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into their cell, they were
placed in a wooden apparatus which clamped around their legs and
arms and held their heads.
    When the guards had departed, Jeremy asked
Edna what she had done. Edna explained how she was able to put an
image of the Forest into the minds of the Pet Bird and the King.
When Jeremy asked how she had done that, Edna but shrugged her
shoulders and said, "I think Betty did it."
    Jeremy said, "Well then, I think Betty has
saved our lives, at least for now, for I am sure we were about to
die. Can you continue hearing them and having them see this
image?"
    Edna was silent for some time before
replying, "I hear them and like the image not."
    While Jeremy and Edna experienced a night of
progressive discomfort as the pressure from the wooden apparatus
stiffened their muscles and joints, the Scarlet King and the Pet
Bird had nights even more terrifying. The image of the giant trees
engulfing them became ever more clear and terrifying. With the
coming of the morning light, little changed in the minds of the
Scarlet King or the Pet Bird; their terror persisted. The advisers
themselves were afraid because of the looks of fear so evident in
their King and his cousin. The Scarlet King seemed unable to make a
decision so one of the advisers sent for the envoy. He too appeared
weary but his mind was clear. He was asked for an explanation.
    When the envoy had heard the story he
replied, "It is Spirits of the Forest protecting their own. I would
advise releasing them unharmed to appease the Spirits of the
Forest."
    An adviser spoke up, saying, "These two of
the Forest have committed a capital crime and release is not
possible. They must pay the price of the crime."
    The envoy but shrugged his shoulders and
said, "I have witnessed the power of the Forest and the destruction
of our army. I would respect this power."
    Another of the advisers spoke up, saying, "I
think the woman is a witch who has cast a spell on our King. She
should be burned at the stake."
    There was a murmur of agreement from the
other advisers, but the King's nephew, the Pet Bird, spoke up,
saying, "Would killing the woman make the nightmare go away?"
    The envoy replied, "I would expect the
Spirits of the Forest would be much angered and the visions would
not only continue but become more vile."
    The statement caused the King to be somewhat
aroused from his semi-stupor, and he said, "You will go and make
the strangers stop the visions."
    The envoy bowed low and said, "I may need to
release them from our lands to appease the Spirits of the
Forest."
    The Scarlet King almost screamed at him,
saying, "Do what you must but stop the visions."
    The envoy again bowed low and departed the
hall. He headed not to the prison but rather to the military
headquarters. There he spoke only to his most trusted assistant,
giving specific orders. He then took a small escort with him to the
prison. The prison guard was of mixed loyalty, with some favoring
the military and others the palace guards. The envoy took no
chances and spoke directly to the commander of the prison, relaying
the Scarlet King's orders. The commander had reached his position
by carefully balancing his loyalty to the military and to the
palace. He replied, "You may meet with the prisoners but I must
confirm with the palace your mandate."
    The envoy was taken down a flight of stairs
to the most secure portion of the prison, and many locked gates
were opened. When he arrived at the cell where Jeremy and Edna were
being held, he was dismayed to see them in the stocks. He ordered
their immediate release from the stocks. The guard was uncertain of
the envoy's authority but the look of anger was enough to convince
him to follow the order. Jeremy and Edna said little while they
stretched their very stiff and sore muscles. The envoy said, "I can
speak of my anguish that you are being treated such. There is hope
for your release but I can no longer guarantee your safety."
    Edna asked, "Why is this happening?"
    The