Trapped

asked.
    » It is. «
    » Hello again, « Flidais said to Oberon. » Perhaps we will have occasion to hunt together soon. « After a small pause, she frowned, because she had just tuned in to hear Oberon’s thoughts in the same way I could.
    » You forbade him to hunt with me? « A flash of temper sparked in her eyes.
    » Forgive me, Flidais, but the last time we hunted with you, someone died. I’d rather avoid a second accident. «
    » You accuse me? « she growled.
    Oh, I could. I could accuse her of murder most foul, as in the best it is , but I have done my own share of reddish work and I do my best to eschew hypocrisy.
    » No. I forbid my hound to hunt with you. There is no accusation of any kind there. « Flidais might have pursued the matter but was distracted by the large, hairy arrival of Perun.
    » Is this faery? « he asked hopefully, speaking English. His eyes roved over Flidais and enjoyed the journey. He wasn’t subtle. Flidais, for her part, gave Perun an appraisal that was not a whit less wanton. He was, undeniably, a mobile mountain of musk and virility, and Flidais was rather famous for her appetites. I introduced them to facilitate their mutual seduction; I didn’t think either of them would have to work very hard at it.
    As they continued their ocular foreplay, I spied Granuaile hanging back a bit, her face a grim mask. She’d met both Flidais and Brighid at the beginning of her training, and while she’d come to terms with the necessity of the Baolach Cruatan —the test of mettle—she didn’t have fond memories of the event. Or of Flidais.
    The goddess of the hunt didn’t get so lost in Perun’s eyes that she forgot why she had come. Speaking to me but still looking at the thunder god, she said, » I’ll leave a marker for you to follow, Atticus. It’ll take you to a tree directly outside the Fae Court. I know you’re too paranoid to arrive without your sword drawn, but do try to be careful. I’ll make sure the area is clear. «
    › Hopefully it won’t be clear of edible foodstuffs. ‹
    Some of this penetrated the almost visible cloud of lust hovering over Perun’s head. » What? You are leaving? «
    » We will have occasion to speak more … at length, « Flidais promised. » Soon. «
    » Very soon! « Perun said.
    Flidais nodded to Granuaile, acknowledging her existence but saying nothing. My apprentice responded in kind, and the goddess padded her way silently to the tree we’d all been watching. She winked at Perun as she laid her hand on it and shifted away.
    » By axe and sky, she is fine woman! « Perun rumbled, and then a flash of white teeth under his beard made him appear young again. » Come! Let us go! «
    » Rein in your nads for a moment, if you please, Perun, « Granuaile said.
    The thunder god’s enthusiasm disappeared in a cloud of confusion. » What is nads? « he asked. » And why should I make it rain on them? Can you say this word in Russian? «
    Granuaile ignored him and spoke to me. » Atticus, what’s this going to be like? What should I watch out for? «
    I sighed. » I’m afraid I don’t have a helpful answer. You should watch out for everything. Though I’ve been to Tír na nÓg plenty of times, I haven’t been to the Fae Court since before I met Airmid—which was before I stole Fragarach. It’s been more than two thousand years and I was still in my normal human lifespan, so there’s no telling what it looks like. The Tuatha Dé Danann—however many of them are there—will be in their true forms. But I imagine every faery you see will be wearing a glamour of some kind, so don’t trust anything you see. Even the furnishings may be illusions, so don’t sit on anything and don’t feel secure just because you have your back to a wall. «
    › Will the food be real food? ‹
    Probably not . » Oberon just brought up a good point, « I said aloud. » Don’t eat or drink anything while you’re there. Accept no gifts, make no promises—don’t even say that you will do something, because you’ll be held to it. Words are binding in Tír na nÓg more than anywhere else. To be completely safe, if you’re addressed or asked a question, tell them that I speak for you. Don’t let them cajole or threaten you into answering on your own—they’re trying to get you rattled so that you’ll make a mistake. Also, don’t get separated for any reason. You might see something attractive—don’t take a closer look. If someone wants to tell you a