I thought my life of adventure was over.  I thought I could retire and start a new, peaceful, life with my wife Mona and daughter Ayu.

I thought wrong.

It all started when Ayu was playing in the woods.  She found a circle of mushrooms and, being the curious kit she is, she decided to take one home.  Of course, she had to tell us all about it, and I thought that was it.

I thought wrong.

Of course, Mona knew what it was, and she told me.  A fairy circle.  Her tribe had legends about the fae, and how they take unruly kits to be their slaves.  But I thought that was just a legend.

I thought wrong.

The next day, Mona noticed something off about Ayu.  She called me over, and I could tell as well: this was not our daughter.  We both ran to the fairy circle, hoping to use it to find Ayu.  I thought I could just convince the fae to return our kit, and if need be, I thought my swordsmanship could save the day.

I thought wrong.

As we were pulled into the fae realm, I saw the fae that had taken Ayu - and she was with it!  I yelled at the fae, telling it to give my daughter back!  The fae just laughed, and I remembered something Mona had told me from the legends.  The fae have been known to make deals.  But what could I offer?  I knew Mona wouldn't like this, but I had no other choice.

"Take me in her place!  Then all shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well."

The fae laughed, and agreed.  It returned Ayu to her mother, and Mona looked at me, concerned.

"Don't worry, Mona.  You know I've been through things like this before."  And she did.  She knew that I would never stop looking for a way back, a way out of this fate I had chosen for myself to save our kit.  And I thought I would be able to easily make my way out.

I thought wrong.