The air on the other side of the portal was brisk and refreshing. It smelled like autumn, and the odor of overripe leaves was a perfume all its own. All around was only forest, with brush and grasses in hues of gold and red, and emerald green pines with dew moistening their needle points.

Falandor was a land ever struck in the embrace of fall. Plants grew and ripened as they would in other places of the world, but the trees and the weather were touched by an old, powerful magic. Katerin did not know if it was the elves or the faeries who had made that a truth, but it was nonetheless true.

When Kindra, Brazen, Fykes, and Arjiah finally appeared behind her, Katerin tried a smile, but it did not stick. Before them all was a large opening into the canopy of a forest, though it looked strangely more like a tunnel, with the way the branches wove together overhead.

It was menacing in its own right, as if the forest only offered them one way forward. Behind and to either side was less restrictive, but Katerin was not here to see the sights.

Katerin only took two steps when a voice rang out in her head.

You took my portal. Mordai sounded pleased through their telepathic link.

I didn't do it to help you, Katerin hissed in response.

It will help me, either way. There was a soft laugh. Kryrial will be... displeased with his loss.

We aren't just going to murder her. Don't get excited.

Ohhh, Mordai laughed. Someone's bitter. Can't you just trust me?

I no longer have any reasons to trust you. You sicked a spirit on us, you set me up in Hearth-Home, you... you've tried to have me killed, and you've killed plenty of innocents. Katerin's internal tone grew angrier with each word, and she tried to keep it from showing to her companions. If they did not know she spoke to Mordai, it would not hurt them.

I did what I had to do. There was a moment of silence from Mordai. If you aren't going to kill the dragon, then why take the portal?

I need answers, and now I have more... attention than I needed. Katerin's thought reflected that she had Mordai to thank for that.

I think you and Risage could get along very well.

What could I ever hold in common with her? Katerin's anger had not faded.

She came from nothing and built history. And you are the same.

Does this have a point?

It does. Ilysa's home is ahead of you, but it's a lengthy walk. She won't be what you expect, and I'm sorry, but you need to kill her.

What is that supposed to mean?

For a moment Katerin thought Mordai had dropped the spell, as he offered no reply. Then his voice came back to her thoughts.

And if you find me, what would you do?

The same as I am going to do with this dragon, she said, but the thought of harming him tore her heart into strips and wove them together like a noose.

Mordai let out a quiet sigh. Katerin, you are a good person. You will do a lot for the world, but I need to ask you to stop chasing me. You're only going to get hurt. This is too much for you.

Katerin scoffed. It's too much for me? But a dragon isn't? Why don't you pull your head out of your ass, instead of threatening me?

Killing this dragon will ease a lot of the strain in the world for a while. But you need to understand that if you keep chasing me, one of us will die. And... you know me. I want to live.

I'm not going to kill the dragon.

You will. Because you want to live, too. And you will be celebrated for it, but it will break your heart.

The forest around them was thick, and progress was slow, for the sticky taloned vines and all the overgrowth in the surrounding area. Katerin could hear Brazen and Fykes' conversation about the plants and the color of the trees as they traveled.

As much as I'll be celebrated for killing the dragon king and his would-be usurper? Katerin's anger got the best of her, and she showed it without hesitation, as her heart began to ache. He was wrong. He had to be wrong.

You can't refuse fate, Kat. And I can't ignore mine any longer.

As the spell finally faded, Katerin bit her tongue and refused to cry. Mordai would not back down. He would try to kill her again. As if the evidence of his nature had not already shown through, the truth of what he wanted hit her like a mace to the chest. One of us will die, she thought.

The forest-like tunnel continued for over an hour, and all of them grew tired, with sordid glances over shoulders and weary sighs. The wind died away and the once fresh smell of forest ripened until it was almost too intense for comfort.

Light blossomed ahead of them, and the pathway opened into a beautiful grove, its fall coloring glimmering in the beginnings of a sherbet sunset.

Furniture decorated the carpet of mid-bloom moss on the ground. There was an ornate table with half a dozen chairs, curtains that hung from branches gilded with gold, to serve as a curtain for an ornate bathtub and a four poster bed. Other items dotted the space, along with a compact building at the grove's back. The building was the least ornate thing Katerin had ever seen, its gray stone chipped in places and well worn.

A blonde haired elf turned to regard them as they entered the grove, jumping in her slippers when she saw them.

"Visitors!" She smiled widely, and the wrinkles near her eyes creased, the only hint to belay her age. "Wow. I wasn't expecting anyone at this time of day."

Katerin froze, speechless. She had expected someone hardened, powerful. Instead, she saw a young elven woman, who seemed to have no malice about her.

"Won't you come in? I have plenty of tea." the elf's delicate fingers touched her lips in contemplation.

Fykes shot Katerin a warning look, and even Kindra eased her hands away from her axe.

"We don't want to impose," Katerin said.

The elf waved a hand. "Nonsense! Please, sit. I am Ilysa, and it is a pleasure to have travelers."

At her insistence, Katerin and her companions found seats at the table, and Ilysa began pouring each of them a delicate cup of tea.

She smiled and spoke of the grove while doing so, but briefly, the innocence faded from her eyes as she took her seat. She held her chin high and regal. It was as though she was a different person. "So, what brings such weary travelers to my home?" The tone was serious, and sharper, but then, with a giggle, all the seriousness was gone.

So quick was the change that Katerin could hardly process it.

"We are looking for a dragon," she said, "One that has done terrible things."

"Oh, no." Ilysa clasped a hand over her mouth in shock. "Where?" Her eyes grew round and glossy.

"Uhm'bantha," Fykes said, his shoulders stiff.

Again the softness faded. "Uhm'bantha is half the world away," Ilysa said, with a slight scoff. "Why would you come looking here?"

"We had a... we thought that the dragon was here," Arjiah said.

Another giggle, and the return of Ilysa's girlish tone. "Well, I'm sorry, but it's only me and some squirrels."

"Would you mind answering a few questions for us?" Fykes asked. "Then we can be on your way and not tax your hospitality any further." Katerin heard the warning note in his tone and saw the unwilling set to his shoulders.

"Oh, sure! Ask away. You know, it gets lonely here, and the squirrels can't keep a very long conversation."

Arjiah glanced to Katerin with a momentary look of pain on her face, but Katerin subtly nodded. She turned as if to cough, and Katerin felt magic wash over the table. As the spell completed, the girlish temperament faded and once again the regal statued elf was regarding them.

"Your name is Ilysa?" Arjiah's tone was gentle.

"It is." Ilysa nodded.

"You are the queen regent of Falandor?" Katerin asked.

Ilysa chin rose, and she smiled a wise smile. "I am. My rule has offered prosperity to the elves."

"So we've heard," Fykes smiled at her, and the girlish demeanor returned. "Tell me, Ilysa, do you go by Amarin Varsly, when you are on Luminya?"

"I don't travel to—" Ilysa choked on her tea, and her eyes winded. "I haven't—" She pushed herself up from her chair with fearful eyes.

Katerin and her companions stiffened, and Katerin felt her lip quiver. "Did you attack Uhr'west and the Citadel?" She knew that under Arjiah's spell, any lie would not finish, but she felt rotten as Ilysa became horrified.

"No!" Ilysa screeched, panic causing her tone to turn shrill. "I have attacked no one. Why... why are you asking things like this?"

"Did you visit Ellispyre then? Were you there?" Fykes asked.

"I was. But... I didn't hurt anyone." Illysa stood, looking at them as if they were all close friends who had betrayed her.

"Then can you tell us what is is you did, on your visit?" Fykes' tone was calming, and he looked as if his words caused him pain.

"I was—I went to—" Ilysa backed toward a tree, shaking. "No more questions!" Her eyes brimmed with tears as Fykes approached her with his hands out.

"You can't lie. But if you tell us the truth, we can help you." Arjiah stayed seated, her hands clasped.

"You turn that spell off, right now." Ilysa's voice hardened, as she looked toward Arjiah with pure horror, and to Fykes with hopeful tears as they fell down her cheeks.

"Just tell me the truth, we won't hurt you. I promise, Ilysa." Fykes said, approaching her her with careful steps as she slid to the ground, muddying the lace on her pale blue dress.

"Fykes," Katerin began, "Be careful."

He ignored her, as Ilysa clutched the shirt beneath his armor and wept.

"Tell them not to ask anymore, please." Ilysa mumbled into him. "They can't ask anymore questions! She'll wake up." She looked at Fykes with pleading eyes. "It wasn't me!"

Fykes smoothed her hair, "Arjiah release the spell."

Arjiah looked between Katerin, and Fykes, and Katerin shook her head.

"Ilysa You don't have to be afraid, but we need you to answer," Katerin said.

Ilysa peered over Fykes shoulder, eyes lashes thick and damp, but her eyes lacked fear as she glared at Katerin. "You cannot make me answer."

"Did you attack Uhm'bantha?" Katerin asked, gripping the chair so tightly it hurt, and hating herself as Fykes glared at her.

"N—." There was a sob, and Ilysa shoved Fykes away. She shoved him hard enough that he skidded across the mosses and teetered backwards, coughing, as she stood to her full height. "You need to leave. You can't hurt me."

"We aren't going to hurt you," Fykes was to his feet again, though he made no move to approach her.

Katerin watched as Arjiah dismissed her spell and stood with her hands outstretched. "The spell is gone. Tell us what happened? We don't want to fight."

"You won't fight me. It's not me. Never me. I'm only here when they let me be. I...."

Katerin sighed, composing herself in an attempt to calm Ilysa. "Please, did you attack Uhm'bantha, or could you tell us who did? You need not be so afraid. We don't want to hurt you."

"No!" Ilysa's scream was shrill, and sounded as if it caused her pain. The green of of her Multifaceted eyes bled into pure color with almond shaped pupils and energy pulsed from her as she shuddered. "Leave my grove." Now her words were deeper, growling. No longer did she look weak, or afraid, but as though that she thought they should be afraid of her.