Muriel opened her eyes and saw the brightness of the sky above her. She had to squint to keep them open. The silhouette of Duster appeared above her and asked “Muriel, are you alright?”

  She tried to sit up and fell back down. Declan leaned over her now and said “You must arise slowly, you were unconscious.”

  He held her hands in his and brought her to an upright position. When he was sure that she was steady, he held out a mug of water “Please drink this, it will help.”

  Muriel obeyed without complaint, “thank you.” She said weakly.

  She suddenly remembered why she had passed out and looked for Duster’s face. He was sitting right by her and gave her a small but reassuring smile. “Is my father alive?” Muriel asked.

  Duster hastened to answer “yes, he is quite well, very happy that you are not with him.”

  Muriel gave a sigh of relief and questioned Duster further “Why was he going to Embergate with you? Were there others?”

  “The entire village of Nettlewood with the exception of a small few were brought in. The guard Komodo seemed to find no reason for them to be there but he was following orders.” Duster said.

  Muriel had an idea why they were in there, they were Lady Revna’s security that Marwynn would not cross her again. Remembering Marwynn she realized she still had not seen him. “Duster, what happened to Marwynn?”

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  “We had to split up, we were being followed.” Duster stood up.

  Declan chimed in “Where is Marwynn heading?”

  Duster said “I believe he was going to head south to try to lose them, I imagine they will rest at Silken Pass.”

  Muriel heard the word ‘they’ and asked “who is they?”

  “He is with Oaklynn, she is going to help him” Duster revealed.

  Muriel looked annoyed after hearing the word ‘she’ and her face turned into the faintest pout.

  “I am glad he is not alone.” Declan said.

  Finn was walking from the tavern and stuffing his face with a cinnamon cake. He saw Muriel sitting on the ground and is face turned up in a smile. His cheeks were so full of cake that they looked as big as a chipmunk's. “What did I miss?” he struggled to say.

  Declan asked him “where have you been?”

  Finn’s cheeks lightly colored from being scolded by Declan. He was used to his sister but had never intended to offend Declan. He stammered “I.. I well I have been exploring, I’m sorry your majesty.”

  Declan felt sorry for Finn, he had not meant to embarrass him. He softened his tone, “While you were gone, Duster returned and was knighted.”

  “Knighted!” Finn exclaimed. Duster stood tall and puffed out his chest very happy with his new rank. Finn introduced himself with a flourish “Duster, I am Finn of the Hollowcoast and am delighted to meet such a high ranking official that doesn’t look like a saddle-goose.”

  Duster beamed at Finn and took a liking to him right away. Finn handed him the other half of the cake and Duster stuffed it into his cheeks to mirror Finn.