62

"Where was I? Oh yes, Bromney. Well, Tatyanna was an evil sorceress that took Ahabs castle by force for herself. Bromney had been her pupil before she showed that she was evil. Power hungry, vain, malicious, the whole thing. Bromney loved her. His behavior when the order took her out, was more that of a lovesick schoolboy than anything else. Wizard temper-tantrums are not cute. Since then, he's seemed like he's adjusted well enough, but one can never be too sure." He looked at her with a hard look as if she was supposed to know what he meant. She didn't. "It was shortly after that when he took on your father as an assistant. My sources say that Bromney's vision for you came when your father was still a boy, and that's why he took him on. It is rare that those visions come so early, but they do often come years before the child, so it's possible. It's been rumored that Bromney was also responsible for your mother's death. But we're not certain. The facts are that Bromney took your father on as an assistant at a very young age. Your mother died days after you were born of a mysterious magical accident. And Bromney refuses to give you your name." He stopped and stood up. Les was perplexed, and found her voice.
"All this may be true, but none of it tells me why I am here." He held out his hand for her.

"I'll explain while we walk." 

61

Les sat there trying to take in everything Grant was saying. While he paused in thought she too, turned inward and mused on the things he said. She still didn't believe that her not having a name was of such importance that it should bring her here to this secret society in a castle long forgotten. She was startled when Grant stood and started pacing. He seemed to have forgotten that she was there, and he had been speaking to her. Then he paused looked around, and then darted up a spiral stair in search of a specific book. Les wasn't sure what she was supposed to do. She remained where she was. Eventually her mind trailed back to think about what Grant had said again.
Grant, after having looked chaotically about for his book, finally found one and was reading it to himself. Then he laughed and slammed the book shut. He leaped over the railing again and lowered himself to the floor. "I've got it!" He proclaimed. Then strutted back over to his seat, smiling wide.

"Do you know what this means? Of course you don't. I haven't finished telling you why you're here. Forgive me." He cleared his throat. Clearly giddy with excitement at whatever his discovery was.  

60

"You're probably asking why it is you are here, and what all that has to do with you. We are getting to that. You see, it was my grandfather's great great grandfather who inherited this castle. His father married the first daughter of king Ahab. Her brother who was to become king, but was not of the same mind as all of his proceeding family, he was power hungry and wicked. He married into another royal line from afar, hoping to gain that realm for his own as well. That didn't work out quite as he had hoped, for he died in a struggle to hold the power of both. His sister was given this castle by his widow in the aftermath, when they built that other castle in Ahabs honor. But all that aside, this castle was them entrusted to my family for safe keeping and houses the Order of the Scrawl.
"So, why are you here? It is my understanding that you are without a name. It has come to my attention that there is one wizard who refuses to give you your name. Which is puzzling. I'm sure you know by now that a wizard doesn't make up your name, it's given to him in a vision. Every wizard receives names in visions, usually locally, with a few exceptions. But no two wizards receive names for the same child." He paused, thinking. "We have had our eye on Bromney for some time. His connection to Tatyanna was most disagreeable. He does such strange things. But so far, those things have not been a danger to anyone..." He trailed off.


59

"There had always been kings. But they didn't always rule. There was a time when the magical persons of the realm held and fought for power over the people. Some of them were good, and didn't abuse their power, but many, over time, became quite evil and the people suffered. There were laws that forbade the sort of cruelty that the wizards and sages dealt out, but there was none to uphold it. Until the great King Mawr came along. He broke the curse that was put upon his family that held them passive for generations. He stirred up an army to march with him against the many evil doers in his kingdom, of both Magical and non-magical persons. With their help he was able to wipe out the evil and fear that plagued the land for so long. He was able to put down laws that brought peace to his people. It was from this army that was created, also, a secret society. Started, with his most trusted allies, he issued to them to uphold the laws that were set into motion that day. Over time, war came from other fronts, but our land had remained united against them, the society helping to hold it together from their place unseen. Even when King Mawrs line died out several generations ago, the society is still there pulling the strings, and keeping to peace."

58

"Um, you're welcome." Les almost asked it. She was at that place again, where she didn't know what to ask first. "What?" was all she could get out. Grant leaned back in his seat and laughed at her.
"Yes, I suppose that does about sum it up. I'll do my best to explain things." He adjusted his seating position and rang a small bell. Les didn't think that had explained anything. Then a door opened and Master Gilroy brought in a tray bearing drinks and served them. Grant thanked him and took a drink. Les held her glass in her hand and studied Grant as he drank. There was so much about him that did not make sense. His hands were rough as someone's might be from manual labor, but they also bore the ink stains of a scribe. His hair was short, but still shaggy and he wore a tunic with trousers much like her own. It was at noticing this that Les suddenly felt inadequately dressed to be in his presence. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment, so she drank her drink to hide it. Grant set down his glass and stared off into space, oblivious to what Les was doing. Then he began his tale.  

57

Les was confused, and knew that confusion was clear on her face as she watched the man move around her and prop himself up on the furniture. When she finally found her voice most of her questions abandoned her as they had at dinner. Forgetting herself and everything Gilroy had told her, she blurted.
"Wait, You're the lord of the house? But you're like, a child." He faked a hurt look then smiled again. Clearly pleased with himself.
"Actually, I am not much older than you, but older than you, I am. I am also wise beyond my years, incredibly talented, shockingly good looking, and so very humble." He smiled again then stood. "I am kidding. But where are my manners? My name is Velimir Grant Moore, I am the Lord of this household. You can call me Grant. Please, take a seat." He waved in the direction of a set of chairs and couches so she went around and sat. He had a kind face, and was not anything she had expected. "I'm sure you have many many questions for me. And I must apologize for the secrecy, and thank you for your willingness to come. In this realm of magic, even the trees have ears, and you never know when there might be a spy nearby.


56

As she waited, she looked around her as best she could without actually moving. The walls were lined with bookshelves and paintings there were couches on either side of her and a great desk at the far end. As she looked up, she noticed how high the shelves went, there was a spiral stair that led to a balcony and the books continued up. There were a few ladders as well to reach books in higher places. The entire room was filled with the smell of these books.
"Do you like it?" A voice said. Les spun around to see who had spoken. Behind her, on the balcony above the door stood a young man smiling down at her. He didn't wait for her to answer, he lithely swung over the railing and catapulted himself onto a nearby ladder then slid down to the floor. He sauntered over, close to where she was and leaned on the back of a couch. Les must have had a stunned look on her face because he laughed a little bit. "Did I scare you?" She shook her head. "Bet you weren't expecting me." He circled her. "Bet you were expecting a crotchety old man with a bad temper." He stroked his bare chin as he joked. "Sorry to disappoint." He sat atop the desk and shrugged his shoulders.  

55

Les followed Master Gilroy back through the halls to a room on the first floor. She hoped that meeting whoever this Lord was would answer her questions. Or that he would allow her to speak and ask them. Mostly the burning question was, Why am I here? Though Les was almost glad that she hadn't started asking questions yet. Things hadn't gone poorly yet, she was eager to see what was in store. They finally stopped at a large double door, but before going in, Master Gilroy turned to her. He cleared his throat again. Les wondered if he was sick, or he did it for attention.
"You will enter the study and go to the center of the room. You will bow or curtsy. You will not approach unless he bids you to. You will not speak unless asked to. Nod if you understand." Les tried to keep a neutral face and nodded. He nodded in return and gave her a long hard look. Satisfied, he turned back to the doors and opened them. Then stood aside for Les to enter. She did and Gilroy pulled the doors closed behind her as he left. At the center of the large room was a huge round rug, with a design on it that Les couldn't make out. She walked and stood at the center of it, holding her head high, willing herself to not be afraid or nervous. She didn't see anyone else in the room.  

54

Les was not comfortable with the girls trying to wash and clean her, she felt exposed and violated, even though she knew they were only doing their job. Les knew that some people with servants were treated this way all of the time, but it was not something Les had ever experience before. Eventually, they were able to get her washed, but Les insisted on dressing herself. That is, until she saw what had been laid out for her to wear. Les argued with the girls, that there had been some mistake, but they insisted that the clothes were meant for her. Les had never worn trousers before. When Les asked any other questions of the girls, they refused to answer. They didn't say why she was to wear the trousers and tunic instead of a dress. They didn't say why she was there. They also didn't say anything at all about who the Lord of the house was. If one started to answer, the other would shush her, and their response when pestered was something along the lines of 'It's not my place'. When Master Gilroy returned to collect her, one of the girls was finishing pulling her hair back into a long and intricate braid. He cleared his throat and the girls went to back to standing as they had when they'd entered. Gilroy thanked them, said they'd done a good job, and they were dismissed.

53

Les followed Master Gilroy through the halls, up a flight of stairs, down some more halls and finally to a small room. Through this room was a large bedroom suite. Les figured it was about the size of her entire house. She tried not to gape at it, but failed as she looked around. It was here that Gilroy stopped. Two young girls dressed in the same uniform entered from a side door stood waiting. Gilroy cleared his throat again. And addressed the girls.
"Please have our guest cleaned and pressed, and ready to see the Lord of the house in two hours. She needs to be presentable." At this he gave Les a sidelong glance and a small sneer, insinuating that she was the opposite of presentable. Les smiled nervously. He then turned and headed back towards the main door, pausing for a moment next to Les as if he was going to say something, but continued on his way instead. The girls stood waiting, expectantly, then sprang into action as soon as the door clicked shut behind him.  

52

"I am sure you are hungry from your travels. Dinner has been arranged for you and will be brought out momentarily. After dinner, I will take you to the quarters that have been prepared for you. There you will be washed and changed for your meeting with the Lord of the house. You will not go about the house or grounds exploring without a guide or escort. You may call me Master Gilroy. If you should require anything, please let me know, and I shall see if it is within our means to attain it. Do you have any questions before dinner is served?" Les had had so many questions throughout the day, but was dumbfounded now and couldn't think of anything. So she just shook her head no with wide eyes, then watched Master Gilroy leave the room. Not long after, her dinner was brought out, by a plump old woman in an apron, and she finally discovered what the wondrous smell was. It was a simple plate of meat and veggies with a bit of bread, and served with mulled wine, but it was delicious and hot, and she ate and drank to her full. When she had finished and put down her fork, a younger woman came and took her plate away. She was finishing her wine when Master Gilroy returned. He went out to the door and stood with it open, waiting for her.  

51

A middle aged man stood before her, looking down at her through squinty eyes, as if the site of her hurt him. He wore a black suit and white gloves. Les started to apologize for looking around and peeking in the doorway. She assured the man she hadn't actually heard anything and that she wasn't actually eavesdropping. She spoke nervously and stumbled over her words until the man cleared his throat again and brought her to silence. Once Les had stopped rambling the man, who stood at perfect attention asked her to follow him and turned on his heels and led her further down the hall. Les followed the man at a distance, not wanting to leave Talon behind, but it had seemed that Talon was done leading her, and this man had been expecting her and was her guide for now. So she followed him down the hall and into a great dining room. Les had never seen a table so long, with so many chairs. At the far end, there was a placemat set out with silverware and cups. The man stopped next to the chair and pulled it out. Then he looked sideways at Les, as if he wanted her to sit. So she did. Then he went around the table to address her directly.

50

Only one door stood ajar that she could see, and when she looked, Talons tail disappeared through it. As Les stepped away from the front door, and took her first steps into the hall, it shut behind her. She whirled around to look at it, on her guard. No one was there, so she turned back to follow Talon. That door was closed now as well. Les creeped towards it, not sure if she was supposed to follow, but not wanting to wait around. She very carefully turned the handle and pushed the door in. It was mostly dark inside and when she peaked her head through, she could see that the only light of this room was a fireplace lit up in front of some high backed chairs. Someone sat in the chair whose back was closest to her, that she could not see, Talon was sitting atop the other. The two were speaking in low tones and Les was struggeling to hear them. Then the smell that had drawn her inside caught her nose again in a fuller puff and her stomach again rumbled. Talon looked over at her and the two stopped speaking. At that same moment, someone cleared their throat behind her. Les nearly jumped and she retracted herself from the room, back into the hall.  

49

Les continued to hesitate, unsure of herself. But there was nowhere else to go. She had no idea where they were. She didn't know if she would ever find her way home by herself. So she took her first step forward. The ground crunched beneath her feet. Her footsteps echoed off the high walls. There was no other sound as she walked slowly towards the doors. As she got closer, and stepped into the light cast from the windows and door, she was warmed by the heat they were creating. The difference in temperature was startling. And then her stomach rumbled, as a delicious smell drifted out to her, enticing her to go inside. If Les weren't so groggy she might have questioned the enticing nature of this strange place, but it was so inviting, and she'd gone this far, what was a few more steps? As Les climbed the few steps up towards the door, Talon went inside. Left outside with only the two black armored figures, Les hesitated one last time, then reached for the door's handle. She pushed the door open enough for herself to go inside, then inched her way through. The entrance hall was immaculate. The chandelier that hung from the ceiling and was the only source of light, was almost too bright to look at. So Les looked around the hall to see where she was supposed to go next.

48

Les rolled her eyes and moved towards the door of the carriage. She hesitated a moment longer before pushing through the curtain. Outside, wasn't outside at all. They were in an enclosed driveway. The walls around them reached so tall. Looking up, Les couldn't tell if it was a black sky, or a high ceiling. The area where she stood was dimly lit, but Ahead was a grand entrance to what Les assumed was a castle. Light shone from the windows surrounding the door, it was so bright compared to the dark of where she was that it looked like the sunlight shone from inside. She heard Talon jump down from the carriage behind her. Then the fox started for the grand entrance. There were two of those black knights, like had been surrounding the carriage standing on either side of the doors. Talon stopped in front of them then sat and waited for Les to meet her. Les, who hadn't moved from where she stood since emerging from the carriage, was now suddenly aware of how she looked. Her dress was dirty and torn from when she had fallen in the woods, and rolled on the grass. Her hair was a mess, and she could feel the dried sweat on her skin from running hard before. She was not ready to be brought into a place like this. The doors themselves were more elegant and refined than anything she had ever seen. With the exception of the throne room from the day before.  

47

At least now Les knew that the figure was alive, and not a statue. She was also pretty sure that it was a man, based on the grunt. Though, it could be a woman who just grunted in deeply. Les supposed it didn't matter, she may or may not ever know. She was going to have to be content with that. So she sighed and sat there, letting her mind wonder. Eventually her eyes grew heavy and it was increasingly hard for her to keep her focus. She was lulled to sleep by the monotonous clomping of the horse hooves as they carried on at their slow speed.
When Les awoke, the carriage had stopped and the figure was gone. Talon sat on the bench across from her patiently awaiting her consciousness. Les yawned and stretched and felt a kink in her neck. Sleeping sitting up in a carriage was not comfortable, no matter how nice the interior was. Talon stretched herself and stood.
"Are you ready?" Talon asked. Les had no idea what to expect and was a bit cranky from her nap so she blurted out.

"Ready for what?" She was tired of not knowing where they were going, or what was going on. But still there was a part of her that went willingly. Talon didn't respond, she just sat again and curled her tail around herself.  

46

The inside of the carriage was done up in black and red, in the finest materials. Lit by a small lantern hanging from the center of its ceiling. There were benches on either side covered in a plush velvet. On one of these benches, sat a cloaked and hooded figure, un-moving. Les thought she couldn't have been surprised, so was doubly surprised to see the hooded figure and by her surprise by it. Cautiously, Les took a seat on the opposite bench, and Talon hopped up beside her. She heard the door close and the carriage started to move at it's excruciatingly slow pace. The figure never moved. Les wondered if it were actually just a statue, set there to make her more nervous. It may have been, but Les felt like it was watching her all the same. Les wanted to ask Talon questions again. No longer content to simply follow along in quiet, but the hooded figure continued to make Les feel uneasy, so she kept her mouth shut. Talon hadn't spoken yet either, so Les assumed she wasn't allowed to. But then the fox did speak. Not to her, but at the hooded figure. Talon spoke in such a low whisper, Les might have missed it if her senses weren't all peaked. But Les didn't understand what she said. The hooded figure grunted in response and their conversation was over.  

45

After what felt like hours, the carriage stopped directly in front of them. there were four riders in front leading the carriage, all on black horses, dressed all in black, with black armor. Not a speck of skin showing, not an ounce of differentiation between them. There were four more taking up the rear in the same manner. Not sure what to do, Les looked again at Talon, who was looking contentedly at the carriage door. Les did the same. Perhaps someone was supposed to emerge. Slowly, more slowly than Les imagined possible the door did open, and showed a curtain covering the contents of the inside. Les was not amused, she felt her curiosity had peaked and that nothing would surprise her now. Talon then nudged at her leg, pushing her forward, without saying anything. So she took a deep breath and climbed in.  

44

The number of footsteps multiplied. Dozens of feet stepped and there was something else. Les didn't understand. She glanced at the fox who had her turned towards the sound. Looking like she was expecting whoever was coming there way. Les didn't know what to think. She didn't know where they were going. This wood was farther than she'd ever been from home, and it was an oddity that there was a lamp hanging here, at a crossroads in the wood. Les let her mind wander as the group marched closer to them. She wondered if this fox had been nefarious and set it up to sell her to slavers, or hold her for ransom, or some other terrible deed. But Les remained calm and stood by the fox in silence. Soon, she could make out some shapes coming towards them from the distance. It seemed to be horses, and a closed carriage moving at an excruciatingly slow pace. She then thought the fox had heard them coming and had simply stopped to torment her. Whatever the reason, she stood there and waited.  

43

Les was not sure how long they had walked, nor how far they had traversed. Her feet were aching and her bones throbbed and all of her bumps and bruises from falling were now stinging uncomfortably. Talon didn't dart ahead this time, and Les was grateful for the slower pace, but the fear and anger were slowly returning, ebbed only by thinking about her sore body. It was when they got to a point on the path lit by a lamplight that she nearly forgot her pain, and her curiosity was compounded. The lamp hung from the limb of an enormous tree. Bigger around than any Les could recall having ever seen. Below the lamplight Talon stopped. The path branched off in three directions, each more clear than the one they'd arrived on. The world around them was thick with silence. And then footsteps. At first Les wasn't sure she was actually hearing anything. She thought it was her imagination, until the sound intensified.  

42

"My you make a lot of noise when you run." Talon chided. "Catch your breath. We're almost there." Les fell back onto the grass again and heaved a sigh, wondering again where they were going. When her breathing finally slowed to about normal, she got up. And went to where the fox was.
"Are you going to tell me where we're going?" Talon giggled at her then spun off the stump onto the path in a graceful leap.
"This way. And be quiet." Was all she said and sauntered down the path at a normal pace. Les climbed over the fallen log and followed her. Soon they were once again swallowed up by the darkness of the wood. They walked on in silence, leaving daylight behind.  

41

Up ahead, she could see sunlight peaking through the dense trees. Hope came to her all at once in the hope of breaking free of this thick an terrible woods. She pushed herself on harder as she came closer to the light. Breaking free of the tree line she tripped again and came tumbling into a clearing lit up brightly by the sun. She lay on the grass panting heavily, waiting for any sound behind her, but none came. The fear was all in her head. There was nothing following her. She felt silly now, laying there. Why had she been so afraid? She sat up to survey the clearing. It was not that large, and almost perfectly circular. Surrounded on all sides by the dark wood. The narrow path ran straight through it from where she came in, and out the other side. There was one tree trunk laying across it, from a fallen tree at the other end. And there Talon sat. Watching Les from the stump.

40

The quiet of the wood overwhelmed her. Not only could she not hear Talon, she couldn't hear any animals. There were no creatures scurrying about. No birds chirping in the distance. She couldn't even hear the wind blowing in the trees overhead. When she looked up the trees loomed so tall overhead they blocked out the sky. The only sound was her heavy breathing from following the fox so fast. Les made in the direction she had seen Talon go in. She could barely make out the path they were on now, and was hesitant to continue on. But she could not stay here and hope the fox came back for her. Something else might come before her. The fear welled in her chest. She turned and took off down the path, or at least where she thought the path was heading. She imagined something coming at her from behind and picked up her pace. There could be anyone or anything behind her, watching her, closing in on her. She was filled with terror, that she ran faster than she ever had before in her life. She forgot everything but her fear.

39

After some ways into the dense wood, Les began to grow uneasy and asked Talon where they were headed. the fox did not answer, simply went on more quickly and bade Les to keep up. Les did her best to keep up and not trip over her feet or anything. They had left the main path and were on a route less traveled and unkempt. She silently chastised herself for following a talking fox she hardly knew deep into a dark wood, without knowing where they were going. What was she thinking? But still they went on. Les could feel her anger and fear start to build as they went on. She was afraid of what could lie ahead of them, if something should lay in wait for them. If this was a trap. She was angry with herself for trusting the fox and not thinking, the one thing she thought she was good at. Numerous times Les considered turning back, each time she stayed. Perhaps curiosity kept her going. The fox was moving so quickly now, there were times that Les would lose sight of her. She did not want to be lost in these woods, she knew she wouldn't be able to find her way out if she did. Then Les did lose site of her behind a tree and at that moment, Les tripped. By the time she got to her feet, she couldn't even hear the foxes light footsteps.  

38

When she arrived at the bridge, the fox was not there waiting. Les leaned on the railing of the bridge and watched the water trickle through the small creek. So intently was she watching, she didn't notice the shadow of the fox as it steadied itself next to her elbow and looked on with her.
"Are we looking at something specific?" Talon asked and Les jumped, almost knocking herself over and hitting the fox off the railing. The fox was fast though and dodged out of the way in time.
"Did I scare you?" The fox laughed. "So sorry! I must have been lost in thought. Are you alright?" The fox nodded and swooshed her tail. Les wasn't sure what to say next. So they sat there in a growing silence. Then Talon got up and sauntered to the end of the bridge.
"Come with me strange one." Without much hesitation Les got up, dusted herself off and followed Talon down the path deeper into the woods.