“We leave him as is, Lektyne doesn’t like it but the village elder promises every tradition observed. And it’s a distraction for the incoming Russians.” Amibelle explained as she soothed the skittish reindeer, nervous around an eldritch carnivore.

Jack asked, “The people here are which group?”

“Koryak,” Lektyne replied as she finished buckling a harness on the third animal, hanging a bell shrouded in feathers from the front. “Russians are landing, we go now,” she added in English in a plummy London accent.

Both Jack and Amibelle raised eyebrows and Truro gestured putting something under the tongue, “Skillsoft.”

Jack began to explain for Amibelle’s benefit but she halted him, explaining one of her most recent friends is syxen and they’ve had lengthy conversations. She thanked Jack nonetheless.

Amibelle climbed upon the reindeer’s back and hushed it as it started to prance in unease. “Jack, you’re with me. If it bucks us off I can catch you.”

“Reassuring,” he deadpanned with an exaggerated grin.

Amibelle grinned back, “Good humour, I see,” and helped him up in front of her so her greater weight was distributed over the hind legs. Truro and Penzance clambered up on another with Lektyne’s help, who then took the lead on the animal and climbed upon the third.

“Uh, Amibelle, does Lektyne have two pairs of boots, one slung over her shoulder?”

“Lektyne demanded both Truro and Penzance’s boots for loss of her teacher, and for her fleeing her home.”

The three reindeer started off. “Well, I suppose she has every right to be upset- WHOA we’re lifting off, we’re flying. Yes indeed, we are on flying reindeer. Hello Father Christmas, we have your reindeer I suspect.”

“It’s the harnesses and the feather bells. Of course reindeer don’t fly, but flying reindeer don’t leave tracks.”

“Not afraid of heights, just surprises. So tell me then where we’re going?”

“Into a volcano.”

“Of course we are. Is it erupting too?”

The kelpie laughed, “I hope not, it’s our ley line nexus. Lektyne said her birthplace was there too. She worked a dangerous mine for an exotic magical metal still used in some military applications. It explains why she awakened with a magical talent as well. She’s the sole survivor of a mine collapse but would like to make a cursory inspection for any other syxen who might be powered down or on sleep mode.”

Jack looked over at Truro and Penzance, the way they clung together like they wouldn’t let the other go under any circumstances. “Of course.”

They drifted between the treetops at a pleasant pace, it would be a few hours but the volcanic peaks were visible in the distance.

“Um, Amibelle, I must confess I stole a look at your, true fae look against your warning.”

“Oh? And you didn’t faint, scream, I suppose you were safe from soiling yourself where we were. I have a terror aura I have no control over.”

“Oh no, no, I felt my stomach nearly turn upside down, but, despite that, I knew I trusted you.”

The kelpie smiled with a touch of colour to her cheeks. “Well, I’m pleased I’ve managed to cultivate a good impression. It will be useful in stealing your name later.”

Jack looked at her over his shoulder, startled.

Amibelle winked and added, “Which you have my promise not to do unless it is to your benefit.”

Jack laughed and looked out at the night sky again.

After awhile Amibelle said, “I told you that you’re mundane, and this is true, but you are a certain type of mundane, a special type.”

Jack’s ears lifted slightly and he looked over his shoulder, listening.

“You are an Innocent. Capital I. You’re Daniel safe in a lion’s den. You’re the one who could mount and ride a unicorn, or a kelpie. You’re the one who stands up in the face of a wrong, and demands it be righted. Fates, the universe, karma, whichever you will call it, look upon you and smile. You might never fling lightning from your fingers, travel through time on your own, or weave a magic carpet, but existence itself deems you necessary and will be your shield. Just don’t do anything idiotic or arrogant given this knowledge.”

Jack listened along with a widening smile, then laughed at that last bit. “Losing myself at those skitterthings was both of those, I regret.”

“Your cause was selfless, and righteous, and the bell Lektyne gave you is magical. Keep it close to your heart and it will amplify this aspect of you. Live as you do in love, and love itself will be your guardian.”

Jack grew quiet again in contemplation and watched the peaks in the distance grow closer.

---

For the game system nerds, some discussion Vikki and I had on the topic of:

Jack’s Bell, a very strong protective amulet, difficult to destroy as any other powerful magical item. It manifested to Lektyne in the underworld as the shaman in charge but it was a gift for Jack from the skitterlings. It grants no protection when acting selfishly but the more selfless or kind the more potent it gets. Jack might find himself able to lift a car on one side just long enough for someone trapped underneath to be pulled free, jump an almost superhuman distance over a chasm to save someone from falling in, move faster than he really should be able to to pull someone back from getting hit by a bus, and were he to be shot, of course the bullet hitting the bell will leave him with a massive bruise and a cracked rib.

---

Thought Laboratory:

Innocent: A person prone to kindness, puts others ahead of themselves. While not directly able to use magical arts, the nature of the universe itself smiles upon them. They’re modestly lucky in quiet ways that aren’t obvious, animals both mundane and magical like them. Spirits may do helpful things to their benefit quietly in the background. Harmful entities might desire to harm them but the Innocent is shielded from them in some ways. Ghouls would find them undesirable to devour. Vampires would know right away that they would find them unfilling, and perhaps cause an allergic reaction. In addition to the additional horrors awaiting them in Hell should they destroy one. The enlightened vampire might sponsor or protect an Innocent in some way quietly from afar.

Vikki's reply:
Instrument of Fate: You are the right person at the right place and time, and the [REDACTED] is on your side. Or rather, the part that's working against you is slightly outweighed by the part that's rooting for you. By innate and/or demonstrated virtue, you are deemed important to the tapestry of reality and welfare of its inhabitants. Luck, yadda yadda...