“What is chickweed good for?” Mom asked as we were picking chickweed and chicory three days later.

“Chickweed can be used to treat constipation and other stomach issues. Chickweed ointments can be used to treat dry and itchy skin,” I answered.

“And Chicory?”

“Chicory root can be used as a coffee substitute as well as to lower blood pressure. Bruised leaves can be used in a poultice to help with swelling,” I replied putting the root I had just dug up into my satchel.

“Here is some ground ivy,” Lilly informed me. She mostly just her mental communication with me as we had had been around people more the last few days.

“Thanks Lily. Mom, Lily says there is some ground ivy over there,” I said pointing to where the pixie was buzzing around like an overgrown bee.

“That’s good. Thank you, Lily,” Mom called out looking up. Kyra was flying above us watching over the meadow we were in. “Jase, do you remember what ground ivy is good for?”

Mother often quizzed me like this. “Ground ivy can be used as food. But it is mostly used to treat sinus issues, colds, cuts, and coughing.”

“Very good. It can also be used to make beer,” mother informed me as she walked over to where Lily had found the ground ivy. Mom looked over her shoulder at me. “Don’t get any ideas about making beer. I won’t tell you how to brew it.”

“I’m sure it’s in a book somewhere,” I replied. I grinned. Mom grinned back.

“If I can’t drink nectar, you can’t drink beer,” Lily said out loud and then took off chasing a bee. Mom laughed and I joined her a few seconds later.

I stretched and my back popped slightly. “That feels better. Mom, is there anything else you want?”

“Some of those daisies,” she answered pointing out a patch of them. “And tell me what daisies are good for.”

“Coughing, liver problems, kidney issues, loss of appetite, and inflammation. Daisies can be applied topically to sores, scratches, rashes, and small wounds.”

“It can also be used to treat acne,” mom added. “But you did good.”

“Thanks,” I replied bending down to pick some of the daisies. A moment later Lily came flying screaming.

“Help!”

“What’s wrong?” I asked standing up. Lily flew right at me and hide behind my right shoulder as a trio of bees nearly collided into me.

“Bees!” Lily yelled.

“I see that,” I replied as I waved them away. Mom had stood and she looked over.

“Why are bees chasing Lily?”

Lily flew up and sat on my shoulder. “Well?”

“Well, what?”

“Why are bees chasing you?”

“I tried to take some honey from their hive,” Lily admitted. I laughed and told mom what happened. She laughed as well. “Don’t laugh!”

“Kyra says one of the guards is coming. Lily, get in Jase’s satchel.”

“I wonder why,” I said as Lily obeyed mom. That surprised me.

“Let’s start heading back and we can meet them to find out why,” mom said. We started walking out of the meadow when the guard arrived. “Brad, do you need something?”

“The mayor is demanding Jase appear before him to answer for the assault on Melody.”

“What assault?” mother asked.

“The one three days ago.”

“She fell down due to hogs. There was no assault,” I said.

“Tell that to the mayor. I’m just here to make sure you answer the summons.”

“Fine. Let’s go,” mom replied pushing past Brad and leading the way back to the village. Kyra flew down and landed on her shoulder.

“She’s mad,” I muttered.

“Yep. Should be fun to watch,” Brad replied. “Come on.”

*

“Steven, what is the meaning of this summons?” mother asked the mayor as we arrived in front of his home. The mayor was standing on the porch with his daughter, Jonny, and William, the guard captain. Lily slipped out of the satchel and flew up onto the roof of a nearby house to watch what happened.

“Gail, what are you doing here?” Steven asked with a fake smile on his face. “The summons was for Jase.”

“Brad,” mom started loudly while pointing a thumb back at the guard, “said my son is accused of assault.”

An ever-increasing crowd of villagers gathered around to watch. Steven looked over the crowd. “Perhaps, we should take this inside.”

“No. We will discuss this where we are,” mother replied.

“Jase is charged with assault,” William said. “My son,” he began and placed a hand on Jonny’s shoulder, “along with their friends are witnesses.

“That thug attacked me and ruined my dress!” Melody screamed. Jonny grinned.

“I wasn’t aware that people could control pigs,” I calmly replied. I could feel how upset calling me a thug made Lily. I sent soothing thoughts as I knew letting Melody get to me wouldn’t help. Some of the crowd muttered in agreement while others laughed. Melody fumed as her father held up a warning hand and Jonny’s grin turned into a frown. Mom sat a hand on my arm warning me to silence.

“Did Jase attack Melody or lay a hand on her?”

Steven looked at his daughter. “Well?”

“No,” Melody muttered. “But he is responsible for his familiar and she had the hogs attack me!”

The crowd began muttering again. Someone asked, “What familiar?”

“His pixie!” Melody screeched which made the crowd roar with laughter.

“Nobody bonds with pixies,” another voice called out to more laughter.

“But Tyler saw a pixie riding one of the hogs and Jase try to catch it,” William said.

“Yeah, I did see,” a voice in the crowd admitted. “But I never saw a pixie unlatch the gate nor urge the hogs out of the pen.”

“Nor did I,” another man said. I could hear Lily cheering from the rooftop and had a hard time restraining my laughter.

“Something funny?” Jonny asked me.

“Just all of this. You are the ones that claimed I am a loser because I wasn’t chosen by a familiar at the gathering,” I replied.

“This is a farce. You have no proof, Steven. And if you did this because Melody is upset about a dress, that speaks very poorly of you and that we made the wrong decision by electing you mayor,” mom said gesturing to the gathered crowd. Quite a few voices agreed with her.

“Jase’s pixie is on William’s roof,” Melody yelled. Everyone turned to look. Lily and several other pixies were sitting there. Others were dancing on the roof.

“Which pixie?” mother asked. “Point out the one you think is Jase’s.”

“Umm…”

“Go into the house!” Steven ordered Melody. “You have made me look like a fool!”

“She didn’t make you look like one. You did that yourself,” a voice yelled from the crowd as Melody stomped her foot, glared at her father, and went into the house. The pixies cheered and danced. Some took off. I laughed.

“Let’s go home,” mom said looping an arm through mine. We turned to leave, and I saw Jed, Fred, and their fiancés turn away from us. I sighed. Mom patted my arm. “I know.”