Into the Wood (Take 2)

Andrea tried to tell herself that it didn't really matter - that if she ultimately decided that she wanted to be cured of her lycanthropy, Belboz would be able to remove the patch of hair; after all it must be a result of the lycanthropy, so if that was removed then presumably the hair would go as well. She did not altogether convince herself, though. Supposing the change in her indicated that matters had gone too far to be reversed? Whilst she thought, without her realising it her hand strayed inside her cloak and rubbed that little patch of hair, which was about the size of her thumbnail.

Then she noticed Astra looking at her with an amused expression on her face, and - feeling somehow guilty - she removed her hand from her cloak. She knew that she was blushing. "I've got an itch," she explained. "No need to look so guilty," the warrior-woman said. Andrea replied: "No, of course not," and lapsed back into silence.

Around noon, they entered the Fey Wood. Immediately they noticed that, though autumn was now well advanced, within the wood it still seemed to be high summer. The leaves of the trees were a fresh green, and many of the plants in the undergrowth were in flower. It was much warmer too. Astra and Andrea began to perspire inside their fur cloaks. (Frederigo was no longer bothered by either heat or cold whilst, since Simon wore only rags, the warmth was not a problem for him.)

Belboz had told them that there was a lake in the heart of the wood, into which the stream that paralleled their path flowed, and that the plants that they were looking for would probably be found near the lake. Thus they did not begin their search yet.

Before long, they began to be aware of a presence. It did not seem to be threatening; indeed, the feeling they got was one of great friendliness, and that whatever it was wished that they would stay. Each of them seemed to hear its whispering voice speak inside his or her head. To Simon it said: "You are getting old. Stay here, and you need get no older, but can live and praise your God forever." To Frederigo it said: "Whilst you are here, you need not fear the wrath of Hell if you fail to betray your friends. Even Hell cannot harm you here, and you can stay here forever. Would you not like to be able to be a man of honour again?" To Astra it said: "As a member of the royal house of Aqualaria, you know that you cannot lead the active life that you love for much longer. Before long, you will have to return home, and take up the tedious duties of a princess. Stay here for ever and that will not happen. Nor will your vitality ever fade." To Andrea it simply said: "You seek freedom. Only stay here, and you can be free forever."

Night fell before they reached the lake, and they made camp for the night. As before, Andrea was not required to take a turn at keeping watch.

1. Again, she dreamt.
2. This time she did not dream - or if she did, she had no memory of it afterwards.

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