Whispering Suits

“We can cover the Tarot and how that works another day” Cyrus said, sipping his tea. “For now, let's focus on your knowledge of Faeries. Knowledge is power, the more you understand about my kind, the better your chances will be when you're faced against one of us”. I feel my heart race, so it really is a matter of ‘when’ and not ‘if’. Cyrus doesn’t seem to notice my anxiety and continues. “I’ve already covered the elements and suits associated with each court, but you should bear in mind that strong Fae can use magic from outside their court using the Tarot. So basically, don’t assume that just because you’re facing a Spring Faerie or Summer doesn’t mean they won’t use Air or Earth magic against you. And, we haven’t even gotten close to the non-elemental magic Faeries can tap into using the cards.” “So, basically, knowing what court a Faerie is from is useless to me because I won’t have any idea what they are capable of?” I say, my tone rising with frustration. Cyrus shakes his head. “No, it is important to know because most Fae will resort to the magic they have the closest affinity to. And, even if they do try and throw something else at you, knowing what kind of Faerie they are will help you know their weaknesses” Cyrus says, his tone remaining steady. But, I can see the flicker in his eyes, he’s wondering if I already knew Faeries could have weaknesses. I decide to answer the question he hasn’t asked. “Well, I know Faeries can’t touch Iron. And, I know that knowing a Faerie’s true name can give you power overthem…but that’s everything my mum ever taught me.” Cyrus nods as I talk, if he seems surprised he isn’t showing it. “That’s a good starting point. But there is definitely more.” he says, placing his cup down on the coffee table and leaning forward. “Winter Faeries are some of the most dangerous, they often have a magic affinity related to darkness as well as the cold. But, their weakness is pretty simple. They don’t like sunlight and they don’t like fire and warmth. So, as you and your friend discovered the other night, the best way to deal with encountering a Winter Faerie is to go somewhere light, and warm. I also recommend not staying out at night.” He pauses as I take notes in my book, then continues. “Next, Autumn Faeries. Now, typically Autumn Faeries are calm and even tempered, they can be reasoned with. Their weakness is an obsession with gold and jewels, any precious thing that comes from the earth. If you can distract them long enough to get away then that’s probably better than engaging with them.” He looks towards the roaring fire. “The Summer court rules over fire, warmth and light. We are hot tempered, and difficult, and stubborn. The difficulty you face is that some of my court will not attack you because they will know you have my protection. However, the Summer King has not granted you sanctuary, meaning that if my kin wish they may attack you freely.” Cyrus pauses, and moves his gaze from the flames, to me. “Our weakness is water, the cold and the dark. If you are faced against a Summer Faerie, head to the river, or even the canal, and bear in mind we are much weaker during the Winter months.” He looks strangely nervous as he says this, like I might use his weakness against him? No, there’s something more he isn’t saying, but I have to trust that if I needed to know he would tell me. “Finally, the Spring court…spring is difficult. The Spring and Summer courts have had an alliance for centuries now, and it is the Summer King’s wish to preserve the understanding between the two courts. He won’t ask them to give you any special consideration.” Cyrus can’t seem to meet my eyes, he seems so frustrated by the situation. I’m beginning to form a picture of the complex relationship he has with the Summer King, but still, I know he is holding back something. “So, what is their weakness?” I ask, prompting him to continue. Cyrus sighs. “Spring has power over water. They thrive in both cold and warmth, though the extremes of either can make them weak. They are very emotional by nature, and powerful Spring Faeries have abilities over the mind and emotions. The only weaknesses I know of for Spring Fae are Iron and Salt, but…Indigo the treaty between the Summer and Spring court prevents me from defending against them. They would have to break the treaty first. And, without the King’s order, attacking you wouldn’t constitute a breach.” I try to take a deep breath, but I can tell from Cyrus’s tone that he’s scared. I had thought the Winter Faeries would pose the biggest threat, mum had always made it sound like they were the strongest, but without Cyrus’s protection…a Spring Faerie could kill me. And, if they only have two known weaknesses…how strong a court are they? I put my drink down, and Cyrus goes to reach for my hand but I pull it back. I don’t need him to comfort me, I need him to tell me how he’s going to protect me if the Summer King won’t offer me his court's sanctuary. Then, the thought hits me. “If…If the Summer King offered me sanctuary. Then, would that keep me safe from both the Summer and Spring court?” I ask tentatively. Cyrus buries his face in his hands. “I was afraid you’d ask that” he says, his voice muffled slightly. “That isn’t an answer.” I say. I can’t let him slip out of this one. Cyrus stays quiet for a long time, then I hear his voice barely a whisper as he says “maybe.” Before I can respond, Cyrus sits up, clearly anticipating the question. “If the Summer King did offer you sanctuary, and it is a big IF, then you would be guaranteed protection from The Summer court. But…I don’t know for certain if the Spring Queen would agree to it. She…she will take issue with the fact that your deal is with me.” He says, once again skirting round information I don’t have. “Why?” I ask. “I’m not stupid, Cyrus, I can tell there is something you aren’t telling me. Do I need to remind you that honesty is a part of our deal, and that my life is on the line?” I stare him down, trying my best to keep the fear I feel off my face. Cyrus pulls this slightly pained awkward grin as he levels his own stare back at me. “Maya is the Spring Queen” he says, and the pieces fall into place. “Fuck”. Is all I can say. So, not only have I apparently pissed off the Summer King by making a deal with a Faerie who is clearly high up in his court, but it turns out Cyrus’s little girlfriend is the bloody Queen of Spring. But, didn’t Jonathan’s journal say… “Wait” I say, sitting up straight “I thought that the Queen was the title given to the King’s spouse? How can Maya be your girlfriend and the Queen of Spring, unless there's something you’re telling me you’re fucking the Spring Kings wife behind his back?” Cyrus had chosen that exact moment to take a drink of his tea, and seems to choke on it at my flippant statement. “SHE IS NOT MY GIRLFRIEND!” he shouts, a little too aggressively. I raise an eyebrow at him, he wipes the tea off his chin and stands up getting closer to the fire. “By The Mother, Indigo, I don’t know where you got the idea that Maya and I…I can’t even repeat what you just said” He seems genuinely shocked by the accusation. “Maybe the fact that when I met her at your little party she was draped all over you. I mean, forgive me if I’m wrong but she is clearly into you dude.” I say, holding my hands up in a ‘don’t shoot the messenger’ motion. Cyrus starts pacing, and he’s moving just fast enough that I can’t clearly see his face. “I know” he says “That’s the issue. Maya is the rightful heir to her court's throne, she should be the Spring King…but she refuses to take the title. She is determined to leave the title of Spring King vacant…” “For you.” I say, finishing the sentence for him. Cyrus stops, and looks at me. “Well, that would seem to be the case anyway” he says, his tone sounding bitter. “I see.” I wait for Cyrus to sit down again, then shuffle forward in my seat. “Cyrus, I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but, if you know all that, why don’t you just take her up on her offer? I mean, forgive me for saying so but, isn’t becoming Spring King kind of a step up for you? Would it really be that much worse than being stuck as the Summer King's faithful hound, or whatever it is you are to him?” Cyrus just shakes his head. “It’s not that simple Indigo. But, that’s a discussion for another day.” He gets up and starts walking towards the door. So, I guess that’s as much as I’m getting from him today. I stand up. “I haven’t met my side of the deal” I say, causing him to stop by the door. “Don’t I need to show you a card? From my deck?” I ask, wondering if he truly had forgotten. He turns, and takes a step back towards me. “Yes, I suppose you do. So, I suppose it seems fitting to ask, can I see the King of Wands?” Cyrus says. I pull the box out of my pocket, and slide open the lid. As I expected, the King of Wands is sat on the top of the deck. It shows a Faerie man sitting upon a throne. He wears a scarlet red suit, and he has a golden chain around his throat that reminds me of mum’s necklace. The hair that falls down to his shoulders almost looks like it is made of flames, with red and orange curls that flicker out. In his right hand, the figure is holding a long staff that has a tip of flame that seems to flicker as I look at the image. I hold the card out for Cyrus to see, and his eyes scan over the card, and his face hardens. “That’s him alright” Cyrus says “That is the Summer King.”