Chapter 253: A fairy...mage?
Eventually, Ser Hune and Cass headed back to the others. He wasn’t sure how long they had been chatting to each other, but he was glad that everyone had left them alone to speak. Cass felt a little calmer, even though he had a lot on his mind.
He still couldn’t really get past the fact that what they found out about him was supposed to be impossible. There was a large part of him that had wanted to disclose this to Ser Hune, but at the same time...
He couldn’t trust her. She had admitted twice that she was basically spying on him. While he appreciated the honesty, that didn’t really leave him with a good taste in his mouth. Ser Hune meant well, but Cass was going to need to sit with this information on his own. He didn’t even have someone who he could disclose this to, especially since Lord Blackburn was also processing this information.
Cass didn’t think that the other man had heard this before. Who the hell would he have heard it from? Cass had only just met Ser Hune, and it wasn’t like there were a lot of fairies in the capital. It was obvious from the lack of greenery in public spaces, unlike back in the town that they had made their home.
It was no place to raise a family, not for a fairy. So why the hell had Lord Blackburn’s mom done that? She had to have known what it would have done to Lord Blackburn, right? Or was she banking on the fact that he was going to be half human?
Cass was just full of confusion. He’d lost most of the appetite he’d had, so he was glad to see that the rest of the group were cleaning up the lunch. He’d eaten enough, he felt decently full. He also had some more jerky and cookies still in his little man purse if his hunger came back.
"Alright. Shall we head over to the estate?" Sir Forsythe asked, and Cass watched as Fiona, and Lady Ava’s eyes lit up. Cass sighed.
"Everyone is welcome to come." Cass told the group. Lady Ava clapped her hands gleefully.
"Oh goodie! I would have remained behind if you said so." She said with a smile, and Cass felt like she actually meant that. It would have also meant that Fiona had stayed back as well, and Cass wasn’t feeling particularly okay with being alone with the two men.
Well, he wouldn’t be alone, but having more company wasn’t a bad thing. Especially if they were trying to rub it in his grandfather’s face that Lord Blackburn didn’t need shit from him.
Stir the pot. Get him annoyed enough that he shows his face. Don’t go to him. Make him come to them.
"Are you sure about this?" Edgar asked. He looked a little better than he had when Cass had gone over to have a moment to calm down. It had to be his healing abilities due to what he was. Cass nodded, waving a hand dismissively as Sir Sanders gathered up all of the mess from the lunch. Fiona was quietly protesting, but Sir Sanders wasn’t taking no for an answer. Cass tried not to smile. Edgar would take it the wrong way.
"I’m sure. You really shouldn’t be going to your own home tonight. Let us take care of you." Cass said. "Plus, the more people I have over, the more frustrated my grandfather will be. He thinks I’m a loner with no friends." He was right, both him and Lord Blackburn were loners with no friends. Cass could tell that they all looked a little guilty, even Lucian. Cass chuckled. "It’s fine. I am a loner." Cass told them, not bothered.
Lucian closed his eyes, shaking his head. He ran his hand through his long hair, pushing it back.
"Yeah, but even as a loner, you should have more friends. You’ve got money. I thought humans loved that shit." Lucian said and Cass raised an eyebrow at him.
"Yeah, but I also have a shit personality. They don’t mix well, and also the rumours." Cass told him and Lucian’s eyes went wide, while Edgar coughed.
"They aren’t that bad." Edgar tried to say and Cass laughed.
"It’s fine. I know they’re terrible. I bet half are being spread by my grandfather." Cass said, watching as Sir Sanders went and disposed of the leftovers while Sir Forsythe stood by, waiting. As did Ser Hune. "Do we have enough space?" Cass asked Sir Forsythe and he seemed a little hesitant.
"I did go back to the inn and grab the carriage, but it’ll be tight, I believe." Sir Forsythe said and Lucian raised his hand.
"I can just follow behind." He said and Cass gave him a look.
"How?" Cass asked and Lucian smiled.
"I’ll follow behind on foot obviously?" Cass almost wanted to see that. It would be a sight to see.
"Am I allowed to use magic that expands spaces?" Cass asked and watched as Edgar’s jaw tightened and Lucian got a sparkle in his eye. Fiona made a face of displeasure.
"It’s not recommended. It’s a delicate magic, and you aren’t supposed to be able to use it." Fiona said. "It would be kind of like advertising that you’re...you know." Fiona said, aware that Ser Hune didn’t know about him being another hero. Cass grinned.
"That’s the only reason to protest? Perfect. I was expecting some kind of fine." Cass said and then turned towards the door. It was time to get out of this space. The space that the gods had manifested for him to meet Lord Blackburn in, the same space that Ser Hune had shown off in, and the same space that Cass had found out more about himself in.
It felt like it had been ages since he was speaking to the nervous Mr. Collins. What a crazy day.
Hell, this was the same day that he’d told the High Priest to fuck off.
What a day.
Cass moved ahead of everyone, listening to them trail behind him as he headed for the door. Sir Forsythe slid in front of him, stopping him from opening the front door even though Cass had better hearing then the human male and was able to hear that no one was outside of the house.
Sir Forsythe stayed at the front, acting as his guard which Cass appreciated. Cass made his way down the path towards the carriage sitting there and once again could feel the gaze of others on him. Cass didn’t look at them, instead focusing on the carriage. He had Sir Forsythe open it, so that Cass could inspect it, before having him close it again.
Then, Cass began to work.
It was a lot of silence, gathering of magic, and some rather intense hand motions. Part of this came from Lord Blackburn’s knowledge, another from what Lucian had taught him, and the rest came from Cass himself. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting to come from this, but he focused, envisioning a huge interior to the carriage. He was very detailed, closing his eyes so that he could plan it carefully.
Cass could feel a lot of magic gathering and moving through him. To the point that he felt a pair of hands lift him up from behind, bracing him softly. He could tell from the touch who it was. Lucian didn’t say anything, just supporting him as he continued to work until finally, Cass was pretty sure it was done.
He waited for the magic to settle, the air feeling charged like a lightning storm was about to happen, but it slowly dissipated. Once it was gone, Cass stepped forward but it was Lucian who stopped him this time.
"Let me. I’m more sturdy." Lucian told him, and Cass was almost a little offended he’d suggest that. But he was right. He was a dragon, he had thicker skin and a faster reaction time.
Cass grumbled quietly under his breath, but let Lucian open the carriage door. He let out a soft gasp.
"What the hell?" He whispered, and Cass hoped that was a good reason. Then, he turned a giant, megawatt smile towards Cass and rushed him, picking him up and spinning him, much to Cass’ pure terror. Cass clung to his shoulders out of pure fear as the man laughed.
"You did it!" Lucian cried. "I’m so proud!" He told him, finally putting Cass on his feet as the others surged forward, wanting to see as well. They did let Cass go first, and Cass himself couldn’t stop the smile that touched his lips as he looked inside.
Not only had he made it bigger, he’d also made it comfier. Softer plush, more modern in design. It was as if he’d plucked a very decent car interior and placed it into a carriage.
"Wow Cass. This is so cool." Fiona said, her eyes wide and even Edgar was grinning.
"This is beyond anything I could do." Edgar admitted. "Then again, even when we were rivals, you were always better at magic than I was." Edgar told him and Cass stared at him for a long moment.
"Don’t knock yourself down." Cass told him, meaning it. "I’ve never really viewed magic as a competition. I viewed it as a way to prove my worth and stay alive. That isn’t a comparable scale. We weren’t training in magic for the same things. You are plenty talented. You just didn’t have what you felt was your life on the line." Cass was so casual about saying that, that he didn’t notice how horrified Fiona looked before she controlled her expression.
"I agree with Cass, Eddie. It’s not a fair battle, and honestly, it appears as if Cass was just meant to know magic. I’ve never seen anything like this before." Fiona said and Cass shrugged.
"I don’t think there is anyone on this planet who has besides me." Cass said and Fiona flinched, before she chuckled.
"Ah. It makes sense. Shall we get going then?" Fiona asked and Cass nodded.
"I believe Mr. Collins might be waiting for us, or at least some help is." Cass said as the others began to pile into the carriage. Sir Forsythe remained outside, as did Sir Sanders, but Ser Hune climbed in with a wink.
Soon, the group was off to see the estate that the Blackburn family had been desperately trying to grab to expand their home. Cass grinned. He hoped it was an eyesore. Truly. Maybe he should make it into an eyesore, just to bother them more.