As the trio followed Elysia through the camp, it didn't take Claire long to realize they were heading in the direction of the clearing she and Draz had arrived in the previous evening. As they broke through the tree line, Claire was surprised to see the pond they had come through was now frozen over solid. In the center stood a sleek white sled edged in silver. The runners seemed to be carved from ice, the early morning sunlight sparkling across the smooth, opalescent surface.

          Magnificent as the sled was, Claire's attention was drawn towards the animals hitched to the rigging at the front of the sled. There were four in total, their fur white and shimmering as though illuminated from within. At first glance Claire thought they were large wolves, though their slender torsos were similar to that of a large cat. As she drew closer she was able to discern other details, a narrow, elongated snout, long pointed ears which seemed to curl slightly at the tips, and sweeping tails that swept back and forth with excited energy.

          "Aurelian Foxes," Draz said with an air of disdain, "not quite dogs but ...close enough."

          "These are foxes?" Claire asked, now noting the resemblance to their earthly counterparts.

          "They're unique to this region of Oria and the fae are the only ones who have been successful at capturing them, let alone domesticating them," Rollan said as he came to stand beside them.

          "They'll get you as far as the border," Elysia explained, "after that they'll return here so you will have to figure out how to get the rest of the journey on your own."

          "How far is Drift from the border?" Claire asked, glancing towards Draz.

          "Twenty miles give or take, we'll have to walk, it will only take a couple of hours," Draz said with a shrug. Claire nodded and looked back to Elysia.

          "We appreciate all the help you've been able to give," she said before stepping forward and wrapping her arms around the slender woman. She felt Elysia stiffen in surprise at the unexpected gesture but she soon relaxed and offered a brief hug in return.

          "It will take you about two days to reach the border of fae territory. There are supplies to last you a week in the back of the sled, there is also a tent, clothing and anything else you might need to help you," Elysia explained before turning her gaze towards Claire. "Good luck, and I hope you find what you are looking for."

          This statement puzzled Claire but before she had a chance to ask, Elysia was gone, sweeping away in a flurry of white chiffon and freshly fallen snow as she headed back in the direction of the trees.

          "Well, we should get a move on," Draz declared, casting one more furtive glance towards the harnessed foxes before climbing nimbly into the sled and settling himself lengthwise across the back seat. He propped his feet up on the edge of the sled and crossed his arms behind his head.

          "You've got this handle, right your highness," Draz asked, his gaze fixed pointedly on Rollan. The young prince rolled his eyes and glanced towards Claire who could do nothing but shrug helplessly in response.

          Whatever was going on between the two of them was something they would have to work out on their own, she was not about to get in the middle.

          Rollan stepped past Clair and reached for the curling silver handle jutting from the side of the sled. It twisted downward easily and Rollan pulled the door open before motioning for Claire to climb into the sled.

          Grasping either side of the door, Claire pulled herself up and sat on the far end of the front seat leaving room for Rollan to join her. He did a minute later, pulling the door closed and making sure it latched before taking up the empty space.

          "Don't mind him," she whispered, "he doesn't like dogs... and foxes either I guess."

          Rollan said nothing, simply smiled as he reached for one of several blankets that were draped across the front of the sled.

          "Put this over your lap," he said, before he handed one to Claire.

          She did as he instructed and spread it out over her legs before sinking back into the soft, plush white velvet cushions.

          "Wake me up if there is any trouble," Draz called out. Claire turned back to ask if he wanted a blanket, but his eyes were closed. While she was confident he hadn't fallen asleep that quickly, it was obvious he wasn't in the mood for conversation so she turned back towards Rollan instead.

          "Do you know how to ... er, I guess drive this thing?" She asked.

          Rollan grinned, an expression that lit up his entire face. Without answering, he scooped up the reins and gave them a hard snap. This was followed by a shout and the foxes rose from various positions of relaxation to a stand at attention, ready and waiting for their next order.

Another call and the foxes started moving forward, pulling the sled along behind them with practiced ease.

          "Rollan," Claire said after they had gotten well underway. Trees flew past them, close enough that Claire was certain she could have reached out and touched them. They never hit one, even when they moved through spaces that Claire was confident would be too narrow for the sled to fit. The foxes never slowed and navigated without needing further direction from Rollan.

          "Hmm?" Though he wasn't really guiding the foxes, he still held the reins in his hands, one booted foot resting against the lip of the sled as he leaned back against the cushions.

          "You... knew my mother?" Claire asked.

          "Yes, we were very close," Rollan said, looking towards her. "It's part of why she volunteered to bring me to the other world."

          "You mean, my world," Claire replied.

          "No," Rollan replied with a shake of his head. "This is your world, Claire, even if you weren't born within its borders, Oria is in your blood."

          Claire wasn't quite sure she was ready to consider that possibility. There were so many new questions, questions that would likely never be answered. If her mother was from Oria as the others claimed, what about her grandparents who had raised her after her mother had died?

          "How can you be sure my mother and this woman you are talking about are the same person," Claire asked. "What if you're wrong?"

          Rollan looped the reins over a hook on the front of the sleigh and reached out to take Claire's hand in his own. "I know this is all very difficult for you, Claire, I can only imagine how you are feeling right now, how lost and confused you must be."

          Claire turned away, afraid he might see the lingering anger over the discovery reflected in her eyes.

          "Whatever reasons Nathalie had for keeping the truth from you, you must believe that she did it for the best reasons possible," Rollan continued. "Your mother was the kindest, bravest person I knew and I'm not sorry that her legacy lives on with you."

          He sat back again, watching her. Claire felt her cheeks grow flush at the unexpected compliment and hoped Rollan didn't notice. "You look just like her you know, you have the same nose and the same clear, gray eyes. Do you remember when I told you I thought I recognized you on the platform the night Elysia freed me from the curse?"

          Claire nodded.

          "It was because for a brief moment, I thought you were her, I thought you were Nathalie," Rollan admitted. "I realized afterwards that I was mistaken, but I never could shake the feeling of familiarity I felt every time I looked at you."

          "It wasn't until you said the name Belmont that it all fell into place," he concluded. "By then it was too late, you had already stepped through the portal. I considered going after you, but Elysia was adamant that I regain my strength and prepare to confront my uncle."

          "Have you seen him?" Claire asked, grateful for an opportunity to change the subject. As curious as she was about her mother, it was all very overwhelming and each answered question managed to spawn ten more.

          Rollan shook his head and gazed out towards the forest which Claire noticed had begun to thin out. Through the widening gaps in the trees she could see were the pristine snow stretched for miles over gentle slopes before blending into the pale blue of the horizon.

          "We'll stop and make camp when we reach the edge of the trees," Rollan said. "Once we're out of the forest, we'll no longer be under the protection of the fae and there aren't any places to hide between here and Drift. We will have to be alert and on guard if we want to make it to the city without any trouble."

          True to his word, Rollan guided the sled to a stop just as the last of the trees fell away. Though it hadn't felt like hours had passed, the sun told a different story. It hung low on the horizon, painting the sky in deep shades of red and violet. Along the edges where darkness had begun creeping in Claire could see stars as they winked into existence one by one.

          Draz seemed to be in better spirits, eager to aid in lighting the fire once camp had been set up. The foxes lay at varying intervals just beyond the circle of light cast by the fire, silent sentries keeping watch.

          "Tell me more about Drift," Claire said, glancing between the two of them.

          "It used to be the entertainment capital of Oria," Rollan said. "There were dozens of theatres and opera houses, casinos and midways filled with games of chance and skill. At the center was a fairground filled with all sorts of attractions from exotic animals to acts of daring."

          "It sounds wonderful, what happened?" Claire asked.

          "A sickness swept through the city, killed almost eighty percent of the population there," Rollan replied, "a malady no amount of magic or science seemed capable of curing. Those that survived left the city and as a result, Drift was abandoned for many years. Mostly out of fear."

          "That's terrible," Claire said, frowning at the thought of all those people dying.

          "It was called the Pandora Disorder," Rollan continued, "Named after the first person to fall victim to the mysterious ailment. It took only a few days for the sickness to claim its victim, but those days were unpleasant to say the least."

          "Unpleasant?" Draz repeated, his voice low.

          Claire looked towards him in surprise. Rollan was quiet.

          "Do you want to know what the symptoms were? First a cough, innocent enough. Within a day or two a fever and hallucinations, horrific hallucinations," Draz continued, his voice deadpan but his eyes burning as he stared into the flames. "Towards the end... my mom couldn't even remember my name and was in so much pain that if I touched her she screamed like I had put a hot coal to her skin."

          "Draz, I'm so sorry," Claire said, reaching out to touch his hand.

          He drew away and rose to his feet. "Don't be," he said, his voice gruff, "it was a long time ago. I'll keep the first watch, you two get some rest."

          Rollan didn't speak again until Draz had disappeared behind the sled. "I... I had no idea," he said, staring down at his hands. "I never would have..."

          "It's okay," Claire replied. "You couldn't have known."

          Rollan nodded but Claire could tell by the blank look in his eyes that his thoughts were a million miles away.