Chapter 18

The day was passing, and there was now little to be done but wait. It was well that Lord Bornale had happened by. He seemed to be intelligent enough to see that the coming threat would involve his estates, his city and all in it. He was, by good fortune not a Dark Follower. It was to be hoped that the entrance to the underground caverns, The Garvin Trails could be sealed. Mei'An thought that this may take some time though. If it could be done at all. that they were still open after all this time indicated that it might be impossible to find people willing to do the work. It mattered little anyway. The Tharsians would need to be bypassed if they were to retrieve the Keystone from Mordos, their leader. Undoubtedly the Tharsians would use the trails to enter the city and cause havoc, but they also had Cinnabar and the Morgoth to contend with. They too sought the Keystone, and would not hesitate to cut down all who stood in their way. They would not go around the Tharsian bands they would go through them.

Mei'An waited. Sipping her chilled wine. Occasionally talking briefly to Tallbar the innkeeper. The six new arrivals deferred to her if she spoke, but their looks showed that they held her in awe, and would find conversation with her awkward. Mei'An recognised this and did not press. With Rees they were very comfortable, and she noticed with a smile Luan's discomfort with such unabashed admiration. Mei'An listened as the girls related the events of the village to Rees. She asked questions occasionally, but did not force her presence. Thus she gained the full story. The finding of The Seal of the Creator. The Traders release from his name silence. His new authority and power. There was a surprise for the Trader they had found here, now hurrying to the village to meet Annan Hamar. She heard of the battle with the Tharsians, and the part the village had played in their routing. The wide spread destruction of surrounding farms saddened her and had Rees on his feet momentarily. He would have rushed back there and then had the maidens not all assured him that everyone was safe. Oh, there had been wounded of course, and a few deaths among the village folk. What could not be helped could not be helped. In general though all were now safe. The battle had passed on by the village of Xu Gui. Where, the girls did not know. Perhaps here. They certainly hoped so.

Tallbar bent to whisper in Mei'An's ear.

"I have given over the top floor of the inn to you and your friends my lady. Bathing facilities are on the same floor. My girls are filling the water cisterns even now."

Mei'An looked at the warrior maidens. They certainly needed to bathe, but she would not tell them outright.

"Thank you Master Tallbar." She said aloud and stood. She looked casually over the girls, their eyes on her now she was standing.

"Perhaps the girls would care to chat with me while I freshen myself a little?"

All the maidens were on their feet in an instant. The oldest of the group said happily.

"My lady, I am Riana, this is Telal, Jolin, Wadena, Nela and our youngest, just out of training school, Neenah." Riana gave the girl Neenah a warm smile.

"We would be honoured to talk of things with you Wind Reader. Truly, I could use a bit of refreshment myself!" She laughed pleasantly to show she was not offended, and fully understood Mei'An's concern for them. Riana continued, a little louder to be heard above the murmur in the room. "... and when we have bathed, perhaps we will be asked to dance by some handsome men." She laughed as she led the others after Mei'An to the steps leading to the top floor.

The men at the nearby tables looked at each other uncertainly. Would they be game enough to dance with these warrior maidens? Would they be game enough to refuse a dance? These were not soft men. Teamsters, blacksmiths, farriers, tradesmen, men used to hard toil and hard living. Now they swallowed their ale in gulps and looked uncertainly at the departing girls. Taking their ease in the Inn of the Blind Man was not what it used to be. It was certainly more interesting if nothing else. Those who would leave the city had already done so. Those who would stay carried on their business as usual. Merchants in one alcove haggled over the price of Altai dyes, while others haggled over the price of fine table ware that had been shipped carefully from the far away port of Doran Head.

Some were team and wagon drivers, taking their ease against their wagons while they were unloaded or loaded. Some simply waiting for the heat of the day to pass.

Work and business was slowing by the hour though. People had wind of the recent events, and the appearance of the Mare Altan. Coupled with the sighting of Tharsians and Morgoth in the back alleys of the city the events of recent days were enough to send people out of the city. Those who could leave did, suddenly finding urgent business elsewhere.

The stream of people, not yet refugees, referred to by Lord Bornale had already thinned to a trickle. Har Hu, the main city of which Su Nan was a district where Nareena lived, was becoming quiet in the heat of the day.

Rees pursed his lips in thought. If indeed the entire population of Mare Altan, and most probably the Asha Altan were headed this way, then their numbers would sweep the countryside clean on the way. Rees could hardly credit the numbers. Many thousand. Surely not. The entire population of the Star Field Plain must be on the move.

"Luan," Said Rees. "The numbers mentioned, of warriors coming over the Dragon Spine. Is it possible for there to be so many? I have lived on the Plain all my life, and find it hard to credit the numbers."

Luan drummed his fingers on the table for a moment before answering.

"Not only the Star Field Plain Rees, but the clans from right across Da Altai, and Xiao Altai as well. The clans, each sept, even the family groups who no longer carry the spear. Mei'An has been calling them all to prepare. She thinks the coming battle may well start here." The tone in his voice in the last sentence made Rees sit up. A Guard Companion would never question his mistresses instruction, and he would not disagree in public. Rees knew that tone though. A man not sure that his commander had made the right decision.

"Luan, you know that I saw the Tharsians when Elsa and I travelled that strange device beneath the city. That was very far from here. Surely in another country. There were places along the way that we saw where nothing could live. The very surface a blanket of fused glass. We were chased into the depths by Morgoth. I rather think that any battle is yet a long time coming. Besides, although the Great Wheel now turns, it still turns very slowly. There is no escape yet for the Dark One. If we reach the keystone in time, then we can await the battle, or at least the great battle that will end this age. Perhaps there is some plan afoot by the Tharsians, and the Morgoth to wrest power from the Dark One? I can't tell how though, if they free him."

"If they free him ..." Mused Luan.

Some men at a nearby table roared with laughter, dice clattering across the table top.

"I think I will try my hand at a little dice." Muttered Rees, going over to the table. He was welcomed readily enough. The wagon driver would take his money as readily as anyone else. Placing some coins on the table, Rees rolled. The game was Devil Eyes, and easy enough to play. Four sixes turned up. To everyone's surprise. Rees grinned from ear to ear. Five throws later he was still throwing all sixes, and the men at the table were muttering darkly, their pockets much lighter. One called to the innkeeper for new die. Nothing changed. Two throws, all sixes. The four men at the table pushed back their chairs and stood.

"This one has the luck of the Dark Lord himself." Said one.

"Perhaps he is a companion of the Father of Lies." Said another

Rees leapt to his feet, his chair clattering away as it fell. One of the men, a huge fellow, his nose showing the signs of many a fight, his knuckles callused, came at Rees with his fists swinging.

Rees leapt back out of the way. These men were unarmed, so he would not draw his sword. As the big fellow stepped forward to take another swing the floor boards beneath his feet gave way with a crack. The man simply fell into the floor and became jammed at waist level. He shook himself about and roared like a wild bull, but he was stuck fast. His companions forgot Rees, and had to hold their sides from laughter. Tears of mirth streamed down their faces as they tried to haul their friend out of the floor. Even Rees had to laugh at the man's predicament. The harder he struggled, the tighter he became stuck. The inn keeper wrung his hands and complained to all about his ruined floor. He couldn't understand it. How could the floor give way. It wasn't possible. Perhaps the harmonics generated around Rees as the time lines moved and swirled about he and his friends were affecting things more than they realized.

The jagged ends of the broken floor planks held the man fast. Between roaring for more ale, yelling in pain as splinters found his soft spots, and cursing everyone from the King to the stable boy, the trapped wagon guard was providing considerable entertainment. People came into the inn to see what all the fuss was about, and stood around in an ever enlarging throng discussing ways to get the man out of the floor. The inn keeper had to broach another ale keg, and his serving girls were glistening with perspiration as they ran to keep up with the orders.

Rees was long forgotten, and had gone back to his table. He couldn't understand his luck with the dice, but he thought it might come in handy in the future. If it kept up. If he remembered to play only one or two throws. If he survived the day.

Suddenly the man still trapped in the floor cursed at the top of his lungs, "A curse on the Dark One- a pox on Be'lal, may the fleas of a thousand dogs nest in his beard."

The uproar in the room wound down like a mill stone coming to a halt. Rumbling and creaking until there was not a sound. People were frozen in place. Rees half out of his chair. Luan on his feet, sword drawn. Eyes darting about. Who knew what would happen. The fool in the floor had not only called out the name of the Dark one but cursed him in the same breath. The silence was absolute - even the clock on the stone mantle place seemed to tick silently.

The man trapped in the floor looked about wild eyed, his mouth open but unable to speak.

A low vibration began in the floor. Boards started creaking. Dust drifted down from the cross beams. Nails popped from the floor boards around the trapped man as though driven out by a single hammer blow. The man let out a spine chilling scream as one of the jagged ended boards that trapped him was suddenly slammed home. He hardly had time to draw breath to scream again when all the boards that trapped him were driven through his torso like a saw toothed Blue Pike bite. His dying scream turned into a gurgle as his severed body toppled sideways onto the now solid floor of the inn. He was already dead.

Panic erupted. men fighting each other to get out of doors or windows. As far from the horror on the floor as they could get. Two of the serving girls who had witnessed it had fallen to the floor in a faint. Rees and Luan dragged them to safety as men trampled around them. the room was clearing fast, when without warning two men close by Rees near the side wall screamed and fell to the floor. A razor thin edge of light had appeared beside them, and as it turned and opened out into a door way of light had simply sliced off the right arm and part of the leg of one man and taken the toes off the boots of another, half way back to the ankles. The end of his nose was missing as well. The wounds were cauterised, and not a drop of blood flowed.

Cinnabar the Morgoth stepped through, his clawed feet clicking on the floor like a huge insect. From deep in the hood of his cape his eyes glittered. The man with the severed arm and leg wound fell into the bright doorway and disappeared. The other one was run through with the glittering sword of Cinnabar before he could react. Cinnabar didn't even look at him. His eyes were locked on Luan, who's back was still turned as he dealt with the serving girl.

Rees leapt to confront the Morgoth, and was still off balance as Cinnabar swept him aside with a dismissive blow from his forearm. The steel gauntlets leaving stinging razor cuts across Rees cheek. Luan heard Rees yell, at the same time as he heard the slap of arrows being nocked, and the whistle of spears streaking past him.

One glance told him the maidens were in the room, the second glance located Cinnabar almost upon him. He spun into attack, cutting low with his sword, both hands on the long hilt. Cinnabar staggered, but the sword glanced off his leg armour. His chuckle was like stones rattling in a tin cup as he advanced on Luan. He seemed not to notice the arrow through his shoulder, and swatted aside the spears though they were no more than wasps. Luan had his balance and engaged. The fight flowed around the now almost empty room. Neither could gain any advantage. A trickle of blood ran from the arrow wound in Cinnabar's shoulder, and Luan had a long slash across his left cheek that glistened with blood. He must have damaged the fastening of the leg armour where he had first struck Cinnabar, because the leg part was now starting to flap loose. It would soon be hampering Cinnabar considerably. Luan's expression now changed. He was deep in the void where true warriors dwelt during battle. Cinnabar's chuckles had turned to grunts as Luan pushed him hard.

Rees could not help, and the maidens now stood watching the fight intently. They didn't use swords, but were keen to see how the enemy fought. They would not interfere unless Luan fell, or called for help. Which he would never do. His hatred of the Morgoth, and especially Cinnabar ran very deep and he would fight him to the death.

Rees was studying the doorway of light that Cinnabar had created. Mei'An appeared beside him. She showed no interest in the fight. She was confident her companion would win the day. She reached out to the doorway, stopping just short of the opaque shimmering surface. She closed her eyes and a blue haze surrounded her hand, Small sparks crackled between the haze and the doorway. Cinnabar stumbled backwards, distracted. Luan pressed him sorely. Suddenly Cinnabar was on the defensive.

"Mei'An," yelled Rees in her ear. "Touch the surface again as you just did." Mei'An pressed closer, sparks skittering all across the shimmering surface. Rees had a momentary glimpse of a dark and forbidding landscape, a bleak castle in the distance built on a smoking mountain as black as obsidian. Its tall towers topped by long banners curling and writhing in the wind. Cinnabar was backing to the doorway now, intent only on holding Luan at bay. He was having trouble. Luan pressed him even harder.

Rees grabbed Mei'An by the arm and pulled her aside. Moments later Cinnabar backed through the shimmering doorway, and with a rasping defiant curse swore to see Luan dead. A hail of arrows followed him through the doorway as the maidens now had a clear shot. As the door winked out, Mei'An stood, wyes still shut, breathing deeply. Slowly she opened her eyes.

"Luan?" She asked. Luan just nodded. He was fine. Why waste words. Rees just shook his head. The man was hard. Very hard.

"I think I understand how he does that with the door. It is interesting that he remains linked with it somehow. That is a real weakness. That one is tuned to the power of the Dark One himself. The ripples from the Dark One killing that wagon guard drew him here as surely as flies to garbage."

The maidens were deep in discussion. Sidelong looks at Rees and Mei'An were cast as they stood grouped in a circle. It was only then that Rees realized that some of them were only partly clad. Some with wet hair dripping pools at their feet. Rees went as bright red as a spring field flower. He studiously faced away from the girls.

"Mei'An," he stammered. "Tell them, ask them, please, take them back upstairs." He swallowed. He didn't need to ask. The girls chuckled and ran lightly back up to the top floor. One called back down. "We'll be back down for a dance shortly Master Rees, and perhaps a game of Maiden Hands." He could hear them all laughing now. Women. Girls. He would never figure them out. Blood and gore all over the room and they talked of dancing. Why, only moments before they had struck at the Morgoth like coiled snakes. He had best remember that they were just as deadly. Still, there was one he had noticed before embarrassment had forced him to turn away. Maybe a year or two younger than he, she was perhaps only recently joined the warrior group. Her smile had been wide, and reached her eyes as she turned that smile full on him. He could not help notice her smooth skin and lithe figure. She was clad only in a small white waist cloth, apparently an undergarment of some sort. He knew nothing of such things. Her legs were long and finely shaped from much exercise. She had been watching him over the heads of the others as they had been discussing whatever it had been they were discussing in the tight group. She was a very attractive young woman, but it was her smile that reflected in her eyes as though her soul was shining through, that caught at his breathing now.

Mei'An watched his face with a tiny smile at the corners of her mouth.

"Master Tallbar, have this poor fellow taken away. Perhaps you should, umm, take up the floor just there and retrieve the other half. Perhaps they had families. The Dark One grows strong now. That is the first time I have seen him able to take direct vengeance on one who cursed him in name."

The innkeeper had his two burly assistants bundle the remains on to litters and carry them out to the stables. they returned and set to work on the floor. The lower half of the once noisy wagon guard was withdrawn from the cavity and the area washed. Within an hour there was little sign of the mayhem other than dark stains, and scorch marks from the doorway of Cinnabar

There was also little sign of returning trade. Word of the events was spreading like a plains fire. Embellishment being piled upon embellishment upon speculation with each telling.

Mei'An suggested to the innkeeper that they find elsewhere to stay.

"You must not my lady." Had been his reply. "It is written, that as the wheel turns, so events shall begin, with the Inn of the Blind Man at the hub. As it is written, so it shall be done my lady."

Master Tallbar paced back and forth and wrung his hands. The Inn of the Blind Man, in the city of Har Hu, north of the Dragon Spine mountains looked like the hub of a great wheel. Streams of people heading out in all directions like the spokes of that wheel. There were many smaller villages and farming communities scattered across the high plateau, and the Great North Road continued on into the Sandy Blight. People streamed north and south along the strange black road. Refugees who would carry the tale and the rumour all across the land. Through Dubai Springs far out in the Waste, or into Sanai, the country that stretched all the way to the Frozen Land. High mountains that seemed to reach to the sky it was said. A mysterious country held fast in snow and ice, the Frozen Land had no other name. It was said that its rugged ranges and deep valleys reached half way around the world. Very few ever left the trails that led into the interior. Sanai had held its place on the southern border of the Frozen Land. Skirmishes often carved shifts in the borders, but never for long. The rulers of Sanai and the Frozen Land would not welcome refugees, if they made it that far. Those who survived the journey across the Sandy Blight would be in no shape to help themselves. There was little contact between those of Sanai and Annafel because of the impenetrable Sandy Blight, the vast wastes of shifting sands. The rulers of Annafel made their home in Har Hu and kept a vast palace that dominated the city. It's towers could be seen even from the mountain passes.

Lord Bornale was a member of the House of Artap, the leading house of Annafel, and closely aligned with the current royal house. The House Hurran, the Queen who ruled here was descended from a line that stretched back into the mists of time.

There had not been a king since the last age had broken upon the battles to imprison the Dark Lord. The high king had been slain on the battle field, and his body had been dragged about behind wild horses for days until survivors of the battle brought down the horses with arrows. His remains had been entombed in the palace crypt.

A girl child was raised to the throne, and proclaimed Queen. There had been a Queen ruling ever since.

Far in the East, many miles, the edges of a great forest began. This was Mordos Gloom. The country of Tharkan. Mordos was undisputed ruler of the Tharsians here. None passed through Tharkan. Not even Traders. Any who entered the deep forests of Mordos Gloom never came out. There were ruins of cities deep in the forest, and it was said that there yet lived an ancient one, an immortal, secure in a blue tower. This being was the only thing that the Tharsians feared. None would even go within sight of the tower. To do so was to meet a death that kept the intruders in a lingering death so painful that even Tharsians feared it.

All the various tribes that made up the Tharsian Horde had tried at one time or another to penetrate the Blue Tower. Those trying had been seen to flee back into the encircling ranks, their screams echoing for days as they continued to run though the deep forests trying to escape their torment. Eventually their very bones softened and melted. Their green hide scales fell off. They could no longer stand. Their bones dissolved and they became a wailing mound of green flesh quivering on the forest floor. Even the wild animals of the place would not touch them. Gradually life would still and the deep gloom would settle on the forest again. All Tharsians knew where these hapless victims lay. Each death left a circle some five paces across in the forest where nothing would grow. Not a blade of grass. Just the bare stained ground that had an odour straight from the Dark One's pit. The Tharsians now gave the Blue Tower a very wide berth.

On the other side of Tharkan lay Hua Guo. The almost mythical city. None visited there except for a few Traders who braved the crossing of the Sandy Blight, through the farm lands and on into Hua Guo, a journey that took years. The only other way was by ship. The sea folk rarely went there, the journey was long and perilous, and few ever returned to speak of it.

Refugees now streamed out of the great city of Har Hu, out of the country of Annafel. Little had happened that could cause such panic really. Everyone had heard the rumours of approaching Mare Altan though. Everyone had heard rumours of Tharsians being seen in the very city. Everyone had heard rumours, and some had even seen Morgoth warriors in the Old Square itself. It was also rumoured that whatever inhabited the deep caverns was stirring. There was a battle coming as surely as day followed night. Men gathered up their possessions, their families, and left the city. Most were going south along the Great Road. A life on the lower plains, perhaps as far as the oceans, would be, must be, better than staying to be caught up in the centre of the coming storm.

The last time the Mare Altan had come over the Dragon Spine had been to drive back the Lords of Darkness.

Annafel had lost a king in those battles, and the population had been decimated it was said. Stories were told of those battles, and songs sung. Wandering story tellers made great show of acting out the battles in mime as they retold the tales. Whenever storytellers paused people would gather to listen. Some were said to be gifted from the Well of Spirit, the same source from which the Wind Readers drew their power.

The common room was now almost empty. Only the innkeeper, Mei'An, her Guard Companion and Rees, and the girls were left. Even the street outside was quiet. No wagons moved. No crack of whips nor shouted curses as drivers manoeuvred the lumbering wagons through the pedestrians. No shouts from sedan chair carriers forcing a way through the throng. No stall merchants shouting their wares. It seemed even the flies were not buzzing now.

Rees pushed back his chair and said with some zest in his voice.

"Well, that was ... interesting. Master Tallbar, a jug of cool ale if you please. And where is your fiddler? If we are going to be interrupted by the Dark One every time I dice with friends then let it be on my terms. I warrant Cinnabar will use a little more caution now that we have found his weakness."

Rees banged the table and roared.

"Serving girls - ale!" Even the innkeeper jumped. Rees strode to the front door of the inn an peered outside. 'Not many people about' he thought. Only late afternoon and the street was quiet. He was somewhat taken aback to see an old Storyteller lounging against one of the horse rails, watching him. His hat brim shaded his eyes, but they never left Reese's face. He had a battered leather case with a fiddle in it strapped to his back, and his long dusty coat flapped lazily in the faint breeze. Rees called out to him,

"Ho. Storyteller. Play us a tune. You play, I'll pay. This place grows grimmer by the moment. Come. Inside if you would."

The Storyteller said nothing for a long moment. Rees was just about to shrug and turn away when the Storyteller spoke.

"For a Lord of the Malachites, a friend of the Dragon himself, and one trained by my friend Jardine, you will have music."

He stepped up to the inn door and was unpacking the fiddle as he crossed into the common room. Rees stood in the door, mouth agape.

"Master Tallbar," he called. "Prepare your barrels. Your inn will not hold the people who will come to hear me play." With that he mounted the small stage at one end of the room and within moments had the room full of sound. Rees was sure he could hear the pace of battle in that first tune, changing rapidly to a light ripple that reminded him of the wind as it breezed across the spring flowers of the Star Field Plain. He would ask later how the Storyteller knew so much of home. How did he know Jardine, of the Stone Lion Asha Altan?

The tune changed to a rollicking jig. Mei'An was tapping her foot in time, and Rees contemplated inviting her to dance. Only for a second though. Invite a Wind Reader to dance? Had he lost his wits altogether?

Within moments the room echoed to the bantering laughter of the Mare Altan girls who came in through the door. To Rees's eyes they looked like long lost friends. These girls were from home after all. He knew most of them by sight. To his surprise the youngest, Neenah grabbed him by the hand and spun him onto the dance floor. A small square in front of the stage was all the room needed, but the others soon had the tables and chairs pushed even further back as the girls formed a circle and danced in turns with Rees. He laughed and cheered and let himself be led. He only faltered once as he spun around the circle and found himself with his arm steadying Mei'An. She laughed at this surprise and spun him away.

It didn't take long, and the music began to attract passers by. Everyone may be leaving town, but someone was staying and having fun. Why not join in. It would do no harm to stay an hour or two longer. Soon the common room was packed with laughing shouting people again, even spilling out onto the steps and the street. The music drew people in from the streets, seemingly against their wills. All of the mayhem and horror of a few hours earlier was forgotten. New sawdust on the floor hid the dark stains, and the Maidens provided a lively distraction. The serving girls were as keen to dance as anyone else, and eventually Tallbar gave up trying to stop them, and just served where he could. The battles would come soon enough. For now let people enjoy themselves. The Storyteller and his music played on, showing no sign of tiring.

Mei'An had been able to discover a weakness in the shielding of the doorway that Cinnabar had made. She set a ward on the room, and would know the instant that Cinnabar tried to form another gateway. She could no block it, but she could now give warning. With Antonin's help, she might be able to follow him through into his own domain. From Rees's description it sounded very much like it was in the blasted lands beyond Sara Sara. It was something to plan for the future. The most pressing problem now was to locate Antonin. He must return. The huge force of the Spears of Da Altan would be over the pass in days. They would need a leader. Would expect one indeed. They expected to find the returned King of the Malachites, the Lord of the Dragon Armies. Mei'An had still not located him, nor his two companions.

Perhaps, just perhaps, the small statue in the box would help her find him by focusing her own thought flows. She would need Rees though, and he didn't look like he was ready for any more adventure this day. She had to reach other Wind Readers. Perhaps a link could be made to those scattered in far distant lands.

"Guard me well my companion." Said Mei'An to Luan. He nodded slightly and Mei'An closed her eyes and slid into the dream world where Wind Readers travelled. Only here could she meet with others and plan the link. This was a strange place where strange things happened, and time itself was altered. Others would know she was there. Her entry caused a sound like a muted brass bell to toll in the hearing of all Wind Readers. Where they could, they would also enter this Dream World. Only the first to enter sets off the tolling of the bell.

Luan didn't shift in his seat. He knew what Mei'An was doing. She was vulnerable like this. A child could overpower her. Here in a crowded room, attack could come from any quarter. Luan sat like a coiled snake, he would strike at anything that gave the slightest threat.

------

Away to the south, the daughter of Daga Domain, innkeeper of Xu Gui awoke with a start in the early mornings grey light. It was too early even for the roosters in the stable yard. Her shift clung to her, dripping with sweat. Her long hair was stuck in a knotted mat to her head, the sweat trickling into her eyes. What dreams! Her face flushed crimson at the memories still visible in her mind. She nibbled at her lower lip. She realized she had been dreaming of her and Antonin. She in the bright yellow silk dress, and Antonin in the robes and garments of a high lord. People bowed to him and called him Lord this and Lord that. More surprising, they were calling her Lady this and Lady that. Her, the daughter of a Star Field Plain village innkeeper a Lady. As funny as Antonin, a farmer's son being a Lord. She giggled a moment until she remembered that they had been celebrating their wedding day. She was sure she was lighting up the room, her cheeks felt so hot.

She jumped out of bed and splashed cool water from the night stand jug on her face. It had been a pleasant dream though, and so real. It would do no harm to dream of being swept off her feet and into a palace. Even by a village boy. Well, young man really. About two or three years older than her she reckoned. And, he was very nice looking after all, and always polite. Not like that horrid boy from the Jacklins who kept mooning about the stables hoping to steal a kiss. Last time he tried Desare had swung a huge open handed slap that had set his head ringing for days. She giggled again at the memory, completely forgetting the sharp vengeful look that had been in Nasser Jacklins eyes as he ran off. Come to think of it, he hadn't been back since. Desare leaned her elbows on the window sill of their small loom and watched the day dawning. It had been weeks now since the village had been attacked. Most of the warrior maidens had gone off somewhere. Adventuring she supposed. She sighed. She never had adventures. Her parents always needed help in running the inn. Her sisters were too young to do much. Mostly they played, or simply got under foot.

Desare leaned out a bit further. Something had moved in the grey dawn shadows out by the chicken run. She could hear their restless clucking. What was it? Too large for an animal. Someone stealing eggs? Impossible. All anyone had to do was ask, and they could have all they wanted. The movement had stopped, but Desare's pensive mood had broken. The pleasant dream was fading, as surely as the sun was rising. Well, one day she would wear the yellow dress, but now she may as well get ready for the days tasks. The Trader, Annan Hamar, was going to continue her lessons today. He was teaching her to read and write. He was staying right here in the inn. Another Trader had turned up some time back, along with two friends of Antonin's. Shortly after it seemed that nearly everyone had disappeared, except the two Traders. They spent long hours with their heads together in a corner of the common room discussing something of importance. When not doing that, Master Hamar was teaching Desare. He said she must learn much, as quickly as she could. Even her father and mother thought it so important she was let off doing chores much of the time. While Master Hamar was teaching, the other trader was busy refitting both wagons. It looked to Desare like a very big journey was being planned.