Dandelion was dizzy when he woke. The early morning sun made starbursts behind his clenched eyes. As he lay there, feeling weak, a bubbling feeling rose in his stomach and up his throat. A salty taste invaded his mouth, his tongue heavy.

Dandelion barely managed to roll over, clamoring to his hands and knees before expelling the contents of his stomach. When he’d finished retching, his throat raw and his eyes watering, Dandelion moved to his knees. He looked around the clearing. The fire was out; It’s embers dead. The cloak was pooled behind Dandelion.

Dandelion stood on unsteady legs, waiting for the nausea and roiling in his stomach to fade. When at last it did, he picked up his cloak and the pin, and fastened it over his shoulders. Dandelion gave an experimental flex of his shoulders. Small jolts of pain danced around the stump where his wing had been, but it was nothing like before.

Dandelion felt the tension leave his shoulders. He sighed, and attempted to stretched. A loud pop followed by a sharp whip crack of pain made his arms drop to his sides. “Ah!” Dandelion shook himself, exhaling. I wonder if Ashara and her handmaid have gotten very far…

As Dandelion left the clearing behind unbidden thoughts rose in his mind.

Was she really happier before she got her wings? Well, I suppose anyone would be. After all, getting your wings is a sign that you’re maturing. Although Ashara didn’t get her lumps naturally. Dandelion shuddered, shoving the thought away. He continued walking, listening to the noises of the forest. They have a very good start on me. Dandelion moved faster, relishing in the feel of the soft dirt floor of the forest beneath his feet.

It took him until mid morning to get to the nearest village. The village was lively as Dandelion walked through the crowds. Sellers hawked their wares, calling out prices. It’s interesting to see them like this. So energetic. Not at all like the biannual visits father and I make. Although, It's usuallyvisiting the noble's castles.

“What ho! Young man! Would you like a pretty necklace for your lady?” The dwarf behind the stall wore a red cap and a thin leather apron over a green tunic and rough black pants. The jewels, set on a bet of navy velvet, were ordinary at first glance. Dandelion stepped closer, smiling at the dwarf. “What are you doing so far from the Ionhmas mines?” The dwarf shrugged, peering at him.

“I’m here for the handfasting of the prince Dandelion and the Elvish maiden Ashara. Are you from the elfland's?” Oh, this again. Dandelion smiled, though looked more like a grimace.

“I suppose you could say that. I do have elf blood in my veins.” What with my curly hair and sharp, long nose. Dandelion chuckled.

The dwarf grinned.

“Do you see anything a pretty elf maid might like?” Dandelion looked over the dwarf's wares. Singing stones. A bright, white star shaped stone attached to a thin gold chain, caught his attention. He picked it up. When his fingers brushed it, the stone went silent.

“That’ll be the maidens star, it glows when someone with good intentions touches it.” Ashara would like that. He continued looking.

“That one is Lapis Lazuli from the mortal realm! It doesn’t do anything, but it is very lovely.” Dandelion nodded, smiling.

“Do you have a jewel that can transport someone to another place?” The dwarf's mouth opened, then closed. He smiled, holding a thick finger up. I’ll need something to get Ashara and I back quickly.

“I have just the thing for you, young man! Wait here.”

Dandelion stood, hands behind his back. The crowd swam around him, avoiding him. A few moments later the dwarf came back, two necklaces in his fist. Dandelion leant over the counter. “What are those?” The dwarf smiled, putting the amulets on the wood counter.

Dandelion looked at the two amulets. One of them was a deep sea blue moonstone, with green swimming in its depths. It was naked, save for a silver cord running through a hole in the top. Dandelion snatched it up.

“Where did you get this?” The dwarf looked surprised.

“I-It was a gift!” The dwarf trembled. No one gives out moonstones. They are sacred. They are not trivals to be taken lightly.

Dandelion slammed the necklace on the counter, making the other stone, a orange circle caught in the roots of another stone carved into the shape of a tree, shake. Dandelion eyed the dwarf, His dark grey eyes were wide and his hands shook.

“What would the dragon you stole it from have to say about that?” The dwarf clenched his teeth.

Dandelion smiled.

“I am merciful. Give me the Moonstone and the Carnailian,” he paused, eyeing the Maiden’s star. “And the white, glowing stone.” Ashara would like that one. The dwarf scrambled, collecting all three amulets before presenting them to Dandelion.

“Take them, and leave!” Dandelion snatched the three amulets before giving the dwarf a wicked grin and walking away.

As he walked through the village, he saw a few men running through the crowd. They were lethe young men. Most of them had wings of one type or another. They must be playing a game. It wouldn’t hurt to watch for a while. Dandelion followed the running faeries, weaving and ducking through the crowded streets of the village.

They led him to a reasonably large field. The two teams were already set up, one on each side of the field. A burly, blonde human held a leather ball in his hands, a stick on the ground beside him. They’re playing Hurling! Dandelion grinned as the ball flew into the air and the human whacked the ball with the stick.

The human darted between the faeries, using his stick to maneuver the ball into the goal, two sticks set a few feet apart from each other. Dandelion followed the blonde man’s movements. He was quick with the stick and ball, and once he’s scored, and the cheer of his teammates across the field, he tossed the ball to a faerie on the opposing team and rejoined his team. Dandelion cheered along with them, feeling so very alive.

Watching them is exhilarating! I could never grow tired of them!  The game continued until mid afternoon. The grin hadn’t slipped from Dandelion’s face once. For a few hours, Dandelion forget his pain. The field was almost empty before Dandelion left, his heart light. I hope when our handfasting is over, Ashara and I will get to see another game.

“Did you enjoy watching the game, friend?” Dandelion twirled around, his hand searching for his short sword, a feral snarl on his face. Dandelion’s mouth opened in shock. The blonde human from the game was standing in front of him, smiling. Smiles like that are rare in a place like this.

Dandelion smiled back, hoping it looked normal.

“Yes. Very much. It’s not often I get to watch a good game of hurling!” Up close Dandelion could see that the blonde’s eyes were very bright blue, nearly glowing. Is he a halfling?

“I don’t think it’s much of a good game unless someone gets bludgeoned over the head or looses a tooth.” Both of them smiled, breaking into laughter.

“Would you let me buy you a meal? I’d love to talk more. You seem like an earnest young man.” Dandelion looked down at the ground, his smile falling.

“I’d love to stay, but I’m on The Hunt. So I can’t.”

The man’s eyes widened, then he smiled wider. Clasping Dandelion on the shoulder he said, “Then let’s not send you off without a proper meal, friend!”