Sorry about the long break between updates. I had my SATs and stuff. Well, here's the next chapter and, as always, reviews are very welcome.

Chapter Seven

"The two of you will be staying here and here," Aalecia said briskly. She was apparently very rich for her house was large though she alone resided in it. The two rooms that they were shown to were spacious and on opposite sides of a long hall.

"I'll leave you two to settle in. When you wish you can come downstairs and we will have something to eat," without another word, she swept off down the hall.

"Well, that was something," Alaire said as he peered into his room. A neat bed was pushed against a wall and a nice dresser stood beside it. A wide window looked over the village. He sat on the bed and waited for Freyda to come out of her room. When she did so, it was with her hood still wrapped tightly around her head.

"I think you can probably take that off now. I don't think Aalecia will recognize you, she's not old enough."

Freyda shook her head and Alaire shrugged. Then both walked downstairs to where Aalecia was sitting at a table. Three places were laid out and some kind of meat on each one. They took their seats and an awkward silence ensued.

"Well, go on, dig in," Aalecia said with a laugh. "I promise I didn't poison it."

Alaire smiled and started eating. Freyda followed suite a few seconds later. The meat was tender and slightly spicy, but good.

"So, your name I heard was Aalecia," Alaire said trying to make some conversation.

"Yes, it is, though that name does not carry around as much weight as it once did. It appears my family name is no longer good enough for the elders. I should have seen it coming ever since my parents. . ." she stopped mid sentence and then laughed, "Oh, but you don't want to hear all that boring stuff. Tell me about yourselves, where do you come from?"

"We come from a small village but decided to travel. My sister and I enjoy learning about different peoples. What is your village like?" Alaire asked.

"It. . .It is much changed. Had you come five years earlier you would have found festivities, large markets, and much welcoming. But the Wraith came and everything changed. The elders became scared. Very scared. They blamed the attack on a poor traveler who had just arrived. I do not believe he did it, but they were too angry to listen to reason. They killed him and there was nothing I could do. From then on I promised myself no visitor would be treated in such a way again. The elders tightened security, but I thought they were loosening up. Apparently I was wrong. I apologize for the way you were greeted."

Freyda listened as she ate and Alaire said, "I understand. The Wraith have been the instigators of many such things. They almost killed my mother once though she had no part in their coming."

Aalecia nodded in sympathy and then said, "We have a tradition . . . every traveler to come through around the time of our great feast must prepare something they are good at for the people of the village. I thought I should warn you sooner than later as it happens in just three days. If you are still to be around then, I would recommend you prepare something."

Alaire felt Freyda's mind tense, and he said, "We both must, or just one of us?"

"Both, that is how it is always done. Does your sister . . ." her voice trailed off as she looked inquiringly at the hooded figure.

"She will prepare something, but she is very shy," Alaire said quickly.

Aalecia nodded and said, "I see," though her voice did not sound as if she was convinced.

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That night, Alaire wondered what they could do. He pondered almost until morning before he came up with an idea. He rapped lightly on Freyda's door the next morning and she called softly. He entered and found her still in bed.

"I know what I'll do," Alaire said with a grin.

Freyda's puzzled look told Alaire to continue, "For the feast, I was thinking I could do some magic. Of course, it will really be, well, you know, but it might work. I don't know anything else I could do. And you could help me in some way so you don't have to do anything."

Freyda shook her hair from her tired eyes and said, "I have something planned."

Now it was Alaire's turn to look puzzled, "What?" he asked.

Freyda simply shook her head, "It is not yet ready," was all she would reply.