I do much, for the ones I love. I bear the scars to prove it.

The day started with a dream of innocent victims being kidnapped, carried away in sacks. Those who stole them away leaped into a well, and through the well into the Hedge and to slavery.  We all had the dream, though we didn’t know it was a sending, a vision of things past, and that which could come to be.

We found the well and set ourselves up to lay in wait for the kidnappers.  Unfortunately, some of us were spotted, and they sought to turn the  trap on us.  There were four of them: Harald the Red, Red Jack, Felicity and Sniper Sam.  Harald was a brute, but Felicity was the one I feared most, for she was made of silver.  She knew I was a shapeshifter, and I suspect knew of the Rage I might fall into when harmed.  I’m certain she didn’t know how badly silver can hurt me.

In the fight that ensued, all but Sam escaped through the gate into the Hedge.  I was able to use my gift for manipulating the earth to get him off-balance, letting the others take him down.  I don’t know it was that Cass did, but Sam’s allegiances now appear to be firmly with her.  It was he who told us of Felicity’s vengefulness, and that she would take those dear to us.  And she did.

She took Tracks, and tried to take Nails, but my little one got away.  Were Felicity not made of silver, I would have torn her throat out and left her body for the crows.

Sam told us of the slave market, and gave us a map – as best as he could make, given the nature of the place – to help us find our way.  We knew it was a trap, of course, but what else could we do?  We had to get my mate back, and to make Felicity pay for the crimes she’d committed.

Cass got us past the guards, and I used my nose to get us to the holding cells.  The fight was short but brutal.  We freed my beloved, and rescued three humans who had also been kidnapped.  There was a Changeling in the cell with Tracks, and had it not been his word that he offered to let her feed on him, I’d have torn her to shreds.  It is one thing to willingly offer ourselves, another to be taken as food.  We are not prey.

Red Jack escaped, hopefully having learned his lesson.  Li, in a show of her amazing mastery of martial arts, took down Felicity in a whirlwind attack, beating Felicity to a pulp. It was a marvel to see. I am glad she is on my side – I would not want to have to face her in a fight.

Harald and Felicity are to be given to one of the Others – the Queen said that if they believed it was so good to serve, then they should do so personally.  The humans were returned to their homes, or into the care of those who could help them.   Sam now serves as the Captain of the Queen of Spring’s guard.  Honey, the Changeling we freed, now works part time at the office.  Tracks and Nails are home once again, safe and sound.

Li healed my wounds, and apologized at the fact there were scars.  She was surprised I was actually pleased.  But she is human, and doesn’t understand.  But Tracks and Nails do.  She thinks I find them a turn on.  And they are, but not in the way she likely thinks.  They are a badge of courage.  Only the most grievous of wounds leave scars, and silver-tainted wounds are the worst.  They are a reminder and sign to those who can read it – proof of my loyalty and devotion, and the strength to face the bane of all our kind.