They would be leaving soon.

The office of Steward Benarus had more books in it than the last time Relma had seen it. And he'd read virtually all of them enough to put creases in the covers. Given how many books there had been, that was saying something. Benarus was a collector, and one of the libraries he'd funded had nearly burned down. Until the repairs were finished, those surviving books had been moved. Fortunately, Relma had been able to get the fire to avoid them.

As they approached the desk, Benarus shook Estela's hand with a look of clear pride. Relma knew they were close, though she had never found it in herself to respect Benarus. Not since the Tournament of Kings, anyway. The memory of him ignoring justice for convenience was still on her. Though she would never say as much out loud. "Lady Estela, I've been expecting you. Please, sit down." He sat down in his elaborate chair. Estela did the same while Relma remained just behind the seat, standing. "Then, you will be leaving soon?"

"Yes, we've already made most of the arrangements," said Estela. "And we'd have to set out sooner or later."

"That I will not dispute, Lady Estela," said Benarus with a smile. "Gel Carn will be less bright for your absence, however. Sir Frederick and many others have already gone west to the Black Marshes as things stand. There may be a battle for them to fight soon enough.

"Still, are you sure of the route? The Black Marshes have never been safe, and word from Lord Anias is that the satyrs are mustering. It may be wise to reconsider."

"Didn't Lord Anias deny that report," asked Estela.

"He did," admitted Benarus, looking a bit grim. He leaned back in his chair and looked over the stacks and stacks of books. "But Lord Anias is not a man I am fond of, nor have I learned to rely on him. He is... self-interested and more than a little slothful. I trust Anton far more. If I were you, I should head south, over the Golden River, and go around the Black Marshes. It may take a few extra weeks, but you will dodge a much more dangerous journey. One that could leave a large part of your forces dead."

Ever the cautious, never the bold. Though there was merit in the suggestion, Relma knew Estela would not listen.

"I understand that Steward Benarus," said Estela. "However, I'm going to have to take the chance. The Kingdom of Estal is nearly bankrupt. Stormstrike is contemplating rebellion, and the Dragon Empire is mustering to the south. My winnings from the treasury will be needed to raise an army.

"And pay off several debts that may cause others to side against us."

"Well, you've decided then, and I don't intend to say any more on it," said Benarus.

He sighed and looked out one window into the castle courtyard. They were still cleaning up from the tournament. Finally, he looked back. "You've been with us since you were twelve. You were something of a troublemaker in your youth, Lady Estela. But your service has been invaluable to me." Both of those were probably polite understatements. "You have my leave, of course." He fell silent for a moment. "That said, your request to take Ajax with you is..."

"Yes?" asked Estela.

"Well, it is not one I chose to grant lightly," said Benarus. "But, he does know the Black Marshes better than anyone, so he is the best choice.

"Telix has agreed to send another to take his place while he is away. Ajax will know that if he betrays us, another of his family will die. He will lead you through the Black Marshes and to Escor.

"Even so, I should not trust him any further than he can be thrown." Then he looked to Relma and eyed her warily. "Squire Relma, are you certain of going on this expedition?"

"Well, I am Estela's squire," said Relma, choosing her words carefully. "And I need to see Escor. Even if I never become King of anything, I must understand Escor." She did not want to reveal that she did not fully trust Benarus to act in her interests. She knew he'd act in what he thought was her interest. But thinking and doing were two very different things.

"She will have plenty of help already, Relma," noted Benarus. "Reginald De Chevlon and Varsus Gabriel have already agreed to accompany Estela. My niece, Fayn, has also volunteered. And De Cathe will be going as well.

"There is no need for you to put yourself at risk."

"Thank you," said Relma, remembering how Fayn had nearly been hung by him. She hadn't quite put that behind her, though she had forgiven him. "But... well... I wish to go all the same. Do I have your leave?"

"Of course," said Benarus.

Relma paused, unsure if she should ask. "Why is Fayn going out of curiosity?"

"She wishes to fight in the wars," said Benarus grimly. "I allowed her to go to be rid of her."

"Steward Benarus, may I ask you something?" asked Relma.

"Of course," said Benarus.

"Why do you hold Fayn in such hatred?" asked Relma.

Benarus remained silent. He drummed his fingers along the surface of a book for a moment. His expression was stern. Finally, he spoke. "...When she was five, I gave her a puppy. She drenched it in oil, set it on fire, and laughed. That more or less told me everything I need to know about how she'd do as a Steward."

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Relma shuddered. She'd known Fayn loved fire, but that was harsh. "Well... that is pretty bad."

"And that is an understatement," said Benarus. "The girl is a beast."

"Did anyone ever tell her no?" asked Relma.

"Hmm?" said Benarus.

"Well, I mean, I was told she was raised by servants," said Relma. "Did anyone ever try to stop her from doing that sort of thing?"

Benarus sighed, and Relma saw a man tired by years of labor suddenly. Relma knew his brother, Cervan, had been a monster who had come to a monstrous end. Stories of what had been found about him were still told to scare children. "My dear girl, right and wrong cannot be taught. We all know when our actions are wrong. We merely tell ourselves otherwise to justify them.

"At any rate, she is going with you. Given that she seems to have gained some regard for you, I expect you'll be able to keep her in check.

"But I would mourn losing you."

That more or less concluded the meeting. Though Benarus spoke at length with Estela on many things. Relma, for her part, was convinced that Benarus was on her side. She was not, however, convinced that that was entirely a good thing.

Relma and Estela made their way out when the meeting was officially over. In the hall, they found Ajax. The wolf-boy had his arms crossed, and his white hair had been better combed. He stood as Estela approached. "So, how did it go?"

"I've gotten Benarus to let you take us through the Black Marshes, Ajax," said Estela, pushing a strand from her hair.

"Oh, good. I was going to go anyway," said Ajax.

"You should act like the terms of this agreement mean something to you," said Estela. Ajax shrugged. "Why? They don't."

"Forget it, Estela," said Relma. "Ajax, out of curiosity, why do you know the Black Marshes so well? They're a long way from the Wolven Forest."

"I go there to get all my poisons," said Ajax. "Or I did. There are all kinds of plants in that place that can kill you. Some can heal. Ever heard of Blood Moss?"

"No, what is it?" asked Relma.

"A moss with remarkable healing powers," said Ajax. "It dates back to before the breaking of the Goddess Triad. Back when Laevian did more than spread diseases."

"Goddess Triad?" asked Relma. "I haven't heard that phrase before."

"He means the three elven goddesses," said Estela as they walked out of the halls. "My Father told me about them. There was Alchara of the High Elves. Then Laevian of the Dust Elves, and the Dreaming Goddess of the... well, she didn't have a race last I checked. Or at least I've never heard what they were."

"But every god has a race," said Relma.

"Not the Dreaming Goddess," said Ajax, drawing a knife and spinning it on his fingers. "Her worship mostly was relegated as a secondary god."

"Actually, there are some places she is worshipped fully," said Estela. "I heard about them in the Khasmir campaign from Raynald De Chevlon. The Nakmar Dwarves in Seathorius worship her first and foremost. Many of the satyrs do as well.

"Do you remember Sir Gabriel from the Tournament of Kings?" They came out of the castle and into the main courtyard of Gel Carn. Troops were drilling within it; their spears pointed over their huge round shields. Their helmets covered their faces, and their armor was polished heavily.

"Yes," said Relma. She'd liked William, even if she'd been on the opposite side.

"Well, apparently, he is considered one of her champions," said Estela.

"But he's a paladin of Elranor," said Relma.

"It's a dual allegiance of sorts," said Estela. "He built a temple to her in Artarq. I saw it under construction."

"Temples," scoffed Ajax.

"Why the scorn?" asked Relma.

"You humans build all these huge structures to symbolize things," said Ajax. "But they're ugly and unnatural. Give me the roots and branches of trees any day."

"Ajax, you're half-wolf," said Relma. "We don't have your natural advantages. And we have to get out of the rain somehow.

"Besides, you warped the trees of the Wolven Forest into a fortress. That's just as unnatural."

"No, it isn't," said Ajax, crossing his arms and giving her a flat look.

"Yes, it is, "said Estela. "You're using magic to create something which wouldn't happen otherwise. How is that different from putting a bunch of stones on top of each other?"

"We don't clearcut entire forests to do it," shot back Ajax. "The trees are still alive and flourish. When you humans build villages, you hack down miles of trees. Then, you use their rotting carcasses to build homes.

"How would you react if I built a house out of human corpses?"

"That's completely different," said Estela.

"How?" asked Ajax.

Estela remained silent. "...Well, what about you?

"How would you react if I warped the bodies of wolves so that they were formed to form a mass of living flesh? One that I used as my shelter. Trapped in place, unable to move, but still alive. That's what you're doing with the trees."

"That isn't the same at all," said Ajax. "Trees don't mind how they grow."

"Well then, there's your answer," said Estela.

"There is a huge difference between shifting how a tree grows and hacking them in two," snapped Ajax.

"I don't care what the trees think, to be perfectly honest," admitted Estela.

"Why didn't you just say that before, then?" asked Relma.

Estela shrugged. "I thought I might as well win the argument first."

"Well, you wasted your time, then," said Ajax.

"Can we focus?" asked Relma. "We've got to prepare for the trip."

"You've got to prepare, you mean," said Estela, opening her pouch and drawing out a letter. She offered it to Relma, who took it. "Relma, I want you to get everything on this list together by tomorrow."

Relma unrolled it and read through it in surprise. "What is all this?"

"It's a list of tools and equipment that De Cathe recommends everyone carry," said Estela. "I want enough for both of us."

"Ten-foot pole?" asked Relma. "What's this for?"

"To test the firmness of ground and how deep pools of water are," said Ajax. "Among other things."

"Well, how am I supposed to carry two ten-foot poles and all the rest?" asked Relma. "Along with all this other stuff?"

"I'll help you carry it," said Ajax.

"Thanks," said Relma.

Then Estela offered her a bag of coins. "Take this. It should be enough to buy the supplies."

"Yes, Master Estela," said Relma.

"Knock it off and get moving," said Estela.

Relma laughed. "Sorry."

Relma sprinted off alongside Ajax. They'd be leaving soon, but as usual, there were preparations to make. At least things would be getting interesting again...