Chapter 20

The night was cold, and a stiff wind was blowing against the huts. Caleb had put the stock up early, and as he came in the house he commented to his mother that it was going to be an early winter. Usually in the winter days Lenora knitted warm clothing for her children and husband. But this time it was different. She spent most of her time teaching Anaella, who, with much persuasion, had decided to stay a little longer. She wanted to learn the ways of the humans. Just the basic things, like how to bake bread, knit a blanket, patch a shirt, and keep the house tidy. Living among magic and an army camp had done nothing to teach Anaella of the simple things in a household.

She learned fast and in a few days, she had mastered the ways of a housewife. Lenora was pleased, Orpha and Irene were awed, and Caleb was grateful as he gulped down the bread and stew she had made. Frankly, he didn't care who made it, just as long as he ate it. Anaella still felt she shouldn't be there, but since she was learning something new every day, she stayed, thinking she'd leave the next day. But when the next morning dawned, Lenora was ready with a new project.

That particular night, Anaella had left the house to go to the nearby tavern, where Lenora had heard they sold flour, a much needed item at the time. This was not the first time Anaella had gone to the tavern, but she was still just as disgusted. She hated the way it smelled, the way the men looked at her and talked. She tried to do her business as quickly as possible, but the tavern keeper was a slow old man and didn't seem to sense her urgency.

She slipped into the tavern, a hood over her face. The men hardly noticed her as she walked up to the counter and quickly asked for a bag of flour. Knowing the man would take a while; she turned and leaned against the counter, gazing into the smoke-filled room. There weren't many men in the tavern that night, because it was too cold. There was one man in a black hood, sitting at a table not far from where she stood. He was conversing with another man in a low tone. Something about the man was so familiar. Anaella stepped a little closer, trying to get a good look at his face.

"I know where he lives," whispered the hooded man, a little too loudly.

"Then we can leave day after tomorrow," replied the other man.

The hooded man shook his head. "Tomorrow morning will be better. It may take a while to get there since I've never been there."

"Will he have guards?"

"Nah, just the dwarf and maybe a hired man."

Anaella caught her breath as she recognized the voice. It was Jengo, and they were talking about Dasian and Willy. Though she knew she could easily expose him, and the men around them would jump Jengo right then, she paused and edged closer, wondering what this evil man was planning.

"All right then," said the second man. "We'll leave tomorrow morning, arrive in two days, and kill him with the knife at dark, then go to the castle and..."

"Not so loud you fool," growled Jengo. He glanced around and continued in a voice so low, Anaella could not understand him. The old man had returned with the bag of flour. Anaella quickly paid him and rushed out the door. The cold wind nipped at her chin and tried to get inside the warm cloak, but she lowered her head and ran through it, all the way to Lenora's house.

As she burst through the door she cried, "Lenora, do you know where Dasian's house is?"

Lenora looked up from her sewing, startled, but she answered swiftly. "Yes, I do. But Cleatus knows the way better than I, and he is out of town. Anaella, what's wrong?"

"I have to get there," said Anaella urgently. "Now!"

"I know the way!" perked up Caleb.

"Can you take me there now?" Anaella asked.

"Not in this weather!" cried Lenora. "You'll surely get lost. Anytime now it'll start to snow."

Anaella began to beg. "Please, Lenora, Dasian might die if I don't reach him in time."

Lenora finally sensed the danger and nodded in consent. She gave them each an extra jacket and cloak. "You won't need them once you reach his valley," she said, "It's nearly summer all year long. They say it's because magic dwells there."

Anaella was in too much of a hurry to care. She was in the barn before Caleb and suggested to him that they use the same horse. "I might loose you in this weather, and your horse isn't fit for the cold."

Caleb nodded in agreement, but insisted he sit in front. Eldane was hesitant at first to leave the warm stall, but he soon stepped boldly into the cold and on Anaella's nudges, he began trotting where Caleb led him. He was hindered by the whirling white, but they still moved at a reasonable pace. Anaella let Caleb take care of the rest and hoped they didn't get lost.

Nick scratched his head and looked at the open gate with wondering eyes. He looked back at the yellow mare that was grazing peacefully in the front yard. It hadn't been the first time the mare had escaped from her pen. Each time Nick wondered how she did it. He sighed and walked over to the horse. She didn't protest as he led her back in the pen. He then closed and locked the gate. He would fix that gate later, he decided; now he had to cook dinner before Dasian and Willy returned from hunting.

Before he reached the kitchen, however, he stopped, listening. He could have sworn he had heard a horse's whinny behind the house. But there were no horses behind the house. Nick back-tracked and looked out the door. He stumbled back in surprise when he saw the most beautiful woman he had ever seen swing off a glistening black horse. Her long golden hair seemed a little disheveled and when she turned to him, her face was tired, but she was still beautiful as she stepped up quickly to Nick, her dark blue eyes desperate.

"Is Captain Dasian here?" she asked.

Nick shook his head, still staring. "He's gone hunting. He won't be back till nightfall."

She looked mildly relieved, and she sighed. "When he returns, tell him not to sleep tonight."

"Excuse me, m'lady?" Nick raised an eyebrow.

"Just tell him that," she begged. "You must understand he cannot sleep tonight. If he does, he shall surely be killed."

Nick stepped back in surprise. "What!"

"Please," she begged, "Just tell him that. Promise me you'll tell him he can not sleep tonight."

Nick nodded numbly. "I promise, m'lady."

She smiled lightly and turned back to her horse.

"Wait," said Nick. "Won't you tell him? I mean, what name shall I give him?"

She hesitated as she swung onto her horse. "You don't need my name," she replied, "He'll know." She trotted away leaving Nick to wonder who she was and what danger would be lurking at night.

As Anaella rode back to where she left Caleb, she knew that Dasian would be safe, now that he knew about the danger. She suddenly realized that perhaps he did not think her a traitor anymore. Surely Tnsaiu had told him the truth, and Veronica had been taken care of. The night he had accused her came back like a nagging fly and she closed her eyes; her heart still pained from the words he had spoken. Then she remembered the deep regret and love that had been in his eyes as he hesitated and…

"Did you tell him?" asked Caleb looking at her hopefully.

Anaella jerked her mind back to reality. "No, I told his servant."

"Nick? He's a good guy."

Anaella nodded absently. "Listen Caleb, you need to go back home without me ok? I might be coming in a little while, but you go now and..." she hesitated, stroking her horse's velvet nose, "Ride Eldane until you come close to the house, then let him go back into the wild."

Caleb was baffled now. "Why?"

Anaella smiled. "Here, I'll show you." She stepped back from the horse and looked at it for a second. Almost immediately the horse changed from midnight black to the purest white. And on his forehead was a gleaming horn.

"Wow," breathed Caleb. "He's a unicorn."

"Yes, and he will be happier in the wild. Now go back. Farewell, Caleb, please thank your mother for me for everything she's done for me."

As soon as Caleb had gone Anaella leaned back on a tree in relief and weariness.