the sandwich in my hand.
He didn't answer in words, instead kicking his boots off carefully, showing a pair of hooves instead of feet, tapping them lightly on the ground.
"A faun?" I asked. "Well, I suppose that explains your affinity with goats."
"Indeed! My days of cavorting among the woodland nymphs are long behind me, although I do have fond memories of those days."
I looked down at the sandwich in my hand, trying to remember everything that had been taught to me by my mother about fauns. They were generally mages in their own right, although their skill set tended to lean toward what their human equivalents might consider unorthodox.
"You're a tyromancer?" I asked, looking around at his offerings.
He laughed. "Yes! I am surprised, as it is an obscure art. I have also made my living as an herbologist, making spices and potions that actually are quite popular among those that sell them online. More popular than my cheese products, anyways."
I could see that, especially with the popularity of herb products online. People didn't even need to believe that they were magical, so long as they worked.
"So all of you are fae in this little town?" I asked.
"Most. A few are regular humans that have learned to live alongside our kind."
After a moment of thought, I leaned in closer. "And you know what... what Rog is?"
"Rog... the one that lives at Cloris Vineyard?"
I nodded.
"Aye. A blood demon has a particular aura that cannot be missed. He has been around these parts for longer than any of us, of course, and caused less trouble than any of us have besides, so there cannot be too many complaints. Always has been protective of the humans under his guard, of course. Which I suppose you are."
"Sure, you could say that,” I answered.
"How do you mean?"
"He tricked me into signing a marriage contract that is binding me to this place as much as he is bound to it."
Bram leaned back in his seat, taking a bite from his sandwich before shaking his head. "Not... entirely uncommon. However, our town has a council that would be able to handle the situation for you. I could have them assembled for a meeting, if you wish it."
"Are... are you kidding? That's all I want."
He leaned forward. "You should know that they will demand a price for their services. Always have and always will, most likely. They did for Cloris as well."
"Sure, of course." I shrugged, not sure which Cloris he was talking about. There had been enough for them living in the area over the centuries, after all. "I would expect nothing less. But so long as they get me out of that contract, it's all aces for me."
"Then I will inform them." Bram nodded, taking a sip from his tea.
I watched him for a few seconds before realizing that he wasn't going to do it immediately and took a bite from my sandwich.
"Right. Just... take your time. No rush."
Bram eyed me curiously. "There is nothing to be rushed in this place. You'll meet with them today. And you will likely need time to find what they want from you as well, so... enjoy your day. Those that rush to the end find that there is no enjoyment in their life when they reach it."
"Don't be hasty," I rumbled in as deep a voice as I could muster.
"Yes, precisely."
I rolled my eyes. "It's a... never mind."
Chapter 10
A council of fae was never going to live up to my expectations of it. This was literally the stuff of legends, and there was so much fiction mixed in that it was always going to be difficult to discover the reality of it.
At no point did it seem as though Bram had been in touch with them, but suddenly, as the last tour bus of the day headed back over to whichever hotel the tourists were staying in for the night, he stood up, motioning for me to do the same.
"The council will see you now," he grumbled, collecting his things from the stall. "Wouldn't be good to keep them waiting. And you certainly don't want to see them out come nightfall. Bad omen, that."
I knew better than to question him on that, and the fact remained that when a faun gave you a gift horse, you didn't really look it in the mouth. If there was a council that could get this leash off of me, I was more than willing to meet with them on their terms.
Bram led me out