Our long night didn't end in the baths. 

After Yaz was confident that our trek through the woods was thoroughly washed off of us, and I do mean thoroughly, she took us to the armory. The attendants there were just as intrusive as the ones in the bath. Poking, prodding, and measuring every inch of us for accuracy and fit. 

The armory itself was huge. It looked more like a display for a high-end shop than a place to store and prepare the tools of battle. Wooden tendrils grew from the walls, forming hooks on which shining breastplates, deadly blades, and hinged armors hung. I could see through a far doorway the red hot glow of a forge. I could feel its heat, too.

The two fae who took our measurements and scrambled around the room to collect possible pieces were quiet as they worked. It gave me a moment to catch my breath and close my eyes, feeling for the magic around me.

Slipping into that state of calm, I nearly choked on the spells in the room. I had never tried meditating here before, and it was quickly apparent that the palace was built on years and years of magic that maintained the lifestyle that Baeleon and his court kept.

"You okay?" Schula asked, her attendant helping her step out of her boots to try on a shiny silver pair of armored ones.

"Yeah," I answered. "Just, this is a lot. Heralds of war? What was that about?"

Schula shrugged. "We knew we would be going into a battle with DuVarick. If Baeleon wants us by his side for it, at least we'll have help."

"I suppose," I murmured. I was never really ready for battle. After my first taste of it the day Thain rescued me from that wraith on the mountainside I knew that I would never truly be ready for a fight. A quality the fae didn't seem to share with me, or even Spaulder for that matter. But I would square my shoulders and do what needed to be done. 

Our hair was brushed and styled in tight buns while we were fitted for war. Yaz whispered with the attendants as to what King Baeleon wanted us to look like, and Heyra just observed quietly, as had been her nature since we met. 

"There," my attendant said, stepping back from me.

Yaz looked over, scrutinizing me up and down. "Yes, that will do nicely."

I looked over to Schula as her attendant stepped back too. Shining white breastplate with matching pieces over her thighs, boots, and partially gloved hands. Her fingers were left exposed for her magic to work freely. Under the armor was brilliant scarlet silks. There was no mistaking whose side she was on, despite her icy appearance.

Looking down, I had a similar appearance, though I had less armor. I was stuffed into skirts that reached the tops of my plated boots, flowing around me and reminiscent of the scholars of the palace libraries. My arms were bare and unhindered by armors or cloths, leaving me free to cast magic and ignite my flames without risk.

Schula and I exchanged a look. We were definitely going to be a statement next to Baeleon on the battlefield.

"Here," Heyra approached us, handing us each a large roll. At some point she had changed clothes as well, trading in her traveling things for a crisp red uniform akin to the palace guards. 

I took my roll eagerly. The first bite proved to be surprising as I hit a filling of cheese and sausage.

"What now?" Schula asked as she began eating her own roll.

"Now I get changed and you go with the Captain when he arrives," Yaz said. "We've already sent word that you're ready."

I took my next two bites quickly, hoping to finish before we were dragged off to the next place. 

That proved to be a good idea because it didn't take Uldur long to arrive. Dressed in his own Autumn court regalia, he gave Schula and I an assessing look before nodding sharply.

"Good. Come with me, the king wishes to see you for himself," Uldur said.

I swallowed my last bite as Schula and I followed Uldur. Glancing at my triquetram, I could see she was uneasy. I reached out and held her hand. 

"We're almost done," I whispered. "Then we can get some sleep. I hope."

Schula nodded. 

Down the twisting halls of the Autumn palace, Uldur lead us to a room I had never been in before. The number of guards increased the deeper in we went, and so did my nerves.

"Well, shit," Schula hissed. "I think we're going to his quarters."

I gave her a small look of alarm. "Is that bad?"

She sighed, squeezing my hand. "No, no. It's just, the last time I was here was when I was made Thain and Eberon's temporary triquetram after... After the plague."

I nodded. Bad memories.

Uldur stopped at a surprisingly plain door. He spoke softly with the guard standing nearest to it, and after a quick nod the door was opened. 

Inside it was dim, only every other lantern was lit in a sitting room. The furnishings were simple but worn like they hadn't been replaced in a long time. Three doors off of this room were closed, and just as plain as the door that brought us here.

"King Baeleon," Uldur announced our presence. "I have brought Schula and Wren for your inspection."

The middle of the doors opened, and Baeleon stepped out. Still in his war skirts and armor, though his trident was nowhere in sight. He looked tired but fueled by determination of some kind or other.

"Good," he said. "Uldur, you may go."

The captain nodded and left. Suddenly, we were alone with the only fae that rivaled DuVarick in intimidation. I swallowed as we stood there under his gaze.

"Sit," he said finally.

Schula and I sat in a pair of armchairs and Baeleon sprawled out on the sofa across from us, still looking us over.

"This will do nicely," he said, his grin feral. "DuVarick will not know what hit him. We will ascend the battlefield together, as will Thain and Eberon. We march tomorrow."

I sat up a little straighter. 

"Tomorrow?" Schula asked.

I looked at her, wide-eyed. She spoke so freely to a king, but Baeleon didn't seem to mind. Perhaps it was the relaxed setting, or perhaps it was the role we were to play for him. 

"Yes!" Baeleon said firmly. "We strike while the iron is hot. A mission of diplomacy, ending in the capture and torture of two of my own. This slight will not be forgiven. If his treatment of the Winter court is as Thain told me, then his rule cannot be allowed to continue."

My chest tightened. I agreed, but what would that mean for thousands of fae living under him? Who would ascend that throne?

"Were you told of the warlock?" Schula asked.

Baeleon nodded. "Thain has told me many things, as did Nassir."

"What will happen to Nassir? Um, your highness," I added quickly.

Baeleon's eyes crinkled in amusement as he turned to face me. "DuVarick truly is mad to dare keep his triquetram locked away like that. Nassir's tale is a sad one, but we will give it a just ending. If he chooses, he may remain in my court as Schula has. Stars know they aren't the first fae to be driven from the court of their birth by unfortunate circumstances."

Schula nodded. "I vouch for him. He has saved our lives and we have saved his. Our journey was long, and we grew close from it."

Baeleon leaned forward, now taking a particular interest in Schula's words. "Yes, your journey... Thain could not fill me in on that as I would have liked. Or perhaps he was crafty enough in his words to avoid lying to me about what he did know."

I fidgeted a little under Baeleon's watch. 

"It has been said you were raised as no elf nor witch," the king started. "But, I have lived for a long time, younglings. I will not be fooled. You have learned your witchcrafts as you traveled, and... you have been touched by elves."

My breath caught in my throat.

"King Baeleon-" I said. 

But he held up a hand, cutting off my words. 

"I will say this once," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "They were banished from these lands in a war that would have otherwise upset the balance of the courts. Of my court. And banished they will remain. How one could procreate with a witch is beyond my knowledge, but I will forgive your existence since you are now one of mine. But know this, Wren of the Autumn court..."

His emphasis on Autumn court was clear and firm.

"No true elf will set foot on my lands unpunished, and that rings true in the Spring, Summer, and Winter lands as well. It will not be tolerated."

I nodded. "I understand."

He sat back on his sofa. "Good. I expect they've mostly died out, is this true? There were only five after all."

There were five elves, that is true. But if he ever found out about Eidelhein, would the Autumn king change his mind?

"Yes, my king," Schula said. "There were only five elves, and I am witness to that."

My heart pounded. Schula hadn't lied, so Baeleon couldn't sense that from her, but she walked a dangerous line for my father. For the people of the elven city.

But Baeleon accepted it. "Good. As for the witches, I know why you journeyed out of the Wyldes and found them. You seek to repair the bonds that seal our world from the human one."

"Yes," I answered. "What was once done by the witches and fae so long ago is unraveling. I want to repair it. I want to keep the Wylde things in, and the humans out."

Baeleon nodded. "I will not stop your quest, and I will even allow access to our libraries if it aids you in your time while not at war. I have no bother to keep the creatures of the unclaimed Wyldes within the borders of it, but I do have interest in keeping other things out. Part of the treaties that banish creatures like the elves is bound in the word of the barrier, and they assist in the magices that let the Autumn lands thrive as they do. And the other lands, of course."

"Thank you," Schula said. "We will do our best to repair what is unraveling and put things right again."

Baeleon sighed, looking between the two of us. "My armory did a fine job. You are ready to march. For today, get your rest. I will have rooms prepared for you."

"Um, my king," Schula began. "Could I request we return to Thain's home? And my own apartment. It has been a long time since we've been away from home, and we have more news for you from our travels."

Baeleon raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Schula shared a look with me. It was time to tell him about Spaulder without ruining the illusion that Spaulder kept guarded until he was fully recovered.

"We have found our third," Schula said. "He waits for us in Thain's home."

Baeleon's eyes widened. "Oh?"

"He needs his rest right now," I said. "We found him in unfortunate circumstances."

"And he is no elf or witch, is he?" Baeleon asked, his voice firm.

"No, he is a fae creature and no elf," Schlua assured him. 

"Then I look forward to seeing the triquetram on the battlefield," Baeleon said. "See to it that he wears the scarlet of our court and I will have words with the three of you before battle."

I winced, but it was probably the best we could have hoped for. 

"Yes, Baeleon," Schula said. 

"Thank you," I added.

He nodded, a warm smile on his face. "Good. Now, go get some rest. Tomorrow we march on the Winter lands."

It was a dismissal if I've ever heard one, and with that, we left.

Out of his quarters, out of the Autumn palace, and toward the closest thing I had to a home.

And tomorrow, we march.