Adrina thought back to another time, and when she closed her eyes she saw the quiet fields of Mellack Proper—it was then only two days after she met the mysterious lady and her journey was only beginning. Lying there on the cold ground, her body sore, her stomach rumbling, the fields of Mellack Proper, the orchards of Duke Ispeth, the hills of the Braddabaggon and even the mires of Lord Fraddylwicke all seemed desperately far away.

  Adrina rubbed painfully blistered feet. "My eyes are open, truly open," she whispered to the wind. Opening her eyes meant much more than simply seeing the things around her. It meant looking for and finding understanding in the world around her, looking not only with her eyes but also with her heart, mind and soul, and then finding resolve to action. It meant being a participant instead of an onlooker.

  "Adrina!" hissed Emel in her ear, breaking Adrina from her thoughts.

  Adrina started, Emel clasped a hand over her mouth. Adrina noticed then that the camp seemed suddenly shrouded in darkness. Beneath the forest canopy no stars were visible. Even the central fire seemed muted by the stark darkness. Then she noted that the logs on the fire were all but fiery ashes. Apparently many hours had passed in what to her had seemed minutes. "Yes?" Adrina finally answered.

  Emel squeezed her hand. Just then Adrina noticed the ropes that had been tied around her feet and hands were gone. Before she could speak her thoughts Emel nodded his head as if he were reading them. Her eyes went wide. Adrina tried to speak again. Emel put a silencing finger to her lips.

  Valam gripped her shoulder and turned Adrina to face him. He showed her four fingers and then pointing to Emel, he lowered three. With two fingers raised, he pointed to her. Three to Vilmos whose eyes were as wide as saucers. Four, Valam pointed to himself.

  He then turned her head to look around the camp. In the distance Adrina saw the immense trunks of the great southern trees whose intertwined boughs formed the clearing they were in. At the far edge of the camp a number of watch fires were set, but they also burned low. Only a handful of guards still stood their watch. Valam pointed out two of them. In the dim light Adrina watched them. One kept slapping both hands to his face, apparently trying to erase sleep from his tired eyes. The other was leaning up against a tree and, to some degree, faced their direction.

  A long period of complete silence passed as they waited, for what Adrina wasn't entirely sure. Then, without preface, Valam raised a single finger and Emel slipped away. For an instant afterward, Adrina saw Emel's silhouette against light cast by the fading fires and then he disappeared into the unshadowed gloom.

  Adrina held her breath as Valam gripped her shoulder. Unexpectedly he embraced her, and for a moment Adrina was smothered in his great embrace, then, just as suddenly, he ushered her into the gloom after Emel. Her thought swam, Adrina didn't move. Valam gave her a push and suddenly she was facing along the ground on her hands and knees.

  Many times she cast nervous sidelong glances to the center of the camp and to the nearest two guards at the perimeter. Any minute she expected someone to shout an alarm and the camp to burst into frenzied activity. As fear and anxiety sought to overwhelm her, Adrina fought to hold them in check.

  She knew she had finally reached the edge of the camp when the trunk of one of the great trees appeared in front of her. The next thing Adrina knew, friendly hands were gripping her waist and pulling her to her feet. She didn't pull away from Emel's embrace. Instead she hugged him fiercely. His warmth was the only reassuring thing she had known for days and now it was even more reassuring.

  Silently Emel and Adrina waited. The next face Adrina hoped to see was that of the boy, Vilmos. Slowly over the five days of their captivity, Adrina had come to know Vilmos. To her it seemed a strange darkness lurked behind his eyes and also that his thoughts were ever distant and he was distant. She found this oddly alluring, for in him she saw a bit of herself.

  Thinking she saw movement in the gloom, Adrina leaned forward. She knew at once the burly figure she saw wasn't Vilmos. Panic entered her mind and momentarily, the urge to flee. She pushed back against Emel's warmth, her body growing tense.

  Abruptly Emel grabbed Adrina and roughly pulled her back and down. Huddled against the ground they lay together. Adrina saw a figure outlined against the murky pale of the dying lights in the camp. Soon afterward, a second shadowed form joined the first.

  "Erravane?" hissed the first. Adrina held deathly still.

  The other responded with, "Yes." From the voice alone, Adrina couldn't tell if the second figure was a man or a woman, though the first she thought a man. Among Prince William's soldiers, only a dozen of the several hundred were women. Although they were few, it seemed that they held high positions. Valam had suggested that perhaps they served as William's personal bodyguards, though he had been honestly unsure of this estimation since several of them came and went seemingly at their own leisure.

  A long period of silence followed. Adrina couldn't see what transpired, though she knew both figures still stood only a few feet away. Then with a sudden heave, both were on the ground and for a time they rolled around in the leaves. Afterward, again silence. Adrina knew only that Emel's presence beside her was a powerful comfort.

  Suddenly Adrina heard muffled laughter and again the whispered voices.

  "Quit, you'll alert the camp," hissed the first.

  "Not likely."

  "What do you mean?" the first sounded at the end of his patience. "Why are you here, Erravane?"

  Behind her Adrina heard Emel's barely audible gasp. He had recognized the first voice at nearly the same time as she.

  "One question at a time my sweet." Adrina was sure now, the second was a woman. Her name was Erravane, and the first was Prince William. "I have found what you sought."

  "And the traitor?"

  "Oh yes, a present for you." Erravane rose to her knees, then dumped something onto the ground. She cackled madly, then said, "His head."

  William jumped to his feet. "I trust the other is alive?"

  "The southern encampments have proceeded north as planned. The bulk of your army is spread out through the forest. Your commanders will join you here, tomorrow."

  "What of King Jarom's army?… Wait a minute, what of the—"

  Erravane cut William off, "You are ever impatient. She is well. I believe the deceased—" Erravane kicked the head and it rolled past Adrina. Only Emel's firm and comforting grip around her waist kept Adrina from screaming. "—Was tricked. Though I am not sure how. These creatures have strange powers."

  "Then you were right?'

  Erravane cooed. "Yes, my sweet."

  "Where is she?"

  "I was afraid you'd prefer her to me. And what of this princess? I've heard tell she is quite striking."

  William said, "She is a child."

  "She is the enemy. Have you so soon forgotten the empty stare in your father's eyes?"

  "I never will." William began to move back to the camp. "No games this time, Erravane, no games… Dawn is only a few hours away. I trust your pets will harry my men no longer?"

  "My dear William, they take only what they need. The disappearance of one or two in the night is of little consequence. Would you rather have them turn on me?"

  For the first time as he turned back to Erravane, Adrina saw Prince William's face clearly outlined in the pale light. "Perhaps it would not be such a—"

  Erravane put a finger to William's lips. "You still need me, William of Sever. Do not say a thing you will later regret." With that, Prince William strode away, and soon afterward, Erravane. Both went in separate directions.

  Emel helped Adrina to her feet. Finally she took a deep releasing breath. Before she had been nearly afraid to breathe and had done so only sporadically. Erravane and William had been so close.

  Adrina heard movement in the leaves behind her. She turned, sighed, knowing at once it was Valam.

  "I circled around," Valam explained. "The boy?"

  Adrina shrugged.

  Emel who had been staring intently toward the camp said, "There, on the fur side, do you see?"

  Adrina and Valam turned and staled. On the opposite side of the camp, reflected in the light of the dying embers of a perimeter fire, was a mostly shadowed face. Undoubtedly, it belonged to Vilmos.

  "Were you listening?" Emel asked. Valam nodded and Emel continued. "The time to make our escape is now or never."

  "No," Adrina hissed angrily. "Vilmos is one of us."

  Valam took Adrina's hand. "Alas, there is little we can do now. We would waste precious time if we tried to circle the camp. We cannot. There is too much at stake. You heard as well as I, the forest is full of William's men… Perhaps it is for the best. He should fare well and, should his instincts continue to lead him south, he will find safety quickly.

  "On the other hand, we will not be so fortunate. Our duty takes us north. We will have the whole of an army at our heels until we either reach Quashan' or die trying." Valam paused, took a deep breath, then added, "Quickly now…"

  ***

  Vilmos watched his companions turn away and disappear into the gloom. Disbelief and dread flooded his thoughts. He had no idea how he had ended up on the opposite side of the camp, but the one thing he was sure of now was that he was on his own.

  Anger quickly replaced disbelief and dread. Valam, Emel and Adrina had deserted him. Vilmos knew dawn was near and that he must act or surely he would be recaptured, but where would he run to? If he made a wide circle around the camp and tried to follow the others, could he find their trail? Did he want to find their trail? After all, they had forsaken him.

  Vilmos caught movement out of the corner of his eye. He didn't wait to find out what it was he saw, he ran away fast as he could. Unsure which direction to flee, he ran aimlessly. His fear drove him on and only his instinct and the flora of the forest controlled his direction.

  Then as dawn lilted darkness from the forest leaving only shadows, Vilmos stopped running. Tired, hungry and feeling desperately alone, he slumped on a moss-covered stump. He stared up through a break in the canopy where a ray of soft white light radiated down to the forest floor.

  Vilmos moved to the spot bathed by the warm ray and found a sense of security in it. He thought about Prince Valam, Princess Adrina and Emel then. During his run he had come to terms with what had happened. He was no longer angry or mad at them for leaving him. He understood now that they had done what they had to do. He heard the prince's words in his ears, "… Use that chance, Vilmos, use it for all it's worth. Go back to Tabborrath Village and leave the affairs of men to men."

  Suddenly Vilmos was homesick. It seemed forever since he had joined Xith and left Tabborrath Village. Pie lay back, crossed his arms behind his head and closed tired eyes. For a time he forgot about the dangers. He forgot that he was lost and alone in Vangar Forest. He knew only that images of home played before his closed lids.

  ***

  With Emel leading the way and Valam pulling her, Adrina raced faster and faster. At first she gave her sore and blistered feet little thought. She flitted along, and kept pace just behind Emel.

  Soon Valam was pulling her more than she moved under her own power. Soon afterward, Adrina was limping. Seemingly without thought or hesitation, Valam picked Adrina up and, with her cast over his shoulder, continued.

  For a time, all was well. Then, between her brother's gasps as he heavily sucked at the air, Adrina heard shouts from far off. Valam and Emel apparently heard them too and panic urged them to new speeds.

  They raced on and on, the voices grew near intermittently and then again distant. Dawn was at hand, and gloom began to lift from the forest.

  "Their trackers are worse… than those of… South Province," Emel said between breaths, "but still, what I wouldn't give for Ebony about now… He'd get the three of us… out of this accursed forest… in no time."

  Valam started to laugh or so it appeared, then suddenly he doubled over, and dropped Adrina.

  "It is a good time to rest," Emel said, as he slumped to the ground.

  Adrina forced herself to stand on tender feet. "Are they far behind?"

  "We'll know soon enough," Emel said. "Do you think you can continue on your own?"

  "If you two can, I must…" Adrina was about to let her words trail off, then she decided to voice her thoughts. "Do you really think Vilmos escaped too?"

  Valam stood, then turned and stared in the direction they had just come from. "Let us hope so."

  Adrina's face lit with worry and showed her fears to the contrary. Emel took her hand and said, "I think he did, but now is not the time to dwell on things we cannot change."

  Shortly afterward the three began running again. Adrina moved as swiftly as she could. Valam and Emel did their best to help her keep up with them. Shouts came from off to their left now and their feet lead them right. Abruptly they stumbled into a clearing. Adrina tripped over a bound and gagged figure that was lying in the grass on the edge of the clearing.

  Run, said a faint voice in their minds. Forget me. I am lost. It is a trap.

  Emel grabbed one of Adrina's hands, Valam the other. They started to race away. A circle of dark shapes with glowing eyes emerged from hiding. A voice asked, "Where are our guests going?"

  Adrina recognized the voice of the speaker. "Erravane?"

  Deftly the speaker stepped forward, grabbed Adrina's chin in her hand and turned her face to the pale light. "You are a pretty one."

  Valam grabbed Erravane's arm and twisted it back as hard as he could, which brought the woman to her knees. Pain was met with sick laughter.

  "Do you mock me?" Valam screamed as he twisted the arm back still further, folly expecting to hear the snap of breaking bones.

  The arm began to bend and change in Valam's hand, growing thicker and shorter. Valam let go and pulled Adrina back, confusion and perhaps bewilderment showed on his face.

  "If you move again," Erravane said, her voice changed as her body changed, "they will kill you."

  "Close your eyes, Adrina. This is no thing for you to see," Valam shouted. "Of all the beasts of hell.

  But Adrina couldn't close her eyes, she felt compelled to watch the metamorphosis. Erravane's eyes were glowing now and fangs filled her mouth, a mouth that was twisting and contorting, growing wider and longer as Adrina look on in fascinated horror.

  Valam stepped in front of Adrina protectively. "If I had my sword," Valam said, "I would run you through and send you back to the icy pits you ascended from."

  Erravane snapped her head and locked powerful, wolflike jaws around Valam's hand. Screaming in agony, Valam dropped to his knees. Adrina closed her eyes and squeezed them together as tight as she could. She waited for the screaming to stop and when it did, she felt compelled to open her eyes. She was just as surprised as Valam obviously was to find he still had a hand.

  Erravane, clearly no longer human, spoke with an otherworldly voice. "I said, 'no movement.'" Erravane licked her front paw.

  Valam spoke again, but took care not to move. "What do you hope to gain from this? Prince William will kill the lot of you as soon as he has no need for you?"

  "Ah, but I ensure that he continues to need me until I have all that I want for. And, now I have you. His precious little bargaining pieces. He will grovel on his knees to get you back."

  Chapter Twenty Five: Conquest

  The first shafts of golden light from the new day were just breaking the horizon far to the east. A wet spray blew in off the sea, and Keeper Martin shivered. He had awoken early and only he and the mid-watchmen greeted the new day.

  A troubled dream had disturbed his few hours of precious sleep. Keeper Q'yer's response to his earlier dream message had been grimmer than he ever imagined it could be. Quashan' was under siege. How five hundred defenders held the city was beyond his imagining. But there had been more distressful tidings in the dream, and this, Martin didn't even want to think about.

  The sound of footsteps caused Martin to turn. He eyed Captain Adylton who looked as frazzled as he felt. "You did not sleep well this night?"

  "I did not sleep," answered the captain as he stared out across the dark waters.

  Martin asked pointedly, "How many days to Quashan' without the Foot?"

  Captain Adylton raised an eyebrow. "Two days of hard riding, and only if we can get enough fresh horses in Alderan City. Otherwise, three at best."

  "How long would it take for the Foot to catch up?"

  "Foot soldiers move like sand caught in those waves," Adylton said, eyeing the frothy surf breaking against the rocks. "Depending on the weather, I'd say seven days."

  "At best?"

  "Six, maybe five. They'd arrive spent and—" Captain Adylton broke off, apparently he heard the footsteps as Martin did. Both men turned to see who was approaching.

  "Mid-watchman," Keeper Martin said. "He's been hawking me since I stepped out here."

  Captain Adylton regarded the watchman, then tossed Martin a wink. "My man… My men," he said, waving his hand in a sweeping gesture around the camp.

  "And Trendmore's?"

  "I gave his watchmen liberty. Told them to enjoy the Free Cities."

  Keeper Martin tightened his cloak about him. "Then you've gone ahead. Are you ready?"

  "Nearly so. It should all go smoothly. Better than half of his men are on liberty and he isn't the wiser… Have you received word from Alderan or has something happened in Quashan'?"

  "You, Captain Adylton, are very perceptive." Martin explained about the dream message and the situation in Quashan'. Adylton grimaced. "So you see," Keeper Martin concluded, "there is precious little time to waste."

  "What of Alderan? You didn't say. Did the ship arrive safely?"

  Keeper Martin fixed eyes filled with distress on the captain. "Alderan is no more."

  "Surely you don't mean—" Adylton began. Martin nodded solemnly. "—And, Prince Valam?"

  Martin said nothing.

  Martin was sure Captain Adylton was going to collapse. The captain's knees bowed and his face became ashen. Martin grabbed the captain's shoulders to steady him.