“Few people use the gate these days,” the innkeeper informed.
“I wish you could stay,” Beatrix whispered.
Damselfly did not feel confident in responding. She had grown rather fond of the villagers and of Wintergarden. Despite the constant night and cold, it held a beautiful serenity.
“I will not forget you,” Damselfly promised.
The gate was partially buried in snow. It was not as impressive as the Garden Gate though it did appear to be made from the same material.
“Remember to wait until the Magicgarden is in sight before entering the gate,” Morris warned.
Damselfly, who certainly did not want a repeat of their previous encounter with the gate, focused on stepping through at the right time as Morris dropped the token into the slot. With Buttontail holding her hand, the princess moved forward into the gate, though she did not travel unnoticed. The Sprite Red Eye was watching from a nearby rise. The scout had been abused by Jinx after his information about the burning girl had brought them such a humiliating defeat. Red Eye though was certain this child was important and now he knew where she was heading.
The Magicgarden was the complete opposite to the Wintergarden; a bright sun shone high in the blue sky, giving off warmth that felt especially foreign after the snowy conditions of their previous visit. Equally disconcerting, the air seemed thinner, creating extremely vivid colours as though a strange shroud lay across everything.
“It feels like you can almost reach out and teach magic here,” Damselfly smiled.
“I hope they have something nice to eat,” Buttontail added.
Exiting the gate, they had been greeted by green fields in all directions. With no map or guide, they walked forward in search of assistance. Damselfly was feeling heartened after finally arriving in the Magicgarden where she hoped to learn how she might save her mother. Buttontail was strangely inquisitive, bounding around the fields and investigating anything that appeared even remotely edible.
“These fresh shoots are all right as a starter but I need something more filling,” Buttons muttered between mouthfuls.
“Perhaps you shouldn’t eat that without invitation,” Damselfly warned.
Buttontail was not listening as his sharp eyes had espied a large blue flower growing low to the ground that looked delicious. Taking a delicate bite, the rabbit’s face lit up at the exquisite taste.
“A little acidic though really rather tasty,” he declared.
“Do not eat too much. We still have a long way to travel.” Damselfly could see only fields stretching to the horizon in all directions.
“I will save plenty of room for dessert,” Buttontail munched.
“I have never known such a greedy rabbit,” Damselfly criticised.
“I am not greedy,” Buttontail remarked.
“I am simply a connoisseur of delectables.”
The princess could not find a single landmark or person in sight to help guide them. She supposed few people made use of the gate and preferred to remain in the Magicgarden. Buttontail was feeling a little unwell though he still ate sparingly, blaming too many greens.
“It is very poor form to offer guests such sparse fare,” he muttered.
“Please hurry up or we will never find the Matriarch,” Damselfly whined.
Buttontail attempted to catch up though with every step he began to feel sicker until he could barely stand.
“I have been poisoned,” he cried.
“It serves you right for eating everything you see,” Damselfly accused despite her concern.
“It’s going dark. Is this the end?” Buttontail wailed dramatically. “Killed by a piece of grass and a nibble of blue flower.”
Damselfly was forced to suffer a stream of self-pity as she carried the ailing rabbit across the fields until her feet ached, and she decided to have a rest underneath an old maple tree. Buttontail was starting to feel better although he decided to keep complaining as he did not want to walk.
“I still cannot see anything except fields,” Damselfly sighed.
“Then you’re not looking hard enough,” a voice screeched.
Buttontail’s ears shot up as they attempted to discover who the voice belonged to. Damselfly finally caught sight of a bird high up in one of the trees and a familiar feeling as though she had witnessed this scene before came over her.
“Hello, my name is Princess Damselfly and this is my friend, Buttons. We’re lost and would really like some help.”
The bird flapped desperately before almost falling onto a lower branch where both parties could view each other. Damselfly smiled up at a mottled owl with large yellow eyes and russet feathers.
“What’s your name?” Damselfly asked.
“My name,” the bird squawked. “I know my name.”
“What is it?” the princess repeated.
“Who wants to know?” the owl demanded haughtily. “You should introduce yourself before enquiring about others.”
“I did introduce myself,” Damselfly argued.
“I think I would remember if you had done so.”
“My name is Damselfly and this is Buttons.”
“Do you have anything to eat,” the hungry rabbit ventured.
“Yes, no, maybe,” the bird replied unhelpfully.
“Do you know the way to the Magicgarden?” Damselfly asked.
“You’re standing in it.”
“Where is everyone?”
“Phoebus.”
“Sorry, I don’t understand,” Damselfly queried.
“My name is Phoebus, told you I knew it.” The owl puffed out his chest, satisfied at being proved right.
Buttontail hopped over to Damselfly before allowing himself to be picked up so he could get a better sight of their new guide.
“This bird is nuts,” Buttons whispered.
“I am no such thing,” Phoebus remarked. “I am the wisest owl in Fable.”
Damselfly had been struggling with a feeling that she had seen this exact picture elsewhere and now it dawned on her.
“My family name is Thrane. It is said that my uncle went out into the wild while deciding what to do with his life and was advised by a wise owl that he should lead a rebellion against the Fairy King. Our family crest is an owl sitting upon a
