The Five Realms

A week had passed since the halloween parade and party. Thom had not seen Cinnead and Samandiriel since that night and all was back to normal, except for Mel who had been sulking ever since. Thom glanced in disgust at the kitchen table It was littered with Ben and Jerry's ice cream cartons, opened soda cans and empty potato chip bags. The fairy didn't even bother to throw away the remains of his food binge, a result of his sullen mood. Thom picked them up from the table and threw them into the garbage can. Unluckily for him, it was his turn to clean the premises.

His thoughts turned to Nathan. He had finally admitted to himself he liked the dragon. He couldn't get Nathan out if his mind and had started to have dreams of him. Thom's eyes became dreamy when he remembered how Nathan carried him to the VIP room that halloween night. He had smelled so good and his arms felt so warm. Thom hugged himself. He felt giddy.

There was no use thinking about it though. Nathan hadn't seemed to be affected as he had been. He needed to concentrate on other things, like learning how to perfect his glamour. Thom tugged at his necklace.

Thom gave the kitchen a once over, and pronouncing it clean and spotless, gathered his cleaning utensils and placed them on the cart. He was off to clean the next room. He halted on his tracks when he found Savyn, Mel, Nathan, and to his surprise, Samandiriel having a discussion in the Den. They stopped when they spotted him standing just outside the kitchen door. Savyn waved at him to come over and they resumed their discussion.

Thom approached them. It was a long walk since the kitchen was at the NW corner of the warehouse and they were sitting around the work table, which was situated at the middle of the Den. The Den was a term they used for the space in the middle of the warehouse.. It actually encompassed the whole warehouse minus the East and West divisions that comprised the rooms. The Den's like a workroom, workout room, garage, living room combined. .

“...3 more years...”

“...need to start now...”

“...tell him ASAP...”

Thom could hear snippets of there conversation. They stopped talking again when he was midway, and waited until he was beside Savyn. Savyn cleared her throat. She looked panicky for a few seconds before she began.

“Thommy, we have decided you need to start your schooling.”

Thom was bewildered. “I have this distance education going on. Isn't it enough?”

“Not that type of education, you moron.” Savyn huffed as she thwacked Thom's head with her left hand. “I meant magic, mystic history and languages, spells and such. That kind of schooling.”

“ah, okay.” Thom winced. Savyn had hit him real hard.

“So, who's gonna teach me?”

“I am.” Samandiriel had raised his hand and was looking smug. He still had on that stupid grin that irritated Thom.

“Although I won't be teaching Court Etiquette. That's Mel's job.” He added and pointed at the fairy who was finishing another bag of junk food.

Mel looked up from what he was doing and wiggled his greasy fingers at Thom, smiling weakly.

“Don't you guys have schools for this? Didn't Savyn go to one? Why does it have to be him?” Thom pointed at the angel, glaring at him suspiciously, convinced he had something up his sleeves. Samandiriel grinned even more broadly, annoying Thom even more.

“You used to be a good quiet little boy...” The angel mused out aloud. “They turned you into a little spitfire.” He mockingly gave a pout at Mel and Sav.

“I was still a child, you blockhead. Of course I'd be good and quiet.” Thom returned heatedly. He was getting pissed. He did not not like being called a spitfire.

“Children, children...behave yourself.” Nathan laughingly scolded. “For your questions Thom. Yes for the first two.”

“Oh. Then what about the last question?” Thom's attention had turned to Nathan, effectively stopping
the exchange of insults.

“Well, because Samandiriel is simply the best teacher under the circumstances.” Nathan answered firmly.

“...and what are those circumstances?” Thom still wouldn't let go of the topic. He didn't want to study with the angel. The angel seemed to know something about Thom that amused him greatly, and that irritated the hell out of Thom. He gave Samandiriel another glare and then returned his attention to Nathan who had started speaking.

“Mystic business. Just trust me, okay?” Nathan turned the full force of his crimson gaze at Thom. Thom couldn't do anything but nod. He was melting under the dragon's gaze.


XX


“Whew! That went well,” Savyn said to no one in particular as they watched Thom stomp off to his cleaning cart.

“You just had to irk him...” She stated, shooting Samandiriel an accusing glance. “Good thing Nathan was here.”

Nathan at that moment wasn't paying attention to what they were saying.. He still hadn't taken off his gaze from Thom, who was pushing the cart to one of the offices. Mel gave Sav a dig on the ribs, wiggling his eyebrows as he gestured for Sav to look at how Nathan was watching Thom. Sav giggled. Mel had told her what had happened after she passed out and how Nathan had carried Thom in his arms. Sav was ecstatic. She just loved romance.

Samandiriel too, had noticed Nathan's inattentiveness. He gave another look at Nathan and finally understood.

“Twere all one, that I should love a bright particular star...” The angel quoted, smirking.

Nathan heard the Shakespearean quote, and turned his attention to Samandiriel, lifting one silver eyebrow questioningly.

“You cannot fool me, mellon en amin. I have known you for eternity.”

Nathan shrugged. “We have other more important things to worry, Sam.”

“Oh yes. The investigation. How goes it?”

“I just got the official investigative report yesterday from Conrad. We finally have evidence that the accident was no accident at all. The brakes were cleanly cut. It was just a coincidence that the driver of the other car was drunk. ” Nathan grimly reported. “We knew that though, from the sad state of their bodies.” The bodies of Sav and Thom's parents had been separated from their heads. No car crash could have done that. Somebody had made sure that they would not survive the crash and had severed their heads after the accident.

“They must have sent someone to witness the crash and do the dastardly deed. I was hoping that we would have more time until Thom turns a little older before they discovered his whereabouts. Cinnead and the Council Elders maybe doing a good job ruling the kingdom but not one of them could fix the crack in the Separa Jewel, nor wield it. Samandiriel said.

But Thom is too young to use the Jewel. He may not survive with his mind intact if he does use it. I don't want to lose my only family left.” Savyn was pale, all traces of mirth that had recently occupied her face were gone.

“We have no choice. The Gaps between the Realms are diminishing fast. Before we know it, the Realms will have fused together, and legions of demons would be able to invade both Dragon and Mystic Realms. So far, they are only able to send a few through that hole Lucifer had created.” Samandiriel stated, a sad look on his face “Thom has to be told about everything. It is his life, after all...and his kingdom.”

“Soon, I will.” Nathan stated, his face taking on an inscrutable expression. And then a little softly said again. “Soon.”