Isabel eludes the guard who has sneaked up behind them, knocking him down with a blow from her staff. Henry confiscates the guards' horses, and the group heads for Ashby, passing through the North Gate with little trouble as they tell the guards they're a group of hunters and their dogs.

Meanwhile, determined to help her mother, Abbey tries to sneak out of Taur-in-Edhel, but she doesn't reckon on Thisbe's sense of duty. Despite Abbey's initial protests about Thisbe's impending motherhood, the dog accompanies the young werewolf first back to her village, then to the portal nearest Ashby, following Isabel's path. Their sudden arrival startles the guards, who are just recovering from the last assault. A scuffle ensues, during which Abbey, now in her wolf-form, is knocked unconscious, and the guards take both her and Thisbe back to the Castle as per Nikolai's orders, hitching a ride with a mounted patrol.

Lord Rhodan himself is busy confronting Bantam's father Joachim about Karisa. Frustrated by the man's reticence, Nikolai grabs him by the throat and probes his memory. Seeing how Joachim treated his sister and her children, Nikolai releases him in disgust and announces that he will kill the man, asking Bantam if he would like to watch.

Joachim now turns on Bantam with threats; all the boy's pent-up rage bursts forth. Nikolai then has his guard draw his sword, telling Bantam he may give the order. Joachim alternately pleads with and berates his son; his words only goad the boy, until Bantam orders the guard to execute his father. With Joachim dead, Nikolai tells Bantan that he's his uncle. He and the guard escort the boy back to the Castle.

Back at Ashby Castle, Sahara has returned from her hayloft dalliance with Conner. She meets Audra on her way in; in order to explain her dishevelled appearance, as well as take revenge on the stablehand who insulted her, she tells the Countess that the man assaulted her. Gwynfor, lurking in the shadows, overhears and follows them as Audra takes Sahara to her own chamber. Sir Guy arrives with news of Juelle. Audra orders him to take Juelle to her audience chamber, while Gwynfor, hearing nothing more of interest, slips away.

Once in her own chamber, Audra covers Sahara's torn dress with a shawl, exchanging it for the horse-rug, which she sends off with a maid to be burned. Learning that Sahara hasn't a costume for the Ball, she lets the half-Elf choose from her own wardrobe. Sahara selects a beautiful midnight-blue gown. Audra helps her dress while a maid delivers her own costume; she summons Ellen, her former handmaid, to do Sahara's hair for the Ball, then she leaves to meet with Juelle.

Not realizing who Sahara is, Ellen treats her with the same deference she would any of Audra's guests, although she demurs when Sahara asks about the large cage in the room, not sure that she should discuss the Countess' habits with a stranger. As Ellen puts heated curling-rods into her hair, Sahara asks her to fetch her slippers and directs her to the room next door. Puzzled, Ellen asks if she is sharing quarters with Lady Madeline. When Sahara reveals that she's in Ellen's old room, the ex-handmaid storms out, leaving the half-Elven maid to deal with the curling-rods.

Meanwhile, Audra is meeting with Juelle, who offers her services to the Countess. Audra asks how she's expected to trust a stranger; Juelle reveals that she has some knowledge about Rio, her Clan Cuccurullo companions, and Rowena. Audra's not satisified; moreover, she's angry that anyone, especially a stranger, would dare question her supposed concern for Rowena's welfare. She orders Juelle to prove herself by finding the Flame and her rescuers and returning them to the dungeons. Juelle obliges, fetching a horse from the stables and riding into town.

While events have been progressing at the Castle, down at the Seventh Stranger, the fugitives are preparing to leave. John and Antonio, unaware that Alexa has left the inn, are stopped on their way to see Barbarella when Arin hails John by his forest alias of "Tailor." Having heard the tale of "Tailor" and "Weenie" from his pet, Vladimir is intrigued, quickly making a connection between the "Weenie" Arin met earlier and the "Rowena" he heard mentioned in the kitchen. He stuns John by asking point-blank how Rowena is. Anxiety makes John unintentionally brusque with Arin. She leaves in a huff; Vladimir follows, after threatening John. Overhearing the vampire refer to John as "brother," Ramsall wonders if the man might have a connection to "Kit."

John grumbles at Antonio for not using magic, to which Antonio responds by reminding him that they've been asked to refrain from it, as they head for Barbarella's room. John takes his leave of the landlady, telling her that there are great things afoot. The monk and the mage then head back out through the kitchen to catch up with Rowena and the others. Seeing them go, Ramsall makes for the side door into the alley.

Arin and Vladimir have entered the alley. Their voices carry into the courtyard, to Rowena, who halts on her way out of the cellar, causing some consternation among her companions. Rio, who's been crying her heart out in the alley, hears Vladimir and Arin while sensing Warren and the Flame. She steps out of the shadows and introduces herself to Arin and Vladimir, ignoring the fact that the vampire has his hand on his sword.

Hearing his sister, Warren heads into the alley, the Flame following despite Lorcan's attempts to stop her. Rowena goes after them, warning Prentis and Lorcan to stay close. Warren calls Rio to him; she obeys, warning him that something's amiss with Vladimir and Arin. Vladimir takes exception to this, forcing Warren to excuse Rio by saying her nurse dropped her on her head as a child. Rowena arrives; Arin recognizes her as "Weenie."

John, Antonio, and Ramsall all step into the alley at this moment. Sensing a threat from Vladimir, Antonio steps past John to reach Warren and Rio, frustrating the good brother's attempts to reach Rowena. Hearing Arin call Rowena by her alias, John worries that Vladimir will figure out who Rowena is. Meanwhile, Ramsall pretends to strike up a casual conversation with John. When he asks if John might belong to the monastery, John replies irritably, asking if he looks like a monk in his current state of dress. Ram apologizes, saying he's seeing monks everywhere. Curious, John asks why; Ram spins him a yarn about a long-lost niece. When John suggests he try St. Bridget's, the thief says he's met with one of the nuns, who's suggested one Catalina as a candidate for his niece. The name galvanizes John, forcing him to admit he knew Cat before she ran away.

While John and Ramsall talk, Rowena tries to extricate herself from the sticky situation with Vladimir and Arin gracefully. Arin drops to the ground, petulant. Vladimir orders Rowena and her friends to leave while he tries to comfort his pet. Rowena expresses concern for the young woman, receiving only hostility in return, while Warren gathers Rio and the Flame close and starts off. Antonio steps in, warning Vladimir and Arin about the impending Mage War and reminding Arin that Claire has offered her friendship. He also tells them of a vampire resembling Vladimir who preyed upon his Tribe, saying that Tribal justice was done in his case.

As Antonio speaks to the pair, John wishes Ramsall luck in his search and joins Rowena in retreating from the alley. Ramsall goes back into the inn and steals himself a costume for the Ball, hoping his quarry will turn up there. Rowena contacts Faran, who assures her he'll meet them in the street. She relays this information to John, and she asks if she'll be able to see the abbot. John assures her she will; they discuss weapons. Prentis, trailing along behind, realizes that john is the boy Rowena's father raised.

Antonio follows the others, leaving Arin and Vladimir to discuss the possibility of Stefan Duffae, sire of Vlad's line, being drawn to Ashby by the destruction an epic Mage War will wreak. Unbeknownst to them, Stefan has already arrived and now lurks on the town's outskirts, gradually picking up Vladimir's trail.

Arin suddenly remembers Conner and calls after Antonio, asking if he's seen the halfcat. When the answer is no, she asks the mage to tell Conner to meet her at the inn before noon if he should meet the halfcat. Vladimir then escorts Arin out of the alley. Hearing voices, he halts and warns Arin to stay where she is while he checks it out. The voices belong to Juelle and Barbarella; the sorceress-warrior is questioning the innkeeper about the Flame and Rio. Vladimir recognizes the names and steps out of the shadows to describe both women; Juelle and Barbarella recognize his descriptions. When Juelle demands to know more, Vladimir bargains for Barbarella's release, as Juelle has quite a grip on the woman. She agrees; at her request, he takes her inside where they can talk. After exchanging names, Juelle asks again for more information about the women she seeks. Vladimir bargains his knowledge for a drink of her magical blood, to which she agrees. He takes her upstairs to his room for some privacy.

Meanwhile, at the Castle, Arin's halfcat companion has returned from his dalliance in the hayloft to watch over Nicholas. They talk about their mothers, then at Nicholas' request, Conner cuts the boy's hair. Afterwards, they share a sweetbread and curl up for a nap.

Downstairs in the ballroom, Madeline puts the finishing touches on the the decorations while waiting for Gwynfor to return with gossip about Vanya. When he does, she's disappointed that it's not juicier news; mere disobedience isn't tasty enough for her palate. As Maddie heads upstairs, Vanya stops her to ask if she may be released from her work. Deciding to have a little fun, Maddie calls Stewart over to pass judgement on Vanya's scrubbing job. Mindful of everything he could say wrong, Stewart declares the floor clean and hurries off. When Vanya asks to go to her room, Maddie dismisses her with poor grace and continues to her own chamber.

Nikolai returns with Bantam, telling the boy that though he's still Audra's prisoner for the time being, he'll see to it that Bantam's released soon. He sends Bantam back to the dungeons in company of a guard and heads for the Castle proper. He encounters one of the men he left guarding the werewolves' portal-stone; they have arrived with their prisoners. Nikolai hears what happened, immensely pleased. He orders a guard to carry the werewolf cub and the three-legged dog to Audra's chamber, leading the way. Abbey starts to waken, growling for her mother; Thisbe hushes her, warning her that they're in the "Bad Place." Audra has returned from meeting with Juelle, peeved to find Sahara unattended with the curling-rods in her hair. She helps Sahara with her hair, then begins undressing. Sahara answers the door to discover Nikolai and the guard with a wolf-cub and a wriggling saddlebag containing Thisbe. Announcing that he has a gift for Audra, Nikolai orders the guard to lock the cub in the cage and leave the saddlebag on the bed. At his request, Sahara brings Nikolai some water, which he throws over Abbey's head. Upset, Abbey whimpers for her mother, while Thisbe tries to comfort her. Realizing there's a dog in the saddlebag, Sahara surreptitiously pulls it towards her, while Nikolai tries to convince Abbey to shift. Thisbe barks a warning. Abbey wakes fully, realizes she's in a cage, and curls up as far from Nikolai as she can, frightened. Angered, Nikolai grabs the saddlebag and pulls Thisbe out by her scruff, amazed to see that it's the same dog he believed dead that morning. He ties her to the cage.

Audra's fascinated to think Nikolai's captured a werewolf. Her attention is drawn from Abbey by Vanya passing by the partly-open door. She calls the girl in. Nikolai is shocked and somewhat angry to learn how Audra has punished his consort, but he controls himself.

Meanwhile, as Bantam engages in a fit of angry remorse, Nicholas wakes from his nap, sensing both his brother's and Abbey's presence. His attempt at sneaking off to find them is thwarted by Conner. Nicholas tries to convice the halfcat to help, but Conner remains adamant, saying they'll ask for Nikolai's help. Nicholas reluctantly relents.

Upstairs, Audra tries bribing Abbey to shift with an offer of food and a warm bed. Thisbe warns her off with a growl, making Nikolai grab her again. He asks Vanya to choose a leg for him to break; Vanya says it doesn't matter to her. Nikolai uses the threat of violence against Thisbe to make Abbey shift very quickly from wolf to human and back. Audra's delighted; both she and Vanya are stunned when Nikolai declares Abbey is his wedding-gift to Audra.

Simone and Martus arrive, having been drawn from the guardroom below by Abbey's despairing howls. Simone knocks the door off its hinges, then opens a portal to Arcadia and wrestles her voice back from the God so she can confront Nikolai, who shuts down her portal immediately after. He demands to know what she wants, while Martus does his best not to cower. Simone explains what she's done in Arcadia, to a point, and asks only to be head of the Elite Guard, then she leaves for another room to await Nikolai. Iago, Martus' Hound, converses with Thisbe and Abbey, promising to look for Abbey's mother at the Ball.

While Audra has Sahara finish dressing her, Nikolai orders Vanya back to her chamber, then asks Audra for the loan of her handmaid before leaving to attend to other business.

Sahara asks Audra about the cage; Audra explains how she kept a boy in it until Vanya released him, then she asks the half-elf about herself. Sahara volunteers that she came to Ashby seeking vengeance, then took employment at the Castle, hoping to serve the beautiful Countess herself. Audra's pleased, both with her answer and her handiwork. She sends Sahara to Vanya, while she herself goes in search of Maddie, who is already at the Ball with Gwynfor.

Sahara goes to Vanya's chamber and finds the girl in her bath. She helps the girl with a towel, then finds a striking black gown for her to wear.

Nikolai returns to his chamber to find Nicholas asleep under Conner's watchful eye. He orders Conner to fetch Bantam from the dungeons, having got Audra to release the boy into his custody. Nicholas wakes from a bad dream. Nikolai settles down to discuss family with him while Conner heads for the dungeon.

Meanwhile, Jarlath has discovered his door-guard dead by Elwin's hand. He sets out for St. Julian's with the scroll, hoping to meet with Brother John. Once at the monastery, he settles into the refectory to wait.

At the same time, Simon, Legolas, and Elwin have arrived at St. Bridget's with Maeve, whom they take directly to Sister Beatrice in the infirmary. While Beatrice and her novice Helen work on Maeve, the others go to the refectory, where they have some dinner. Simon grows impatient in his anxiety. He's all set to bully his way into the infirmary when a novice arrives to tell him that Maeve will be fine, but she's resting and can't be disturbed. When Legolas expresses his relief, Simon loses his temper and flies at the Elf, blaming him for Maeve's injuries. Elwin intervenes; Simon backs down a bit, agreeing when the boy suggests sneaking into the infirmary now that the nuns are going to Chapel for Vespers.

They slip in, startling Aleta, the girl attending Maeve. Maeve herself wakes from disturbing dreams; seeing Simon, she asks where she is. He and Elwin explain. When she asks to be left alone with Legolas, Simon grudgingly complies, taking Elwin with him. Maeve and Legolas talk; she tells him of her dream about him leaving. Hearing this, he declares he won't go.

While the two of them chat, Simon and Elwin attend Vespers. Upon their return, Maeve releases Legolas' hand, but not before Simon sees. Beatrice arrives to check on her patient, then goes off to brew up a tisane to help Maeve sleep. When Simon expresses a desire to help, Maeve recalls Claire. Elwin offers to fetch her. Legolas follows him outside and lends him one of his knives before the boy rides off to the Castle.

Maeve and Simon argue over Legolas. Simon warns her not to get attached to the Elf. His words upset her. Beatrice shoos him out so Maeve can rest.

While Elwin collects Claire from the Castle, Simon confronts Legolas, warning him away from Maeve. Eventually, the story of Eliandriel, Simon's lost Elf love, comes out; Legolas understands his behaviour now, but makes no promises to stay away from Maeve. Simon heads for the refectory.

Elwin arrives with Claire. The Tribal Healer goes straight to the infirmary to take care of Maeve, while Elwin greets Legolas and returns his knife. Finding that she has healed Maeve's wound, Elwin takes Claire in search of Simon, while Maeve prevails upon Legolas to help her dress. The pair of them then take a turn in the convent's garden and talk about the future until they kiss at last. Legolas pulls away when one of his vision-headaches comes upon him. Maeve goes into Healer mode, but, unable to find what's wrong, suggests they go to Claire.

Claire, meanwhile, has spoken to an unrepentant Simon about his behaviour. She's about to leave, having sent Elwin for her horse, when Maeve brings Legolas to her. Claire "sees" two auras about Legolas when she tries to heal him, one Elvish and one human. Maeve takes Simon outside while Claire treats Legolas. They talk; when Simon insists that he doesn't want to see Maeve hurt, she reveals how she was raped by Sir Guy at age 14.

Meanwhile, back down the road, Rowena's band of fugitives has passed through the gates, thanks to Lorcan's glamour. As they make their way to St. Julian's, John's disturbed by Prentis' revelation that the dead Earl planned for him and Rowena to marry when they were of age, before he was shipped off to the monastery.

As they near the abbey, the group meet with Gemile and Daniel; Gem bears costumes, while Daniel arms John with a sword-stick. At this moment, the Flame realizes that Alexa's missing. Panicked, Warren shouts at John, who's upset but tries to calm the warrior. Warren decides to go back to look for Alexa, who, unbeknownst to them, has finished her accelerated training with Aldan and Mabelle and is on her way to St. Julian's. He tells Rowena they'll meet up at the Castle if they can. Rowena asks Gem to provide them with costumes, which she does.

As the two parties separate, and Rowena gets ready to ride ahead to the monastery, John insists on accompanying her; he, too, wishes to speak to Abbot Roger. They argue a bit; Prentis gets in on the act as well. Frustrated, Antonio calls for horses, which appear before them; he urges them to mount up. After giving Gem and Daniel a few instructions about the Ball, Rowena heads for St. Julian's with Antonio, John, and Prentis.

Brother Robert lets them through the gate, surprised to see John, who asks to see the abbot. Robert assures him that he'll send someone to tell Father Roger of his arrival while he and his companions take some refreshment in the refectory. Alexa arrives, calling out to John. Rowena takes charge of her, and they head for the refectory, where Jarlath waits. Upon entering, Prentis senses that Jarlath has something belonging to John.

Meanwhile, back in Ashby, Isabel notices people in costume and stops to ask Em the milliner what's going on. Informed that the Countess is holding a masked Ball, Isabel and the others are at a loss until Em directs them to Dorothy the seamstress across the street. The werewolves approach Dorothy, who's just about to lock up for the day. She shows them a selection of masks. Isabel expresses a desire for further disguise; Dorothy kits them out as Gypsies with scarves, even producing a small one for Pyramis.

Just then, Nico arrives in search of a costume. Henry and Isabel take their leave. While Nico chooses his costume and follows them, the werewolves find a secluded alley where those in wolf-form can shift to human and dress. Once they're ready, they head for the Castle. Nico catches up and asks to accompany them; Henry agrees warily.

They arrive at the Castle. Henry suggests they all get a drink while subtly directing his men to spread out in search of the Forest Child. Pretending to check on Pyramis, Henry asks the dog where Nicholas might be. Pyramis is unsure and suggests the dungeon. Henry asks if Pyramis' human, Charley, could help. Pyramis thinks so, then hears Charley starting to play somewhere outside the Castle. They're about to go out when Nico stops them in a bit of a panic, since he's started to change into a wolf ...

To be continued...

<< Back to the Introduction <<Chapter One <<Chapter Two <<Chapter Three <<Chapter Four
<<Chapter Five <<Chapter Six <<Chapter Seven <<Chapter Eight <<Chapter Nine <<Chapter Ten <<Chapter Eleven
<<Chapter Twelve <<Chapter Thirteen <<Chapter Fourteen <<Chapter Fifteen <<Chapter Sixteen <<Chapter Seventeen
<<Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen >>Chapter Twenty

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