The young man narrows his eyes. "The hell is Madoc?"

"He works here," I say, attempting to remain calm. I thought I had the right address. "He's been working here for years. Um… I think he helps with the climbing courses or something?"

The young man thinks for a minute, but I can tell he is running out of patience. He's wearing the same look Jude always does whenever she's around me in the morning. It must be a part of human nature or something. "You mean Old Matt?"

"Yes, that's right," I say, nodding along. "Old Matt. I forgot he went by that in the mortal… I mean, at this summer camp."

The young man rolls his eyes. "Okay, then. Well, you can't just see whoever you want here. We're in the middle of a season. You have to go through security and then wait until the campers are done with their activities."

"And when will that be?"

The young man shrugs. "I don't know… probably around 5?"

Around 5? I didn't have time for 5! I needed to be back at the palace by dusk or else Jude would murder me!

I was about to throw a grand king temper tantrum, or at least knock this guy over the head, when Old Matt himself rambles down the dirt lane. He looks completely different, but somehow nothing seems to have changed.

Madoc has grown the wisps of a graying beard and his once impressive stature is lost to a pot belly. Disguised for the humans, his skin is the color of Vivienne's on her worst day and his ears are like a repulsive version of Jude's. He wears nothing but a pair of ratty pants and an old t-shirt, absent of his Red Cap. The only thing that remains the same is the way he stands, tall and proud. I don't think even the strongest of warriors could torture that out of him.

At first, he does not see me. And then Madoc seems to be fighting his own eyes. He blinks several times and drops his jaw for a minute.

"Carden?" He says in a whisper, joining the young man at the edge of the dirt road. "What… what are you doing here? Is everything all right?"

Is everything all right? Would I be here if it was?

But I don't say that.

"Everything's fine, Matt, don't worry," I say, cool as the Roach. "I just… need to talk."

Madoc sees right through me, I can tell. He always did.

"Well, you are going to have to wait," The young guy reiterates.

Madoc steps in, "No, he doesn't."

"Excuse me?"

Madoc puts a light hand on the young man's shoulder. "I don't really know how to say this Mac. But… Carden here. He's an important guy."

"So? The rules still apply." Madoc leans into Mac and murmurs something. The man's eyes widen. "Oh. Oh. I'm, I'm so sorry sir, I didn't know. You go right ahead, sir."

Sir? I can live with that.

Madoc leads me through the camp, full of rustic cabins and screaming children, playing foolish games with balls like the one Oak carried around for so long. Trees frame the place, lined with strange contortions of ropes and planks. We arrive at a small cabin in the woods, complete with little fading flowers and the smell of cigarettes. The second we step inside, Madoc slams the door shut and bows.

"Your Majesty," he says, offering an ancient chair. "I won't lie, I'm a little surprised to see you here."

I sit down, sighing. "Whatever, Madoc."

"It certainly feels nice to be called my real name," he remarks and I immediately regret calling him that. He doesn't deserve it. But then, I'm not really in the position to give preaches on what people do and don't deserve. I'm here, aren't I?

I need his help. "Look, Madoc, I have a question to ask you."

"Anything, my lord," He says, and slowly his heavy glamour disappears, showing the glory he once was.

I glance at my feet.

She's going to murder me.

"It's about Jude."

"And?"

How did I explain this? "I'm worried about her aging."