Anther dancer takes over once I have landed, luring the energetic bull away onto a course that will make it circle the bonfire a second time. We are far from done yet though.

  I'm far from done for that matter! I have a second cup of spiced wine. That's quite dangerous to be honest. I can now really feel it getting to my head! At the same time my feet feel incredibly light. This should worry me, but I can't bring myself to care. I'm entirely too intoxicated to care and not just due to the wine either. The excitement itself is getting to me too.

  The cheering crowd. The hollering the shouts and bawdy songs!The gasps whenever one of the dancers cuts it a little close! It all adds to the rush. All of it lightens my mood and my steps.

  It's not just the enchantments of my clothes either by this point. No, I can feel magic at work. Ancient fey magic. It's probably the queen of summer meddling with us, playing her games.

  Who am I to tell her off though? No, I really mustn't. Especially I mustn't! Since I have danced with the prince of spring she might react badly were I to ask her to cut her own fun short. Anyone else, anyone but me really, might dare, but no one steps forth. It seems she will have her way. I can only hope that no one will get hurt.

  As the time for my next jump comes around the bull is noticeable slower and it staggers a little too. Still it paws at the ground and lowers its head for the next charge as it beholds me.

  Oh my! Whatever did I do to the poor thing? Well, I'll not bow to such bullheaded stubbornness. I let out a giggle that only seems to further enrage the creature. Oh, good gods and goddesses, I'm really tipsy! If puns like that one can make me laugh it has to be bad.

  I better end this now! I can warmth spread in my body as fresh resolve gives me strength. Or is it the touch of the queen of summer? It really doesn't matter.

  The bull charges at me again. That is the only thing that matters right now. It charges at me and I pick up my speed once more too. As we clash something is different this time around though. The bull doesn't throw its head back this time. Thus it doesn't impart me any additional momentum. In fact I might even loose some as I hold onto its horns a little too long. This is a recipe for disaster.

  My mind races. I might still be able to clear the bull, but I'll land close to it. Too close. Close enough for it to catch me with a kick of its hind legs. That isn't an experience I want to make. I have to do something different!

  I'm out of time! There is no try! There is only do! I let go of one horn but not the other. I let my momentum pivot me around until I'm facing the direction I have come from again. And I don't aim to land beyond the bull anymore either. Instead I aim to land right on its back, as close to the shoulders as I can as the bull's back is wider there.

  As my feet touch down it's too much for the bull. There is no ominous crack or anything like it, no other ominous sounds either thankfully, but the bull goes down, its legs giving out under it. I slip, as it begins to dig a furrow into the ground with its face. Oh, gods and goddesses, that can't feel pleasant.

  Before I can actually fall off, I manage to slide down its left side as the massive creature comes to a stop, my feet touching the ground just as it stops moving, emitting an almost pitiful sound instead.

  It's not charging at anyone anymore. This particular dance is over. The bull is in pain though. It's in pain because of me and I can't stand that fact.

  I wrack my brain for a solution. I don't have any of my potions with me and getting some would take precious time. It would take too long. And I don't know if a regular potion would do anything for such a magnificent creature anyway. In all likelihood a regular potion wouldn't achieve anything. I'd need a … I would need a tub instead of a potion bottle!

  My eyes dart to the nearest tub, as I brush my hand against the trembling bull's neck to calm it. The spiced wine is already half a potion! And the tub, as I come to realize is enchanted to keep it warm! Yes, this might just work!

  I look up at the fey folk scattered around the festival place. Many look back at me expectantly. The same is true for the human revelers. I have the queen's attention too. I straighten up and take a deep breath. As I speak up I do so with firm conviction, allowing the combined enchantments of my clothes work their magic.

  “I need some things! Leafs of red tea and a vial of virgin milk! Berries of Juniper and Petals of wild roses! Sprinklings of dust from moth wings too! Hurry!”

  It's the fey folk that seem to understand quickest. They move quick and without hesitation. Their queen doesn't stop them either.

  The ingredients are intended for a potion with three effects. This is not something I would usually brew, but exactly the drought this situation calls for.

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  The juniper berries together with the wild rose petals and the virgin milk will result in a strong healing potion. The virgin milk has another effect too though. Together with the red tea it will calm frenzied creatures. Last but not least the wine itself with the moth dust will rob the bull of the last of its stamina. This is not an actual sleep potion, but utter exhaustion will do the trick too this once.

  I add everything to the tub with the wine, as various fey bring what I have called for. I'm not quite done yet though. I point at a nearby man. One of the older revelers. I speak up again, as he gapes in confusion.

  “And last but not least I need your peg leg.”

  “What?”

  That doesn't just come from his mouth either. Quite a few people look at me as if I had just lost my mind.

  I just shrug unperturbed. My explanation is delivered in a calm, no nonsense tone.

  “I need to stir that potion somehow.”

  Cautious laughter bubbles up around us. I don't let it distract me. I finish stirring the drought once the man reluctantly hands me his peg leg, leaning on one of his companions in the meantime.

  Satisfied with the result I grab one of the cups that have previously been used to deliver spiced wine to the other dancers and me. By now Danuta and some of the others have made their way over to me and the downed pull which is still shaking due to pain.

  Danuta quickly grabs one of the others and together they drag the tub as a whole after me.

  Getting the bull to drink the first cup is tricky, but as soon as its contents touch its tongue a little life returns to it and it manages to empty the rest of tub too in short order.

  Danuta glances at me sideways as I begin to chuckle. Her one word question is tinged with honest curiosity.

  “What?”

  I can't help but provide a honest answer.

  “That's not what I would call responsible drinking.”

  Together we break into laughter.

  The witch has not yet sated her curiosity though. Another questions bubbles forth.

  “This recipe, it doesn't sound like one of your usual recipes.”

  I shake my head.

  “It isn't. It's a spur of the moment idea. It'll heal the bull. I hurt him after all. It will calm his frenzy too. In addition it causes a deep exhaustion as well. To make sure he doesn't fall into a frenzy again right away. These beasts are quite excitable after all.”

  She nods along with my words, apparently satisfied for now.

  Meanwhile I kneel next to the downed bull. He has stopped to shake. I dare hope he isn't in pain, or at least too much pain anymore. His clouded eyes have cleared too. The initial frenzy has passed.

  So far, so goo.

  I run my fingers through the shaggy fur atop the great beasts head gently and whisper in his twitching.

  “Take it easy. Have a nap and rest up. Tomorrow you can go back to your own life.”

  The bull doesn't need any more encouragement. It's curious how he seems to understand my words. Is it due to my enchanted garments? There is a charm effect involved after all. Never mind. The beast dozes off, snoring softly, like someone who has had one mug too many at the inn.

  A cheer goes up, among fey folk and mortals alike. It seems the crowd is pleased. That is only half a victory though.

  As I turn towards Danuta again I stop dead in my tracks when I see her staring open mouthed.

  The next moment I get to learn why, as I'm wrapped in a warm embrace from behind. An embrace like a summer breeze.

  “You show strength and bravery as well as compassion and dedication. It's not about any one of these qualities. On their own they lead to disaster as often as they lead to greatness. The mix of all of them though is what makes you shine.”

  The words of the fey queen of the summer court send a shiver down my spine and she is far from done.

  “I'm impressed. You have danced with the prince of spring as well as the enraged bull. You twirled, you jumped and leaped. Would you dare to dance once more? Would you dance the night away with me and make this summer a summer to remember? A summer of sun, warm rain and gentle breezes?”