As Wonder curled into bed, he grabbed his father's arm. “Why do they hate us?” He asked. He was so small and young to the world, he didn't know the hatred he faced. 

His father sighed, sweeping his dirty blond hair from his face. “To tell you why, I must tell you a story.” Willow and Echo jumped up from under their covers, clearly excited to hear a story. His father smiled, but didn't look happy. “Our story begins with two kings. Kings who were old, without family, and hated each other. Their hatred turned their kingdoms against one another. Then, the kings just got so old they died.” He explained. “Now, no one knows if this is true, but some believe that the people of each kingdom planned an assassination, and the kingdoms killed off the rival king at the same time.”

“Couldn't it have been the fae?” Willow asked, making their father jump a bit. He was terrified of the fae. No one was going to blame him. The fae in the Wood of Beasts were to be feared. 

After a moment, their father shook his head. “Neither the fae in the Wood of Beasts nor the harpies on the Mountain of Storms ever get involved with human wars.” He said. “Even the Oracle didn't say anything about this. It must have been fated to be this way.” He sounded hopeless. 

“Oracle?” Questioned Echo. 

“Yes. The kingdoms share an Oracle. He's quite old now but being as he's part fae, he will live much longer than any of you children.” He said. “It's said the Oracle is brother to the Fairy King. He can see the future and can change the way the world is.” 

Wonder was excited by this. A person who was of fae and human blood, who was different from anyone but was honored and accepted. 

Their father kissed their foreheads and tucked them back into bed. “Now, sleep.”