Across the veils of their worlds a wolf lifted its head from the ground. He had lost the scent among the tangle of the otherworldly. His nose was stuffed full of fruity pixies, fishy mermaids, and sour goblins, but he knew that this was the right spot. He scanned the clearing for a distinct set of prints.

Eventually he noticed two sets of boots that crossed the cleaning and followed. As he did, the human scent got stronger until he was in the exact spot where the human should have been. Then the musty smell of magic intensified to cover up all traces. He saw the boot marks leaving deeper into the forest and followed again. He knew that at least one of the pair must have belonged to a wizard and judging by the cold and odourless smell of the other, a fey.

It was more than suspicious. He had never known of any wizard or fey who cooperated like this and he didn’t know of any who wore human boots. This pair was truly unique and judging by the disappearance of the boot prints, they had made it back to the fey realm through a portal. Ferrin considered the risks of going through.

***

Selene sat down at the table and pulled in her chair.

"You made it," Edith said not quite looking as she peeled some kind of purple skinned fruit.

Selene pulled over a basket of crackers while her friend Edith joined in conversation with two of the guards. She didn’t really want the crackers.

"Edith," Selene finally said to get her friend’s attention. "Why didn’t you wake me up?"

Edith gave her a sideways glance before looking down at her plate.

"Well…I did knock. A few times, and then Nen invited me."

Selene followed Edith’s gaze to the genie woman sitting across the table. The woman had looked over at the mention of her name.

"Did you say something?" Nen asked from across the table.

"Nothing," Edith said holding up her hands.

"Oh," Selene said.

Edith dropped her gaze.

"I really am sorry. I’ll—"

Selene put her hand over Edith's to stop her friend from mindlessly picking at the piece of fruit she held.

"It’s nothing," Selene said. "Life happens right."

"Ya, here you should try this one," Edith said holding out the now skinless purple thing.

"I don’t know if I eat purple," Selene said.

"But why?"

"Edith," Trisha butted in. "I think she means that she won’t eat it if it’s torn up like that."

"Right," Edith said. "Then—"

She reached out over the table for another.

"Edith, dear," Trisha scolded. "Just let her eat."

The rest of Selene’s resentment dissipated at the sight of her truly conflicted friend. Selene swiped the purple fruit out of Edith’s hand and took a bite.

"Ah," Edith said.

That was the last sound she heard as the table went silent. Selene thought that she might have done something wrong until she saw the direction of everyone’s gaze and turned in her seat. A wizard stood in the entranceway.

"My apologies. The other wizards were so boring. Don’t let me bother you," Manson said.

"Are you allowed to be here?" Nen asked outright.

"I am an honoured guest," Manson said.

"Yet, you are not honourable."

"Are you in a position to talk to me?" Manson threatened.

There was a tension.

"Do what you want," the genie woman said. "You are already shameful. Milton what did you say you found in the forest today."

"A large black wolf. The beast was so scared that it saw me and ran away. I don’t think I ever met such a coward."

The table erupted into laughter and people started eating again. Selene turned back around and took another bite of the fruit in an attempt to avoid looking at the wizard who was standing close by. To her relief he moved away to take a chair, but instead of sitting beside the guards he took his chair to a spot beside her.

"You did a good job with the flowers," he told her.

"If you don’t mind we have work after this," Edith said. "So it would be great if you could leave us alone."

At any other time he would have, but since Yurith had asked him to look for a human and his familiar had picked up an unfamiliar smell he couldn’t leave the matter alone. Even if she wasn’t a human in disguise, as a warlock the girl was certainly strange.

Manson picked up a cracker in an attempt to settle the mood and was about to start up a conversation to confirm his beliefs when his familiar Hūge interrupted his thoughts. The maid from yesterday had entered his room and Hūge was watching her carefully.

"Tell your master that he is not invited to the meeting," Ris told the dog.

Manson put the cracker to his mouth, bit it in half, and chewed. Maybe his fooling around yesterday had been a bit too much. Manson had intended on informing Yurith about the meeting's conclusion before he started looking for the human runaway. Perhaps...he better not risk trouble again today.

"My apologies," Manson said, getting up and leaving.

***

Vox thanked the woman for her message, then turned and opened the window. His raven Sweep flew in and landed on his shoulder. He shut the window and headed out to the meeting. He had been so sure that he would catch them talking about the prince again, but there had only been talk of food. There did seem to be quite a lot of available food compared to other areas, but that wasn’t his concern.

When Vox arrived at the meeting room the others were there. This meeting was more relaxed. Wine had been passed around. He took his seat noticing that more than one person was missing.

"I apologise for my apprentice. It was her first meeting," Jent spoke.

"You did nothing wrong. I don’t mind opening my door to the new generation," Naruze assured him. "However, I have excluded that boy Manson. I thought we could then speak more easily."

"You have good intuition," Jent said.

"I would not have taken anything less," Doric furthered.

"I don’t mean to be so forward," Vox said. "But if we do go along with your plan and agree to leave your fey friends alone, how do we stop your people from attacking us?"

"He does have a point," Jent said.

"I do not want a war and if you know what is good for you, neither will you," Naruze stated.

"Your sentiments are fine," Doric said. "But we know that fey have ways of breaking promises."

"It seems I didn't make myself clear yesterday," Naruze said. "I will complete the joining of these realms myself. All I am offering you is a chance to be a part of it for the price of some well earned rest."

"I will send my answer by mail," Jent said standing.

The others stood with him. Vox followed to the door, but he did not exit the room with the others. Instead, he turned back to Naruze who was pulling the heavy drapes back for light.

"Lord Naruze you might not know," Vox said calmly. "That the wizard Manson has been wandering around."

Naruze smiled wryly to himself as he tied the gold cord that held the drapes to the edge of the window.

"I thought he might and that’s why I had someone watch him."

Here he turned to give his attention to Vox.

"I am of course grateful for your concern, but I would prefer that you didn’t let your pet bird wander about. I consider it rude."

Vox found himself gazing into eyes like polished stone.

"Of course," Vox replied.

He left feeling uneasy.

*

"They aren’t very smart are they," Tarin said now that he didn’t have to be nice.

He had been listening from outside the door the entire time.

"Stupidity and caution are different," Naruze said.

"What about arrogance?"

"It’s just another form of weakness. Right now these wizards think I’m useful so I can trust them. I’ll be sure to return the favour."

"I’m glad the formalities are not ruining your ambition."

"Quite the opposite. The faster I stabilize the world then the faster I can get what I really want. I’m sure you’re the same."

"I’m not—"

Tarin’s words stopped when he saw that his friend was distracted. Naruze was doing that thing where he stared intently at something while he was  listening elsewhere.

"What is it this time?"

"I think Jent wants to leave. Could you show him off for me?"

Tarin did not want to do any such thing.

"One day you'll regret that habit," Tarin said flatly.

***