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trick? Some
deceit of the pixies?” her voice was shaky with fear.
    “No,
indeed,” my mother furrowed her brow. “It is one of my most trusted soldiers –
he says it's true. In an effort to quell the uprising in the Spring lands,
Summer has marched not only into Spring – massacring a good number of their
rebels – but also killed a good portion of the protective forces we sent into the
region.”
    “But
– it was an accident, surely...?”
    “No
accident,” my mother's voice was harsh and cold. “They passed beyond the Spring
borders and into Winter territory – raiding one of our villages near the
border.”
    “No!”
Raine clapped a hand over her mouth. “He would never, Frank would never...”
    “Flametail,
as I understand it,” my mother said, raising an eyebrow, “was not consulted on
the matter. He was not in the palace when the decision was made – a decision
made by Redleaf and Redleaf alone. Not that she'd admit it, of course. My
sources tell me that she made it quite clear to the soldiers on all sides that
Flametail had made the decision to go on the offensive.”
    “But
where was Frank?” My mother pleaded. “Why would he have left Redleaf alone –
alone to…”
    “I'm
right here!” A booming voice echoed up the stairs. Flametail was bounding up
the stairs, his ginger hair brighter than usual in the candlelight. “Raine, I'm
so sorry – so sorry...I couldn't bear being without you another moment – I
wanted to visit you in secret...I missed you so much...”
    “Well,
this is a mess,” my mother said archly.
    “Frank,
how could you leave Redleaf alone? Knowing what she'd do – knowing how much she
wanted to stir up discord?”
    “I
never knew it was this bad...” Frank shook his head. “I know you tried to warn
me – but I thought it was just...” he gave a deep sigh. “Petty jealousy on both
sides – I should have listened...should have known better.” His shoulders hung
down limply, his stance burdened with guilt.
    “You've
put me in a dreadfully awkward position,” the Queen said. “By coming here just
when news of your attack has been announced – by all rights I should keep the
three of you hostage.”
    “Daddy...”
I heard you whisper softly – but the name was strange to you. I couldn't help
but wonder how long it had been since you had seen this man who so loved your
mother, and yet who could never quite find the strength to do the bravest
thing.
    “No!”
Raine cried. “No – I've had enough of this! Frank – I've loved you, you know
that, but I cannot allow Breena to be put at risk.”
    “Raine,”
Flametail's voice was coaxing and soft. “We'll sort this – I'll divorce
Redleaf, denounce her as a traitor...”
    “And
do you think anyone would believe you?” My mother scoffed. “Your policies about
Spring and Autumn have been divisive for decades – and I can bet you the life
of this kingdom that my people will be crying out for vengeance for the
bloodshed wreaked by this latest attack. They will demand that we retaliate –
and if you try to avoid responsibility for the attack, they will think you are
a liar and a coward as well as a murderer. Even I believe in your innocence
only on the strength of Raine's testimony to your character – you're foolish,
even stupid, but you're not smart enough to be a murderer.” The words stung,
and I heard you whimper. I wrapped my arms around you, wishing that I could
close your ears from these difficult sounds.
    “Then
what do we do?” Flametail looked hopelessly at the women around him, waiting
for an answer.
    “Raine
and the girl must leave Feyland immediately,” said my mother. “They aren't safe
here – not with the hatred engendered against them as members of the Summer
Court, and they certainly won't be safe at the Summer Court. How easy it would
be for any one of Redleaf's courtiers to get away with murder and pin it on
us...”
    “No...”
my mother whispered.
    “They
will leave Feyland