"Give yourself some credit, lad," Dad said softly without looking away from Allie and Ghastly--without looking at Barney at all. But His hand was on Barney's shoulder, warm and comforting and somehow more solid than anything else in the room. "You're stronger than you look. So's she. If I were a guessin' man, and I am, I'd say she'll grow up to be a good strong woman, too. And I--"

Now He finally turned to look, squeezing the back of Barney's neck in such a way as to nudge the man to look at Him in turn. In His eyes was such a fierce knowledge, a confidence that was impossible to disbelieve. "I am very, very good at guessin' right."

He squeezed Barney's neck again and smiled. "Have hope, lad. That's also what'll get you through all this. If you're lackin' for a bit, feel free to call up one of my kids or their friends. You've met a bunch of 'em, today. They'll have hope to spare."


Well, that was no good. Allie gave Ghastly an exasperated look and straightened up. She was sick, but that didn't mean she'd let this pass her by just because of it. Luckily for Ghastly, he didn't comment on it or try to make her stop, because if he had Allie would have had to Have Words with him, as her daddy said.

"Are you?" A broad smile crept slowly across her face until it shone. "Why? What do you look like usually? Do you have pointed ears? Are you wearing a crown of leaves? I heard all faeries are royalty."