Thain directed Eberon to take us to Mila's cabin and cover our trail, all while I was passed out. I actually woke up in Mila's bed, next to Schula. Puko sat perched on the bedpost at our feet.

The cabin was too small for everyone to fit in, but Eberon had organized everyone beautifully. A triquetram of two was sent back to Thanantholl to give a preliminary report to King Baeleon. The rest had been set as lookouts and hunters for the duration of our recovery, or at least until Schula, Thain and I could move on our own.

Nassir sat quietly in the corner, observing his surroundings.

Early reconnaissance reports of Icehold were bleak. We had managed to avoid damage to the residential areas, and thanks to the Solstice masquerade most of the population of the city was on the other side of Icehold from the destruction.

We did however decimate the wings of barracks, armories, training rooms and equipment workshops.

After a few days, with the help of magic and rest, I was the last to recover and fully be able to move around again. Schula said it was probably because I was only half a creature of the Wyldes, as witches are practically human mortal and I wouldn't have any kind of advanced healing from my mother's side.

It was a cold, snowy day in the mountains when Schula invited me out for a walk alone.

She let me lead us somewhere, and I took us to the hilltop where my mother left the stone for me. I was able to collect it again when I woke up, as I had left it and other important items at Mila's cabin before I went to rescue Schula.

I played with it in my fingers for a while. Schula and Thain had tried to see it's images, but it didn't work for anyone but me and Nassir.

Schula had been mostly quiet since our retreat to Mila's cabin. Today she played with a strand of hair that had come loose from her long white braid.

"Is everything alright?" I asked softly.

She shook her head. "It's not alright. It may never be alright again."

I nodded, giving her another moment of silence before I tried again. "Did you want to come out here for company, or do you have something you'd like to talk about? It seems you've had something on your mind since yesterday."

Schula sighed and turned her icy blue eyes my way. "I'm DuVarick's heir. But, I don't want to be. And even if he somehow came to accept it, I could never forgive him. I know he's not right. I... I know it's his mind that is foul but I can't forgive him."

I bristled at that. "I wouldn't want you to."

She nodded sadly, a melancholy smile on her lips. "I know what we did will have repercussions."

"Yes," I agreed. "But it's high time the other kings realized what is going on in the Winter lands. DuVarick isn't right, and he's not kind to his people."

Schula gave a dark laugh. "Don't let the other royals fool you. The fae aren't a peaceful people, we put on a pretty show, but that's where it ends. Though, DuVarick is definitely the worst of them."

Puko fluttered overhead, landing heavily on my shoulder and I stroked his head absentmindedly.

"I don't want to go back to Thanantholl," Schula whispered.

Ah. That was what was bothering her.

"I don't either."

She looked at me, startled at first. "You've made friends there."

"I know what they call me behind my back," I sighed. "The elf witch. That's all I'm going to be to them, and I'd prefer not to waltz up to Baeleon if he's going to react the way DuVarick did. I don't belong in the Wyldes, not anymore."

No amount of illusion magic could hide what I was from the two dozen odd creatures of the Autumn court that Eberon had brought with him. Not for this long. They had easily pieced together that I had called the serpent from the crater, and they had questions.

Her eyes softened. "Then where?"

"Do you remember the problems with the barriers? It's deteriorating. And the witches helped to build it in the first place. And they might know more about Lark. And..."

"And it sounds like we could get several answers from one place," Schula finished. "What about the elves?"

"I don't know," I sighed. "I don't know where to start. I think the witches would be easier to follow. I've grown up knowing them, and I know where to find information on them, but the elves have been hidden for a long time, right? I don't know where to start."

"Well, we can start with the witches then," Schula said. "Maybe they can lead us to the elves."

"Maybe..." I said. "And one more thing. I want to bring Nassir with us, if he wants."

"Of course," Schula said instantly. "I couldn't imagine going without him. How would he survive a big city? He's too used to quiet. And I know it sounds silly but I've grown so fond of him, though I've only known him a few days."

I smiled. "He has that effect, doesn't he?"

"Alright," Schula said, much happier now. "An adventure it will be then. My lovely Wren, our wonderful Nassir, and we'll find the witches and the elves and see distant lands and maybe find the black..."

She trailed off and I chewed on my lower lip in thought. "It told us to find it. Do you think we should?"

"I don't know," she said quietly. "I feel like... I feel like we're supposed to. It's frightening and thrilling all at the same time. I don't know."

"I feel the same way."

We sat, enjoying the peaceful breeze through the winter landscape for a while. It was quiet times like this that made me notice the difference in the air from the Wyldes. The air wasn't thick with magic and life. I might miss the Wyldes someday, but for now I was content to be far out of it's reaches.

"We should head back," Schula said after a time.

"Mmm," I agreed. We stood, disturbing Puko for a moment, and headed back.

There were a pair of fae that we needed to talk to, and one particular goodbye that I wasn't looking forward to.

~

"So, you're leaving soon then?" Eberon asked softly.

Schula nodded.

We had taken Thain, Eberon, and Nassir with us away from the busyness around the cabin. We walked a deer trail near one of my old fishing spots, and as we told them about our plans and concerns, they listened patiently. Still, the sorrow in Eberon's eyes cut deep. Thain's stony expression didn't let on to anything he was feeling.

"A war very well may start in your absence," Eberon said.

"And if we leave, DuVarick will split his resources and leave himself weakened," Schula said. "You can't believe that he would leave us alone after all that."

"Which is all the more reason you shouldn't go alone," Thain spoke for the first time since we started our walk.

Schula and I looked at each other, surprised.

"Lord Eberon and yourself will be needed in Thanantholl," Nassir said quietly. "These two have proven themselves capable of taking care of themselves. They will return to you once they have found the answers they seek, Lord Thainalan."

Thain glowered at Nassir, though the older fae couldn't see him do it.

"He's right, Thain." Eberon laid a hand on him gently. "We would be miserable apart like that, and we're going to be vital in the pursuit of DuVarick. We're needed by Baeleon's side."

"And if he harbors is in Thanantholl," Schula started. "It will only cause trouble. I think we're technically war criminals in Icehold."

Thain looked at me sadly, his silver eyes melting my heart as he resolved himself.

"I think I should gather some provisions," Schula said.

"I'll help you," Eberon chimed in quickly, and they both left.

"I will simply leave, as it seems you need a moment," Nassir said honestly, a smile on his face as he slowly walked back. Puko took off and landed on Nasir's shoulder, preening his feathers as the fae carried him away.

I looked up at Thain, not knowing what to say. Thankfully, he broke the silence first.

"I will miss you," he said softly. "I suppose I knew from the beginning that you were different, like me. I may be fae, but I have always been more beast. I see it when they look at me after a battle, as though I'm not one of them. You have a hard road to walk, little one. But you will be fine."

He put his hand up to my face and I leaned into it. His warm palm was a comfort as I held in a few tears trying to escape.

"What made a plain girl like me catch your eye anyway?" I had always wanted to ask.

"You're hardly plain, Wren. But to answer your question, I don't know," he murmured, now rubbing his thumb in small circles on my cheek while he held my face. "But I'm glad you did. Kindred souls perhaps? I admire your resolve, though it irks me right now as it's taking you away from me."

I laughed softly at that. "I'll be back. But I need answers. And I need to explore who I am and what I can do. I can't do that in Thanantholl."

"I know," he sighed.

"When I get back, you still have to teach me axes." I smiled.

"I will." He watched me as he paused, choosing his next words slowly. "Here, if you must leave the Wyldes, take this."

He drew back a moment and pulled a thin silver chain from under his shirt. It was long on Thain, and as he slipped it over my head it dropped all the way to my belly button. I lifted the chain, on the end of it was a tiny stone. It was dark blue, as dark as Thain's hair, with specks of silver in it.

"What is this?" I asked.

"I had been meaning to give it to you, since that fight we had. But then you came back from Dwellonmar with that quartz from Caldon and I never did." He lifted it a moment to look at the stone, then put it to the top of my tunic so it would drop down under my clothes.

"I don't know what to say," I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. "Thain..."

"Don't fret about it, Wren," he said softly, leaning down to my ear. "By the way, I like that color of blue against your skin."

I blushed furiously, covering my face with my hands. "Thain!"

"So bashful," he chuckled. "Let's get back, I want you as prepared as possible when you leave my side. But first..."

He held my wrists gently, and pulled my hands away from my face. Then, he leaned in and gave me a slow kiss.

It wasn't like our first one, it was slow and passionate. It spoke more words than either of us could have said out loud. It was a promise. A promise to pick back up where we left off when I came back.

He deepened the kiss, making me gasp as his tongue slid in my mouth. I met him back with more warmth, and he growled playfully before pulling away again.

I was breathless and hot when he pulled away. His eyes were full of emotion as he watched me recover from him.

"Let's get you back. We have things to do."

"Right," I breathed. "Let's... let's go."

Thain laughed, and lead us to the cabin.

~

It was dawn when we left. Schula, Nassir and I carried packs filled with supplies. I gave Eberon my smoky quartz for safekeeping. I had no romantic intentions with Caldon, at least not anymore, but he was still a friend and I didn't want it destroyed. I wasn't sure what Thain might do with it while I was gone.

Schula gave Thain the key to her apartment. He would move her things into a guest room in his own home, and Mama Flori could rent the place to someone who would be there and be able to pay for it, since we had no idea how long our trip would be.

Nassir, with food and meditation, was now able to get around much better. He walked in a meditative trance, sensing the objects around him and very skillfully navigating the mountain terrain. He said he didn't want to be more of a burden than he already was, and he progressed quite a bit over the few days we had been here.

The three of us walked in quiet contemplation as the Autumn creatures behind us said their goodbyes, watching us leave their sight.

There would be hard times ahead, and hopefully good times too. But with Schula and Nassir by my side, and Thain to come home to, I was ready for the challenge.

I needed answers. Not just for me, but for the good of the Wyldes and the humans who lived below the barriers.

As we stepped from the treeline and towards the plains below, I held my head high.

I am Wren.

Witch. Elf.

Bonded to Schula. Daughter of Bryn.

I will find the witches. I will find the elves.

I may even find the black presence.

And then, I will save the Wyldes.

THE END

To be continued in Book Two: Half Magic