The next day came a distraction of a different sort. Ildri could almost feel it like a wave of rumours running through the castle. At first she tried to ignore the chattering maids outside the door.

"Whatever is going on?" Kallie asked from where she was stirring a bowl of ingredients.

Ildri was irritated. She wanted to know what was happening but there were so many potions to make. She felt ready to snap. "I wish they would just be silent! I'm trying to concentrate! How can I concentrate with all this racket!? Seriously, I—"

Maxine smiled. "Just go see what is happening, Ildri. And take the twins. You can all use a break."

"Good idea!" Damani said with a small salute as he literally ran for the door.

"Thank you," Kallie said. "Damani, stop running!"

"That boy has no patience for potions," Ildri muttered as she wiped her hands on her apron before casting it to the side. Maxine was right. Ildri could use a short break.

"He's been helpful," Maxine added.

If nothing else, Keziah had a true talent for knowing when Ildri was going somewhere. She leapt from one of her favoured perches to Ildri's shoulder. Ildri followed the twins out the door.

Ildri walked swiftly behind the twins to keep up. They went in the direction of the noise. Servants milled around trying to look casual or as if they were doing a task more important than being nosy. The twins skirted around the adults and Ildri followed in their stead. Everyone gave her a wide berth, Keziah's bites had become more famous than perhaps the reality warranted.

And then Damani broke into a flat out run and more surprisingly Kallie did the same. Ildri hurried forward to see what might make the well behaved child run.

There was a small cluster of people at the door. "Anya!" she heard both twins cry as they hurtled into their sister's arms. The Wizard Jim was standing beside her, smiling at the fray.

And as awkward as she felt, Ildri was happy to see her former friend, glad that she had not been executed, whatever her crimes. Without thinking she moved forward, through the crowd. It explained the curiosity, everyone was wondering what the traitor was doing back at Wildwood. Ildri felt a bit sorry for her. He looked mildly uncomfortable and perturbed as he glanced at the gawking crowed.

It was really sweet. And that same coveting, grasping feeling touched Ildri's heart before she pushed it away. She did not need to feel jealous of every sickeningly happy little couple that she might run into. She would find someone one day. Never mind that she probably had already found him and he was completely unsuitable.

Bloody Ty, why could he not have been born the son of a farmer or something? Of course, even if he had been there was no guarantee he would have been interested in her.

Unthinkingly her eyes scanned the crowd, looking for him even as she had walked forward.

She could hear the conversation even over the noise of the onlookers.

"Have you been behaving?" Anya asked Damani and Kallie after they loosened their stranglehold on her. Damani looked embarrassed by his show of emotion and he stood woodenly.

"We have, mostly," Kallie told her. "We've been helping Maxine and Ildri make potions."

"Maxine and... Ildri..?" Anya repeated, apparently surprised. "I thought..."

"So why didn't you tell us you were coming?" Damani asked sharply.

Anya smiled and ruffled his hair. "It was very sudden."

"The king pardoned Anya," Jim explained. Ildri heard a ripple go through the crowd.

Anya smiled up at Jim. "Honestly I think that it was more because he wanted Jim back in the kingdom during these trying times."

Jim looked less happy than Anya. "Oh, he wanted you back, too. Whatever people say, his majesty is not a foolish man. He knows how to draw his resources. I would have preferred if she had stayed there. I could have sent Damani and Kallie to her, too. As dangerous as the wild continent can be, it is not as bad as Edelland at war."

"I would not have stayed, anyway. I've been pardoned, and I think that I owe the king for his mercy." Anya's voice was strong but Ildri noticed that she held tightly to Jim's hand.

"Oh, I've no doubt he'll collect. I should not have let you come."

Anya's eyes narrowed, but her voice sounded playful. "I doubt you could have stopped me."

Lord Wildwood's voice sounded loudly from behind Ildri. "I would have shipped off Theresa and Lillie if she would have let me. Was tempted to do it anyway," he said as he strode forward. Lord Wildwood slapped Jim on the back. "Welcome back, old friend." Anya smiled.

"And it is good to see you as well, Anya," Lord Wildwood said. "Have you come to help in the defence of Wildwood this time?"

Jim's face looked suddenly dire. "I'm afraid that we have unfortunate news, Keaton."

Lord Wildwood's face became serious. "Let's go to my study then, and you can tell me what has transpired." He glanced at the servants who were still bold enough to mill around watching them speak. "No doubt you all have more important duties than standing around decorating the front hall, no?"

The remaining onlookers melted away. Jim leaned towards Anya and said something Ildri could not hear, and then followed the Lord of Wildwood out of sight.

* * * * *

Anya reached down and hugged the twins again and smiled. Then her eyes raised and met Ildri's. Ildri saw wariness cross her face. "Ildri, hello," Anya said, sounding almost nervous, which was impossible because Anya was so strong.

"Hello, Anya," Ildri said feeling incredibly awkward. What was she supposed to say to someone who she had parted on such bad terms with? "How was your journey?"

"It was good. Long," Anya said softly.

"Are you staying for a while?"

Anya nodded. "For a time. You two, go back to whatever tasks you have been given. We'll have time together later," she said, looking down at her siblings.

"Yes, Anya," Kallie said and ran off with Damani in the direction of Ildri's rooms.

Ildri watched the way that the listened with mild amazement and then realized that she was alone with Anya. She put on the best smile she could manage. "It's good to see that you are well."

"You too."

Ildri tried not to fidget as she tried to think of some excuse to escape too.

She heard Anya take a deep breath. "Ildri, I know it's not good enough, but I really am sorry about everything," Anya said. "You made it clear that you would not forgive me and while I understand that I don't think continuing fighting will help Wildwood, and..." Anya trailed off. Her voice sounded a bit shaky, but she looked resolute.

Ildri could not quite meet Anya's eyes. "I know, I should not have been so hard on you. Lord Wildwood trusts you, so I will too. And I know why you did it."

Anya smiled and it was not like any time when Ildri had known her. "I hated the deceit."

"I guess that you had a good reason, though."

"A lie is still a lie."

Ildri slanted a look at Anya. "I think you might be harder on yourself than I am now."

Anya smiled, a bit abashedly.

"Why don't you come with me? Maxine and I have sort of a system going, but I think one more person would only make it better. Kallie and Damani are there, too."

Anya nodded. "That would be nice. So you make potions now?"

"I know, weird right? This is my familiar, Keziah." Ildri indicated the bird on her shoulder.

"She's lovely."

"Until she opens her mouth," Ildri muttered. "Don't you have a crow or something?"

Anya glanced at Ildri. "I thought it better to leave visual reminders of what I am outside."

Ildri took Anya's arm. "Let's go get it. You'll find people here at Wildwood are a lot more understanding of witches than they used to be."

"But Missus White..."

"If Missus White isn't used to familiars running around with five of them already here, we'll have to see if six does it," Ildri said far more cheerfully than she felt when she thought about the housekeeper's reaction.

Anya allowed Ildri to lead her outside. Then she called, "Sabin!" A moment later the black bird swept from the sky.

"Anya, this is Sabin. I don't think you ever properly met."

Sabin cocked his black head and regarded Ildri with a black eye.

"Bloody mess!" Keziah announced and then turned her back on the new bird.

"That is fascinating," Anya said, watching the parrot.

"She doesn't exactly listen to me."

"Some familiars are stronger willed than others. She'll eventually figure out how to please you," Anya said wisely.

Ildri nodded and hoped that Anya was right. She pushed open the door and re-entered the castle, only to see the rigid face of Missus White bearing down upon them.

Ildri's first ridiculous thought was that Missus White must have mind reading abilities, or at least some ability to turn up where she was least wanted. But no, Missus White often stayed around the front hall like a haunting spectre and her office was nearby.

"What mangy creature are you bringing in now?" Missus White demanded. "That is outside of enough! I will not have it. Put them both outside, right this instant. Birds and rabbits and other beasts in the hall!"

Anya turned around as if she would do exactly what the woman demanded, but Ildri grabbed her arm. "I don' t think that we should back down this time. I'm not just a kitchen maid anymore and you're not just a traitor. I'm Wildwood's witch and you're a valuable ally. And Lord Wildwood doesn't mind the familiars in the castle so I'm not sure why the housekeeper thinks she can order it differently."

Anya looked troubled. "I think she's just miserable, really."

"Ildri. Did you hear what I said? It was not a suggestion."

"Missus White, I believe that we have not yet met," another voice announced the arrival of Maxine. Two of her rabbits trailed behind her, causing Missus White's eyebrows to rise farther.

"Yes, I don't believe we have met," Missus White agreed in a cold voice. "But at the moment, I am talking to these girls and I do not have the time—"

"I think that you'll find that you can make time," Maxine said. "No need to wait for me." She took the housekeeper by the arm and steered her towards her own office.

Ildri and Anya exchanged surprised glances. "Let's go," Ildri said and they made their way towards her rooms.

"I can't quite believe that you know Maxine," Anya said in what might have been almost reverent tones.

Ildri smiled. I met her when I was on my way to the capital."

"And I thought you would never leave. But I can't believe Maxine took you on as a student. She almost never took on any students."

"I just asked and she agreed."

"It must mean that you had potential."

Ildri shrugged. "They said I had power, but no control."

"It seems you have control now," Anya said.

"Hardly." Ildri changed the subject because being scrutinized made her feel a bit uncomfortable. "So do you know Maxine well?"

Anya shrugged. "Only in name. She knew my father. But she's something of a legend amongst witches. I only met her a couple of times, but I guess she captured my imagination. I mean, she's so beautiful and had such an exciting life. It seems so silly now, after everything that happened. My parents died and I found out that spying is hardly glamorous," Anya added a bit sheepishly.

"Spying... Maxine!?"

"Oh, if she didn't tell you I probably should not have said anything," Anya said quickly.

Ildri found she was not that surprised. There had always been more to Maxine than met the eye. She wondered if she should ask Maxine later, but it was probably better to leave it alone. Ildri wondered if Maxine had talked to Allan about it. It was not her business, she supposed, but it was still intriguing.

Thinking of things that were none of her business... "So what about you and Jim?" Ildri asked.

Anya blushed. "Oh, he's great."

Ildri agreed amiably, "Very great. So what is he talking to Lord Wildwood about?"

Anya shrugged. "I don't really think I should say. That's up to Lord Wildwood now."

Ildri rolled her eyes. Anya was always good at keeping her mouth shut, unlike Ildri herself, although Ildri had gotten a lot more practice.

They arrived at the door of Ildri's chambers.

Anya pushed back her sleeves. "So, shall we get to work?"

"Right now? Don't you want to change first or anything?" Ildri asked.

Anya's eyes narrowed and she smiled determinedly. "No, I want to do this now. We need to do whatever we can while we have the chance to do it."

"Is it that bad?" Ildri asked, thinking about the information Anya was holding.

Anya's smile was grim. "Let's just say it's not a good sign that the king was so desperate he pardoned me."