All I can hear is her cruel laughter, the hounds running and the evening breeze running over the tops of the taller grasses we’re laying in. Swallowing down my heart it hits me like a raging bull. The Huntress is here, in the land of Man doing what she does best. We were spared this night, this Beltaine night. Baine is gathering herself up with Conall, who is again crying. “I invited the witch to the rites here,” she says quietly, but funny-like to the baby. I’m a little surprised, but I don’t say a thing. “We made it home little one!” Home, what was only a few days in Faery has been months here. It’s Beltaine already.

I stare at Baine wondering if her mind didn’t get addled while we were in Faery. Maybe she was just waiting to cuss me out again later. I wonder if my enhancement held? But oh how home sounded so good and there would be Sean! Toad, my ever loyal toad starts croaking up a storm at my thoughts of Sean from my pocket, squished of course. I’d have to make sure he got some better treatment. I hadn’t done much with him while in Faery. Helping Baine to her feet we wander down to the brightly lit fire. At least she has stopped glowing. It must have been something the Dryad gave her. Only a few are there. Far fewer than I would have expected…

“We’ll, I’ll be…” says old one-eyed Folan sitting by the fire. I look to Baine wearing bits of leaves and mud smudges, I suppose I look as frightful as someone else lets out a loud gasp…