They left their horses in a stable by The Old Ogre Inn. Princess Shulay, who had driven the carriage, spoke of a personal errand that prevented her from joining them. Coralina, Jaedis and Heidel set off down the narrow street.

Coralina thought of Creaklee as the town without color. The peasants they passed wore brown, gray, or black. They hurried about their work, barely sparing a glance at the royal trio. Coralina grimaced at the ruckus crowding her ears: hammers banging, men shouting, animals squealing, wagons jostling, children laughing, doors slamming.

Jaedis grinned. "I love Creaklee! It's so busy."

"And dirty," Coralina muttered. The only admiring look she had received was from a grimy blacksmith, who treated her to a wink and a nearly toothless grin.

They passed through tight streets where the shops elbowed each other, their wares hanging in windows or clustered outside the walls. As the center of town fell behind them, the shops relaxed and spread out to breathe. They came at length to Timber Lane, a scattering of gray cottages built near the ramblings of a small forest.

"Woodcutters live here. Carpenters too," Jaedis said. "Gord is over there." She pointed to a cottage that sat further from the others, its back end nearly tucked into the forest. A sign swung above the door, emblazoned with a hammer and saw.

"Thank you," Coralina said. The sisters separated, agreeing to meet later for supper. Coralina approached the weatherworn door and pushed in without hesitation.

"Princess... Coralina?"

Coralina was surprised to find a young woman in the shop. She held a straw broom, plainly in the midst of sweeping wood shavings. Her brown hair hung in a disorderly braid, barely noticeable over her mud-colored dress. "C-can I be of service, my lady?"

"I'm looking for Gord the carpenter." Coralina glanced around the shop. A large worktable and bench. Wooden planks of different lengths leaning against the walls. Shelves with strange tools she couldn't name. And in the middle of the room, an unfinished cabinet, carved with delicate patterns of roses. Coralina raised her eyebrows. It was a fine piece.

"He's in the yard," the girl with the broom said. "Getting some air with his daughter. Quite an elegant gown, I must say, my lady."

At least someone noticed. Coralina wore a white gown splashed with large flowers of pink, purple, and blue. She had gathered back her hair with silver combs and wore matching silver slippers.

Coralina gave a friendly smile. "And who are you?"

"Grenna, my lady." She curtsied again. "I look after Pipsy. It got hard for Gord, with his eyes so bad. He still does his carpentry, but not for much longer, I think."

Coralina nodded. "Thank you, Grenna. I will go to the yard."

After passing through a small bedroom, Coralina stepped out to a clearing behind the house. Except for ragged patches of grass, the yard was a long slab of dirt, fenced in by the encroaching forest. Both sides of the yard held stacks of logs, and on one of these logs sat Gord. He hunched over something in his hands, working at it with a short knife. A small girl watched by his elbow, her dark eyes riveted. In one hand, she clutched the soft doll in the golden dress.

"Is it a cat?" the girl asked.

Gord laughed. "Not a cat. Guess again."

"Is it—" The girl stopped because she'd noticed Coralina. "Pa!" she cried, pointing.

Gord shifted on the log to face Coralina. Instead of greeting her, he squinted and looked puzzled.

He can't see me, Coralina realized. She stepped forward. "Good day, Gord. I have something to ask of you."

"Princess Coralina." Gord stood respectfully. His daughter hid behind his leg.

Coralina smiled. "How old is she?"

"Four," Gord said. He reached behind and tried to nudge the girl forward. "Give a curtsy, Pipsy. It's the princess."

Pipsy peeked around him. "Pretty." Like Gord, she had pale brown hair, curling at the ends.

Coralina grinned. "Do you like your doll, Pipsy?"

Pipsy hid behind her father again, but Gord nodded. "Hasn't let go of it." His dark brows pulled together. "Are you still upset, my lady?"

Coralina carefully softened her voice. "Not at all, Gord. Please forgive my anger. I failed to recognize that you were, in truth, trying to save me."

Gord looked relieved. "I'm glad you understand. It was the fault of my poor sight. I made a mistake."

"How... how much can you see?" Coralina asked.

"I can see your hair is black and your dress is white, with some other colors," Gord said. "But it's all smudges. I can't see your face. Not unless you got very close."

Perfect.

Coralina took two steps forward. "Can you see me now?" She kept her voice soft as petals.

Gord shook his head. "Don't be concerned, my lady. You can speak your business without my seeing you."

Coralina took another two steps. She was now an arm's length from Gord. "You shouldn't have to speak to a smudge. What about now?"

"Better," Gord said, a ripple of doubt in his voice. "I see where your face is."

Coralina moved closer until barely an inch of space snuck between them. "Now?" she whispered, her nose nearly touching his chin.

She knew he could see her. His brown eyes fastened on hers, though they fidgeted, and he seemed to struggle for words. He might've stepped back if a pile of logs wasn't right behind him.

"What do you want, my lady?" he asked stiffly.

She heard the back door of the cottage crash open. "Coco! Darling, what are you doing here?" someone cried. Before she could fully turn around, Coralina was engulfed by a man's arms and her face deluged with joyous kisses.

She squirmed free to look at the man. "Kerrick!"

He laughed and kissed her forehead. "Why are you here? I didn't believe it when Grenna told me!"

Coralina pushed away from him. "How dare you! Keep your distance, you rascal—"

"No need for that!" Kerrick grinned. "Gord knows. We don't have to be strangers."

"Oh." Coralina stared at Kerrick, her features hardening. "You... told him."

"Just him, no one else!" Kerrick said quickly. "He's my cousin."

Cousins? Slim, agile Kerrick looked nothing like dark, mountainous Gord. Though there was something similar in the way they moved their eyebrows....

Gord had resumed his seat on the log beside Pipsy. At close range, Coralina could see he held a small piece of wood, whittling with a short knife. Pipsy alternated between watching him work and bouncing the golden doll on her knees.

"Kerrick and I are good friends," she said smoothly. "We grew up together at the castle."

Gord merely looked at her, and Coralina felt her bones shudder. He wore the same expression that had crippled her last night. It was like having the air snatched out of her lungs, leaving her cold and gasping. She sought to name the expression but couldn't find the word.

"Is Gord making furniture for you?" Kerrick slid his arm around her waist. "That was your cabinet I saw inside, wasn't it? Can't say I'm surprised—all those pretty gowns!" He tugged playfully at Coralina's sleeve.

Coralina tried to stitch her shredded thoughts back together. Muckwit Kerrick! Nothing could be done while he bobbed over her like a moth beyond reach of swatting. "I am giving a play at the castle in six weeks," she said to Gord. "I need you to construct a prop for me—a tower. Fifteen feet tall, with a staircase that winds around the outer walls. You'll be well-paid, of course."

Gord nodded without looking up from his carving.

"Is it a bear?" Pipsy asked.

Gord smiled. "No. Keep trying."

Coralina felt a prickle of curiosity. "May I see?" She held out her hand.

Gord passed her the carving, which fit snugly in her palm. It was roughly egg-shaped, with two points on top and what looked like the beginnings of a nose... or beak.

"An owl?" Coralina guessed.

Gord grinned. "Yes! Well done."

"I knew it was an owl!" Pipsy said. Gord laughed, and Coralina was surprised at how the sound pleased her. A strong laugh, richly textured, yet somehow full of tenderness.

She handed the owl back to Gord. "May I buy this from you when it's finished?" She wasn't trying to flatter him. She liked owls. Beautiful, bold, and deadly.

Gord gave a polite smile. "It's for Pipsy."

"Oh. Naturally." Coralina hid her annoyance. "I'll go, then." She turned to leave, but Kerrick caught her arm. "Not yet, Coco! Walk in the forest with me."

Coralina wrenched out of his grasp and stalked back into the house.