“I’m happy for you,” said Annie.
“That all happened right before your father locked away my mother’s cousin,” Rose Red told her. “Don’t worry, no hard feelings. I never liked that side of the family anyway. When I was little I thought that Granny Bentbone was creepy. I wasn’t surprised to hear that she ate children. Once, she told me that if I didn’t behave she was going to turn me into a sausage. I believed her. My mother said that Granny Bentbone was joking, but it still gave me nightmares for weeks. Her daughter, Terobella, was even worse. She used to torture small animals for fun. I remember one time she was about to try some awful spell on me when my mother showed up. I made sure I was never alone with her after that. My mother said that her son was nicer, but he always went along with whatever his mother did, so I thought he was just as bad. When I heard that you turned Terobella into slime, I was sorry you hadn’t turned him, too.”
“I didn’t really turn anyone into anything. She did it to herself.”
“You know what I mean,” said Rose Red.
“Tell me something,” Annie said while Rose Red sipped her tea. “Your mother has some magic, and so does her cousin Granny Bentbone, but do you or your sister have any?”
Rose Red nodded. “A little, but not anything like Terobella. We can do some simple magic, like light fires and make water boil. Oh, and I can do illusions, although Snow White can’t.”
“What kind of illusions?” asked Annie.
“Nothing fancy,” Rose Red replied. She glanced at the doorway and gestured. Suddenly a large gray wolf stood there, snarling. A moment later, the wolf was gone.
“Very good!” said Annie. If she hadn’t heard the melody of the magic behind the illusion, she might have thought the wolf was real. “That must come in handy, being out here, just the two of you. I bet you could even scare off a bear with your illusions.”
“Oh, I have,” Rose Red said with a smile. “Tell me, why are you and Liam here? Looking for another dwarf?”
“A fairy, actually. We’re hoping someone in Harper’s Village might be able to tell us where we can find her.”
“Is everything all right?” asked Rose Red.
Annie shook her head and was just about to speak when the door opened and Yardley came in with Liam close behind. “I hear people in the woods coming this way,” Yardley told his wife. “Liam said that some men shot arrows at him and Annie. It’s possible that these are the same people come to finish the job.”
“You turned Yardley back into a human, but he still has exceptional hearing,” his wife explained to Annie. “If he heard people, they’re out there and will be here soon. You should leave now while I hold them off.”
“I already told Liam how to get to Harper’s Village from here,” said Yardley.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay and help?” Liam asked him. “I don’t want to dump our troubles on you.”
“No, no!” said Yardley. “We’ll be fine. Rose Red and I have this handled.”
“Then I guess we’re leaving,” Annie said, getting to her feet. “Thank you so much for the tea. It was just what I needed.”
“You’re welcome,” Rose Red replied. “Stop in again whenever you’re out this way. We hardly ever get to see anyone, and I enjoy the company.”
Annie and Liam left then, going around to the back of the cottage to retrieve Otis from where he was tied to a tree. They had walked only a short distance when a loud roar made them stop and look behind them. A group of trolls were lumbering through the forest, retracing the route Annie and Liam had taken from the main road.
Liam’s hand flew to his sword. “Where did they come from?” he demanded.
“From Rose Red’s imagination would be my guess,” said Annie. “Don’t worry; they aren’t real. I think they’re meant to scare off the men following us.”
“Rose Red did that?” said Liam. “But how?”
“Magic runs in her family, remember? She has a talent for illusions.”
“Ah!” Liam said, putting his sword away. “That explains it. Yardley said they’re never bored out here, or worried about intruders.” They started walking again even as the trolls’ roaring grew louder.
“Those men who are following us,” said Annie. “They must know who we are or they wouldn’t be so persistent.”
Liam nodded. “I’m sure you’re right.”
“Do you think they’re King Dormander’s men? If they are, he must already know that we escaped from the castle.”
“More than likely,” Liam replied.
“You’re not saying much.”
“Sorry. I’m trying to figure out when they might have picked up our trail. Have they been following us since we left the castle? Maybe someone reported seeing us in the linder groves. Or did they learn about us in Floradale?”
“Eleanor’s stepmother seemed to recognize us when we passed her on the street in Loralet. If she did, others probably did as well.”
“Then we’d better hurry and find Moonbeam before anyone can stop us.”
“I’m glad we’re going to see her today,” said Annie. “I’m tired of running around when all I want to do is go home and make sure everyone is all right. They’re not going to be able to withstand a siege for long.”
“I can’t stop worrying about my father, too,” said Liam. “The more I think about it, the more I doubt it was a coincidence that he didn’t come to the wedding.”
“Oh, Liam, I hope he’s all right. Your father is too old and frail to be held captive by some army.”
Liam laughed. “Don’t let him hear you say that! Aside from his gout, he’s as robust as ever, or at least he thinks he is.”
“I like your father,” said Annie.
“And he likes you,” Liam said, smiling down at her. “But then, who wouldn’t?”
“A lot of people, apparently. I don’t think those men following us are any too fond of me. Say, I was wondering something. Did Yardley tell you why he and Rose Red decided to live so far from everything?”
“He did indeed,” said Liam. “He wanted to live away from crowds for a while. Part of it was because he’d been a wolf and was afraid he wasn’t acting fully human yet, and part of it was because a few of the men he played cards with were angry when he ran off with their money in the middle of a game. They didn’t know the dwarf had turned him into a wolf and they’ve been looking for him ever since. He thought he and Rose Red would live here until things calm down a bit.”
“I’m glad he did,” said Annie. “Otherwise we’d be facing those men right now.”
It wasn’t a very long walk to Harper’s Village, but it was a pretty one. They passed through a grove of trees festooned with lacy white flowers and walked alongside a sparkling stream that tumbled down a small waterfall where they were able to refill the water skin and let Otis drink. A flock of bright red birds flew past them, startling Otis, but otherwise it was a very pleasant walk.
Before they entered the village, they saw at least three streets running parallel to one another and all of them looked busy. Annie was surprised that the village was so large. “This could almost be called a town,” she told Liam as they walked down the main street, leading Otis. “Look at all the shops!”
“We’re just here to find the butcher’s son and talk to Moonbeam,” said Liam. “We don’t have time for anything else. Once we ask Moonbeam to go to Treecrest, we’re going to go see my father.”
“I know,” said Annie, although she looked longingly at the inn they were passing. The smell of roasting beef was almost enough to make her stop.
A short time later, they walked by a cobbler who was working on a bench outside his shop, taking advantage of the good weather. “Pardon me,” Annie said as she stopped in front of him, “but do you know where we can find Jamesey Dunlop?”
“Never heard of him,” the man replied, looking annoyed.
“We need to ask someone else,” Annie told Liam as they walked away. “Someone less surly.”
“Gertrude said that her brother started his own shop, so we should look for a butcher. It shouldn’t be too hard. The village isn’t that big.”
The aroma of freshly baked bread wafting from a bakery slowed Annie’s steps. “Is it my imagination, or does this village smell better than most?” she asked, taking another deep breath.
“You’re hungry and that bread does smell good. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to get something to eat,” said Liam.
He hadn’t finished his sentence before Annie was opening the door to the bakery. It was warm and even more fragrant inside. A girl in a white cap and apron was helping customers while two other people worked in the back, taking bread out of a huge brick oven and decorating a pastry shaped like a swan. There were three people in line to buy bread ahead of Annie. She fidgeted, shifting her weight from one foot to the other as the shopgirl waited on the other customers. When it was finally her turn, Annie looked at the girl more closely. “Gloria! I didn’t recognize you without your red hood.”
“Do I know you?” Gloria asked, peering at Annie. “Wait, you’re one of the people who scared the wolf out of Granny’s house! What are you doing in Harper’s Village?”
“Looking for someone,” said Annie. “Do you know where I can find Jamesey Dunlop’s butcher shop?”
“Do I ever! He married my cousin and I work there some days when I’m not working here. I’d take you there myself, but I can’t leave the bakery now. His shop is located on the next street over. Go to the corner and turn left. His shop is on the opposite side of the street. Harper’s Village has grown a lot lately, and that’s where the newest shops are.”
“It looks like a prosperous village,” said Annie.
“Oh, it is! I have a big family and they’ve all stayed here, and lots of other people have started moving here as well. I love Harper’s Village! Everyone knows everyone else.”
“Really? I asked a cobbler if he knew where I could find Jamesey Dunlop and he said he didn’t know him.”
“That would be my uncle Nick. He knows Jamesey, but he probably just didn’t feel like talking to you. He’s been crotchety ever since he gave some clothes to the brownies who were helping him and they left for good. Now he has to do all the work himself and he’s always falling behind.”
“He did look annoyed when I spoke to him. Oh, while I’m here I wanted to get something to eat.”
“Try our hot cross buns,” said Gloria. “They’re really good. I helped make them myself.”
“How much do I owe you?” Annie asked as Gloria handed her the buns.
“Nothing,” said the girl. “You helped my whole family when you chased off that wolf. One of my older brothers owns the bakery and I know he wouldn’t want me to charge you anything. In fact, if there’s ever anything we can do to help you, just let us know. We owe you for helping me the way you did.”
“You already did help,” said Annie. “You told me where to find the butcher. Thanks for the directions and the buns!” With a wave of her hand, Annie was out the door and handing one of the buns to Liam.
“I know where the butcher is located,” she said before taking a big bite.
Liam stepped to the side as Otis tried to snuffle his hair. “Oh, really! Where?”
Annie’s mouth was already full, so she just pointed to the corner, then indicated that they should turn there.
“And how did you learn this?”
She chewed quickly and swallowed the bite before saying, “I asked Gloria, of course. I told you we should ask someone.”
Following Gloria’s directions, they found the butcher shop easily. The entire area smelled of fresh wood shavings, and Annie could see that many of the buildings were new. While Annie opened the shop door, Liam tied Otis to a post. The only person inside was a short young man with a round belly and thick brown hair. Seeing them at the door, he smiled and gestured for them to come in. “How can I help you today?” he asked. “I have some excellent pork chops if you’re interested.”
“That sounds very nice, but we’re actually looking for someone,” said Annie. “We understand that your father and your new stepmother came to visit you. Could we talk to Moonbeam, please?”
The young man lost his smile the moment Annie mentioned Moonbeam. “They aren’t here anymore, thank goodness. I had more than enough of that woman, er … fairy … whatever!”
“Isn’t she kind to you?” asked Annie.
“Oh, no, she’s very nice to me and to my sisters, trying to make up for everything she’s done. She’s always giving us presents because she knows she’s destroying our lives. And the way she treats my father! She has him wrapped around her little finger. He’ll do anything she asks, even if it means putting his own children out into the cold.”
“He kicked you out?”
“In a sense. She made him tell us that we had to get jobs and take responsibility for our lives. Can you believe it? And then she had my father tell me that I had to marry the girl I’d been seeing for the past two years. I’d told him often enough that I would get around to it when I was ready, but oh, no! He had to push it. So I married Dorothea and moved here, where her family lives. Father had changed so much, I couldn’t stand to be around him anymore, and Dorothea’s family does what every family is supposed to do. They’re there when we need them and leave us alone the rest of the time.”
“Sounds just right for you,” said Annie.
“You said that Moonbeam and your father left. Can you tell us where they went?” Liam asked.
“They went to visit a friend of hers. A fairy with a dumb name. I think it was Sweetness at Night.”
“Do you mean Sweetness N Light?” asked Annie.
“Yeah, that’s it. ‘Good riddance,’ I said as soon as they were out the door. I hope they don’t come back for a good long time.”
“I have one other question, if you don’t mind,” said Liam. “How were you able to get a shop of your own? I mean, you aren’t that old. Wasn’t it expensive?”
Jamesey shrugged. “It was, but my father and Moonbeam paid for it, which was only right. After all, they were the ones who made me leave home!”
Chapter 10
After thanking the butcher, Liam untied Otis from the post and helped Annie onto the gelding’s back. They rode in silence for a time with both of them lost in thought. When they reached the first crossroad, Liam reined in Otis. “Before we go east to the Garden of Happiness, I want to head south and see how my father is doing. We’re only a few hours away and it doesn’t make sense to go all the way to the garden, then come back here when we’re so close now.”
“But didn’t you just say that we had to hurry to find Moonbeam? We have all those people counting on us back at the castle!”
“And my father may be in real trouble here in Dorinocco. I understand it’s urgent that we find Moonbeam, but I need to make sure that my father is all right. Please understand, Annie. I wouldn’t do this unless I felt it was necessary.”
“I know,” Annie said. She felt so torn, she wasn’t sure what to do. She knew how important it was that they find Moonbeam, but what if King Montague was in trouble as well? And Liam was right, they were very close. “All right. It shouldn’t take long if we’re only a few hours away. We’ll go to the castle, see that he’s fine, and go on to the garden.”
“Thank you, Annie,” Liam said.
Annie hadn’t realized how worried he was that she wouldn’t agree until she felt the tension leave him and heard the relief in his voice. Sighing, she leaned against him, resting her head on his back and hugging him. “You know I’ll always be there for you.”
“And I’ll always be there for you,” he said, pressing her hand with his own. “I just didn’t want to make you go with me if you didn’t want to, but I really have to do this.”
Liam turned Otis onto the road heading south and let the gelding set his own pace. The horse had gotten his second wind and moved along with his ears pricked forward, interested in seeing what l
ay ahead. Annie and Liam rode in silence then, while Annie worried about what might be happening at home, and wondered if they had made the right decision. They were only a few miles from the castle when a patrol wearing King Montague’s colors passed them by.
“Why didn’t they greet you?” Annie asked. “They all looked right at us, but not one of them seemed to recognize you, their crown prince.”
“I’ve never seen any of them before,” Liam said, sounding puzzled. “I thought I knew all of my father’s men.”
“Perhaps they’re new,” said Annie.
“All of them? That doesn’t make sense. He’s never taken on that many new men all at once. I’ll have to ask him about it when we see him.”
They had been on the main road leading to the castle for only a short time when Liam muttered something to himself. “What did you say?” asked Annie.
“Something isn’t right,” he repeated in a louder voice. “There should be traffic on this stretch of the road, but we haven’t passed anyone other than that patrol. I don’t like this.”
“We’re almost there,” said Annie. “We’ll find out what’s going on soon enough.”
They reached the castle a few minutes later. Although it was only late afternoon, the drawbridge was up and they didn’t see anyone on the parapet. “Do you hear that?” asked Liam.
“What?” said Annie. “I don’t hear anything.”
Liam nodded. “Exactly! The courtyard is usually full of people this time of day, and it’s so loud you can hear it from this side of the wall. There should be guards out here and people waiting in line to cross over the drawbridge, but no one is here and it’s quiet. Something is definitely not right.”