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seen a deer before. She didn't seem to know that this was not an ordinary deer.
    Elia shot Keelie a murderous look, which Keelie could read well: don't embarrass me. The happy Elia who'd left the Dread Forest had been replaced by the paranoid, superior, snot-girl Elia. That was okay. Keelie knew how to deal with them both.
    Herne. At least she knew she hadn't been crazy at the mask shop. That Green Man mask was Herne, and he'd spoken to her telepathically then, too. If one vision was real, then another could be real as well. Maybe that really had been Peascod on the side of the road. Things were getting interesting, and not in a good way.
    Elia was patting her hair and straightening her clothes. They must be getting close to the village of Grey Mantle. Two ancient trees flanked the road, and as they passed, Keelie felt their welcome like a caress on her soul. That was more like it.
    A stone-and-timber building appeared on their right, built in the familiar style of the elven homes of the Dread Forest, and then there were more buildings on both sides of the road.
    The wagon stopped in a cobblestone-paved square surrounded by gray stone buildings. Two silver-haired elves in long robes stood together. Keelie recognized the symbols embroidered on their robes; these were members of the Elven Council. Keelie was disappointed. She'd hoped Norzan would greet them, too.
    Elia's eyes were bright as she stood up. She held her head high, like a princess, and walked to the edge of the wagon. She looked down at the cobblestones, which seemed to Keelie like a far drop.
    What the heck. She jumped down and held a hand up to Elia. She was her niece now, after all. Elia's lips tightened, then she reached down and took Keelie's hand in her own, her grip cold and tight. She's afraid, Keelie thought. All the snootiness was a bluff.
    "Let me help." Sean leaped to the ground and put his hands on Elia's waist, lifting her effortlessly and setting her lightly on the cobblestones. Keelie was relieved, and not jealous. The thought of Elia splatting on the ground had bothered her.
    Miszrial hopped out of the wagon and walked proudly toward the two elders. She bowed low, sweeping her arms in a graceful arc. "Milords, these are the ambassadors from the Dread Forest. Lady Elia, daughter of Lore Master Elianard, Lady Keliel Heartwood, daughter of Zekeliel, Lord of the Dread Forest, and Lord Sean o' the Wood, son of Niriel."
    Keelie kept her eyes on the two men, but wondered what Sean's reaction had been to the mention of his father. Since Niriel's fall from grace, he didn't even have an honorary title.
    The two Council members bowed their heads solemnly, and the three ambassadors bowed back. Keelie noticed that Elia's bright, expectant eyes darted back and forth, as if looking for the hidden parade that would greet her.
    The taller of the two stepped forward, a beaky-nosed elf with a deeply lined face. "I am Terciel, head of the elven Council here. I welcome you to the Northwoods and to Grey Mantle. We are grateful to the Dread Forest for sending you to help us to resolve our troublesome conflict."
    Keelie didn't think he suspected just how serious it might be. Or then again, maybe he knew exactly who or what lived in these woods with him. How could anyone ignore Herne, the Hunter?
    "Lord Terciel, greetings from the Dread Forest." Sean was acting as if Keelie were actually supposed to be standing there lost in thought. She owed him one.
    "Sean o' the Wood, son of Niriel, we are pleased that you have joined us. You are the first of your blood to walk here since the old times."
    Elia stepped forward. "I too bring greetings."
    Terciel looked at her as if she were a bug crawling on his birthday cake, but he bowed his head. "Lady Elia."
    Miszrial bowed to them. "Dinner will be in the Council building in an hour. You'll have time to refresh yourselves. Allow me to escort you to your rooms in the lodge."
    They followed her through the empty streets. Keelie felt eyes