A Fey Lord's Guide to Raising Monsters

The sprite is silent for several moments as she considers it. " It could be fun, okay? I'll do it." She picks up the stone and absorbs it into her body, becoming visible in the process. Her body is composed of thousands of pale green wisps of light twirling together in the shape of a tiny person. A pair of delicate lace wings flutter on her back as she floats up to be in front of Eogan's nose.

A gentle touch on his nose, and suddenly, he is on the ground in agony as he feels something entering his body from where the sprite is touching him. He smothers his scream, as he does not want Aine coming over.

The pain slowly disappears, and the sprite says, "Considering your age, I am surprised you didn't lose consciousness. I'm glad my master promised to be a powerful tamer."

Eogan groans as he sits up. "I knew it was going to hurt for you to fuse the source of your mana with mine, but I didn't realize it would be that intense."

"Big brother!" Aine yells suddenly. "Can you help me find more of this pretty red flower?"

Eogan quickly looks at the sprite and whispers, "We'll continue this later."

She nods and goes invisible again. He feels her sit on his shoulder.

Aine runs from the far side of the field, where the town is. She holds up the flower for Eogan to see.

"I'll search in the direction toward the forest to the east of the field; you search toward the river on its west," Eogan says.

"Okay! Thank you!" Aine chirps as she goes running off again.

Eogan begins walking toward the forest, tilting his eyes toward the ground. He whispers, "Can you help me find that flower?"

"Of course! I've lived in this field for a long time now. I know exactly where they normally grow." The sprite flies off his shoulder, still invisible. "I'll go grab some and bring them back. Wait here." And with that, she is gone.

Eogan waits several minutes before he hears running footsteps heading in his direction. "Young master! Where's your sister?!"

He groans and turns to look at the woman who just arrived. "I suppose you are the gardener's daughter?"

She leans over, resting her hands on her knees, panting and struggling to catch her breath. "Yes, my name is Maeve." She glares at him indignantly. "Why did you not wait for me like my father told you to? And where is your sister?"

Eogan grins and says, "Cause I'm the unruly child of the house."

"Huh?" Maeve was not expecting that answer.

"As for Aine, she is looking for a red flower to pick by the river."

"And why aren't you with her?" Maeve finally catches her breath and stands straight with her hand on her hip. Her plain brown dress is wrinkled from running.

"Cause I'm looking for them by the forest. You can look for them in the center of the field." He turns and walks toward the forest again.

"But I don't know what they look like!"

Eogan ignores her and keeps walking.