Wisp - A Scarecrow's Tale

The mayor led Wander and his friends to his home, one of the five large houses surrounding the plaza in the center of town. All the homes were well-to-do, but the mayor's house was by far the finest. Three stories tall and surrounded by a lush garden, the mayor's home even had a fine stable that housed a number of pegasi.

"They can't fly, of course," The Mayor told them, "Not like wild ones. Lack of predators combined with no need to go looking for food, I'd wager. Ours are every bit as clever though."

"Clever? Can they talk?" Wander asked.

"Of course, they can talk. My previous councilor was a pegasus, gods rest her soul. Nearly lost my position to Abernathy over there during the last election." Mayor Blumfeld waved cheerily to a pegasus with a rich chestnut coat. "They help with the crops like anyone else, and in return we give them a nice air-conditioned stable and plenty of food. That's how it works in Jardinfae; we all share in the work, and we all share in the rewards."

"Some more than others," Niki murmured, glancing up at the third story of the mayor's house.

The mayor let out a small cough. "Well, the house comes with the position. It's a nice extra comfort, but there's responsibility that comes with it too."

The mayor led them inside his home, which was every bit as lavishly decorated as the outside. A few maids were engaged in cleaning the main entryway, one a blue jay harpy. Wander saw the jay glance at Niki only to quickly look away.

The mayor led the group to his dining hall where his wife and a half-dozen mouse children were in the process of being seated. The arrival of the scarecrow slowed things down as all the little mouse children leapt from their chairs to surround Wander.

"All right, all right," said the mayor with a chuckle, "Settle down, you lot. Let the fellow have a seat."

A small army of servants brought in enough food for a group twice times their size. Tureens of soup, platters of arranged vegetables and fruits, baked goods whose smell carried notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and rosemary.

"The bounty of Jardinfae," Mayor Blumfeld said, gesturing to the table now full of food. "Help yourselves."

Niki needed no other invitation, and immediately filled her plate with fruit-filled pastries. Seeing this, several of the mouse children tried to do the same only to think better of it after receiving a stern look from their mother. Merry darted around uncertainly before settling on an apple with a beautiful red skin. The wisp spun around the fruit, the layers of apple vanishing one by one much to the delight of the children.

Wander watched the others eat until Mayor Blumfeld asked, "Is it not to your liking?"

"It's a mighty fine spread but I ain't ever had much of an appetite." He picked up a carrot and poked it against his stitched mouth to no effect.

"Ah, yes, of course. My apologies." Mayor Blumfeld dabbed a napkin against his mouth for a moment before continuing, "Well, all the better for us to talk ... but first, proper introductions. I am Alastor Blumfeld, Mayor of this fine town. This is my wife, Felicia, and our children: Nathaniel, Davis, Marigold, Annabelle, Goldanna, and Tassen."

Wander shook each and every one of their hands, trying his best to remember all the names. "Mighty nice to meetcha. I'm Wander, Niki's the one with the feathers and the bright one's Merry."

"Quite the interesting group you've got. You don't mind if I eat while we talk, do you?" Seeing Wander shake his head, the mayor took a few slices of freshly baked bread and buttered them. "It's unusual to see a scarecrow travelling, let alone with a wisp. Where did you come by yours, if I may ask?"