I slide my butt down the bench, closer toward the cage, to get a better look.

When I had originally spotted the fairies on the docks they had been locked up in three or four square, milk crate sized cages. Now they have been transferred into something more akin to an actual birdcage. However, like many of the things in this world it looks like it has been ripped straight out of a CGI animators imagination more than anything I have ever seen in a real world pet store.

Made from a twisted latticework of thin interconnected branches wrapped with clinging vines the cage has an appearance that suggests that the entire thing was grown instead of constructed. A theory that cements even more strongly in my mind as I see some of the bars and vines have small leaves and even tiny blooming flowers upon them.

The natural beauty of it makes the small metal lock clipped across the cage door look completely out of place.

Quite large it is pushed up against the front of the wagon where the driver and Ellian sit and is lashed down to keep it from moving by lengths of rope connected to metal rings bolted into the sidewall and floor.

I manage to put two and two together and liken the rings to what might be found in a police paddy wagon or the prison transport vehicles I've seen in various movies and T.V. shows.

Inside the cage the tiny six inch fairies seem agitated. Fluttering about in a kaleidoscope of colors they dart to and fro like a flock of tropical parakeets hopped up on LSD. Their wings creating a buzzing that fills the back of the wagon and drowns out the conversation between Alec, Raven and Kryst sitting only a couple metres away.

I watch with interest as a few of the diminutive fairytale creatures move over to the flowers and reach into them with their tiny hands, scooping up balls of dew drop like nectar which they suck up greedily. During my observation I notice one of the fairies alone at the bottom of the cage, away from the others. Where most flit and spin about in the air or clamber climb erratically along the cage walls this one is moving more slowly. It doesn't take wing but I see that it is not for a lack of trying. Hopping around, its wings beat futilely.

Was it injured in its capture or while it was caged? I don't see any obvious damage to its wings but it does look a little different compared with the others. It's skin is a shade paler and the gossamer of its wings dull, lacking the shiny iridescence the rest of the fairies share. Now that I'm paying more attention to it I notice that the others fairies seem to be avoiding her. Shying away when they get too close.

A pretty glittering fairy, one with an orange and black coloration that reminds me of a monarch butterfly, lands at the bottom of the cage near a flower and begins feeding. The little one with the washed out hues moves closer. Reaching for her more regal looking relative.

The monarch whirls suddenly. Lashing out with fists and feet, it strikes the dull one before launching into the air with a tiny screech.

The other fairy, knocked back from the attack, retreats. Scuttling to the edge of the cage where it wraps its tiny arms around its legs and begins to rock back and forth. Comforting itself in a very in human like way.

The scene tugs squeezes my heart in a vice like grip and I glance about for the monarch fairy to… I don't know? Chastise it?

Perception: Fail!

I lose track of it when it zips to the top of the cage but then spot it again. Or, I think I do as I also notice another fairy that looks to be the spitting image of it. Then another, and yet another. Each one so similar to the one before that I quickly realise that it is nearly impossible to pick one fairy apart in the flurry of activity in the cage.

With a sigh I look back to the fairy sitting all alone wondering if I should point the weakened fairy to the Raven. Something causes me to pause. A nagging at the back of my mind.

If these little fairies were thought of like livestock or even batteries, and this one was sick, what would be done with her? Would the little creature be looked after and nursed back to health? Or, would they simply get rid of it? Sell it off to someone like Crod to get eaten.

The thought turns my stomach.

"Hey, Cinni?" I lower my voice to a whisper and lean forward. Her ears orient in my direction a moment before her head turns. "Don't make it obvious but, do you see that fairy there at the bottom of the cage? I think that it may be sick or hurt." I indicate the sad looking fairy with a quick point of a finger. "Or maybe the others just don't like her. Whatever the case I don't want anything to happen to her."

Cinnamons opens her mouth to speak but I put a finger to my lips. Sitting this close to the cage she would have to raise her voice over the din of the bee like buzz for me to hear and at that point so would everyone else in the wagon. She looks at me with a little pout. Clearly picking up that I am trying to keep it secret from the others she gives me a shrug.

"In your herbalism stuff, do you have any sort of supplies that…" A light bulb goes off in my head. "Wait. I think I might have something. Cover me 'kay?" I whisper.

Cinnamon gets a nervous look and glances to the end of the wagon. Her eyes settle on Raven and they narrow slightly. She turns back to me and gives a quick nod. If it wasn't for the buzzing I'm pretty positive that I'd have heard her give me one of those firm determination humfph grunts that are so popular in anime.

Caught in the moment I return the look, nod and even the grunt then dive into my adventurers backpack. I mentally picture what I want then, expending a use from the pack, pull free a thick glass container about the size of a mayonnaise jar complete with a top perforated with teensy circular holes.

Adventurer’s Backpack: Mundane: This item can be used to pull forth 5 mundane pieces of adventuring gear. The items retrieved cannot have a value of more than 5 gold. Once an item is called forth from the pack it remains. Contents: 50ft Hemp Rope, Grappling Hook, Handsaw, (Travel) Tinker's Toolkit, Specimen Jar.

Uses Remaining: x3

Stashing the jar at my side I remove the top for the jar I get everything ready. This had to be done quick and quiet. Feigning interest of the cage and its occupants I pluck a few of the flowers drop them into the jar first. Testing the movement and distance in a few trial runs and getting some food for the fairy in the process and my timing down

Sleight of Hand: Success!

Leaning forward I slide my recently purchased boot knife from its sheath. With a nod to Cinnamon make my move. With deft agility I slip the blade through the wooden bars and slice downward, cleanly cutting through the, stronger than I expected, bars and making a break wide enough to push my hand through.

Stealth + Environmental Bonus vs Kryst Thunderfist: Success!

Stealth + Environmental Bonus vs Captain Raven: Success!

Stealth + Environmental Bonus vs Corporal Alec: Success!

Stealth + Environmental Bonus vs Guardsman Damir: Success!

Stealth + Environmental Bonus vs Ellian: Success!

The fairies fly around frantically as I slip my hand into the cage and their buzzing gets even louder. The small fairy doesn't seem to notice me sneaking up on it and I keep my hand as close to the bottom of the cage a possible.

Stealth vs Fairy: Fail!

I'm an inch away from scooping it into my grasp when it lets out a little screech and attempts to fly away. Colliding with a few of its sisters. Who turn on it at once. Battering the poor thing and sending it to the floor of the cage again.

Whip fast I cover the fairy with my hand, defending her from the attacks. The difference between these smaller fairies and Kryst once more becomes glaringly obvious as they ineffectually smack at my hand for a moment before retreating away from my fingers.

As gently as possible I scoop up the tiny fairy. Holding her firmly. She struggles in my palm and I slip my hand out of the cage then secure her in the jar.

Damnit! I suck my teeth. The little scuffle only took a moment but I completely expect to turn and see everyone staring at me. However, it seems that no one's the wiser. Most definitely due to Cinnamon. My bunny beauty has taken her cloak off and is waving it slightly, brushing away a few leaves that have caught on the folds of the material. Creating a sort of makeshift curtain in the centre of the wagon between me and the others.

Some of the other fairies, like a bunch of curious cats, have moved forward towards the broken cage bars. Wasting no more time I reach down and they quickly withdraw. Flitting away as I grip the damaged areas in my hand.

Mend cast on Cage: Mana cost 2

Brian Status: HP: 12/ 12 Stun: 22 / 22 Mana: 3 / 10

Vines and broken wood twist in my palm, then warp and bind together. A moment later when I pull my fingers away the cage looks as if the damage had never been done.

Slipping the jar with the fairy into my backpack and away from any possible prying eyes I pad the sides with some of my spare clothes. When I close the pack up and lean back Cinnamon gives me her closed eye coo smile at a job well done.

"Hey?" Kryst's voice blares into my ear like a megaphone, "What's going on back here?"