“Osmund and I found the dead serpent,” Elric said. “It had spines down its back, didn’t it?” Elric had a serious expression. He was a good thinker. “The only reason I left you was because a reaper was attacking the shield. It must have been a distraction so this serpent creature could lure you into the woods.”
“Osmund?” Wynn brightened.
“He’s here. He helped me find you, but he was bitten by a reaper and is very sick,” Elric said. “I hope the elves will heal him.”
“They healed Hob.” Osmund would be fine. Lexi said the elves were very good at healing bodies.
“Hob is alive?” Now Elric looked happy. “I thought he might have been killed.”
“I saw him. He was here. He ran away,” Wynn said. She didn’t get away like Hob did. She got caught, and now Elric was caught too. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I was tricked. I should stay in the garden.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” Elric said. “You thought Mildred was in danger. I would have done the same thing.” He looped an arm over her shoulder. “I’m sorry too,” he said. “I never should have left you alone.”
“I can be alone.” Wynn crossed her arms. She had been alone a lot in the woods, and she didn’t make any mistakes. She made new friends and did lots of things. Being locked in this room wasn’t good, but now she was here with Elric and Mildred. And Osmund was here too.
“It’s a good thing you have Mildred. She knew you were in trouble and ran after you.” Elric reached out and stroked his hand over Mildred’s back. “I’m glad she came to you. But this is troublesome. The fairies checked and fortified the barrier. Nothing could get through. How did this snake get inside?” Elric scratched Mildred on her neck and she cooed at him. “If it can change shape, it could have assumed the identity of anyone under the shield.”
Wynn sat up straighter. “Hob said there was a secret crack. He tried to take me there, but the monster came.”
“A crack?” Elric leaned forward. “And the fairies don’t know? We have to get home, Wynn. The palace is vulnerable.” A strange look came over his face. “What if this happened before,” he said. “What if this snake creature you met transformed into the elf who kidnapped the Fairy Queen’s daughter? What if it wasn’t really Zephyr who lured Osmund away? Lord Raven believes there is a spy. What if this creature was the spy?” He stood up off the bed.
“Uh,” Wynn said. She was very confused. “I don’t know.”
“If the Grendel has been using this snake as a spy,” Elric said, pacing the floor, “then it means the elves never betrayed the queen. It was the Grendel all along. He wanted to drive a wedge between them to keep them both weak. It makes perfect sense.”
Wynn nestled into the corner of the bed and yawned. “Wait until night. Lexi will come. She will help us.”
“I’m not sure about that,” Elric said. “She’s the Headmind’s daughter.”
“She is my friend.” Wynn patted the bed next to her. Elric looked at her like he wasn’t sure, but came and sat down next to her. She started to sing. They didn’t need to find the way to the Silver Gate anymore, but she still liked to sing the song. It reminded her of home.
“The road begins at my feet,
And leads me ever on.
To the land that lies between,
The first light and the dawn.
I seek the favor of the queen
Within that magic land.
Please grant to me your silver branch,
And through the gate I’ll find you.”
Elric tipped his head and rested it against hers. “I’m glad to have you back, little sister.”
“Me too.”
Before long, the light shining through the walls faded, and it grew dark. Wynn stared at the loose boards, waiting for the moment when one of them would move.
Elric’s head bobbed as he tried not to sleep. It took a very long time for Lexi to come. Wynn knew she would, but it didn’t happen before Elric fell asleep, slumping on his side. It was hard for her to stay awake with him sleeping on the bed next to her.
Just when Wynn felt like she couldn’t keep her eyes open, she heard the soft scrape of wood moving. She jumped forward and pulled the boards up. She reached for Lexi’s hand, but instead she ended up with a lumpy mass of fabric. She pulled it through the hole and set it aside, but another one appeared, then a sack, then finally a small lantern that had been dimmed until Wynn could barely see the light. Last came the hilt of a sword. Wynn took that carefully, then finally, finally, Lexi rose up into the room on her moving plank.
She immediately hugged Wynn. “I’m sorry I took so long. I’ve had to be careful.”
Wynn shook Elric awake. “Lexi’s here!” she said. Lexi immediately shushed her. Elric woke with a start. He reached for his sword at his side, but it wasn’t there.
“I think you are looking for this,” Lexi said as she picked up Elric’s sword and handed it to him. “It wasn’t right for Father to take it, or to lock you up. He’s mustered all the fighters in the village. They are arming the siege weapons. They will attack the shield tonight. There are already deep cracks in the dome. It will not hold against the catapults.”
Elric reached out and took the sword. He stared at it a moment, then looked to Lexi and pushed the sword into its sheath. “Shouldn’t you be with them?” he asked as he glanced at the hole in the floor.
“I’m helping you escape,” she said. “You helped me save my brother. It’s the least I can do.”
Wynn clapped her hands before she could help it. Elric lowered his hands onto hers to settle them down. “What is the plan?”
“I packed up as many things as I
