Hey guys! I know I don't usually do authors notes but I thought this would be a great place to put the news about the Wylde fan contest! I'm running it with a small prize too. We have this week to collect your quotes, details on my Sabrina Chats book on my profile. You can also click on the link on my wall to go straight to the contest page. Thanks for being awesome readers!

The other side of Sulls was not nearly as hot as the dessert.

For one, the grassy plains were framed by the mountain range I once called home, and it broke much of the searing winds that cut through the sands when it stormed. For the other, the fields rose higher quickly, and by the time they reached the roots of the mountains the air could be downright cold compared to the city proper. But it would take a few weeks travel to reach one from the other.

Days had passed since I left Shanna at the gates of Sulls. Days to brood over how I felt about her claims that the village was gone and the raiders were something not entirely human. Almost none of the villagers ever spoke to me or treated me well, so I didn't mourn them and their loss so much as the sadness of the act of raiding and pillaging itself brought me anger.

Sitting on the grass, watching the sun peek over the mountains that had finally come into view last night, I quietly listened for the rest of the camp to wake up. It didn't surprise me when Schula got up and began her stretching exercises.

Puko stirred from his seat on our things, and flew off to find his own breakfast. I watched him glide over the grassy fields. I could see orchards and farmlands in the distance around us. After all, these are the lands that feed Sulls, and the farmers are well respected for it. Even the lakes of the mountains were welcomed to town with their wagons of fish, which was otherwise hard to get.

I sighed thorough my nose and glanced at the mountains again. At least, there was a time they were welcomed. I guess when you can't offer anything of value to the city, they don't have to help you. Not that I didn't already know that part of the nature of humans.

"Hey." Schula had come near, standing over where I sat with concern in her eyes. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes," I answered, fiddling with the pendant I had taken out from under my clothes. "I think I just don't know what to do now. I mean, we're going back, but what are we going back to?"

Schula nodded and sat down in the grass next to me. "That's the question, isn't it?"

I leaned over and put my head on her shoulder. "What if Eberon couldn't convince Baeleon that I had no connection or knowledge of the elves?"

"There's no use fretting over something we don't know is true," Schula said.

"But, what about Icehold? And... and the courts... What if there's fighting?" I asked. "And it's all started because of us?"

"Oh, there's almost certainly fighting," Schula said. "It's what the fae kingdoms do best. The peaceful period we've enjoyed for a few centuries is long overdue to be broken."

"Oh no," I moaned, putting my hands over my face.

"It's no fault of yours, Wren," Schula said, taking a piece of hair that loosened from my braids and tucking it behind my ear. "You have no control over the origins of your birth. It's DuVarick that was in the wrong, no one else."

"And what about the barrier? I think I've figured out a lot of the spell, but some of the power components that anchor the unstable conjuring while the barrier manifests in it's weakened cognatic state-"

"Woah! Stop," Schula said, holding up a hand. "I do not know what you just said, but we don't have to put that much thought into our magic. Then again, that's probably why the witches can do such complex spells."

"Sorry," I sighed. "I'm just getting frustrated with it. I feel like we have the words mostly collected based on the spell parts the tomes say were used, but we're still missing so much."

"Well, that's a problem for another day," Schula said. "You've been studying those books for months, your mind is at it's sharpest for magical texts right now. But do you know what you've been neglecting?"

I shook my head.

"Your body." She reached over and poked me in the ribs. "There was a time when you wanted me to get you in shape. Show you how I stretch and run and fight like a fae."

"But I'm not a fae," I said. "And I defend myself with my magic now, so I guess I stopped thinking about my physical abilities."

Schula gave me an unimpressed look.

"Well, it's good for clearing the scattered thoughts that build up in your head, for one." Schula stood, brushing grass off her knees. "And what if your magic doesn't work? Or maybe it's not the right tool for the job? Come on, it will be good for you."

I frowned up at her.

"Come on, Wren," Schula prodded. "Even if you never need it, keeping yourself in fighting shape as a backup is a good idea. We don't know how hostile the Wyldes will be when we get there."

I winced.

"Up. Up up up." Schula tugged at my arms, and I obliged her as I stood.

"Great! Now, arm stretching," Schula grinned, and I groaned.

"My arms are going to be so sore tomorrow," I complained.

"That's because you stopped doing the stretches," Schula scolded. "Now, come on."

I let her pull and push me into a position she was happy with. Feeling an old but familiar pull in my shoulders and arms as we moved from one stretch to the next. It was pretty clear I had lost some flexibility over the months away from the Wyldes where she once had me run around Thanantholl with her on a daily basis.

Nassir and Spaulder woke from the camp, but neither disturbed us as we started practicing different martial moves that Schula thought would help me. Instead, Nassir started packing things and entertaining Puko when he got back, and Spaulder went off somewhere.

By the time Schula had thoroughly put me through the paces, it was about time to start moving on for the day. We started walking toward the camp, which was broken down to just our packs by now, when a small shiver hit me.

I stopped, turning my head north.

"What is it?" Schula asked.

"I'm not sure," I murmured. "Something feels... off."

"Really?" Schula turned to face the same direction as me. "I had the same feeling just now."

"Where is Spaulder?" I asked, suddenly walking in that direction instead.

"He went off on his own a bit ago," Schula said. "I thought he was just relieving himself or something."

"He's been gone too long for that," I said, picking up my pace.

"Nassir!" Schula called behind us. "We're going this way!"

We both began running. Over the high hills that started the ripple of the foot of the mountains. Through the grassy fields. We hit the top of a particularly tall hill, and looked down into a low dip of thickets and... people.

"What's going on down there?" Schula asked.

I gasped. "That's Spaulder!"

Our dragon and triquetram was standing next to a string of rabbits on a rope, presumably ones he had caught in the thorny thickets nearby. But in front of him were a group of humans. About eight men and three women keeping their distance behind them.

"Let's go see what this is," Schula said.

"Should you glamour?" I asked, pulling up my hood.

"No point, Spaulder is down there and he can't hide himself," she said.

My heart sank. That can't be good, not in a land of frightened people with active raiders coming in from the west plains. Spaulder's appearance was probably exactly why they had him outnumbered and cornered.

But I wasn't so sure if I should be worried for Spaulder... or the humans.

"Ho, there's another one!" One of the men turned to see us coming down the slope.

"Two," said a short, burly one closest to where we were coming from.

"Those are my companions," Spaulder told them. "As I said, I am passing through and will be gone shortly."

I glanced between all the people, trying to pinpoint who their leader might be. These were definitely farmers and simple folk who lived in the foothills. I recognized a few, but had never spoken to any of them. More like I remember seeing them every time Bryn and I went to Sulls, and there was little chance of them remembering me, especially with my sharper features and now pointed ears.

A man of medium build in a faded green tunic and a woven shade hat turned his head to us. The leader, I supposed. Or at least the body language around him told me he was one that could sway the others' opinions.

"It's true, we are traveling to the mountains," I said as we drew close. "Do you have business with our friend?"

A few hands went to hips. Likely daggers or farming tools at their belts, just in case.

"Your kind appearing on these paths, when none of us has seen your like our entire lives, is not a welcome surprise," the leader said.

I walked slowly, deliberately to Spaulder's side. A few of the humans took steps back from us, weary of my every movement. Standing to face them, squaring my shoulders and completely exhausted by their behavior, I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Believe it or not, I grew up a few days from here, and I've been on this very road many times before."

The men looked skeptical at my words.

I pointed to one who I had seen nearly every time I traveled with Bryn. "You have a field of sheep. I've seen you tend to them every time I come through. And you, I can't remember but I think you grow some kind of gourds each year."

Uncomfortable murmuring rumbled through them.

"Regardless if that's true, we can't let you stay around here. We have families to protect," the leader said. "And your kind brings only danger."

Schula rolled her eyes and walked to Spaulder's other side. "And like our friend said, we're in the middle of passing through. In fact, if it weren't for your ridiculous display here, we'd already be on our way."

"How are we to know you aren't with those raiders from the plains?" One of the other men spat. "They've nearly purged the people out of the mountains you claim to be from, and they have a couple Wyldes creatures with them."

I froze. "They... what? The plainsmen are working with a fae creature?"

Nods. Murmurs. Agreement buzzed through the humans before us. I looked to Schula, dumbstruck.

"If that's true, then it's all the more reason to let us through," Schula said, turning to the crowd. "We're trying to mend the force that keeps the Wyldes and the mountains separate."

"How do we know that?" The leader asked. 

"Enough," Spaulder grumbled, his voice carrying and bringing surprised attention from everyone. "I have finished gathering hare for our journey. I will be on my way, as will my companions. The qualms of men tire me, do not follow us."

Spaulder slowly picked up his rope of fresh game and slowly walked up the hill where we had come from. Looking to the top of it, I saw Nassir with our packs and Puko on his shoulder.

The humans were very weary of Spaulder's movements and did not like the look of a fourth fae creature joining us. Schula and I walked up the hill after Spaulder, only silence following us.

Spaulder gave a polite nod to Nassir, and took his pack before continuing to walk away. Schula and I each grabbed our own things as well before following Spaulder and Nassir. Puko cawed, his call echoing around the hillside and he soared above us as we went. A marker, and a warning.

The atmosphere between us eased soon enough as we got to the road and began to make our way north. The silence was broken by Spaulder.

"I am sorry for the display of impatience," Spaulder said. "I am... bored of the ways of men. Thousands of years have passed, and a great distance from the shores I once called home, and still the humans live with suspicion."

I sighed. So that was the problem. I reached out a hand, wrapping my arm in with Spaulder's as we walked. "They may never change, then. But we don't have to deal with them again, and you'll find the nature of the fae creatures much more interesting."

Spaulder smirked. "I should hope none so interesting as the three of you here, or it will finally be the death of me."

Nassir and Schula laughed. I cleared my throat to continue. "Well, we are growing closer to the mountains. Soon I can see for myself what became of my old home, and we can decide how to breech the borders to the Wyldes together."

Schula came up on Spaulder's other side, taking his free arm. "I agree. We will rest at Mila's old cabin and perhaps try to find out who is stationed at the old outpost."

"Good idea," I said. "That's where I first met you, Schula."

"Is it?" Spaulder mused, obviously in a better mood now. "Tell me the story."

"Again?" Schula sighed.

"I have heard it from Wren," Spaulder said. "Now I want to hear it from your perspective."

Schula sighed through her nose, smiling. "Very well."

I listened to Schula tell her side of things as we walked. It was a welcome distraction of what was so close ahead of us. 

But the distraction of the towering mountains ahead was strong. My mind couldn't help but wander to them, and what we would find on the other side.

I just hoped the first fae we ran into weren't of the Winter lands.