Breanna woke the following morning some time after sunup. The heavy curtains in the guest room had done a fine job keeping the early morning sun from peeking in, and it briefly dismayed Breanna that she was getting a late start to what would promise to be a busy day. Griogor was passed out on the couch in the room, where he had insisted on sleeping, so Breanna got up, picked out one of her traveling dresses from her pack, and slipped behind a changing screen to dress. The fine Kelltic wool of the dress felt downright abrasive after the fine alfaren silks from last night, but Breanna was not quite ready to parade around Portsdale dressed like that.

The magicks Ileanna had taught her were handy for making some adjustments to the dress, and fixing a hem that had snagged on something. Once Breanna finished dressing, she peered around the screen at Griogor. He had started to stir.

"Good morning, little one," Breanna said cheerily.

Griogor sat up abruptly. "Hi," he said as he rubbed his eyes.

"Shall we get something to eat?" she asked.

Griogor nodded.

"You should probably change into your other outfit," Breanna advised. "Walking around Portsdale looking like an alfaren noble would be strange."

Griogor got up. Breanna went to her pack and dug out his clothes. A quick weave of Heka cleaned the outfit and restored it to nearly new condition. Griogor happily took the outfit and went behind the screen to dress. He returned a coupld of minutes later, holding the silk alfaren suit.

"Just leave it on the bed," Breanna suggested. "We can get it later. Let's eat."

In a nook next to the kitchen, Breanna found Bilbus sitting at a small table piled with mostly untouched breakfast breads and some sausages.

"Hey, Bree," Bilbus said. His voice was tired.

Didn't sleep well?" Breanna asked.

Bilbus shook his head. "I was asking around to see if anyone had heard about the disappearing kids. Did you find anything?"

Breanna nodded and sat down. She grabbed one of the warm breads and handed it to Griogor before she grabbed a second one for herself. She took a large bite of it, savoring hints of apple. "You might want to get Adria, though," she replied.

"Why don't we take a tray up to my study, so we can talk a little more freely while we eat," Bilbus said.

"Griogor, you can stay here and eat," Breanna told the boy. "We'll be back in a few minutes."

"Okay," Griogor agreed as he sat on one of the chairs and looked eagerly at the piles of food on the table.

"Go ahead," Breanna encouraged him. "There's plenty."

Bilbus grabbed a small tray and piled a few rolls and some sausage onto it. He led Breanna to his private study, a small room lined with bookshelves. He set the tray down on his desk and went to find Adria. While he was gone, Breanna opened the curtains of the room to let some light in. It was nearly mid-morning already.  And I haven't even made it out of the house yet, she grumbled to herself.

Bilbus and Adria showed up a moment later.

"Good morning," Breanna said happily.

"Bilbus said you got in town yesterday," Adria said, smiling. "He also said you were looking into missing children?"

Breanna's smiled vanished. She sat down on one of the comfortable chairs in Bilbus's study. "When I got here yesterday, I wanted to surprise you and Bilbus, so I took my place waiting to hold audience with Bilbus. There were two other women waiting, and I could overhear their conversation. The child of one of them, a boy named Rand, had disappeared, and his mother wanted to speak to Bilbus. She had heard rumors that orcs are taking children."

"They aren't," Bilbus interrupted.

"I know," Breanna replied, feeling a mild exasperation.  Not enough sleep, Bree? she asked herself. "But I know who are. There are alfaren..."

"Who?" Bilbus blurted.

"They're elves, sort of."

"Figures," Bilbus grumbled.

"No!" Breanna asserted. "They were banished by the elven King for insulting him. The King sent them to Oerth, and they're trapped in their palace. They can't leave until the King lets them go."

"What does that have to do with the missing children? They don't eat them," Adria said, with the hint of a question in her last statement.

"No, they don't. But they need happiness to survive, and it has to be innocent happiness."

"So, they're forced to abduct children," Bilbus concluded.

"They only take children who are going to die young. They can see far enough into the future to know what is going to happen to a child, so those who disappear are children who would die early from illness or injury."

"What can we do about them?" Bilbus wondered.

Breanna took a deep breath. "I'm going to Phaeree to ask the elven King to forgive them."

"What?" Adria blurted.

"Are you insane?" Bilbus yelped.

"There's no other way I can think of," Breanna said. "They need to take more children before they've reached balance. The alfaren Prince thinks one or two more will be enough, but if he's wrong..."

"But you can't go to Phaeree. That's crazy. Rishala only went there by accident, and look what happened to him," Bilbus insisted.

"What do you mean?" Breanna asked.

Bilbus shrugged. "I don't know. I was just trying to change your mind."

Breanna giggled. "I see."

"But maybe he's right," Adria suggested. "If they only have to take one or two more children, and these children are going to die anyway..."

Breanna shook her head. "No. I already told the Prince that I would try. He agreed to stop taking children for a month to give me a chance to ask the King to let them go home. The children who are taken are kept in a beautiful place with very caring caretakers. All of their wants and needs are met and, to all appearances, they are extremely happy and will be until the end of time. Which sounds all well and good, but what keeps rearing its ugly head for me is that the alfaren are essentially feeding off of these children's happiness. And what of these children's parents? I know if it were Taleah or Caden, I'd want every second with them that I could have." Bree's voice dropped in sadness. "I do want every second. Wouldn't you?"

Bilbus nodded. "What do you need from us?"

"I'd like Adria to introduce me to the Elven Archers. I want to ask them some questions before I go. I want to find out what they know about the alfaren, to hear from an outside party if what the prince has told me about his people is true. I also want to know how I can navigate in Phaeree. The prince told me of the Standing Stones that are used as portals between Oerth and Phaeree and taught me magicks to open the stones, but I'm not positive I'll know how to find the King's palace once we get there. The alfaren prince thinks there are Standing Stones near here, which is why they've been trapped near Portsdale."

"Standing Stones?" Bilbus asked.

"Like what Rishala hit when he went to Phaeree."

"Oh."

"I need some supplies. Travel rations, for instance. I don't want to eat or drink anything while I'm there - I'd hate to be trapped in Phaeree because I ate something."

"Rishala was there for several days. He ate and drank, and he came back," Bilbus reminded Breanna.

"Oh. Yeah. Also, can I borrow a horse or two?"

"I went to see a man about a horse," Bilbus chuckled. "Of course. Why two?"

"I think Griogor is coming with me," Breanna replied.

"You're taking him?"

"I might be. I need to talk to him, first."

"I can take you to the elves," Adria offered.

"Thank you, Adria," Breanna replied. "Let me go talk to Griogor."

Breanna returned to the breakfast nook to find Griogor still feasting.

"Is the breakfast good?" she asked as she took a seat opposite the boy.

He nodded vigorously. "I usually don't get to eat in the morning."

"Griogor, I wanted to ask you if you still wanted to go with me," Breanna said.

"You don't want me to go?" Griogor asked worriedly.

"No, it's not that. It's just... I don't know what's going to happen. It could be dangerous. There's always a chance that we may not come back."

"I don't want to come back," Griogor said quietly. "Anything is better."

"You could stay and make sure the alfaren Prince keeps his word, and no other kids disappear."

Griogor shook his head quietly.

"You sound fairly sure of your decision little one. You know, at some point very soon, I'm going to need to know why you don't want to be here so badly. I've got a fairly good idea that someone here has hurt your fairly badly in your young life, and that makes me very angry and very sad all at the same time. No one should ever be treated that way, especially not by someone who they trust to care for and love them, but I can't help or protect you if I don't know what or who I'm protecting you from. Is there going to be a very angry parent chasing us that I need to know about?" Bree let her voice trail off, waiting to see if Griogor would tell her anything more of his life.

"He'll be angry if I'm there or not," Griogor said quietly. "He won't be chasing after you. He doesn't care. I've been away four days this time."

Bree nodded and said quietly, "Hmmmm. Four days. That's a long time for someone to be away from home without someone noticing. Do you have brothers or sisters who might be missing you? Is it your father, or an uncle or maybe a grandfather who doesn't care? Griogor, If we're going together on this adventure, then we're a team, so if this person is chasing after you, then he's chasing after me too. What would happen if you went home now?"

"If I went home now, I would get hit. It's why I don't go home. Are you going to make me go away?"

Breanna was quiet for a few seconds, thinking through her answer.  How am I any different then the alfaren, taking this child away from his life, his parents, to give him a better life? Ahhh, Edain, I really am starting to wonder just how you must enjoy these situations. "No, little one, I am not going to make you go away. I think there are other opportunities waiting for you in other places. Its not going to be easy, and I don't know just yet how we'll make it all work, but we'll figure something out. Do you want to make the journey to Phaeree with me or would you rather stay here with Bilbus and Adria and make sure that the alfaren prince keeps his word? This is your choice to make little one. I can not and will not make it for you."

"There's nothing for me here to stay for. What can I do if the prince takes children?"

He has a good point Bree. What could he do? He can feel the magicks but not control them yet, and its not likely he'll confront the prince alone... Grasping at straws, Breanna said quietly, "If you started to feel the magicks of the pool forming, you could try to keep the other children safe by distracting them with another game, although I doubt you'd have much warning. Griogor, I just want you to be safe, and I don't know how to do that..you're not safe if you're running around here with your family, and I don't know how safe you'll be with me in Phaeree either. Just living at all is inherently dangerous sometimes, but its sometimes safer when you aren't actively seeking out unusual circumstances. How can you help me while we're in Phaeree?"

He shrugged his shoulders and gazed at his plate. "I don't know. I won't get in the way. I'll do whatever you tell me to do, but this... It's Phaeree. My ma' used to tell stories about it. And the pool... The pool was just like her stories, with happy people and magickal places, and... Please? She won't ever get to see it." His eyes were wet, and he sniffed once and wiped his sleeve across his face to get rid of the tears.

Breanna reflexively produced a clean handkerchief from her skirt pocket and handed it to the little boy. With a sigh, she said quietly, "Oh little one.. How can I deny an argument like that from an adventure seeker after my own heart? The stories aren't always what they seem. The great story tellers don't always tell you about the crummy parts of the adventure, like being wet and cold and terrified, but still its fun to be able to have stories of your own to tell. While we're traveling, you will need to listen very closely to what I tell you and ask you to do though Griogor, no questions asked. Your own life and mine as well may depend on it. Can I count on you to do that?"

The little boy nodded enthusiastically, his eyes shining with excitement.

"We'll see if Bilbus and Adria can help us find enough equipment for the both of us. Maybe while we're traveling you can tell me some of the stories your mother told you."

Griogor nodded a little wistfully. "Okay."

Adria came into the kitchen. "You must be Griogor," she said pleasantly. "I'm Adria."

Griogor mumbled through a full mouth, "M'lady."

"Are you ready to go, Bree? Griogor, you can stay here to eat, if you like."

Griogor nodded as he reached for a sausage link.

Breanna followed Adria outside and down the road. They stopped at a low wooden building a block from the mansion. Adria stepped inside, motioning for Breanna to follow her.

In the entryway was an elf. He was tall, with fair skin and blond hair.  If Adria had pointed ears, they could be twins, Breanna giggled to herself.

"Baroness, I did not expect you this morning," the elf said in a sing-song Kelltic voice.

"No, no, Commander," Adria replied. "My friend is making ready to travel to Phaeree. She wanted to ask some questions of you before she departed."

"I remember Lady Ceiturin," the elf said as he bowed. "How may I be of assistance?"

Bree returned the bow and smiled warmly, "I wanted to know if you've heard of the alfaren?"

The elf nodded. "I have, Lady. They were renowned artists, the best of all Phaeree, but they gravely insulted the King, and they were banished. This was all before my time."

Breanna nodded distractedly, "I see. At least that part of the story is true. When I get to Phaeree, how do I navigate?"

"It depends on how you are going to Phaeree."

"I've heard that there may be a Standing Stone near Portsdale. Have you seen one, perchance?"

The elf shook his head. "I've not looked for one. I know they used to be used to travel to Oerth and back, but I know of no one who has used one in decades. If there is one near here, it will take you to a settled region of Phaeree. There will be a town nearby. You can get directions from there. It's hardly difficult to travel through the lands of the Seelie Court, except in the Hinterlands. But you needn't worry over that."

"The Hinterlands? Sounds like somewhere I don't necessarily want to stumble upon. Where is that, and how do I avoid it?" Breanna could feel the blush creeping up her cheeks. "I know these questions probably seem silly to you Commander. I just want to make sure that I am as prepared for this journey as I can be, as I must make the journey in haste."

"Understood, Lady. The Hinterlands are the extremes of the Seelie Court's lands. They are unsettled lands. There are no Standing Stones in that region. It will be very clear to you that you have left the settled lands of the elves long before you need to worry over the Hinterlands. The Standing Stones are all well within the lands of the Seelie Court. There is always a town nearby, since the reason for the Standing Stones was to facilitate travel between our world and yours. It is similar to a sea port.  One does not build a sea port far from civilization."

"This is very true. It would make no sense to build a port far from civilization. About how long will it take to get the King's palace, do you think? Is there anything else I need to know about traveling in the Seelie Court's lands? I know that most of the elven races aren't overly fond or are indifferent to humans, but I do not wish to unknowingly offer offense to anyone while we are visiting."

"How long it takes to get to the King's Palace depends on how far away one is from the palace, does it not? I do not know how far away any Standing Stones are from the Seelie Court. They have not been used since before my grandparents' time. As far as worrying over the reactions of elves, m'Lady, most elves care not for humans because humans are short-lived, and, by extension, impatient. They find elves mysterious and exotic, and constantly pose questions upon the elves."

Breanna could not tell if the commander was directing his response at her. The tone of his voice remained polite, and perhaps even deferential.

Breanna blushed even deeper, but kept her tone calm. "I can see where that would be annoying, and I thank you for your time Commander. If you wouldn't mind one more question from a pesky human? If the stones aren't in common use anymore, is there a more common method of travel that we should be using?"

"There is no more common method of travel available to your kind. Our people take a Gate within the Elven Forest to travel from Phaeree to here, but you will never be granted access to the Elven Forest, so that option is moot."

Bree nodded, "I have been told as much, but I thought it couldn't hurt to have more than one source of information. Commander, I thank you for your time and patience."

The Commander dipped his head in acknowledgement. "Of course, Lady Ithell. Have a good journey."