Max woke up the next day feeling more refreshed and rested than he expected for spending the night on the hard ground. Max sat up and stretched seeing that Griffa and Ansel were already awake. Griffa handed Max some food and some tea she had made. Max ate quickly as Griffa waved her hand, deconstructing the shelter around them. They packed everything up and mounted their horses.

They traveled throughout the day without incident. It was a long day with small breaks and little food. They stopped in places to stretch and to take care of the horses. The day was dreary and cold. Max almost felt like asking Griffa for another warming charm, but he was afraid he would fall asleep. Late in the afternoon she hugged herself tightly to him.

“I hope you don’t mind, but it is dreadfully cold, Max.” said Griffa in his ear. He didn’t mind, the added warmth was nice as was her comforting smell.

“We won’t have too much longer,” said Ansel looking over at Max and Griffa. “If we keep going, we can reach Abscon in time to eat a late dinner.”

Max nodded. He longed to be off of the back of a horse. He wanted a hot meal and a warm bed. Even his room at the top of Danin’s stable seemed like a comfort after his days on the road.

Griffa’s teeth chattered in Max’s ear. “We will teach you magical travel soon, and we won’t have to do something like this again.”

Max smiled. “Do you think I can really do magic, Griffa?”

“I know you can, Max. I can feel your magic inside of you. It will take some work, but it will be worth it in the end,” replied Griffa.

He could feel her rest her head against his back. Her hair tickled the back of his neck.

They rode deep into the evening. Ansel had charmed a little lantern to give light along the way.

“Are we getting close?” asked Max. His teeth were chattering, and his body ached from riding.

“Yes,” Griffa answered him, yawning. “Look there, do you see those two big old oak trees that are slightly bent?”

Max nodded.

“That’s the entrance to the village of Abscon. The village is just a few miles down the road after we enter through those trees.”

Max nodded again, but he wasn’t sure. Those trees didn’t look like anything special and the path ahead was dark and deserted.

They got to the two old bent trees. Ansel looked all around them.

“You are picking up on anyone or anything, Griffa?” asked Ansel.

“No, I think it is safe,” she replied.

Ansel rode up to the tree on the right and placed his hand on the trunk. A bright light lit up both trees. It was a warm, glowing light that seemed to follow the lines in the bark. It was beautiful and Max thought he could feel a warmth coming from them. Ansel urged his horse onward.

“Come on, Max. We are almost home.”

They rode on for another mile. Soon Max started to notice little cottages springing up around them. Most were dark, but a few had lights on in the windows. They kept riding until they reached a large village, but it wasn’t like any village Max had ever seen or read about.

There were no rings here, just a large, mismatched town with different kinds of buildings. There was a row of small cottages next to a small stable, and then a shop next to it. Next there was a large home with a fountain out front. It went on like that, buildings with no logical plan that seem to be in place. They rode on to what seem to be the city center. There was a large, long handsome building with a huge statue out front. Max couldn’t make out what it was in the dark. Next to that was a building with a large, pointed roof. It also had a statue out front. They rode on a little further until they came to a very large manor.

The manor was made of stone. It was long and rectangular with a covered portico on the front. A large fountain was in the front lawn. Max could see two towers on either end of the building. It was a large place, but it seemed to have been made to look welcoming. He could see moss growing on the roof and flowers in window boxes along the front. They rode up to the front of the house. Ansel dismounted and came over and handed Griffa down.

She stretched and said “Welcome to Keene manor, Max. I am warning you, the housekeeper, Maybell, will be waiting for us and she will make a huge fuss over you.”

Max smiled and hopped down from his horse. A tall older man came from around back to meet them.

“Is it my young mistress! It is! Oh, how good to have you home, and Ansel as well! And is this him? Is this our king?” asked the tall man in a good-natured way.

“Hello, Wallis! It is good to see you. This is Max, we can introduce you later but for now can you see to these horses?” asked Griffa

“Of course, of course. There is plenty of room in the stable, handsome beast they are. It is good to have you home, Miss Griffa.”

“Thank you, Wallis. I’m sorry to be coming so late, I hope you won’t lose too much sleep” said Griffa squeezing the man’s arm.

“It is no bother. Things have been rather boring around here, nice to have a change,” said Wallis. “Get inside now, let Maybell take care of you.”

Griffa took Max’s arm and linked it with hers.

“You and Ansel will stay with me while you are here. There is plenty of room.”

She walked him to the front door, opened it and escorted him inside.

Keene manor was an odd, beautiful place. It seems to be bursting with wonderful things. The entrance hall was large. The walls were filled with pictures of landscapes and portraits of different folk. There was a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling with a hundred candles lit, giving the hall a warm glow. The candles didn’t drip, and Max thought it was probably magical fire. Max was looking around when he heard an excited squeak.

“Oh, Griffa, it’s you! Oh, thank goodness. I was so worried about you.” Said a little, older woman with a white hair in a messy bun had run into the room.

She had her arms around Griffa before Max knew what happened.

She gave Griffa a long hug before letting go and looking at her.

“Oh, you are such a mess. We must get you cleaned up. I’m guessing you are hungry as well, all of you.”

“Ansel! My dear boy, you are here as well. Come here and give me a kiss.”

Ansel walked over and bent down and kissed the old woman on the cheek.

“It is good to see you, Maybell. Might I introduce Max to you.”

Mother Maybelle went still, her light gray eyes huge.

“Is this him, the king? Oh, how good it is to meet you, your majesty.” She dropped a deep curtsey.

“Uh, thank you?” said Max, not sure what to do.

“Now, now Maybell, he likes to be called Max and doesn’t want to be made a fuss over,” said Griffa taking Maybell’s hand and bringing her back up to a standing position.

“Oh, you’ll all want baths and food. Go on now, get yourself to your rooms. The young king can stay next to you, Ansel. I’ll have Jonthon bring up some water to you. Ansel show the young king where he is staying.”

“Max,” said Griffa. “Call him Max for now,” said Griffa as she smiled and winked at Max.

Ansel took Max up the stairs and to the right. He led him to a large door and opened it for him. Max walked into a large room with a huge bed. He had never seen a bedroom like this before. He thought Nora and Danin’s whole house could fit inside.

“Your chamber, Max. There is a place to wash and relieve yourself through that door. I will see about getting you some fresh clothes from my room. Jonthon should be up soon with some water. Clean up and then come down for dinner.” Before he left, Ansel lit a fire in the small fireplace that was in the room.

Max did as he was told, marveling in the comfort that was around him. He warmed himself by the fire, bathed in a large tub after Jonthon had filled it with levitating large buckets of water. Max dressed in some older clothes of Ansel that were a very comfortable tunic and pants. They were a little big, but Jonthon waved his hands and made them fit perfectly. Max pulled on the extra pair of boots Nora had packed for him. Soon Max was going down to dinner refreshed and cleaner than he had ever been in his life.

Down the stairs he met Griffa who looked very pretty in a clean green dress. Her hair was loose and her slightly damp curls hung down her back. She stood at the bottom of the stairs waiting for him. She hooked her arm in his and led him towards a door to the left.

“You look quite handsome, Max. I hope you are hungry. I’m sure Maybelle has put together quite a meal, very quickly.”

She led Max into a very pretty dining room. Candles were lit on the table and there were dishes laid out, a steaming stew, a bowl of potatoes, and some warm bread awaited them. Maybelle welcomed them enthusiastically.

“I warmed up some nice stew we had ready, and quickly roasted some potatoes. The bread is fresh from earlier today, but I gave it a quick warming spell. I’m sure it will be nice on a night like this.”

Ansel came into the room. He pulled out a chair for Griffa and Maybell and they all sat down to eat.

“Your house is very nice, Griffa,” said Max after swallowing some stew.

“Thank you, Max. It was one of the first homes built in Abscon. I will give you a proper tour tomorrow,” said Griffa picking up a glass of wine.

“Do you have a house in Abscon, Ansel?” asked Max.

“I do. It’s not as fine as this, but it’s comfortable. I thought you would like it here. You will have more company staying in Keene Manor.”

“I hope you like it here, Max,” said Griffa putting her hand over Max’s. “I know it’s hard to leave all you know. I know you miss your friends, but if there is anything, I can do to make your time here easier, let me know.”

She smiled at Max and squeezed his hand.

“Thank you,” said Max.

She removed her hand and went back to eating her meal.

Max ate enthusiastically. Having a warm meal felt like a luxury after the days and nights on the road. The meal was very good and the conversation friendly, but Max was very sleepy.

Before long Maybell shooed them all to bed. Max walked up the stairs with Griffa. Ansel followed behind them.

“Remember if you need anything, just ask. I will see you in the morning,” said Griffa at the top of the stairs. She turned to the left to head to her own bedroom.

“Good night, Griffa,” said Ansel.

Griffa turned back and smiled slightly. “Good night, Ansel, Max.”

Ansel and Max stood together and watched her go into her room. Ansel gave max a friendly little push with his shoulder.

“Get a good night’s rest, Max. You will have some big days coming up.” Ansel walked into his room.

Max went to his room, quickly preparing himself for bed. He burrowed himself in the covers and was soon fast asleep.