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Another Two-For-One in this serial that’s gone on a lot longer that I’d anticipated!

Watcher Doings 34

Jimann, having chosen a size and visage meant to both terrify and nauseate, grabbed Montay by his opposite wrist and sneered at Ferah, “Either you come with me now and endorse me as Supreme Emperor of the Council of Peace Keepers, as well as the Brotherhood of Gnomes, or I crush what’s left of your foolish brother under my diamond hoof and finish up by murdering the rest of your friends here!”

“Ooh, Elinorth’s not going to like that threat to the Brotherhood,” whispered Fernlodth to Rockmouse.

“It’d never work about between the two of us,” drawled Ferah, masking her fear, “because you’re dull and so, so shallow, and I frustrate the hell out of you, so nope.”

Jimman’s eyes flashed poison green at the insult, but before he could snarl out a response, Redrue interrupted, “How did you get past my wards and Dead Sea Salt circles?”

“Not difficult to do when someone desires you to…um…enter,” Jimann spoke in a silky rumble as he held Montay’s half-fearful, half-hopeful gaze.

From behind Ferah, Fernlodth once again whispered, “I may have to float my superpower; are you ready with your Zippo?”

“Float is not the word I’d use, but Oh Gods save us from that,” Rockmouse murmured, appealing to the sky and the lake; she nevertheless felt in her trouser pocket for the lighter.

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2026)

Watcher Doings 35                         

(Prompt word is, again FLOAT)

“Just be ready with that Zippo and wait for my word,” Fernlodth snapped, and raising his eyebrows, he added, “And be ready to duck, because I had a lot of roast potatoes…”

“You finished the roast potatoes!” Rockmouse exclaimed in an urgent whisper.

“Whatever…pretty sure it’s going to be a shart, so be prepared to take cover,” he countered, loud enough to drawn everyone’s attention.

In that brief pause, Plangeduc stepped bravely forward, cleared his throat, and announced, “Just a minute Jimann: because you happen to be standing within two Dead Sea Circles, and in those cases…” he looked skyward and stroked his chin before adding, “…yes, that’s in the 37^th volume, article 13.34p.i. of Jasper’s Book of Fae Conduct—and I quote—‘insofar as no humans are involved, a bargain must be struck before any removals are made to pay the 7^th year tithe to the Lady Lord of the Underworld’.”

“I’m not making any bargains!” sputtered Jimann.

“Ah, but you must…” Plangduc held up one finger, his fine hair floating in an unexpected and unprecedentedly sudden offshore breeze, and mused, “…and the bargain that best fits our situation is that struck up between Janet and the Faery Queen, as detailed in the ballad of Tam Lin.”    

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2026)

(To be continued)