She woke, confused, to the feeling of someone shaking her. She groaned, thinking that she was still dreaming, until she became conscious of the smell of smoke and the crackling sound of burning wood. Her eyes widened and she realized that éltoth stood over her, shaking her shoulder. His face was lined with stress and fear which lessened when he saw that she was awake.

  “Quick! Get up!” he commanded. “Your house is on fire. I’ve got your sword, bow, and box. Get a few things and follow me. There is not a moment to lose!”

  Chárlotte scrambled out of bed and snatched her robe on the side table. Glancing around, she saw the south wall ablaze and smoke entering through the open door. Snatching up her medicine case and a bag of oddities, she followed éltoth out of the room.

  He led her down the flaming staircase, pulling her after him at a pace that made her wonder if she would trip and tumble down the steps. The smoke set Chárlotte coughing. They reached the hall and dashed for the entrance. Flinging open the door, they burst out into the chilly night. éltoth guided Chárlotte to the gate where élwood stood holding the reins of éltoth’s horse. “Have you had someone fetch the nearby water feyns, élwood?” inquired éltoth as he lifted Chárlotte into the saddle.

  “Yes. élwind took off to rouse them.”

  “Good. I will get help too. When you are finished here, meet me in the city.” He climbed into the saddle and sat behind Chárlotte. “Good luck to you!”

  “You too! Farewell,” replied élwood as he handed him the reins.

  Taking them, éltoth urged his horse into a gallop. Looking back, Chárlotte saw the flaming house collapse. The roar of the flames and the cracking of the wooden structure shook in her ears. With a sinking heart, she watched her home disappear. Everything she owned, save the few items with her, was gone! The comfort and safety she felt within those walls and the relics of her childhood were ripped from her. Perhaps it was for the best, given that she no longer needed it. She grimaced at that detached and bitter thought, and she found solace in the fact that she was safe thanks to Lightness and éltoth. She turned her head forward, and together she and éltoth galloped toward Bérnsted.

  When the initial shock of what happened left her, Chárlotte finally ventured to ask éltoth about what had happened. “Shortly after you fell asleep, we were surprised by a group of five men who attacked us. The house was ablaze a minute or two later, indicating that they were merely decoys to distract our attention. Once the fire was started, the attackers retreated, but the fire was making quick work your home. I sent Firewings to pursue them while I went to rescue you. We did a poor job as sentries by letting your home burn down. I’m sorry, though, about the loss.”

  “Don’t blame yourself for it, éltoth,” responded Chárlotte. “In the end, it will work out. One cannot anticipate every variable, and they surprised you.” She paused, having caught a noise behind them. Then her eyes widened, and she whispered quickly, “Hark! The road behind us!”

  éltoth slowed his horse, and in the silence, they strained their ears for any noises behind them. Sure enough, they heard horses galloping wildly along the road behind them. éltoth guided his horse off of the road and into the depths of a thicket, where he hid to get a glimpse of their pursuers. Down the road, five riders sped past them and around the bend.

  “They were watching us as we left. We will reach the town by another way.” éltoth urged his horse deeper into the forest, away from the road.

  For an hour, they continued cautiously, always keeping to the darkest parts of the forest. As they rode, Chárlotte thought over what had happened. The attack had been planned. A spy must have seen her that morning and watched her go home. She recalled the many people she had seen that day. There had been some who had followed them more closely than others on their journey home. At the time, she was not suspicious of it, but now she wondered if one of them had seen her mistake and attacked. It was he who had seen her if she were one of the men who had attacked her home. She gritted her teeth in frustration but knew her careless mistake could not be mended. She would have to overcome it. When they finally reached the gates of Bérnsted, it was still only a couple of hours after midnight.

  “Who are you?” the gatekeeper growled.

  “éltoth and Chárlotte. There’s a fire in the southeast portion of the forest. I am taking Chárlotte to the shelter of a friend’s home.”

  The gatekeeper turned upon hearing this and yelled behind him, “Jon! Jon, get over here!” A young lad came into the lamplight. “Go! Alert the water feyns! There is a fire in Huntington Forest! D’ ya hear?”

  The lad sprinted off into the city, ringing a large bell and hollering as he sprinted, “Fire in Huntington Forest! All who can aid us–Awake!”

  “Now I’ll let you two in immediately.” The gatekeeper unlocked a small side door that was large enough for a horse to pass through. “Be quick now. The streets will get busy. How did it start?”

  “I suspect arson,” éltoth answered.

  “O Lightness!” exclaimed the man. “May whoever lit that blaze rue this night! It’s been a long time since someone set a fire deliberately.”

  They left the man at the city gate. Already, the streets were filled with newly awakened feyns. Warning bells clanged from the towers, and many roused water feyns were flying off towards Huntington Forest, where the fire was becoming more visible. It was spreading rather too quickly for an ordinary fire on a still winter’s night. The rest of the city’s feyns returned to their beds to sleep and pray.

  éltoth cantered down the emptying streets; and after using many byways, he stopped before a low single-storied brick house. Through the curtains of the right window, a light could be seen burning. éltoth whistled a shrill note. The light moved and left the room. Shortly, the door opened, and the candlelight revealed the robed figure of Moon’sheen, her hair done up in a messy bun atop her head. “Thank heavens! You’re all right!” she cried as she ran forward to help Chárlotte off the horse. “I heard the warning bells, and my thoughts turned to you.” She lowered her voice and glanced up and down the street uneasily. “It was nothing bad, I hope?” She looked up at éltoth.

  “Some spies burned down her house, and five of them followed us after we left it.” éltoth added to Chárlotte, “I am going to leave you with Moon’sheen: you should be safe with her. Here are your things.” He handed Chárlotte her bow, box, bag, medicine case, and sword. “I must go to check how the others fared. Good night!” Turning, he cantered up the street. The two women did not wait to see him disappear. With a last searching glance over the street, they went inside and bolted the door behind them.

  “Come on in, Chárlotte,” said Moon’sheen as she ushered her friend through the main room. “This is my news office,” she explained as the candlelight illuminated a cluttered room full of papers, printing presses, and boxes. They passed from the room and entered the back of the house. “Here is my living room.” She laid the candle on a table and lit the lamps with a fingersnap. The soft silvery light, like the moonlight outside, revealed a windowless, neat room with a bookshelf, a fireplace, a sofa, and a desk. Gesturing to the other doorways, she said, “The kitchen is there, and my bedroom is through that door. This will be your bedroom while you’re here, so make yourself comfortable. Are you hungry?”

  “Rather,” replied Chárlotte, as she placed her belongings on the desk. “The fright and ride here have made me hungry.”

  “I’ll go into the kitchen and prepare something. You might as well get the sofa ready. The blankets are in the bedroom closet, and you can use some of the pillows off my bed. I made far too many of them, anyway.” Saying this, Moon’sheen left and went to the kitchen.

  Chárlotte went into Moon’sheen’s bedroom and found a pile of colorful quilts in the closet. She carried several of them, along with two of Moon’sheen’s quilted pillows, to the living room.

  “Chárlotte?” came Moon’sheen’s voice from the kitchen, “I want to write an article on the forest fire for my paper. Can I ask you some questions about it? Also, should I mention you in it?”

  “Don’t mention a thing about me specifically in it, though people will figure it out eventually,” answered Chárlotte as she arranged the blankets and pillows on the sofa. “As for questions, fire away! I won’t be able to sleep again for at least a couple of hours.”

  “That will be more than enough time to get the questions done,” said Moon’sheen carrying in a tray with cups of hot cocoa and a plate of frosted seed cakes on it. “Help yourself to as many as you want, Chárlotte. Then we will settle down and talk.”

  In a few minutes, wrapped in a warm quilt, sipping hot cocoa, and nibbling on sweet chewy cakes stuffed with dried fruits and crunchy nuts, Chárlotte retold what had happened that night. It was nice to be warm and safe on such a night, and Chárlotte was thankful to have wonderful friends, although she did cry a bit now that it was all over.

  “Well, that was quite an adventure,” said Moon’sheen after Chárlotte had finished. “It’s a pity your home is gone — so many memories were there... You’ll have more adventures in a few days–I am sure. When you’re back, you must tell me all about them. I will write a book about it!” She rose and took the empty cups and plate to the kitchen. “You might as well get some sleep before tomorrow. I am going to go into my news office because the Record needs to be prepared and printed before dawn. Your story will make a great cover article!”

  “That it will,” yawned Chárlotte. “I will go to sleep while I still can.”

  “Good night. Let me know if the presses make too much noise.” Moon’sheen left the room.

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  As she lay on the sofa, Chárlotte wondered what was going to happen in the next few days, weeks, and months. “Well, this adventure has certainly begun,” she said to herself. “Just... it did not start as I expected.” Closing her eyes, she went to sleep but not before a couple tears escaped her.

  As Chárlotte slept, Moon’sheen spent her time setting the presses and printing out copies of the Record, the newspaper she wrote and distributed. Since she was a moon feyn, she stayed awake all that night because she, like all other moon feyns, drew her strength from the moon when it was shining. She would need to sleep in the morning, but she would remain alert until the moon set.

  When Chárlotte woke up, Moon’sheen was preparing breakfast. “I have got some clothes prepared for you on my bed,” greeted Moon’sheen from the kitchen. “It is almost time to go, so we will have to hurry.”

  Rubbing her eyes, Chárlotte looked around, disconcerted by her surroundings. “Where am—oh, yes, my home is gone... It was burnt!” Her voice sounded bitter in her ears as she said those words, and her heart sank a bit. She got up though. After folding the blankets, she hurried to Moon’sheen’s room.

  Lying out on the bed was a plain, dark blue dress that was covered with small delicate embroidery at the hem. The waist of the dress was gathered, and the longer skirt swept slightly across the ground in the back. A small silver sash was around the waist, and there was a delicate lace shawl for her shoulders. When Chárlotte put the dress on, she was delighted by its beauty, which was simple and not overdone like some of the dresses she had seen other women wearing at the Council.

  For a minute, she stared at herself in the mirror. Her thoughts wandered to last night’s attack, and she wondered why her feelings of fear and unease were not stronger. Perhaps she was so overwhelmed by everything else that the sudden loss of her home and all she possessed had not touched her. Sooner or later, she knew it would, but now...now its loss seemed almost appropriate. In a way, it made leaving her homeland just a little easier, for there was nothing to look back to now and nothing for her to cling to. She could only look forward and move onward.

  Yet despite the strong face she put forward, her eyes watered, and her vision swam. She brushed away the tears and looked back at herself in the mirror, forcing a smile to her lips. The present was no time for her to be afraid of what was no more. The past was already beyond her reach. She turned away and walked out of the room

  Upon Chárlotte’s entrance, Moon’sheen pulled the kitchen curtains together and explained, “It’s another precaution for your safety. I must keep you unseen because, with this morning’s news, it is known that there are ten spies on the island. They might find where you are. We must eat because dawn is approaching.” She placed bacon, jam, and porridge on a small circular table covered by a clean linen cloth. She motioned for Chárlotte to sit down. After pausing for a few moments as the custom was, they ate.

  Moon’sheen lifted the front page of the Record which lay in the center of the table and asked Chárlotte to read the leading article that covered last night’s attack. Chárlotte read it carefully, learning that the fire had destroyed her entire property and that the feyns had been able to stop the fire before it spread further. At the end of the article, Moon’sheen encouraged the readers to continue to hope despite the attack and keep an eye out for any suspicious persons.

  Chárlotte let the newspaper fall onto the table and, leaning forward, said earnestly, “How can these people know that hope exists when there is none that they can see? How can they have hope?”

  “They have Lightness. It would be dangerous to mention your name in the newspaper lest the enemy see it,” said Moon’sheen. “I thought you were opposed to it.”

  “I know it would be dangerous. But it might help people to know even a hint that there is something to hope for. The enemy already knows I am here on Sunset Island,” said Chárlotte. “We don’t need to mention names, but just for the people’s sake!”

  “I understand your reasoning, Chárlotte, and I think it unwise,” replied Moon’sheen. “Yet it cannot be so. The Mayor has given me orders. The feyns still have patriotism and hope –although the latter is sinking every day – but we cannot risk your life by such an act, even if it is a mere hint. You are important.”

  “Very well! If it is best not to, then let’s forget about it,” said Chárlotte. “A day will come though when you will not be able to keep me a secret; then you will publish it and give hope to the people. Until that day comes, I will pray for their courage to remain.”

  “So will I,” responded Moon’sheen.

  Outside, the women heard the rattle of a horse and carriage which came to a halt outside. Rising, Chárlotte looked at Moon’sheen and raised her eyebrows, questioning.

  “It’s the escort! We’d better go!” exclaimed Moon'sheen, grasping her friend’s hand and leading her swiftly down the hall. Opening the door, she hurried Chárlotte outside. “Inside! Quick!” Glancing both ways, Moon’sheen shoved Chárlotte into the covered carriage and followed her inside. Even before the carriage door was shut, the driver urged the horses and sped off. Moon’sheen hastily closed all the window shades, explaining: “Again this is a measure for your safety. We are on our way to the Hall.”

  Chárlotte leaned back, smiling faintly at the thought of all this bustle over her, yet glad for it because she knew she had enemies. Being fussed over like this felt odd to her. “The Mayor is very nice.”

  “He is, but this was ordered by éltoth, not the Mayor,” replied Moon’sheen. “And it is out of necessity, not nicety.”

  “Mm...” responded Chárlotte. She wondered why éltoth was doing so much to protect her. A thought came to her mind, and she quickly dismissed it as highly unlikely. But whatever it was, it had made her heart flutter and her eyes sparkle.

  Minutes later, the carriage rolled to a stop before the Hall, and a footman opened the door and helped the two women out. They thanked him and then hurried into the Hall. As they passed the stables, Chárlotte glanced toward them, wondering as she did whether the unicorn she had met yesterday was still there. If it were not that duty pressed her to be in the Council, she would have gone over there to check. This time, the Council Chamber’s doors were swung open still, and the council members were entering in groups. When she entered, Chárlotte was immediately engulfed by the warm embraces of élysia and élberteeth who exclaimed, “We were so anxious when we heard the reports! You’re alright?”

  “Yes,” answered Chárlotte quickly. “I’m well, oddly enough. Strange, isn’t it? What news has been brought from the mainland?”

  “Lársh’s troops have been driven south as far as Sediment Lake,” said élberteeth. “I know the success was rather sudden, but the Plainsmen, Obwánians, and Darklings surprised the Dark Army, forcing them to flee yesterday morning. There were few deaths, praise Lightness!”

  “The sad thing,” interrupted élysia, “is that they found fur coats and large amounts of preserved food left in the camps, and you know what that means.”

  “They are prepared to attack during winter,” groaned Chárlotte.

  “Exactly! Lársh has probably learned his lesson from his last war. They brought the supplies to survive, but that is not likely considering how ambitious Lársh is.”

  “Which makes today’s decisions rather important,” noted Chárlotte.

  “True,” responded élberteeth. “The committee has already collected the names of the members who are able and willing to travel with you. Today, we will decide what we are doing and who we will travel with.” She looked around the room. “We had better get into our seats since I see the Mayor moving towards the dais.” élberteeth left them and sat down in her seat.

  Chárlotte settled down before the Mayor welcomed everyone as he had yesterday. He began, “Today, we gather once more to decide the mission and the war strategy. Yesterday, a committee of the sagest feyns among yourselves was formed to draw up a list of eligible and willing feyns who can go on the dangerous expedition. Committee, please inform us of the results.”

  Edgar Riverleaf, the chairman of the committee, rose with a long piece of parchment in his left hand. “Ladies and gentlemen, considering how dangerous and important this mission is to the peoples of Féyndom, we have decided that the younger feyns in this Council would be best to send on this mission since they are more active, younger, and swifter than the older generations. Accompanying them, we have also selected some of the wisest among us, ones who will give guidance and have knowledge of what is at stake. With these qualifications in mind, we have narrowed our selection to the following...” Edgar read off twenty names. “Five of these feyns have already committed themselves to this mission: éltoth of the Three Hills, Firewings of Forest of the Shadows, and élberteeth, élysia, and Chárlotte of Sunset Islands. We believe that three more feyns should accompany them.” Riverleaf continued, “Out of the fifteen other persons whom I have named as eligible for this mission, does anyone wish to undertake this journey willingly?”

  There was a moment of silence.

  “Me and my brother will!” cried a Natalian, rising with his twin brother. He held an unstrung bow in his hand. He and his twin were clothed in matching green tunics.

  “That leaves one more space! Thank you, élwood and élwind,” replied Riverleaf. “Anyone else?”

  “I,” said the dark-haired feyn called Dáveed.

  “That brings the number to the desired eight.” Riverleaf put away the parchment and continued, “So we do not delay the rest of the Council, I suggest that the committee and those undertaking the mission meet in separate rooms to discuss and plan.”

  One of the Schi’leons rose to his feet and was recognized by the Mayor. “I have a concern,” the man began. “There is no one among those who are accompanying Ch’lant to represent the Southern tribes. I feel that this should be remedied.”

  Riverleaf unrolled the scroll and scanned the names of those who were listed on it. “Sir,” he answered, “there were many ambassadors from the Schi’leons who placed their names on this list and were qualified to accompany her; however, none of yours committed to it beforehand or rose quickly after I asked for volunteers. If one of your tribe had been but swifter to volunteer, he would be able to accompany her. As none did, it cannot be helped, for the desired number has been filled. Too many feyns on this mission will hinder its progress.”

  The Schi’leon who had spoken looked with dissatisfaction at his fellow ambassadors. “I believe that one more feyn, though, will not harm the mission much. Let one of my tribe join.”

  “Your tribe can help the Council and the war in other ways,” replied Riverleaf. He was careful in how he worded his refusal, for the Schi’leons were easily angered and very conceited. Privately, he did not want the Schi’leons involved in the mission, for they loved power and influence. In the past, when the Schi’leons had gotten involved, they caused more harm than good by causing delays and making unreasonable demands. “Besides, the North owes the Schi’leons a debt for neglecting to aid them. Consider this as her payment for it.”

  “Very well,” acquiesced the Schi’leon ambassador. With a feigned look of resignation, he resumed his seat.

  Riverleaf’s request to have the travelers meet separately was granted. The committee and those who had volunteered left the rest of the council members in the Chamber of Stars and made their way to the Hall of Books, where they would begin their own council in a private area. The section of the library that they were taken to contained the most ancient and accurate books on the Great War and centuries prior. Ceiling-high bookshelves rose throughout the room, forming an intricate maze that only feyns who frequented the place could navigate. There were so many books and shelves there that all sounds were deadened quickly. It was a silent, dark place to discuss the mission. Following Riverleaf, the feyns made their way to the center of this maze of bookshelves, where they found a long table waiting.