Griffa looked over her appearance in her mirror. They were just going to Talon’s for an informal dinner so it really shouldn’t matter what she looked like, but she thought she would at least make sure nothing was too out of place. She supposed she should have put a little more effort into her hair, but it was a little late now. Griffa threw her hands down to her sides and sighed.

“What’s wrong, Griff?” asked Ansel walking out of the closet dressed in a simple black tunic and pants.

“I’m regretting not coming up earlier to change and trying to do something with my hair. There’s nothing I can do now.”

“You look fine,” said Ansel coming to stand behind her.

“Easy for you to say. You look effortlessly handsome no matter what you wear.”

“And you are beautiful no matter how many times you deny it,” said Ansel as he placed a kiss on top of her head. “Now come on, it’s time to go.”

Griffa turned, leaned up and kissed Ansel. “You are feeling alright, aren’t you?”

“I am. I’ve had no issues these past few days, so stop worrying.” Ansel lightly kissed her nose and took her hand. They walked downstairs to find everyone else standing in the parlor wearing their cloaks.

“Is everyone ready?” asked Griffa as she and Ansel walked by everyone to the entry hall.

Everyone nodded from the parlor doorway as Ansel helped Griffa put on her cloak.

They walked together to Talon’s house. It was exceptionally cold and windy. Snow started to fall as they made their way down the path. Griffa walked between Nora and Issa. “You look very lovely tonight, Nora,” said Griffa as she admired Nora’s red dress and up swept hairstyle. “Did you get dressed up for any special reason?”

Nora blushed. “It’s just nice to dress up for dinner sometimes.”

Griffa heard Issa give a small laugh. “That it is, Nora.” She leaned in close to Nora and whispered, “And I’m sure a certain gentleman will appreciate your effort.”

Nora smiled but did not respond. Soon they arrived at Wendell House. The door was answered by Talon himself. He ushered them in quickly.

“I’m sorry for the walk on a night like this. It’s a shame we have to forbid magical travel in the Village, but better safe than sorry,” said Talon helping Griffa take off her cloak. He hung it on a hook by the door.

“It’s no trouble, Talon” said Griffa in a friendly tone. “It wasn’t a long walk. We appreciate you having us over for dinner.”

“I rather like having friends over often. It’s too quiet here since mother and father have both passed. Sometimes I wish they had found each other earlier in life. I could have used some brothers and sisters,” said Talon as they all moved into the parlor.

“Maybe you should think of marrying,” said Griffa as she sat down in a chair close to the fire. “A wife could make your life less lonely.”

Talon smiled at Griffa. “Maybe, if I can find a woman who will have me someday. Right now, I rather enjoy being single and doing as I please.”

“You’ll think differently in a few years, Talon,” said Cillian from the sofa. “When you’ve lived a little you will see how much the right woman can add to your life.” Cillian glanced at Nora who sat in a chair close to him.

“I’ll take your word for it, Cillian,” said Talon as he turned to look at Griffa. “I’m beginning to think all of the good women are already taken.”

“So, you’ll have to enjoy your time with the ones who aren’t so good,” said Griffa brazenly.

Talon gave Griffa a strained smile. “You said it Griffa, not me.”

Griffa stared at Talon for a moment and then looked over to see Max and Issa at the end of the room looking at a painting. She got up and walked over to them. Talon followed her.

“What are you two doing?” asked Griffa coming to stand by Max. Talon stood behind her.

“I’ve made an interesting discovery from reading that journal I found in your study back in Abscon. I think this man may be relative of yours, Griffa,” said Max glancing at Griffa.

“Really? Why do you think that?” asked Griffa as she looked up at the portrait.

“The woman who wrote the journal, Malin, wrote about her brother Von who lives in the Valley. He marries a woman named Lucia. This would be a big coincidence if this isn’t the same Von and Lucia,” said Max.

“That’s true, Max, but are you sure Malin was a Keene? Why would a Keene grow up here in the Valley?”

“The journal has your family sigil on it. I don’t see why she wouldn’t be a Keene.”

“I guess that’s true,” said Griffa. “Why is this portrait here, Talon?”

Talon leaned over Griffa to look at the inscription. “I’m not sure. Like I told Max before I believe this Von was a ward of the Wendell’s when they first came to the Valley. I’m not sure why they would raise a Keene.”

“It was a long time ago. I suppose we will never know. That is interesting, though, Max. I’ll have to look at that journal when you are done.”

“I believe it’s time to eat,” said Talon. “We should gather the others.”

He offered Griffa his arm. Before turning and taking it, she looked down at the inscription. “That’s interesting. It’s states this is Von and Lucia Hyde. Hyde was my mother’s surname before she married father.”

Talon and Griffa walked closer to everyone else. Talon invited everyone to the table. Griffa walked with Talon. As they passed Max, Griffa saw he was still staring at the portrait.

“Are you coming, Max?” she asked over her shoulder.

“Yes, I’ll be there in a second,” answered Max distractedly.

Talon led Griffa to the seat next to his at the head of the table. Ansel sat next to her. Griffa turned and smiled at Ansel. He grabbed her hand and gave it a small squeeze before letting go. Dinner was a casual affair with good food and conversation. Griffa looked down the table many times to see Cillian and Nora talking together quietly.

“I think Cillian is rather taken with your friend,” said Talon to Griffa quietly.

“I believe the feeling might be mutual. He is a good man, isn’t he?”

“He’s a little dull, but yes he is a good man. He is very loyal to the council and thinks a lot of you, Griffa.”

Griffa looked down the table and smiled before looking back at Talon. “Then I hope they find happiness together. Nora is a very good woman. It’s been hard for her to lose her husband. She deserves to be happy.”

“I can imagine losing the one you love is hard,” said Talon quietly. “I hope Nora does find happiness again.”

The rest of the meal passed quickly, and they all moved to the parlor together. Griffa sat on a sofa next to Ansel.

“What do you think is bothering, Max?” asked Ansel. “He’s barely said two words tonight.”

Griffa looked over by the fireplace to find Max sitting in a chair staring at the fire. Issa was close by him. Sometimes she would whisper to Max. Max would respond quietly and go back to staring at the fire.

“I’m not sure. He is worrying about something it seems. You should have a chat with him later.”

Ansel nodded as Talon sat down in a chair next to Griffa.

“Griffa, I have a favor to ask of you. I know tomorrow is your last full day in the Valley and I hate to take you away from your friends, but I think you could help me,” said Talon.

“What do you need?” asked Griffa leaning forward.

“I have a meeting with some magical folk who live in the High Mountains. They have agreed to meet me not too far out of town on the mountain pass. They are interested in joining our cause for the kingdom. I think if I showed up with the leader of the Ring it would go a long way to swaying them on our side.”

“Then I will go with you,” said Griffa. “We will need all those we can get to help us in the coming war.”

Ansel looked at Griffa, “I can come as well.”

“No,” said Griffa looking over at Max. “I need you spend time with Max tomorrow. Find out what’s going on with him.”

“I don’t like you two going alone,” said Ansel. “You are two of the most important leaders of the magical folk. I can at least send two guards with you from the Valley forces.”

“I don’t want to spook the High Mountain folk. They were hard to convince to meet to begin with. They are a very solitary group,” said Talon to Ansel.

“The guards can remain well hidden. You will never know they are there once you enter the mountain pass unless you need them.”

“It would probably be a good idea, Talon,” said Griffa. “I know everything will probably go fine and you and I should have no troubles defending ourselves, but we should be careful.”

“If they can stay hidden from the mountain folk, I am alright with it. Griffa, meet me by the lake tomorrow mid-morning. It shouldn’t take long. You might even be back in time for lunch.”

The rest of the evening passed by quietly. They all walked home without much conversation. Nora seemed lost in her own thoughts. Max and Issa walked together silently. Ansel held Griffa’s hand at the back of the group.

“I’m not sure I like you going to this meeting tomorrow in the Mountain Pass. It’s a vulnerable area,” said Ansel quietly to Griffa.

“I need to go, Ansel. We need these folk on our site. I won’t be alone. Talon is a very gifted mage. I like to think I can handle myself if there is trouble. We will have two guards watching us. There won’t be any issues.”

“I don’t doubt your ability or Talon’s but, I will still worry,” said Ansel squeezing her hand.

“I know, it’s one of the things you do best,” said Griffa. “But I need you to worry about Max instead of me tomorrow. Find out why he was so quiet tonight. I will talk to Issa when I get home tomorrow.”

The next morning Griffa dressed in a simple black dress leaving her hair loose down her back. She ate breakfast with Ansel and Nora. Issa and Max did not come down until Griffa was getting ready to leave.

“Are you two alright?” asked Griffa as she put on her cloak.

“Yes,” said Max with a yawn. “We stayed up late reading.”

“What were you reading?” asked Griffa.

“I’ll tell you about it later when I know more. You need to go to your meeting,” said Max.

Griffa gave Max a concerned look. He was usually quick to share information with her. “Alright, you remember that you can talk to me about anything, don’t you?”

“I know, Griffa. It’s probably not a big deal. I just want to do some more research first.”

Griffa nodded as Ansel walked up behind Max.

“Are you leaving, Griffa?” asked Ansel.

“I am. I want to be there in plenty of time to meet Talon.”

“My guards will meet both of you by the lake as well,” said Ansel. He stepped to Griffa and took her hand. “Be safe, please.”

Griffa squeezed his hand. “I will. I’ll be back soon.”

Ansel pulled her close and kissed her lightly on the lips. He let her go and turned to Max.

“Go eat some breakfast and then meet me outside. We need to put in some work today.”

Griffa smiled at both of them and turned to go. She grabbed her staff and walked out the front door.

Griffa walked through the village. She smiled at people she passed in the marketplace as she headed towards the lake on the edge of the town. As she passed the last building, someone grabbed her and pulled her into a grove of trees.

Griffa raised her hand to stun her attacker when she was pulled into a hug.

“Griffa! Thank the gods you are ok,” said a familiar voice.

Griffa pushed herself free. “Marcus! What in the kingdom are you doing here!”

Marcus was dressed in a simple brown tunic and pants. His boots were filthy. The cloak he wore looked ragged.

“I’ve been hiding in the woods behind my house here,” said Marcus. “I sneak in sometimes and grab food or supplies. I’m so happy you are alright, Griffa.”

“Are you?” asked Griffa angrily. “You brought that flower into my house and try to kill us all. I should strike you down right here.”

“I didn’t know,” said Marcus hurriedly. “You have to believe me. I would never hurt any of you, especially you, Griffa.”

“Then why are you hiding? If you’ve done nothing wrong, why live like a guilty man?”

“Ansel and Max came to see me when you were sick. They told me you were probably going to die. Ansel almost killed me that day.”

“If Ansel had wanted you dead, you would be dead, Marcus.”

“He told me that if you died, he would hunt me down and kill me. I was a coward. I ran. I didn’t know where my father was. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know if you lived or died for the longest time.”

“You know where your father is now, don’t you?” asked Griffa.

“I do. I can’t believe he betrayed our people. Griffa, I’m not like him. I won’t join him in any way. You have to believe me.”

“Marcus, I have somewhere to be. What did you want from me that you had to grab me today?”

“I just wanted to see you and talk to you. I’m so happy you are well. When Ansel told me you might die, I was devastated. You may not love me, but I do love you.”

Griffa rolled her eyes. “I doubt that, Marcus. I have to go. I’m going to be late.” Griffa started to walk away.

“Griffa, will you tell Ansel I’m here?”

Griffa stopped and turned to Marcus. “Not yet, but you need to come to us. You need to come to my Valley house and show yourself. If you really want to help us, then help us. I have to go to Abscon tomorrow. I will be back within a week. Come to the house then. It won’t be pleasant, but I can guarantee you won’t be harmed.”

“I’ll be there,” said Marcus.

Griffa turned and walked away. “We will see, I suppose.”

Griffa walked the rest of the way to the lake in an agitated state. She spotted Talon standing with two guards.

“I was beginning to wonder if you were coming,” said Talon with a half-smile. His half smile disappeared as she got closer. “Griffa, what’s wrong. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. I’ll tell you later. Let’s go to the meeting.”

They walked in silence out of town and into the mountain pass. Griffa didn’t know where the meeting place was, and it wasn’t far, so they walked instead of magically traveling. Talon would throw concerned glances at Griffa every now and then, but he said nothing. The guards disappeared as soon as they entered the pass. Griffa knew they were nearby, but she could not see them.

They eventually turned off the path into a circle of trees. Griffa was tired and cold from the steep walk. She was still agitated from her meeting with Marcus. She stood still in the middle of the circle trying to slow her breaths.

“Griffa, are you sure you are good?” asked Talon. “Did something happen?”

Griffa looked at Talon when there were several disturbances in the air. Twenty magical folk from the mountains surrounded them. Griffa stood up strait with her staff at her side. She put on a welcoming smile.

The meeting went as well as it could. The mountain folk were not a talkative bunch. They were secretive and protective of one another. Griffa and Talon laid out their case as well as they could. The mountain folk seemed receptive. They said they would meet together over the next week and set up a time to talk to Talon again. Griffa and Talon wished them well as they disappeared.

They walked back out onto the mountain pass.

“That went well,” said Talon smiling. “Thank you for coming with me. I think your presence helped.”

“Hardly, you are very persuasive, Talon, but I was happy to be here.”

“Now, are you going to tell me what happened this morning?” asked Talon as they walked side by side.

“No, I’m not, not yet anyway. I’m fine and that’s all I’m going to say. When I get back next week from Abscon, I will tell you more.”

“You know I hate waiting, but fine. I know you won’t change your mind if it’s settled so I will just wait.”

They walked on for a few minutes when a feeling came over Griffa. She grabbed Talon’s arm.

“Talon,” she said in a whisper. “Do you feel it?”

He stopped and looked around. “I do, something is near, but what is it?”

“I don’t know,” said Griffa. She looked around with her staff ready.

Talon turned around and back to back they circled around. Suddenly a spell split them apart. Griffa felt herself being flung through the air. She landed hard on her side several feet away in the snow. She scrambled to her feet. She looked and saw Talon standing up almost twenty feet away from her. Two Aurumist soldiers landed down from a tree in front of Talon.

Griffa ran towards Talon with her staff raised as she heard footsteps behind her. She turned and stuck out her staff. The soldier blocked her spell and sent a curse hurdling towards her. Griffa moved her staff to the left blocking the curse. She pushed out her hand and causing the soldier to lose his footing. He felt face first on the ground. Before he could get up, Griffa swept her staff out in front of her, sending the soldier flying through the air.

Griffa turned and looked back at Talon. She saw one soldier lying motionless on the ground. The other was trading spells and curses with Talon.

“Where are those guards,” Griffa growled to herself.

She moved to help Talon when another soldier moved into her view from Talon’s left. The soldier lifted his hand to send a curse at Talon. Griffa threw her staff into the ground sending a wave of snow that knocked the soldier back before he could strike. She pushed out her free hand and staff and the soldier flew into the trees behind him.

She didn’t notice the fifth solider appear at her right side until he had sent a curse at her. She tried to move out of the way, but the curse sliced by her face, cutting her cheek open. She heard herself scream as she fell to the ground.

“Griffa!” Talon called.

Griffa looked up from the ground with tear filled eyes. She could see her red blood shining on the snow. She knew blood was running down the side of her face. Her cheek was on fire. She sat up as Talon stepped in front of her to block a spell from the soldier who had cut her.

She stood and watched as the two guards finally appeared. They helped Talon take out the last soldier. Talon angrily thrust his hand down and the soldier fell and lay motionless on the ground. Griffa’s head swam. She fell back to the ground in exhaustion and pain.

Talon ran over to Griffa looking at the guards. “There are two more, but I think they ran. Check out the area. I’m going to get her home.”

“Griffa, don’t move” said Talon worriedly. He kneeled down and looked over her. He gently touched her face and moved it over to look at her cheek. Griffa winced at the movement.

Griffa touched her cheek gingerly. She lifted her hand back and saw that it was covered in blood. She was about to place a healing charm on herself when Talon took her hand.

“Let me do that, Griffa,” said Talon tenderly. “I may not be as skilled as you, but you will have a hard time not being able to see what you are doing.”

Griffa nodded and closed her eyes as Talon hovered his hand over her cheek. Griffa felt her cheek move slightly. She put her hand up to her face. Her cheek felt rough, but when she pulled back there was only a small amount of blood on her hand.

“It’s not perfect, but it will do until we can get you home. Are you injured anywhere else?” asked Talon as he caressed her uninjured cheek.

Griffa shook her head lightly.

“You are quite a mess, my dear. Can you stand?”

“Yes, I’m alright,” said Griffa. She stood up slowly with Talon’s help. Her face was throbbing. She felt dizzy. Griffa swayed a bit. Talon put his arm around her and pulled her close.

“Do you want to wait here while I run down and release the travel charm on the village?” asked Talon.

“No, I can make it,” said Griffa. “I don’t want to leave the village vulnerable if Aurumist soldiers are running around the mountain pass.”

Talon nodded. He held her close as they walked and made their way through the mountain pass and back into town. When they got close to Griffa’s home, Griffa stumbled. Talon swept her up in his arms.

“I can make it, Talon,” said Griffa looking up at him.

“I know,” said Talon. He dropped a quick kiss on her head, “but I feel rather dashing carrying you to your rescue.”

Griffa smiled and rested her head against his chest.