Chapter 7

"Tell me Ella, what exactly did you learn from your brother when you visited his camp?"

Jengo and Anaella were standing on a balcony in Felipe's castle, the main base for his army and the middle of Reginatel. They had arrived the night before and Jengo had wanted to interview Anaella before going in to see his father. She turned her head toward him and looked at him a second, pretending to be remembering. But really she was reminding herself she was Ella not Anaella.

"He told me more about the spies. He said they were wizards from the forest of Ardunt."

"Oh?" that really caught Jengo off guard. "The forest of Ardunt? Did that fool Dasian go get them himself?" he asked this question almost urgently, yet he was trying to play innocent.

"Yes, he went and got them himself. There were...ten wizard in all."

"Did he bring anyone else back? Like a fairy?"

Now it was Anaella's turn to be shocked. "A f-a-iry?" she stammered.

"Yes a fairy, did he meet a fairy and bring him back?"

"N-no. My brother did not mention anything about fairies. Jengo, why do you think Dasian would bring back a fairy?"

Jengo sighed in relief and smiled, then turned back towards the castle. "Come," he said, stretching out his hand. She took the hand reluctantly with a confused and imploring look in her eyes. "My father is waiting. I will tell you the answer someday, Ella, someday."

It was one of those times when Dasian knew something horrible was happening but he didn't know what. At the moment he was pacing, or limping, back and forth inside his tent; ranting silently, every now and then swearing softly and running his hands through his thick, dark blonde hair. Something was going on without his knowledge, even though he should hear about it. But what? Maybe it was just because he hadn't heard from his two spies, Tnsaiu and Anaella, in two weeks. No, it couldn't be that. There had been plenty of times when he hadn't received a message from his spies in over a month, yet he had always remained calm and patient.

Suddenly a thought hit him. He stopped for a moment and raised an eyebrow at himself. The thought was crazy, impossible. He dismissed it from his mind and began pacing again. But the thought was no ordinary servant; it came back. He tried to get rid of it, but he could not. Finally he decided to consider the idea. But how was it possible? How could Felipe, or Jengo or anyone on that side know where his secret, extremely well-hidden, camp was?

Dasian turned and swung open the tent flap. "Willy!" he yelled. The dwarf stopped polishing his small shield and looked up. As soon as he caught sight of his Captain, he hurried over.

"Yes, Captain?"

"When are we expecting Tnsaiu or the fairy back?"

"Not till tomorrow or the next day."

Dasian clenched his teeth and dismissed the baffled midget. He strapped his belt with his sword on and began walking towards the woods. Suddenly he stopped and dropped to the ground. Placing his ear to the ground, he listened for a moment, then stood and changed his direction. In no time at all he was looking over a small ridge at the galloping figure of Anaella.

When she saw him she slowed the horse to a stop and swung off, gasping for breath. "Captain Dasian," she said panting.

"Save your breath, Anaella," soothed Dasian. "I've been expecting you. Go get a drink and then tell me everything."

She shook her head and leaned heavily on her horse. "Felipe... is coming now," she said between gasps, "He... and Jengo and Pancrazio... have joined armies. They... are coming now. Only two day's ride away. Too many... to count, Dasian." She looked up at Dasian, her eyes showing genuine fear, "They're coming Dasian, like the sands of the sea." At this point she nearly collapsed from exhaustion. Dasian came over and steadied her before she fell.

She shook her head again and stood up. "I'm fine," she said weakly. Nevertheless Dasian put his arm around her waist, sending tingles up her spine. She would have protested if she hadn't been so tired. Gratefully she leaned on him for support. When she saw he was limping, she straightened and said, "You're hurt, Dasian. I can get to my tent myself."

He nodded quietly and solemnly, and led Eldane away. He handed the horse's reins to a soldier and turned to the large group of men which had gathered as soon as Anaella had appeared. He looked at them for a moment his eyes unreadable to them, yet they had a touch of worry in the dark surfaces.

"Clyde!" he suddenly boomed, "Philip! Ashtad! Go to Prince Gespian, General Zafar and tell them to come with their armies immediately. Now! Your fastest horses, too!" As the three men rushed off to do their Captain's bidding, Dasian shouted, "There is a huge army marching towards your homes and your families and fields. They are planning to destroy everything you have. They want to take your wives and children off to be slaves. They are coming to take your freedom. Are you going to let them?"

A thunderous, "NO!" echoed through the camp.

"Are you going to let the mighty 'King' Felipe rule over you? Are you going to let the stinky fool Jengo inherit the crown?"

"NO!"

"Are you going to fight to your dying breath to preserve you homes, family and freedom!"

"YES! YES! YES!"

"Then, my brave men," said Dasian, his voice low. His eyes scanned over the crowd of men he loved and trusted. "Prepare for the bloodiest day in your life. To arms!" his voice rose till he shouted the last part and immediately the crowd roared, "To arms!"

While the men were preparing to fight, Anaella was in her tent talking to Rowena. Her strength had increased when she had eaten and taken a long drink. Now she was lying on her bed, the back of her hand resting over her eyes. She was worn out and a bit shaken. Rowena wanted desperately to know what had happened, but she could not get much out of her fairy friend until she had rested her tired mind somewhat.

"The sight of Felipe's army was horrible, Rowena. More horrible than I had ever seen."

"Why is that? Wasn't it just a group of men?"

"No!" she cried opening her eyes wide. "It was a massive horde of men and ugly giants, I think they were ogres. It was unbelievable. They were not dressed in the common war dress. Their armor was spiked and if you bumped into them, you would surely be stabbed." Anaella sat up and took hold of Rowena's hand, her eyes full of fear. "Rowena," she whispered, "I don't think Dasian will win this battle."

Rowena could not say anything to that. The way Anaella had said it made shivers go up Rowena's spine. The rebel army had already suffered many great losses; they knew what it was like to lose. The battle coming up would be the rebel's second time to meet the enemy on the field. They had never been strong enough to do anything else but harass. She knew messengers were already going to the Prince and General Zafar. Even if they came in time, wouldn't they be slaughtered, too? She decided to push these thoughts away and change the subject. "What about the castle? What did you learn at the castle?"

"Oh, the castle," moaned Anaella falling back onto her bed. "That was a dreadful experience. Jengo was too forward and he and Felipe both asked too many questions. The most confusing thing of all was when Jengo asked if Dasian had brought any fairies back from the forest of Ardunt. I couldn't tell him yes, and that I was the fairy. He and Felipe seemed a little scared when I mentioned that there might have been a fairy. When I changed my mind, they were very relieved. Another thing, Rowena someone has betrayed us."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean one of our spies told Felipe where Dasian's camp was. That's why they are coming. We have a traitor in our midst."

"That's horrible, Anaella. Who do you suppose it is?"

"I saw the spy. He was just leaving the room when I entered. I didn't get to see his face, but...he was dressed in a long black cape. Rowena, who dresses in long black capes?"

"The wizards," she whispered.

"Yes. It was a wizard. One out of ten wizards could be the traitor. Make that out of nine wizards, Tnsaiu would not betray us. Everyone knows that. I want to keep an eye out for the other wizards and see if any are suspicious."

"Are you going to tell the Captain?"

"Of course I'll tell him about the spy, but not about watching the wizards."

"Oh, Anaella I can't believe you told me all of that."

Anaella didn't answer. What she had not told Rowena was something Felipe had mentioned to Jengo. She had heard him mention a witch, eighteen years, and a dragon. The conversation she had with her fairy protectors Walnut and Rose came back to her. She recalled the story of her birth and how a dragon had tried to kill her. It had been the witches who sent the dragon, yet the dragon had come earlier than usual. Something about the whole story and Felipe's fear at the mention of fairies was very disturbing and mysterious. If anyone knew the answers to all the questions it was the witch herself who had sent the dragon.