November 19, 1779

It was two days before Lillian saw or heard anything from the Hessian again. During that time, she thought she would give the raven a name and decided to call her Simara.

One morning, Simara appeared at Lillian's window. Her mistress allowed her into the bedroom, to which Simara flew over and landed on the nightstand. Lillian went over and greeted her winged friend with a gentle stroke to her back and saw there was a letter attached to Simara's leg. She quickly untied the letter and opened it, discovering it was a message from the Hessian. Despite his warning to her not to send out anymore letters, he changed his mind and wrote the following words to her:

Meet me in the forest tonight if you can. I shall be waiting for you.

Lillian couldn't believe her luck at having another opportunity to see the German soldier again, but she would have to wait until nightfall to sneak out without being seen. In the meantime, she went downstairs to work in the tavern and serve drinks to the few men who were still left in town. The day started out the same as any other, no more boring than any other day, but what Lillian didn't expect was to be visited by an old friend.

Mr. Mortner had left Lillian in charge of handling the tavern for the afternoon while he went out hunting with Cassandra, who insisted on coming with her father to hunt for quail in another part of the woods. Although he was against the idea of his daughter handling a gun, Mr. Mortner allowed Cassandra to accompany him, knowing he was getting too old to hunt wild game and would be in need of some help with trapping their dinner.

During that same afternoon, while Mr. Mortner and Cassandra were still out hunting, a young man came into the tavern and removed his tricorne hat from his head. He looked like a wealthy man, but he was not a rich man by birth.

"Excuse me", said the young man.

Lillian turned her head and saw the face of the young man. He was handsome and fair-skinned with blue eyes and blonde hair, and was wearing a dark brown coat and black pants with a faded blue vest over a white shirt.

"I don't know if you remember me, but I used to be friends with the tavern owner's daughter. My name is Albert Vaughn."

"Albert Vaughn?" Lillian questioned him, until it dawned on her who he was. "Yes, of course I remember you. How are you?"

"I'm fine, thank you", said Albert. "Tell me, Miss, um...I'm sorry, but I forget your name."

"That's all right. After all, we haven't seen each other in almost ten years. My name is Lillian Waise."

"Oh, yes, that's right. You're Adriana Waise's daughter."

"Yes, I am."

Lillian hugged Albert, and he hugged her back in return, for she remembered him back to when she was a child. In his youth, Albert Vaughn was an adventurous little boy who loved to pull pranks on other children, especially Cassandra. Despite his mischievous, but harmless nature in the past, Lillian remembered Albert like he was a brother, and how he and his family moved away to Connecticut after losing their home to a barn fire.

Lillian released Albert and looked at him. "My, you've really grown up", she said.

"You've grown up, too, Lillian", said Albert.

"What are you doing back here?"

"I came back to rediscover my roots and rekindle with those I haven't seen in a long time", Albert answered. "Tell me, is Cassandra Mortner around?"

"Not at the moment. She went hunting in the woods with her father."

"Cassandra hunts?"

"Oh, yes, she's very good with a rifle. Mr. Mortner insists on hunting for game by himself, but he hasn't the strength for it as much as he used to. Cassandra can hunt anything from a rabbit to a fox."

"I see", said Albert. "When might they be expected to return?"

"They went out about a half hour ago, but I'm sure they'll be back soon. In the meantime, might I interest you in a drink?"

"A brandy would be nice, thank you."

"Very well, then. Have a seat, I'll fetch you your drink. Shall I fix you something to eat while you wait?"

"Please."

Albert made his way over to a table closest to the fireplace and sat down in a chair, while Lillian went over to the bar and poured him a glass of brandy and brought his drink over to him. She walked away and came back a while later to serve him a hot plate of food. Albert thanked her for the meal and dined alone while the dark-haired barmaid went about tending to other patrons. The brandy was delicious and the meal sufficient, enough to satisfy his appetite after a long journey.

Lillian came over once he had finished and asked him, "Was everything to your liking, Albert?"

"Yes, the chicken was most excellent", said Albert. "Have a seat, Lillian. I'd like to talk with you."

Lillian sat down in the chair next to him and asked, "Have I done something wrong?"

"No, not at all", Albert answered. "I would just like to ask you some questions, if I may."

"Like what?"

"When exactly do you think Mr. Mortner and his daughter might return?"

"They should be back any minute now. Mr. Mortner doesn't like spending too much time in the Western Woods. Like most of the people in this town, he fears the wicked things that reside in there."

"What has he to fear about the Western Woods?" Albert questioned. "We used to play in that forest all the time when we were children."

"Yes, but children like you and me weren't the ones who believed in superstitions", Lillian reminded him. "Cassandra used to carry on all the time about witches and evil spirits that supposedly haunted the place. Even her mother was frightened of those woods."

"Is Mrs. Mortner around?"

"I'm afraid not. You see, Mrs. Mortner passed away about a year ago."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Might I ask how she passed away?"

"Nobody knows. One day, she became bedridden with a mysterious illness and never recovered. Not even Dr. Lancaster could decipher what it was. It took a terrible toll on Mr. Mortner, which is why he's very protective of his daughter."

Albert blinked and lowered his eyes, nodding his head in understanding. He returned his gaze to Lillian and asked her, "Do you remember how Cassandra once tried to kill a baby bird just because it had a broken wing?"

"Yes, I remember we were playing near the cornfield and she came across a small red bird and said she wanted to put it out of its misery", Lillian recollected.

"Yes, and I remember you stooping down to pick up the injured cardinal before she could bash its head in with a rock", Albert added. "You burst into tears and called her a murderer before running home to your mother."

"It was just a baby", Lillian defended. "I couldn't just stand by and let her hurt something so small and helpless."

"That's one thing I always admired about you, Lillian. You were always a kind nature when it came to living things, especially animals. As I recall, you used to come home every night with some small animal, like a raccoon or a chipmunk, and practically beg your mother to let you keep it for a pet."

Lillian chuckled and lowered her head in embarrassment, feeling herself blush. "I get that from my father", she explained. "My mother said he was very fond of animals. He never liked killing them, but he did it to feed his family."

"Did I know him, your father?" Albert questioned.

"I don't think so", Lillian answered. "He died when I was very young. I don't like looking back on how it happened, but I know he was a brave man."

"I'm sure he loved you and your mother very much."

Lillian nodded. "Yes, he did."

Albert pushed his empty plate aside and folded his arms on the table, asking her, "So, how does Cassandra fare these days?"

"She's doing really well, considering her latest obsession", said Lillian.

"Obsession?"

"Yes, she's very eager to know what goes on outside this town, especially about the war. She's been on about it for months. Mr. Mortner keeps telling her to hold her tongue and not speak or ask about it, but she insists on talking about it. Hardly any of the ladies want to hear about it, especially me, but Cassandra is my friend and I don't want to hurt her feelings. She's become like a sister to me. In fact, she is my sister, even though I am not of her blood. When my mother died, her parents took me in and raised me as if I were their own, same as they did for my father."

Albert smiled softly and took hold of her hand, his grip firm, but gentle. "You're very lucky to have the Mortners as your family."

Lillian attempted to smile and say something back, but then a vision started to occur, and her face became devoid of emotion. In the vision, she saw an image of two figures standing at the alter, a man and a woman. The man dressed in black turned to the woman in white and lifted her veil, revealing the melancholic face of the brown-eyed, red-haired Cassandra Mortner, or rather, the future Mrs. Albert Vaughn.

Before the vision could show her anymore, Lillian blinked and snapped herself out of her trance, gasping. Pulling her hand away, she stood up at once and stepped back, staring in shock at Albert, who looked at her with confusion.

"What is it?" Albert asked her.

Lillian tried to understand what she just saw, but before she could explain her odd behavior, the door opened and Mr. Mortner entered the establishment with Cassandra. Albert turned his head to look over his right shoulder at them and stood up, unaware that Lillian placed a hand over her heart once his back was turned and closed her eyes, breathing a quiet sigh of relief. She then moved her hand to her forehead, feeling a slight headache.

Removing his jacket and hanging it up on the wall, Mr. Mortner combed his hair back with his fingers, then went over to his adopted ward with his daughter and asked her, "How was your day, Lillian?"

"It was fine, sir", Lillian murmured, moving her hand to the side of her head. Her face looked pained.

Cassandra frowned upon noticing her friend's discomfort and questioned, "Are you feeling all right?"

"Just a slight headache", said Lillian.

Albert stepped forward and inquired, "Mr. Mortner, I presume?"

Cassandra and Mr. Mortner shifted their eyes to the young man who was strange to them, more to the red-headed woman than her father.

"Do I know you, young man?" Mr. Mortner asked him.

Lillian lowered her hand and opened her eyes, looking at Albert, then looking at the old man to tell him, "Mr. Mortner, this is Albert Vaughn. Albert and I were just recalling memories from our past from when we were children."

"Albert Vaughn?" Cassandra questioned. "Is that name supposed to mean something to us?"

"Yes, my father owned a farm that was burned down ten years ago", Albert explained. "I'm Edward and Brigitte Vaughn's son."

"Ah, yes, I remember!" Mr. Mortner exclaimed. He extended his hand to the young man and offered for Albert to shake it, which he did. "Welcome back, Mr. Vaughn. It's a pleasure to see you again."

"The pleasure is all mine, sir." Albert looked at the fiery-haired woman standing next to Mr. Mortner and asked him "And who is this charming creature?"

"Mr. Vaughn, this is my daughter, Cassandra. You remember her, don't you?"

Albert gave her a warm, gentle smile and offered his hand to her. "Hello, Miss Mortner."

Cassandra looked hesitant, but shook his hand to show him politeness. There was a strange look in her eyes, gleaming with an air of something uncertain about Albert, who she remembered vaguely, but not too fondly.

"Do you remember me?" Albert asked her.

"Yes, I think so", Cassandra answered. "I believe you were the one who dropped a spider in my hair once. We were playing a game and my back was turned."

"Yes, and I'm very sorry about that, but you have to understand I was only a boy and didn't know any better back then. I humbly ask you for forgiveness and hope we can still be friends."

Mr. Mortner chuckled and said, "Well, it's nice to see that the boy has learned to grow up and admit his past mistakes. Don't agree, Cassandra?"

Cassandra looked at her father, then returned her gaze to Albert. Releasing her grip from his hand, the red-headed woman turned around and made way for the door, exiting the tavern without saying another word.

Albert was confused and looked to Lillian for an answer. "Did I say something wrong?" He asked.

Mr. Mortner sighed heavily and answered, "No, but it seems my daughter has forgotten how to bestow forgiveness onto those who ask for it. Excuse me."

Soon as Mr. Mortner walked out of the tavern, Lillian placed a hand on Albert's shoulder and reassured him, "Don't worry. Cassandra will come around in time. She just has a hard time remembering things."

"I understand", said Albert, turning around to face Lillian. "Now, then, do you know where I might find lodging? I noticed you have a room above the establishment."

Lillian glanced upward at the ceiling, then lowered her head and looked at Albert, telling him, "I'm sorry, but that's where I sleep. If it's a room you want, I'm sure Mrs. Van Dien has a room you could possibly stay in."

"Widow Van Dien? Is she still alive?"

"Oh, yes, very much so."

"Very well, then. I shall see to her at once. Thank you again for your hospitality, Lillian. You've been a gracious host. I should like to continue our conversation another time."

"I look forward to it."

Albert took hold of her hand and brought it to his lips to place a gentle kiss on the back of it, then grabbed his tricorne hat and put it back on his head and walked out, as well. Lillian stayed behind in the tavern, looking confused about her latest vision and wondering why Cassandra wasn't exactly fond of him.