Change, though inevitable, was a hard thing to accept. Pleasant had come to realize this the night of the fire. Her old life had gone up in smoke and she had been forced to accept a new one. The new life chosen for her by her mother had come with great pains partnered with bad dreams that she still faced every night. As the train rolled through the night toward Natt Fristad she had one calming thought.

"I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul."

/

Henry kissed and embraced his wife as soon as he could get his hands on her. Margaret was glad to see him up in about after hurting his ankle. They were all still standing in Tucker House's foyer and May came running downstairs.

"Pleasant!" she exclaimed.

Pleasant stayed rooted to her spot as May flung her arms around her. "May," she wept as she held her sister. "You... you seem so well."

"I feel better!" May said.

Pleasant looked to her cousin and her husband. "I don't understand," she said. "I thought she was sick."

"She was," Henry said. "But when we returned Susanna told us how much better she was doing."

Pleasant hugged her sister again. She needed to feel her embrace to believe it. "I was so worried we wouldn't make it in time."

Pleasant adjusted her sister's hat. "Mr. Monhollen visited me," she said.

"He did?"

"He did," Henry answered. "And I was all right with it. Susanna said his visits were helping so I couldn't turn him away."

"How is his nose?" Margaret asked.

"We've put all of that behind us," Henry said. "Cedric Crowninshield has gone. Mr. Monhollen came by and told me himself. He seemed thirsty for vengeance on him so I don't think he will be back. Not if he wants to live."

"So," Margaret said. "He's decided to take Pleasant's side after all."

"He's changed a lot, Margaret," Henry said. "In some ways not for the better." He turned to Pleasant. "I think you should go see him, it may help."

"He should come to Pleasant," Margaret said. "It would be much more proper."

Pleasant removed her scarf and gloves. "I believe Henry is trying to say that I have fared better after all," she said. "Perhaps I'll see him tomorrow."

May grabbed her sister's hand. "Come on, I have to show you something!" Leading her upstairs she pulled her into her bedroom."I wanted to take you ice-skating but I'm not good at it and Henry says it's too early. Now close your eyes!"

"They're closed."

Giggling, May went over to the bed and picked up the blue quilt. Returning to Pleasant she stood before her. "Now open them."

Pleasant opened her eyes and looked down at the blanket in her sister's arms as she released the folds and stars fell out before them. The sight of it nearly brought her to tears. "Oh, May... It's beautiful."

"I told you I'd make you one with stars," May said. She wrapped the blanket around her sister and stood back. "Just look at yourself." She led her sister over to a mirror and stationed here there. "She has returned," she whispered to Pleasant. "Queen of the night heavens."

Pleasant hugged the blanket around her as a smile came to her face. She knew what had to be done if she was to live her life free of the pain of her past. She knew of course that there would be days when it still came up but she didn't have to be a prisoner to it. She had promised Polaris a ride in the morning and she knew just where they would go.

After a good night of rest Pleasant had breakfast with May then as she had promised she went out to the stables to saddle Polaris. All the Blanche's had were drays for their carriage and the narrow chest hot blood stood out among them.

"Good morning, boy," she greeted as she saddled him up. "What do you say we ride into town and get the ingredients for short bread cookies? I know May would love them."

Polaris bobbed his head making her laugh and she climbed into the saddle arranging her wool shirt accordingly.

"But first...the lake." Clicking to Polaris the two set out for collect lake. The wind seemed to howl at her for her foolishness and the naked canopy of Amber forest sang that she would never be able to do it. Nevertheless Pleasant pressed on.

/

Alice awoke late for breakfast which her maid had to bring to her in bed. She wasn't feeling too well and didn't bother to dress. With the girls playing in their room and Minas busy she decided to nurse Maurice. The darling little child was quiet amiable and seldom put up a fuss, even when he was hungry.

Taking a throw blanket she crossed the hall to the nursery painted green for him with jungle animals. As the first boy he was certainly spoiled by all. Baldwin had even promised to stop by on his way to town just to see him.

Setting the blanket in the rocker she went over to the crib. "Good morning, sunshine," she said into it but found her words only fell on an empty blanket and a toy. The fire had been kept lit in the room but the nanny was nowhere to be seen so she sought her out.

She found her daughters playing with their dolls in the parlor while their nanny sat knitting.

"Girls, your mother has come to see you," the woman said.

The two girls rushed Alice begging her to dance with them. "Perhaps I have time for a quick dance," Alice said. "Do you know who has Maurice, Nanny Grace? I apologize for waking late and letting him fuss."

Nanny Grace frowned. "He didn't fuss, Mrs. Monhollen," she said. "I left the child warm in his bed for you."

Alice paused as her daughters pulled on her. "I just came from the nursery and he isn't there," she said. "I do hope his father didn't carry him to his grandmother's."

Nanny Grace stood abruptly. "Mr. Monhollen was long gone when I checked on Maurice last. I'll look again."

"Don't bother," Alice said. "I must have just missed him. Mama needs to check on your brother," she said to her daughters hating to leave them disappointed. "I'll be right back." Returning upstairs she went back into the nursery. Going over the crib she checked again for the infant but there really wasn't any place he would hide. She turned in all direction then looked down at the floor. The wood was sprinkled with drops of water leading over from the window and the curtain was snagged outside.

Alice knew she had screamed but she hadn't even heard herself. She rushed over to the window nearly falling out and she swung it open. Fresh tracks led away from the house and to the road. Running back downstairs she nearly collided with Nanny Grace. "He's gone, Maurice is gone!"

Before the nanny could make sense of things the door opened and Baldwin and Havelock stepped inside only to be attacked by their sister-in-law. "Baldwin, Maurice is gone!"

"What?"

Nanny Grace suddenly returned. "It's true," she said taking hold of Alice to comfort her. "I just came from the nursery and it's empty."

Baldwin felt the weight of the world suddenly increase on him. Today was supposed to be a good day. He lowered his head and closed his eyes when he realized what was happening. One name alone painted itself in his head. Cedric. "Havelock, come with me!"

The younger brother didn't ask any questions and followed Baldwin out the door and back to their horses. They quickly mounted and set off in the direction of Collect Lake at high speeds. They were fortunate that no one else was on the road and that the horses kept their footing as they traveled around Moon Thread Hill towards the lake and forest.

When they got close Baldwin slowed his horse and signaled for Havelock to keep quiet. The slowly moved their horses into the forest. The naked trees seemed to tremble, anticipating the outcome that would certainly lead to someone's death. Halfway into the forest Baldwin and Havelock halted their horses and dismounted slowly.

Between two trees stood a figure in black bouncing a little yellow bundle. Not hearing the baby cry alarmed Baldwin, but he kept calm knowing Cedric might try anything. "Dick," he spoke slowly. "Is that Maurice?"

Dick turned and faced his cousins. His hair was a mess and his eyes were as wild as a wolf's. "You're favorite," he said then smiled. "See, Baldwin your two favorites together in one place."

Baldwin took a step forward and Dick took two back.

"Stay where you are," Dick said. "I'll hurt him!"

Baldwin glanced back at Havelock who had grown tense. "Dick," he spoke to his cousin. "This is between us. Maurice has nothing to do with it."

Dick shook his head. "What about Johann?" he asked. "You must be cross about him."

"I know what you did," Baldwin said. "But it's all right. I'm not cross with you."

Dick bounced the baby roughly. "You're not?"

"No," Baldwin said. "He was so vexing, always following me around; he made me crazy. I'm glad he's gone."

Dick laughed. "I took out his eye," he said. "That way if they ever found him they wouldn't know he was one of us."

"That was smart," Baldwin said. "But Maurice is not Johann."

"But you love him more than me!" Dick said. "I can't have that. Who will keep me safe if you love someone else more, huh? I need you Baldwin. Just us, always us. No one can ever come between us. That girl, Pleasant Day, she tried to ruin us. So I ruined her."

Baldwin managed to get a few steps closer. "Give me Maurice," he said. "Then there will only be us. That is what you want isn't it?"

Dick looked between the brothers. "He will leave?"

Baldwin glanced back at Havelock who he knew wanted to stay at his side but he nodded. "He will leave."

Dick moved uneasy but stepped forward and laid Maurice on the ground then stepped back. Baldwin quickly snatched the child out of the cold and gave him to Havelock. "Get him warm quickly!"

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine," Baldwin said. "Go, and don't come back."

Havelock quickly mounted his horse and galloped away with Maurice bundled.

When Baldwin turned around he was surprised to see Dick still standing there. He let out a breath, sending the white cloud heavenward.

"Will you kill me now like you did my father?" Dick asked.

Baldwin shook his head. "No," he said.

"You should," Dick said. "It was wrong what I did to that girl. She was so much weaker than I was; and Johann too. I always pray on the weak." He faced Baldwin. "I've become him."

"No one is like him," Baldwin said.

"He's in my blood, Baldwin," Dick said. "Didn't you see that we were the same when you cracked his head with your axe?"

"I didn't come here to hurt you," Baldwin said. "I just want to talk."

Dick grinned. "No you didn't!" he cackled. "You came to kill me." He faced his full body to his cousin exposing all his vital areas. "But that's all right I came prepared." In the blink of an eye he pulled out a pistol and fired.

Baldwin grabbed his abdomen and doubled over before falling to his knees.  He gasped for breaths in pain. He looked up in agony as Dick approached him.

"Sorry, Baldwin," Dick said as he pulled back the hammer. "But you know too much."

Baldwin's eyes widened as the reaper took hold of him  with both hands. His life suddenly seemed so short. He had so much yet to do, so much unfinished business.

A tree behind them snapped and Dick turned his head as a large black beast came roaring trough. Fear filled his blue eyes and he dropped his gun as the bear came bounding towards them.

Scrambling through the snow Baldwin ducked behind a tree as the bear lashed out at Dick making him fall to the ground and roll past him. The bear continued down towards them forcing them both to flee. Holding his wound Baldwin stumbled through the forest.