A/N Thank you for the feedback guys! I've got to say, you made me cry and I didn't expect that. I'm so glad it's still entertaining and I hope I can finish with a bang (though I still have several chapters to go before we can say I'm on the ending) I appreciate every one of you who has joined Wren on her journey. From the bottom of my heart, thanks for sticking with me. 

I also want to apologize in advance that today will be a short chapter. I haven't been feeling well this week and I've been sleeping terribly. I'm going to try to take care of myself and give you a real knockout chapter next week! I promise I'll make it a longer one at least. But for now, enjoy what I have for you <3

The walk back to our quarters was uncomfortable for Peyorla's followers and frustrating for us.

Schula asked if we could see or meet with any of the Autumn court refugees but her request was pushed aside with weak answers. Behind the main building and around the fish pond, we were brought back to the old guard post with the obnoxious waterfall at its back. Home sweet home.

As Schula and I opened the large door for Spaulder to walk into, he plopped himself down outside on the grass.

My mouth twitched, amused. "Are you going to sun yourself like a cat?"

And indeed he looked as though he would lounge by the pond, watching the little fish dart about and dipping the end of his tail in the water to ripple the surface.

'Indeed,' he answered.

Schula, now just as amused, looked around the yard at the guards. 'I don't think they will like that answer.'

'So be it,' was Spaulder's response, and he laid his long neck down in the grass, settling in further.

I gave a sharp look to the armored fae around us. "Will this be a problem, or does your queen intend to confine us inside on a blistering hot day?"

The nearest fae, a short female with a bramble of vines for hair, nodded slowly. "I don't doubt that your dragon will have his way regardless of our orders. I thank you for staying within the boundary of the fish pond."

I smiled. "Smart female."

Schula and I settled down against Spaulder. The grass was soft and lush, and Spaulder's scales were smooth and cool compared to the hot day. Schula occupied herself by drawing little circles on Spaulder's hide, a tiny trail of refreshing frost following her finger until they melted in the sun. And Spaulder, as far as either of us could tell, went to sleep.

Or so it seemed.

Once the lull in activity had our watchers at ease, Spaulder prodded our minds.

'Schula, what did you have to tell us of this queen?' Spaulder asked, looking outwardly as though he was still asleep. Schula and I followed his lead.

'I remembered something that happened a long time ago. Before you or I were born, Wren.' Schula rolled over onto her side to face me, still leaning against Spaulder. 'It happened when the Wyldes were in a rather terrible war, specifically the one that ended with the banishment of the elves.'

My expression darkened. 'Was Peyorla involved?'

'Her father was. At the time, the Summer court was ruled by her father Ibbon. Ibbon was as unpredictable as any fae, but for the most part he valued peace above a thirst for more territory as the other rulers do. Peyorla was very close to her father, so the rumors said. And when a war broke out over the disputes with the creatures of the unclaimed Wyldes, she insisted on representing the Summer court in the war.'

I frowned. 'Where is King Ibbon now?'

'Dead. The war killed him, and many others. Both of Peyorla's triquetram were lost.'

I winced. No matter what kind of enemy I saw Peyorla as, I couldn't stop myself from sympathizing with a loss like that. I laid my head against Spaulder, reaching out to lace my fingers with Schula's.

'Then her anger is over the survival of the elves?' I wondered. 'I can't do much to hide the proof of my father in my appearance, and I wouldn't want to. Once this is all over, I want to keep a good relationship with Kalor.'

'It's one possibility,' Schula said. 'I'll admit, I don't know what goes on in her mind. She's always been on this quest for truth and the correct side. It's a perverse twist of her father's way of reigning. They say she was never the same after he died, but I don't know for sure. I wasn't born yet, and even if I was I would have been in Icehold still.'

My shoulders sank. 'I don't know what to do. I can't stop her from being suspicious of us because of me, if that's even her real reason. I can't even make sure the fae we came here with are safe.'

'I will be alright, little one.' Spaulder leaned his head down and nudged my side. 'I know my solution would be to fight off the queen and leave as we wish, but when considering your situation I will sympathize with the people of Thanantholl. However, Peyorla's temper is not your only concern for their safety.'

Schula paled. 'The Winter army.'

'Exactly so,' Spaulder agreed. 'Even if the warriors of Thanantholl could hold them off this long, we have no way to know if they have won or been defeated, and if the Winter army is even now on our trail.'

Sapulder's somber words settled over me like a cloud. How could we hope to keep everyone safe? And putting up with Peyorla was becoming ludicrous. I had confidence in our ability to fight our way out if need be, but the refugees...

'I wish I didn't feel so... so lost,' Schula said somberly.

I blinked, then sat up. "Lost," I said aloud.

Schula and Spaulder both turned to me. 'What is it, little witch?' Spaulder asked.

'We're lost,' I said, this time in our minds. 'It just reminded me of something Gilly told me. Oh, that's one of the witches I know, Spaulder. But before we left the valley, Gilly gave me something.'

I stood, trying to look casual as I walked over to the door and opened it enough to slip inside. As soon as the door behind me closed, I sprinted to the ladder and scrambled to the loft where we kept some of our things. 

My bag, the only thing I happened to have on me while we were evacuating Thanantholl, sat against a wall. I opened it and began to dig around until I pulled out a delicate vial. It was on a long leather cord and the bottle was filled with a brown liquid that had a sheen to it.

I slipped the cord over my neck and tucked it in my tunic before returning to Schula and Spaulder. With any luck, the guards outside would only think I had come in to use the toilet.

I settled back in on the grass, curling my body into Spaulder. 'Can you help hide me for a moment? I need to take a nap.'

'A nap?' Schula asked.

'Yes, Gilly gave me something before we left. Something special, I think. I'm supposed to drink it and then fall asleep, and the Mother will help me when I'm feeling lost.'

'Really?' Schula asked. 'I hope it means lost figuratively and not just literally.'

Spaulder curled his long neck around me, adding some privacy so I could drink the vial before closing my eyes. 'We will have to trust the Mother will aid her daughter.'

'If nothing else, I trust Wren,' Schula sighed. 'Okay, we'll watch over you.'

'Thanks,' I said, pulling the vial out and removing the cork. I drank it, the taste was bitter and salty. But I drank it all, and settled in. Sleep hit me, potent and magical.

All I could do was lay my head against Spaulder, Schula at my back stroking my arm.

And I dreamed.