I keep half of my attention on Winfred and the story I’m telling, the other half on what’s happening around the chapel. The conversation around us never move above a hushed tone—which is to be expected, really, given the serious situation. But I do start collecting more and more kids, and even some women, who settle close and start listening in. I can feel my voice growing kind of hoarse, but it’s fun too, to look around and see thirty plus rapt expressions and not a terrified face in sight.

When the priest comes near while doing the rounds and offering comfort, he gives me a small nod of approval.

By the time I’m describing Luke meeting Han Solo and Chewbaca the talking bear, the castle servants have made several trips in and out. Each time they bring something back: food, water, candles, these big containers for mysterious purposes.¹ But this time, they bring back a big wooden beam.

They pull the doors closed behind them, shutting out the footsteps and voices fro outside. And then they start securing that wooden beam over the doors.

I break off mid-sentence.

That can’t be right. I jerk up to my feet—amidst a chorus of protests.

“Sorry, sorry,” I say without looking down. Instead, I scan the chapel again, from front to back.

It’s dark now, the interior illuminated by only candlelight. But I can make out that it’s crowded, but not crowded enough. There’s no way this is all the servants and Harvest Festival goers, even if some percentage decided they preferred to try their luck and run away from the Keep.

They can’t be locking everyone else out right? And where’s Aurelia’s mom? I’ve been keeping an eye out each time someone new comes in, and she’s not here yet. Where is she?

I must say some of that out loud, because a much older woman touches my forearm gently.

“Don’t stress, love,” she says. “This isn’t the only sanctuary area, I don’t think. I saw some women and children headed a different way. And I know some others elected to stay out and help. My sister is the village healer, and she’s out there.”

I take a deep, shaky breath in .

“Right,” I say.

Of course I know warning Luke and Alex about the incoming attack wouldn’t guarantee everyone’s survival. The battle still needs to be won. Soldiers still need to fight. That’s why I’m hiding in here. But—

I should’ve searched for Aurelia’s mom first thing and brought her in here with me. If I somehow succeed in finding out where Aurelia’s soul went and bring it back, how angry would she be with me to find out I could’ve saved her mom and didn’t?

But it’s too late now. She’s out there like Winfred’s dad is out there.

Do your job, Silverwoods, I think fiercely. You’ve got one job.

And mine—the only job I’m qualified for, in this universe…

I sit back down.

“Sorry, I was just… Where was I?” I say to the kids.

“Luke and Obi-Wan and the animals get on Han Solo’s enchanted carriage!” A little girl pipes up, with a little bit of a lisp because she’s missing her two front teeth. She wiggles on the floor in her little crumbled dress. “They’re running away from the evil mages.”

I try for a smile. But it feels like it’s wavering at the edges. I firm it up. “Ah. Right. So Han Solo said…”

1. Well, I do know eventually. Later in the evening, someone takes a container, goes to the corner, and turns their back to the rest of the chapel. Good thing I hadn’t picked up that corner, huh? It seems a little sacrilegious, but I guess needs must. I’m really getting a taste of medieval living now. Yay, chamber pots.