Chapter 8: The Carters

     The common room at the Carter's Rest Inn was once again beginning to gather a crowd. At least half a dozen patrons sat at the bar, and another dozen were scattered about at tables. The band was on the dais, tuning their instruments and setting out hats for donations. Ena Welman was tending the bar while a young man brought out plates of food from the kitchen. Tania milled about the room serving guests, though her mind clearly wasn't on her work.

     Jaik and Ham entered through the kitchen doorway from behind the bar, talking together. Jaik had been dismayed at the state of the body: missing eyes were bad enough, but a missing brain was disturbing beyond his understanding.

     "Well, it took you two long enough," said Ena.

     "Sorry, dear. Ham had some more questions for me, and the priests were being uncooperative."

     "We're plenty busy, as you can see, so here's your apron." She tossed it to her husband before giving him a wink and a smile. "It's back to the kitchen for me. They're falling behind in there already!"

     Jaik gave his wife a quick kiss on the cheek as she passed him and headed through the doorway. He put on the apron and started taking orders for drinks immediately. "You can go on up and check on the couple in twenty-two, if you want, Ham."

     Frayg thanked the innkeeper and made for the stairs. On his way he made a quick scan of the room, looking for a short woman with dark hair. If she's the one who murdered the boy, it's unlikely she'll return, he thought. And if she didn't do it, she's probably Passed herself, or else she's been captured by those who committed the deed. No one in the room matched the description Tania had given him, so he continued up the stairs.

     He reached the third floor and walked down the hallway. He knocked on the door to room twenty-two. There was a shuffling sound from inside, followed by a thump and what sounded like footsteps. After a minute or so, Frayg knocked again. There were more hurried footsteps and then a man's voice responded: "Just a moment, please!"

     After a few more seconds the door opened to reveal a man of about fifty. "What do you want?" The voice was the same as Frayg had heard through the door.

     "I'm sorry to disturb you," he began. "I'm Captain Hambelton Frayg of the City Watch. I'd like to ask you a few questions, if you wouldn't mind. May I come in, please?"

     The man turned away from the door and yelled. "It's a man here who says he's from the watch. Have you been up to no good again, love?"

     Another voice came from inside the room – this time a woman's. "Oh yes, dear. Didn't I tell you about the horses I've been stealing in the evenings? The watch is bound to be interested in that."

     Laughing, the old man turned back to Frayg. "Well come in, if you're going to." He opened the door.

     The room was furnished the same as room nineteen had been, with the added benefit of a small bar and a dressing screen. The woman's voice came from behind the screen: "Well, let him in, dear-heart. I may as well turn myself in now and save the watchman the trouble of a chase."

     Frayg was nonplussed. He stepped into the room and eyed the old man. He was tall and muscular for his age, with short-cropped gray hair and long mustaches. His well-tailored, knee-length black coat was unbuttoned.

     "Sorry Captain ... Frayg, was it?"

     "Er, yes."

     "Sorry, Captain Frayg. My wife and I have a little running joke between us. You see, after a long life of working hard and always living by society's rules we like to joke with one another that we're going to become dangerous bandits ... or perhaps pirates or horse thieves." He cocked his head to one side and gave Frayg a curious look.

     "I don't suppose a man of the City Watch finds such jokes to be funny, though. Please forgive a couple of old people their eccentricities." He reached a hand out to Frayg.

     "Oh, it's quite all right. I just wasn't expecting it, is all."

     "The name's Ignacious Carter – like the Inn. That's another little joke that Valsinna and I share. We Carters come to the Carter's Rest to rest, you see." 

     Soft laughter came from behind the screen, followed by Valsinna Carter. Her hair was gray like her husband's, but with a bit more white in it. She wore a fine gown of blue silk and a white lace shawl. She, too, was tall, and looked very well for her age, which appeared to be about the same as her husband's. She curtsied before Frayg.

     "Do forgive us, good Captain. You caught us dressing after our teatime nap."

     "No, it's er ..." Frayg stammered. "It's quite all right, Madam."

     "So what sort of questions does a fine, upstanding officer of the King's Justice such as yourself have for the likes of us?" asked Mr. Carter. "Does the watch need some goods hauled, or do you need help in acquiring some supplies? I've always had a fondness for government contracts. They do tend to pay well, if not always on time."

     "No, Mr. Carter. I'm afraid I'm here investigating a different matter. You are aware one of the other guests at this inn Passed into The Dream last night?"

     The Carters looked at one another with concern on their faces. "Yes. The young man down the hall. Someone Sent him, or so the rumor was. And there was a guard there this morning when we left."

     "Yes. That's what happened. Tell me, did either of you see the victim last night? Or hear anything?"

     "Well, we're not sure who the, er … victim was, so we may have seen him. As for hearing anything, I think everyone on the floor probably heard them."

     "Heard them, you say?"

     "Yes, well … there was quite a bit of noise coming from that room. We assumed either a young couple was having a fight, or they were getting very frisky, so to speak. You know … young people these days: you never know what they're getting up to."

     "I see. Then you didn't see anyone enter or leave the room?"

     "No. We retired early. The noise down the hall actually woke us from our sleep. I was going to go ask them to quiet down, but by the time I put my dressing gown on, the ruckus had subsided, so I just went back to bed."

     "Did you have dinner in the common room? Earlier in the evening, I mean?"

     "Yes, we did. We're getting on in years, but we still enjoy music and the occasional dance. When we're too tired to dance ourselves, we enjoy watching the younger people."

     "What he means to say," broke in Valsinna, "is that he still enjoys watching the young ladies dance." She laughed again. "He just doesn't think I notice."

     "Well, of course I know you notice. I'm just trying to make you jealous, dear." Mr. Carter winked at his wife and took her hand. They both sat on the bed. Mr. Carter motioned to the chair: "Please have a seat, Captain."

     Frayg turned the chair around and sat. He asked, "Do you mind if I have a bit of a smoke?"

     "Not at all, sir. In fact, I'll join you." He fished a briarwood pipe out of his pocket. "In fact I have some Borland Gold Leaf here, if you'd like a pinch?"

     "Thank you, Mr. Carter. I'd love some." After taking a pinch of the tobacco Frayg rose and lit a piece of tinder at the lamp which sat on he bed stand. After they'd both lit their pipes – Frayg had picked up another cheap clay pipe somewhere during the day – he seated himself again.

     "While you were in the common room, did you notice anything unusual? Did anyone stand out to you?"

     "After we ate, I was mostly enjoying the music and the drink. I didn't watch the crowd too closely."

     Mrs. Carter jabbed her husband playfully with her elbow. "You certainly paid enough mind to the serving girls."

     "Now, dear, you know it always pays to be polite to the help."

     "And what about that little thing with the tight green corset? How, exactly, did she help you?"

     "Now hush. I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about. Why, if I had half the roving eye you think I do, I'd have left you years ago."

     "As if anyone else would have you!"

     Frayg interrupted their playful argument. "A green corset, you say? A Very short woman with dark hair?"

     "Why, yes," replied Valsinna. "A very pretty girl, and well-dressed, too."

     "Was she with a young man?"

     "She was. She was dancing with him for most of the night. At least until we came to bed. After that, I don't know."

     "Can you describe the man?"

     "Well, he was rather tall and kind of lanky. I remember when he first came in – he had the air of an angry young man about him. I assumed he was upset about something and came in to drown his sorrows, or pick a fight. You know how men can be."

     Mr. Carter chided, "You certainly seemed to take notice of that young man. Now who's got a wandering eye, hmm?"

     "Did you notice anything else about him, Mrs. Carter?"

     "He had straw-colored hair and was dressed reasonably well – not as well as the girl he was dancing with, mind. They both seemed to drink a lot, too."

     "What were they drinking?"

     "Well, the young man drank from mugs, so I assume he was drinking ale. The girl was drinking wine. At one point they each had two drinks at once, so I guess they both had their something to forget."

     "Two at once?"

     "Yes. I think it was from a misunderstanding. He brought two mugs over to her, but she must have asked for wine, because he sat them down on the bench next to her and then brought back two wine glasses."

     "Did you hear what they were talking about?"

     "Oh, no. It was far to noisy for that. They sat in the back corner under the gallery, so I couldn't see them that well, either. I only noticed the boy because he seemed so angry before." She grabbed her husbands pipe from his hand and took a couple of puffs. "I was glad for him that he'd found a young lady to take his mind off his troubles. Otherwise, he'd have been in a fight as sure as I'm sitting here smoking."

     Mr. Carter said, "You seem pretty interested in that couple. Are they the ones from down the hall? Was the girl Sent into The Dream, too?"

     "No – at least, not as far as we know. Only the young man's remains were in the room."

     "So it was him then?" Mrs. Carter asked.

     "Yes, it sounds like it was him. He and the girl you describe went into the room together last night. But there's no sign of her now. Either she left late in the night, or some harm has come to her, as well, or ..." Frayg trailed off.

     "Do you think she was the one who did it, then?" She was surprisingly less scandalized at the prospect than Mrs. Welman had been.

     "I don't know. But I do want to find her. If either of you see her, please contact Mr. Welman immediately - or find a Watchman. Don't approach her yourself."

     "Do you think she's dangerous, then?"

     "I have my doubts. But if she is responsible for this, it wouldn't do to let her know we suspect her. We might never find her then."

     The Carters both nodded their agreement.

     "I take it you're staying through the festival?"

     "Yes, we are," said Mr. Carter.

     "And where are you coming from?"

     "Oh, we live out in a little village near Wollenstone. You've probably never heard of it. It's called Flaxford."

     "I can't say I have. That's a bit of a trip, though, isn't it? What makes you travel all this way for the Festival? Borland's a big city, and it would be much closer."

     "Oh, yes, well we've been to Borland many times. But, you see, Val is originally from around here. We first met thirty years ago during the Changeling Festival here in Ayrst. We're here for our anniversary as much as the festival."

     "Oh, I see." Frayg stood up. He shook both their hands and thanked Mr. Carter for the smoke. "Well, enjoy your celebration. I hope you don't mind if I return with more questions. I doubt that I will, but just in case?"

     "Oh, please do, Captain Frayg. We really do hope you find out who's responsible."

     After the Carter's door was closed behind him, Frayg went down the hall to room twenty. It was unlocked, so he went inside. This room, too, matched the  others for the most part. He went to the large windows, opened them, and stepped out onto the balcony. The balconies on this side of the inn overlooked the back alley and a smokehouse, as well as small terraces behind dwelling places. The nearby Cathedral Square was mostly blocked by the inn itself, but the third floor was high enough to see where the High Street looped around from the northeast corner of the Square. The River Ayrst could also be seen with the masts of the taller ships sticking up to show where the docks were on the other side of the High Street Bridge. 

     Frayg looked to his right. Yes, it would be easy for someone to climb from here to the balcony outside nineteen. He stepped over the railing and did just that. The windows to room nineteen still stood open. He examined the railings before he suddenly had another thought. He climbed back to room twenty's balcony and examined the railings. Then he climbed to room twenty-one's balcony and found what he was looking for. The wood on one of the railings was damaged here. Someone probably threw a climbing hook up here from the alleyway, and then climbed across. That means they wanted room nineteen specifically. Did they know who was there? Were they after a specific target, or would just any occupied room have done? Or did the girl use a hook and rope to make her escape? If she'd acted alone, then she would have had to have stashed the gear here ahead of time.

     Frayg went through room twenty-one and back into the inn. He headed downstairs and through the back kitchen door. The alleyway was dry – there hadn't been any rain for days. There were footprints, hoof prints, and wagon tracks everywhere. There's no way I'll be able to sort anything out of that mess, thought Frayg. Looking up at the balconies he could see that a strong enough man could probably throw a small hook high enough to reach them. He couldn't rule out either possibility, then. He sighed in frustration.

     He was about to go back inside, when he spotted something. There ... by the drainpipe. What is that? There, on one of the nails in one of the brackets holding the drainpipe in place were a few green fibers. He grabbed one of the crates and pushed it against the wall. Standing on that, he could just reach: there! He pulled the fibers down and examined them. Silk fibers, by the look of them. He went back inside.

     "Whatever are you doing back there?" Ena stood before him, hands on her hips. "Jaik said you ran past him and through here without a word, and when I didn't see you ..."

     "Where's Tania?" He cut her off.

     "She's out serving tables."

     "Good. I think I found something."

     He went into the common room, Ena in his wake. He spotted Tania serving mugs of ale to what looked to be a table of teamsters. As soon as she was finished, Ena motioned for her to come to the bar.

     "Hello again, Tania."

     "Captain Ham, sir."

     "The girl that went upstairs with the boy we were discussing earlier. You said she was wearing a very nice green corset?"

     "Yes. It was very pretty."

     "Do you think you'd remember the color, if you saw it again?"

     "I think so, yes."

     Frayg held the torn fibers before her. "Was it this color?"

     "Yes. That, or very close to it."

     "Thank you, Tania."

     Jaik and Ena looked at the fibers in Frayg's hands and then at each other.

     Ena swallowed, a sick look growing over her face. "Did you find the ... the girl?"

     "No," replied Frayg. "But, I think this proves she left through the window. I just don't know for sure whether she went on her own, or whether someone carried her down. It looks like someone used a hook and rope on the balcony outside room twenty-one, and then climbed over to nineteen. Either that, or she simply used that method of egress."

     "Well, if someone used a hook to climb out, wouldn't it still be there?"

     "If it were an ordinary hook, yes. But some ingenious burglars have created devices, using springs and such, that will unhook themselves." 

     Jaik and Ena looked at him in surprise.

     "I've seen a few of them down at the Watch House. They're not as strong as regular hooks, but they'll do the job ... and the woman in question was described as being small. I expect that means she climbed out on her own. Which means it's looking like she may have committed the crime herself. The only question is why? A simple robbery I could understand, but what would this young woman want with ... the other things?"

Chapter 7: The Note

     "I believe someone means to murder me," said the Countess.

     At this statement, Elinge raised an eyebrow. "What ever would make you believe that?"

     "I received a warning message." She drew a small paper from the folds of her dress. "This arrived for me two days after I had my dream. It was marked by the Post in Ayrst, so it must have been written before the dream, yet the note seems to have anticipated the dream."

     "How so? May I have a look?" Amelia handed the brief to Elinge.

     "Please, read it aloud. The others may as well hear it."

     Elinge read:

     They are not to be trusted. They will send you to The Dream. 

     Your only hope is in your Count's blood. Do not forsake the blood. 

     Beware the Willow and the Ash. They will be your End.

     "To whom have you spoken of your dream?" asked Elinge, furrowing her brows.

     "Before tonight, only to Nansi. Though in this house, I suppose Rikard or the twins may have overheard. One can never be sure one is alone in LaDuce Manor. The place is riddled with secrets, passages and spider-holes. There's really no telling what the children may have uncovered."

     "So you've brought us here to investigate, and to protect you."

     "Precisely. And I've already arranged for your fees to be paid two weeks in advance."

     "What if I don't want the job?" asked Mr. Insel.

     "Nonsense. You'll take the job. It's clear that Ms. Froske is intrigued, and I know where she goes, you'll follow."

     Mr. Insel pursed his lips. Elinge put a hand on his shoulder and whispered something in his ear, after which he sighed and crossed his muscular arms. "All right. We're here. We may as well see what we can find. But what about those two?" He nodded towards the hunter and the Dreamer.

     Amelia smiled. "Owerst Nandliss will help out of a sense of duty, as much as adventure. I suspect Master Trammer would remain for the sake of learning of the nature of my dreams. It's only you and Mistress Froske that I expect I would have to pay. However, I will pay you all the same. I think the four of you will do as well or better than any four people could."

     "If I'm to investigate," began Elinge, "I'll need full run of the house and grounds. And I'll need to be able to question anyone and expect truthful answers without reservation."

     "You will have all of those, with one exception. I need my rest. You are welcome into my personal chambers, should you need access, but you will make arrangements beforehand."

     "You do realize, Amelia, that such a condition immediately puts you in a suspicious light."

     "Of course I do, but you surely don't expect me to plan my own murder, do you? Besides, I am the Mistress of this Estate, and when I wish to rest, I simply will not be disturbed."

     "Then I don't suppose you'd mind if I examined your chambers now, as you're clearly not using them for rest at the present moment."

     "Please feel free." Amelia waved a dismissive hand. "We can all adjourn to my chambers now, if you wish." She began to rise, before Elinge stopped her.

     "That won't be necessary, Amelia. But I want you to know that once you've engaged my services, I won't be called off, no matter what I find."

     "That is why I chose you, Ms. Froske."

     "Well, that's settled then. We're in. And please, Amelia. If we're to be friends as you say, call me Elli."

     Owerst Nandliss rose and bowed to the Countess. "I am humbly at your service, Madam Countess. I consider it an honor to assist you."

     "Thank you, Owerst."

     He took his seat again.

     "And you, Merrik Trammer ... will you assist me, as well?"

     "Of course I will." The dreamer bowed his head where he sat.

     "Very well. Now, I expect you'll have some questions for me. I'll answer what I can tonight, and you can begin your investigations properly in the morning."

     Merrik Trammer began by stating that he hoped to find his first answers in sleep. Aerik Nandliss claimed that his answers would be found in examining the grounds by the light of day. Mr. Insel, as was his way, kept quiet. Only Elinge felt the need to ask questions immediately.

     "Tell me, Amelia, do you travel the grounds very much any more? Or, more to the point, when was the last time you went outside?"

     "Well, no, I don't really travel the grounds much. I doubt I could sit a horse for more than fifteen or twenty minutes without paying dearly for it later. I do spend evenings on the back terrace when the weather allows it. In fact, I spent an evening out there just last week. I'd like to get a few more evenings out there before the weather turns. I sometimes walk the gardens, though slowly. Other than that, I do not see the grounds, except at a distance or through a window."

     "Who else do you have working here, aside from Nansi and Rikard?"

     "No one, in the ordinary course of things. Many of the rooms are now shut up, as I have no use for them. The twins have the run of the place, except for the servants' quarters. We have some workers currently staying out at the garden house, but they're here only for as long as it takes to clear the wood, and they don't come up to the manor house."

     "Who hired them?"

     "I had Rikard do the hiring. He deals with the grounds. And Nansi takes care of the cooking and cleaning. The children help her when she can catch them."

     "I notice you refer to the twins as children. They are small, I admit, but I understand they're in their twenties."

     "Yes, well at my age you almost seem a child, Elli!" The old woman laughed. "But you are right. I suppose they are adults now. I've raised them as my own, however, and see them almost as my own children – especially since Elinora's Passing."

     "What about Rikard?"

     "What about him?"

     "He was of an age with your daughter. And you say his mother Passed into The Dream near the same time as she did. Do you not see him as your own, as well?"

     "No, I do not. He knew his true mother, if not his father. What has any of this to do with anything?"

     "Probably nothing, Amelia. But I like to get to know an environment very well – most especially the people in it and their relationships to one another – before I begin an investigation."

     "Yes, well Rikard has served me well enough since he's grown, I suppose, but as I said earlier, he needs minding, or he'd probably only lie about and get drunk every day."

     "And what about Nansi? How long has she been in your service?"

     "She's been here for … oh, I suppose seventeen or eighteen years. She was here during the Uprising, I remember that."

     "How old is she?"

     "Thirty-four."

     "So she's older than Rikard by, what? Six years?"

     "Yes, that's about right. She would have been about sixteen when she came to work here … Rikard would have been ten and Elinora nine."

     "So Nansi would have known Rikard's mother … what did you say her name was?"

     "Livinia. And yes, they would have worked together for about four years before Livinia Passed."

     "And what was the cause of Livinia's passing?"

     "The Doctor said it was failure of her heart."

     "And she was how old?"

     Amelia sighed with exasperation. "She was thirty-eight, I believe. What does it matter? Must you continue with these pointless questions?"

     "Please pardon me Countess, but I must reiterate that if I'm to conduct this investigation I must be able to expect answers – honest answers, mind you – to any questions I care to pose, no matter how irrelevant they may seem."

     "Fine then. How many more will there be?"

     "Many, many more. But, I'm nearly done for tonight. Just a few more, if you'd be so kind?"

     "Go on, then!"

     "And when Livinia had passed, how long had it been since the Count had Passed into The Dream?"

     "Six years."

     "So she was thirty-two then. Rikard was eight. And the Count … what? Thirty-six?"

     "Yes. You are correct on all their ages. And Elinora was seven, as I'm sure you'll ask that next. Jens and Jessa would have been about four or five, though, as I said, we're somewhat uncertain of their age."

     "And you, Countess. How old were you when your Count Passed?"

     "I was forty-eight. I was twelve years his senior. I'm now sixty-seven. Now is there or is there not a point to these incessant questions?"

     "Just background, Countess. It's all just background."

     "Well, I hope it helps, because it's quite tiresome, if you ask me."

     "My apologies, Amelia. One last question about Livinia, if you would be so kind … you made mention of her practice of visiting the village. Do you believe she had a specific gentleman she called on there? Or do you think her dalliances were of a more … diverse nature?"

     "I wouldn't know, I'm sure. I never asked her about what she did in her own time. I just know that it wasn't too long after she started visiting there that she discovered she was with child – and less than a year from then that he was born."

     "I see. Well, thank you for your patience, Amelia. I'm sorry to have burdened you. I assure you I wouldn't have done so if it weren't necessary."

     "I wouldn't go so far as to call it a burden, Elinge. I just don't understand the point. If you're quite finished?"

     "Yes well, for tonight, at least."

     "Of course. What about the rest of you? Do any of you feel like pestering a tired old woman with questions about her painful past?"

     The others all looked sullen. Elinge sat back in her chair, lost in thought.

     "Very well, then. If you don't mind, I wish to retire. You can all see yourselves to your rooms, I trust?"
     With that she rose and left her guests in the dining hall.

Chapter 6: The Maid

     Ayrst was a large city by any standard. As the capital of Palonias it was home to the Royal Residence at Ayrst castle as well as the Cathedral of the Invincible Light. It also housed the headquarters of all the Palonian armed forces and the Wizards College of Sol. It was built at the mouth of the River Ayrst, which also made it the de facto center of trade for much of the region. Due to its large population, the city had to be maintained with steadfast efficiency, or hundreds of thousands of people would starve. This meant there were myriad city services available to meet the needs of the citizenry: from alehouses and brothels, to educational facilities. Just about every industry one could name had a home here, as well: fishing, leather working, blacksmithing and shipbuilding. The people's religious needs were met primarily by the Temple of Invincible Light, which, aside from the Catheral of Light near the city's center contained many smaller temples scattered throughout the city. There were also numerous smaller churches which honored the Aspects (or, as the people commonly called them – no matter how persistently the Temple frowned on the practice – the Old Gods). 

     Hambelton Frayg winded his way through the crowds down Lyons' Wist and the High Street towards the Cathedral Square. The Great Cathedral itself was much closer to the Carter's Rest, but only the nobility had their Arrangements for Passing made there, and as the victim's identity was unknown, he would be offered no such honor.

     Frayg had spent most of his day making arrangements to have the body collected from the Carter's Rest and brought to the smaller temple. He then spent some time arguing with the local priest about how the body should be handled. The priest wanted to see to it that the corpse was properly prepared for its Sleep, so the young man's soul could Pass into The Dream. Frayg wanted the body chilled so that decay would slow down. The only thing keeping the priests from doing their job was the anonymity of the victim. There were ceremonies for honoring the anonymous dead, of course, but the Temple preferred to know who was being given into The Dream if at all possible. He had convinced the priest to give him a couple of days to try to ascertain an identity before he would begin, though it clearly bothered him to have to make such a compromise.

     Captain Frayg had fueled himself with nothing but tobacco and kaffea, so he was looking forward to returning to the Rest. He didn't eat there often, but Ena Welman was known as one of the better cooks in the Wall Street district.
     It seemed some news of the murder had spread, but few details. The general talk in the streets was that someone had been found robbed and murdered in a room at the Carter's Rest Inn. He'd convinced Commander Brylle to try to keep the gruesome nature of the crime quiet. There was no sense in starting idle speculation as to why the murderer would have chosen to take the boy's eyes, much less his brain. To what dark purpose might someone put a pair of eyes and a brain? Was it some form of witchcraft, or for a heretical ceremony? He didn't like to dwell on it, but he knew he had to think of every possibility if he was going to find the culprit.

     Just as he was about to enter the Inn, he heard a voice utter the words took his brain from the crowd. He quickly turned to survey the street. It was so crowded with people about their business – buying, selling, trading, gossiping – that it was impossible for him to tell who might have said it. He stood silently for several minutes: watching and listening. That's not a phrase one hears every day, he thought. Surely the details couldn't be out already! He sighed deeply, and turned around again, facing the Carter's Rest. He steeled himself and entered the inn's common room.

     The inn was warm and dark. There was a slightly smoky smell about it, as well as the smell of freshly-baked bread. He couldn't remember the place ever smelling so good. His mouth watered as he sat himself at the bar across from where Jaik was sweeping behind it. At the other end sat two older men mumbling to one another between sips from their mugs. Otherwise the place was empty as far as he could tell.

     "You must be preparing for a feast, Jaik!"

     "No more than usual. Ena thought it would do to bake up some extra loaves and scatter them about the inn. To cover the smell from earlier, y'see. I also let closed the fireplaces for a bit to keep some hickory smoke inside."

     "Well, it seems to have worked wonders. I've never felt so hungry in all my Waking Life!"

     "It only helps so much, of course. We've left the windows in room nineteen open, but you can still smell it when you get too close. Still, I don't expect we'll lose too much business, what with the Festival comin' up and all."

     "You're not worried that rumors of what happened might drive away business?"

     "Not really, no. Matter of fact, it seems the rumors have got us some attention. Today's was the busiest lunch we've had in a long time, and every other person what came in was askin' about what went on upstairs! This city's got a morbid streak, I tell ya. Especially the young people."

     Seeing the look of concern that passed over Frayg's face, Jaik immediately reassured him, "No worries, Ham. I didn't pass on any details. By all the hells, I'm not sure I even know all the details."

     "You don't, Jaik. And believe you me, that's just how you want it." He continued, "So, is the girl here?"

     "That she is. She's working the kitchen tonight, though I don't expect she'll get much done. Her mum said we ought to keep her busy – keep her mind off what she saw, you know – but I don't know if anything will wipe away such a sight from the poor girl's mind."

     Jaik tapped the bar in front of him before changing topics. "But from the look of you, I think we need to put something good in your belly before you talk to her. You're like to work yourself to death if you don't stop and eat on occasion."

     Frayg offered a sheepish grin. "I suppose you're right about that. Won't you bring me a loaf of that bread you've been baking, and some of whatever's roasting back there. Oh! And a mug of bitter, too. I'm as thirsty as I am hungry."

     Jaik Welman disappeared into the kitchens for a few minutes before he came back with a loaf of fresh bread and creamy butter. He placed it before Frayg and then pulled him a pint from one of the taps on the wall behind the bar.

     "You'll have to tell me what you think of this new bitter. Came straight in from Kraycia this morning." He handed the mug to Frayg, who had already begun attacking the loaf with gusto, and them watched as his friend took a long drink.

     "Ah! That really does hit the spot!"

     "Good to know. Gonna place another order for it next week. Depending on how it does tonight, I may double it!"

     Ena Welman came through the kitchen door bearing a large tray on which sat a small roast chicken with potatoes, carrots and leeks. "There he is! How're you doin' Ham? Jaik tells me you're not takin' time to eat."

     "Well, Ena, it's not often I get to eat so well, you know, so I don't normally have the right motivation." He grinned.

     "You've no excuse for that! You know you're always welcome here," she scolded, wagging a finger at him. She returned his smile with one of her own, before lowering her voice and turning a bit more serious. "I hear you've questions for us, and for poor Tania. Once you've done eating, come on back. We can talk in the storeroom."

     "Thanks, Ena."

     With that, she left the two old friends to talk of ales and politics.

     Jaik Welman and Captain Frayg entered the small storeroom off the kitchen in the back of the Carter's Rest. It was a dry, clean room, full of crates and kegs. There was a small desk in one corner where the Welmans kept their financial ledgers and books. Ena sat in the chair behind the desk, Tania in the one on the opposite side. Jaik closed the door behind them and stood with his back to it.

     Captain Frayg sat on the corner of a nearby crate. He reached out and took Tania's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

     "Hello, Tania. I'm Captain Hambelton Frayg of the City Watch. You can just call me Ham, though – most of my friends do."

     Tania smiled at Frayg through red-rimmed eyes. She was a pretty blonde girl of slender frame. Frayg put her age at about sixteen or seventeen. In her other hand she held a damp handkerchief, with which she'd been dabbing at the tears on her cheeks.

     "Hello, Cap- er, Ham." She smiled briefly at his silly name. "Pleased to meet you. Or well, I would be. I mean to say-"

     "Calm down, girl," said Ena from behind the desk. "Ham here knows what you mean."

     Frayg smiled and squeezed Tania's hand again. "Quite right. I'm pleased to meet you, Tania, though I, too, wish it were under more pleasant circumstances." Tania nodded.

     "Now, I understand you've had a very rough day," he continued. "Something very bad happened upstairs, and there's nothing we can do about that. But what we can do – and maybe you can help me with this – is find the people responsible and see to it that they never do anything like that again. And all I need you to do is answer a few questions. All of you, actually, so you're not in this alone, Tania. Do you understand me?"

     She nodded again, and he gave her a warm smile. "Good."

     "Now, Jaik here tells me you were the one to discover the young man's remains. You were going upstairs to clean the room, is that right?"

     "Yes, sir."

     "Good. I know this is going to be difficult for you, but would you please describe for me, in as much detail as you can remember, what happened this morning?"

     "Well, I was helping Mistress Welman with clearing up the kitchen from last night – we had a really busy night last night, you see – and she asked if I'd look at the rooms on the third floor. She told me we'd had a couple of guests stay over up there, and she needed me to see to checking whether they'd be wanting breakfast, or cleaning up, if they were leaving. I thought it was unusual, as we don't normally get many guests in the good rooms except during festivals."

     "How many rooms had you let last night?"

     "I don't rightly know, sir. Mistress Ena?" She trailed off.

     Jaik jumped in. "Only three, Ham. One was to the young man in nineteen. Room twenty was to a merchant and room twenty-two was to an older couple from out in the country. They say they're here a bit early for the Changeling Festival. There were other guests, too – in the communal rooms on the second floor – but those three were the only rooms we let on the third."

     "I suppose the merchant is gone by now?"

     "Oh yes. He was gone very early. Must have been up before Sol."

     "And his room? Twenty? It's right next to nineteen, yes?"

     "Yes."

     "And they share a common balcony?"

     "Well, not as such, but it wouldn't be hard for someone to climb from one to the other, if that's what you're thinking."

     "That's precisely what I'm thinking. Gah!  Why didn't I think to check that this morning? I'll need to go up and have another look after this."

     "Not a problem."

     "And the older couple – they're booked for the next week, I expect?"

     "Yes."

     "Good. I'd like to speak with them later, as well."

     Jaik nodded. "They're out now, but I expect they'll be back for dinner."

     Frayg turned his attention back to Tania. "Please continue."

     "Well, I took a bucket of water up with me, in case any of the guests wanted to wash. Nineteen was the first room I came to, so I knocked on the door. There was no answer, so I figured the guest must have been out already, but the door was locked. I had the key with me, though, so I put the bucket down and opened the door." Her eyes began to well with tears again.

     "It's all right, Tania. Take your time. But remember, the details are important. I know his is hard, but your help may help me save someone's life."

     Tania sniffed and dabbed at her eyes with the handkerchief. She took a deep breath and soldiered on: "The first thing I remember was the smell. It was awful. Then I saw the blood on the wall behind the bed, and when I ... when I looked at the bed itself ... Oh! It was so awful!"

     "Did you look any further?"

     "Yes. At first, I didn't understand what I was seeing ... I've never seen a ... a person who's Passed before. At least not before the Temple ... you know. Someone's body ... just lying there ... with them not in it any more ..." She began crying.

     Frayg patted her shoulder. "Did you notice anything peculiar about him? Did you recognize him?"

     She inhaled again. "No, just ... just the blood on his face. And his eyes were dark and pitted. I didn't go any closer, because I screamed and ran out of the room. I nearly tripped down the stairs ... I just had to get away from that room."

     "I understand. You say the eyes were pitted. What do you mean by that?"

     "I mean, they were half-closed, but they eyelids ... they sank in funny. And it looked like the eyes had gone ... all black? I only looked for a moment before I ran. Even with the window open, the smell was more than my stomach could handle. As soon as I got back down I ran out the kitchen door and puked in the alley."

     "I see. And let me ask you this" are you sure he even had eyes?"

     All the color drained from Tania's face. "By the gods ... that ... oh. That's why they looked ..." She swallowed. "Someone took his eyes, didn't they?" She put the kerchief over her face as though to block out the vision and the smell from inside her own thoughts.

     Jaik and Ena looked at each other, their eyes open wide, mouths agape.

     "That's why I didn't want anyone to go into the room after I left, Jaik," said Frayg. "I didn't want anyone to know the details. It's worse even that that. But I'll tell you more after the ladies have gone."

     Addressing all of them, he said, "Do any of you remember seeing him the night before? Do you have any idea who he was?"

     Ena said, "I was the one who let the room. I didn't pay him all that much mind. I made sure he had the coin to pay and gave him the key. I sent someone up with him ... it was you, wasn't it, Tania?"

     "Yes, it was," Tania replied. "I took them up to the room."

     "Them?" asked Frayg. "He was with someone?

     "Yes, there was a woman with him. She was very pretty – too pretty to be a working lady, if you take my meaning. And too well dressed. It was on account of her that I really didn't pay him much mind. But I didn't ask either of their names. It seemed improper."

     "Would you recognize the girl, if you ever saw her again?"

     "Oh yes, I would."

     "Would you describe her for me?"

     "Yes ... she had very dark hair and very dark eyes – dark like kaffea. She was thin and also short."

     "How old would you say she was?"

     "At first I thought she was a girl – maybe fifteen or sixteen – on account of her being so short. After I talked to them, I had a better look. I think she was probably quite older than me. Probably in her late twenties?"

     "And you say she was dressed well?"

     "Oh yes! She had on a beautiful green corset and a white blouse with lace at the neck and sleeves. Her skirt was a different, lighter green, but with stitching that matched the corset. I do remember thinking how I wished I could dress in something so nice."

     "Anything else? Any other details?"

     "No, sir."

     "Ena, did you see the woman with him?"

     "No, I did not. I run a respectable inn here. If I'd known he was taking a woman upstairs with who knows what intentions, I wouldn't have let him the room!"

     "Whatever his intentions were, you'll have to agree that it's quite possible the woman's intentions were far worse."

     Ena flushed. "You can't mean to say you think the young woman did such a thing ..."

     "I can't say I think she did, but you'll have to admit, as she was most likely the last person to see the victim in Waking, and as she was nowhere to be found this morning, she bears examination."

     Ena was scandalized at the very thought. "I've never heard of such a thing!"

     "I'm glad for you that you haven't," replied Frayg. "But trust me, I've met women who could behave every bit as brutally as any man. I think the difference is that when a woman does something violent, she tries to hide it. A man's as likely as not to brag about it later."

     "Men are fools."

     "We're all fools, Ena – some are just bigger fools than others. I expect this poor boy was a fool who was lured in by  a pretty face. Of course, until I can find the woman, it's unlikely we'll know whether she had any part to play in this tragedy. Are you all sure you'd never seen her before? Jaik, you would have been in the common room most of the night."

     "I was at that," said the burly innkeeper. "But we had music last night and the place was full to the gills of people drinking and dancing. I don't think I'd have picked anyone out of the crowd. Though ... come to think of it, there was an odd young man who asked for two glasses of wine. Most were drinking ale, so that stood out. I didn't see if he was with a woman though."

     "Would you recognize him?"

     "I might be able to."

     "Do you have time to come down to the temple with me? The one over on the Wall Street?"

     "That's a fair walk, and I have a lot to do here before to-night ..."

     "I'll hire us a wagon. It may be a waste of time, but if you could identify him, that might help."

     "All right, then. Let's make this quick."

     "Thanks Jaik. Ladies, I think that's all I need from you. I'll talk to the older couple after we get back. Thank you both for your time. Tania - I know what you've seen his difficult to deal with, and I know once the shock has worn off, you'll be wanting to talk about what you saw. Until I say different, please try to keep this under your aprons. We don't need idle talk causing a panic."

     The women both nodded, and Jaik opened the door. "I'll return Jaik to you as soon as possible."

Chapter 5: The Dream

    "Elinora was the light and love of our lives. It was a mercy for Viktor that he Passed before she did, and a curse for me that I didn't." Countess Amelia wore an expression of deep contemplation and even deeper sorrow. "To see such joy and beauty ended before its time is a tragic thing in any case, but for a parent it is the worst kind of agony."

     Dreamer Merrik Trammer interrupted her. "Your grief is understandable, Countess, but surely you know that both your beloved husband and your daughter have come to no end. It is well to miss them, but bear in mind that they await you in The Dream."

     "I'm well aware of your teachings, Master Dreamer."

     "You have doubts?"

     "At my age one begins to doubt everything – even one's own mind. Whatever awaits us all on the other side of Sleep, those of us still in the Waking World are probably deeply ignorant of it."

     "We are all ignorant until Morpheus guides us to The Dream."

     "So say you and your former brethren." Her special emphasis on the word former elicited a slight widening of Trammer's eyes. "However, if you'd allow me to finish, I think we'll come to some understanding."

     "Forgive my interruption," he said solemnly. "Please continue." The Dreamer closed his eyes and concentrated on her words.

     "As Owerst Nandliss indicated, my Viktor Passed in battle nineteen years ago. Elinora was only seven at the time, but she'd already learned her father's love of nature. She loved horses most especially. From the age of three she sat a horse more confidently than she could walk. The two of them would spend hours riding together, visiting other estates, or seeking out quiet places for picnics. Her favorite place to explore was the Willow Wood."

     "I remember one evening when she and Viktor came back from that accursed place very late – after Sol had gone to sleep and the darkness had come – she was so excited to have discovered a faerie circle. The two of them had hidden in a hollow nearby and waited for the pixies to come out and play. For days afterward she spoke of nothing but how beautiful they had been dancing in the moonlight to the music they made with the crickets. Oh mommy, she would tell me, you should have seen their graceful dancing."

     "After her father died, she was never the same." The guests all winced at her use of the word died. It was a word that was rarely used of people, and never in polite company. In the minds of some talk of that sort bordered on heresy. In her youth, the Countess would never have used such impolite words, but now she savored them: dead, killed, piss, war, fuck and damned. Such words were direct and to the point. She hadn't time to spare in talking around a subject just because someone's delicate ears might take offense. Of course, she didn't use such words lightly – only when they served her better than other words.

     "If anything, Elinora grieved even worse than I did. She never knew of her father's faults and so, to her, he was the perfect man. It was nearly a year before she rode again, but she took back to it as though she'd never left the saddle.  Within a couple of years, she began taking these two with her on her expeditions – as soon as they were old enough to ride on their own, really. Of course I always insisted that Rikard go with them, as he was older than Elinora by a year. He was always a trustworthy boy in those days."

     This time it was Elinge that interrupted. "You say that as if you believe him to be less than trustworthy now."

     "Well, that wasn't my meaning, I suppose, but he's known loss, too. So much loss does something to a man. I don't expect he'd ever allow any of us to come to harm, but he's not as dependable as he once was. He doesn't think I know it, but he drinks too much and he's prone to laziness if not minded."

     "How did he come into your service?"

     "His mother, Livinia, was my maidservant. She was in my service before I married Viktor, and she came to the manor with me."

     "Where is Livinia now?"

     "She Passed into The Dream the same year as Elinora. She was still young – only thirty-eight – and Rikard was only fourteen."

     "Who is his father?"

     "You ask too many irrelevant questions, Mistress Froske. As it happens no one knows the answer to that one. Livinia never revealed his precise identity – only that he was a merchant's guard she'd met at a tavern. It seems she'd drunk too much and didn't take care with whom she kept company at times. That sort of behavior runs in the blood, you know. That's why Rikard's becoming such a layabout, no doubt."

     "Please forgive me if I've offended, Countess. Curiosity is in my nature, as you are undoubtedly aware. I don't expect you'd have sent for me otherwise."

     "You are correct that I hope your curious nature will be of some use. I'll explain why later."

     Elinge nodded. 

     "I didn't like Elinora going into the Willow Wood, but there was simply no keeping her from it. On one occassion they brought back a number of rusted iron arrow heads and axe heads. It seems they'd discovered the ground where the Orgish raiders had been beaten back by Viktor and his men."

     "Another time they found the remains of the camp where the twins were found."

     At this, Jessa and Jens, who had been paying little attention suddenly sat a little straighter in their seats. The topic of their origins was rarely discussed in the manor – no matter how often they asked about it.

     "That's right, you two," continued Amelia. "Pay attention now, because I don't like discussing these things. It was Livinia who found the twins. This was just a year before Viktor's battle in the wood – when the Orgish uprising was just beginning. As you may know, the whole conflict began with raids into Palonian territory from the Grey Mountains to the north. This being one of the outlying estates, and as one of the main trade routes of the time ran along the western edge of the Willow Wood, we were subjected to some of the first raids. Before we'd come to realize the extent of Orgish plans, we still felt safe in traveling alone or in small groups around the estate and into Lunelton – that's the village you passed through on your way here from Ayrst."

     "One day Livinia and Rikard had been in the village, no doubt on one of her dalliances in the Black Horse or some such disreputable place – I never understood why she'd take her boy with her on these trips – when she came upon a terrible scene. There was a merchant's train that must have pulled off into the wood a little ways for a campsite that night, and had been attacked. She said that everyone at the scene had been killed and the wagons burned. Poor little Rikard was traumatized by the scene, no doubt, but he was the one that heard the babes crying. Apparently the children's mother had hidden them not too far from the campsite. It's a wonder the raiders hadn't discovered them."

     "She said they'd been curled up together in a hollow tree stump. They looked half starved and were crying out for their mother. Livinia brought them home with her."

     "We never discovered who their parents had been, nor could we find anyone who knew anything about the caravan. Judging by their size at their current age – this was twenty years ago – they must have been from some foreign land where the people don't grow as tall as we do here. Or perhaps they were malnourished through their earliest years, or the trauma stunted their growth. I don't recall Livinia ever mentioning the bodies being of small stature, but I don't suppose she took the time to examine them too closely."

     "We raised the children here, as they'd nowhere else to go, and we feared they'd not do well in an orphanage. Besides, they took to Elinora like she was their older sister. She used to call them My Little Pixies, and she treated them as though she were their natural mother."

     "Viktor took to them immediately, but I was a leery of growing too close, at first. I had hoped for their sakes that some relatives would be found. But as time passed, I came to love them as my own children."

     "Of course, it was only a year later that Viktor Passed. Do either of you have any memories of him now?"

     Jens said, "I remember you and he took care of us. He showed us how to catch fish from the river, I remember that. But we were very young, so that's about all."

     "I remember he was very big and strong," began Jessa. "He used to ride us on his shoulders, and would give us sweets sometimes when Livinia wasn't looking too close. And I remember going fishing, too."

     "Yes, the two of you were very young," continued the Countess. "Four or five years old, we expected – though considering your size now, it's difficult to be certain. What do you remember of my daughter?"

     "Oh, we loved Elinora, didn't we Jens?" Jens nodded agreement with his sister, who continued: "We'd play together in the fields, and then she taught us to ride. She especially loved to explore in the woods, though that sometimes scared Rikard. He was always telling us it was dangerous in there, though we never came to any harm, so I don't-"

     Countess Amelia interrupted Jessa then, a sharp tone in her voice. "You two never came to any harm, but Elinora certainly did!"

     Jessa lowered her head. "Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say-"

     "I don't suppose you did. But you look to have finished your pudding, so go up and wash for bed now, both of you."

     "But, we want to hear more stories, ma'am," said Jens. "We promise to be quiet."

     Jessa joined in, "Please let us hear more. I'll even help Nansi with cleaning up."

     "No," came the response. "To bed with both of you. I'll not hear another word about it."

     The twins stood up and pushed their chairs back in place. They left through the kitchen doors.

     Once the twins were gone, the Countess began again. "Now I'll tell you of my dream."

     "It began as many of my dreams do: Viktor and I were dancing. The time and place changed, as in the manner of dreams. One moment I believed it was our wedding, and another it was a festival. One moment we danced in a crowd, and the next we were alone."

     "Early in the dream he spoke to me, but his utterances were merely sweet nothings. He had a silver tongue, my Count. Between that and his charming smile, there were few in the world who could ever deny him anything."

     "It was later in the dream, when we were suddenly dancing on the lawn behind the manor, that he began to speak in a way that he sometimes does in my dreams: in a way which leads me to believe that he is not only watching me from The Dream, but somehow is able to speak to me in my own dreams."

     The Countess noted the unease with which Master Trammer sat in his chair. "Some of this will make you uncomfortable, Dreamer, but it is truth I speak. And it was not so long ago that your very brethren would not have been so edgy around such talk. I've read my history."

     Trammer responded: "I should be careful discussing any books with that sort of knowledge so openly. The Temple has issued strict orders that the ecclesiastical histories of the Old Gods are to be removed-"

     "Calm yourself, Master Trammer," said Elinge. "I think the Countess is quite safe here in her own home. She's hand picked her company for this evening, and I suspect she wouldn't risk such talk if she believed any of us were the type to go running to the Temple of The Invincible Light with tales of heresy."

     "Quite so," replied the Countess. "As my Count used to say: 'Faith has its place, but it is not in restricting thought or reason. They must have their places too.'"

     "Well," replied Trammer, "I have my own reasons for being cautious. I expect you know my history, Countess?"

     "Indeed, I do. This is why you were among those chosen. And you may call me Amelia – all of you. I wish this to be a meeting of friends, and as I said, I don't much stand on ceremony here – at least not any longer."

     The company nodded their agreement. Only Owerst Nandliss stiffened a bit at Amelia's suggestion.

     "Please, Amelia," offered Elinge, "do continue."

     "The reason I persist in beliefs which make our dear Dreamer so nervous, is that sometimes Viktor speaks to me of things that are in no way on my own mind. As such, it is unlikely that I've dreamed up such things for him to say."

     Nandliss broke in himself at this point. "I take it you've read the essays of Doctor Jehltsen of Ehronia? He claims to have evidence that ordinary dreams come to us from our own minds rather than as gifts of the Oneiroi." After registering the look of shock on the Dreamer's face, he added, "Of course, they'll allow all manner of heresy to be discussed openly in Ehronia. I'm sure the Countess didn't mean to imply she believes their nonsense."

     "Oh, but that is precisely what I mean." Amelia smiled broadly. "I believe Doctor Jehltsen is entirely correct, but not so far as he goes. His work seems to have as its mission to discount the need for any of the Old Gods, and I suspect his ultimate aim may be to disprove any gods at all."

     "However, Master Trammer," she said, as the Dreamer began to choke from surprise, "I believe he goes too far, and will likely find himself on a witch pyre, should he publicly make such a claim. Even the Ehronians have their limits, I suspect. Nor would I support such a claim."

     "It is my belief that he is right as far as run-of-the-mill dreams go. However, I believe Morpheus may send his Oneiroi to gift us with special dreams – dreams which may carry messages for us in the Waking. And I believe the dream which I'm describing to you now is just such a one."

     The others sat in silence. Amelia was unsure whether they were shocked by her words, or merely interested to hear what else she had to say, so she picked up her story.

     "Viktor asked after the twins. He told me there was danger surrounding them. He then told me to remember Elinora. Suddenly, I felt myself transported into the Willow Wood. Although I have spent very little time in that place in my life, and I've never gone back in since Elinora's Passing, everything about it seemed so very vivid. So much so, in fact, that for a time I forgot that I was safe asleep in my bed."

     "I heard the beating of a horse's hooves on soft ground. When I turned, I saw Elinora in the distance. She was laughing and riding Zephyr – she was her favorite mare, and the one she rode the day of her accident. She approached me quickly: riding far too fast for such precarious ground."

     "You are of course, familiar with Willow trees and how their roots twist and wind and create traps for the unwary traveler, yes?"

     "Oh yes," Nandliss nodded. "And as they grow best on wet ground, the earth often washes away from under the roots. One must always take care when riding where Willows grow."

     "Yes. And my Elinora knew this." Her eyes grew misty at the thought of her dream, and the day of which it reminded her. "But sometimes she was too free in spirit. Oh, how she did love to ride, and the faster the better. Zephyr truly matched her temperament, too. That horse loved to run as much as she loved to ride."

     "I tried to wave her down; to catch her attention. But she ignored me, just as she had on that fateful day. As she passed me, she leaned her head back and her peals of laughter echoed throughout the wood."

     "I gave chase, but it was of no use. The harder I tried to run, the more slowly I moved. I looked down and saw that roots and vines were growing about my legs. I pulled and strained against them, but as soon as I tore some of the tendrils, more grew in their place. I screamed with all my might for Elinora to stop, but she was paying me no attention whatsoever: a tizzy of fairies had formed above her head, and she was reaching out to them, no longer minding the reins at all. She called out to me, 'Oh look mommy! The Pixies have come back!'"

     "And suddenly Zephyr tripped on the root, just as she had in Waking life thirteen years ago. Elinora flew out of her saddle as the horse tripped and collapsed, her forelegs making a sickening snap – I'll never forget that sound for as long as I live." Amelia shuddered at the memory. She dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a silk kerchief which she had drawn from her sleeve and held a closed fist to her mouth.

     Elinge rose from her chair and then knelt beside her. "Amelia, please. This is clearly difficult for you to recount. Let me send for some water."

     "No. I just need a moment ... and perhaps another glass of wine." She took a deep breath before calling out, "Rikard! Where are you, Rikard?"

     The manservant bustled in from the kitchen, red-faced and flustered. "Yes, Countess?"

     "Please fill all our glasses, and then go to the cellar and find a bottle – no, two bottles – of Viktor's best wine. I believe we still have several of the Mayrand White of 752."

     "Madam? Are you sure you want to bring that out? Its value-"

     "I said to bring it! There's no telling how much longer I'll be around to enjoy it, and I may as well enjoy it and share it with the few friends I have left."

     Rikard served them what was left of the bottle he had on hand, as Elinge retook her seat. He then bowed his exit.

     The Countess raised her glass in a toast, "To happier times past, and to making new friends."

     The company saluted and drained their glasses in unison.

     "Well, I  may as well finish with this dream-tale now." Amelia took another deep breath as she sat her glass to one side.

     "Once Elinora lay on the ground, the vegetation let me go. I screamed and ran for her, much as I had all those years ago. I picked her up in my arms. There was blood pouring down the left side of her face. She was limp, but still breathing."

     "And then a shadow passed overhead. I looked up, and the sky was turning blacker than any night – moonless and starless. A shadowy hand reached down and caressed Elinora's bleeding head. Her eyes opened, and she looked at me. Her voice was quiet and hollow, and I could barely understand the words."

     "'Mommy,' she said, '"You missed them – the fairies. They were so beautiful and they danced so gracefully. And for a moment, they showed me how to fly.'"

     "And then her voice changed, and her eyes grew a glassy, far-away look in them, as though she was speaking to the world in general, and barely registered my presence at all. She sounded as though she were speaking with three voices: her own, Viktor's, and another deeper voice. She said, 'Beware the willow and the ash.'"

     "And then I woke up."

     The company sat in silence for a few minutes while the Countess Amelia composed herself. Rikard returned with two ancient looking brown glass bottles with a faded label on each bearing the blue dragon insignia of the Mayrands – the current royal family of Palonias, whose wineries were known as one of the finest in this or any of the surrounding countries. He popped the cork on the first one and filled their glasses yet again.

     "Rikard, if you would, please, open the other bottle now. You may take the first one and share what's remaining with Nansi. You are both relieved for the evening. You can clean up tomorrow. I expect my guests and I may be up late, and there's no need for the two of you to lose sleep over our affairs. Oh, and see to it that the twins are abed."

     Rikard did as instructed, and bowed. He left them alone again, this time smiling at the half-full bottle in his hand.

     Mr. Insel was the first to speak: "I expect that's why you're having so many trees cut. You're culling the willow and the ash trees?"

     "Not only that," she replied. "I'm destroying he whole forest. We'll cut the better trees for lumber and sell them off, but anything that's unsuited will be hacked and burnt. I know how prophecies work – how unpredictable they can be – and I'm taking no chances."

     "You believe your dream to be prophetic, then?" asked Merrik Trammer. "It seems to me if it spoke to you about anything, it was the past."

     "You are correct, Master Dreamer, but I believe the warning at the end was a warning for the future. After all, the voice said to beware, not that I should have been wary."

     Mr. Insel broke in then. "If you don't mind my asking, Madam LaDuce ... what has any of this to do with us? I mean to say, I expect you have a reason for sending for us. The Dreamer I understand: you're hoping with help in interpreting your vision. Owerst Nandless is a skilled tracker, so I expect you want him to search the wood for anything threatening."

     The Countess nodded. "Yes, Mr. Insel, precisely so."

     "But then," he continued, "that doesn't explain what you'd want with Miss Froske or myself. Unless there's something you haven't told us."

     "There is at that, Mr. Insel. Very astute of you to notice."