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Breathing hard, I slogged through the snow, leaning on the branch for support Rhiannon was puffing away behind ht be taller and thinner than I, but she wasn’t used to as h on her But after a moment, she seemed to catch a second wind

As we neared the trees, I saw the Eleical vision it possessed I held my breath as it took a step in our direction, then another But as we approached the edge of theas if unsure

Another ain, unwavering, unhtwith relief "Score one," I whispered "Let’s hope they all stay away"

Chatter, in front of , sweeping the snoith our feet Grieve and Chatter were essentially breaking the path for the rest of us, so Kaylin, Rhia, and I didn’t have it as rough, but it still wasn’t easy andin the narroay, grateful for the support the fir branch was providing

We edged a quarter way around the meadow Another quarter arc and we’d be on the other side, able to take the path leading through the trees So far, so good No Elementals moved, no attacks came our way, no Shadow Hunters were near, insofar as I--or Ulean--could detect

Another five yards, ten yards, fifty, and again we stopped to catch our breath and take a gander at the Ele for a distant call From this distance, they were al snow, and it alical, works of art caught in freeze-fraain, slowly, cautiously, and were alain, when a noise to ain Riddle , intrepid explorers who dare to enter the realm of the Queen Myst?"

I jerked around There, wizened, old, and haggard, was one of the Wilding Fae--the snow hag who had helped us once before in return for her freedo out softly on the slipstream

The Elementals cocked their heads in unison and turned our way I rushed off the path, into the woods where she stood and they stopped again

"Hush, hush…be silent They hear you"

"Riddle ain must be struck, or certain explorers will be sorely pressed It is sad to face an old friend who now has beco traitor, one as once ensnared in Myst’s grasp, has a hankering for fresh meat, but rabbits are scarce this season and the squirrels have fled the forest"

I stared at the crone The Wilding Fae were frightful creatures of the forest who could help you for good or for ill but always at a bargain Myst had snared the snow hag once before, seeking to utilize her powers, but Chatter, Peyton, and I had freed her and she had shown us where to find the entrance to the tunnel that had led us to the land of the Bat People

Now she was back And apparently hungry But she had news that we needed to hear The Wilding Fae were good to their words with bargains, as long as the wording was clear I glanced at Chatter and he nodded I let him take the lead He had more experience with these creatures than did I

"One we have bargained with before says she has news I wonder, should this be news the ainst a tree, feigning disinterest Grieve slipped over and wrapped his ar cocked her head, a gleauess an old woers afoot in the forest and when the belly is eains"

Chatter pursed his lips "H Fae ht be a tiain Fresh meat is not easy to co’s turn to pause She tipped her head to the sky, letting the snow flutter into her face One breath, two breaths, three breaths later she gave a sharp nod "The snow is deep and grows deeper Fresh meat may make it on the table today or tomorrow or the next day Whichever day, it will still taste as good as long as it reaches the belly"

"Then if to, perhaps a deal can be made Fresh meat of a brace of rabbits or two fat chickens or perhaps a thick steak to feed several e for ne to the ear?"

She cackled and held out her hand "Bargains must be blood-sealed One such as a Cambyra Fae should know the rules"

Chatter turned to Grieve, who held out a knife, and--without blinking--sliced his thu down the side of his hand, Chatter turned back to the snow hag, who had cut her own hand, and they clasped, shaking tightly, the droplets splattering onto the fresh snow, spreading pink stains

"Then a bargain is sealed" Her eyes narrowed and she pointed ahead to the path where ere headed "On yonder path, sitting on a downed tree, waits a beautiful witch One of thelocks of red, the sahter approaches, but not realizing that one of the Wilding Fae has struck a bargain for meat She means to destroy the expedition"

Heather! Heather was up ahead, waiting for us

"But how can that be? The redheaded witch is a vaht shines on the forest, be it diht ask what kind of vaic-born, do they becoo Court, who ht when the need arises?"

I thought quickly as Rhiannon stifled a cry and turned to uidance

"She’s right," Chatter said "If I reic-born turned by Myst become vampires ht, though not nearly as powerful But that would e did not affect her I wonder why"

I frowned "The light-rage affected Grieve, but he is Caic-born"

Before I could say"Toain for e of the road near the turnoff to the wishing well, and there the ain maker knohere this is?"

"Wonder well, you should, but perchance your question ht be answered with an affirmation that yes, indeed, the location is known And now, it is ti Fae to retreat far away for the day Too er exists in this wood Toovanished into the thicket

Rhia turned to me, a ainstlow, so low that the slipstream could not carry my words, I said, "We will find your er"