37

The next morning, after a restless night of sleep, Les awoke disoriented in her rearranged room. It took a few moments for her to focus and remember why her bed and wardrobe had been moved. Once she did, she rolled over and sighed. Not wanting to think about it yet. But she couldn't help it. The wheels in her mind had already begun to turn and she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep now, no matter how hard she tried. Resigned to her day, she got out of bed and got ready for it. After finishing her morning chores she noticed how late in the day it had gotten, and remembered her appointment with the fox. She nearly stumbled over the front gate in her hurry to arrive on time. Hoping she hadn't somehow just dreamed it up. So focused, was she, that she almost completely ignored her brother as she passed him on her way out of town. Only taking the time to smile and wave as she rushed past his stand.

36

Her father continued to mumble nonsensically to himself until he fell asleep in his seat. Les decided this was a good time to prepare dinner. By the time Fence returned home from his day of standing post, the smells of food were wafting out the front door and their father was groggily waking up from him impromptu nap. As they sat down to eat, their father drew both of their attentions to him as he cleared his throat. It seemed his nap had helped to clear his head.
"Children." He began. "I have some news. Due to recent events at my work, I'm going to need to work overtime for a while. Will you two be able to fend for yourselves in my absence?" They both nodded. "Good." Then he returned to his meal. Despite the confusion on both Les and Fence faces, no more was said about what had happened with the wizard that night. In fact, life continued on , basically, as normal.

35

"I went out for a walk, and when I got back I took a nap." She said finally.
"Ah yes, I didn't think to look in your room. At least not recently." That was good. Les was relieved to hear that her father hadn't been in her room since she'd been here, therefore having not seen the gaping hole in her wall.
"Did you need me for something? Fence said that something happened with the wizard today." Her father stared at his hands in front of him on the table and sighed.
"That is an understatement my dear girl. Bromney was all out of sorts and muckin about the place when I got back from some errands yesterday, he would not be calmed. Kept goin on about an influx in the magic spectrum this, no one that powerful should be close enough to be censored that. I had no idea what he was going on about. He usually watches the magic levels of the area so calmly and never reacts to it." Her father mumbled on. What did me mean a magic spectrum influx. What was he talking about? Bromney had the ability to tell if others were doing magic? Who would have been doing magic?

34

Eventually Les slowed down. She was sure whoever he was, he was not pursuing her. By the time she returned to her room, it was already evening, Les was surprised to find that so much time had passed. She wasn't sure what to do. She quickly cleaned up the debris from the hole in her wall and pushed her wardrobe in front of the hole. Satisfied, she realized she was hungry and went out to see if her father was there, and there was food. he was seated at the table and looked distraught.
"Father, what's wrong?" She took the seat across from him as he looked up, his eyes rimmed red. Still, he smiled a bit.
"I was looking for you everywhere. Where have you been?" This was strange, no one usually looks for her, or wonders where she's been, at least not enough to get emotional about it. Then she remembered what her brother had said about him earlier. Something had happened with the wizard.

33

Les was stricken with fear. Who else could be down here? Who would be in this wondrous cave that led to her bedroom? Les didn't recognize the sounds from the other side of the door. Someone was breathing heavy and moving about robustly. After several moments of listening and debating, she cautiously peered through the opening. What she saw both delighted and puzzled her to the core. The room itself was sparsely furnished with most of those furnishings pushed to the side. What drew her attention most though, was the boy at the center of it, moving about so gracefully. She didn't understand how or why he was moving his body in the way that he was. This must be dancing. She thought to herself. An act that had been outlawed in her own town. He was beautiful. As he spun about, his glance caught on her for a brief moment. She gasped and panicked. Without waiting to see what he would do, she fled back out the way she came, gathering her lantern as she passed through the far end of the great hall and back up the path towards her room. She thought she could faintly hear someone calling behind her, but she did not stop.

32

Les hesitantly sat in one of the chairs and looked out on the room. It was so vast, and regal looking. From this vantage, she could see that the intricate stone work and gold trimmings faded out into dirt and bland stone about halfway through the room. the arches on the far end, from where she came, also looked so much less regal. Les wondered how this room could be half spectacular and half cavern. There was a feeling in the pit of her stomach that had her uneasy. She got up out of the throne and made her way towards one of the doors to the side of it to explore further. As she went through she noticed how much more finished the space was as she went. The hallway that was off to the side had numerous doorways and even looked to be decorated further down. As she past the first door, she noticed sounds coming from somewhere up ahead. Each of the doors she past were locked until finally she came to a door that stood ajar with light creeping through it. The sound was coming from inside.