The Magic of Pixies -from 'The World Revealed'

Hamish carried Lyze over to the door into Riversea. He reached out his hand … and pulled the handle off of the door. “Now there will be more space for bookshelves.”

Lyze took the heavy metal fitting from him, and looked at it. “Shouldn't you have to say something, when you do Magic? How does Magic know you are asking something of it? What if you had wanted to open the door, and not seal it … it's completely gone now.”

Hamish didn't bother turning to look. “Magic does what it wants to do. You do not tell your heart to beat, or your tongue to wiggle when you want to speak, do you? Your heart just keeps beating as you ignore it, and you tongue acts, while you concentrate on your words, and not the mechanics of creating them.”

“But Magic ...”

“It's just the same ...”

“... Magic doesn't exist.”

Hamish felt a moment of shock, and then understood. It hadn't been all that long ago … when he'd had to ask Guide Navarra what Magic was. Now …

“Now you are Magic, aren't you?” Lyze said. “You accused me of not being your true daughter, and perhaps it is true, for you are not exactly a man, are you?”

An indelicate way of stating his obvious problem with women …

“You are a pixie, aren't you?” Lyze stated. She remembered something he knew he'd said – about Pixx. Pixies are enchanting creatures made of Life and Magic, and little else. They are Souls that can live in, and animate, whichever of the Elements that they choose. They are notoriously feisty and independent, and when seriously provoked, can turn into something much less beautiful - and much more dangerous. Their alternate form is all claws and spines and teeth … but they are very loyal and protective of the ones they love.

Lyze stood in his arms and hugged his head, and kissed him. I am so glad you are a pixie. I like being the daughter of a pixie. It's so much better than being the daughter of a demigod.

Hamish couldn't do anything but hug Lyze back. He was equally relieved, for exactly the same reason. He wasn't a demigod. He hoped he wasn't a demon. A pixie was just about right.