The girls didn't have long to consider their choices. A large glass jar swooped down out of the air and scooped them up. Before they could fly away, a lid twisted closed on the top. Thankfully it had some air holes punched out. A large head leaned in close to look at the jar. It was John, Amy's brother!
"Cool, " said John. "Fairies! This is even better than Gryphons. And I can probably get more money for them, too!"
The hunters had entered the cave earlier and found it empty. But their dogs tracked a strange scent to the small hole at the back of the cave. The hunters forced John to climb through the hole to earn his money. It was a tight fit, and none of the hunters were brave enough to try to squeeze through. They gave John a backpack and some supplies, then he wandered through the vast cave system. He was about to give up hope, when he saw a bright light glowing far ahead. He snuck up on the light, hiding behind a large rock. He was shocked to find two tiny fairies chattering to each another. Their voices were so light and tiny, he couldn't make out what the were saying. It sounded like little musical squeaks. But he didn't really care. He had found a new prize, and quickly scooped them up.
Amy concentrated, and tried to warp out of the jar. She hit the glass with a thud. Apparently she could move through air, but not solid objects.
"I wish we were bigger, " said Amy. She heard a tinkle, and fairy dust began to drift off her body. But otherwise there was no change. She strained, and more dust drifted off. Slowly her supply of dust began to taper. Mara grabbed her by the shoulders.
"Stop it, Amy. You are just going to exhaust yourself. It looks like you are beginning to mature. Soon, you will only be able to grant the wishes of children like me, "said Mara. Mara tilted her head towards John.
Amy looked up at her new master, her brother John, with dread. She had to get home, and try to use the vials to fix this.
Suddenly, they heard the voices of the hunters in the distance. They had followed John through the hole and were looking for him.
We can't get caught, thought Mara. We will be destroyed!
"Boy, " shouted Mara at the top of her voice. "Down here!"
John looked down into the jar. "Wow, you can talk? You really are valuable!"
Mara sighed. "More than you think. We can grant wishes! But you must not tell anyone about us. Hide us from the hunters, and we can give you a fortune. Anything your heart desires."
John smiled. Anything he wanted. John liked the sound of that. He began to make plans for his little fairies.
Mara and Amy were making their own plans. With the right interpretation of a poorly worded wish, they could use John to escape.