After days on the trail, the sight of the outpost filled me with happiness. 

I needed a bath. We all needed a good meal, and a roof that provided enough safety that we could spend a day gathering and hunting. 

The outpost provided all of that, but it still didn't provide one last thing that I was hoping for. Information.

"Stars, what a sight for sore eyes," Schula sighed, gazing down the slope to the outpost. 

"I don't sense any others within," Spaulder added. 

"It looks as though things have not changed since last you knew, Thain," Nassir added. 

"Hmm," Thain hummed and walked forward, putting himself as the first to enter the outpost. I noticed his sharp eyes bouncing around, looking for signs of others. Besides Spaulder, he was probably the best one to lead us in terms of safety and spotting other beings before they spot us first. 

The slope to the front lawn of the outpost was easy. The cleared training yard out front where Schula first taught me stretches and muscle building was now a bit overgrown from not being used. My eyes swept by the neat fence posts with weeds trying to overtake them. The chimney held no smoke, and the washing from the spring rains told me it hadn't been used recently either. 

"What is the purpose of this place?" Spaulder asked softly.

"To guard the mountains that separate the Wyldes from the mortal men who wouldn't survive it," Thain said. "The darker creatures within our borders would wreak havoc outside of them, and men in our ranks have proven an ill fit in our history."

"An outpost of importance, then," Spaulder said. "Why abandon it? It would seem to me that even with these magical barriers falling apart, the need to station an outpost would be even greater."

Thain opened the door to the building, looked around inside, and nodded us in. As we walked through the doors, Schula and Thain went straight for the table and chairs.

"Normally you would be right, Spaulder," Thain said. "But in the last year we've been encountering an unknown danger in this area. It killed one of the Wyldes's strongest fae, and several others since then."

"Galavan," I whispered.

Schula turned to me, our eyes meeting in remembrance for the fallen fae. She nodded solemnly. "We attended his funeral in the Spring lands last year."

"You were sent to investigate that with others from the four courts," I said. "You never found what killed him in the end, did you?"

Thain shook his head. "Not what killed him or the others. Half a dozen good fae have been taken down in the same gruesome manner. Whatever it is, it doesn't like fae poking around the edge of the Wyldes."

A chill ran down my spine as I shivered. I had seen enough horrors in the Wyldes in my short months than I ever wanted to see again. I could only imagine what someone as long lived as Thain had seen, and I didn't want to think about what unknown monster could elude a whole group of fae as experienced as Thain.

"They were all killed right here?" Schula asked, looking around. "Are we even safe at the outpost?"

Thain nodded. "I've been keeping things away. And all of the deaths were to fae who wandered away from this place. Deeper into the mountains along the borders of the two lands. The dead were also counted as lone fae. Mostly outpost scouts who patrolled while the rest of their triquetram were here at the building."

"And we number five," Nassir said. "I am sure we will be fine for one night."

"We'll have to be," Schula murmured. She looked at me, then Spaulder as she let out a slow breath. "Stars, I can't wait to get to Eberon's estate, if just to feel like my time on the road has finally ended for a while."

Thain cleared his throat. "We can rest here for tonight. Tomorrow, we cross into the Wyldes. We'll be in Summer territory briefly, then the unclaimed Wyldes for a couple days before we reach Eberon's estates."

Spaulder came into the main room after having explored every other space in the outpost. "And this is where we begin our mission to repair the barrier and bring justice to DuVarick?"

"Justice to DuVarick will not come easily, and it depends on your idea of justice," Thain said. 

Spaulder grinned. A devil's promise in his eyes. "You do not wish my idea of justice on those who have wronged Wren and Schula."

Thain smirked. "I am not so sure, friend. By the end of all this, I will know that Wren and Schula have a safe home wherever in the Wyldes they damn well please."

"DuVarick cannot be trusted with the Winter court," Nassir added.

His expression was hard, but still sad. I couldn't imagine what he was going through during all this. He never deserved what he had been subjected to. He knew it, we knew it, DuVarick knew it somewhere in his madness.

"The Winter court is at fault for following a madman," Schula said calmly. "But the people still deserve better."

She shared a look with Nassir. The empty space between them filled with a silent promise between Winter fae. Whatever they needed to do to put the Winter lands at peace, I would help them.

Spaulder sighed, crossing his arms. "As long as our path is decided then, let us eat."

Schula sighed. "Yes, I'm starving. I miss Eberon, if only because he was willing to cook when we were here."

I smiled at the memory. "I'll cook tonight if you like," I offered. "Soon enough your turns cooking can end as we can buy food in the city."

"Or at least have prepared food from Eberon's mother," Thain added. "The estate is doing all they can to make everyone comfortable as Eberon holds these talks. A full belly goes a long way towards agreement."

"I must ask, to be safe," Nassir said. "Are there steps I must take before stepping on Autumn lands? I am, after all, a citizen of Winter."

That... is a very good question.

Spaulder, Nassir, and I looked to Schula and Thain for an answer.

"No," Thain said. "Eberon's family estate borders the untamed Wyldes, and for the duration of this summit of leadership, the estate is considered neutral territory."

Nassir nodded. "Thank you."

"It's getting late enough that I don't want to make more plans just now," Schula said. "Wren and I will cook dinner, the rest of you figure out what we can make use of here. Take baths, go hunting, whatever you want. Just say close."

"Right," Thain agreed. 

And we spent a rare evening with a roof over our heads, and a hot bath within reach. Whatever other troubles lay ahead, we were at least rested for them.

One could only hope.

~

The sun peeked through the curtains and fell across my face. 

I groaned, rolling over in the bed I shared with Schula for the night. Puko sat in our open window, resting in the gentle breeze behind the curtains. 

But he didn't block out enough light to keep it off of me and Schula, who was even more reluctant to wake up. 

"I need another hour," she mumbled under the blanket that she had pulled over her head. 

"Caw!"

I groaned. "I'll get up, you stay."

"Mmmm." Schula's incoherent noises in the bed made me smile as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. For someone who usually got up early to go through her routine, it was unusual for Schula to sleep in. Then again, this was the first bed we'd seen since Sulls, and I couldn't blame her. Schula was one who enjoyed her comforts. 

I walked over to the window and opened the curtains only enough to see the fat raven sitting on the sill. 

"What is it?" I whispered.

Puko looked at me with his blind eye. My own eyes opened wider. I hated when he did that.

"What?" I asked again, a little louder.

'Wren!' Spaulder's voice rang in my head. 'Schula!'

Spaulder startled me so badly that I fell backwards, hitting my backside on the floor hard. On the bed, Schula shot straight up, tossing her blankets aside. 

"What is it?" I asked. 

"He can't hear you that way," Schula said, getting out of bed and pulling on a tunic. "Let's get outside, that's where I think he's coming from."

"Caw!"

"Puko, go find Spaulder for us," I said as I rushed out the door with Schula. 

Down the stairs and out the door. Nassir was sitting at the table, and he looked at us in surprise as we rushed past. 

Out the front door and to the back side of the building, I saw Puko swooping over some trees not too far away. We ran to them. 

"Spaulder!" I called. "What is it?"

He stood under a tree at the top of a rise, looking down at the scenery a distance away. He turned when we approached.

"Unknown fae approaching from the north," Spaulder said. 

Schula walked forward to stand where he stood. "Really? Let me look."

"Where is Thain?" I asked. "I do not know," Spaulder answered. "He left before the sunrise, but he traveled a different direction. He likely will not encounter these fae."

"Aithne?" Schula said, completely floored. 

"Haythnie? Who is that?" I asked.

Schula turned with a big grin on her face. "No 'H' just Aithne. Aithne of the Summer court. A proud warrior, and the one who first showed me how to throw a male over my shoulder with my bare hands."

A grin spread across my face. I knew she had traveled to the other courts before settling in the Autumn lands, but I never really heard her speak much about the Summer lands save to tell me they were far too hot to live in. 

"This is a welcome sight then?" Spaulder clarified.

"Yes, very much so," Schula answered, heading back the way we had come. "I wonder if Queen Peyorla is beginning to watch the outpost again. If so, Aithne is a great first fae to send."

Spaulder and I followed Schula into the outpost. Nassir was standing outside the front door now, confused. Puko swooped in and landed on Nassir's arm, and the quiet fae began petting his head feathers. 

"What is going on here?" Nassir asked as we all went back inside.

"Summer fae are coming this direction," I told him. "Presumably to this outpost."

Schula began pulling things out of the cabinets. Wine and crackers. It looked as though she was setting up the table for a good long talk with the incoming fae. 

"How far away are they?" Nassir asked.

"Not long," Spaulder said, leaning against the counter and crossing his arms. "I suspect the tall one in the middle sensed my gaze on her."

"Aithne," Schula added. "I'm not surprised."

Schula set up the table, and I eyed the stairs behind me. "I think I'm going to pack up our things. We were going to leave today anyway, and if they need to use this outpost I want it to go smoothly for them."

"Good idea, Wren," Nassir said. "I will help you."

"Mmm," Spaulder mused. "I think I will wait outside. I like to see what is happening."

My mouth twitched into a smile. "Okay, Spaulder. Can you take Puko with you? He likes to get in the way when I pack and he probably needs to go out and find some breakfast."

"Very well," Spaulder said. He opened the door and Puko flew from Nassir to the open sky outside. 

I ran upstairs, pulling out the packs Schula and I kept our things in and began filling them once more. It went quickly since we didn't remove everything for the one night at the outpost anyway. I could hear Nassir in the next room over, packing up the things he and Spaulder were carrying.

One by one I was able to bring packed bags downstairs to set by the front door. Nassir did the same, and he finished before me. I sighed as I came into the room to pack the last bag. I made the mistake of pulling out a book from the pile of witch tomes last night, and one passage lead to another, and another book, and more notes, until I had almost emptied it. 

It took me some time to tuck everything safely in the oilcloth again, but once it was secured I stood to take it downstairs just as I heard the creak of the front door swinging open. 

Leaving our borrowed room and coming to the balcony, I looked downstairs to see Spaulder coming inside. 

"They are nearly here," Spaulder announced. 

"Coming!" Schula said, just finishing whatever it was she was setting out on the table and rushed toward the door. 

Nassir walked over and sat at the table, and I went to the doorway to watch Schula reunite with her friend. 

On the horizon came a tall fae. Her golden hair shone in a tight bun on the top of her head, and her skin was marked with the pattern of red scales, though her skin seemed smooth. She wore shining brass armor and embroidered white linen clothing underneath. 

On either side of the tall female was a male. One green water sprite carrying a halberd and looking stern, and a slim ginger haired male with an annoying smirk who walked with his hands clasped behind his head as he stretched. His eyes rolled over everything in a lazy manor, landing on Schula. 

"Hail, Aithne!" Schula called, waving. 

Aithne watched Schula as she took the last few steps into the yard of the outpost, her stony expression unchanged. She stood, facing Schula and I could see from behind her that the white fae's shoulders sank. 

Aithne crossed her arms over her chest, facing Schula. Her expression finally changed, turning darker. And... saddened.

"I wish you were not here right now, Schula," Aithne said. "Truly I do. You and your triquetram are wanted under the eyes of the four royals. My orders are to take you to my Queen on sight."

My heart stopped. "No!" 

As I called out, Aithne's eyes flicked up to me and back down to Schula. 

"Step aside, little one," Spaulder said as he pushed past Schula. 

Placing himself firmly between the outpost and the incoming fae.

"You will not touch either of them," Spaulder said, his voice deathly cold. 

Aithne's eyes narrowed at our beloved dragon. From the gray locks of hair that fell down his back, to the sheer size of him, and then to his face, likely settling on his sharp golden eyes. 

"And just who are you, to stand before me?" Aithne asked. 

Spaulder shook his head. "The only concern you should have with me, is that I am the one who will deny you your orders. You will not touch them."

"Very well," Aithne said, and she drew the sword at her hip and leveled it at Spaulder. "In the name of Queen Peyorla, let us begin."