Jack yawned as he started to wake up from an odd if pleasant dream. He had been clad in warm furs and drinking in a viking mead-hall enjoying a song performed by some scantily clad, and very drunk, shield maidens.

  He was surprised that the feeling of soft furs had stuck around while his body was comfortably warm. “Did Merrow find a fur blanket?” He asked himself as he tried to rub his eyes finding his arm stuck fast to warm soft flesh.

  Jack froze and looked to his left seeing Morgana’s grinning face. “Have a nice dream?” she asked as he felt a hand move down to a particularly hard and traitorous part of his anatomy.

  He was surprised to feel a furred limb move and slap at the fey’s hand. “I told you to leave him alone!” came Ingra’s growling voice.

  Looking to the right only got him a face full of fur and the feeling of her snout on his scalp. Looking back to the stone ceiling he sputtered then stiffly asked, “Why are you naked and cuddling me… Lady Morgana?”

  “I decided to be magnanimous and aid in your recovery.” She said innocently. Her hand having changed targets, instead rubbing his bare chest.

  “Ok…” Jack said still not sure what to do when he felt Ingra shift, two of her six nipples rubbing against his side through her fur. “And why are you naked Ingra?” He blurted part of him thinking he had woken from a dream into a nightmare. An admittedly pleasant nightmare, but a nightmare nonetheless.

  Shaking that thought from his head Jack sat up ripping his arm from Morgana’s grasp. He ignored the blanket as it fell off of him instead focusing on finding his clothes. He spotted a pile of what looked like cloth hidden in a shadowy crevice near the exit to the rest of the mine.

  Striding over he stopped mid-stride when Merrow turned the corner talking to Tod. “Ingra swore she would keep the…” she was saying when she noticed the flush to the fey royal’s cheeks as they averted xir eyes from Jack.

  Turning to look Merrow saw a nude Jack frozen mid-stride with a grinning Morgana laying languidly her body on full display next to an embarrassed Ingra. The latter of which was scrambling to use the discarded blanket to cover herself more to hide her supposed transgression than for modesty.

  Merrow spluttered for a moment before turning to Morgana, “You shouldn’t be here let alone without clothes!” She yowled. The sound braking Jack from his trance as he scrambled to grab clothes and dress.

  “And you!” she continued her ire switching to Ingra when the fey simply shrugged with a shit eating grin. “You were supposed to keep her from doing something like this!”

  Ingra tried to sputter an explanation when Tod placed a hand on Merrow’s shaking shoulder. “No mortal could have stopped Morgana. I don’t know if I could have stopped her. It is the way of the Unseelie and you are only giving her the entertainment she craves.” Tod said trying to calm the frantic cat-kin.

  Jack had gotten pants on by that point and was wriggling into his tunic. “Would someone please explain why the three of us were naked?” Jack asked.

  “Well you propositioned me and I accepted. Even the wolf wanted a turn.” Morgana said acting uncharacteristically shy. “Don’t tell me I gave you my first and it meant nothing?” She added sounding genuinely hurt, when the only reaction she got was stunned silence from everyone but Tod, who shook their head in exasperation.

  “That’s not… I didn’t… She…” Ingra spluttered as Merrow looked to the wolf-kin and sniffed.

  “She’s not in heat, and I don’t smell Jack on her in that way.” She declared turning to Morgana, “Why make such an obvious lie?”

  Morgana burst out laughing and pointed at Jack who wore a stunned look even as his face turned pink, “to do that. Mortals are so much fun to tease.”

  Her amusement disappeared as Merrow pounced at her. The fey lifted a hand and snarled. “The only reason you live is my contract with Jack, House Cat.”

  “Enough!” Jack roared, taking a menacing step toward Morgana. “Play all you like but do not threaten my people. Is That Understood?” he growled, enunciating the last three words as his glaring face inches from the fey princess’ nose.

  Morgana looked cowed, even a little scared for a fleeting moment before her face returned to her normal sultry smirk. “Fine.” She said flicking her wrist dropping Merrow who landed gracefully on all fours.

  Jack turned and dropped to one knee asking, “Are you alright Row?”

  Merrow stared at his eyes and gasped, “Your eyes.” She muttered in a mixture of fear and awe.

  Jack was confused and looked around concerned when Tod said, “Your eyes are glowing with the light of your mana.” xir voice tinged with the same quiet awe as Merrow when he muttered, “I have never met a mortal with the power to manifest it simply from anger.”

  Jack touched his eyes and sighed, “Well I can’t let anyone else see me with glowing eyes. How do I hide it?”

  “They’ve already returned to normal. Are you sure you don’t have any fey blood in your ancestry?” Tod asked, Morgana perking up at the question, covering her interest by moving over to the clothes pile Jack had turned into a carpet trying to get at his pants and shirt.

  “Not a clue. I truthfully didn’t believe in magic or fey. We use technology and science. Magic is the thing of myth and legend. It’s only found in stories and games.” Jack explained with a shrug.

  “I wonder if you are a descendant of Puck. He was on the other side when the gate closed the last time. I think it last opened in the human lands known as Logres.” Tod said their chin resting in their hand as they thought.

  “It was, my mother had to flee that bastard Merlin when the upstart King Pendragon, forced her and her mortal army back through the gate. If Puck hadn’t fallen for that mortal mage Mother would have won, and we could have controlled Ynys Prydein permanently.” Morgana grunted.

  “Wait, you’re saying there was actually a Merlin and King Arthur?” Jack exclaimed in shock, “I though those were just characters from an old story.” He finished in quiet confusion.

  “Of course. It was only a hundred years or so after the Hispanians arrived, and they hadn’t fully established themselves yet. The Unseelie had gained control of the Gate and established a foothold in the human realm. Mabb used a human king to sire a daughter so they could gain a permanent foothold in your realm.” Tod explained reminding Jack of a professor he had seen in a movie once.

  “Fortunately Puck was able to slip through and trained a young orphan boy in the ways of magic allowing him to gain the favor of the king. That boy was then able to convince Uther Pendragon to hide his son until Merlin was powerful enough to defend the boy. That boy was Arthur, and he eventually beat back the Unseelie sending them back through the gate. He was a good man and a wise king. It seems his kingdom is well known in your world.” He finished with a nod.

  “In the myths Arthur died alone at the final battle and was laid to rest on the Isle of Avalon. It was said he would return eventually to bring about some kind of utopia. But that was just a legend.” Jack said.

  Morgana began laughing, “The dumb bastard didn’t even live long enough to enjoy his throne? That is the best news I have heard this century. I look forward to telling my father about that.” She said with delight before asking, “Do the stories tell what happened to Merlin? Did he die to?”

  Jack racked his brain as he tried to remember. “I think in the myth there was a prophecy that had him losing himself when his first and last love, a forest nymph or something, came for him. But I don’t think the story ever says when that happens.” Jack said hoping to get either of the fey to reveal something else.

  “Damn that probably means that he and Puck got together in the end.” She said with a sigh. A moment later she perked up and began examining Jack, who was happy she was at least clothed now. “I wonder…” She mused before giving him a long sniff. “Do you know where your family originally hailed from?”

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  Jack eyed her suspiciously as did his beast-kin companions who growled and hissed respectively. “A bit everywhere in Europe including Ireland, Poland, Germany.” Jack said beginning to list off all the countries his parents had said his ancestors had called home.

  Morgana sighed in irritation, “You mortals always change the names of things. I assume those are mortal kingdoms… the names of which mean nothing to me.”

  Tod on the other hand mouthed the names for a few moments before asking, “Is Ireland the most western of the two Islands just off the coast of a continent?”

  Jack thought for a moment then nodded hesitantly, “Yeah, if I remember my geography right, from west to east it would go Ireland, them Britain and Scotland, then western Europe, what we call that part of the continent.”

  Tod turned to Morgana with a satisfied grin, “We once knew it as Eriu.” He explained before turning back to Jack saying, “That would be the sister Island to Ynys Prydein. They call it Britain now?” They asked with genuine interest.

  “That doesn’t matter. In a few hundred years they will change the name again.” Morgana said pushing Tod out of the way leaning towards Jack, “That means you may be a descendant of Puck and Merlin. That would explain why you have such power.” She said her excitement mixed with irritation.

  Jack just gave her a flat look before shaking his head and turning to Merrow. “How are things with the guards?” he asked, deciding that ignoring Morgana would have a larger effect than paying attention to her.

  “The main guard in charge was concerned at first until I told him you were working directly with the fey and remaining dwarves to clear the rocks.” She said then winced, “We should probably make you look like you did more than sleep.”

  Jack nodded, “Good work Merrow.” Jack said ignoring the ever increasing irritation and antics of Morgana. Who was beginning to remind him of a bratty toddler. “Ingra get dressed please.” Jack said not looking her way before adding, “And thank you for keeping Morgana’s hands from roaming too much.”

  Morgana huffed as Ingra nodded her tail wagging furiously behind her. “You are a master manipulator, if only you used it more selfishly.” She complained.

  “If I did you wouldn’t have gotten more than the bare minimum mana from me Lady Morgana.” Jack replied even as he left the alcove with Merrow and Ingra in tow.

  “You are oddly interested in a human we have only known for a few days. Even if he is unusually powerful it is similar to how your father was with your mother once.” He commented.

  Morgana growled shooting Tod a glare but didn’t respond. Either because he was right or she didn’t want to dignify the comment, Tod wasn’t sure. What he did know was that Jack had gained the focused interest of a powerful and dangerous member of the Unseelie.

  ***

  Jack let Merrow lead the group as she filled them in on the current situation. “We were able to clear the collapse with Tod and Morgana’s help, and they say the ceilings are reinforced though the dwarves were double checking that before they continue mining the shaft.

  “How is my father?” Ingra asked, impatiently, worry evident in her tone.

  “Talka is safe, he wasn’t near the part that collapsed though several beast-kin have been badly injured. Tod was able to stabilize them but without more healing or a potion they will likely never be able to do manual labor again.” Merrow answered, her head bowed.

  “Oh.” Ingra said her tail went from wagging to drooping. Shifting her attention to Jack she asked, “Could you do anything?”

  “I’ll do everything I can, but I don’t know what I can do other than ask the guards for potions. I doubt they would give those up to mere slaves.” Jack said as his foot found a rock and he stumbled rolling his ankle. Without a thought Jack began circulating his mana, stopping when the pain did.

  “I have an Idea, but I don’t know if it will work.” Jack said. “Merrow how far from the injured are we?”

  “They’re just around the bend.” She said pointing to a curve in the tunnel. Jack nodded said thanks, then bolted. Ingra and Merrow shared a confused look before following after him.

  Jack got to the room filled with moaning beast-kin and demi-humans. It wasn’t a large area, maybe the size of his high-school classroom. Inside, lit by torches lining the walls, Jack saw bodies in neat rows as elves, dwarves, and fey tended to them. Jack looked over the individual’s until he found what he was looking for.

  There was an elf that looked like they were fine aside from some bruising on his chest. “Looks like you were one of the lucky ones.” Jack said as he lade his hand on the man’s shoulder.

  The elf looked around the room and nodded, “Yalic almost didn’t make it.” He said gesturing in the general direction of several beast-kin.

  “I was wondering if you would be ok with me testing something?” Jack asked holding up his hands when the elf gave him a suspicious look. “Nothing that would hurt you. At least I don’t think so.” Jack mused before getting back on track, “I was able to give the fey mana, and I use it to heal myself. I was hoping you would let me see if I can use my mana to heal you.”

  The elf gave him an incredulous look gesturing to the others in the room. “If you can heal you should heal them not me.” He said emphatically.

  Jack shook his head. “I don’t even know if I can heal anyone else. And I’m worried I might do something wrong if it’s too serious of an injury.” Jack explained then gestured at the man’s bruised chest. “I’m pretty sure even if I mess up trying to heal bruises you won’t be at risk of dying.” He said with a half-hearted chuckle.

  The elf studied him for a moment just long enough for Merrow and Ingra to spot Jack and hurry over to him. “How in the hells can you move so fast?” Merrow grumped while Ingra nodded to the elf.

  “Lilanae.” Ingra greeted as she scanned the room.

  “Talka is resting in an adjacent passage.” He said gesturing to a partly hidden side passage that looked more like a trick of the light than an actual opening.

  “Thanks.” She said, giving Jack an odd look before taking off to go check on her father.

  “Would you trust this human Merrow?” Lilanae asked starting at the Cat-kin.

  “I want him to be my mate so yes with my life.” She answered.

  Jack really wished she would stop it with the mate thing but before he could voice his discontent the elf grunted, “Alright Jack you can try.”

  Not wanting to risk him changing his mind, Jack gently put his hand on the elf’s shoulder then on his hip. Jack’s thought was that if he could circulate his mana through the other man, it might act the same way it did in his body and heal the elf.

  Jack first focused mana into the hand at the man’s hip before trying to get it to flow through the man and back into his other hand to repeat the cycle. Lilanae yelped and tensed in Jack’s hands for a moment before he relaxed. “I thought you said you had never healed before.” He asked.

  Jack looked up and watched as the bruises dissipated going from dark angry reds and purples to lighter yellows until where once there were bruises there was now unblemished skin.

  “I haven’t. At least not anyone but myself.” Jack said, then felt a spike of pain in his chest. Feeling at the source he found his chest was suddenly very tender. Jack peaked down the neck of his tunic and saw that the bruises hadn’t actually dissipated. Somehow he had taken on the injury rather than heal it. Jack quickly circulated mana within himself, healing the wounds. Lilanae was too distracted by the miracle healing and hadn’t noticed.

  “Merrow let’s see if we can heal some more.” Jack said, wincing at the pain simply breathing caused while his mana did it’s work. Merrow stopped him and lifted the tunic revealing the now yellowing bruises.

  “I know you see how much I pay attention to you.” She admonished and poked at the tender yellowish bruise. “You can’t take on all of those injuries it would kill you.”

  “Not if I go slowly enough for me to heal each wound before moving on.” Jack replied pulling his arm free and moving to the first prone figure.

  Merrow watched stunned as he moved between each of the injured. She rushed to his side as she heard one of his bones snap Jack holding in a scream even as he continued to heal the moaning Beast-kin.

  Jack for his part wasn’t sure why he was doing this. He didn’t truly owe these people anything. But something seemed to call him to move between each of the wounded and endure the pain of their injuries.

  After an hour of agony that felt more like an eternity Jack had finished healing everyone in the tunnel and he was covered in blood dust and sweat. Jack was so exhausted from not just the healing but also the near constant pain that Merrow had to all but carry him out of the mine.

  What Jack didn’t notice was Morgana watching as the miners spoke of him in hushed whispers. Even some of the fey were beginning to call him the reincarnation of Dian Cecht. The Unseelie princess looked on as the huma… no Jack’s selflessness earned him the loyalty of the remaining miners while all looked at her with barely hidden scorn.

  “I’m not sure if he’s a genius manipulator or simply a lovable idiot.” She muttered to herself.

  “He could be one both or compelled by one of the Tuatha De Danann.” Tod replied almost appearing from nowhere, startling her. “Though I’ve never heard an Unseelie call a mortal lovable before.” He added in a teasing tone.

  Morgana looked at him aghast, “You must be puck in disguise! No Seelie would speak thus.” She declared in mock Horror.

  Tod shook his head not taking the bait. “He will need another infusion of mana given how much he must have expended healing those miners.” Tod said instead.

  Morgana eyed him for a moment before smiling triumphantly. “You didn’t pay close enough attention. He used almost no mana. Rather than heal each miner he transferred their wounds and healed himself instead.” She said. Her face scrunched in confusion as she mumbled, “That’s what I don’t understand. It may take less mana but why would anyone take on that much pain to help strangers?”

  Tod gave her a sharp look. “You’re sure that’s how he healed them?” They asked.

  Morgana scoffed. “I may be young by fey standards but I earned my place as my father’s heir. I wouldn’t miss something so obvious. Couldn’t you smell all the human blood on him? His clothes were soaked in it more than any of the other races.”

  Tod shook their head, “I am not as versed in the smell of blood as one like you.” They said not hiding their disapproval.

  Morgana shrugged. “Then believe me or don’t you can always ask the miners and our brethren in there.” She said pointing behind them. “I’m sure more than one saw wounds vanish on a patient only to rip open on Jack.”

  With an exaggerated yawn she said, “I’m going to retire. I will see you when Jack returns.” She said and floated off.

  With a sigh Tod turned and went into what had been the recovery area to ask what had been seen and to make sure no one would speak of it to the guards or new miners once they arrived.