Lady Maddei wore a heartwarming smile that made Judson wonder if she wanted to hug him, but she only stared like an old friend with whom he had suddenly reunited.

"It is wonderful to see you again after so long, your Majesty." He admitted. The Queen's presence did make him feel wonderful in a strange but vague way that reminded of their last meeting - when she had ignored what others magnified.

As she held out a sleeved hand, some parts of her attire caught the light and sent dull, lulling flashes across the room. "Will you supper with me?"

Judson opened his mouth to speak then shut it again. It did not seem like evening. Yet. But it was not his wish to refuse his host, so he nodded. And also, it was considered a great and rare opportunity to be personally invited to feast with the ruler of Crysoton.

"This is Qar." He introduced, suddenly remembering his friend. The aforementioned came forward and bowed until his forehead touched the floor.

Maddei's own head tilted in recognition. "A Burrower. I have not set eyes on your kind, Qar, since before the Great War of Realms. It is my pleasure that you have come and allowed my eyes behold your race again."

Qar grinned, yet remained speechless. He seemed to have not recovered from the blissfulness of basically everything around him.

"Come," Maddei urged. "There is room for every as long as he is hungry."

As they convoyed to the dining room, Judson finally saw the source of music - tall, stationary harps coated in gold. He gawked at the puny creatures hovering around and plucking at their strings. It was mind boggling how such tiny fingers could control strings so large. The throne room spilled into a different, incredibly spacious one that smelled faintly of dust and was filled to the brim with books, and Fairies. The stump of a kind of fat tree laid in the middle of the room encased in bulbous, luminous energy that Judson immediately recognized as godly aura though there was no god about who seemed to own it.

"Those who seek extraordinary knowledge must know where to find this room. All is welcome." Lady Maddei spoke as they exited the library.

Outside, Judson and Qar came to an abrupt halt. They had unexpectedly exited the tree. In the distance was a great, dark blue ocean: a setting orange-gold sun that ignited the horizon and plunged the realm into twilight, and spots of gray that he suspected was land atop the ocean.

"Caves." Maddei clarified, her hand clasped around the railing. Their emergence point was a balcony. "Our original home. They broke apart to form individual islands when the realm underwent a terrible earthshaking many ages ago."

Gliding about, she continued down the narrow porch of bark, branch and iron; her dress cascading in waves of color to shimmer off anything translucent enough to reflect light. A short flight of wooden stairs welcomed them into a roofless dining area, its floors strewn with brownish gold and green leaves, tiny flowers, and spots of ripe berries that Qar wasted no second in stuffing his mouth full of.

Judson grimaced at his behavior and their host noticed.

"They are fresh." She assured with a smile, gesturing to a slab of thick wood surrounded by seats. "Birds come to feed on them as well as hungry children. Do sit."

Judson slid into the one of a kind wooden stool. Similar to everything, it was a wholly natural seat because it protruded right out of its mother tree from which it was carved. Qar, with arm stock of berries, plopped beside him. The Queen was positioned oppositely, rays of weak yet beautiful sunlight highlighting her short hair from behind. He had begun to wonder where the food would come from when the area instantly became crowded by Crysotoni. All in human form.

"I reckon you have had a good travel." Maddei began casually as simple food was placed before her.

In his subconscious, Judson had expected a large feast.

He half nodded, noticing how every servant would steal a fleeting glance at him. "Sometimes, your Grace."

"Juneberry informed me of your reason for coming to us." She plucked a grape off its vine and ate it. "Do you find our homeland pleasant?"

"Intriguingly, yes." He stared at his plate. There was a bowl of pomegranates next to the main meal. In truth, he was not so hungry, but he went for the fruit.

"And you, master Burrower?" She enquired, tilting to face Qar.

"I fear I lack words to describe this paradise, my lady. You'll have to permit me some time to learn as many pleasant phrases as I can, and when I have done so, I will write you a letter, telling of what I think of this blessed realm."

Maddei fell into a round of chuckles. "That is wonderful. I will await your letter."

"The painting back in that room," Judson reminded. Waverly's image had barely left his thoughts. "When was it done? How did it get here?"

Maddei sighed and crossed delicate hands over the table. "There are certain things one will strive to understand. If I told you that I woke up one morning and found a new painting in the floor of my throne room, would that be a satisfying answer?"

He thought for a moment. "No, not really."

"Well, that is the truth," She shrugged. "But I will tell you this; those illustrations have existed since the beginning of life in Crysoton, and it reflects only what the gods will."

"Therefore she was inducted into an old painting of the gods. . . by the gods?" He reasoned.

Maddei blinked her response. "Honorary, you may call it. She is unaware of this development, but I trust she witnessed the immortalization of herself into history."

"She never told me." Judson mumbled, feeling a little hurt. His eyes stayed on the plates for a time as silence hung. When he looked up, Maddei was staring attentively.

"Why do your people glare at me so often?" He asked, wondering if there was a different reason behind the oddity than what he strongly suspected.

"Why, you are a guest of mine." She replied, faintly amused. "Why else did you think?"

"My mother." He put out, tracing a finger along the table. "She is your matron."

"You feel you have attention because you are an offspring of Juniper's."

"Exactly so."

"Yes, you are undeniably of supernatural blood. However, my people stare so because of what you have done rather than who you are."

A sharp pang, like iron whacking against a flat board, sounded in Judson's chest. But before the feeling could intensify, the Queen elaborated.

"None has traveled to the Celestial Mountains of Lore in the North and returned successful. So, yes, you have garnered attention based more on merit than identity. Your courage earned you glory."

Despite her explanation and his own nagging discomfort, Judson went ahead to voice, "They do not remember the evil I once hosted?"

Maddei suddenly beamed. "Of course, they do, but nobody actually likes to think about strife all the time. It straps us to the past. Think, nature's son; had we all dwelled in the past evils of the Great War, this splendid dining of a Burrower, a Shade and a Crysotoni would not be possible. Do not deny yourself credit for braving what most would hide from. You have accepted your mistakes, now, you must move on from them whilst trying to make peace; not only with those affected, but with yourself as well."

A little breath of relief escaped Judson. For the first time, he felt truly free. All that the Queen had said was all he yearned to hear for he was still plagued by guilt regarding the past. It suddenly eased him that he was doing the right thing albeit not always welcomed.

"Thank you, my lady." He said, smiling as well.

"Now," Lady Maddei gave a heavy sigh. "Onto the pressing matter at hand. You are yet to explain what drove you to my realm."

"Waverly." As he said her name, her voice echoed in his mind - a faint trace of memory, distant yet lovely. "She accompanied me to the North,"

The Queen gave a prompting nod. He suspected that she was aware of all he was about to say, but made no attempts to show it.

"Something treacherous seized her there. The Chasma. I aim to find it. . . to find her." He paused, conscious of how anxious the topic made him still. "I need help."

"Then you have come to the wrong place."

Judson's heart shattered like glass dropped from a great height.

Maddei suddenly smiled again and added, "At the right time."

At that, there was a noticeable change in the atmosphere. A woman, who was almost the same height as the Queen herself, strolled into the dining. Judson recognized her at once.

Revvi. The Crysotoni seer.

She sat at the head of the table on the left side of his stool and focused dark, vigilant eyes on him. The yellow of her apparel matched the crown that graced her overflowing hair. Compared to when they last met, she appeared much younger though her imposing expression remained. She looked permanently upset.

"You must remember Revvi." Maddei began conversationally. "She saw your arrival before your arrival."

Judson thinned his lips to prevent a grin. He had been ignoring it ever since, but the Queen of Crysoton possessed a tempting sense of humor that was hard to resist. He nodded in agreement.

"She will answer whatever questions you have to ask."

Revvi stared at the Queen. "In the sacred tree, mother. Not here. The gravity of this is far too vital to discuss in a dining pavilion."

Maddei gave a single nod of approval. "As is customary." She looked at Judson. "You will go with her and find the answers you seek."

His heart skipped a beat, but he remained composed. The seer next to him was unnerving in ways that could compare to the gods. He could tell she was ages old, perhaps the same age as the Queen: and even though she looked and sounded nothing like it, he could feel just how much sunlight her skin had soaked in over time; how often her feet felt soil, and the number of times she gave and took life. Somehow, he suddenly knew just how old she was. The slow revelation blurred his eyes and rendered him dizzy.

He must have tilted his head because Qar suddenly shot up to his shoulder and used a firm paw to support his neck.

"Sire? Are you feeling alright, sire?"

Judson turned to his little friend that seemed like an oil painting up close and smiled. "All alright, Qar."

The Burrower appeared unconvinced. He straightened first then bowed to Revvi. "If my lady will, to her pleasure, grant me this mercy and allow me accompany my master, it would be a great kindness to a creature as insignificant as myself."

Without a word, Revvi rose and began to exit the dining. Sweet smelling wind circled and picked the leaves at her feet, drawing them toward her as she shrunk to a medium size that was oddly more suitable than her humanoid one. Then, she beckoned on them using her gaze.

Judson began to rise from his stool when the Queen's hand touched the back of his own. He halted and looked straight at her. She made no efforts to speak, but there was a graveness in her brunescent eyes that screamed sympathy and great sorrow. Unfortunately, he understood every bit of emotion in them. She lifted her eyebrows in prompting and smiled weakly before releasing his hand.

Qar lowered in a bow. "I will never forget the taste of your berries here, your Majesty, for they are as delectable as the meal. Thank you for this grand opportunity."

Maddei laughed. It sounded like an invitation to humor. "You are most welcome, Qar. Now, go with your master."

When they neared Revvi, Judson immediately noted her gossamer wings and that she did not exude light like the rest of her kind. And when she spoke, her voice was in a perfectly normal pitch.

"This way."

She zoomed out of the tree.

Bending to allow Qar climb onto his back, Judson carefully followed. Midair, the Burrower smoothened out the back of his curls as if he could sense the unease that hung around his master. The gesture softened Judson and made him relax.

Until they arrived their intended destination, he spotted neither one blade of flattened grass nor a browning leaf. Crysoton was flawless. Also, the realm was satisfyingly overtaken with more water and trees than empty land.

The foot of the sacred tree was crowded by wild growing plants, foreign flowers, bunny rabbits and. . .

Judson gasped quietly when a familiar Derew floated right out of the tree trunk.

"Lica of the Willow." Revvi introduced.

Lica was not familiar in the sense that he once heard her name or saw her face. She was familiar in a much stranger way, as if he had known her from long long ago - a time when he spent a short, yet impactful moment with her and then parted ways. Her face was entirely foreign. She was a peculiar tree spirit with stringy red hair, cherry red cheeks and a soft hue of light purple in a line across her irises. Her garment resembled rags, composed from odd scraps of fabric. However, they suited her well.

She blinked in utter surprise then her lips curved in a genuinely happy smile.

"I know you." Judson muttered, absent-minded, inching nearer to her. The proximity seemed to be cracking whatever part of his brain held memory of the Derew, but at the pace of a running tortoise.

She floated very close and kissed him affectionately on both cheeks. "Yes. It was I who looked after you as a newborn."

Color drained out of Judson's face. The inside of his eyes felt cold. "What?"

"We have business in the hallowed, Lica." Revvi firmly put out and flew upward.

Lica's gaze followed the seer then returned to Judson as did her smile. "You best go with her, nemethil. She doesn't like to be kept waiting."

"What did you call me?"

She cupped his confused face in small hands and placed her forehead against his own then kissed his forehead in farewell.

"We will meet again." With a friendly chuckle, she melted back into the tree.

For a few minutes, he stood planted to the spot, battling with his will to follow Revvi and a strange eagerness to summon Lica. At last, he proceeded to do the former. Arriving the top, he found that the tree was normal. There were no openings nor thresholds to usher him inside and it confused him.

Qar seemed to sense his bepuzzlement. "I say, sire, it would not be a sacred tree if it were open to everyone."

At that, the tree groaned and a path melted open in front of them. Judson tapped a foot against the ground, feeling edgy. Subconsciously, he outstretched a wing to block Qar, who was attempting to proceed.

The Burrower glanced up at him in questioning. "Sire?"

"Remain out here, Qar." He breathed. "I will go on alone. Whatever is to be said has to reach my ears first."

Reluctantly and with a bit of heartbreak, Qar stepped back in obedience. "As you say, sire."

The moment his feet stepped into the unnaturally long passageway, Judson felt himself being submerged in water. The sensation was alarming and almost drew a shout out of him, but he realized the next second that he could breathe, his clothes were dry and that the image was nothing but an image albeit a frighteningly realistic one. He could feel the slapping cold of ocean water and the sting of sea salt in his eyes. He even felt as lightweight as one would when underwater, but his feet were firmly placed on the tree floor.

He glanced about, wondering why he was beneath the surface. Then, he caught a distant sight of something rapidly descending in the dark blue.

Without needing to see her face, he instantly knew who she was.

"Hlsana." His breath caught and he stepped forward, numbness traveling up and down his fingers.

She seemed unconscious with her arms helplessly spread out and head hung low. From somewhere in the depths, a different figure swam to her and wrapped both arms around her upper body then began to swim for the surface. He took another step, hoping to discover what happened next when the image suddenly dissolved and he found himself standing near a waterfall. A long stream at its foot trailed down in a winding course and spilled into a large pool that was far from his sight.

Above the roar of rushing water, he heard voices.

Cheerful voices.

He walked to the edge and peered down, and there she was - surrounded by young Elves. They played around and splashed water at one another, chasing themselves and yanking escapers back into the pool. It was a jolly sight, but it saddened Judson. He strolled down the edge, his gaze pinned on Waverly. Quietly, she went under and came up behind a purple haired She-Elf over whose head she emptied a conch of water. The Elfin spun and grabbed her, eliciting a scream and a chorus of laughter from them both.

Again, the image dissolved, but this time, it was interrupted by a sudden burst of wind. Judson blinked and found Revvi so close she was almost in his face.

"Come out of those memories." She chided then turned to zoom off.

His mouth went dry as he proceeded. The inside of the tree was warm and homey, indicating that it had contained living beings one too many times. Hoary lights as tiny as dots beamed from piths above and the ground was illuminated by the same emission, but by living things altogether giving the tree a mysterious and gloomy atmosphere.

He stopped where the ground suddenly yawned into a gaping centre. It was dark through and through, but he glimpsed the faintest light at the bottom.

"Join me." Revvi's lurksome voice called from down below.

Drawing in a deep breath, Judson plunged headfirst and spread out his wings, casting a white shadow against the tree walls. While he made his descent, he began to notice that he was being encircled by flamelets, flickering blue as they blinked into existence in twos. Almost to the ground, he straightened and landed softly.

Revvi was there in her full size, immersed in the light of the same strange blue flames that lowered to surround them both in a wide berth. Under the lighting, her face was outlandish.

"This is called Härrarï." She said, pointing to the bare point in between them. "The divide between mortal and immortal."

Judson stared at the middle. It was all round tree bark and spooky light reflection. Nothing about it was unique in the sense the seer was trying to imply.

"You cannot see Härrarï." Revvi said, as if sensing his thoughts. "No one can. Not even I."

He nodded.

She suddenly exhaled and spread out her arms. "But it is on this divine space that we pour out our most complex questions. When you seek what mortal knowledge cannot explain, Härrarï will reveal it. For it is immortality that knows more - the life that started and never ended - and can tell us the deep things we do not know."

Her eyes widened as she stared at him, making Judson squirm in discomfort. "I am immortal and you are mortal, and because I am here, Härrarï will give you answers. Now, ask what you wish to know."

Judson gulped down his anxiety. The room was beginning to feel a lot tighter than it looked and uncomfortably hot. He ignored his alarmed senses and focused on the gap.

"I want to know how to find The Chasma."

A strong satisfying wind began to blow, easing him of the heat, but also attempting to ease him of gravity. He pegged his feet to prevent being swept up. No matter how strong the wind was, the blue flames were unaffected, not even sparing a flicker. Ghostly smoke began to rise from every single one, swirling through the wind in an upward motion until they met in the center right above his and Revvi's heads.

Then, the aura whizzed down and struck the seer as lightning would.

She appeared unshaken, inhaling it all as easily as anybody could breathe common air. When the last of smoke had drained into her system, the winds seized. Revvi's head, which was thrown back, came rearing again, exposing smoky blueness in her eyes. Judson felt himself getting sucked into them, but as soon as she blinked the sensation stopped, and also returned her eyes to their normal color. Her face contorted into one of exhaustion and she let out a breath.

"We will return to mother now." She announced and shrunk again before flying out of the sacred tree.

Judson was perplexed and a bit annoyed, but he followed without a word.

Night had fallen properly when he came outside and he saw that the realm's natural source of light were in animals, insects and the inhabitants themselves. It was the most beautiful sight to behold when he flew over the land.

Back in Wood Guild, Lady Maddei welcomed them gleefully, but when Revvi whispered into her ear, the Queen's cheerful face fell. It seemed like she had not meant for it to because her smile immediately returned.

"Rest for the night." She urged Judson, wearing an enlightened grin. "At the first peek of sunlight, we will gather again to hear the revelation of Härrarï."

He retired with a begrudging heart, but given how beautiful his quarters were, it was hard to stay that way.

Over and over, the memories he saw at the entrance to the sacred tree plagued his mind, sending him lost in thoughts, until Qar noticed.

"Do you feel low of spirits, sire?" The former queried, jumping down from his bed.

Because he could not stay high up in the trees, Qar was given a comfortable place on ground level. Judson, who was too bothered to sleep, had come to visit him. But he barely said a word since his arrival, only staring hard at the row of bright red flowers of the tree.

"Sire?" Qar called a second time.

He touched Judson's hand. The latter blinked and came out of his entrancement.

"Must've gone quite deep in the affairs of your mind, right, sire?" The creature chuckled.

Judson smiled faintly and lowered his eyes.

"I can understand if you feel quite unfulfilled by these delays," Qar went on. "But tis a wonderful place to be in. You need to overcome your depression and enjoy it. We may never make a second trip here."

"I am not depressed because I have to wait til tomorrow to find out what I need to do." Judson confessed. He shook his head, images burning before his eyes. "I am depressed because it was I who brought this upon her."

Qar frowned. "What do you mean?"

He exhaled and retold what he had seen at the tree's entrance. "She was so happy there. I could feel it. I ruined it. All of this is my fault."

The Burrower sighed weakly. "Sire, don't do this to yourself. No one, in spite of how much they wish it, can change a thing about their lives nor control past events. Do you wonder if, perhaps, she felt afflicted with regret over things you would never want her mind to be bothered by?"

Judson looked at him then.

"I know that you carry the weight of unnumbered burdens, sire, and you may disagree with me, but had you no strength to bear them, they would not be upon your shoulders. Take heart, sire. All will be well again and in due time. Think only of the possibilities and of lovely flowers, sunlight and wine. Tomorrow has no owner, but it is there for the wise to appreciate."

Judson scoffed in mild delight, impressed by Qar's words. "Sometimes, you make me wonder just how long you have lived on earth."

"Not quite past half a decade, sire." The Burrower laughed. "Will you share in my berries before you leave for the night?"

"I would not dare refuse."

After dining together, Judson returned to his own tree. A maple in the outskirts of Tanï and a part of the main city, which was called MantleDeep. He met Juneberry on his way back and she offered to be his escort, telling him of the history of the trees there of which he barely registered a single thing. At his doorstep, she finally stopped talking and exited with a wide grin and a bow.

The interior of his quarters was oddly similar to that a normal home, with full red drapes, a four-poster bed done with exquisite, paper thin covers and a mauve floor rug. All in all, the place felt regal and different from traditional Crysotoni home decor. In contrast to Maddei's statement, the bedroom made him feel as though he was enjoying the privileges of an absent, wealthy parent.

It was sickening.

With a rebellious scoff, he lounged on the floor instead, allowing the clean breeze lull him to sleep. Ironically, the serenity kept him awake all night.

A soft melody accompanied the twilight.

As day broke over Crysoton, Judson felt renewed. It felt as if, unbeknownst to him, the fading night took away his worries and the growing dawn draped him with new hope. He sat up, wondering if that was how mornings always were in the paradisiacal realm. There was a crispness in the air; a recency in everything his eyes fell upon that made him feel that he was seeing the environment for the very first time. It was suddenly tempting to go out and explore nature's magic, but before he could act on the thought, there was a knock on the door.

Outside, he found a Fairy - the first youngling he ever saw. Her delicate face bore adorable features on infant-like skin. In her hands was a lovely glass bowl in the shape of a tulip filled to the top with the ripest strawberries. At the sight of her, he softened.

When she shuffled on her feet, a strawberry plopped off the side of the bowl. She muttered an exclamation, but did not look up at him when she began to speak.

"A very lovely first twilight to you, sire." Her tone was shaky. Slowly, she lifted the bowl over her head. "Would some strawberries add to your delight this morning?"

Judson lowered on his knee to match her height and took up her chin. The contact startled her and she gasped softly, pinkish irises dancing in her eye sockets. For a time, he simply stared into her eyes, until she relaxed and was able to look at him without looking away.

"What are you called?"

Her smile was tiny. "Knot, sire."

He smiled as well. "Pleasure to meet you, Knot. I must tell you that I am called something else too. Do you want to know what it is?"

Knot appeared uncertain and her gaze wavered, but beneath it, he sensed the simple curiosity of a child tearing its way up towards the surface. She bit down on her lip and nodded in prompting.

"Judson. I am called Judson."

Her face lit up with a smile and she lowered her face to hide it, stretching the bowl. "Also, Mother wishes to see you. She awaits with Revvi in the Mint Everglade."

"I have no idea where to find the place." He confessed honestly, rising. "Will you take me there, Knot?"

An excited giggle flew out of the little Fairy, but she cleared her throat the very next second and bowed. "Of course I will, sir- ooh, um, Judson."

She stole a peep at him then threw her gaze, thinning her lips to hide a smile. Her behavior left him as curious as he felt about Lica, and he wondered again if she was simply excited about meeting Juniper's offspring than an adventurous Shade. Given how absent the goddess had been for the past century or so, he gathered it was reason enough for an entire race of her followers to squeal at the appearance of her son. Unfortunately, the idea did not excite him. He felt more like a footprint than a person.

But Knot was a child - a rather timid child - and he was fond of children.

He accepted the strawberries and laid them on a table then came back out.

"Lead the way, Knot."

The Fairy muttered to herself as they flew, seeming a bit disoriented, but with the distance between them, Judson could barely speak to her. Besides, it was possible that a conversation would put her off her bearings completely.

So, he silently prayed they were going the right way.

They passed Tanï and flew over a lovely lake, and a cornfield after that. Then, the landscape began to morph from beautiful to extraordinarily beautiful. Knot lowered into a thicket that, at first, he feared he would not fit through, but discovered that it was more spacious than it looked. Inside, the wind smelled sweet and minty and he sighted the source - bushes of several kinds that showcased herbs, and little spice producing trees. As usual, water found its rightful place amongst the thriving growth, dotting the ground with clean pools and tiny streams.

Then, the thicket faded into an everglade - a tract of marshland that still somehow managed to look appealing. In one side of it, where there was an artificial cluster of lichen and wildflowers, a pavilion stood on powerful white rock. Awaiting inside the pavilion were Revvi, the Lady Maddei and Lica.

"A pleasant morning." The Queen greeted, coming forward as Judson's feet touched the ground. "Did you sleep well?"

"How does one fall asleep in such a place, where there is greater pleasure in keeping your eyes open?" He retorted with a little smile.

Maddei beamed. "I must apologize then. But I believe you are well rested."

He allowed himself be led to his chair. "Very well, thank you, your Majesty."

The dining table was a slab of irregular shaped stone with markings across the entire surface that looked suspiciously like the ones on Revvi's skin. White chairs surrounded the table, leaving the head bare. Food and drink were attractively laid out, finished with fresh flowers and jars of clear water.

"Thank you, Knot. You may go." Maddei dismissed.

Judson turned in time to see the little Fairy skid back until she bumped awkwardly against the railing with an "oop" and flew away in a hurry.

"She pleaded to let me send her to fetch you in my own messenger's stead." The Queen explained, seating herself in between Revvi and Lica.

"Who is she?" He asked.

Maddei looked up blankly then shook herself. "A new born. They're much more eager as children than adults and it's up to us to let them learn by practice. Knot is the oldest new born we have. Only four months old."

"She doesn't look it." He mumbled, his eyes flittering to Lica's, who instantly smiled.

Maddei seemed to notice. "Yes. I believe you have been acquainted with Lica already. She told me you met yesterday."

"We did."

"Lica here knows your mother very well. She's the closest thing we have had to Juniper's presence in a very long time."

Judson turned to the Queen. "Good!"

For a moment, she stared blankly again then caught herself. "Of course. Now, Revvi will tell us all she learned from Härrarï yesterday. Revvi?"

The seer's head bowed. "Your Eminence."

"Please, don't keep us waiting any longer."

Again, Revvi bowed then reared to stare fully at Judson. The movement seemed threatening, but he barely registered that it was; only eager to know what the woman had to say.

"Härrarï has said what the outcome of your journey will be." She began.

"But that is not what I asked it." He expressed, frowning. Should the seer's answer be anything less than useful, he decided he would leave Crysoton immediately.

"No. Yet it sees your path. You shall search for The Chasma, but not here in Fairy abode. Discovery of it will only come where death awaits you on a threshold."

Heavy silence fell.

Judson stared into his plate. One part of him was afraid, the other had seen it coming. The ominous air that had long surrounded the whole affair was staring in his face all along, but he had not understood what it meant nor what it would amount to. Now he was even more confused by the words, though at least, he had eventually heard them. It was worse that he waited so long only to hear such dreadful words just when his expectations were beginning to steer toward the positive. He tried to decipher Härrarï's meaning, but confusion and fear fogged his mind.

"What does that mean? Where does death wait for me?"

The seer's expression was nonchalant. She looked relieved. It made him suspect the vision had weighed on her somehow.

"If I knew, I would explain."

"Are you not a seer?"

"I am." Her upset face overtook the relaxed one.

Judson recoiled. He had not meant to insult her in any way. "What I mean is, if you should get visions then surely their meanings too."

Revvi's expression eased. "It does not work like that."

He heaved a tired sigh and deflated in his seat, burying his face in his hands. "What is the point if I am to die before I find what I am looking for?"

"Go around it." Lica spoke for the first time.

Judson looked up. He refused to admit it to himself, but of the trio present at the table, he liked her the most. "What?"

"Go around it." She repeated. "The vision. If you go through it, you may fall into danger. So, go around it."

"Is your meaning literal, or are you simply expressing that I try something else?"

"Yes." It was the Queen who answered. "It will do no good at all if you died before you reached your goal. Visions are tricky. Most of the time, they aren't even straightforward. I believe in time, you will understand Revvi's vision, but for now, you must try something else."

"So, I am to resume wandering aimlessly?" He asked, displeased by the idea.

"No." Revvi responded. "Find The Grump."

"The who?"

"Gzrel, The Grump." Lica offered. "He is rumored to be a god's child, but none have any knowledge of where he is."

"If so, how am I supposed to find him?" Judson looked from one face to another. All three women seemed to be either directly speaking into each other's minds or had shared foreknowledge of the meeting beforehand because he was the only clueless one amongst them.

"There certainly are those who have had sightings of Gzrel." Maddei said, chewing quietly. She seemed the only attendee with an appetite. "All you need do is find them."

He sighed again. The idea of looking for a grump made him grumpy. "Where do I begin?"

"That is entirely up to you, nemethil." Lica completed.

"I do not understand." Judson said, rising to his feet. "I came here for help, but you have all just succeeded in setting me on my way again, with even more confusion this time."

"Trust that it is for a good purpose." Lady Maddei cooed, lifting her graceful head. "You needn't grow angry, nature's son, though I do understand your frustration. If you were never meant to come here, you wouldn't have, but you have come and we have given all the help we can. Now, you must trust it will bring about a good outcome."

He looked about in unease, overwhelmed. It felt unmistakably like starting all over again and the feeling near well made him want to curl into a ball and cry until he fell asleep. He walked to the balcony and gripped the railing.

Almost immediately, a tender hand rested on his back. He looked up to find Lica. She beckoned with her head.

"Come with me."