and forth to the bottom of the cavern. Oddly, I have no concerns about being a human walking amongst the fae as I’m confident this is just a vivid dream and I am safely tucked into Carrick’s bed next to his warm body. If I need further evidence this is but a dream, that I’m not getting one single dark or ominous vibe from among the hundreds of creatures I walk among is enough to reassure me.
When I reach the bottom of the path, I move quickly along the streets, knowing exactly where I want to go. I look at the buildings, noting many are actual businesses. I recognize a butcher’s shop, but I don’t have to wonder what type of meat they cut up because next to the shop is a pen with weird-looking animals that slightly resemble cows and pigs, but with creepy differences like extra eyes or horns protruding from other parts of the body than normal. None have hair, but they have slimy skin, and I wrinkle my nose as I walk past.
I pass a mobile stall where a hunched-over female Dark Fae with a huge beaked nose, white hair as dry as straw, and a ragged gown with patches sewn over holes stands.
“Want a repellent charm, missy?” she cackles. I see what might be chicken’s feet hanging from the stall, but they have ten claws each, and something foul is bubbling in a pot beside her cart. “Guaranteed to keep the Fachan from sneaking into your hut and bashing your head in with his spiked club.”
I don’t bother responding because none of this is real, but I give her a quick shake of my head as I proceed down the street. However, this has taught me something very important.
I can be seen, and no one seems bothered to have a human in their midst.
With great interest, I take in all the different types of Dark Fae I encounter. There are so many species, some very hideous, others just ugly, and a few appealing ones. I don’t see any extraordinarily beautiful fae, so I assume I might be in some type of slum area and there must be the Underworld version of the suburbs somewhere else if they follow the same caste system as the Light Fae.
Up ahead, I see a stone building spackled with mud to fill holes. There’s a wooden sign hanging lopsided above the door with one word on it in a language I don’t know.
But I somehow know this is a pub, and I can get a good, stiff drink in there. Emboldened by the fact that no fae has attempted to murder me within my dream, I walk in the open doorway that has no closable door and glance around.
Yes, it’s a bar, and it’s everything I thought one would look like in the Underworld. Dirt floor so hard packed it feels like concrete. There’s a long bar made of wood poorly cobbled together with several crudely fashioned stools. A smattering of tables around, which are all mismatched and wobbly looking. Sconces burn on the walls, but it’s still incredibly dim.
It’s also fairly empty. Only one table has a few fae sitting at it, drinking out of what look like drab ceramic cups. At the bar, there’s only one fae sitting hunched over his cup who talks quietly to the bartender standing opposite him.
Behind the bar is a wooden ledge that holds only a handful of bottles—some glass and others ceramic. A grimy mirror runs the length of the wall over the ledge, and that’s essentially it.
No games.
No jukebox.
No fancy neon lighting.
Just tables and liquor, and, for some reason, I think that’s exactly how the Underworld should be.
I’ve not felt a single dark vibe, and the fact I’ve walked through busy streets without being accosted and I knew to come here means I have no qualms about walking up to the bar. I don’t have any type of currency to buy anything, but I confidently pull out a stool and climb on it.
The Dark Fae and bartender swing their heads slowly my way. The patron is uninterested, but the bartender straightens and comes my way with a huff of annoyance.
“Want the usual?” he asks. He’s on the rather ordinary side for a Dark Fae, boasting fairly humanoid features and a portly belly. The big giveaway that he is not, in fact, human is the one eye in the center of his forehead.
“Um… sure,” I reply, and the bartender shuffles off. He