The warm familiar feel of the Charter brought Ennael back to consciousness. The feeling that she was home and that all she had to do was just open her eyes to see her father right above her comforted her. Ennael smiled at the thought and opened her eyes. She was staring at the ceiling, but not any ceiling she knew of. She looked in the direction of the source of Charter Magic. A young man about her age was inputting Charter Marks for healing into her left side.

Ennael reached for her sword at her side, but it wasn't there. She tried to form the marks for confusion and distraction but they just couldn't come due to exhaustion. The young man looked up at her. He was handsome, very handsome. His bright blue eyes stared into hers as his chestnut hair draped over his face. Ennael sat up and backed as far as she could away but she realized her right side was against a wall. She winced at the pain to her left

"It's okay." The man said lifting up his hands in a calming way.

"Who are you?" Ennael grabbed her side and noticed the wound. It had healed somewhat but not entirely.

"I'm Will. You were unconscious and injured and the other man you were with was completely exhausted. We found you two outside our front door and took you in. We let you rest here and I've been trying to heal your wound."

Ennael was still sceptical of this. She could slightly remember the night before: The dead hands, then Ligir shouting, pain beyond comprehension, a blur of images, and then nothing. This man, Will, could be telling the truth. Could she trust him? She looked up at the Charter Mark on his forehead. It looked as if it was chiselled in to the very skin itself. Will noticed her eyes gazing.

"It's okay you can test it."

Will bowed his head forward and closed his eyes lightly. Ennael placed two fingers upon the mark and was instantly surrounded in the familiarity of the Charter. He was a strong Charter Mage, uncorrupted and safe. She lightly removed her fingers as Will looked up. His gaze was as big and bright as the sea. Ennael smiled slightly.

"I'm Ennael."

Suddenly there was a knock at the door then it swung open to reveal a short plump lady. Her curly chestnut hair was pulled back in a loose bun. Her red dress and white apron swished with the movement of her slippered feet. She carried a basin of water and placed it on the nightstand beside Will.

"Great to see you up. How are you feeling dear… by the Charter!!!" The woman fell to the ground in a bow. "So sorry your highness. I didn't even recognise you. Forgive me."

Will turned to Ennael looking in confusion. Ennael bore an expression of shock upon her face. How did this woman even know who she was?

"It's… it's alright. You don't have to bow." Ennael stuttered.

The woman looked up happily at Ennael. Then looked to Will.

"Willem did you not recognise the princess?"

Will looked as shocked as Ennael did, if not more. He looked from Ennael to the woman then back to Ennael. His eyes travelled from her face to her hair then to her eyes.

"So sorry princess." He bowed his head towards her.

"It's alright. It doesn't matter. I don't even consider myself a princess anyways. I've spent most of my life across the Wall." Ennael replied meekly.

"Nonsense. You are the daughter of Prince Sameth and granddaughter of the Abhorsen Queen Sabriel and King Touchstone. Of course you're a princess. Living on this side of the Wall or the other. Tonight I shall cook a feast rival to those in the palace of Belisaere. The princess in our home!" The woman shrieked as she left the room.

"I supposed I better leave you to rest." Will said as he began to rise.

"No. I mean I could use the company." Ennael tried not to sound too eager but she had taken a liking to this man in the short time that she knew him.

Will returned to his seat. He put his hands out and Ennael returned to her laying position. The Charter Marks for healing transferred from Will to Ennael. It soothed the pain. A smile returned to Ennael's face. She suddenly remembered Ligir. What had happened to him? Where was he? Will seemed to notice something was troubling her.

"What is it?"

"What happened to the other man I was with?"

"He's in the next room. Whatever happened to you guys must of tired him out greatly. He's sleeping but he'll be fine."

Relief swarmed over Ennael. Will looked as if he was about to ask something but held it back. To his luck Ennael took notice of this. "What?"

"I was just wondering… no never mind."

"No what?"

"Is he your boyfriend?"

Ennael couldn't help but laugh at this. Will couldn't figure what was so funny about this. "He's my cousin."

Will looked somewhat relieved but confused.

"He's the Abhorsen Lirael's son Ligir."

"Oh."

Ennael continued to laugh slightly, marks for healing still pouring into the wound until she couldn't feel the pain any longer.

"Good thing someone was able to tend to this right away. It could of turned really nasty. Bites from dead can be hazardous if they aren't healed right away." Will remarked looking up at Ennael. She was quite pretty, beautiful even. Her black hair draped on the sides or her head fell loosely to her shoulders. Her eyes were dark and intense.

"So that's what happened. I could only remember the dead attacking then Ligir calling to me then… nothing."

Will was still staring at Ennael. She noticed and he blinked and looked down at the wound. It had healed nicely. Ennael was slightly sore but felt a lot better than she had before. A knock came to the door and it creaked open slightly. Ligir poked his head into the room, hand covering his eyes.

"I hope you're decent." Ligir removed his hand then noticed that there were two people occupying the room. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything." A wide grin spread across his face and he was able to duck just in time to dodge a pillow thrown from Ennael.

"I'm glad that your arm has seemed to heal. Maybe even better than it was before."

Ligir's comment was met only with a scowl from Ennael.

"I'm glad to see that you're so light-hearted. So ready to get going yet?"

"You want to leave now?"

"No time like the present."

"I know you're eager to get home but we just had an ordeal last night. You don't want to take a days rest or so?"

Will nodded at Ennael's reply.

"You two are welcome to stay as long as you'd like."

"Thank you but we have to get back. There is stuff that needs to get done. I have to help mother as soon as I can."

Ennael nodded glumly and shifted to get up. She tried to stand up but her legs began to shake forcing her to sit down again.

"Are you going to be okay to travel? Ennael if you're not up to it you should probably stay."

Ennael looked at her cousin.

"I'll only need a couple days, just to regain my strength, then I will meet you in Belisaere."

"I'll let Uncle Sam know. I'm sorry to cut this short but I must be on my way." Ligir turned to Will and held out his hand. "Thanks for your hospitality. It's been a pleasure." Will took his hand, a little nervous at the formality.

Ligir waved then walked out and made his way to Belisaere.

"He's just going to walk all the way to Belisaere? Is he crazy?"

"That's my cousin for you." Ennael chuckled.

"Well you probably should get some rest."

Will turned to walk out of the room but Ennael grabbed his hand.

"Thank you… for everything."

Will couldn't help but smile, then made his way out into the kitchen.