My back was killing me when I woke up. 

You would think sleeping on blankets on a stone floor would be no different on the body than sleeping on a mat in the woods, but somehow it was worse. I even had to curl up with Schula just to keep from burning up in the night. It was no surprise that a dragon emitted a lot of heat, but coupled with the temperatures of the Summer lands, it was nearly unbearable.

Light seeped through the window coverings high above. Since we slept on the floor that would have otherwise been a stable, there were no windows here. Just the giant door that we used to get Spaulder in, and it was tight enough that light wasn't filtering through any cracks. I could see bits of dust and pollen that danced in the streaks of light, promising another blazing day in the Summer lands.

Only this time, I'm in the estate of the Summer queen.

Schula beside me was still asleep, likely exhausted from a long day. A long... year. Had it been a year? I suppose so.

I got up slowly, peeling myself away from Schula's pleasantly cool body and slipping away from my sleeping triquetram.

Up the ladder and into the loft, I went to a window and gently opened the shutters enough for me to see out. The fish pond was much the same as yesterday, with the exception of the curious figure who sat leaning against the willow tree, a fishing pole propped somewhat in his lap and the line cast into the water. I could not tell if he was awake or not, but I recognized him straight away. Weylyn.

The slim fae with the ginger hair and the sharp eyes looked as though he had been there for quite some time. It made me wonder who else was charged with watching our quarters, and I looked around the yard.

They weren't even trying to conceal themselves as Weylyn was. Or was he? It was hard to tell with that one. But the glimpses of shining golden armor were tucked behind buildings and in the shadows. I knew we would be watched, it made since. We weren't of this court, and for whatever reason Peyorla demanded we come and be judged. Of course they would have us watched.

Looking down on the path that wound around the fish pond, I saw a nymph dressed in reds and golds. Her clothes were very fine make, nothing you would wear to do work in. And yet, she carried a letter on a silver tray, her gloved hands with slender fingers held it as gently as you would a sleeping baby. 

I watched as the nymph, long silky black hair and watery green tones to her skin, stopped close enough to Weylyn to speak. I couldn't hear what she said, but their brief exchanged caused Weylyn to get up from his fishing spot and bow to her mockingly. Then, he strutted away toward the main house, fishing pole slung over his shoulder as if he had little better to do than stroll around for a new fishing hole.

The female shook her head after him, then turned back to her task and made her way to our door.

I sighed, closing the window fixture again and descended the ladder once more.

"Wake up, you two," I urged gently. "We have a guest."

Schula curled up even tighter, snuggling into the blankets on the floor. Spaulder huffed through his nose, turning to stretch as he got up.

'I can smell them all over the place,' Spaulder complained. 'How can anyone get any peace in such a crowded city?'

'Is it different here than Thanantholl?' I asked.

'At least those creatures did not smell of suspicion and disdain,' Spaulder grumbled.

A knock at the door interrupted my train of thought, and I went over to push the large door open just a crack.

The female with her letter was standing there, as expected, a blank expression on her face. She really was pretty up close, but she was also here on business of the Summer court.

"I am Lady Tallulah," she announced herself softly. "I bring her majesty's message for your triquetram."

Lady Tallulah offered me the letter on the tray. The wax seal did have the emblem of the Summer court's oak leaf on it in gold.

'That tray is iron,' Schula hissed.

But since Tallulah couldn't hear the conversation in our minds, I didn't react.

'I thought fae couldn't touch iron,' I said, but I made eye contact with Lady Tallulah.

'We can, but it burns. This is an insult, or a test. I'm not sure which,' Schula replied.

'Well I am no fae, and I will not be shamed into pretending I'm not a witch or an elf,' I answered.

I reached out to take the envelope, making sure my fingers brushed the iron tray as I did so. Tallulah's eyes widened slightly, watching the movement carefully.

"You may tell your queen we have received her message," I answered. "Will that be all?"

Spaulder made a snorting noise, a sort of laugh.

Lady Tallulah tilted her head slightly, eyeing me with curiosity and the slightest of smiles. "I cannot tell if my queen would applaud your boldness or begrudge your insolence. I hope for your sake the truth is on your side."

The nymph turned on her heel and left as gracefully as she had come, now bearing an empty iron tray and many pairs of eyes watching after our brief encounter.

I grunted as I pulled the door shut.

'I've just about had it with this place,' I said.

'What does the letter say?' Schula asked.

I handed it to her, too angry to read straight. She plucked the wax seal off, tearing open the envelope and pulling out a single card.

'The queen will be expecting you in the grand parlor in one hour's time. Present your case before the Summer court for the disruption of the peace of the Wyldes, the trespassing of a banished fae to Icehold, and the false claim of heritage which deceived the four courts.'

Schula finished reading, and we all stood in silence for a moment. Spaulder was the first to move, and when he did he did his best to stretch his wings in the space allowed.

'What nonsense,' he scoffed.

'There's not much to discuss, is there?' I asked. 'We didn't do any of those things on purpose.'

'But we did do them,' Schula said. 'And Peyorla won't care about the circumstances, she will just care that it happened.'

I threw up my hands. 'That's ridiculous.'

'I know,' Schula agreed. 'But it's what I was worried about when we ran into Aithne at the outpost. The Summer lands take their justice very seriously, we need to be careful with our words here.'

'What are the consequences otherwise?' Spaulder asked.

That was a damn good question.

'I... don't know. I don't know what it would mean to be judged in the wrong by Queen Peyorla on this. It doesn't take much to incite an incident between the courts. Fae can be... volatile creatures, particularly to the other courts. But with king- with... the Autumn throne now empty, there isn't anyone for Peyorla to point a finger at but us.'

'So, what does this queen get out of it?' Spaulder mused. 'I have seen this kind of  ruler before. Millenia in and millennia out, be in man or fae, elf or dragon, I know this Queen Peyorla well. Even if we have not yet met.'

'What does that mean?' I asked.

'Hmm. I think, for now, I shall keep that to myself. You are sharp, little one. You will know it when you encounter it for yourself.'

I sighed. 'Sometimes I really hate your lessons in reading character.'

Spaulder laughed, but Schula began to undo her braided hair.

'I don't know about you two, but I'm going to try to look as presentable as I can. In this court, appearances mean quite a bit.' Schula said. 'Will you help me with my hair? Stars, I wish I had a bath.'

'I'll help with your hair,' I said, then smiled wickedly. 'And, if you want a bath, we could always use the fish pond. I could even heat it up for you.'

Spaulder cackled at that, curling his tail around himself as he sat, contentedly.

'I should like to see this queen's face when you've boiled her fish alive.'

I joined in his laughter while Schula shook her head at us. 'You two are terrible.'

A low bell sounded, cutting off our merriment for a moment.

"The morning bell," Schula murmured aloud.

"I suppose we really do need to start getting ready," I said.

Schula nodded. "Let's do what we can with what we have here. Soon enough, we'll meet the queen."

As we cleaned up and did our best to tidy up each other's Wyldes-traveled hair, my stomach twisted itself in knots.

Finally, we face Peyorla.