Mae survived by her wits. A short sword, bow and quiver, hunting knife, staff and spear afforded her livelihood. Her horse, Jip, was her only companion. Meat and fur sold at market kept Mae in the steel implements she had to have. She lived simple, as her mother, Fairlynn had taught Mae.

Before winter came and her breezes chilled the bones Mae went into market. Market was always busy, noisy, loud and dirty. That day was even worse than usual. Jip barely stayed under Mae’s control as they walked into the market. The mare nearly dumped the heavy load of fur and goods she carried. Trumpets sounded from the city gates to announce the Prince’s coming. Trumpeters parted the crowd by blowing loudly ahead of the scarlet banners that marked the Prince’s position. Jip balked at the sound. She stood directly in the way of the Prince’s entourage Mae could not make Jip move no matter how she pulled or slapped or cursed. A rider wearing the king’s crest cantered to where Jip stood.

“Move by order of the Prince of Xanthos.” the rider shouted, his face set in a fierce expression. Mae tried very hard to get Jip to move by pulling on the bit but the mare wouldn’t move one inch.

“Move this animal or I shall kill it.” Mae didn’t care for the rider’s way but again she tried to move Jip to no avail. The rider dismounted his war horse and pulled a knife from his belt. The ruddy faced rider pushed Mae aside to kill Jip. Mae took the knife from the rider before he could slice the horse’s throat. He turned around, puzzled to se Mae holding the knife, ready to fight.

“Ranger, stand aside!” A strong but formal voice boomed from a huge war horse. The sun came from behind the figure on the war horse, blocking the sun and hiding his face. Mae just stood still, ready to strike. The rider slid from the well oiled saddle easily.

He looked like a sun drop. All Mae saw was a man with white-blonde hair, a well tanned face and startling, ice blue eyes. Those eyes made Mae’s heart stand still.

“Forgive him; he has no respect for anyone.” Mae knew by the manners and dress that this was Prince Xander. She turned the knife over to the Prince by the handle. Prince Xander accepted the knife. The young woman standing before him was quite intriguing. She was gracefully built, beguiling but child-braids.

“What is your name?” Xander commanded.

“I am Mae, daughter of Fairlynn. “She spoke coolly, as though they were equal.

“Mae, have you a way of making a living?” She felt him sizing her up, evaluating her.

“Yes, Your Highness, selling my furs.” Mae patted Jip’s load. Prince Xander wished for a reason to speak with Mae farther but he could not.

“Good luck with your furs.” He made a stiff, short bow then mounted his horse. Mae took Jip by the harness and led her away to the stall where she sold furs. The crowd went on about its business and so did Prince Xander.

The woods were quiet, just the usual noises; deer, squirrels, birds and other animals. Jip plodded along happily; glad to be away from the smell and the noise of the city. Mae was glad too. She was still a little dazed from her encounter with Prince Xander. Unknown to her, Prince Xander was nearby. He rode cautiously; his guards were on the look out for anything and everything.

Suddenly it was quiet in the woods, too quiet. No birds sang. Mae became aware of it when she saw Jip’s ears perk up. Soldiers in light armor began moving stealthily along the ridges above the road Mae was taking. She gripped Jip’s reigns in one hand and her staff in the other. They didn’t pay Mae any attention so she kept walking until they were all past her. Without any indecision Mae pulled her sword, tied Jip to a tree limb and went after them.

Prince Xander’s party rode along the road. The fall sun warmed their backs. A slight breeze drifted down from the ridge and eased the stillness. Just as if the breeze brought them the soldiers swept down on Xander and his men. Before they knew it the Prince’s men were surrounded. Xander ordered his men to fight. Mae arrived in the thick of the battle. Prince Xander’s white-blonde hair caught her attention. He fought hard in the center of the fracas. Mae began felling attackers around the Prince. They were the only survivors of the battle. All around them lay Xander’s men and the stealth soldiers. Horses were no where to be found and Xander stood looking around covered in a wash of blood.

“Are you injured?” Mae asked, holding her stomach. Blood gushed from a wound beneath her hand.

“No, I made it out just fine.” Xander just in time to see Mae sway on her feet then fall. Her face was pale and her breathing labored. He rushed to her side.

“Where are you hurt?” He moved her hand away from the wound. There were splotches of blood everywhere.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there sooner.” Mae spoke through gritted teeth.

“No words now, just calm down.” Xander pulled Mae’s jerkin off and raised her shirt to see the wound. He placed his right hand on the wound and held Mae’s hand with the left. A white-hot pain began to sear through the wound then she began to feel it closing as Xander concentrated. Sweat poured and his hands shook as he tensed up. Then she felt Xander collapse over top of her, pinning her to the ground. In a few moments he pulled himself up, off of her and he lay on the ground. Mae tried to sit up, but she was so sore it hurt. Instead she whistled high and sharp. It was a signal for Jip to come. Mae had taught Jip to undo the slip knot and come when she heard the whistle. Jip came trotting down the road right to Mae. Using the reigns and Jip’s saddle Mae pulled herself to her feet. Prince Xander lay unconscious on the blood soaked ground. Some fresh, cold water woke the Prince up quickly.

“We need to get out of here, who ever sent those soldiers Mae send someone looking for them when they don’t come back.” Mae stood up with Jip’s support.

“You’ll have to ride double with me “Xander wasn’t sure she could ride at all.

“Where do you think we should go?” Xander stiffly got to his feet.

“I know a cave where no one can find us.” Mae smiled secretly. Her brown eyes looked at Xander knowingly. He never questioned her. Like thieves they snuck through the woods. Mae guided Jip to the cave without much effort. She leaned heavily on Xander as they neared the entrance. Large bushes and rocks hid the opening. Leaves and pine needles covered their tracks. Xander swung down first and lifted Mae from Jip’s back and carried her into the cave. Mae loved being swept off of her feet. She didn’t see Xander as a beautiful sun drop, now he was a caring angel.

The cave was high but narrow in the first room. The second was more like a room in a house. It had firewood, jugs of wine, food and pallets of fur and rough, cheap cotton. Xander lay Mae down on the nearest pallet then went back out for Jip. He tied her to a picket, took off the saddle and carried it into the second room along with the saddle bags and bed roll. Mae watched while Xander built a fire in the natural pit and fixed oat cakes with honeyed tea. She would have bet money that he didn’t know anything about doing for himself.

Xander enjoyed doing for Mae. Her grateful smile when he carried her in was genuine. He wanted to know so much more about Mae: everything. Mae was hungry and the oat cakes were bland but they were crisp and a means of getting the sweet molasses from the plate to the mouth. Xander ate slowly and carefully, while Mae ate faster and messier.

“I shall take first watch. We can talk and figure out what to do next in the morning. “Xander volunteered.

“Jip will let us know if anything is amiss outside.” Mae made her self comfortable in the pallet. Xander lay down too, but he couldn’t sleep as well as Mae did.

“Where are you headed, Your Highness?” Mae asked, yawning as she stretched.

“To warn my cousin, King Dalen, his kingdom has just been restored recently.” Xander sighed and rubbed his face with his hand. All was silent. Mae’s eyelids drooped and she soon fell asleep. Xander watched her for a while. Her real age was undeterminable her origin; unknown. He too fell asleep. Jip stood on watch that night, her velvet ears heard everything.

The next morning they got up near dawn and ate the rest of the oat cakes. Xander asked Mae to lead him to the Ferber Castle. She didn’t answer him right off. Mae just continued to pack her gear up and put things back the way they were.

“Why should I guide you the castle, what’s in it for me?” her dark eyes were narrowed as they looked at Xander.

“A lifetime’s worth of gold and my eternal thanks.” He had to admit Mae was cunning for all her backwoods ways. Her steady gaze unnerved Xander.

“I want to go back with you to Xanthos, see how other folks live for a change, and the gold.” That answer completely threw Xander for a loop. He thought how interesting it would be to see Mae in a ball gown with her hair arranged and jewelry on.

“That is reasonable, you have a deal.” Xander smiled and shook her hand.

Trudy and Dalen worked feverishly to get the country back on its feet. Dalen stroked Trudy’s auburn hair as she slept. She was dreaming pleasant, floaty dreams. He lay down on the bid bed beside her. Trudy slept for hours and dreamed sweet, nonsense dreams, sometimes fantasy dreams of long winter nights spent with Dalen. Loving her right would take a lifetime. Dalen looked forward to it. There was so much to do. It all waited until they went back to Osbert Village. Trudy wanted to introduce Dalen to her parents and to show them that she was alright. It was while they were there that they decided to get married. Ellick and Clarice were overjoyed when Trudy told them the news. Josey insisted that the wedding take place at the inn where everyone could be there. Stubert only grunted at the idea but didn’t make a fuss about it. Clarice made the dress and suit that Trudy and Dalen wore. Melody fixed Trudy’s hair and helped her mother with the cooking and other preparations. All of Osbert turned out to see Trudy’s wedding. It was a historic day to the village. Stories of the things she did as a child were told everywhere. Trudy’s wedding was a surprise that most thought would never happen.

“I can’t believe that Trudy is getting married.” Ellick shook his head as he whispered it in Clarice’s ear. It was like rubbing salt in an open wound to Clarice that Trudy was married and Melody wasn’t, but she put on a smile and held her tongue.

The late summer day was beautiful with a clear sky and a nice breeze. The trees swayed as Berthold began the ceremony. Trudy stood beside Dalen in her beautiful, white dress, its round neck accentuated shoulders and drew attention down to the handkerchief sleeves at her wrists. The same sassy, handkerchief hem gave her an almost hourglass figure. Dalen looked very dashing in his dark boots, black breeches and vest. The black vest was embroidered with his family crest on one side and Trudy’s family stripes on the other. Berthold chuckled slightly to himself before he began speaking.

“I have had the great privilege of watching Trudy Peerson grow up, she was always with her father in the woods, honing her skills in the woods. I am sure that these skills served her well on her successful journey to find the Amulets that have been lost to the world for so long. On this journey she was also successful in another aspect of her life, finding the man who was courageous enough to marry her.” The entire crowd laughed at that remark. Trudy didn’t appreciate it at all and glared at Berthold intensely. He stopped laughing and continued, but he shifted uneasily from one burdened foot to the other as he did.

“We are here today to see this young couple marry, Do you, King Dalen of Ferber take Trudy Peerson as your wife and Queen?”

“Yes”

“Do you, Trudy Peerson daughter of Ellick and Clarice Peerson of Osbert Village, take King Dalen of Ferber as your husband and King?”

“Yes.” Trudy smiled as she looked into Dalen’s eyes. They clasped hands.

“With the blessing of your parents, Trudy, and both of your willingness I pronounce you husband and wife as Great High Councilman of Osbert and your father’s old friend. Bless this union.” Everyone cheered as Trudy and Dalen kissed. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground. The Amulets, who had stayed out of sight, then began to dance around them and make a beautifully colored mist that sparkled, red, green, purple, white and black. After the wedding a bunch of Ellick’s friends all went over to Stubert’s for beer and food. Clarice helped Josey with the serving, dishes, and cooking. Dalen and Trudy, along with most of the other couples in town, danced, sang and ate until way into the night. Ellick and Clarice stayed over at the inn so that Trudy and Dalen could have the house for their honey moon. Together they walked to the little house outside the village that Trudy and every generation of the Peerson family since anyone could remember were born in. Dalen held her hand as they walked. The Amulets shone like little, colored lanterns around them as they walked slowly. Trudy laid her head on Dalen’s shoulder and sighed.

“What is the plan from here on out?” her voice was tired sounding.

“I’m going to spend the rest of my life loving you and taking care of you and the kingdom, if you’ll help me we can rebuild the kingdom back to the solid kingdom my father had.” Dalen kissed Trudy’s temple.

“We can do anything if we’re together.” Dalen loved the certainty in her voice.

They spent the next few days in Osbert before going back to Ferber Castle. Clarice and Melody were glad to see Trudy go, Ellick was deeply saddened. He watched them ride off toward the mountains with tears in his eyes. “Good-bye, Trudy, I’ll miss you.” He sighed heavily and thought of his daughter and of someone else she reminded him of from very long ago.

Dalen and Trudy spent weeks rebuilding and reorganizing the kingdom. They toured extensively. Scribes often stayed behind to record population, histories of the area and nobles. Corruption was investigated and dealt with immediately and harshly. The people loved their king and his new bride. The Amulets helped Dalen and Trudy fix the problems that the Charmer had brought. When Trudy and Dalen finally got back to Ferber Castle snow filled the passes and cut off all ways in.

Kolos sat pouring over all f the information he had collected on the Amulets and Trudy. The Charmer had taught him everything he knew about the Amulets. Kolos knew their specialties and what the texts said about focusing their powers. He wanted them, badly. Kolos especially wanted the Black Amulet and its unknown powers. His Lair was wall-to-wall scroll cubby holes. A courtyard lay in sunshine outside. Vines clung to the limestone walls in thick tendrils. On a bench, near the wall lay a staff, a short sword and a long bow.

“My lord, Calera is here to speak with you.” The words brought Kolos out of his daydream, the Amulets would have to wait, for now.

Calera was the Charmer’s great-niece. She was tall, blonde and could tempt any man and defeat most of them in battle. A commanding presence was her specialty; also among her tricks was stealth and brute force.

“Hello, Love, how goes the search for the Amulets?” The scent of honeysuckle pervaded the room. Kolos stood brooding in the doorway between his Lair and the courtyard.

“I’ve got news, but it isn’t all in our favor, my old rival, Dalen, protects them, he has switched back to the Light.” Kolos’ dark eyes would have turned a man to stone.

“Can he be drawn back to the Darkness?” Calera swished her long, straight, blonde hair. She wore tall, sleek, calf skin boots, her black blouse was tightly fitted, with a low neck line finished with flowing sleeves of sheer material and a flowing, split skirt. Kolos thought (mistakenly) that Dalen might be brought back if he saw Calera.

Calera purposely teased Kolos with her charms; a look, a smile, conversation, touch, it all served to keep Kolos with in her reach. She wanted the Amulets too, but didn’t want to share them with Kolos. They were more likely to be stolen with Kolos powers than with Calera’s armies.

“Where is my opponent for today, bring out the prisoner.” Kolos demanded with a roar. A man in chains was brought out from the Lair. A guard released him from his chains and a short sword was thrust into his hands. Kolos attacked his opponent with fervor, thrusting his sword just a breath away from the man’s throat. For so long Dalen had beaten him just as he beat his opponent now. Kolos bested Dalen in their studies, but it mattered little to Dalen. Resentment burned in Kolos that Dalen was more gifted and cared so little about it. To him Dalen was more handsome, smarter a better swordsman and a few million other small things her excelled at over Kolos. He was determined to win, to prove himself the better of the two. The other man lay bleeding upon the grass, sweat dripping down his pale face.

“Kolos, your dinner is prepared.” Calera’s sticky sweet voice called from the Lair. Her striking figure was framed in the doorway. The breeze made her long, blonde hair sway behind her. Kolos gave his opponent a quick death, using his sword to slash the man’s bared throat as he lay on the ground. Blood spurted everywhere as the man’s bounding heart was still working. Drops of it splattered Kolos’ face. He called to a page, which came running.

“Clean these weapons and move that body, get going!” Kolos threw the sword at the boy. The boy’s eyes were wide as saucers. Kolos dropped his breast plate to the ground and stalked off toward Calera. His fire was aroused.

Xander woke up before dawn, as usual. His clothes smelled badly of sweat and blood. Mae slept soundly as he slipped to of the cave to wash. A few hundred yards away a brook gurgled. Xander pulled off his leather riding jerkin and his shirt to let them soak weighted down by a rock. As they soaked Xander washed himself. The water was cool and sweet. Morning air filled his nostrils as the water rolled down the expanse of his back. The thought of the men he’d lost the day before troubled him. They had all been good and loyal men. It felt a shame to Xander. That was all history now. The next goal was to get to Dalen as soon as he could.

Mae woke up when Xander came back into the cave carrying his wet shirt and vest.

“Good morning, Your Highness,” Mae yawned and pushed off the fur covers. Xander stoked the fire and warmed himself.

“Morning, how are you, do you think you can ride today?” Xander was tan beneath his shirt. It was a very interesting sight to Mae as she watched him stoke the fire and stir up a batch of pancakes.

“Yes, I think that I can ride, where are we going?” Mae stretched as she stood up.

“The Ferber Mountains, to Cousin Dalen’s kingdom is our destination.” He flipped the pancakes out with ease.

“That’s nearly a month’s journey form here, we have to go through Osbert Village and the Great Glade, I’ve hunted there before, Osbert is a very quaint, little village, the keeper of the Amulets came from there, and her family should help us once they know of our mission.” All the while Mae talked she stretched. First from side to side then she started to do toe touches, next she began to do toe touches as she sat on the floor, her legs out like a doll’s. It amazed Xander to watch it. They ate quickly and began to pack their meager gear. Together they rode Jip on to Osbert village. The leaves fell slowly around the forest. Beautiful, vivid color filled the horizon. Mae rode in front of Xander all the way to Osbert. At first he helped her to sit up on Jip’s back when she got tired. Those arms around her waist felt strange. Mae had never been around men except to haggle and barter furs. Now and again, when loneliness for another’s voice drove her, Mae crept into a tavern along a trading route. There she would sip ale and listen to what ever bard was staying. They told stories; tragedies, comedies and sang songs of battles and love. If things were quiet Mae would stay for a day or two. She knew of love between men and women. More correctly she knew the method by which children were made and birthed. Opportunity had never presented itself to Mae for such actions. Now she felt a strange yearning as Xander embraced her.

Xander kept quiet on the ride. Jip walked steadily all the way, never seeming to tire. Thoughts drifted through his mind. He tried to plan out what he was going to do after he warned Dalen of Kolos and got back home. Xanthos would need him to take over soon. A queen would have to be chosen and an heir produced soon after. Xander wasn’t particularly attracted to any of the court women in Xanthos. They were weak and silly, of little interest really. Mae on the other hand was interesting. She was a total mystery.

Stubert warmed himself in the fall sunshine. The village was quiet. Trudy being gone had an effect on the place. The rest of the hunters in the village were king of blue without her. They bought more ale with Trudy gone. Two riders on one horse came walking into Osbert from the south. The man behind was tall and blonde he was supporting a small, dark woman on a sorrel. It was rare for strangers to come from the south. The man and woman’s clothes were covered in blood stains. When they got near the man lifted the woman down onto the ground, then slid off the horse himself.

“Hello is this Osbert?” the man asked with some authority. Stubert answered, “It is, passing through” the dark woman stood petting the horse and whispering to it.

“No, my friend and I are looking for Ellick Peerson.” About that time a tall woman came out of the door from behind Stubert.

“What business do you have with my father?” The woman stood nearly as tall as Xander. She carried a blonde baby on her hip.

“His daughter guards the Ferber Amulets; I’m going to warn her about a plot to get the Amulets.” Xander explained, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

“That sounds preposterous.” She shifted the child to her other hip and stood her ground.

“Who Mae I ask are you, ma’am? He asked annoyed.

“I am Trudy’s older sister, Josey.” She didn’t back down as Xander stepped nearer.

“Mae I see your hand, please?” The woman handed her baby to the ugly, little man behind her, and then she gave him her hand. Xander took it and began to concentrate on the story he had to tell. It began to unfold before her; Trudy’s adulthood ceremony, Asa and his death, and Trudy’s strange journey to the Amulets. The woman drew away from Xander with skepticism.

“I’ll take you to see our father, let me get my shawl.” The ugly man who stood behind her didn’t seem to mind how Josey handled the situation.

“Thank you, we would appreciate that, I am Xander from Xanthos, this is my guide, Mae.” Xander treated Josey with more respect. Mae watched the whole exchange. The wriggling and cooing of the baby fascinated her. Its little, blonde curls rustled in the light breeze. Mae’s stomach growled loud enough for everyone to hear. Xander asked,

“Could we get something to eat before we see Mr. Peerson?”

“Oh, yes, I should have asked.” Josey shook her head as she led them all inside. Mae walked into the waddle and daub inn hesitantly. Xander followed her closely. In the inn they sat around a table before the fire. Josey hurried into the kitchen. Xander was tired. Gladly he sat down on the bench at the table.

“Have you traveled far?” Stubert asked roughly to make conversation. The baby sat on the table facing him.

“Yes, from Xanthos, two weeks journey from here.” He sighed as he leaned on the table.

“It’s a rough time to be traveling into the mountains, the weather can change in no time. “ Stubert let the baby play with his fingers. It pulled two of them in opposite directions until he took them away from it and began to tickle the baby. Xander turned to Mae who was absorbed in the baby and mentioned that the needed to get a few things for the continued trip. She didn’t pay much attention. When she turned to look at him his mouth was turned down into a half frown. Mae thought that he looked like a little boy studying on something.

Food arrived a few moments later. It was simple fare; meat, bread, and vegetables. Josey talked almost non-stop. She asked questions galore. The most pointed one was; “Are you two a couple?” Mae’s eyes widened with amusement. Xander had to take a swift drink of ale to keep from choking.

“No, no, she saved my life a week ago, she was seriously hurt, and Mae knows the area where we are going.” Josey blushed brightly and began to eat what she’d ladled out for herself. After they had eaten Josey led them to her father’s house. Xander helped Mae back onto Jip and they rode behind Josey as she walked. Mae held her own as she rode, but her knuckles were white when Xander helped her off. A lazy wisp of smoke drifted up from the neat house.

“Mother, Father, we have guests.” Josey called out loudly. A washed and weary looking woman came out. Mae looked around her, the creek bubbled and pine trees swayed a little in the breeze. She enjoyed the earthy smell of the trees. She let Xander and Josey go on inside while she stayed outside.

The summer had been good to Ellick. His smoke house was full of meat and there was fur enough for the trading. Ellick hunted most of the time, but it wasn’t the same with Trudy gone. It made him feel closer to her when he was in the woods.

Josey sat down with Ellick and Xander. She had quite a story to tell.

“Father, this is Xander from Xanthos to the south. He is here on his way to warn Dalen and Trudy about the Charmer’s apprentice, Kolos. Kolos has a plan to get the Amulets” Josey’s words poured out fast. Ellick listened with a growing look of concern.

“It is just as I had feared; I had seen more activity in the forest. The herds have changed their territory, a sure sign of being hunted elsewhere. What can I do to help?” Ellick leaned closer; his broad chest slightly heaved from and deep sighs.

“My best fighting men were killed on the road between Xanthos and Theronia, even my horse was killed.” Xander paused as he thought to himself, “Now I know why white horses are only for ceremony, they make good targets.”

“My guide and I need outfitted to travel. I think that a small group will travel faster and with less attention.”

As if on time in a play Mae came through the door. She took the scene in with a quick glance. Josey, Ellick and Xander sat talking around the table. In another corner of the room sat the weary looking woman Mae assumed was Ellick’s wife. She was sitting at a loom and beside her was a girl about Mae’s age helping her. The girl had the woman’s crisp blue eyes. Josey also had those crisp, blue eyes. There was definitely a family resemblance among the girls.

“Am I interrupting something?” Mae asked no one in particular.

“We were just going over what supplies we needed, what will we need in the mountains, you know the area better than I do. “ Xander scooted down on the bench so that Mae could sit down. Ellick watched her closely as she moved.

“We will need warm clothes and snow shoes, weapons of course, and I need to gather a few herbs and such that Mae come in handy later.” The girl had been listening intently to the conversation. Out of the blue she asked, “What do you need herbs for?”

“Melody, that’s her business.” Ellick spoke firmly.

“That’s alright, Sir, I need the herbs to make healing tonics, poultices and tea.” Mae smiled as she answered,”My mother taught me the herbal ways as well as the way of the woods.” Ellick watched Mae very closely; he took everything about her in.

“I have clothes that should fit them, Ellick’s should fit Xander and Maebe a few of Trudy’s things could be fixed for Mae.” Clarice rose from her loom and walked over to a tall, wide chest. She took out a new pair of breeches and a new shirt. Graying blonde hair got away from the bun at the back of Clarice’s head. Digging deeper into the chest she came out with a few things that looked smaller. “These should fit, Trudy out grew them before she could wear them out.” She sighed. Ellick could see that Clarice missed Trudy even if they didn’t get along.

“I’ll take you to the stable tomorrow for a horse, I believe we can outfit you right here.” Ellick thumped his hand on the table to affirm the point. Josey had to leave for home before dark. Mae slept in Trudy’s attic room while Xander insisted on sleeping in the barn.

After breakfast Ellick took Xander to the stables in Osbert to get another horse. He came back with a dark brown horse that seemed high-spirited. Mae didn’t like the way he skirted the worst of the road. Mae helped Clarice and Melody with the herbs and an outfit each of new clothes and winter gear. Clarice’s chest seemed bottomless. It was odd to Mae to see so many clothes in one place. Near the bottom lay a soft pink colored dress. When Mae saw it she had to pull it out.

“That is beautiful, you made this?” Mae asked, almost transfixed.

“Yes, would you like to have it? Trudy was about fifteen when I made it for her wedding. She wasn’t able to wear it, she outgrew it. You take it.”

“Thank you, Clarice.” Mae’s eyes were misty when she turned to take it to the attic.

All the supplies were gathered by supper time. Mae decided to wear the dress to supper as a surprise. She bathed and slipped into it. The dress was floor length and body hugging with a scoop neck, a sheer, flowing poncho-style cover that was intricately woven and dyed to match the dress. It was trimmed in pine colored, wooden beads. The dress hugged her every curve, clinging to her small waist and firm breast. The poncho’s drapes accentuated the fullness of Mae’s figure. Mae had never looked prettier. Her dark braids hung down her shoulders to her waist.

The table was set and everything was ready when Ellick and Xander came in to the house. Clarice had made stew and baked two loaves of bread for supper. Xander and Ellick walked in and sat down with Clarice and Melody. Xander looked around for a second puzzled, “Where is Mae?” That’s when she came out of the bedroom. Ellick was stunned to see Mae, it hit him how he knew her, but he wasn’t about to let on. Xander’s reaction took center stage as Ellick masked his. Mae’s face shone with a smile. Everything took Xander’s breath away.

“You look…” He couldn’t finish, words failed him. Mae’s confidence waned.

“You don’t like it.” Xander gaped like a fish out of water.

“No, no, I just don’t know how to say how much I do like it, that’s all.” He sputtered but Mae liked his response anyway. She smiled brighter. All through supper Xander stole side-ways glances at Mae. He wished the young women of Xanthos looked as healthy and honest as Mae.

Ellick too stole glances, but he wasn’t happy about what he saw. Mae was Fairlynn’s daughter, no mistake. After supper Ellick whisked Clarice out of the house. They stayed outside for a long time. Eventually it got so late that Xander just had to tear himself away from Mae and go to the barn to sleep. She bid him goodnight at the door of the hut. The fire light behind her and the late hour made her seem to glow as Xander left. Ellick and Clarice stood close together by the paddock. They didn’t notice Xander go into the barn. Hushed tones reached Xander’s ears but he couldn’t make the words out. Xander was just settling down on a blanket he’d spread over some straw when he heard Clarice’s voice very clearly.

“For her sake, Ellick, you must tell Mae’s she’s your daughter, she has to know sometime!” Xander paid closer attention to the conversation.

“Fairlynn never told her, why should I. She’s a half-Wanderer. Mae has been raised as a Wander. Being my daughter would only complicate her life.” Ellick’s tone was final. The conversation was over then. Mae being a Wanderer raised questions and explained a lot. Xander laid awake thinking about it for a long time. Wanderers were few in number, very wise, skilled in herbal healing, combat and tracking. Xander had only read about them. He’d never actually saw one for himself. Going into the mountains with Mae felt better knowing she was a Wanderer.

Melody stood watching Xander sleeping. His blonde hair was rumpled and he lay stretched out on a blanket spread out over hay in the loft. Mae’s name had escaped his lips several times. It galled Melody that all of her sisters were married and gone from home. Now even her half-sister had someone. Melody felt like she never had a chance after she overheard (on purpose) her parents talking the night before. She put it all away, sighed and woke Xander by saying his name. Startled, his ice-blue eyes snapped open. He wished it had been Mae as he had dreamed, but it was only Ellick’s daughter, what was her name, Miriam, Margaret, Melody, something. Not remembering didn’t bother Xander in the least.

“Oh, good morning,” Xander spoke through a yawn. He stretched and got to his feet. The girl stood watching him out of the corner of her eye as she pretended to watch a bird on the window sill.

“Morning, breakfast is almost ready.” Her words were soft and pretty as she looked up at Xander with her wide, innocent eyes.

“Good.” Xander gathered his boots and pulled them on as he stood. The girl bent to pick up the blanket he had slept on, showing ample cleavage. It was especially for Xander’s benefit, no doubt. There was no sincere coyness about the girl. Unimpressed Xander jumped from the loft to the barn floor, about eight feet. He was graceful as a cat.

Melody had to use the ladder. By the time she made it down Xander was opening the door to the house. Melody stormed after him. Unfortunately, she was so angry that she missed the bridge across the creek and tripped, falling head first into the water. A blood curdling scream made everyone rush out of the house. They found Melody muddy, drenched and holding her wrist. Ellick and Clarice helped her up the bank and into the house. Mae laughed out a hearty, body shaking laugh. Xander frowned at her and shook his head in disapproval. He couldn’t deny that it was funny.

Mae and Xander ate breakfast with them after Melody changed clothes and washed up. As they at Xander watched Ellick watch Mae. He couldn’t imagine what was going through the older man’s mind. Mae was his daughter, but he felt he couldn’t tell her.

Mae finished breakfast quickly. Her manners weren’t perfect but they were better than some he’d seen at court. After putting her dishes in the sink Mae whispered in Xander’s ear,

“I’ll meet you in the barn.” Turning to Ellick she said,

“Mr. Peerson, thank you for your help.” They shook hands and Mae walked confidently out to the barn. Ellick sighed deeply and finished his bite of wheat cake.

“Thank you very much for your hospitality, Mr. Peerson, and please thank your daughter Josey for us.”

“Thank you, Xander, I hope that you have a safe journey, please tell Trudy that we miss her.” Ellick’s voice was tired and old sounding. Xander put his dishes away and joined Mae at the barn. Xander saw Jip standing beside the supplies waiting on Mae as he got out the door. The mare had spread her saddle blanket on her back. Mae never knew how the mare managed it but she did. The horses were both waiting for them. In no time they were saddled and ready to go. Mae noticed that Xander looked well rested and eager to go. She wished that she was. There had been strange dreams. Fairlynn had appeared to Mae in all of them.

“Are you ready to ride Mae, will your wound bother you?” Xander interrupted Mae’s thoughts.

“I’ll be just fine, there’s a tonic for later in my saddle bag.” Jip rolled her head and eye back to look at Mae. Sometimes the horse was a mind reader, which annoyed Mae.

“I’ll be fine.” The words came out louder than Mae intended. She mounted her horse and sat waiting for Xander. He just shook his head as he mounted his horse and took the pack mule’s reigns. They set off towards the west, towards the Ferber Mountains. The trees were beginning to change color around the edges. The earthy scent of the woods made Mae feel at home again. Xander let her take the lead in silence.

Kolos gathered his intelligence together. He had a network of spies along the road ways that crossed the Great Glade and Ferber Kingdom. Calera, looking good, as always, stood behind Kolos. Her warm hands rubbed his shoulders. Their steely grip could be felt through his thick, leather jerkin. Calera knew how to manipulate a man, turn him into her slave. She wasn’t about to sleep with anyone though. As a virgin Wanderer she could live forever.

“Have you learned anything new?” Calera whispered in Kolos’ ear. Sometimes she was like having a burr under his saddle.

“A few things of consequence, have your rebuilt after they wiped them out?” Kolos knew that Calera hated having her tactics used against her.

“I’m still working on it.” Her voice was tense. Kolos enjoyed the tension in Calera’s voice. The little, blonde vixen wasn’t infallible. He turned back to the scroll he read and began making notes on sheet of damp clay. Calera turned and stalked off.

Xander and Trudy rode together like they had done it all their lives. The nights were getting colder and the frost getting thicker. They were glad of the extra clothes that Clarice had made them pack. One morning as they began for the day Mae asked out of the blue,

“How do you think Kolos will attack King Dalen?” Mae rode along the rough path easily.

“He will have a force of soldiers and mercenaries most likely.” The words came out strained as the horse Xander rode decided for itself where it wanted to go.

“Won’t the Amulets defeat them easily?” Xander had to pay attention to his picky horse. The stallion acted as if it didn’t want to get its precious hooves wet.

“Kolos is a powerful wizard, he probably has the Spell of Nullification, it was first used during the Great War when one wizard had enough power to make a magical shield against the Amulets for himself.” Jip strolled on dutifully as Xander fussed at his horse and Mae watched.

“He doesn’t like the mud on his hooves and he says your tail bone is too pointed.” Mae blurted out as Xander’s horse dodged a mud hole.

“How did you know?” Xander asked in disbelief.

“Jip told me.”

“How?” Xander demanded.

“She sends me messages. I can see things as she would see them. Jip thinks you have a cute behind.” About that time Jip let out a high, giggly kind of a neigh and shook her head. Xander believed it. He spurred his horse on leaving them behind. Mae just knew that he was blushing, which made her smile.

It began to get cold as the sun set. The evening shadows made goose bumps on Xander’s skin. They rode until they shivered.

“Let’s make camp.” Xander suggested through chattering teeth.

“I thought you were going to ride all night.” He just rolled his eyes at Mae’s sarcasm. The wind blew gently and coldly on the travelers. They weren’t out of the Great Glade forests yet so Mae made use of stand of young spruce trees. They blocked the wind and made it tolerable. Needles covered the ground beneath the trees. Mae was glad to stop and rest.

“Who is cooking?” Mae asked. She had slid down from Jip’s back

“Must be you cooking because I can’t cook.” Xander dismounted, his stallion shook itself and swished its tail in Xander’s face as he stood by its hind legs.

“There’s a first time for everything, now is the time to learn.” Mae shot back, her hands rested on her hips, determination sparked in her eyes. Xander wasn’t about to cook. He rounded his horses hind quarters to stand face-to-face with Mae.

“I am not about to cook, that’s your job.” Xander stood his ground as Mae glared at him. He knew he’d starve before she’d cook for him.

“Since when are you the boss of me?” Mae’s eyes sparked like flint and steel in the low light of day. About that time Xander’s finicky stallion trotted up and between them. The horse bit Mae on the right shoulder quite hard even through her jerkin. Jip came up on Mae’s left and stood very close. Mae and Xander continued to argue so the stallion switched tactics. He bit Mae on the butt. Xander laughed as Mae slapped the stallion as if he were human. Jip shook her mane and snorted in exasperation. Xander felt sorry for the stallion. Mae’s temper was already hot and his butt biting was a bad idea. Jip intervened by laying her head on Mae’s shoulder. Xander watched as Mae began her vision. Not to be left out Xander laid his hand on Jip’s mane to see.

A young man turned cart wheels in the courtyard of a castle. It was summer time and there were birds and flowers all around them. He was straw blond with a dark, uneven goatee that suited his wild jester’s costume. Mae marveled at the costume’s strange color scheme. There wee orange stockings on the jester’s long legs, his doublet was black trimmed in pink, slime green and yellow stripes. The bells on the tips of his pointed shoes tinkled constantly as he tumbled about. A beautiful woman bid him;

“Tell us a joke good jester!” the jester flopped down on the ground with his legs crossed in mock concentration ad rocked from side-to-side. A sudden smile came on his expressive face and the jester jumped to his nimble feet. A younger, shorter woman stood beside the other woman. They stood and listened as the jester told funny stories and did some tumbling.

The next scene was later, in early spring. The younger woman and the jester were again in the courtyard. They were wrapped up in each other’s arms. The woman’s dark, curly head was on his shoulder. She only came up to his shoulder but he was slightly more than average height.

“Why did that ole, stupid wizard have to curse us, Joss? Clarion and I are no threat to him.” She let out a deep sigh.

“You can still practice your magic, you just can’t use it on anything that is animate. “ The woman just hugged him tighter. The other woman, presumably Clarion, came storming out into the courtyard. She was angry and got angrier when she saw Joss the other woman in their embrace.

“How dare you, Pandora, I’ve told you to stay away from this clown.” Clarion had her hair piled on top of her head circled in obsidian and amber beads that matched her black dress and hazel eyes. Her manner of dress made her look older than she really was which was in her late twenties.

“Now listen you old nag, Pandora and I are leaving here together, and you can’t stop us. “ Joss shook one of his long, nimble fingers at Clarion as he spoke. Fear started to show in Pandora’s face as her sister began to chant. Before their eyes Joss began changing into a roan stallion.

From out of nowhere Xander spoke up,”Joss the Jester, weren’t you in Xanthos a few years ago?” The stallion shook its head yes.

“How ironic.” Mae muttered. Jip just swished her long, dark tail.

“He wants us to help him become human again.” Xander frowned.

“Will that take long?” Mae questioned aloud.

“It was only a day’s ride into the valley where the witch lives.” Mae answered for Joss.

“We’ll give it a try.” Xander shrugged. His fight with Mae was over. They each fixed their own supper and lay down. Xander cut limbs from some nearby conifers for them to lie on. Between the nice, little fire and the fur lined bed rolls they were warm.

When Xander woke up the next morning, Mae had stoked the fire and made a quick kettle of tea to soak the hard tack in. Mae liked the hard, flat bread by itself with a mug of herbal tea. Xander caught Mae watching him from her crouching position near the fire. He had caught her at it before. Mae’s look was of open curiosity, not bashful of ashamed. Xander never asked why, but he meant to sometime.

“It’s going to be a nice day. We should get to the witches’ castle about sunset.” Mae poured Xander a cup of tea and handed him a chunk of the hard tack.

“Good that won’t be too far out of our way, and we will have a nice place to stay tonight.”

In no time at all Mae and Xander were ready to leave their camp site. They rode double on Jip Joss followed them and led the pack mule. He carried a few things that Mae had to take off of her horse for Xander to ride. It wasn’t unusual feeling for Mae to ride double this time.

About noon Xander began to sense magic nearby. Different kinds of magic had different kinds of smells. The very best and pure magic smelled sweet and flowery. The more evil a magic the worse it smelled. This magic smelled good but chaotic. About sunset they began to come into a thin spot in the woods. Xander quietly asked,

Are we getting close?” A positive nod from Joss answered him. They went on a little more cautiously. Everything was not as it should be thee. A large house came into view. Evergreen trees grew along a long, winding road. Grass grew but was no longer green in the fall weather. Wall surrounded the house. They were stone at the bottom and wood from half way up. The gates were thick wood bound in cast iron. They looked formidable until a fair haired boy about eleven or twelve opened them by himself.

“Hello, are you here to see Lady Clarion or Pandora?” the little boy asked cheerfully. Joss shook his head yes. Xander voiced the answer in authority. The little boy smiled and waved for them to come in.

“I’m Pete, I’ll show you to the courtyard, and then I’ll stable the horses.” Mae listened quietly to the boy as he chattered away. They followed him along past the gate to the courtyard. Pete merrily went on into the house. In a moment he came back out with a petite, young lady in tow.

“Oh, visitors, come in, what can I do for you, would you like something to eat?” The questions didn’t let up long enough to allow them to answer. Xander kept a neutral expression but his eyes followed the girl as she led them through the courtyard and into the house. There were no servants around as Xander expected. Everything was in perfect order. Richly woven tapestries covered the stone walls. Shafts of sunlight came down through the second story windows. The windows were small, barely the width and length of a man’s torso.

“Oh, my sister and I cast a spell or two. We have no need of many servants. We keep Pete here because the livestock doesn’t like the smell of our spells.” She talked as she led them into the great hall. Xander just nodded. The room was dominated by a line of heavy, oak tables. Pulled up to them were highly ornate chairs. Their legs were carved like ram’s legs and on each side of the back were a fist sized carvings of a ram’s head, complete with horns. The sunshine picked up the light brown tones in the table’s polished wood.

“Let us go into the library. I’ll get something to eat, supper isn’t for a while.” They followed Pandora as she led them up the stairs to the right of the great table. Pandora introduced herself finally and asked their names. Xander introduced them.

“I am Xander from Xanthos. This is my friend and guide, Mae. We are on our way to Ferber Castle on a diplomatic mission.” Mae stared down at the great hall as they walked up the stair case that wrapped around the right side of the room and angled up the back wall. The staircase was supported by carved posts in the image of warriors in full armor. They were painted to look like real men with their eyes lifted to look at the window shafts. Pandora saw her studying them.

“Those are our protectors. They come to life when we need them.” Pandora took them in stride. Mae and Xander nearly ran into her. He just barely stopped by standing on his tip toes. Pandora started walking again and talking again.

“You said you were going to Ferber Castle, I heard that the king’s son, Dalen has been working hard to restore the kingdom. Everyone I know is so excited to see the change.” She continued on her way at a good pace. Xander and Mae let the distance between them and her widen.

The library was a massive room. Beautiful stain glass windows let the sun shine on the countless rows of shelves. Books were neatly crammed onto shelves that reached ten or twelve feet. Wide seats and high backed chairs sat in a semi-circle near a fire place. Vivid tapestries hung everywhere there weren’t shelves. Xander felt the urge to pull a thick volume from the nearest shelf and sit for a while in one of the plumply cushioned chairs. A low table stood near the fire. On it sat two trays; one had a kettle and cups the other was laden with tea cakes, cookies and persimmon bread.

“I hope you like my persimmon bread. I know it isn’t your usual tea time snack.” Mae and Xander sat down in the plush chairs. They each accepted a cup of tea and a generous slice of persimmon bread. Mae enjoyed the earthy, tart taste of the bread, but the tea was too sweet and weak. Xander found the bread pleasant but better enjoyed the tea. Pandora ate and drank as well. It was the only time she hadn’t talked since they had gotten there.

“Have you met Prince Dalen before?” Pandora asked after she finished. ‘

“No I haven’t, my father met his parents before their death.” Xander kept it simple by taking a bite of persimmon bread.

“We are here because Xander’s horse told us that your sister turned him from a human into a horse.” Mae blurted it out without hesitation. Xander nearly choked on his tea. Pandora looked startled, but more at Mae’s manner than what she had said.

“I see you met Joss. Yes, it’s true. My sister and I are under a curse that Kolos put us under. We can not reverse a spell, just cast them.” She sighed heavily and sat her tea cup and saucer on the low table. Pandora was shaken up.

“You went up against Kolos. He’s more powerful than you.” Mae asked puzzled.

“Kolos was here looking for our written spells when he put the curse on us, it was a long time ago.” Pandora looked pale in the firelight that she’d conjured.

“He took every spell book we had on the premises. My sister is away looking for the original copies now in Flearia. Kolos stole a book of spells that had all the history known to us about the Amulets.”

“Now he’s nearly as powerful as the Charmer had been.” Fear crossed Pandora’s face when Xander told her that.

“I’ve been sent to Dalen’s castle to help him when Kolos attacks.” His head swelled. Mae would have sworn to it.

“Do you need anything for your journey?” Pandora asked. She’d regained her composure somewhat.

“We can see to that in the morning.” Mae answered.

They didn’t talk of Kolos after they finished eating. Pandora graciously let them stay the night. She showed them to their rooms before supper. The house was full of magic and ancient. Unusual things sat everywhere. Suits of armor bowed to them, doors opened with out any aid. Mae felt uncomfortable, in fact the whole house felt unnatural. Before she left Mae Pandora asked about Joss. She seemed very concerned. Xander could feel the sense of regret and helplessness that she felt. They each went on to bed before dinner to rest. An hour later they heard a very shrill and very agitated voice shouting. Simultaneously Xander and Mae raced downstairs. Pandora stood looking at Joss with her arms akimbo. Her dark eyes snapped and blush colored her dark complexion. Mae and Xander stood of to the side of the scene, near the fire in the library. Pandora tapped her little, slippered foot in agitation. Her emerald, silk gown twitched. The fire’s light made her ruby necklace glisten and draw attention downward to her generous bosom. The gown flattered her figure and made it resemble an hour glass. Xander took all this in, much to Mae’s ire. Mae didn’t understand her possessive feelings for Xander.

“Remove this animal, now!” Pandora yelled, leaning forward as she pointed at Joss. Using that to her advantage Joss nudged Pandora’s neck with his velvety nose. She stood it for a moment before she drew away. Her pug nose wrinkled as she shoved him away with a whiney.

“Stop it you jackass.” Mae’s eyes widened as the dark stallion began to fade to mouse gray, become smaller and sprout large, shaggy ears. There standing before them was a jackass.

“Well, I guess it isn’t Joss the Jester anymore.” Xander laughed. It rolled from him like thunder. He laughed even when Joss head butted him to the stone hearth. Pandora turned on her heel, her long black, curly hair bouncing as she marched toward the stair case at the end of the great hall. Mae stood silently. It was too much to comprehend just yet.

“You’d better go talk to her.” Xander wiped tears from his eyes as he clutched his aching ribs. Mae shook her head as she solemnly followed Pandora upstairs.

Eventually Mae found Pandora’s chambers. It was well furnished, all in pinks, purples, and blues. Pandora lay face down on her four poster bed with her feet sticking straight out over the bed.

“Are you alright, Pandora?” Mae asked hesitantly. She didn’t know such a feminine place could exist. Pandora rolled over and sat up on her elbows.

“I’m fine. He just makes me so mad sometimes.” She growled and got up. As she did she stepped on her own dress tail and tripped. Mae was surprised to hear her laugh as she sat on her butt in the middle of the floor.

“I’m fine, just clumsy.” Pandora got up with Mae’s help.

“I can’t wait until this curse is lifted. It sure is lonely here without the customers we use to get when we were uncursed. “Mae could see where she was coming from. It was a huge house with no one in it.

“Xander and I are going to see Trudy, the keeper of the Amulets, maybe they can do something.” Mae suggested hopefully to sooth Pandora.

“I hope so.” Pandora looked at Mae steadily for a moment before she spoke again.

“You and Xander have a “thing” going don’t you.” Mae’s eyes got bigger. Pandora giggled until she snorted.

“No, no, we don’t. I’m his guide through the mountains to Ferber Castle. He doesn’t think of me as a… that way.” Mae sounded more sure than she was. Pandora let it drop with a pat on the shoulder and a,” Someday, Hon.”

Together they walked back down stairs. It was time for the evening meal. Xander and Mae were tired but they ate heartily. The roast boar and other delicacies were new to Mae. Xander told her what everything was before she would eat much of it. After dinner Mae and Xander went back to their rooms. Their gear was waiting for them when they got back to the room.

Mae slept in only her oversized shirt. The bed was comfortably firm to Mae who was use to a bed roll and the hard ground. The covers were warm and comforting. Mae was soon deep asleep.

Xander too found his bed chamber to his liking. The room boasted a four poster bed with fine linen sheet and sweet smelling pillows. The bed was comfortable but he just couldn’t sleep. In the time he had been traveling with Mae Xander had already gotten accustomed to the ground for a mattress. After an hour of tossing and turning Xander got out of bed and found Mae’s room. The door stood slightly ajar. He quietly stepped into the room. Mae lay curled up in a ball beneath the covers. Her dark hair was free of her braids and wild across the pillows. Xander wondered at how Mae’s expression lacked its usual daring and vexing. She was an untamed, young woman. He quietly the extra blanket from the foot of Mae’s bed and along with her cloak he stretched out by the fire and fell asleep. The sound of her deep, even breathing lulled him to sleep.

The morning sun woke Xander from a dream. Mae still slept soundly.

“Mae, are you awake in there?” Pandora’s voice broke the spell. The little witch came bounding into the room recklessly.

“Whoa! Gee.” Mae’s keen eyes snapped open at Pandora’s exclamation. Pandora stood at the door with her hands clasped to her giggling mouth. She stood on her tip toes with her back very straight.

“Whoops, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Xander flinched at her high squeal just before she snorted unashamed. Laughing, Pandora turned and left the bed chamber.

Xander groaned and pulled the cloak over his head. He knew what was coming. The next moment Mae bound out of bed to where Xander now sat by the fire.

“Why are you here, now she thinks...” Mae grunted annoyed. Her fingers laced through her wild hair. The white material of her shirt hung to her mid-thigh. Xander tried very hard not to openly stare but just couldn’t.

“So what if she thinks. What if we did or didn’t. It is no one’s business. Besides, we’ll be leaving soon.” Xander got to his feet and picked up Mae’s cloak and the blanket.

“Why are you here?’ Mae demanded to know.

“I couldn’t fall asleep so I came to check on you.” Xander only told half the truth.

Mae had both hands on her hips. Fire was in her eyes and her voice was a little shaky.

“I bet you got scared with no one around to protect you.” Mae taunted him. Xander’s jaw tightened.

“I bet a small child could get away with your sword anytime.” Xander tried to control his temper but Mae continued.

“I bet I could beat you here and now.” She was close to him, in his face so to speak.

“I will not fight with a small minded, ignorant peasant.” He might as well have struck Mae physically. She went to slap Xander open handed. He caught her wrist in his hand. An instant later he caught the other wrist in his hand. Mae struggled but she just couldn’t get free of his grip. Mae began to kick next. Xander grabbed her up by the waist, pulling Mae to him. On a wild impulse he bent forward and kissed Mae until she quit struggling. With a whimper Xander let her go and dropped her onto the bed. She was shaking when he left the room.

Xander too was shaking when he left. He’d never used his strength against anyone before. If it was kissing Mae or losing control of him self Xander didn’t know what made his mind race and his heart pound. Eventually he got ready to leave.

Mae was already out in the stables when Xander got down breakfasting. Pandora was waiting for him. She was worried and he could feel it.

“Thank you for your hospitality. I’ll see that we remember to ask Trudy about your curse when we get to the castle.” Xander wanted to skip out and never come back.

“You are welcome anytime, Xander. Good luck on your journey and everything.” Pandora shook his hand courteously. Mae was all ready to go when Xander got to the stables. There weren’t any extra horses for Xander to use so he still had to ride double with Mae. Pandora had said there just weren’t any need for them when you are a witch. Jip could feel the discord as Mae and Xander left the gates. Even young Pete could tell. He was quiet as they left.

The sun shone bright but the air was brisk. Silently the small band rode. Mae felt bad about taunting Xander. She was just so confused about what it was she was feeling. Around noon she had finally gathered the courage to say something.

“I’m sorry about insulting you this morning, I shouldn’t have.” Mae’s voice startled Xander from his thoughts.

“I’m the one should be sorry, Mae, I lost control. I had no right to handle you like I did.” Xander spoke clearly but it was forced.

“We haven’t known one another that long and already we have problems getting along.” Mae chuckled half heartedly.

“We’re honest about what we want and expect. I’ve never had anyone treat me that way and I enjoy your company to anyone’s” Xander could feel Mae blush.

“Thank you.” She said softly.

Kolos watched the exchange between Mae and Xander from his Lair. The snow was drowsily falling outside his narrow window. The Lair was built directly into the side of the mountain so it was sheltered and stayed warm. His heart was cold though. Like coal, it was cold. Coal is only hot when you toss it into the fire. Kolos decided to make things colder for the travelers.

Late in the afternoon the woods became quiet. Jip’s ears spun around listening to every little noise. The sun was covered by a heavy looking cloud and the wind blew cold against them.

“I don’t like this, Xander, something is going on. We must be careful.” Mae shuddered. Xander felt it and became uneasy himself.

“We’re getting closer to the castle. Kolos will try to stop us.” Xander looked at the mountains around them. They had been climbing steadily for a little over a week. The end of the tree line was only a little above the trail. This was the shortest, most dangerous route. Ferber Castle was in a valley, perched on a sheer drop. It was easily defended and hard to reach even if you were an expected guest. Mae knew the entrances. Gryphons lived in cliff nests and raised their young. Their eggs were worth a king’s ransom if you could get one. Mae had stolen a few when her mother was alive. Fairlynn had stolen one and scrambled it like a chicken’s egg just because she could. They had eaten it with persimmon tea and hard tack.

“Do you think Kolos will send mercenaries?” Mae asked over a wind gust.

“I don’t know.” Xander spoke into Mae’s ear. Rain began to fall. It soaked them to the skin. It started to turn to hail then to driving snow. The little band hurried their pace. The trees thinned out until there weren’t any. It was difficult for Mae to pick out the patch when they reached the spine of the mountain.

“We have to find shelter soon. We’ll freeze to death if we don’t.” Xander had to shout over the howl of the wind.

“I know of a cave over there where we can camp. It’s just out of sight.” Mae turned the horse toward a giant rock. Behind it was a cave. Their ears still roared from the sound of the wind.

“My mother’s people showed her where these caves are. The caves have saved my life many times.” Mae slid down from Jip’s back before Xander could dismount. She began a fire with wood stored there in the cave and her flint and steel. Xander unloaded the horses and fed them.

“All the things in our packs are wet. We should stay here and let everything dry tonight.” Mae threw off her cloak.

“There’s nothing here to change into.” Mae looked up at the cave ceiling and groaned.

“I guess that we’ll just have to dry off by the fire. Our bed rolls should be dry.” Xander felt cold, wet, hungry and miserable. Mae wasn’t at her best either.

“Hand me my bed roll please, Xander.” Mae asked as she began to pull off her jerkin. He did. The bed roll was only a little damp where water had blown into the leather covering it was tied in. Xander turned his back as Mae pulled off her clothes a piece at a time. When she had stripped down to her shirt she pulled the ties that fastened her breeches and dropped them to the floor. Xander thought she was finished and turned from around from feeding the horses just in time to see Mae down to just her soaked shirt. He whirled around back to feeding the horses. Mae was puzzled.

“What is the matter, Xander?” When he faced her she could see that he had been embarrassed.

“I saw something I shouldn’t have.”

“Haven’t you seen a woman before?” Mae’s voice had a hint of laughter to it and amusement.

“Not quite like that.” Xander stood shivering with his back to the fire. Silently Mae came up behind him. She had wrapped up in the blanket. Unexpectedly Xaner felt Mae tug at his shirt waist and felt her arms go higher to untie the leather ties of his jerkin.

“Stop it Mae. You shouldn’t be doing this.” Xander stopped her hands and turned to face her. Those brown eyes that were usually full of fire and life were filled with hurt.

“Fine, I’ll stop.” Xander could hear the hurt in her voice. Mae pulled away from Xander and took her usual place across the fire from him. Feeling upset and confused Xander changed out of his wet clothes in the back of the cave in the dark. Mae lay with her eyes closed in mock sleep when he got back to the fire. Later he woke to hear her crying quietly. Even the hail and wind outside sounded like someone crying. It was the most sorrowful and lonesome sound he had ever heard. Xander let Mae cry. He didn’t sleep the rest of the night.

Jip and Joss kept their heads together, talking. They were worried about Xander and Mae. With Kolos so close they would need to be together and very careful. The more Joss got to know Jip the more he liked her. She was a mature horse. Her’s was a story worthy of repeating. She had been a servant to Kolos and had gotten into some potions that she shouldn’t have. That’s how she ended up as a mare. Fairlynn had found her wandering in the woods and took her in.

“What are we going to do?” Jip asked.

“Let’s see how it goes in the morning. Maybe one of them will apologize to the other.” Jip knew that was wishful thinking.

“Yeah, maybe.” Jip sighed.

The next morning Mae woke up early. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying. Xander saw it and felt awful. He couldn’t have Mae hurt like that. He also knew that he couldn’t have her making a play for him. She was better than that. Doing something that would hurt her in the long run wasn’t an option.

“Mae, we need to talk about what went on last night.” She turned from him and laid on her other side.

“I didn’t intend to hurt your feelings, but what you were doing was inappropriate. I have no romantic interest in you. I value you as a trusted friend. I wish that we could be more but our backgrounds are too different, it just wouldn’t work.” He was trying to be honest.

“Don’t worry about me, Your Highness. It won’t happen again. I’ll get you to the Ferber Castle and then I’ll be out of your way forever.” She desperately wanted to tell him that she just wanted him to notice her. For him to say something she needed to hear. After a moment Mae got up and found her dry clothes and pulled on her breeches and jerkin. Xander did the same and they got ready to leave. It was only a few days’ journey on to the castle. Jip and Joss shook their heads in concern.

Two days later Calera’s elite troops found May and Xander just after they had made camp for the night. The troops made a surprise attack. They cut Jip and Joss free and led them away. Jip protested but one of the soldiers knocked her unconscious. Xander put up quite a fight but the last thing he saw before one of them knocked out cold was a group of three soldiers on Mae. Two pinned her down and while another back handed her. She had bit him.

Mae never screamed as the soldiers forced themselves on her then used her as a punching bag. She fought back, tooth and nail. Xander woke up to a barely recognizable Mae. He tasted blood in his mouth and his head hurt like Joss had kicked it. He and Mae were in dimly lit cell. Where, Xander didn’t know. What he did know was that they were in a load of trouble. No guards were visible but the smell of magic was strong. It was dark magic. He scooted on his side over to where Mae lay in a shaft of dim light. Xander carefully brushed her dark hair away from Mae’s bruised and swollen face. A cut was oozing on her swelled lip and her right eye was swollen shut. Xander could sense that Mae’s forearm was fractured. She also had broken ribs and her legs were bruised up and down. A closer examination of Mae’s hand revealed cuts scrapes and caked blood beneath her fingernails. Xander could only imagine the fight she’d put up. Looking around the dingy cell there was only a straw tick laid on a board suspended from the stone wall by chains. Carefully Xander laid Mae on it. At the foot of the board bed was a bucket of water. It was fresh and clean. Xander washed Mae’s face gently with his hand. He didn’t pay any attention to his own fat lip. Mae’s breathing was steady but shallow. Her good eye opened at the cold water on her face.

“Hey there, how are you feeling?” Xander asked not masking his concern. Muffled she answered,

“I’ve felt better.” Then she winced in pain.

“I’ll have you feeling better soon.” Xander wiped away a tear from Mae’s cheek.

“You just got me patched up a few weeks ago. Now look at me.” She tried to laugh but it came out as a cough.

“Relax, Mae. Let me do my job and make you feel better.” Xander swallowed hard, trying to keep steady. He could absorb illness better than he could out right heal. Giving love was hard for Xander. He knew that he just had to heal Mae. Gently he laid his hand on Mae’s broken ribs. With a huge intake of breath they were healed but Mae went pale.

“Have mercy. That hurts.” She gritted her teeth, sweat beading up on her forehead.

“It’s healed, Mae. Let me finish.” Xander groused. He closed his eyes and slid his calloused hands down her forearm to fix that fracture. Minor profanities escaped Mae’s clenched jaws.

“Stop, stop.” Mae grabbed Xander’s hands before he could touch her eye and mouth. He opened his ice blue eyes to see the pain in Mae’s brown ones.

“It’s too much, all at once.” Mae caught her breath.

Time went by slowly as Xander looked down at Mae. He frowned. Sadness shone in his amazing eyes.

“What are you studying so hard?” The words were barely understandable.

“I’m sorry, Mae. I’m sorry I let you down.” She cocked her good eye’s brow, which hurt.

“How?” she asked.

“They hurt you. Nearly killed you and took your most prized possession and it’s my fault.”

“My most prized possession?”

“Your virtue.” His voice was quiet, like it embarrassed him to say it.

“I’m right here with what I prize most.” Mae squeezed Xander’s hand and tried to smile. That hurt too. Xander knelt down to kiss Mae. Her lip healed beneath his tender kiss. Healing tinged his fingers as he caressed Mae’s face.

“I thought you said you had no romantic interest in me.” Mae reminded him.

“I lied. I didn’t want you to get attached to me because I was already attached to you. I didn’t want to be the one that took your chance at immortality away.” Mae looked at him puzzled as she could be.

“Wanderers are immortal as long as they are virgins. They also have a greater tie to the earth and can use their skills better.”

“I see now that you were trying to protect me, thanks.”

Mae let Xander heal her bruises, even the tender ones on her thighs. He let her dig her fingernails into his shoulder. When it was over Mae sat up by her own power.

“Thank you for healing me, Xander, especially after how I treated you.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong.” Xander just patted Mae’s hand.

“Do you think we’ll get out of this alive?” Mae asked with a sigh

“Kolos has a plan for us or we would have been dead long ago.” Xander put his arm around Mae’s shoulders. She nestled into his embrace.

“There is so much that we don’t know about each other and it looks like there won’t be time to find out.” Mae laced her fingers into Xander’s. He felt guilty about not telling her about who her father was. Trudy had to know first that she had a little sister. That’s when Xander figured out a minor mystery about Mae. If she was younger than Trudy and Trudy was only eighteen that made Mae only about seventeen.

“There will be time later” Mae felt him press a kiss on the top of her head.

“How are we going to get out of this, Xander? We’re unarmed and out numbered.”

“You aren’t making this situation look any better, Mae.”

“Yeah, depressing ain’t it.” Xander settled down to think while Mae laid her head in his head to sleep.

Kolos watched the pair in his looking chalice. The edges of the water grew pink and the picture faded. He knocked it over, spilling it across a cluttered table.

“Pathetic. Ravaged and imprisoned yet they still cling to one another.” Calera sighed, bored at Kolos’ complaints.

“This will all be over soon, Kolos. You have found the translation of the Nullification Spell and as soon as Trudy gets close enough to get them we will have them all exactly where we want them.” She hung draped across his shoulders like a snake on a limb. As soon as Kolos had what he wanted she knew that she would have what she wanted, the Amulets. She was going to kill Kolos and take control of everything for herself. She already had her immortality, now it was time she had the rest of what she deserved.

Dagmar came hobbling into Dalen’s chambers. She was out of breath and in a hurry. There were aids standing beside Dalen pouring over maps. Trudy stood at his side pointing at a spot on the map and talking.

“Girly, hey girly, come ‘ere, I got news ye will be wanting to know.” Dagmar stopped to catch her breath. Trudy gave Dalen the map. Half running she got to the old witch. Her auburn braid swung with every step.

“What is it Dagmar?” The old witch watched the girl’s eyes shine in anticipation.

“Two mules and a mare came inta the castle’s stable this morn. The mare stirred up a ruckus. Marched her way inta me larder where I wuz. She said that Kolos has her master and a young prince held fer prisoners.” Dalen joined Trudy in getting the old woman to a nearby chair.

“Are they in danger, Dagmar?” Dalen knelt down beside her. His brown eyes concentrated on her. Dagmar reached out and flipped Dalen’s ear.

“Silly boy. I jest told ye that he held ‘em captive. He’s gonna use them fer somethin’. “Dalen took it. Getting used to such things wasn’t easy.

“Do you know who they are?” Trudy asked at just the right time.

“He’s a traveler from fer away, nobility with the same gift as Dalen’s. The girl is a Wanderer, a half-ling.” Dalen sat back on his haunches to think.

“The gift is my father’s. It runs in his family line. He must be one of my cousins.” A heaviness settled over Dalen. His eyes looked into the fire. Trudy hated to see him so serious but she understood how he felt.

“Kolos and the Charmer have taken everyone kin to me. I’m not going to let that happen again. Let’s prepare to find them and get them out of Kolos’ hands “Trudy saw the determine look on his face and knew that she had better get ready for anything.

“Can you lead us to Kolos’ Lair, Dagmar?” Trudy asked.

“No, but the mare ken.” Dagmar gave Trudy a knowing stare. Trudy’s mastery of the Amulets was hit and misses. It was discouraging.

“I’ll give it a try.” Trudy trudged out of the chambers. Dalen gave his aids a signal to stay put.

“How’s she coming along, Dagmar?” Dalen asked in all seriousness.

“It takes time. She’s jest now gettin’ use t’ bein’ a grown up, a wife and a queen. This is the first time she’s been away from home fer this long.” It was true, Dalen knew that, but he didn’t know how to make any of that better. He left Dagmar to rest. The three aids stood whispering among themselves as Dalen walked up. It would have been so easy to scare the living daylights out of them but he resisted the temptation. Playing nice, Dalen cleared his throat, dispersing their whispers.

“Men, I need you to outfit a party to travel light and in bad weather for a month.” The one nearest to Dalen looked at him oddly.

“Just do it!” Growling made them jump to work. Arrangements were in place before Dalen lay down for the night.

Night was Dalen’s favorite time of day. He could lock the door and leave all of his responsibilities outside. Holding Trudy made everything worth it. The four poster bed they shared was the very one that Trudy had woken up on her first time in the castle. Now it was comfortable for her and more comfortable for Dalen.

The next morning Dagmar met Dalen and Trudy at the breakfast table. She had been waiting for them for a while. Trudy was dressed in her heaviest riding clothes. Her boots were lined in fur and the over shirt she wore was made of wool. Dalen’s outfit was much the same. Dagmar wore her usual raggedy dress.

“How are you feeling this morning, Dagmar?” Dalen asked.

“Doin’ fine and ye self?” She was raring to get started.

“Hungry is all.” Trudy saw it as a good omen that her two favorite people were being civil to each other. Dalen knew how most men must feel about their mother-in-law when it came to Dagmar.

“Have you had a chance to speak with the mare and the mules this morning, Dagmar?” Trudy asked.

“Na, they are still in the stable.” Dagmar finished her third fried egg and coffee.

“After we eat we’ll go and ask some questions.” Dalen suggested.

“The mare and one of the mules’ wuz once human, they’ll be wantin’ to be turned back.” Trudy looked apprehensive at the sound of that.

“We’ll see.” She sighed. A sigh was all that she had to say about the Amulets. She was the only one who could use them as their guardian. Breakfast was eaten with little conversation. They all got ready to go to the stables. There was three feet of snow between them and it. Dagmar turned herself into a bird and flew to the stables ahead of them. Dalen and Trudy had to settle for snowshoes.

Jip waited anxiously for them to arrive. She saw the bird and knew that it was Dagmar from the smell of magic. Jip sensed that Mae and Trudy were a lot alike. She instinctively went up to her and laid her head over Trudy’s shoulder. Without the Wanderer abilities Jip couldn’t make Trudy understand. Dalen came up to Jip’s back and laid his hand on her neck. That’s when he saw what Jip was trying to say. Taking Trudy’s hand Dalen let her in on the vision. Trudy saw Mae being beaten to within an inch of her life and the fight she put up. Xander too fought but he was soon knocked unconscious and out for the duration. The next image Trudy saw was an image of her father and one of Mae. Then one of Dalen and Xander appeared together.

“Yes, we know girl. It seems that we both have family in on this fight with Kolos.” The news was a little of a shock to Trudy. She was pale and her hand slipped from Dalen’s hold.

“Father told me that I had a younger sister and that she was a Wanderer, but I had never seen her before. Dalen she’s so young.” Trudy went from shock to determination and anger at Kolos.

“Would you like to be human again so that we can go and defeat Kolos?” The mare shook her head enthusiastically. After a moment’s concentration with the Purple Amulet the mare began to take the shape of a woman. Dalen automatically pulled his cloak off for her to wrap up in. Heaving and cold the woman that was the mare slumped to the floor when the transformation was done. Dalen laid the cloak over her and let Trudy take care of her while he paid attention to the mule that was wiggling its ears and braying. Dalen could make out the “Me Next” without having to try.

“Ok, fella, hold your self together. Trudy will get to you in a minute.”

The woman was as wobbly as a new foal when she tried to stand. Trudy supported her until she was stable.

“My Lady, you must help Mae. Kolos has her and Prince Xander.” The woman’s brown eyes were pleading and frantic.

“We’re going to. Tell me, what is your name?”

“Mae always called me Jip. I’ve forgotten what my real name was.” Sadness crossed her face.

“The mule was also human. He was the victim of Kolos curse.” Trudy looked at the mule and tried to imagine what kind of a man he would have been.

“He was a stallion but the witch that turned him into a horse turned him into a jackass.” Dalen and Trudy both started laughing. They heard Dagmar’s cackle in the background.

“That is not funny.” Came rippling through Dalen’s mind.

“Sorry man, it is funny from this perspective.” Dalen laughed.

After a moment to get her composure Trudy began to concentrate on making the mule back into a man. He too fell to the ground weakly as the transformation finished.

“What’s your name?” Dalen asked the uncomfortable looking fellow in front of him.

“Joss the Jester.” His voice was hoarse.

“Weren’t you through her about three years ago? The Charmer and Kolos both laughed so hard they nearly fell out of their chairs. I don’t know how you dodged Calera for this long.” Dalen chuckled at the thought.

“That’s one woman I never want to see again.” Joss shivered but not from the cold.

Wrapped in Trudy’s cloak he and Jip followed Dalen and Trudy to the castle. They dressed then ate. Jip had nearly forgotten what food other than grass and hay tasted like. It was great. Joss was starved for the bacon, eggs, coffee and jelly tarts that were served.

“Do you think that you are up to a rescue mission?” Trudy asked as she sat at the table where Joss and Jip sat eating. Jip’s answer was not really necessary.

“I think that I can lead you to the Lair. Let me get situated and I’ll take you as soon as you can get supplied.” Jip thumped the table softly.

“We already have supplies gathered for the mission.” Dalen answered. Joss was curiously silent.

“What else do you need before we could leave?” Trudy was openly curious.

“It’s been ten years since I’ve seen my own likeness other than being a horse. I’d like to get reacquainted.” Jip watched Trudy’s eyes grow wider in amazement.

“I hadn’t thought of that.”

Trudy took Jip upstairs and into her chambers. There was a full length mirror in Trudy’s apartments. Jip stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was shorter than Trudy with long, russet hair and simple, clean features. Jip was well proportioned and sturdy built. Trudy couldn’t tell if Jip were stunned or disappointed at her appearance.

“Is there something wrong, Jip?”

“I haven’t aged since I was twenty. I should be in my mid thirties, Trudy.”

“Well, that’s a good thing. Now you can have those years back and you’re wiser for it.” Trudy patted Jip’s shoulder and smoothed her hair.

“Yes. You’re right. It’s just such a shock.” Jip took a deep breath before she turned from the mirror. Her gray eyes looked tired.

“We should get going if we’re going to get to the Lair at all. The weather is likely to change at any time in the mountains. “Trudy and Jip walked back down stairs and joined the men.

“Are you ready to leave now?” Dalen sounded impatient. Trudy ignored it.

“Yes, we are.” Everyone headed back out to the stables where the gear was stored. Dagmar was waiting for them. She had transformed herself into an elk. Her bundle was tied across her back as if she were a horse.

Each person had on water proof boots that went up to their knees, wool shirts with cotton backing for comfort. Thin fur ponchos hung around them. Their hoods were lined with snow shoe rabbit fur that made them look silly. It was hard to walk at first on the snow shoes that they wore. The multiple layers and thirty pound packs were difficult at first. Dagmar took it all in stride. Trudy wished that she could turn herself into an elk and travel easier, but she wasn’t sure she could turn herself back again. They set off at mid-day and walked. Trudy and Dalen kept look out; Dalen from the rear and Trudy from beside Jip who led the way.

Kolos could feel the power of the Amulets as they got closer. They were walking right into his grasp. Dalen was walking into his grasp because of them as well. It was a bargain. Kolos had spent many years searching for a way to get the Amulets for himself and defeat Dalen.

“Have they left the castle yet, Kolos?” Calera asked as she poured the hot water into the tub where he sat. The smell of rose petals rose to meet his nostrils. Calera’s long, blonde hair hung down her burgundy, silk dressing gown. The tips of her hair tickled the back of Kolos’ neck and reminded him that she was there.

“They’ve left the castle. They are on their way to me as we speak. The keeper of the Amulets has turned those two animal back to their original forms. Her power grows but she hasn’t gotten full control yet.” Calera let out a pleased purr.

“You should have your soldiers on the look out and be sure to get them as soon as they enter the perimeter. I want Dalen for myself.” Calera got up and left the room in a huff at being ordered around. It was Kolos turn to be pleased. He finished bathing and dressed. The scar that ran down his hard stomach still caused some discomfort but that was soon to be ended, one way or another.

Food was waiting for Xander and Mae when they woke each morning. It wasn’t fancy fare but it filled them. Mae was especially suspicious of the food being poisoned or part of some spell or other. Xander was suspicious also but he examined the tea, bread and meat. It wasn’t harmful to the rats that he let have just a taste. Their meals were mysteriously provided for them. Xander wondered to himself why it wasn’t cold. He could see snow overhead through the barred windows. These questions went unanswered.

Dalen and his rescue party followed Jip. She trod along surely in a direct route. Trudy knew the path. She had traveled it back to the Great Glade with Dalen. That was back when there was only a faint chill to the night. Now every bone Trudy had ever broken ached faintly in the cold. No one else seemed to get cold, even at night when the winds blew straight through a person’s soul. Trudy kept her complaints to herself as they walked on snow shoes across several feet of snow. Dalen knew Trudy hated the cold but he admired her spirit.

Three days after they left Jip led them deeper into a valley. Suddenly Dagmar changed back into herself.

“They’re jest over the hill. I ken smell the magic from here.” Dagmar was bundled up. The most they could see was her bulbous pink nose. Dalen sensed the fear in every one but Dagmar. The rest of the group was apprehensive. This day had been coming for as long as Dalen could remember. It was the day that he and Kolos would finally face off. He didn’t relish the idea but it was a necessary evil.

“Trudy, do you think that you cold get us into the Lair with out Kolos noticing?” Dalen asked as they paused to make a plan.

“No, I don’t think they can.” A man’s voice said from behind them. Trudy grabbed the Purple Amulet and concentrated on invisibility. The broad shouldered soldier just smiled. His face was covered in scars.

In the Lair Kolos felt the Amulets’ powers surge as Trudy tried to use them. He began to chant the Spell of Nullification hard and fast.

Trudy felt the Amulets’ powers surge also. Then they quit just as they had risen. The big soldier that was smiling began to chuckle. Seven soldiers that backed him up began to laugh too.

“Master Kolos has the shield that will defeat yer little Amulets girl. Ye had better get ready to hand ‘em over ta ‘im.” The big soldier made a step towards Trudy. Quick as a wink Dalen stepped between them and a fight ensued. Trudy, Dalen, Jip and Joss all put up quite a fight but Calera’s forces out numbered them ten to one. They took out the seven that had come to capture them but more were all around them. Dagmar spewed curses as they dragged her. One of the soldiers knocked her unconscious.

“That’s so she can’t change herself inta anything.”

The rescuers were taken to Kolos’ library. They were roughly thrown into his presence. He was dressed for the occasion in a shining breast plate and black cloak. Beneath it he wore a black shirt and black breeches. His dark hair and eyes were menacing. Trudy shivered at the cold, blood thirsty look he sported. It was so like the look that Dalen had worn when he had had Asa killed.

“Good to see you again, Dalen. I see your crack troops are with you.” Kolos was cool and collected. Dalen fumed at the sight of him.

“I see you haven’t changed at all Kolos. Still as insecure as when we were growing up.” Dalen’s words hit home but Kolos appearance didn’t change that much. He walked over to where guards held Trudy. She was tied up and exhausted. Kolos jerked the Amulets from the pouch that she kept them in around her neck. Trudy used her leg and came up for a kick to the crotch but she wasn’t able to lift her leg. It was like someone had weighted it down. She struggled until she saw the victorious look in Kolos’ eyes at her frustration.

“You’ll never win completely, Kolos. Even if we don’t, someone out there will defeat you.” Trudy was truly convinced. Dalen didn’t like the sound of her words. It made the situation seem more depressing. Calera entered the room with Xander and Mae in tow. Xander was defiant and Mae looked too calm to be real. Jip struggled to get to Mae when she came in. The guard holding her back handed her sending Jip sprawling. Mae took her place with the others. She quickly took in everything around her.

There was a fire place to her right, book cases along all the other walls, chairs sat in front of the fire and a desk stood parallel to where she stood at the door. Behind them were guards and a protective spell around the Lair. Getting out would have to be a fight ending in Kolos’ death. The two that stood closes to Kolos must have been Trudy and Dalen. She felt out of her element. They were all tied and closely watched. Mae took the dagger she’d stolen from one of the guards as he took them to the library. With it she cut herself loose but held onto the ropes. Mae knew that with one expert throw that she could take Kolos out. So could Xander, Dalen or Trudy. Old instincts told her to keep the dagger to herself.

“Calera, this is Dalen, my old enemy from my youth.” Kolos slapped Dalen on the shoulder. The tall, blonde woman was different from human women. Mae knew she was a Wanderer when she set eyes on her. She figured that Kolos knew about being a Wanderer and used it to his advantage and against Mae.

“I was led to believe that you were older, more mature.” Her soft voice was mocking.

“Greatness is due to breeding, not age.” No one but Kolos took offense. His dark eyes lit up with anger.

“Upon our last encounter you said that the next time you saw me you would do what ever it took to kill me. Now I’m a fair man, sympathetic even. I’ll let you all live if Dalen wins a fight with me. If he loses you lose, everything.” Kolos threw his cloak across one of the chairs that stood by the fire.

“And if I refuse to fight?” Dalen challenged.

“You all die.” The answer was short and definite. ”I’ll give you a few minutes to get your good-byes over with.” Kolos snapped his fingers and was gone in a flash.

“Dalen, are you seriously going to fight him. Kolos won’t fight with honor.” Trudy looked worried.

“I have to fight him, even if it is to stall for time.” Dalen kissed Trudy.

“I hate to introduce myself in such a situation, but I am Prince Xander of Xanthos. I was sent to help you defeat Kolos in any way necessary and to protect the Amulets.” Xander piped up. Dalen began laughing. He took in the exceptionally tall, white-blonde young man before him scarcely older than Trudy. Xander was very uncomfortable under Dalen’s gaze.

“I do apologize for letting him take us hostage and baiting the trap.” Xander stood stock still and maintained his dignity.

“No apology necessary, Prince. Who’s that you brought with you?” Dalen nodded toward Mae.

“This is Trudy’s half sister, Mae.” Mae exclaimed, “What??”

“When we were in Osbert I heard your father talking to Clarice and he told the whole story. I was going to talk to Trudy when we got to the castle about it.” Mae kicked him squarely in the butt with her heavy boot. With a grunt he took it.

“I knew that my father had had a child by another woman. I’m glad to finally meet you. If we get out of this mess I’ll tell you how it all came to be.” Trudy felt near tears.

“Enough of the sentiment, Kolos is waiting.” Calera ordered, shoving Jip out the door. For just a moment Jip wished that she were a horse again so that she could leave a fresh biscuit for Calera to step in or kick her flat.

Calera led them to a huge room near what must have been the center of the mountain. It was lit up like a festival was going on. There were guards standing three deep all the way around the room. Calera untied the ropes that bound Dalen. Kolos tossed a sword at Dalen and proceeded to display his prowess with a matching sword. He would thrust then parry. Dalen stood ready for the first blow to land.

“What guarantee do I have that you won’t kill us no matter what the outcome?” Dalen asked as he defended himself from a high thrust at Dalen’s shoulder.

“My word as a wizard and practitioner of the magical arts, that’s all the guarantee that you have.” Mae looked for an opening. Dalen began talking to Kolos to make some distraction. Kolos was much improved from the days when he had tutored Dalen. Trudy watched eagerly. Jip and Joss hung on to each other in silence. Xander kept an eye on Mae. Something was up and he knew it, just not what it was. Suddenly Mae began chanting in a voice that rose and fell. It wasn’t any language that he recognized, but Calera recognized it. 1

The wind began to kick up. There was no reason for there to be wind inside a mountain. The guards began to panic and a few of them ran, hard and fast. Mae let loose her dagger just as Dalen seized Kolos by the neck and turned him around to the captives. The dagger flew straight and true through Kolos’ heart. He stopped struggling against Dalen who was in a blood lust. Kolos’ knees bent and he was dead weight, literally. The wind began to howl and Mae ran at Calera with a vengeance. Thinking quickly Trudy grabbed a knife from the soldier standing nearest her and cut Xander’s ropes. He in turn cut Trudy’s ropes and handed her the dagger to free the rest of the group. Xander ran to Mae who had Calera pinned against the wall of the room. Fear shone in Calera’s eyes. Mae wasn’t saying anything but Calera answered her.

“I didn’t know you were a Wanderer. I swear, Kolos knew and he was the one that sent them to bring you back.” Blood flowed down Calera’s chin from her swelling lip and eyebrow onto her white blouse. All of the wounds that Xander had seen on Mae after they had been taken began appearing on Calera. Sensing Xander’s presence Mae grabbed his hand. Before his eyes Xander saw Calera begin to turn into dust and fall onto the floor. Her face was a horror. She aged in seconds, her blonde hair fell out and she was bald as an eagle. Teeth and fingernails mixed with the ashes at their feet. Mae’s dark eyes were the color of snakeweed, red with black flecks, when she turned to face Xander.

“How did you do that Mae?” She was looking at him but she wasn’t there anymore. Xander touched her shoulder to try and find out what was wrong with her. Suddenly she collapsed onto the floor. Her red eyes were brown again when Xander checked them. An arrow ran through her shoulder coming out just above her heart. Trudy, Dalen, Jip, Joss, and Dagmar all circled around Xander.

“Can you heal her?” Trudy asked.

“I’m going to try.” Xander broke the feathered end of the arrow off and pushed on through the wound. Mae didn’t move. Xander laid his right hand on the entrance wound and his left on the exit wound and began to concentrate. Blood quit pouring from the wound and Mae’s breathing improved.

“I’ve done as much as I can. The rest is up to Mae. The arrow got very close to her heart.” Xander felt weak. His hands were covered in blood and perspiration beaded on his upper lip. Dagmar elbowed her way in.

“Once the girl is outside I ken change into an elk agen and pull a litter fer ya.” She nodded her wild head like that would make it so.

“Would you come back to the castle with us Prince Xander? I must apologize about my rude behavior in the cell. Your friend here has saved us by killing Kolos for me and from Calera’s army by scaring the daylights out of them.” Dalen picked Mae up and began making his way toward the library and out of the Lair. The others followed him tiredly.

The sunshine outside was blinding on the crisp snow. The little group was anxious to get away from the place that had nearly cost them their lives. Trudy was very worried about her new sister. The Amulets were also on her mind.

“Dalen what am I to do about the Amulets? They have been rendered useless.” Trudy bit her lower lip thoughtfully.

“There must be a counter spell.” Dalen suggested.

“I know someone who may have the counter spell.” Xander spoke up.

“We had to see a witch that Kolos had cursed a few years back, Pandora. She said that that’s what he stole from them. Surely she would have a counter spell around.”

“Wouldn’t Kolos have stolen that as well?” Jip asked from the rear. Everyone pondered her point.

“I’m going to go back in to the Lair and try to find that spell.” Trudy pronounced determined. Dalen swung around and stopped in his tracks.

“I won’t have you here by yourself. There are still soldiers in the mountains and woods nearby. I won’t let you get hurt like this one that I’m carrying.” Trudy stood her ground. Not an ounce of resolve left her.

“Sir, if I may, I’ll stay and find the spell for you. It’s the least that I can do.” Xander offered. Jip came up to stand beside him.

“I’m going to stay and help, for Mae’s sake.” Joss sighed deeply and came walking languidly up beside Jip. Dalen was overwhelmed. Trudy was grateful. She didn’t actually want to stay alone in Kolos’ evil Lair.

“Thank you very much. We’ll see to it that Mae gets the best of care and when you return to the castle there will be a reception waiting on you like none you’ve seen.” Trudy hugged Jip and even gave Joss a handshake and a pat on the back.

Dagmar transformed herself into an elk and wit everyone’s help they scattered Calera’s ashes and performed all the necessary ceremonies on Kolos’ body to make sure that he couldn’t be brought back by some upstart mage with delusions of grandeur. The trek back to Ferber Castle was a slow one. The provisions that they had brought were no where to be found. That meant that Dalen and Trudy had to hunt everything that they ate.

Jip, Joss and Xander all searched the Lair for the counter spell. It took them a week to find it. Xander made sure that he got hold of every spell he found to give to Pandora for destruction or safe keeping. Some of the darker ones would have to be destroyed. They ate and slept in the barracks that the soldiers had left. Weapons of all kinds and personal items filled the barracks. Joss and Xander insisted on keeping watch at night until Jip pulled out her “mind your elders” routine and they gave in. Xander let all but four horses loose from the stables to do for their selves. On the day after the Spell of Nullification was found they set out for the Ferber Castle and their loved ones. Spells and supplies loaded they got an early start.

Mae lay in bed for a week getting better. She had taken an arrow for Xander that was poisoned. Dalen could only make the wound better. Dagmar had to find an antidote for the poison. Trudy stayed with Mae constantly. She knew that if Mae were anything like her that she’d be a fighter and make it through with flying colors. Mae’s fever broke early one morning before dawn. Trudy heard her soft calls for water.

“Hello there, sister. We were beginning to wonder about you.” Trudy got the water and a cool compress for her forehead. Mae’s dark eyes made Trudy’s face out by the candle light. For a moment she thought that Fairlynn had come back to life.

“I know I must look a sight with my hair loose and being bleary eyed like I am.” Trudy softly giggled as she helped Mae with the cup of water. Trudy smoothed the bed clothes like a professional.

“Where’s Xander? Did he get hurt?” the words were hard to speak. Trudy nodded no.

“Xander, Jip and Joss are all still at the Lair looking for the spell that will reverse the Spell of Nullification. They will be back any day.” Mae looked less worried and lay back against the fluffy pillows. She slept for two more days. The next time she woke it was Xander that she saw first. He was curled up in an arm chair next to the bed where Mae lay. Soft snores escaped from his open mouth. He was so peaceful and cute that Mae watched him for a minute. Trudy came in the door with a tray for him. Mae sat up stiffly when she entered. Soreness nearly took all her breath away.

“Has he been there all night, Trudy?”

“He’s been right here since he got in a day and a half ago. He was very worried about you.” Trudy softly touched Xander’s rumpled hair. The girls’ soft voices woke him gently. They were talking and Mae was eating.

“Oh, good, you’re up. How do you feel?” Xander unwound his long legs from the chair and stood up. After a minute of stretching he went over to the other side of Mae’s bed and sat down.

“I’m feeling better and you?” Mae took a bite of the thick slice of bacon. Those brown eyes danced as they looked up at Xander.

“This little adventure is over and I’m ready to head home sometime, early in the spring.” He wanted to ask her then to come along like he’d been thinking about since he began searching for that spell at the Lair.

“Oh, that’s good.” Was all that Mae could say.

“I think that I’ll go and get a tray for Xander.” Trudy excused herself.

“I was wondering if you’d guide me back to my kingdom. See I need someone to lead me around because I don’t have a very good sense of direction. I may even need someone to do it for the rest of my life. Think you’re up to that kind of long term job?” Xander’s ice-blue eyes twinkled and the corners of his mouth twitched wanting to smile. Mae took a second to get the joke and the proposal. She nearly pushed him off the edge of the bed when she launched herself at him.

“I am definitely up to it.” She and Xander did fall of the bed and onto the floor when he began sliding on the silk sheets. Mae landed on top of him. The pain in her side was terrible. Xander saw the pain on her face. Carefully Mae rolled onto the floor and let Xander pick her up and put her back in bed.

“What will your kingdom have to say about you bringing me in as your wife?”

“Long live the Queen.” Mae rolled her eyes and sighed as she lay back on the pillows.

“They won’t say much of anything, May. I’m their prince and you are going to be my wife. I asked Dalen about it and he said that my marriage to you was the best idea he’d heard since Trudy suggested they get married.” Mae accepted the answer and pulled the tray she’d set off of her lap back to her.

“I need to talk to Trudy. She knows more about my past than I do. I need some answers.” That’s when Trudy knocked on the door.

“Come.” Xander hollered. He winked and left the room promising to be back soon. He got the tray from Trudy as he went out the door.

“Trudy, will you talk to me?” Mae asked. She patted the covers beside her.

“Do you want to talk about father?” She sighed at Mae’s shaking head.

“He told us about it when I was a little girl. I was about a year old when he went hunting one day. A stag trapped him up against a cliff then charged him. Father fell over the cliff and landed against a rock. He lost his memory for a while. Your mother found him and nursed him back to health. It took a while because he was in a comma that she kept him in to let him get better. Not knowing who he was Father fell in love with your mother and you were conceived. His memories came back enough to come back to us before your mother told him she was pregnant. He didn’t know about you until Fairlynn came one night when I was about six. She wanted Father to see you and know about you. I remember that it was late at night. You were asleep. I heard the adults talking and snuck down stairs to listen. I asked him about it later and he told me the whole story. Father often went into the woods searching for Fairlynn and you. It hurts him knowing that you weren’t with us.” Trudy hugged her sister and saw the tears spilling down her cheeks.

“Fairlynn and I moved around a lot hunting and trapping. She told me that my father was a wonderful man, that he loved me and that someday she would take me to meet him but she was killed before she could get around to it.” Mae buried her head in Trudy’s broad shoulder and cried like a little girl. As Mae sobbed Trudy stroked her dark hair and tried to comfort her.

“Now you will have a new family. My father and mother, my sisters and Xander will be there for you if you need anything. Eventually you and Xander will have a family of your own.” Mae quieted down and listened to what Trudy was saying. It was odd to Trudy to give anyone advice, especially her sister who was only a year or so younger.

“Do you think that Xander and I will have children?” Mae asked.

“Yes, I’d bet that you have all sons.” Mae winced at the thought.

Mae and Trudy talked for a while before they went down to meet the boys in the library. Mae wore one of Trudy’s dresses. Trudy too wore a dress. Dalen and Xander watched them descend the stairs as if they were walking straight down from the sky. The girls had arranged each other’s hair and they looked beautiful.

“We are luck men aren’t we Dalen.” Xander asked as he took Mae’s arm and led the way to the dinner table. Dalen agreed and gave Trudy a kiss on the cheek before taking her arm and escorting her to dinner. Dagmar grinned and followed the happy couples to the great hall.

The Amulets were restored and Trudy learned how to use them well. Dagmar retired and spent most of her days running the everyday operations of Ferber Castle for Dalen and Trudy. Prince Xander and Mae married and moved back to Xanthos. The couples kept in contact and visited at least once every year. Children followed in the years after Trudy, Dalen, Mae and Xander’s adventures.

The End

 Make up chant for the spell of Nullification.

1 Make up chant for the help of the Wanderers.