted to bring cooler air and hints of salt and fish from the bay. Ambra slipped farther into the shadow of the door and scanned the street. Holy finbats! Krohn was right across the way and he'd seen her. He slouched his way toward her. Krohn really did grab the attention of humans despite the web, but that was no big deal for him. After all, the shapechanger could take care of himself. If anyone angered Krohn, they'd find themselves facing an angry bear. Krohn had a short fuse.

Reaching Ambra, he grabbed her around the waist and swung her into the air. "Ambra! You are the prettiest little doll I've seen today! Where have you been hiding?"

"Krohn, put me down! I hate when you do that." Ambra readjusted her leaves and tried to regain her dignity. "I was trying to keep a low profile, like Illianna asked us to. Sheesh. So much for that with you around."

Krohn looked down at the miffed stick figure before him, chagrined. "Oak and Ash, I'm sorry. I really don't have to worry about humans. Nobody's gonna mess with me much. But you, well, I guess..." He trailed off.

"Gods, you sure are tactful. Yes, I've got to be careful. Or try at least. Careful is so boring I think I'm gonna explode!" Ambra’s voice rose shrilly.Passersby slowed, looking for the source of the noise. Ambra covered her mouth, surprised that such sounds had escaped her. In that quiet moment, she heard the subsonic booms of Ogres tunneling nearby.

Krohn heard it too. He scooped Ambra up and strode down the street, long legs eating blocks quickly. The smell of the waterfront strengthened, and Ambra let herself relax against Krohn's broad chest. A safe place. Brief, but lovely while it lasted, she thought.

"Krohn, I hate Ogres-- their ugly, squatty bodies and snaggle teeth--yuck!"

"I know, dolly. But you'll be safe down here. They won't come this close to the bay."

"Will you stay with me?" Ambra knew better. The dark hours were Krohn's day. He'd have work to do and food to find. But she did hope.

"Um, well, gee, Ambra, I guess I can stay a little while, I..."

"Hey, guys! What gives?" Frog was beside them, dancing slightly, side to side, constantly jumpy. "I heard ogres were under the city today. Did you hear 'em? Or see 'em? Boy oh boy, I sure hope I don't. Those big dumb boobs are trouble, yes sir-ee-bob, they sure are. Where you headed? Can I come? Why you carrying Ambra? She okay?"
Frog chattered on. Krohn kept moving. The much shorter Frog had to jog to keep up. His monologue faltered as his wind dwindled. Ambra giggled, knowing how Krohn felt about Frog. She didn't mind him, really. Frog became background noise and he never seemed to mind the Otherlings ignoring him.

"It's alright, Krohn. I know you need to go. Just let me down. I'll go with Frog to the Red Lantern and find Cillia. I'm fine now. Really." As she spoke, Krohn slowed.

"You sure?"

"Yeah. I just over-reacted. Ogres do that to me. Thanks for the lift. Now put me down!" Ambra grabbed the giant's beard with both hands and gave him a kiss full on the lips. That stopped him. He put her down. Frog howled at the disconcerted Krohn, who turned red and glowered at him. Ambra just ignored them both and headed off down the road. Frog quickly decided he'd be safer joining her. Krohn turned his temper to speed himself north and back into the downtown.

"You sure got his goat, Ambra! But man-oh-man, Krohn gets bugged easy. He makes me jumpy!" Frog did a sprightly jig around Ambra, vying for her attention.  She gave him a brief half smile and kept walking. Undaunted, Frog trailed her, prattling non-stop.

"So did you see ogres, Ambra? Or hear them? I would be so scared I'd probably jump right out of my skin. I just stay down here by the bay. It's safer here. Illianna says so. And she should know. I trust Illianna, don't you? Today she told us..."

As Frog chattered on, Ambra thought about Illianna's recent warnings. So many things were changing. Illianna never used to scare the Otherlings. Why was she scaring them now? The warnings to be careful; keep a low profile, stay near the water. Were the ogres in revolt?
She gazed over the bay to the sinking sun, loving the red gold path it made. This moment always made her feel special, as though the sun knew her and loved her. He was pointing his glorious light just at her and painting a pathway across the waves to connect them. She paused to view the final moment of sunlight. She gave thanks for another day and asked blessing for the coming night.

"Ambra! Hey, Ambra!" Frog tugged on her arm insistently.

"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry, Frog. What were you saying?" With effort, Ambra reeled her thoughts back in.

"I said I'm heading to the Lantern. You coming? Holy Mackerel, you sure you're okay? I've been talking and you just spaced out." Frog hung his head, for once quiet.

"Oh Freddie, everyone is kind of nervous right now. I don't know what's going on." Only Ambra could get away with calling Frog ‘Freddie’. While he was exceedingly proud of his name, Fredrick Ogden Marsh, it had been shortened to Frog soon after birth. Ambra grabbed his hand and started off again.

"Come on, let's go see if Old Lady Lyman still has the happy hour spread out. I'm hungry!"

Frog grinned. "Me too! In fact, I'm always hungry. I mean, just 'cause I had tea with Mum isn't gonna slow me down a bit. I hope Lyman made cheese straws today. Do you think she did? Or maybe some deep-fried mushrooms. Yum!" Ambra laughed, glad that Frog was so easily mollified. At least some things never changed.

The Red Lantern was crowded and noisy as the Otherlings gathered to end their day and start their night. Climbing onto a chair, Ambra scanned the crowd to seek her best friend Cillia. Although the fairy preferred the green ways as a place to meet, she was too social to skip happy hour at the Lantern. Willy and Rad hailed Ambra from the bar. Waving, she continued to scan the room.

"Hey, Ambra, those two clowns make me jumpy. I think they're not very nice, ya know? Maybe we should just ignore them." Frog shifted back and forth, twisting his cap in knots.

Ambra slowed her inspection of the group-clogged room and turned to Frog. "Don't worry, Freddie, they're harmless. It's just that elves are always kind of uppity and weird. But Willy plays chess, and we've kind of become pals 'cause of that. I'm gonna go say hi. Why don't you check out the eats and I'll come join you in a minute, okay?"

Frog looked hopefully over at the happy hour spread. "Well, if you're sure you're okay. I could go with you and keep an eye on those two if ya want some back up..."

Ambra grinned at his chivalrous offer. "Naw, I'll be okay. But thanks for the offer." She hopped down from the chair and quickly disappeared from sight in the field of bodies. Frog headed for the food.

Reaching the bar, Ambra studied the legs until she found Willy and Rad. They were deep in conversation with an Otherling she couldn't place. She stood and listened, trying to remember where she had seen the burly man. He appeared uncomfortable in the Lantern, as though he was unused to crowds.

"Thing is, the mountain trolls never come this close to town if they can help it. The Ogres were ticked off, I can tell you. I think there is trouble brewing, but I can't figure it. To hear that Troll talk, some hunters got darn close to catchin' him. Seems pretty far-fetched, really. But he believed it, or why else risk trouble with Ogres?" The burly man shook his head slowly, seeing the scene again, and downed the remains of his tankard.

"Well, I'm off. Gotta get back outta town before dawn. Say hey to Krohn for me, will ya?" Leaving his barstool, he nearly trod on Ambra, sending her to her knees.

"Whoa! Sorry, little lady. Ya okay?" He squatted down to be nearer to her, and reached to help her to her feet.

"I'm fine." Ambra stepped back abruptly, put off by the giant's huge hairy hands and beery breath. He pulled back quickly, his hands in the air, offended. Then he turned and left.

Willy's icy laugh tinkled, and he reached a welcoming arm down to her. "Well met, lady. The storyteller is too tender, methinks." Ambra accepted Willy's friendly lift, and settled on the recently vacated barstool. "What was that all about," Ambra asked.

"That was Hamm. Don't you remember him?" Met by Ambra's blank stare, Willy went on. "He was at the last summer solstice celebration. You danced with him. You'd had quite a lot of ale, as I remember. Perhaps you've forgotten that night." As Ambra squirmed under his scrutiny, Willy continued his ribbing. "So, can I buy you a pint?"

"Very funny, Will. Now I remember him. He's pretty much a recluse, isn't he? What the heck was he doin' here?" Waving the bartender away, Ambra changed the subject, pointedly avoiding the memory.

"Some wild story of trouble in the hills. Seems to think humans have gained the ability to see through the veil. More like he's just gotten careless." Willy drank deeply, and turned his attention toward the fast filling room. "Here comes that pesky friend of yours, and he's being chased by a fairy."

Frog was pushing through the crowd toward her with Cillia hovering over his head, using his wake to clear her path. He was talking before he reached them, waving his arms and hopping in excitement. "Ambra, Ambra! Did you hear? Illianna has called a general meeting..." Ambra reached down and grabbed Frog's flailing arms, stopping his tirade midstream. "Take a breath and start over Frog."

Cillia hovered over his head, cooling his reddened brow with her flapping wings."Stop and breathe Frog. We’ll listen"

"Oh we are definitely all ears for you, little man. So what's the scoop?" Willy teased.

Frog pulled free from Ambra and glared at Willy. Turning back to Ambra he said, "Shelby just told me that Illianna called a general meeting of all Otherlings. He didn't seem to know why, just some kind of danger."

"Are you sure? I've never heard of such a thing. We rarely meet altogether, and never unless by choice." Willy frowned, disturbed by the odd news.

"There have been several incidents lately where Otherlings have been seen by humans. I think she’s worried about the veil,” Rad volunteered. “Just like Hamm was talking about, Will.”

"Oh no! They saw me fly by the trees in the park  It was nearly dark. I I I..." Cillia flew distractedly in circles between the three friends.

"I hardly think, pretty one, that some indiscretion of yours has caused irreparable damage. If anything, you experienced the problem we’re talking about. Don't trouble yourself." Willy smiled at the flustered fairy. "Be still, my diminutive darling. Come, sit." Cillia colored daintily at the compliments and settled on Willy's arm. Ambra rolled her eyes at the flirtation.

"Whatever it is Illianna wants to talk about, it must be a pretty big deal. Cillia, when did that happen? Were you in danger?"

"No, I flew up into the trees until it got dark. The kids didn’t look for me very long. I think they decided I was a big butterfly, or an odd bird." Cillia snuggled shamelessly into Willy's embrace.

"Maybe there is more information on the message board. Should I go check it out?" Frog asked.

"That would be terrific, Frog. Would you?" Ambra looked toward the back of the Lantern. For her to negotiate the crowds would be trying.

"Anything for you, Ambra." Frog ducked his head shyly.

"Just don't get lost," Willy said.

Frog looked apoplectic. Ambra patted his arm. "Willy, don't be mean. Thanks, Freddie. I'll wait here for you." Frog nodded his agreement. He headed off with determination to brave the seas of people.

"I sure hope you haven't over-taxed the little guy." Willy wasn't likely to let it drop.

"Will, for Gaea's sake, give it a rest. What's your problem?" Ambra was tired of the jibes.

"Be nice Willy! Don’t harass Frog," Cillia fussed at the elf.

"Okay, okay. No harm meant. Sorry."

Cillia returned to the problem at hand. "What does this mean? For Illianna to call a meeting we must really be in danger."

"Let's not borrow trouble. Perhaps Illianna just wants to plan a special Autumn Equinox party. It’s only two weeks away." Willy preferred party plans to danger drama.

"I hope you're right. The sugar maples near the hops field are starting to turn. I plan to make a dress of their leaves. Cillia, what are you going to wear?" Ambra followed his lead, dismissing the faeries fears. The three friends talked until Frog returned.

"The notice doesn't say much. Just that it is ‘a matter of grave significance to all Otherlings’,” Frog reported.

Just then Mrs. Lyman came onto the loudspeaker. "People listen up. Eddie just told me there's something on the six o'clock news we all should hear. So I'm turning up the volume. Let’s all quiet down now, you hear?" The TV blared over the room. Talk settled into a background hum. After an ad for fast food and one for a new truck, the newscaster came on.

"A sewer main leakage led to an odd encounter today. A city employee, Mr. Edward Burns, was below Marion Street in one of the access tunnels when two men came down the tunnel from the opposite direction from the manhole. He described the men as very short and muscular. Apparently these men were unusual in appearance. What followed caused damage to the area that stopped traffic for about 6 hours. Marcie Evans is on the scene. Marcie, what can you tell us?"

"The scene at Marion Street and Third Avenue is quiet tonight; but earlier today, there was total chaos. An explosion of the sewer main knocked out power to businesses for four blocks in all directions. The street suddenly buckled and broke, causing traffic accidents and tie-ups. It felt like an earthquake, from reports. Mr. Edward Burns was in a sewer main to repair a leak when the problem started. Earlier today I was able to speak with him. Mr. Burns, what happened here today?"

The camera shifted to a disheveled and dirty man in a city uniform. "I was checking the connection at Marion and Third when these two guys came down the tunnel from the wrong way. How the hell'd they get down there's what I'd like to know. They was weird lookin'.”

"Can you describe them, Mr. Burns," Marci asked.

"Well, they looked like mutants or sumpthin to me. Real ugly. Their heads were too big, too."

"What happened next?"

"I yelled at them to get out of the tunnel. It's a dangerous place, ya know? They jumped like I'd shot 'em. Looked at me like they was surprised I’d seen ‘em. Weird. Anyways, I jumped all over 'em. Read em' the riot act. Can't have civilians in the tunnels. It's dangerous! Then this lunatic took a huge hammer he was carryin' and starts wackin' on the pipes! Well, those pipes are perty strong, but they can't take that."

"What did you do?"

"I tried to stop him, but that guy was strong! I didn't even slow him down. All of a sudden that pipe started to go so I ran for the exit. I coulda been killed!"

"What happened to the two men?"

"I have no idea. I called for them to follow me, but they didn't. That tunnel was made impassable by the explosion. They probably were killed."

Marci cut back in. "At this hour, there has been no sign of the men. Rescue workers are unable to continue tonight because of darkness, but will resume looking tomorrow."

The Lantern erupted in a hundred conversations, and Mrs. Lyman turned the TV off.

"Ogres! How could that be? Humans can't see Ogres." Ambra spoke for them all. No one had ever heard of such a thing.

"If the veil no longer hides us from humans what will we do? I don’t understand how this could be happening!" Cillia curled against Willy’s shoulder as though seeking shelter.

"Ogres are beyond stupid. If they had just run away, the sewer guy would have doubted they were ever there. Instead, they had to act impetuously and cause chaos. I really hate Ogres!" Willy's habitual coolness was shaken.

"I betcha Illianna has something to say about this! I betcha not an Otherling in Seattle will miss that meeting now. Betcher boots I'll sure be there! Holy cow! Holy moley! Holy Jehosephat!"

Ambra broke into Frog's tirade. "Well, I've had about enough of this day. I'm going home. I'll see you guys at the meeting, okay?"

"Me too. This room's too jumpy now for me. Tis time for stars and moon and sea." Cillia zipped ahead, over the crowd and out the door.

"Go in peace, friend." Willy lifted Ambra down from the barstool and they hooked pinkies, briefly. A promise to meet again. Ambra smiled and headed off.

The moon was waning, nearly spent. Come Samhain, it would be ripe again, a harvest moon for the dancing. Tomorrow night's meeting would be a dark gathering.