Woltan shrugged. “We are very disconnected from the outside world here. I can only make guesses. These are things you would do well to find out yourself.”

“She said she knew her cousins served my kin among the Kriek and the Merpeople, and they were jealous.”

“She said they were jealous?”

Woltan looked puzzled.

I nodded and paused. “Maybe she was just teasing me.”

“The pixies have a reputation for flirtatiousness. Did she give you any instructions?”

I nodded.

“Then what are you waiting for? Follow them.”

I nodded again, reached my hand down to the sword and touched the pommel.

Carolina.

Anders! Long time no see.

I grinned.

Actually it was just a minute ago. Before that, it was forty years or so when I last saw your grandfather. Everything is relative, though. Even forty of your years are just a quick dip in the waters of time for a pixie like me. My grandmother lived fifty thousand of your earth years. I am a young four thousand.

Young at four thousand? I’m only sixteen!

Are you saying I’m old?

An image of Carolina flashed in front of me, wrinkling up her face and stooping over, a cane in hand.

Maybe I’d said the wrong thing. You sure look young to me. Pretty, too.

Carolina smiled. Flattery will get you everywhere with us faeries… You know you’re not so bad yourself. Stop worrying about your skin so much. Although if I were you, I would listen to Kara. It sounds like she has some good beauty tips.

My face must have just turned redder. She really had been prying in my thoughts. Or overhearing things.

I’m just embarrassed about how young I am, and people say I’m not a man yet.

Remember, age is relative. But listen, you have things to do. Remember to use me, when you need to, but not to rely on me too much. And let me tell you this: if we are ever separated, you can call me to you: think my name in your head, and call me to you with all your heart. I will hear your call and propel the sword to you, flying through the air like an arrow if need be. But try to keep me by your side — that would be wiser.

You will always be able to hear me?

You have my word. Now get back to Woltan, who’s staring at us.

Carolina was right, of course. Had he been staring at me the whole time? Probably. Would I ever be able to see the people around me while I talked to Carolina? This time I hadn’t even closed my eyes. And yet I’d tuned everything else out. I guessed being aware of so many things at once came with practice, and Carolina would probably realize when I needed to focus on the outside world. I hoped so, anyhow. I trusted her completely, somehow, although I couldn’t say why.

My hand had fallen from the sword.

“Have you accomplished what you set out to do?” Woltan asked.

I nodded. “I know how to contact her, now.”

“Did she accept you? Was she friendly, or irritable?”

I felt my face grow hot. “She was extremely friendly, actually.”

Woltan stared at me for a moment. “She was flirting with you, or what?”

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