Challenge #04566-L182: Bonded Bargain

A student is close to flunking out of a magic school. Desperate, the student turns to the accursed woods where the fairies dwell, hoping to strike a bargain. It's said that there are consequences to dealing with fae magic, but, it can't be worse than flunking out, right? -- Anon Guest

Rin would never make it as a Wizard. Even if he went after forbidden tomes and allowed a powerful spell to reside in his head, he couldn't even be a Wizzard[1]. He could almost be okay with that... except that the conditions of his stipend from Great-great Uncle Razmus depended entirely on him getting his degree.

It was this, or start Adventuring and thereby end his life, because Rin was otherwise talentless and effectively useless.

So it was time for an even more desperate measure than breaking into the Sealed Library. He broke out of his dorm room, sneaked past the Campus guards, and crept beyond the walls of the University. From there, there was much less to avoid that could stop him from seeking the forbidden tutors.

My mother said, I never should/ Play with the fair folk in the wood...

There were three ways to become a Warlock. Make a pact with a Devil, allow a Deity to command one's life... or seal a deal with the Fae. The first meant one would sire or birth Hellkin, the second generally ended in madness or being consumed by the deity in question. The safest option, for limited definitions of 'safe' was to risk the whims of the Fae.

He didn't go unprepared. It would be truly foolish to go unprepared. A gilded drinking vessel, some fresh milk, rare spices, and a pot of honey. A song he could reliably sing on key. And a very carefully-worded appeal.

No weapons. Not even a wand. They would do him no good on the borders of Nanogh.

Your hair won't curl and your shoes won't shine...

He found a mushroom ring, and set up a little picnic within. Bread and salt. The milk, spices, and honey, he mixed on the spot whilst singing. By the time he filled the goblet, there was a Faekindred sitting opposite. Watching him with naked curiosity.

Rin felt like he was waiting to be pinned to a specimen board. He offered the cup and said, "I come to you in a state of great need."

Their touch was soft and warm, like a gentle summer rain. "Most do," they cooed. They took a sip...

And Rin woke up in their own bed, on testing day, with a pleasant tingling sensation fading from his body. And the memory of a kiss on his brow, and another on his lips. There was a new ring on his left hand that would not budge.

On the plus side, he was a Warlock now, and could pass the tests.

On the other hand, all he could recall was the instruction to find a pretty ring for the Archfae to wear.

[1] With love and respect to Sir Terry Pratchett (GNU)

[Photo by Tina Jereb on Unsplash]

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