Chapter Twenty-Three
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An hour later, I was cleaned, given a new set of clothes, and had my hair and cosmetics done expertly. I laughed at myself in the mirror.

I barely recognized myself. The dress was padded, making my figure much less scrawny. The cosmetics made me look older, and my hair was coiled atop my head. I looked . . . old.

"Do you not like it?" the seamstress asked nervously.

"No, it's perfect," I said. I handed her the money. "Thank you."

I walked out the door awkwardly in my tall shoes. I decided to enter the apothecary and pretend to be a customer, to test my disguise.

I opened the door. Liam was still at the counter, drinking a glass of water. "Hello," I said, raising the pitch of my voice a little.

"Oh, hello Lady Fendway," he said.

I frowned.

"Don't worry, almost no one would be able to tell it's you. I'm just . . . " He uncomfortably looked to the ground, then back at me. " . . . good at that sort of thing."

"Good." I struck a dramatic pose. "Do I look beautiful?"

He shrugged and looked away, the tips of his ears reddening ever so slightly.

I raised my eyebrows. "Well?"

"Oh, come on," Liam said. "You are Girec's sister! What am I supposed to say to that?"

"I've seen you dance with my sisters plenty of times," I grumbled.

"Fine, you look beautiful. Does that satisfy you?" he said.

He was being entirely sarcastic, but I flushed a little. "I want your opinion."

"Very well. I think you looked better before. Now you are covered in cosmetics, and you look like a pompous woman of court. Happy?"

I nodded. "Yes. Well, farewell. I'm going to Merth now."

"Um . . . Lady Fendway?"

I stopped. "Yes?"

He walked over to me and gave me a hug. I blushed furiously and stood there awkwardly.

He broke the hug. "If I don't come back from the north, give that to my family." He walked past me and out the door, leaving me to stand there with reddened cheeks.

I shook my head, dazed, and walked out the door to find a carriage.

Liam had already found one, and he paid the driver. "Oh, there is Lady Roche now. Take her to Merth, please."

"Yes, sir," the driver said, straightening his cap. He gave me a hand up to the carriage and closed the door. As we took off, I looked back and saw Liam mounting his horse. I felt a prickle of fear for him, which surprised me.

I'm only concerned because he is Girec's friend, I told myself.

But Liam turned his head at the last moment, and we locked eyes. He nodded at me, a determined look in his eyes. I gave a little smile, and he took off on his horse. I hoped he'd be well.

The carriage arrived at an inn that evening, and in the morning, we took off again.

After another day, I could see Ava's new house in the distance. I paid the driver, and he flicked the reins, taking off.

I stared up at my sister's house and butterflies fluttered in my stomach. How would Ava react to my appearance? Apparently, Ava thought me dead. I knocked on the door, and a servant opened.

"Tell Miss Fendway that her Cousin E. has arrived," I said. We didn't have a Cousin E., but I thought it would make Ava curious enough to come see me. I also did not want the servant to take me to go get the money on my head.

The servant walked away, and moments later, Ava arrived at the door.

She gasped. "Evelin?" I couldn't tell if she was horrified, surprised, or angry.

"Good evening, Ava."

She opened up the door wider. "Come in, I suppose."

Her house, or manor, rather, was decorated green and gray, the colors of the Fendway family. It's high ceilings were imposing, reminding me too much of Castle Velia and the bad memories I had from that place. Ava led me to two wooden armchairs and gestured for me to sit down.

"You're . . . not dead," she started.

"No, I am not," I said.

"But . . . how? Girec found your trunk."

"I went to the Forbidden Lands. I survived."

She gasped. "Evelin! Do you wish to put a bad name onto our family?"

I was incredulous. "Aren't you glad I'm back? Were you not feeling guilty for my fake death? I left because of you!"

"Well, I suppose. You are my sister, after all. But that is not the issue at the moment. Why are you here?"

"I need to speak to your husband," I said.

A muscle in Ava's jaw twitched. "He's my husband."

"I know. I need to talk to him about the darkness in the north--"

She interrupted me. "I've had to share since I was one. I am not sharing my husband with you. Get out."

"I just need to talk to him," I said.

"I said get out!" She stood up and pulled me out of the chair. "Those are my chairs. Get out. This is my house. I am mistress of this manor, and I want you out of this building." She took me to the door and shoved me outside.

"Ava--?"

She glared at me. "What?"

"Haven't you heard about the happenings of the north?"

"Yes--the shadows," she snapped. "What of it?"

"I know how to stop it, but I need your husband's help. I need him to tell me something," I said quickly.

She hesitated.

I continued on. "Without this, I might not be able to save everyone, and the darkness will overtake everyone."

She stared at me for a moment, but I could see a twinge of belief in her eyes. "You always were one to make up a story . . ."

"No," I said, seizing my chance. "I'm telling the truth--here." I got out my leather-bound book and flipped to the page depicting Ferrowin. It had faded, but I could still see his pointed features and ears. I showed it to Ava. "Look. I drew this in the Forbidden Lands. Do you think I could have made it up?"

"Yes," she said. "You've always had such an imagination."

"Please," I begged. "Please, believe me."

"Fine, but . . . but only because you have no where else to go. Sleep the night here, talk to Merek, and leave before noon." She opened the door. "And if you are lying to me, I'll . . . I," she took a breath. "I will tell everyone that you broke the law, and the king's men will come get you."

She walked away. I went inside and shut the door. Why does no one believe me? Are they truly living in denial? There is a threat on the horizon, and no one is doing anything about it.

I fell asleep in one of the chairs, not knowing where to go in the house. I awoke to a servant nudging me. I noticed a blanket on my lap. Who had put it there? Had Ava finally recovered from her malevolence?

The maid cleared her throat. I looked up.

"It's past dawn," she said. "Mistress told me you wished to speak to the Master. He's in his study." The maid directed me there.

I knocked on the door, then edged it open. Ava's husband was sitting at a desk, studying papers, with his hand on his chin. Merek looked up at me and frowned in confusion. "Are you not the sister that was missing?"

"That's me," I said.

"You went to the Forbidden Lands?"

I nodded. "And survived." I couldn't keep the pride in my voice from showing.

His eyes widened. "Have a seat, if you wish. What've you come to talk to me about, sister-in-law?"

I sat down. "I have heard you know about the darkness in the north."

He sighed. "Evelin, correct?"

"Yes."

He crossed his arms across his chest. "You should not be messing with these things, Evelin."

"I need to know where the Enchanters are," I said.

I saw a look of fright enter his eyes, but it disappeared swiftly. "Enchanters?" He looked down at his papers.

"Oh, like you don't know," I scoffed. "There are three Enchanters in Krialle, and I would like to know where they are. This could be the difference between the desolation of humans or not."

He looked around nervously, and his voice lowered to a whisper. "You must promise not to tell anyone about this, Evelin."

I nodded.

"What I mean is, you cannot tell anyone I told you this," he whispered. "I do not want to be connected to this."

"Very well."

"All I know is that someone brought the king a small creature a year ago. I work in the court. They keep it in a special dungeon below the usual dungeons. Something is going on with the king."

The troll Enchanter, I realized. "Thank you," I said. "You're information has been most valuable."

"Do not speak of this conversation to anyone," Merek warned.

"I won't," I said.

I found Ava later that day. "Did Merek help you?" she asked.

"He didn't know anything about it," I lied.

Ava scowled. "See, you did not even need to come."

"I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you, Ava."

"You should be," she snapped.

I bit my lip. "Could you do one last thing for me?" I asked her.

She put her hands on her hips. "What?"

"I need you to deliver a letter to Girec for me. So he knows I am well," I said.

Her expression softened. "I have some stationery in my bedroom. Let me go get it."

Soon, I sat at a table, wondering what to write to Girec.

Dear Girec,

I am alive. Yes, it is true. I am so very sorry I worried you so. Please do not be angry with me, nor Liam, who you wished to keep me safe. I left out of my own accord. I discovered things unimaginable. It was amazing. I learned in the Forbidden Lands a way that I might defeat the shadow in the north. It was necessary for me to go. Now, I may be able to save us all. Please come home. I could really use your help, and I miss you. This whole thing has been quite overwhelming for me.

Love,

Squirrel

Postscript: I hope you and Lucia find a way to be with each other. I am sorry for angering you before I left.

I sealed the letter with wax, then made another note, addressed to the apothecary that housed Sam. I thought Liam would be able to get it there.

"Dear Liam," I began.

No, I thought. He is not "dear" to me. I crossed that out and began again.

Liam--

I am going to be at the tavern in Velia in two days. Meet me there. I have acquired vital information about the Enchanters. I need your help. I hope you and your men are well.

--Evelin

I wondered if I should cross out the part about him and his men being well. Would it be odd if I cared? Would it me rude if I didn't mention it? I ignored it and stuffed it into an envelope. It served its purpose.

Now, it was time for me to find a ride to Velia.

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