Finally, after what felt like forever, but really was only eleven days, Manannan announced he was going on a another trip. Gwydion took the time to visit Medusa, who was still busy with clearing the large cavern, and sympathised when he told her about how bored he had been, and how he had borrow some books before getting caught.

"What! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. He just made my hands hurt a little." That of course was a lie. His hands had hurt a lot, so much had hadn't been able to do anything with them, and was glad he had been sent to his room.

"Let me see them." Medusa started to turn his hands over and examined them, muttering to herself.

"I'm fine. I shouldn't have touch his books."

"You had every right to touch the books!"

"No I don't! They're not mine, and what if they were dangerous? How can I know if they are magic or something?"

"Even Manannan would not keep such books when you could get them!"

"You don't know that! Even if I was bored I should have asked!"

Medusa had bit her lip hard, as if to hold in all the words she wanted to say. After that both carefully avoided bringing up the wizard. Medusa herself didn't have any books to give him to read, she said her people only even wrote down on scrolls, and then only rarely. Most of her learning had be taught via songs and sort of chanted poems which she called sagas. After a snack with Medusa, and still feeling a little upset about fighting with her, Gwydion went into town. In the store he visited the dog, called Kenny. Kenny, despite not living in the Keep, came across as much smarter then the animals at the farm, but still no where near as smart as the chickens. For example, although Kenny understood Gwydion most of the time, he had to speak slowly and couldn't use any words longer then about six letters. Gwydion also found that if he left the dogs sight Kenny knew Gwydion still existed (something the squirrels didn't). But Kenny didn't understand how people could have more then one name, as when Gwydion talked about Manannan or his master, to Kenny those were different people. It was slightly frustrating, and eventually Gwydion gave up (it may have also been because the shopkeeper kept giving him the side eye for talking to his dog).

It was almost three weeks after Medusa first suggested turning Manannan into a cat that Gwydion's choice about what to do suddenly came to a head. It was in the form of a letter, which he found crumpled in Manannan's waste bin.

Dear Mordack,

I write to tell you of my latest plans. Despite our argument, you are still my brother, and I would heed your advice in this matter. The royal brat, whose sire has done so much to impede the Father, will, in a few short weeks, require a new nursemaid, and I have a candidate who could be assured to win the placement. Once in place, removing the prince will be easy work. Killing the child will no doubt destroy Graham, but perhaps keeping it for my own servant may be an even more sweet revenge. Without his influence, our plans for Sierra will surely succeed. If you could actually do something

A large ink edged rip underscored 'do something' showing Manannan's anger. It was clear why he had discarded this draft. But Gwydion was much more worried about the first part of the letter. Manannan planed to kidnap some poor child! Gwydion focused on that, and not the implied threat that he might in fact be replaced. Gwydion could not let this happen. It was perhaps the greatest sign from the wizard himself to show his nature. Resolved strengthened, Gwydion realised at the next opportunity he would have to go into the cellar.