Summer kept walking. Ahead of her, the trees grew larger and larger and the undergrowth sparser. She spotted one that had been hollowed out to live in. It looked much like the giant redwoods in California in the human world. She heard that there, the humans had built entire highways through the trees. Here, though, the entire structure was concealed within the tree. Myra must have gone here. Why, though? Did she mean to?

As Summer approached, she could feel wards trying to force her away, but she powered through them. They had nothing on what she had felt before the Winter Castle and she wasn't about to be stopped now. She walked around the tree and saw the entrance.

No one else was around. Summer kept walking until she could see inside a booth standing outside of the tree. It reminded her of a ticket box office for a theatre, but it only had enough space for one person.

Summer approached him. He had sandy brown hair and green eyes and stood about a foot taller than Summer. He was dressed in light sidhe armor and had a sharp eye to him. Summer was sure he didn't miss much. He watched her approach in silence until she came closer.

The fae informed her. "Excuse me, the trial has begun and no new participants can be allowed entry."

Trial? What had Myra gotten into now?

"I am unaware of any trial. I am a bodyguard seeking my charge. Have you seen any fae who are not supposed to be here?"

"You've lost your charge?" The fae arched an eyebrow. "Not a very good bodyguard, are you?"

"It may seem not," Summer said, anger bristling beneath the surface. "Can you answer my question?"

"Perhaps. I will have to contact my lord." Ha, Summer thought. Myra did come here. "I only recently took over this position and am unaware if anyone who shouldn't be here has been." Or maybe not.

The fae presumably activated his own glass to contact his lord. He spoke in a low tone and turned his head away from Summer. Obviously, he didn't want to be overheard. Even so, Summer caught a few words from the other speaker as she listened intently.

"-seventh participant... Some magical ability... Will advise." The voice on the other end sounded agitated, maybe in a good way, maybe in a bad way. She couldn't be sure without hearing them more clearly, but from what she could tell, they didn't sound like the lords she remembered. They had all followed proper etiquette at all times. Agitation wasn't something they were likely to show to those at a station lower than theirs.

"It seems uncertain if there's an extra participant. However, I will be able to inform you after the trial is over. You may wait here if you would like. It won't be much longer."

Of course, the fae didn't know that Summer knew he was lying. Did the voice on the other end really tell him to wait until the trial was over? Some magical ability... Certainly sounded like Myra. And a seventh participant? From what she remembered, trials were usually done in teams of two. Occasionally it was a free-for-all, but even then. Summer internally chided herself. She was looking for clues where there were none. Those phrases could mean anything.

Summer resigned herself to waiting and took a closer look at the building. Towards the top, she could see more organic growth rather than the careful sculpting that fae could magic the tree to have with their singing. That didn't mean much, but it could mean that this place wasn't regularly maintained. Had it been abandoned?

Only a few minutes later, Summer looked into the booth to see the fae talking rapidly in a very low voice. This time she couldn't make out any of the words or the response. In fact, there was no sound coming from the glass at all until a crash resounded. Wherever this other fae was, stone broke all around them and screams filled the air.

Rushing the booth, Summer cried out. "What is happening there? Where is my charge?"

The fae shakily raised his head. "They're under attack, but it's just another school. I'm sure she'll be fine." His words were calm, but his demeanor was a different story. His hands shook and his eyes kept darting to the glass over and over.

"It's just another school?" Summer repeated.

The fae was silent. He stared at the glass while more stone crashed, presumably breaking away from a castle. The realization came over Summer. Another school just have been trying to prove themselves against the one Myra was at. She was at a school. Not here. So then the trial he talked about really was over and they had been stalling her for some reason.

"What school is my charge at? Where is it?" Summer demanded. She balled her hands up into fists lest she launch a strike say the fae. Judging by his reaction, he hadn't seen real battle before.

"I... I... I'm not supposed to tell you. They told me to wait."

"Why?" Summer practically growled.

"They didn't say why. Just to make you wait."

Summer forced her fists to stay at her sides. "Who is they?"

This time he didn't answer. The sound of crackling fire rose from the glass. Fae shrieked again but this time their voices carried the cadence of battle cries.

"I can't- I shouldn't." He stammered.

"Oh for all that shines," Summer muttered under her breath.

She took a running step, grabbed a hold of the upper part of the window, and launched herself into it. Looking around, she spotted the glass the fae had been talking into. It didn't look like anyone was there anymore. She couldn't see much from the position the other glass must have fallen at.

Summer turned back to the fae. "What school is she at?"

He had pressed himself against the far wall and was staring at Summer, a terrified expression plastered on his face.

"Where?" Summer demanded.

His eyes suddenly came into focus. "Um, the Shrouded Phoenix in Dainwood Forest."

At least it was a school Summer had heard of. She knew how to center her thoughts on the right place.

"Finally I'm getting somewhere."

"Wait, I shouldn't have told you that. You can't go there."

A flash of anger burned through Summer. "Do you really think that I'm going to let my charge stay in an active battle? That I would leave her fate up to chance or to whomever it is who gives you orders? There is no way I won't follow her wherever she is. I don't think you'll get in trouble for my presence there anyway. I'm sure they have enough to deal with right now."

With that, Summer focused her thoughts on the stark, gray castle surrounded by dark woods, gathered at magic, and released her intent. A gate opened up on the wall next to her.

"Do you want to come or stay here?" She offered, her attention still on the gate.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the fae shake his head. A stray bolt of green energy shot through the gate. Summer dodged by mere millimeters and the fae yelped.

He must never have seen battle before, Summer thought. But to be part of a school like that. Maybe his parents had tried to have him trained only to find out that he didn't have the fortitude for it. That happened sometimes. Not every fae was ok with fighting or trying to climb the hierarchy.

"I guess not. See you later." Summer said as she stepped through the gate and closed it behind her.

She immediately crouched down. Now that she was out of the thickest part of the trees, Summer saw it was mid morning. She couldn't be sure what day, but it felt like the next. Looking around, Summer didn't see anyone. The castle was maybe a hundred feet away, if that. It stood several stories high, a tall rectangular structure with towers at the corners and no doubt at least a few training fields in the interior. Nothing was outside the castle walls, at least, but that she could see. The forest had been cleared for maybe half a mile in all directions almost certainly so they could see anyone coming. Summer was sure that they would have traps and illusions to thwart any intruder coming by land.

It seemed like the fight was still in the air. The figures were mostly just dark shapes, but Summer could make out some of the battle. Pixies poured out from the rooftop, sending strikes at the invaders while dodging attacks or letting their shields take the brunt of the force.

Keeping low, Summer darted forward. There wasn't anything to hide behind or shield her from view. She just had to hope that no one spotted her from above. Summer made for the thickest shadows along the castle wall. It wasn't much considering the light out. Why had the other school chosen to attack in the morning? Daylight made it harder for everyone to hide and stealth was normally praised among the fae.

Not too far ahead were the castle gates, the real physical ones. Of course, there was no way that Summer would be able to make it through. There would be students on foot, waiting in case their attackers tried to breach the front gates. Probably not many, but at least some. She looked further down the castle wall in the other direction. From her vantage point, she could only see blank, gray stone, but Summer crept along the wall anyways.

Hopefully there wouldn't be any traps this close to the castle. Summer was mildly surprised that she hadn't run into one on her dash through the field. The battle was probably the only reason her presence hadn't been immediately noted. The castle's inhabitants were already aware of intruders.

The thought gave Summer an idea. A risky idea that admittedly was just about as risky as her first gate until the area. She could try to gate into the castle itself. There was no telling what was going on inside, but then she had no way of knowing what was happening outside the castle either.

Her mind froze in indecision. She kept moving, slowly and carefully, looking all around to be sure no one snuck up on her. There was no damage to the castle that she could exploit. No electrical charge of magic to indicate a hidden door. No windows to break through and minimal pitting in the castle wall to aid in climbing. Of course, climbing would be just as risky if not more so than attempting to gate into the castle.

Every castle had designated gate rooms to let friendly fae in. Without knowing exactly where the room was, what it looked like, or the subtle, magical signature of the space, Summer had a tiny chance of being able to make it inside. Even so, she knew that she had to try. Every moment that Myra was still inside was another moment that a fae on either side would hurt or possibly kill her.

Summer glanced behind her again and took a quick look above to be sure no one was there. She turned her attention forward again.

A face stared right into hers. "Funny them sending someone all by themselves like this."

The fae stood in a fighting stance, power crackling in his hands. He was an elf, wearing traditional leathers and sporting a sword in one hand and a dagger at his hips. His magic flicked out up the length of the sword and back again. He had several cuts in his arms and face that bled freely, but he didn't seem to care.

"What could you be doing out here sneaking around?"

Summer didn't answer. Instead she summoned her own power into a bolt in her hand and readied a shield to block her opponent's sword. No doubt the magic running through the sword would extend any strike further than the weapon itself. Summer would have to be quick to actualize her shield, but she didn't want to use any more energy than she had to. There was no telling what waited for her inside. With any luck, she'd beat this fae quickly and find a way into the castle.

Hurling the bolt, Summer immediately created another and another. The three strikes flew through the air almost even with each other. Her opponent had already raised his own shield. It absorbed her attack easily. Summer should have expected that. It had been too long since she was in a real fight.

Summer reached into the air with her senses and pulled on the ambient magic around her. Shadow, stealth, and speed. They weren't the most compatible for her skills, but they would do.

Speed and shadow wove into her next bolt. It shot forward faster than she thought possible and slammed into her enemy's shield.

The fae staggered back and produced his own attack.

It came too fast for Summer to see what it was. She hurriedly raised her shield. Sheer force blasted against her shield. It took everything Summer had to keep the shield up. Her feet dragged against the grass as her body shoved back with the power of his attack.

She couldn't try to play it safe. Summer conjured a different kind of shield. She forced as much energy into it as she dared. It would be brittle, but it wouldn't require a constant influx of magic to keep up.

Immediately another blast of force hit her shield. It held for now.

Summer tried to ignore the hammering of her heart. She pulled harder on the ambient magic, enough to create a small dearth near her. It coalesced into bolt after bolt of power. Sparks flew to the sides with the overflow of power. Summer threw as many as she could as fast as she could.

Her enemy’s shield began to flicker and fall. His eyes widened and he darted back. Not fast enough to escape the last bolt that broke through his shield. It pierced him through the chest. He screamed even as another attack formed in his hand. It came streaking towards Summer, but, in his pain his shot went wide.

Seeing her advantage, Summer pressed on. She whipped up the magic inside her and suddenly had ropes in her hands. They shot forward. The enemy fae tried to avoid them, but the ropes followed him. Summer directed them around his biceps and bound his arms behind his back. Another wrapped around his head and mouth and a third around his thighs.

He struggled against the ropes, but fell.

Summer finally spoke. “I’ll leave you here for the others to find if you will do something for me. I’m not part of the school attacking you. If you’re fighting for the Queen’s favor, what I do will not impact the outcome. I seek a fae not part of your school or any other for that matter. How do I get into the castle? I give you my word on my power that I will do no harm to yours provided they do not try to keep me from my task.”

She loosened the rope around his mouth if only barely, just to let him speak.

The captive fae looked at her in disbelief. He barked out a laugh. “As if I would let anyone enter into our castle, competition or not.”

“I had to at least try,” Summer said. “Time is of the essence.” She tightened the rope, cutting off his laughter and made to leave. She would have to attempt a risky gate into the castle after all.

“Trying is usually the best bet,” came a female voice. It sounded high and girlish. “But in this effort, I’m afraid that you were too optimistic.” Summer turned to see a small fae in a blue, ornate, Victorian style dress. She looked little more than a child with a rounded face. “But my efforts? I feel they may be paying off. An informant of mine told me that my possession is here and your presence has confirmed that. You must be ‘Summer’, one tasked with her protection. It seems, my dear, you have failed.” She laughed, a high, tinkling sound.

“Who, pray tell, might you be?” Summer demanded, her tone harsh despite her words.

“Oh, me? I am your charge’s owner. I’m Amoria.” Amoria turned to the captive fae. "If you fight with me against her, I will free you."