The journey through the Summer lands was uneventful. Unless you count the event of seeing the Wyldes for the first time, which is an event in itself. The days were warm and the evenings were filled with a cool breeze. I was accustomed to sleeping outside on pleasant nights, so it didn't bother me that we had no shelter as we traveled. We crossed through the Summer lands for two days before reaching it's edge, and then the fear gnawed at my bones. I got my first glimpse at the untamed reach of the Wyldes.

Terrible nightmare creatures danced through my head. Stories the parents of the mountains told their children to make them behave. Bryn didn't tell me many of those sorts of stories, but Mila did. And when Mila the witch tells you a story, you would be wise to know her monsters are very real.

We stood at the top of a grassy knoll, the warm sun bearing on my back. A trickle of sweat slid between my shoulder blades. But in stark contrast to the lush summer lands we stood in now, below us lay a much darker landscape. Gnarled grey trees and dry, rocky terrain reached out in ugly tendrils. It sprawled out like that for miles.

"The unclaimed Wyldes." Schula rolled her shoulders back and stretched.

"Is it all like that outside the courts?" I whispered.

"Not all of it, but most," Eberon said.

"And there is no other way to Thanantholl?" I squeaked.

"No." Thain shook his head. "None of the court lands touch each other. It's best that way."

I couldn't see how two bordering lands were worse than having to travel the unclaimed Wyldes when you needed to go somewhere, but I stayed silent.

"Let's get on with it." Schula sighed and walked by us, heading down the hill and into the grim landscape. "I only want to spend one night in it and that's only going to happen if we get a move on."

"We're sleeping in that place?" I whispered out loud to no one in particular. Of course, they all heard me, but none of them answered.

I gripped my pack, resolving to follow Thain to Thanantholl no matter what. Even if it was through the unclaimed Wyldes.

We walked for hours at a brisk pace. None of them were willing to break the silence in the stagnant air. Instead I watched as their ears twitched at sounds that even I couldn't hear. No breeze rustled the ugly trees, no animals crawled underfoot. Even Puko stayed close, choosing 

to perch on my shoulder more often than not.

We stopped to pull out some of the cured ham and a wedge of smoky cheese for lunch, but we 

walked as we ate. I suspected we wouldn't have paused for food at all, except the three of them seemed determined to put some weight on me. They were giving me bigger portions despite my protests otherwise. Still, I was grateful for the distraction of food as we crossed the bleak landscape. My legs were aching from the faster pace we traveled, but I didn't want to complain. The faster we got through this part of the journey the better.

When night was upon us we stopped as we usually did. The end of our day was signaled when 

Thain stopped at a spot and nodded to the rest of us. Eberon looked on edge, but Schula and Thain seemed more alert than usual. They were older and better at hiding their feelings than Eberon was. Or me, I probably looked terrified.

"Aren't we camping off the path?" I asked.

"Do you think that would be wise?" Thain looked at the thick and gnarled trees just a short distance from us. The overgrowth whispered promises of nasty surprises within.

I shuddered. "No."

"Don't gather any firewood tonight," Schula said. "No fires. Not here."

I nodded and began unpacking my blanket. Firewood was usually my job, so I didn't know what else to do.

We ate in silence and went to bed. Schula kept the first watch. We hadn't kept watch overnight while traveling in the Summer lands, but I was glad we did so here. They didn't ask me to take a shift. I would have, but I know I didn't know what to look for and I was no trained warrior. I was a useless lump. A lost dog they were leading home that didn't do anything but slow them down. I sighed and rolled over, trying to get comfortable. My thoughts were depressing and they wouldn't stop. It took a long time before I could fall asleep.

I woke up in the pink air of dawn. Eberon and Schula were talking in hushed whispers, and they stopped when they noticed I was awake. They both stared at me for a moment.

"Um, good morning," I mumbled.

"Good morning," Eberon answered. "Have an apple, we'll be packing up and leaving shortly."

He tossed the red fruit to me and I caught it, but the motion startled Puko who had opted to sleep on a fallen branch at my back.

"Where is Thain?" I asked.

Schula simply moved from where she and Eberon were talking and began removing traces of our stay on the road. "He will meet us soon. Eat and pack, we need to go."

That alarmed me but I took a big bite of apple and did as I was told, rolling up my blanket.We were on our feet and walking quickly. My eyes darted around as we walked, ready to see some horrible thing jump out at us. I felt vulnerable without the presence of the quiet and strong Thain.

It was about an hour later that we heard the rustling of the trees, which I'm sure was for my benefit and no one else.

"Did you run into any trouble?" Thain came to us from the dark woods, covered in nasty scratches and blood.

"Not as much as you apparently." Schula eyed Thain up and down. "Is everything... taken care of?"

"Yes, but we should keep moving." Thain brushed some dirt from his clothes.

As much as I wanted to ask what that was about, I was too afraid of the answer. I kept my mouth shut as we all began walking a little faster.

We didn't stop for lunch that day, and we walked right until sundown.A vibrant strip of grass shone like a beacon in the moonlight and I could have cried from the joy of seeing it.

The second the unclaimed Wyldes were out of sight, Thain stopped us and we all dropped where we were.

I didn't even unroll my blanket, I just laid my head on it like a pillow and passed out.

I woke to warm sunshine in the crisp air. The ground was wet with dew, and I noticed at some point that a fire had been built nearby. I felt a pang of guilt for not gathering the firewood last night, but they must have sensed my exhaustion and left me to sleep.

"Good morning." Schula crouched next to me. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm well enough." I sat up, accepting a slice of stale bread from her. "Are we in the Autumn lands?"

"Yes." She smiled and stood, stretching. "Finally."

I ate quickly and put away my already rolled blanket. The others seemed excited to be here, and it was rubbing off on me. Even Puko cawed happily as he glided in lazy circles overhead. It was as if he was urging us to hurry up towards Thanantholl.

There were very few other fae traveling the roads we were on. Still, they were the first I had seen so close since we began traveling the Wyldes. All of them stared at me while keeping their distance, and I couldn't keep my eyes off of them either. Some looked as wild as Thain, sharp features and fangs. Others looked nearly human, or as close as the fae could get.

"They are glamoured." Thain told me after a pair of dainty high fae females passed us on horseback. "They may look closer to human, but they aren't."

"Why glamour at all? I mean, it isn't going to make someone think you aren't fae." I looked at my three companions.

"Being able to glamour is a mark of a powerful fae," Eberon said. "Power in the Wyldes is status. To some, status is everything. I am currently glamoured, just a personal preference. Schula, is not."

I looked between the two of them. Eberon certainly looked more glamoured than the icy white female. Other than his vibrant hair and red eyes his coloring wasn't unusual for a human. I turned to Thain. "You don't glamour, do you?"

"I do. I have been glamoured since the village. We don't tend to show our truest selves around humans. I personally stay this way most of the time." He said.

It was hard to imagine him looking any more fearsome than he already did. To think there was an even bigger beast hiding under a layer of magic gave me chills.

"I suppose I'm exempt though?" I looked down at my simple human appearance. "I don't know if I even can glamour."

"I don't know that you could glamour right now. Perhaps if we worked with you, drew out what magic you have. But no, none of us will expect you to try to glamour," Eberon said.

"I think we're nearly to the border." Thain pointed to the crest of a small hill, and the others smiled. The pace quickened, and I ran to keep up. The rolling green hills had been a dream, so far from the nightmare behind us. I had been looking forward to the homeland of my new friends, if that's what they were. We thrust up the hill and a breeze swept through us as we crested the top. My eyes widened, drinking it all in. I got my first glimpse into the Autumn lands, and I smiled.

The world turned suddenly from the greens of the Wyldes to the full bouquets of color of a world in autumn. What wasn't in bloom was orange, red, and yellow. Purple bushes speckled the trees and dusty blue vines crawled along the side of the roads. Where the Summer lands were hills and streams, the Autumn lands were forests as far as the eye reached. Trees bigger than any I'd seen in the mountains grew thick around us. The trunks were as wide as two horses. We slowed as I took in the breath of autumn.

"What do you think?" Thain plucked a fat yellow leaf from above and twisted it into my braid.

"It's amazing." I smiled. "Is it all trees? Where is Thanantholl?"

"We call this the border of Thanantholl but the city proper is still a few miles in." Schula purred. "We should see it after lunch."

"What will it look like? You told me about the houses and the stores and everything else, but what will it look like?" I stroked Puko's head but he shook me off and fluttered away to fly over the trees.

"That's a detail I like to leave out. You'll know it when we get there." Eberon's eyes danced. "Our first stop is to settle you in to a room, but once we are done reporting in we can show you the city."

It wasn't in me to argue, so I just watched the roads in front of me closely. Puko cawed from overhead occasionally, letting me know where he was. The three fae seemed to enjoy my torment and wouldn't answer any questions at all, though I asked many.

We broke for lunch but I could barely eat mine. The others took longer than usual, and it was all I could do not to scream and run ahead. When they were finally done teasing me, we set off again. Thain took my sack and one of the axes. After walking another hour Puko landed on my shoulder. The fae were silent as we rounded a wide bend where the road met with another and the traffic was much heavier. Fae creatures watched us, watched me, from all around. Fur, antlers, feathers. Some were glamoured, most were not. Any part of nature flecked the travelers. But even I wasn't drawing their attention as the trees opened up ahead.

The road dipped into a wide, shallow gully with a large grotto at one end. Mirrors of silver pools of water covered the ground between massive trees. Stairs, benches, rooftops and walkways were made from carved wood still on a living tree, or trees shaped from youth to conform to a desired shape. Everything from the ground we stood on to the lattice of vines over the walkways breathed with life.

Thain nodded at the fae guarding the gate, and they nodded back. I almost didn't notice I was so enchanted with the city as we stepped through the giant archway.

Maple leaves of every color littered the ground. They floated in the pools of water and clung to the damp rooftops. Every building was made from clay bricks. They were sculpted to shapes complimenting the gnarled trees around them. Only the wood on the doors and windows were painted, and they were every color of the rainbow.

Wind whistled through the trees. Lanterns swayed, clinging to their foundations over doors and in shady pockets under the canopy. Fae flowed through the streets, smoke and the smell of roasting food drifted lazily over us. Everything whirled with the movement of life, and I was breathless.

"Thanantholl." I whispered. "I mean, you said the forest was a big part of the city."Eberon laughed. "I'm sorry if I didn't do it justice. Here, let me make it up to you."I watched the golden fae lead us down the main street to a vendor of roasting nuts. He purchased a bag and brought it back. Thain stood over me, daring anyone to approach. Schula's gaze earned us some space as well.

"Stay close. You're a person of interest, for sure, but until you meet the King we should keep you away from busybodies." Thain murmured. "We need to know what official stance we're takeing about your presence before we go talking to anyone."

That was fine with me. There were more things living in Thanantholl that I had seen in any human city. The life of it tickled my senses, my back itched. I could barely handle Thain, Schula and Eberon, I certainly wasn't ready to engage a whole city.Eberon returned, leaving a blushing girl to her cart. "Here, you just picked at your lunch, try this."

What I thought was a bag at first was actually made from the largest maple leaf I had ever seen. I untucked a corner of the package and the steam hit my face.

"Careful, that's still hot." Eberon fanned it with his hand and Schula reached over to pull out a nut I had never seen before.

"Thank you, Eberon. What is that?" I pulled one out for myself. It smelled sweet, like syrup and honey and something else.

"Pecans." Schula popped it in her mouth and smiled. "Good choice Eb. Now to Thain's place?"

Thain led the way and I put the pecan on my tongue. The texture was like a walnut, but the flavor was sweet and smoky and I could get addicted to these. I savored it as long as I could, but when the flavor had all melted off I chewed and grabbed another.

The streets wound around the trees and pools of water. Bridges of braided roots grew over the ponds, jumping playfully in no discernible pattern. We took several of these bridges as well as a few paths through thickets of small white flowers that swirled overhead. I couldn't tell how much time was passing. If I was eating up everything before me in an instant or if I dwelled on each plant, and face for so long that our destination was hours away. I noticed when there were only two nuts left in the pouch, and I put it in my pocket. Those were to be savored later.

Thain slowed down to a blue fence and held the gate for us all to enter. The front garden was small, but crafted into a world of roses and dusty blue vines. The house behind it was large, with a blue door to match the fence. From what I could tell, the windows and balconies climbed three floors off the ground. Gnarled oak trees hugged it on either side. Puko took off for the branches above, startling me when I had all but forgotten his presence.

"Wairen." Thain turned to the open door to a fae that appeared to be made entirely of birch bark. "We will have a guest for an unforeseen amount of time. Wren, what is your favorite color?"

I blushed, seeing that Wairen wore not one stitch of clothing, but upon closer inspection there was no male member to him. His body was like smooth bark and held a general shape with no definition of anatomy. I blinked, then realized Thain had asked me a question. Color? "Um, red?"

"Can you prepare the red room?" Thain turned again to Wairen, handing him my sack.

"Certainly." He bowed. "Should I prepare dinner for four?"

"No, tonight we'll be out, thank you." Thain brought us inside after Wairen. We were welcomed by a lush receiving room of brocade chairs around a roaring fireplace. Carved wood covered the walls, but it wasn't dark and heavy. A chandelier coated light wherever the fire didn't illuminate the room.

"Welcome to my home, Wren." Thain gestured towards the stairs. "You have free run of the place. My room is the only one on the third floor. On the second floor you will find a bedroom with a red door ready for you soon. The kitchen is through that archway if you're hungry, and Wairen is always here if you need anything."

"I don't know what to say. Thank you for your hospitality." I gave a small bow, and Schula rubbed my back.

"You'll like it here. You wouldn't like the bustle at Eb's house, and my apartment only has one room. Not that you aren't welcome, but Thain can give you the quiet space you're used to." Schula stretched her arms. "We should go."

"Right." Eberon turned to me. "Our first duty is to the crown. We need to report in, but I'll send some things over for you to try on while we're gone. We'll be back before sunset and I'm treating you to a dinner worthy of Thanantholl."

"I understand. I'll be fine here, go do what you need to do." I smiled at the three fae, and saw them to the door. Thain held back.

"I hope you can consider this your home for a little while. We're glad to have you with us." Thain gave a rare smile before slipping out the front door.

I watched them go through the bay window. After they were gone I watched the people of Thanantholl.

Thain must live on a less traveled road, because few crossed the window for me to see. Sharp eyes and pointed ears went about the day at ease. Things that may once have given me nightmares now walked only feet away. I could only be glad they weren't the wraith.

"Your rooms are ready, Master Wren." Wairen creaked down the stairs. "Please let me know if you need anything. If you take the liberty of a bath I will lay out the clothes Master Eberon will be sending over."

"Oh, thank you." I said. "Um, please don't go to any trouble for me. I'm used to watching after myself."

"Nonsense, Master Thain so rarely has guests. It is my pleasure." He dismissed my concerns and drifted towards the kitchen with a bow. "Call if you need anything. Welcome to Thanantholl."I watched him go, and since I had an afternoon to spend somehow I took the stairs to explore.Consider this my home? I wondered if I could.