“So, what happened in Stonewald that made you want to return to living in the forest?” I askedMerc.
“River, after living ages in the peaceful woods, living in a town was very difficult for me. I am socially inept. Sounds and lights give me the shakes. It was best that I return to the forest,” Merc said and then downed the rest of his ale. “I do not know how you have done if for all the years you have beenaway.”
Ishrugged.
“I do not have a home, Merc. I sleep in alleys. Sometimes a woman will take me in for a night. Sometimes another woman the next night. I just keep to myself and try to find out where the Carpe Noctem will be, and how I can make their visits not sobad.”
I sat up all the way in my seat and looked at Derwin. I explained about having just come from Drishane and about Princess Octavia. A loud laugh escaped Derwin’s mouth as he got up from the table. He continued to laugh while he gathered liquids and his cast ironplate.
“What? Why are you laughing?” I askedDerwin.
I kept looking back and forth from Merc to Derwin, hoping to be let in on thejoke.
“Carpe Noctem are fools to believe they will get intothatcastle,” Derwin said as he poured liquids onto the cast ironplate.
“Any castle is penetrable,” Iinsisted.
“Mmm, do not be so quick to say that, River. The Darick’s have been a high family forever. They have had witches and warlocks looking after them for a while now,” Derwin explained and swirled his finger around in theliquid.
After he examined the liquid on the cast iron plate, he smirked and looked up atme.
“They will not penetrate that castle. As long as a member of the Darick family is alive, there is a protective spell around the castle. Interesting enough, the spell specifically works against vampires,” Derwinlaughed.
“What about Princess Octavia? Can you see if she is still alive?” Iasked.
Derwin returned his gaze to the plate. He frowned and added more liquid and swirled itaround.
“That cannot be…” Derwin wiped off the plate and started over by adding moreliquid.
He quickly swirled the liquids around with his fingers. Wearing a frown on his face, he leaned back in his chair and then turned his head to look out hiswindow.
“What—” I began, but he interruptedme.
“Quiet! I am thinking,” heshouted.
When I glanced at Merc, he shrugged at me. We both returned our attention to Derwin when he satforward.
“Boys, touch the edge of the plate,” Derwininstructed.
I quickly reached my hand out and touched the edge of the cast iron plate when Merc touched it. Derwin’s mouth spread into agrin.
“Princess Octavia is alive. Her whereabouts though are hazy,” Derwin announced. He turned to look at me and gripped my upper arm. Derwin looked me in the eye and said, “You must not ask why, River, but you must not stop looking for her. The prophecy from so many years ago has changed. Your impact will be greater than firstthought.”
