TILE#8 October 27th LOST WORLD OF THE FEY

"What's the Barrier?" Timmy asked

"I'm not supposed to talk about that because it's there to keep you big folk out, that's our name for you, because it's the simple truth. You aint full grown yet but you are taller than the elves and they're the tallest of us all."

"US?" exclaimed Timmy "How many different fey are there and how is it we never hear of them, well not quite, the tin miners have their piskies but they're make believe or so I'm told."

"You'd best ask the master these questions because I'm afraid of being turned to an imp, I've said too much as it is. If he hadn't given me permission to appear in front of you I'd have stayed hidden as brownies are meant to. It's a real curse right enough because we brownies are companionable folk who like to look after the big people, so forbidding us your company is a cruel fate.

Still as the stars are shining bright tonight, I'll take a chance and tell you a bit more, not that I know much more myself. I know about there being a Barrier to keep we fey folk safe and other than the elves, there's the dwarves and neither wanted we brownies to help around their homes, so us upped and left many a long age ago."

For the rest of the night Timmy tried to wheedle all he could from Mouse, until come the dawn the brownie gave a sigh of relief and disappeared.

So Charles was quite surprised to find Timmy bright eyed and bushy tailed at first light, hungry for breakfast. As the man prepared something substantial he listened to Timmy's tale of the previous nights surprising encounter.

"Well young man, you've certainly got a whole mess of questions which I won't answer now because we're off to meet my old friend George the artisan as soon as you've eaten."

"Won't or can't?" Timmy shrewdly remarked

"A bit of both to be honest but that's mainly because there's so much you need to learn in the proper order mind, no good rushing at it like a bull at a gate. I'll be making arrangements while you and George are, I hope, getting along just fine. Then come teatime you'll be back here and I can make a start on your learning, that's if you aren't exhausted from the work."

So saying Charles went to his study and returned with a heavy book. "I'll put this in your bedroom so you can make a start on the reading if for some reason I'm away when you get off work.

So let's go over to the workshop, George usually opens pretty early to get the most use of the sunlight"

It was but a short stroll up the lane and Timmy was both eager and anxious about this man who might become his employer.