Anya stuffed her letter into her sleeve.  She pulled out the potion that she hoped would make her fly and decided also to take along the immobilizing potion she should have used on Thorne.  She did not want to be caught with either of them, but at the same time she did not want to be caught without them.

They were likely her two most suspicious possessions and she did not feel that it was particularly safe to leave them in her room now that the witch hunt was on.

She almost wished to abandon them in the forest, but she was too frugal to waste them in such a way.  She would regret abandoning them if she needed them later.

So she would have to take her chances with carrying them upon her person from this time forward.  It was probably less risky.

There was also the issue about the potion that was still in the half full decanter of brandy.  She could not very well pour it out because the empty decanter would be too suspicious.  She did not know where to get more to replace it.  She would have to leave it in Lady Theresa's sitting room and hope no one drank it before it lost its efficacy.  At least it was not a long lived potion.  Likely it would only make someone terribly miserable at this point, unless the properties of the liquid increased the potion's longevity.  She could only hope they would not.

But that was not her current problem.  She needed to get rid of the incriminating letter that she had just written.  Even though she had not been specific in the letter, now that people were becoming suspicious they might just be able to read between the lines.

Anya walked outside without meeting anyone.  She moved across the lawn as quickly as she could without looking like she was hiding something.  If someone asked her what she was doing out she would just explain that she needed some time in the trees to feel better after her trying night.  She would be the only one who would know how trying it really was.

Once she had gone a sufficient distance into the trees, Anya began to call for her crow.  He was quick to answer her summons.

"Oh, Sabin.  I missed you.  Look, I brought you something."

Anya pulled a loaf of bread from her pocket. Sabin cawed appreciatively.

"I'm afraid that I have another letter for you today, sweetie.  I know it's hard, but I also know that you are my most loyal friend.  You're a good boy.  I just hope that this will be over soon."

Sabin cawed as he ate the bread without any apparent haste.  Anya just sank down onto the ground.  If she looked up at the sky and cleared her mind, it was almost as if she was back at home in the woods, just enjoying a morning stroll with Sabin.

Sabin cawed.  He had finished and was looking at her expectantly.  It angered Anya that along with everything else Thorne had done, he had managed to turn her precious familiar into a carrier pigeon.  She held out the letter to Sabin and he flew off quickly.

Anya walked back to the castle slowly.  She was not challenged by anyone as she moved through and she could not help but feel a bit optimistic.  Maybe everything would work out.

Anya made her way over to Lady Theresa's sitting room and found it quite empty.  She then checked Lady Theresa's bedroom.  Hanna was puttering around.

"Good morning," she said.

"Good morning," Anya agreed in her most neutral tone.

"Last night was something, wasn't it?" Hanna asked.

"Yes, it was quite terrible," Anya agreed.

Hanna's eyes opened wide with her recollections.  "I've never been so afraid."

"Nor have I," Anya said and she did not know whether it was a truth or a lie.  It hardly mattered.  What was one more falsehood on her enormous pile?

"I've already seen Lady Theresa today.  She looks awful.  I'm worried."

"Me, too."

"She said that they were pushing back their plans to travel for a short time.  Lord Wildwood is in no fit state to travel.  I can't imagine why anyone would want to hurt him."

Anya nodded.  "I can't either."  That, at least, was true.  She could not imagine what was going on in Thorne's evil head.

"I'm a bit disappointed though.  I was hoping that we would start working on my magic.  But I should not be thinking that when Lord Wildwood is in such terrible trouble.  I'm a terrible person."  Hanna's shoulders slumped.

Anya sighed.  "No.  There are far worse people than you."  Like Thorne.  Like Anya herself.  "Why don't we go and start right now?  It'll take our minds off everything."

"Really?"

"Yes.  We'll go to the library."

* * * * *

Anya began with basic magical theory with Hanna, which was basically the same for witches or wizards.  The only difference was how one used the magic that they had.  Hanna seemed to be a steady learner, if a slow one.  Hanna could barely read, so Anya read her most of the information out loud.  Then Anya took Hanna outside to try her first spells.

Hanna seemed to put in her best effort, and was rewarded by the smallest magical effects.  Even these delighted Hanna and she wanted to try again and again. It was the same enthusiasm that Hanna had for her work.  In time, Hanna could imagine Hanna becoming a competent, if not brilliant wizard.

Finally Anya had to stop her.  "You've tried really hard, but I think it is time to take a break.  No need to overdo it."

"I suppose," Hanna agreed in a slightly dejected tone.

"We can do more tomorrow.  But magic requires energy.  You should go eat something."

"Very well," Hanna agreed as they walked back to the castle.

* * * * *

Hanna went to the servant's lounge, and Anya went back to her room.  She knew that she ought to check in with her lady, but Anya did not want to see the results of her plot yet.  Lady Theresa was probably distraught.

Anya opened her door and saw that something was sitting on her bed.  It was a piece of parchment.  Unease flowed through Anya, and she picked up the parchment.  It was a letter.

Was this recklessness a sign of utter insanity?

Dearest A.S.,

I must confess myself most disappointed with your recent failures.  As I believe I made clear to you, I wish for you to complete your task promptly so we might conclude our business.  As enjoyable as I find our correspondence, I have reason not to want it drawn out further.

To this end you will meet me tonight at midnight, in the clearing where you have so charmingly been practicing wizardry with Lord Wildwood's pet defensive mage.  Do not be late.

Your humble servant,

T.

Anya sat down on the bed and crumpled the note in her shaking fingers.  She could feel a magical tingling under her fingers and she knew without even needing to look that the words of the note were fading away.

Did Thorne want her to get caught?  Did he want her to fail?  Was he punishing her?  Was this all a wretched game to him?  Were Damani and Kallie still well?

Her head spun through the questions, but it seemed that she had no choice.  She would have to meet Thorne that night.  She wished that she knew some sort of sneaking wizardry, if there even was such a thing.

What reason could Thorne possibly have for wanting to meet her?  Did it not put him at risk, too?  Was he going to tell her that she had failed and he had hurt her siblings?

Anya paced around her little room.  She felt confined, but she was also certain that her nervousness would be terribly obvious to anyone who saw her.  Anya sank down on the bed and put her face in her hands.

After a while, Anya felt as if she had her anxiety under control.  She ventured out into the castle and went to look for anyone who could inform her on the state of Lord Wildwood.  She checked everywhere she dared to go.  Lord Wildwood was likely in his own bedchamber and Anya would not dare to go there.  It was also likely where everyone else of consequence was.

Anya decided to go to the kitchen.  If Ildri was there she would more than likely know every drop of information that had come through the kitchen.  It was better than sitting around and agonizing.

Anya was not disappointed.  Ildri was in the kitchen with Missus Allendale and the kitchen boy.  Matt looked to be about the age of the twins and it made Anya sad for a second.  Still, she would see Damani and Kallie again, Anya reminded herself.  Her next attempt would not fail.

"Good afternoon, Anya," said the chef cheerfully.  She was just putting some pies in the oven as Anya entered.

"Good morning," Anya agreed with as much enthusiasm as she could muster under the circumstances.

Missus Allendale grinned.  "You might regret coming down here today," she commented in a dry voice.

"What?"

"Anya!  I can't believe what happened last night, someone tried to control Lord Wildwood with magic!  And you were there!  Tell me everything that happened!  I hear that you were a hero!"

Anya recoiled in horror.  She was exactly the farthest thing from a hero.  "No, all I did was fetch rope!  And send someone to fetch Mister Allendale!"

"Still, it must have been terrifying!" Ildri exclaimed.  "I wish that I had been there."

"No, you don't," Anya said, shaking her head.  "It was terrible."  It probably would have been terrible even if she had not been the direct cause of everything.

Missus Allendale broke in.  "Who did you send to fetch my husband?  We weren't disturbed last night until Missus White came."

Anya shrugged.  "I don't know who it was.  All I know is that he was in the stables and he said that he would get him.  It was dark and I could barely see."

Missus Allendale brows furrowed as she considered Anya's words.  "Odd.  But no matter, everything worked out.  As I hear it, Lord Wildwood is doing much better today."

"I'm glad to hear that," Anya said.  At least in some ways.  Anya took a seat off to the side.

"You never told me that wizards could do such things," Ildri said.

Missus Allendale spoke without turning from what she was doing.  "They can't, Ildri.  That's why they suspect a warlock."

"I don't see the difference," Ildri muttered.

"Warlocks steal magic from other things and even people.  Wizards use the magic that is rightfully their own."

Anya gritted her teeth and tried not to let her instinctive indignation show.  She never used magic that she stole from people.  Why, she did not even kill the animals that she took magic from.  It was not as if it hurt them and the magic was not gone forever.  She had used Sabin's magic many times, and it did not disturb him in the least.  Sometimes she thought that he might even enjoy it.

Of course, one could overdo it and hurt their subject, but Anya had always been careful not to do that.

And she would hardly apologize for using plants.  Why, in the very kitchen they had massacred many plants to procure supper.  Even some animals, too.  By that standard, cooks should be as notorious as witches.

"It's all overwhelming.  But I'm glad that Lord Wildwood is safe, too," Ildri said happily and then promptly spilled the bowl that she had been adding ingredients to all over herself and the floor.

"Oh no!" she squealed.  "This is just what I need!"

The chef smiled with patient good humor.  "Calm down, Ildri.  Matt, could you please clean that up?"

"Y-yes chef," said the boy as he quickly ran to a small supply room off the kitchen.

"This is terrible!  Look!  There's chocolate all down the front of my dress," Ildri whined.  "And I was going to meet Saul this evening!"

"Is Anya in here?"

"Good afternoon, Wizard Jim," said the chef without glancing over at the newcomer at the door.

"Good afternoon, Missus Allendale.  I was just looking for Anya.  And I see that I've found her."

Missus Allendale turned towards Jim briefly.  "Indeed you have."

"Hello, Jim," said Anya abashedly.  She wondered why he was looking for her.  Anya could feel Ildri's speculative gaze upon her and had a strong suspicion that she knew exactly what Ildri was thinking.  Ildri generally seemed to walk around with her head in the clouds thinking about cupids and cupcakes and all manners of fairy tales.  Anya was sure that everything looked simply lovely from the surface, because none of these people had any idea of her troubles, or Lord Wildwood's troubles, for that matter.

"Would you like to practice more magic?  Lady Theresa suggested it.  I do believe that she was growing weary of my presence," he said with a half grin.

Anya looked towards him.  "But I thought that you were leaving soon."

"I was going to.  But after last night, I have work to do, at least until Lord Wildwood is back to himself, which leaves me with extra free time to spend around Wildwood estate."

Anya knew that she should not get any closer to him.  It would be better to keep him at a distance.  But on the other hand, she could learn valuable magic.  At least, she told herself that was the reason that she wanted to agree.  "I would like to," she agreed.

Ildri grinned at her and Anya felt her cheeks heat up a bit.  She averted her gaze and said in as light a tone as she could manage, "I'll see you later."

"Have fun," Ildri said cheerfully.  Anya left the room with Jim and her face felt uncomfortably hot.

As the door shut, Anya heard the chef speak to Ildri.  "You really should not torment her so, Ildri."

"But didn't you see her face?  She was blushing!  It was so—" The door closed with a resounding thump.

Anya dearly hoped Jim had not heard the last of the comments.

* * * * *

Author's Note:

And that brings us to the end of my Threatened updates of 2020. Good riddance, year, and here's hoping the next is a better one for all of us.

Thanks so much for reading! It honestly means so much to me.