Chapter 4

Mickie drove into the trailer park up on the top of the hill overlooking the South Beltline. All the streets in the park were named after flowers, which was why the dispatchers referred to it as “South in the Flowers” when there was a call there. As she drove up the central curving road, she spotted a sign she had never seen before. “Iris Court” the sign read. It looked just like all the other street signs, though it might have been a little cleaner, a little brighter. It marked a street that led to a small circle that had exactly one address on it: #214. She parked in front of it and got out, Emily perched in her usual spot on her shoulder.

The trailer was smaller than most of the homes in the park. It looked more like a vardo than a mobile home. Painted in bright colors, it was surrounded by a white picket fence that barely contained of a wild profusion of flowers and herbs. The entrance to this garden was a wooden archway dripping in flowering vines. She ducked her head and walked through the arch.

As she passed under it, she felt a bit dizzy for a moment. Suddenly, Emily was not on her shoulder, but standing beside her, bristling and hissing. In front of her was an enormous rabbit. And Emily was also enormous. Her shoulder was the same height as Mickie’s shoulder. And there was a tiny, light brown skinned woman sitting on the rabbit’s back, elbows leaning on its ears. Her face was framed by long, wavy green hair.

“Greetings, Mikkela Korpi.” the tiny woman said. “Welcome to my Court. I am Iris, Queen of Flowers.”

“Um, Kaito sends his regards?” Mickie managed, before blurting, “What have you done to Emily?”

Iris laughed, sounding like tinkling bells. “Not a thing!” she said. “But you have been made small enough to fit in my garden. Oh, don’t worry. Passing through the arch will restore you when you leave.”

Mickie spun around and looked at the arch. It looked exactly the same size as when she had entered through it. She could see her cab parked in the circle. But when she looked over the picket fence to either side of the arch everything blurred. It was almost as though there were a heavy fog surrounding the place.

She spun back the other way and looked around. The path before her was made of bricks, Very large bricks. And edged with tall trunks that she realized were not trees but flower stalks. Daffodils, tulips, and of course irises lined the path, which curved gently into the distance.

When she faced the Queen again, she didn’t know what to say. Iris smiled at her, and slid down off the rabbit. Standing, she was only as tall as Mickie's shoulder. She settled her long green dress around herself. Tiny embroidered flowers and insects glimmered on the fabric. At least Mickie thought they were embroidered.

“Come.” she said. “We have much to speak of.”

She turned and led the way along the path to a pair of chairs and a table set in front of the vardo. Iris seated herself, and waved Mickie to the other chair. Mickie sat.

There was a teapot in the center of the table. It was pale yellow, like the card she had received, and decorated with purple irises. There were two matching teacups of delicate porcelain. The Queen picked up the teapot and poured tea into each cup. The scent that rose from the tea was as delicate as the cups. Mickie found herself relaxing. She reached for her cup, and then stopped, looking at the Queen.

“Oh, don't worry!” Queen Iris said, laughing her musical laugh. “There is no magic in the tea, just chamomile and mint. You may drink it safely. I have no desire to magically coerce you into anything. Just enjoy your tea while we chat.”

Mickie smiled, though she still felt a bit nervous. She sipped her tea, and sat back in her chair.

“You have become involved in a disturbance that has impinged upon my demesne.” the Queen said. “No, no, don’t fret.” she continued as Mickie opened her mouth. “I do not blame you. Your vision brought the appropriate entities to deal with the issue. But now I have been made aware of the problem.”

“Is it some kind of fae monster?” Mickie asked.

“That is unlikely.” Iris replied. “There are very few of the fae who could enter, much less drive a conveyance made of so much iron. And what is a monster? Is a bear who defends her cubs a monster? Is a wolf who hunts to live a monster? Is a gardener who kills pests to protect her plants a monster?”

“Well... no, not really.” said Mickie.

“The fae are very direct, and tend to be consistent in their actions. Remember, just because you do not understand someone’s motivations, that does not make them evil. Of course, it doesn’t make them good, either.” Iris mused. “And some of the fae will kill if they are threatened. Many of us have reasons to hate humans. But this has not the feel of that.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Mickie asked.

“Because you are the one who will be dealing with it.” Iris replied.

“I'm just a cab driver!” Mickie protested. “What can I do about it?”

“Keep your eyes open, and don't get killed.” said Iris, matter of factly. “And keep Emily close.”

“But, why me?” Mickie insisted. “Just because I had this damned vision?”

“You, for the same reason you have visions.” Iris said with a small smile. “The visions are from the power that comes from your bloodline. And power always carries responsibility.”

“Now you sound like my father! He was forever blaming my problems on my mother's blood.”

“Did she have visions?” asked Iris.

“Not that she ever mentioned.” said Mickie. “And how do you know anything about my blood?”

“Oh, I can smell it on you, for one thing.” Iris shook her head sadly. “Humans! You have all become so afraid of your magic! So dependent on your technology. You have forgotten so much. Did your mother never tell you?”

Iris straightened up in her chair.

“Tell me what?”

Iris looked consideringly at her guest.

“How old were you when you came back to Madison?”

“Twelve.” Mickie replied. “Wait! Came back?”

“Yes, you were born here, but your mother took you away almost immediately.” The green haired queen said. “For you safety, she said.”

“You knew my mother?” Mickie was incredulous.

“Why, yes, of course. But if she died before you came of age, well...” She looked vaguely uncomfortable for a moment.

“But enough of that! You will need to keep up your shields. There is a feeling of something evil about all this. Know that the fae are not the only ones living here beside you humans. In the shadows there are many races, and some of them do not like humans at all. But they will gladly steal human power, and human lives, if it serves their purpose.”

Mickie shifted uncomfortably. “I still don’t see what I can do about this.” she said again.

“As I said, keep your eyes open. Trust your instincts, and your visions.” Iris smiled at her. “You will need help, at some point.” She picked up a small box from the table, and extracted a bit of jewelry from it. “Here, pin this on something you always wear.”

She handed Mickie a golden brooch shaped like a honeybee. Mickie accepted it, and was amazed at the detail. She could see each hair on the bee's back, and the facets in its eyes. She pinned it on her vest. As she closed the catch, her finger brushed the minute stinger, and she felt a slight buzz. She jerked her finger away, and saw a small drop of blood.

“Good.” said Iris. “It is now bound to you.”

There was a buzzing sound, and a honey scented breeze. Mickie found herself looking into the face of a giant bee which had landed on the table in front of her. She froze. The bee was as long as her hand, and nearly four inches tall.

Iris's tinkling laugh made her turn to look at the Queen.

“You are not afraid of bees, are you?” Iris asked with a smile.

“Not usually.” said Mickie, “But bees are not generally this big.”

“Oh, she's a perfectly normal size. You are currently rather small.” Iris reminded her.

The bee stuck out her tongue and gently touched Mickie's face. Then she jumped into the air and flew off.

“If you find yourself in trouble, prick your finger on the stinger, and they will come to your aid.” the Queen told her.

Mickie started to scoff, but then she looked around the garden. If she could believe her senses, accept her surroundings, was the bee so far fetched? Was any of this weirder than having visions in the first place?

“You must find again the confidence in your senses that you had as a child.” Queen Iris said. “Your power, and your life, will depend on it.”

“I still don't see how,” Mickie responded, “but I will try.”

“I am certain you will manage, somehow. The Queen said. “You are resilient, and you come from a strong bloodline. Your great grandmother was a force to be reckoned with!” She gave Mickie a long look.

“My great grandmother? How could you know her? Wait, how old are you?” Mickie clapped her hand over her mouth. “Sorry!” she mumbled behind it.

Queen Iris laughed again, then turned suddenly serious. “I am far older than you can imagine, human child.” she said. “Do not forget that.”

Mickie nodded. “I...I meant no disrespect.”

“Well, you must be getting back to your day.” said Iris brightly, rising to her feet. “But feel free to visit!” she said with a smile.

Mickie stood, and looked toward the garden arch. Emily and the rabbit were sitting, nose to nose, as though deep in a conversation of their own. Emily looked up as Mickie and the Queen approached. The rabbit bumped its head against the cat's shoulder, and then hopped off.

Again, there was another moment of dizziness as she passed under back the arch, and then she was standing in the circle, Emily at her feet.

“Have a wonderful day!” Iris called after her. The Flower Queen's tinkling laughter followed her through the arch.

Mickie turned to look back at the garden. The door to the vardo was just closing. The table and chairs sat on the brick patio, looked perfectly normal in the garden of flowers. Steam still rose from the teapot.

Mickie shook her head to clear it. She opened the driver's door and got into the cab. Emily hopped in after her, crossing her lap to curl up on the passenger seat.

“That was, bizarre.” said Mickie.

Emily blinked up at her. “That is a common reaction to encounters with fae queens.” she observed.

“What did you and the rabbit discuss?”

“Oh, this and that. Nothing all that interesting” Emily licked a paw, pulling it over her face. “He did mention that the Ravens have been in a bit of a kerfluffle lately. Something about an uppity marsh spirit.”

“Ravens?”

“You know. Large black birds? Like to eat dead things and peanuts?”

Mickie let out a snort of laughter. “Yes, I do know what ravens are!”

“Well, it seems the King of the Court of Birds is upset by something up in the marsh that has been driving all the ravens out of part of their usual range.”

“Don't tell me. The Court of Birds? North in the Birds?”

Emily looked up at her, a cat smile on her face. “I always knew you were smarter than the average human!” she said.

Mickie reached over and ruffled the cat's ears. Emily batted at her hand, then rubbed her cheek against it.

“16? Ms. Korpi?” the radio squawked, “Are you available?”

Mickie grabbed the mike. “16. Yes, I am.”

“I have a call for you over in Scenic Highland Manor.”

The emphasis was always on the word “Scenic” when a dispatcher was referring to the mobile home park next to the sewage treatment plant. The view was its best selling point. Possibly the only one.

“On it!” she responded, and started the cab.